CGNS vs Tecplot Data Format
 

I need to write a software tool to import a CFD results file, generate path-lines of data throughout the data set, and then export the data to a new set of data files. This is so the data can be used in the RADCAL, narrow-band radiation model.

I am currently doing my CFD calculations using FLUENT which can output to many different formats, but I am considering the use of either CGNS or Tecplot ASCII. I feel like with either data set I am going to have a lot to learn about reading the data into my own FORTRAN program for post processing, but I thought that someone here might have a suggestion on which to use.

The final data format I need will look something like this:

Path_Length, Temperature, <Species Mole Fractions>

The path length is calculated as the straight-line distance from one point to the other. In general we do this on a single plane. I know that I will end up having to interpolate data to each of the sample point locations that I want to use.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I'm also interested to know the advantages and disadvantages of these 2 formats. But I think it should be a comparison between CGNS and Tecplot binary, instead of ASCII.

I wonder if there is some real advantages if I'm only using tecplot for visualization

I suggest you should look at
http://www.paraview.org/
and http://www.vtk.org/

Much of what you intend to do might be available through Paraview and VTK.

We do a good job of documenting our data format here: http://download.tecplot.com/360/current/dataformat.pdf

One can also use our TecIO library to create a binary Tecplot format here:
http://download.tecplot.com/tecio/2009/

One can also use a separate application called "Preplot" to turn a Tecplot ASCII file to Tecplot binary (found on the TecIO page as well).

I am not qualified to comment on whether the Tecplot or the CGNS format is better suited for the application.

Scott