In Tecplot 360 EX, interpolation refers to assigning new values for the variables at data points in a zone based on the data point values in another zone (or set of zones).
For example, you may have a set of data points in an I-ordered zone that are distributed randomly in the XY-plane. This type of data is sometimes referred to as unordered, ungridded, or random data. In Tecplot 360 EX, it is referred to as irregular data. Using data in this form, you can create mesh plots and scatter plots, but you cannot create contour plots, light-source shading, or streamtraces.
In Tecplot 360 EX, you can interpolate the irregular I-ordered data onto an IJ-ordered mesh, and then create contour plots and other types of field plots with the interpolated data. You can also interpolate your 3D, I-ordered irregular data into an IJK-ordered zone and create 3D volume plots from the IJK-ordered zone. You can even interpolate to a finite element zone.
The accuracy of the interpolation will depend on your data, the density of the destination grid, how well the grid fits the area of your unorganized zone and the settings used for interpolation.
There are two types of interpolation available:
• Linear Interpolation - Interpolate using linear interpolation from a set of finite element, IJ-ordered, or IJK-ordered zones to one zone.
• Inverse-Distance Interpolation - Interpolate using an inverse-distance weighting from a set of zones to one zone.
• Kriging- Interpolate using Kriging from a set of zones to one zone.