tecplot

ISE TCAD Release 10.0

Integrated Systems EngineeringZurich, Switzerland

Tecplot-ISE

© 1995–2004 ISE Integrated Systems Engineering AG, Switzerland. All rights reserved.

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THIS PUBLICATION MAY INCLUDE TECHNICAL OR OTHER INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. ISEINTEGRATED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AG MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR CHANGES IN THE PRODUCT(S)AND/OR THE PROGRAM(S) DESCRIBED IN THIS PUBLICATION AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

The IBM version of ISE TCAD contains IBM XL Fortran for AIX run-time modules. © 1990–2004 IBM Corporation. All rightsreserved.

Advanced Calibration, AtomISE, DESSIS, DEVISE, DIOS, EMLAB, FabLink, FLOOPS-ISE, GENESISe, INSPECT, ISE ProcessExplorer, ISE TCAD, ISExtract, LIGAMENT, MDRAW, MESH, NOFFSET3D, OptimISE, PARDISO, SPARTA, and TCAD FabPackage are trademarks of ISE Integrated Systems Engineering AG.

Tecplot is a registered trademark of Tecplot, Inc., Bellevue, WA, U.S.A.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. PGP is a registeredtrademark of the PGP Corporation in the United States and other countries. WinZip is a registered trademark of WinZip Computing,Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CONTENTS

Tecplot-ISEPreface ......................................................................................................................................... v

About this manual .................................................................................................................................vTypographic conventions......................................................................................................................vComments about this manual .............................................................................................................. viISE Technical Support ......................................................................................................................... vi

Chapter 1 Getting started........................................................................................................ 5.11.1 About Tecplot-ISE......................................................................................................................5.11.2 Main Tecplot window .................................................................................................................5.11.3 Starting Tecplot-ISE from the command prompt .......................................................................5.21.4 Starting Tecplot from GENESISe ..............................................................................................5.2

1.4.1 General recommendations for using Tecplot-ISE effectively .......................................5.2

Chapter 2 Loading files ........................................................................................................... 5.32.1 File loader ..................................................................................................................................5.3

2.1.1 Mapping coordinates ....................................................................................................5.32.2 Loading mixed-element files ......................................................................................................5.32.3 Loading flat recursive tensor files ..............................................................................................5.42.4 Loading XY-plot files..................................................................................................................5.4

Chapter 3 ISE sidebar.............................................................................................................. 5.53.1 ISE menu bar.............................................................................................................................5.53.2 ISE sidebar ................................................................................................................................5.5

3.2.1 Common components ..................................................................................................5.53.2.2 ISE sidebar in 2D/3D mode..........................................................................................5.73.2.3 ISE sidebar in XY line mode.........................................................................................5.9

Chapter 4 Generating cuts .................................................................................................... 5.114.1 Generating cuts .......................................................................................................................5.11

4.1.1 Selecting the destination frame mode ........................................................................5.114.1.2 Generating multiple parallel cuts ................................................................................5.124.1.3 Generating multiframe cuts ........................................................................................5.124.1.4 Exporting 1D cuts to INSPECT ..................................................................................5.13

Chapter 5 FLOOPS-ISE interface.......................................................................................... 5.155.1 Launching Tecplot or connecting to Tecplot from FLOOPS-ISE .............................................5.15

5.1.1 Valid host and port specification.................................................................................5.155.2 Controlling FLOOPS-ISE from Tecplot ....................................................................................5.16

Chapter 6 Measuring distances............................................................................................ 5.176.1 Using the measure distance option .........................................................................................5.17

Chapter 7 Utilities and preferences...................................................................................... 5.197.1 Updating data ..........................................................................................................................5.197.2 Customizing contour levels......................................................................................................5.197.3 Preferences .............................................................................................................................5.20

7.3.1 General preferences...................................................................................................5.217.3.2 Frames preferences ...................................................................................................5.227.3.3 INSPECT preferences................................................................................................5.237.3.4 XY Graph preferences................................................................................................5.23

iii

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECONTENTS

Chapter 8 Automating tasks................................................................................................. 5.25

Appendix A Command options ............................................................................................ 5.27A.1 General options ...................................................................................................................... 5.27A.2 Launcher options .................................................................................................................... 5.27A.3 Loader options........................................................................................................................ 5.28A.4 Tecplot options ....................................................................................................................... 5.28A.5 Recognized file types ............................................................................................................. 5.28A.6 Environment variables ............................................................................................................ 5.29

Appendix B Installation issues............................................................................................. 5.31B.1 Tecplot in ISE TCAD .............................................................................................................. 5.31

Glossary ................................................................................................................................. 5.33

iv

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE PREFACE

Tecplot-ISE

Preface

About this manualThis manual describes the ISE TCAD™ add-on to Tecplot1. Tecplot is a dedicated software for scientificvisualization that ISE has extended to accommodate the special requirements of the ISE simulationenvironment. This manual only covers the usage of the add-on. Tecplot has its own set of documentation. Ifthe user cannot find information in this manual, consult Tecplot User’s Manual and Tecplot Reference Manual.It is recommended to visit http://www.tecplot.com for further information about Tecplot.

