4 - 22   Tecplot-Format Loader

This section describes the process for loading Tecplot-format data files with the extensions .dat for ASCII files and .plt for binary files. Some other products that write Tecplot binary files use the filename extension .bin or .tec, and these are also recognized by the Tecplot-Format loader. (Refer to the Data Format Guide for information on outputting data into Tecplot 360 EX file format.)

There are four ways to create and work with Tecplot-format data files:

• Generate a Tecplot-format ASCII data file - Read the file into Tecplot 360 EX and work without conversion. If the dataset is altered, save it as an ASCII data file. This method works well for smaller datasets where the convenience of an ASCII file outweighs any inefficiencies.

• Generate a Tecplot-format ASCII data file and convert it to a binary file with Tecplot 360 EX - Read it into Tecplot 360 EX, then save it as a binary data file, then work with the binary file. Once you have saved a binary version, you can delete the ASCII version. This works well for large datasets where ASCII inefficiencies are noticeable. See Section 23 - 2 “Data File Writing”.

• Generate a Tecplot-format ASCII data file, then convert it to a binary file with Preplot - Preplot, a utility program included with Tecplot 360 EX, converts ASCII to binary Tecplot-format data files. Once the binary file is created, delete the ASCII version to save space. This works well for identifying problems with data files, since Preplot's error messages include precise details. This method also works well in batch processing, or if the ASCII data files are generated on another machine. (See the Data Format Guide for a description of Preplot.)

• Generate a Tecplot-format binary data file - Read the binary data file into Tecplot 360 EX and work without conversion. You must use routines provided by Tecplot as part of the TecIO library to write Tecplot-format binary files from C or FORTRAN programs. (See the Data Format Guide for complete details.)

See also Section 4 - 23 “Tecplot Subzone Loader” for information on loading the newer subzone file format (.szplt), which is optimized for working interactively with larger files. It is straightforward for developers to upgrade software that writes Tecplot binary files using the TecIO library to write subzone files.

4 - 22.1   Tecplot Data File Loading

The Tecplot Data Loader (accessed via File>Load Data) allows you to load ASCII (.dat) and binary (.plt) Tecplot-format data files. For both kinds of files, Tecplot 360 EX supports full data files, grid files, and solution files, where the file types are defined as follows:

• Full - Full files contain both grid and solution data. Data files produced for Tecplot 360 Version 2006 and earlier are treated as full data files. Full files can be loaded in any order.

• Grid - Grid files contain static data for all zones. They have at least one variable or FE connectivity; they may contain both variables and connectivity simultaneously.

• Solution - Solution files contain time-varying data for all zones in the file.

You may load more than one Tecplot format file at a time by selecting multiple files in the Load Data dialog. In fact, this is required when loading solution data because the corresponding grid file must be loaded at the same time.

Loading Grid and Solution Data Files

When you are loading grid and/or solution files, please keep the following in mind:

• Each solution file must be read in after the grid file it is associated with has been loaded.

• If you load multiple grid and solution files into Tecplot 360 EX, the order the files are listed will be used to determine which grid is used for which solution file(s). For example, if you load a set of grid and solution files in the following order:

• Grid A

• Solution A

• Solution B

• Solution C

• Grid B

• Solution D

Grid A will be shared for Solution Files A, B, and C. Grid B will be used for Solution File D.

• You may load a grid file with variables or variables and connectivity without loading a solution file. However, you may not load a grid file that contains only FE connectivity data.