Projects

Using a project file can help you with several goals. When you work with multiple data files, such as comparing numerous history match runs to observed data, it is useful to load and unload all associated files simultaneously. A project file can do this. When you work with the same data file on multiple occasions, a project file can help you return to visualize the data file the way you did previously. In case you work with a large data file that might cause Tecplot RS to crash, saving a project file will ease the pain of crashing, since you will usually lose less work. Trivial in size but large in power, project files can help speed the workflow of most users.

A Project file consists of a list of data files (with their file paths for simultaneous loading), saved plot styles, and paper layout settings. The Project file is a tagged text file (XML) so that you can edit it manually if you wish, while remaining usually small in size. All these factors allow you to use a Project file to return to a set of data files with the "look" you have established for them.

Creating a New Project File

When you launch Tecplot RS, you are automatically working with a new, empty project. You can immediately start loading data into the project, and Tecplot RS will prompt you to save the project to a file when you exit the application.

You can also create a new project by choosing New Project from the Project menu. If you had already loaded data or adjust settings in Tecplot RS (thus working in an unsaved project), Tecplot RS will ask you if you want to save that project before switching to a new project.

The project file includes any file that you currently have open, including Custom files, Style files, and Paper Layout Template files (.rscx, .rsstyx, and .rslayx, respectively). The project file will also include the paths to the solution files associated with any active grid file. Refer to Tecplot RS Files for information on the file types.

Saving a Project File

To save the condition of your current project, choose Save Project from the Project menu. If you have not previously saved the current project, Tecplot RS will prompt you to specify a location in which to save it. Otherwise, the current settings will automatically update the current project file.

To save the condition of your current project to a new file, choose Save Project As from the Project menu. Tecplot RS will prompt you to specify the location to save the project. The saved file will become your current project file in Tecplot RS.

You can save project files to any location; Tecplot RS does not require them to reside in the same location as your data files.

Opening Existing Project Files

To open an existing (that is, previously saved) project file, choose Open Project from the Project menu. Tecplot RS also remembers up to ten recently accessed project files and adds them to the Project menu.

Tecplot RS will unload your currently loaded data files (the data files associated with your current project) before loading the files in the new project.

You can also open a project file by dragging it onto the Tecplot RS icon or onto the Tecplot RS workspace.

You can open a project from the command line by typing "tecplotrs" followed by the name of the project file (including the extension, .rsprj). For example, to open the project myproject.rsprj from the command line, type the following in the command line and press Enter:

tecplotrs myproject.rsprj

Project File Contents

When you save a project, that project will include:

  • The list of all open files, including identifiers for which ones are active.

  • Embedded versions of the Paper Layout, Plot Options, and Custom Options files. Refer to Paper Layout, Plot Options, and Custom Plot Options Dialog (respectively) for details.

  • All defined selection sets (refer to Selection Sets for details).

  • Grid and XY Equations (refer to Grid Equations and XY Equations for details).

  • Display options (for example, show wells and 2D view type).

  • All XY Freestyle plot definitions (refer to XY Freestyle Plots for details).

  • Multi-frame settings (refer to Multi-Frame Options for details).

  • Select comparison data sets and comparison options (refer to Comparing XY Data for details).

  • Your Template folder and 10 most recently used templates in the project (refer to Templates for details).

  • Plot descriptions that you have saved to the Gallery (see Bookmark Gallery).

  • The Custom 3D View, if any (see Custom 3D View).

  • The last plot type view.

While your project file has the style data embedded, you can always change styles with the interface (independent of the data in your project file), and you can save your project again to save the changes.

Viewing Project Files

The project file uses an XML format, a logically tagged file. It is not necessary for you to edit this file manually; however, if you wish, you can view the file in a variety of XML browsers, including Internet Explorer. In order for the browser to properly recognize it as an XML file, however, you may need to rename the project file with a .xml extension instead of the normal .rsprj extension.

If you use the XML browser in Internet Explorer, Windows may require you to "Allow Blocked Content". This allows you to take advantage of some browser capabilities, such as collapsing subcategories, that make navigating XML files easier.