The main chapters are:

Chapter 1 presents the two methods of starting Tecplot-ISE.

Chapter 2 describes how to load grid and data files in DF–ISE format.

Chapter 3 sets out the key features of the ISE menu bar and ISE sidebar.

Chapter 4 describes how to generate various cut types.

Chapter 5 describes how to use the FLOOPS-ISE™ interface.

Chapter 6 describes the Measure distance option.

Chapter 7 presents various utilities and the options available from the Preferences dialog box.

Chapter 8 describes how tasks can be automatized using the Tecplot macro language.

Typographic conventions

1. Tecplot is a registered trademark of Tecplot, Inc., Bellevue, WA, U.S.A.

Convention Explanation

Blue text Identifies a cross-reference (only on the screen).

Bold text Identifies a selectable icon, button, menu, or tab. It also indicates the name of a field, window, dialog box, or panel.

Courier font Identifies text that is displayed on the screen or that the user must type. It identifies the names of files, directories, paths, parameters, keywords, and variables.

Italicized text Used for emphasis, the titles of books and journals, and non-English words. It also identifies components of an equation or a formula, a placeholder, or an identifier.

Key+Key Indicates keyboard actions, for example, Ctrl+I (press the I key while pressing the Control key).

Menu > Command Indicates a menu command, for example, File > New (from the File menu, select New).

NOTE Identifies important information.

v

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISEPREFACE

Comments about this manualTo improve ISE technical documentation and allow users to fully explore ISE TCAD™ software, ISE requeststhe opinions of users about the contents of this manual. ISE welcomes comments and notification of any errorsto [email protected].

ISE Technical SupportISE Technical Support provides timely and efficient responses to customer requests:

Europe (and the rest of the world): [email protected]

North America and South America: [email protected]

Japan: [email protected]

Taiwan: [email protected]

Korea: [email protected]

China: [email protected]

All data submitted to ISE Technical Support is treated confidentially. Upon request, PGP®/GPG encryptionof transferred data can be used.

To avoid difficulties with email transmissions and shorten the response time, process files before submittingthem. It is preferred that gzip’ed archive files are sent (the procedure is described below). Do not attach largefiles to an email message. Instead, it is recommended that you place them in the incoming directory on theISE anonymous FTP server (the procedure is described below). Anonymous users can write to this directory,but cannot read it.

The following information is required:

Company name or customer number.

A clear, precise description of the problem.

Input files to reproduce the problem if required.

ISE TCAD tool name and version number. Use the option -v:

$ <tool> -v

For example, for a problem with the DESSIS™, use: $ dessis -v

Other information regarding the platform used. This is obtained by using the diagnostic option:

$ <tool> -@diag

This generates a diagnostics list with extensive system information, including the location andavailability of shared libraries.

For problems that may relate to installation or license issues, provide the output of the command:

$ <tool> -@ldiag

For example, $ dessis -@ldiag. This generates a diagnostics list that includes license information.

vi

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE PREFACE

For problems related to Framework tools, start the tool with the option -verbose, for example:

$ GENESISe -verbose

For problems that are difficult to reproduce or take a long time to run, include log files and output files.

Windows® zipped file

Save all relevant files to a directory. Create a zip file of the directory by using a zip tool such as WinZip®.

Gzip’ed tar’ed file

Save all relevant files to a directory. Create a gzip’ed archive of the directory.

When submitting a GENESISe™ project, tar the entire directory to ensure that all files (including those withfile names starting with a dot) are included, for example:

tar cvf support.tar directory_namegzip support.tar

Procedure for FTP

Files placed on the FTP server must be named companyname_problem.tar.gz or companyname_problem.zip (forexample, firetexinc_problem.tar.gz). Refer to this name in the email message sent to ISE Technical Support:

Server: ftp.ise.ch or ftp.ise.comLogin: anonymous

Password: email addressDirectory: incoming

If you do not have a GUI-based FTP program, use the built-in FTP program:

1. Open a shell (for Windows®, use command prompt).

2. Type: ftp ftp.ise.ch.

3. Login: anonymous

4. Change to the incoming directory by typing: cd incoming.

5. Change the transfer mode to binary by typing: bin.

6. Place the zipped file in the directory by typing: put companyname_problem.tar.gz.

7. Exit the server by typing: quit.

For assistance using this software and for further information about sending requests to ISE TechnicalSupport, visit www.ise.ch | www.ise.com.

vii

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 1 Getting started

1.1 About Tecplot-ISEISE provides an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) distribution of Tecplot that includes the originalTecplot distribution by Tecplot, Inc., the ISE TCAD add-on, and the ISE tecplot_ise launcher, which startsTecplot in a special ISE configuration mode. The complete package consisting of these three components iscalled Tecplot-ISE.

