Tecplot 360 MB Beta Notes

We’re working on improvements to make Tecplot 360 “MB” (Mo’ Better). This version of Tecplot 360 represents a new way of working with your data by introducing a number of key new concepts: 

• Data Journal
• Deferred computation
• Open Layout with Data Override
• Layouts/Macros/Stylesheets will refer to Parts/Variables by name
• Transient XY Line Plots

These concepts will make Tecplot 360 faster to use, reduce reliance on scripting, decrease the need to write out data when saving layouts, and allow layouts, macros, and stylesheets to be more easily reused with other datasets. 

Data Journal 

The data journal is the key component to this Beta build of Tecplot 360. The Data Journal is available via the View > Data Journal sidebar menu and displays a visual, executable, and editable record of the data operations performed to the dataset. This Data Journal is only executed at timesteps you visit, saving you time by not performing data operations across all timesteps immediately (as Tecplot 360 does today). 

Tecplot 360 has roughly 40 data operations that will need to be ported to this new infrastructure. This Tecplot 360 Beta has a handful of the most commonly used data operations implemented to demonstrate the aforementioned concepts. These data operations are: 

Data > Alter > Specify Equations 

Specify Equations will now use “Deferred computation” so you don’t have to wait for the equation to be processed at all timesteps before moving on with your work. Watch a demonstration of this feature below.

Data > Extract > Extract Region *NEW* 

Extract Region allows you to use equivalence operators to extract a subset of the cells in your data. Watch a demonstration of this feature below. 

Data > Extract > Slice  

A new extract slice dialog is independent of the “Slice Details” dialog. This new method of slice extraction allows you to specify a single normal direction and multiple origin locations to extract many slices at once. This is handy if you need to extract slices over time in a transient dataset, as it utilizes “deferred computation” to only extract at the timesteps you visit.

If starting from the Slice Details dialog – this dialog will launch, pre-populated with the appropriate settings, so you only need to confirm the settings and hit Extract.

Data > Extract > Isosurface

A new extract isosurface dialog is independent of the “Isosurface Details” dialog. This new method of isosurface extraction allows you to select a single variable (no more dealing with Contour Groups as the variable) and multiple isosurface values at once. This method utilizes “deferred computation” to only extract at the timesteps you visit and stores the instructions in the Data Journal, so you can save a layout without saving a new data file!

If starting from the Isosurface Details dialog – this dialog will launch, pre-populated with the appropriate settings, so you only need to confirm the settings and hit Extract.

Data > Interpolate > Linear 

Linear Interpolation has a redesigned dialog that makes interpolation across time for transient datasets easier. Watch a demonstration of this feature below. 

Analyze > Calculate Variables 

Calculate Variables no longer has the “Calculate On Demand” option, as it now utilizes the “Deferred computation” framework to only compute variables at the timesteps you visit.

 

Analyze > Perform Integration 

Integration results (when choosing Plot Results As) will now allow you to save a layout without saving the data, since the command is now stored in the Data Journal and can be reproduced when opening the layout. Where previous versions of 360 would overwrite the previous results on subsequent integrations, this version will produce a new zone (Part) in your dataset, making it easier to perform and retain multiple integrated results. Watch a demonstration of this feature below.

Open Layout with Data Override 

Layouts can now be easily used with different datasets by using the “Data override” option in the Open Layout dialog. This feature, coupled with the data journal makes viewing results from different simulation runs a breeze! Check out this feature in action below.

Layouts/Macros/Stylesheets will Refer to Parts/Variables by Name

Referring to data by name instead of index makes layouts, macros, and stylesheets more robust, easier to read, and more applicable to alternate datasets.

Layouts, stylesheets, and macros will be saved with Part and Variable names by default. Hand written scripts can choose indexes or names. If two items of the same name exist, the first will be used.

You may revert Tecplot 360 to writing indexes by adding these lines to the tecplot.cfg file:

$!Compatibility UsePartNamesForFieldMapAssignments = False

$!Compatibility UseNamesForVariableAssignments = False

Transient Line Plots *NEW* 

Tecplot 360 has the ability to animate Line Mappings, but it’s never been easy to animate line data concurrently with 2D and 3D data.  The Tecplot 360 MB Beta makes this easy, by allowing Line Maps to reference Parts. The Plot Sidebar also now includes the Solution Time controls, just like 2D and 3D plots.  If you have transient data, simply assign a Line Map to a transient Part and animate!

                                   

Known Issues 

• Performing data extraction actions that have not yet been ported to this new infrastructure may result in undefined behavior. For example:   
  • Use Data > Extract > Region instead of Data > Extract > Blanked Zone 
• Transient controls on the sidebar may go gray while animating when the layout includes XY line plots. To stop the animation, use the “Stop” button at the bottom right of the application. 
• Layouts which use Edit Time Strands may not load correctly in this version. 

Bugs Fixed since October Beta:

• Fixed various issues associated with the use of ‘letter codes’ in equations.
• Fixed issue where second extracted slice would be assigned to the wrong Part
• Fixed issue where FieldMap style would be reset when editing a journal command
• Fixed issue where some calculated variables would become “Passive” when editing a journal command
• Fixed “Add to List” button on the Windows Extended File dialog
• Fixed crash when extracting iso-surfaces at more than one iso-value
• Fixed crash when probing data after editing the journal
• Fixed crash when switching to XY line plot type after performing a slice extraction
• Fixed performance issue with >60,000 zones

Check out the YouTube video below for a demonstration of these concepts.