Visualize Mesh with foamToVTK

andrewryan · October 3, 2009, 08:35

I'm justing foamToVTK here, since I didn't get paraFoam working. I would like to visualize a simple mesh, which I created using blockMeshDict and blockMesh.

I want to do this before actually computing anything so the only files created are:
constant/polyMesh/blockMeshDict
system/controlDict (blockMesh required this)

So far foamToVTK fails complaining that system/fvSchemes is missing. Any ideas? Could it be done by using the parallel reader?

7islands · October 4, 2009, 02:42

Hi Andrew,
Yes the parallel reader can do it, but copying the missing files from any one of the tutorials may be a lot easier solution

(besides they are required for running simulations anyway).

Takuya

andrewryan · October 5, 2009, 02:44

Created the files and it worked. However I'm wondering if there is a way to display the patches from blockMeshDict in paraview. Also I wonder whether there is a difference between foamToVTK and paraFOAM. If I just use foamToVTK will it omit some things or do a see exactly the same as when using paraFoam?

Btw: I managed to get paraview compiled with the parallel reader on a Linux machine. I also have a Mac and wonder whether there are any binary plugins for the paraview version from paraview.org (I don't want to compile it again)

Schag · October 5, 2009, 09:42

Hi Andrew,

using foamToVTK, il will create vtk files for internalField and others for patches. If you want to visualize patches in paraview, you have to open yourpachname_timestep.vtk into the pipeline browser in Paraview.

using paraFoam, you can (under linux) select what part of your mesh (internal/patches) and what variables you want to compute. It doesn't really bring more than foamToVTK, except it's faster.

From my experience, I use paraFoam to visualize the results when alone, but foamToVTK when I want to show results in a presentation.

Anyway, I don't know if it's just on my computer, but paraview seems faster when using it on windows instead of linux (BUT it force you to use foamToVTK)

Hoping it's helping you,

Regards

October 3, 2009, 08:35	Visualize Mesh with foamToVTK	#1
andrewryan Member Andrew Ryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 17	I'm justing foamToVTK here, since I didn't get paraFoam working. I would like to visualize a simple mesh, which I created using blockMeshDict and blockMesh. I want to do this before actually computing anything so the only files created are: constant/polyMesh/blockMeshDict system/controlDict (blockMesh required this) So far foamToVTK fails complaining that system/fvSchemes is missing. Any ideas? Could it be done by using the parallel reader?

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October 4, 2009, 02:42		#2
7islands Super Moderator Takuya OSHIMA Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Niigata City, Japan Posts: 518 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 20	Hi Andrew, Yes the parallel reader can do it, but copying the missing files from any one of the tutorials may be a lot easier solution (besides they are required for running simulations anyway). Takuya

October 5, 2009, 02:44		#3
andrewryan Member Andrew Ryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 17	Created the files and it worked. However I'm wondering if there is a way to display the patches from blockMeshDict in paraview. Also I wonder whether there is a difference between foamToVTK and paraFOAM. If I just use foamToVTK will it omit some things or do a see exactly the same as when using paraFoam? Btw: I managed to get paraview compiled with the parallel reader on a Linux machine. I also have a Mac and wonder whether there are any binary plugins for the paraview version from paraview.org (I don't want to compile it again)

October 5, 2009, 09:42		#4
Schag Member Julien Schaguene Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: France Posts: 55 Rep Power: 17	Hi Andrew, using foamToVTK, il will create vtk files for internalField and others for patches. If you want to visualize patches in paraview, you have to open yourpachname_timestep.vtk into the pipeline browser in Paraview. using paraFoam, you can (under linux) select what part of your mesh (internal/patches) and what variables you want to compute. It doesn't really bring more than foamToVTK, except it's faster. From my experience, I use paraFoam to visualize the results when alone, but foamToVTK when I want to show results in a presentation. Anyway, I don't know if it's just on my computer, but paraview seems faster when using it on windows instead of linux (BUT it force you to use foamToVTK) Hoping it's helping you, Regards