1.2 Main Tecplot windowThe main Tecplot window consists of the ISE menu bar, the ISE sidebar, the status line, and the Tecplotworkspace which contains a page with frames.

Figure 5.1 Tecplot main window (detail)

Sidebar

Menu BarWorkspace

Page

Frame

Status Line

5.1

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED

1.3 Starting Tecplot-ISE from the command promptThe command tecplot_ise is used to start Tecplot from the command prompt, for example:

% tecplot_ise n2_dio.grd n2_dio.dat

tecplot_ise is a program that launches the actual Tecplot executable. Most of the original Tecplot command-line options pass to Tecplot by tecplot_ise. In addition to those, tecplot_ise has its own command-line options(see Appendix A on page 5.27).

1.4 Starting Tecplot from GENESISetecplot_ise is integrated in GENESISe so that it can be started by clicking the Tecplot icon, it can receivenode data, and it can be inserted into tool flows.

NOTE Tecplot can run in batch mode (-b option), which is especially useful when used within tool flows.In this context, the use of macro files and style files is also of interest. Refer to the Tecplot manualsfor more information about the macro language and batch processing.

1.4.1 General recommendations for using Tecplot-ISE effectively

The following points should be remembered when using Tecplot-ISE:

Pay attention to the status line at the bottom of the Tecplot main window. It often displays helpfulinstructions.

Use the Tecplot online help from the Help menu, and the Help buttons in dialog boxes.

As an alternative to vector display, which is often unsatisfactory on finite-element grids, it isrecommended that the Tecplot streamtrace feature is used. Streamtraces are superior to vectors forvisualizing quantities such as the current density field. For detailed information on streamtraces, refer tothe Tecplot User’s Manual.

The middle and the right mouse buttons, combined with keys, provide easy access to zoom, pan, androtate operations. Use Help > Keyboard Shortcuts for more information on useful accelerator keys.

Use the keyboard shortcuts, which are available for some frequently used menu commands.

5.2

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 2 LOADING FILES

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 2 Loading files

2.1 File loaderTo load DF–ISE files:

File > Load or click the Load button on the ISE sidebar, or specify the files in the tecplot_ise commandline (see Appendix A on page 5.27).

The loader tries to identify the file types and ignores any files that are not in one of the recognized formats.The loader recognizes the following DF–ISE file formats:

Mixed-element grid files (.grd extension)

Mixed-element data files (.dat extension)

Boundary files (.bnd extension)

Flat recursive tensor grid and data files (.grd, .ten, .dat extensions)

XY-plot files (.plt extension)

The loader detects automatically matching grid and data files even if they are not specified in the correct order.Data files are ignored if they do not match any of the loaded grid files.

2.1.1 Mapping coordinates

Some DF–ISE file types contain a transformation matrix and a translation vector that define a mapping fromthe local coordinates specified in the file to a global coordinate system. By default, the loader does not applythis transformation, so that, for example, a 2D grid is displayed in 2D frame mode with its local x-coordinatesand y-coordinates. The tecplot_ise launcher provides a pair of options, -ise:lc and -ise:gc, which allows theuser to switch between local and global coordinate modes. These options can be specified any number oftimes to switch between the two modes.

2.2 Loading mixed-element filesWhile loading a DF–ISE dataset file, the loader creates a Tecplot variable for each DF–ISE dataset. For vectordatasets, the loader creates an additional variable called Abs(var-name) and initializes it with the magnitude ofthe vector field. The variables corresponding to the vector field components are still available in Tecplot, butthey are not displayed in the list of variables on the ISE sidebar.

5.3

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 2 LOADING FILES

2.3 Loading flat recursive tensor filesWhile loading a DF–ISE flat recursive tensor file, the loader generates an ordered zone for each DF–ISEregion of box type. Regions of other types (cells, faces, edges) are mapped to finite-element (FE) zones. Theconnectivity of the resulting FE zones is such that each cell, face, or edge is interpreted as an isolated entitywithout connection to its neighbors.

NOTE The loader does not support recursively refined grids. The cell tree in the grid file is ignored.

The implicit ordering scheme of the data for flat recursive tensor files varies between tools. Older versions ofEMLAB (up to version 6.1) write data in reverse-ordering mode. Later versions of EMLAB write data inforward-ordering mode. By default, the loader assumes forward-ordered data. The ordering mode can beswitched to reverse by setting the environment variable DFISE_REVERSE_MODE to an arbitrary value (seeSection A.6 on page 5.29).

2.4 Loading XY-plot filesWhile loading a DF–ISE XY-plot file, the loader generates an ordered zone with variables according to thedatasets specified in the DF–ISE file. XY mappings can be automatically generated when a DF–ISE XY-plotfile is loaded. Use the preference settings to control automatic generation of XY mappings.

5.4

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 3 ISE SIDEBAR

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 3 ISE sidebar

3.1 ISE menu barA customized ISE menu bar replaces the standard Tecplot menu bar. The ISE menu bar contains all necessaryitems for TCAD users. However, it does not provide all original Tecplot menu items. If you need access toTecplot functions, which are not available in the ISE menu bar, start tecplot_ise with the command-line option-ise:native. This starts up Tecplot with the standard menu bar.

Figure 5.2 ISE menu bar

3.2 ISE sidebarA customized ISE sidebar replaces the standard Tecplot sidebar. The ISE sidebar contains buttons, shortcuts,and convenient functionality for TCAD users. However, it does not provide access to all Tecplot sidebaroptions. Use the standard Tecplot sidebar to access advanced options.

To display the standard Tecplot sidebar:

View > Tecplot Sidebar or use the tecplot_ise command-line option -ise:native.

3.2.1 Common components

Figure 5.3 ISE sidebar showing common components

The common components of the ISE sidebar include the following buttons

Table 5.1 Common elements of ISE sidebar

Icon Name Explanation

Load Loads DF–ISE files.

Update Data Updates the variables in the active frame from the data file.

5.5

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 3 ISE SIDEBAR

Reset Resets display properties. If frames are selected, the reset is performed for the selected frames. Otherwise, the reset applies to all frames or the active frame, depending on the status of the All Frames option.

Redraw Redraws the active frame.

Last View Returns to a previous view. The previous sixteen views of each plot type for each frame are maintained in a view stack. By clicking Last View, users can recover one of their previous sixteen views. Ctrl+L is the keyboard shortcut for Last View.

Link Links properties of the selected frames according to preference settings (see Section 7.3.2 on page 5.22). If no frames are selected, all frames are linked

Unlink Disables all link properties of all frames.

Zoom Zooms into or away from the plot. To zoom, drag the magnifying glass pointer and draw a box around the region that is to fit in the frame. The selected region will be resized to fit into the frame.

Fit Fits contents to the full size of the frame. If frames are selected, the fit applies to the selected frames. Otherwise, the fit applies to all frames or the active frame, depending on the status of the All Frames option.

Integrate Integrates the selected variable over the selected zones.

Measure Selects points for distance measuring.

All Frames Sets or resets the All Frames option.

Arrange Distributes frames on the page. The options are Auto Arrange, Horizontal, Vertical, and Overlay.

Table 5.1 Common elements of ISE sidebar

Icon Name Explanation

5.6


3.2.2 ISE sidebar in 2D/3D mode

Figure 5.4 ISE sidebar (2D/3D mode)

The 2D/3D part of the ISE sidebar contains the following items (see Figure 5.4):

1. File indicatorThis area displays the names of the files associated with the current frame.

2. Variables listThe selected variable is used for contouring. Select (None) to obtain a shade plot with zones coloredaccording to their material property.

3. Contour rangeDisplays and sets the minimum and maximum values for the contour range, which determines the validinterval for the calculation of contour levels.

4. Interpolation modeSelects the Lin (linear), Log (logarithmic), or Ash (Asinh) interpolation mode. The default is accordingto the definitions in the DATEX file.

NOTE The interpolation mode is only used for computing the contour level distribution. It does not affectthe interpolation of data between nodes of the grid (which is always linear).

2

8

1

3

4

9

10

11

12

14

13

7

15

5 6

16

17 18 19

5.7


5. RangeSelects between various options regarding the calculation of the contour range (see Figure 5.5).

Figure 5.5 Reset contour range

6. Legend On/Legend Off Enables or disables the display of the contour legend.

7. Regions/Materials listSelects between displaying the regions or materials in the list box.

8. Regions and Materials listSelects a set of regions that becomes the active set for subsequent operations. The list can display eitherregions or properties. The list allows multiple selections using the Shift and Ctrl keys.

9. Mesh On/Mesh Off Enables or disables the grid lines of the selected regions.

10. Boundary On/Boundary OffEnables or disables the boundary of the selected regions.

11. Vector On/Vector Off Enables or disables the vectors for the selected regions.

12. Contour mode Sets the mode ‘both contour flood and lines’ or ‘contour flood only.’

13. Contour mode Sets the mode ‘contour lines only’ or ‘no contours.’

14. Translucency On/Translucency Off Enables or disables translucency for the selected regions.

15. Display Exclusive/On/Off These buttons from left to right: Switches the display of the selected regions to exclusive/on/off.

16. X Y Z CutThe X button generates a orthogonal x-cut. The Y button generates a orthogonal y-cut. The Z buttongenerates a orthogonal z-cut. To finish the cut, click at the required cut position.

17. 3D Dynamic SlicerEnables 3D dynamic slicing.

5.8


18. RotateEnables one of the six available 3D rotation modes (spherical, roller-ball, twist, x, y, and z). Use the keysindicated in the status line to switch between the rotation modes.

19. ProbeEnables probing to examine variable values, or zone and cell information, for any point in the dataset.

3.2.3 ISE sidebar in XY line mode

Figure 5.6 ISE sidebar (XY mode)

The ISE sidebar in XY line mode contains the following items (see Figure 5.6):

1. Datasets listDisplays the names of the zones associated with the current frame. If the frame contains data loaded fromseveral files, each name (zone) corresponds to one file.

2. Variables or group variablesDepending on the layout of data in the file, this list shows either the contacts (gate, drain, source) or theindividual variables.

3. Variables Displays the individual variables if group variables are present.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8 9

5.9


4. AxisBy clicking an axis, the selected variable is assigned to this axis. Multiple selected variables can beassigned in one step.

5. Interpolation modeSets the axis scale to logarithmic.

6. Curves listDisplays the names of the curves in the active frame.

7. Edit CurveDisplays the standard Tecplot GUI to edit mapping styles.

8. Delete CurveDeletes the selected curves.

9. Legend On/Legend Off Enables or disables the display of the curve legend.

5.10

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 4 GENERATING CUTS

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 4 Generating cuts

4.1 Generating cutsThe ISE TCAD add-on to Tecplot provides an enhanced slicer, which is available from the ISE sidebar or ISEmenu bar. Unlike the standard Tecplot slicer (Data > Extract > Slice from Plane), the ISE slicer preservesthe zone structure of the grid instead of collapsing all original zones into one. In addition, the ISE slicergenerates both 2D and 1D cuts. To facilitate user interaction, only axis-orthogonal cuts are supported with theISE slicer.

Orthogonal cuts can be generated from the ISE sidebar or ISE menu bar.

To generate orthogonal cuts from the ISE sidebar:

1. Click one of the cut buttons.

2. Click at the required position in the frame (hold the Ctrl key to snap to the nearest vertex).

To generate orthogonal cuts from the ISE menu bar:

1. Select one of the cut options from the Slicer menu. A dialog box is displayed.

2. Either specify a numeric coordinate value and click OK, or click Cancel and select the required cutposition in the frame, using the left mouse button (hold the Ctrl key to snap to the nearest vertex).

4.1.1 Selecting the destination frame mode

When a new cut is generated, it can go into either an existing frame or a new frame. To group several relatedslices into one frame:

1. Slicer > Slice Destination Frame.

2. Select the mode required (see Figure 5.7).

Figure 5.7 Slice destination frame mode

5.11

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 4 GENERATING CUTS

The available modes are:

Cuts in separate framesPuts each slice into its own separate frame.

Group cuts with same direction and parentPuts cuts that are along the same direction and that have the same parent grid togetherinto one frame.

Group all cuts with same directionPuts all cuts that have the same orientation into one frame, regardless of the parentgrid.

Group all cuts with same parentPuts all cuts that have the same parent into one frame, regardless of the orientation ofthe cuts.

Group all cuts Puts all cuts into the same frame.

Conversion tolerance fieldThis value is used when converting 1D cuts to ordered datasets. If this conversionfails, a corresponding error message is displayed. In such a case, increase theconversion tolerance. Reasonable values are 1e-3…1e-15.

NOTE The destination frame mode must be selected before making the first slice of a group. Since thegrouping mechanism uses the frame name, any manual change to the frame name (of thedestination frame) can break the described grouping behavior.

4.1.2 Generating multiple parallel cuts

The ISE slicer enables automatic generation of multiple parallel cuts in one step. To generate N parallel slicesbetween A and B, type:

A B N

as the numeric coordinate value.

4.1.3 Generating multiframe cuts

The ISE slicer enables automatic generation of cuts in multiple frames in one step. To enable multiframeslicing, click the All Frames button on the ISE sidebar.

5.12

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 4 GENERATING CUTS

4.1.4 Exporting 1D cuts to INSPECT

One-dimensional cutlines can be exported to INSPECT™, either directly by starting INSPECT with theexported data or by saving the data in DF–ISE format for loading into INSPECT.

To export in DF–ISE XY format:

File > Export > Inspect graph.

Since a frame containing 1D cut data can contain data from several different cuts and each 1D cut can consistof several zones, the export command usually generates more than one file. The file names are generatedautomatically. The name that is specified in the export dialog box is used as a prefix for the automaticallygenerated names.

In Figure 5.8, the lower five graphics are screen captures of INSPECT. These show how the export optionsaffect the grouping of variables in INSPECT.

Figure 5.8 Exporting 1D cuts to INSPECT

File > Export > Inspect graph

5.13

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 5 FLOOPS-ISE INTERFACE

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 5 FLOOPS-ISE interface

The ISE TCAD add-on to Tecplot can communicate directly with FLOOPS-ISE processes. Thecommunication is based on sockets and, therefore, works also for processes that run on different machinesand architectures. In its simplest form, the FLOOPS-ISE interface transforms Tecplot into a visualizationback-end for FLOOPS-ISE. In its more advanced use, Tecplot also acts as a user interface for FLOOPS-ISE.A FLOOPS-ISE process is always related to one Tecplot frame. Several FLOOPS-ISE processes can attachto a single Tecplot process, displaying their data in separate frames.

5.1 Launching Tecplot or connecting to Tecplot from FLOOPS-ISE

On the FLOOPS-ISE side, several commands are related to the Tecplot interface such as those for startingTecplot, and updating grid and dataset information. Refer to the FLOOPS-ISE documentation for a completelist of commands.

When Tecplot is started by FLOOPS-ISE, the following occurs:

1. If the environment variable TECPLOT_DISPLAY is set and contains a valid host and port specification (seeSection 5.1.1), FLOOPS-ISE tries to connect to a running Tecplot process on the specified host and port.

2. If the file .tecplot_display exists in the home directory of the user and if it contains a valid host and portspecification (see Section 5.1.1), FLOOPS-ISE tries to connect to a running Tecplot process on thespecified host and port. The file .tecplot_display is created automatically by Tecplot when it is startedwith the command-line option -ise:ipc, so that when a Tecplot process is running, all subsequently startedFLOOPS-ISE processes connect to this Tecplot process.

3. If the environment variable TECPLOT_DISPLAY is set and contains a valid host and port specification,FLOOPS-ISE tries to launch a Tecplot process on the specified host and port.

4. FLOOPS-ISE tries to connect to a running Tecplot process on the default host and port. The default hostis the local host and the default port is 2203. The default host and port can be changed in the FLOOPS-ISEcommand file.

5. FLOOPS-ISE tries to launch a running Tecplot process on the default host and port.

5.1.1 Valid host and port specification

The socket connection requires a host name and a port to be specified. Valid port numbers are integers greaterthan 1023. The upper limit for the port number is system dependent, but port numbers up to 5000 are safe.

5.15

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 5 FLOOPS-ISE INTERFACE

When FLOOPS-ISE checks the environment variable TECPLOT_DISPLAY or the file .tecplot_display, it expectsthe host name and port specification in one of the following forms:

host:port

host (the default port 2203 is used)

:port (the default localhost is used)

5.2 Controlling FLOOPS-ISE from TecplotWhen a connection between Tecplot and FLOOPS-ISE has been established successfully, the FLOOPS-ISEdialog box, which is displayed by using View > Floops (see Figure 5.9), allows users to:

Stop and continue a FLOOPS-ISE simulation.

Single-step through a FLOOPS-ISE simulation.

Send commands to be executed by FLOOPS-ISE (only while FLOOPS-ISE is stopped).

Detach from and re-attach to a FLOOPS-ISE process.

Figure 5.9 FLOOPS-ISE dialog box

5.16

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 6 MEASURING DISTANCES

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 6 Measuring distances

The ISE TCAD add-on to Tecplot provides a measuring tool that is available from the ISE sidebar (seeFigure 5.3 on page 5.5). The tool allows distance to be measured along a polygonal path, which is entered byusing a mouse operation. As an option, the dataset values and the cumulative distance along the path can bewritten to a DF–ISE plot file in XY format, for loading into INSPECT.

Figure 5.10 Measure button (left) and output dialog box showing total measured distance (right)

6.1 Using the measure distance optionTo use the measure distance option to measure a distance and, optionally, to write extracted data along theentered path:

1. From the ISE sidebar, click the Measure button.

2. Click a start point in the grid. To enable snap-to-vertex mode, hold the Ctrl key and click.

3. Select another location in the grid as per Step 2.

Optional: Repeat Step 3 to enter a polygonal path.

4. Use either the Esc key or the middle mouse button to close the entered path.The dialog box in Figure 5.10 (right) is displayed, which indicates the total measured distance along theentered path.

5. Click OK to finish or Cancel to write the dataset values along the entered path to a DF–ISE file.This file can be loaded into INSPECT.

By default, the measuring tool is disabled after a measurement has been made, that is, the standard Selectortool is reactivated. This behavior can be changed by a global preference setting, so that the measuring toolremains active after a measurement (see Section 7.3 on page 5.20).

Measure…

5.17

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 7 UTILITIES AND PREFERENCES

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 7 Utilities and preferences

7.1 Updating dataThe ISE TCAD add-on to Tecplot allows for manual or automatic updating of data on grids that are alreadyloaded into a frame. This functionality is available from the ISE menu bar (see Figure 5.11).

Figure 5.11 Updating of data dialog box

Under the File menu, the available options are:

Quick Data Update Re-reads the most recently loaded data file.

Update Data Displays a file selection dialog box to update from a user-specified data file.

Auto Update Displays a dialog box that allows users to select a time interval (in seconds) at whichthe most recently loaded data file is re-read automatically.

7.2 Customizing contour levelsContour levels are used to generate contour plots. Usually, the contour levels are calculated automatically sothat they are evenly distributed within the value range of the active variable. The ‘custom contour level’feature adds the possibility to specify user-defined contour levels for particular variables. The dialog boxshown in Figure 5.12 is used to create and edit custom contour levels.

Figure 5.12 Custom contour levels dialog box

File > Auto Update

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PART 5 TECPLOT-ISECHAPTER 7 UTILITIES AND PREFERENCES

The following items are key parts of the Custom contour levels dialog box:

1. Variables listDisplays the names of the variables having custom contour levels.

2. Input field for variables.

3. Buttons related to variables:

Add: The name in the input field is added as a new custom contouring variable.

Change: The name of the selected variable is changed to the name specified in the input field.

Dup: Duplicates the selected variable with its custom contour levels. The name of the copied variable ischanged to name.x, where x is a number starting at 1.

Remove: Deletes the selected variable.

4. Values listDisplays the custom contour levels of the selected variables. If more than one variable is selected, onlythe values that are common to all selected variables are displayed.

5. Input field for contour levels.

6. Buttons related to contour levels:

Add: A new contour level is added for the selected variable.

Change: The selected contour level is given the value of the input field.

Remove: Deletes the selected contour levels.

7.3 PreferencesSeveral options can be changed in the Preferences dialog box (Edit > Preferences) (see Figure 5.13). Theseoptions are saved to the file tecise.pref in the home directory of the user. They are restored from this file whenTecplot is started.

Figure 5.13 General preferences tab

Edit > Preferences

5.20


7.3.1 General preferences

The available options are:

Reset mouse mode after slicingBy default, the mouse mode is reset to the Selector tool after a slicing operation.Disabling this causes the slicing tool to remain active after a slicing operation.

Reset mouse mode after measuringBy default, the mouse mode is reset to the Selector tool after a measuring operation.Disabling this causes the measuring tool to remain active after a measuring operation.

Reset mouse mode after zoomBy default, the mouse mode is reset to the Selector tool after a zoom operation.Disabling this causes the zoom tool to remain active after a zooming operation.

Display grid by defaultSelect this option to show the grid lines by default.

Display contact outline by defaultBy default, the contacts are not displayed after a grid is loaded. Enabling this optiondisplays the contact outlines after a grid is loaded.

Load in local coordinate mode by defaultBy default, the DF–ISE loader does not apply the coordinate transform contained inthe grid file. Disabling this option causes the loader always to apply the transform.The command-line options -ise:lc and -ise:gc override this setting (see Section A.3on page 5.28).

Do not load extra grid files without dataGrid files that have been specified twice or more on the command line are loaded onlyonce.

List coordinate variablesSelect this option to view the coordinate variables in 2D or 3D mode.

List vector component variablesBy default, vector variables are represented by an Abs(...) entry in the list ofvariables on the ISE sidebar 2D/3D mode. Enabling this option displays the vectorcomponents.

List regions by propertiesCauses the material properties to be displayed in the Regions list.

Include min and max contoursBy default, the minimum and maximum of the currently displayed variable areincluded as contour levels and, therefore, also appear in the contour legend. Disablingthis option causes the minimum and maximum of the variable not to be included ascontour levels.

Simple slicer (merge regions in slice)By default, 1D cuts collapse into one zone, even if the cutline crosses several regions.Disabling this option causes 1D cuts to split into several zones according to theregions that are crossed by the cutline.

Use custom contour levelsEnables or disables the custom contour level feature (see Section 7.2 on page 5.19).

5.21


7.3.2 Frames preferences

Figure 5.14 Frames preferences tab


Create new Frames

Transparent New frames are transparent. This affects the Show Background property of a frame.

With Borders New frames have borders.

With Headers New frames have headers.

Auto-Link After Loading Data

View The view properties are linked after loading.

Contour Levels The contour levels are linked after loading.

Position and Size The position and size of frames are linked after loading (overlay plot).

Applies To

Frames with Same Grid FileAuto-link settings apply to groups of frames that share a common grid file.

All Frames Auto-link settings apply to all loaded frames.

Quick-Link Button Links

View The view properties are linked to the quick-link button.

Contour Levels The contour levels are linked to the quick-link button.

Position and Size The position and size of frames are linked to the quick-link button.

5.22


7.3.3 INSPECT preferences

Figure 5.15 INSPECT preferences tab


Export XY Data for INSPECT

Confirm overwrite of filesBy default, a warning is displayed before a file is overwritten. Disabling this optioncauses files to be overwritten without warning.

Start INSPECT INSPECT starts with the exported data (see Section 4.1.4 on page 5.13).

Grouping options Selects how variables are grouped when exported to INSPECT (see Section 4.1.4).

7.3.4 XY Graph preferences

Figure 5.16 XY Graph preferences tab


Symbols By default, symbols are not displayed on XY graphs. Enabling this option displayssymbols on XY graphs.

Major Grid Lines Major grid lines are displayed on XY graphs.

Minor Grid Lines Minor grid lines are displayed on XY graphs.

Fit View After Creating XY MapsThe view is fit to the frame after XY maps are created.

5.23


Display after slicing or loading new XY data

Empty Frame No curves are generated.

Curve for 1st Variable A curve is generated for the first variable of the dataset.

Curves for all Variables Curves are generated for all variables of the dataset.

5.24

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE CHAPTER 8 AUTOMATING TASKS

Tecplot-ISE

CHAPTER 8 Automating tasks

Tecplot provides a powerful macro language, which is described in the Tecplot Reference Manual. Thefollowing example demonstrates how multiple data files are loaded consecutively to generate a sequence ofpictures for a movie:

#!MC 900$!INTERFACE AUTOREDRAWISACTIVE = NO$!VARSET |FIRSTFRAME| = 1$!LOOP 20

$!VARSET |NUM| = (|Loop|-1)$!VARSET |FNAME| = "data_|NUM%04d|.dat"$!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP$!DRAWGRAPHICS FALSE$!READDATASET '"./mesh.grd" "./|FNAME|"'

DATASETREADER = 'DF-ISE Loader'$!READSTYLESHEET "./movie.sty"

INCLUDEPLOTSTYLE = YESINCLUDETEXT = NOINCLUDEGEOM = NOINCLUDESTREAMPOSITIONS = NOINCLUDECONTOURLEVELS = YESMERGE = NOINCLUDEFRAMESIZEANDPOSITION = YES

$!DRAWGRAPHICS TRUE$!REDRAWALL$!IF |FIRSTFRAME| == 1$!EXPORTSETUP

EXPORTFORMAT = AVIEXPORTFNAME = './movie.avi'IMAGEWIDTH = 800

$!EXPORTSTART$!VARSET |FIRSTFRAME| = 0

$!ENDIF$!IF |FIRSTFRAME| == 0

$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME$!ENDIF$!ENDLOOP$!EXPORTFINISH

In this example, the files data_0001.dat...data_0019.dat are loaded consecutively with the grid file mesh.grd.Each time a new file is loaded, the graphic styles are read from the style file movie.sty to enforce the samedisplay settings for all pictures. Style files can be generated by using File > Export > Frame Style.

A macro such as the one shown here is best generated by using File > Macro > Record. After the main stepshave been recorded, the generated macro file can be edited and complemented with programming constructs.After a macro file has been created, the macro file can be either executed from within the Tecplot GUI orspecified in the command line:

% tecplot_ise -p test.mcr

NOTE Certain macro commands (such as exporting raster graphics) are not available when Tecplot is runin batch mode.

5.25

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE APPENDIX A COMMAND OPTIONS

Tecplot-ISE

APPENDIX A Command options

tecplot_ise [-v] [-h] [-ise:...] [tecplot-options] list-of-files

A.1 General options-h Prints help information.

-v Prints program version information.

A.2 Launcher options-batch Runs in batch mode (same as Tecplot option -b).

-ise:home <dirname> Specifies the Tecplot home directory, overriding the value of $TECHOME. This is areplacement for the Tecplot command-line option -h.

-ise:ipc Enables interprocess communication (IPC), which is required if Tecplot acceptsconnection requests from FLOOPS-ISE.

-ise:native Starts Tecplot with the standard menu bar and sidebar.

-ise:no_ise_addons Does not load the ISE TCAD add-ons by default. Usually, the add-ons are loadedautomatically using -loadaddon options in the Tecplot command line.

-ise:no_ise_appdef Does not use the ISE-specific app-defaults file by default. Usually, the tecplot_iselauncher modifies the environment in such a way that the ISE-specific version of theTecplot app-defaults file is loaded instead of the standard app-defaults file from theTecplot installation directory.

-ise:no_ise_config Does not load the ISE-specific configuration file by default. Usually, the tecplot_iselauncher adds a -c option to the Tecplot command line, such that the ISE-specificversion of the tecplot.cfg file is loaded instead of the standard config file from theTecplot installation directory.

-ise:no_ise_reader Does not use the DF–ISE loader by default. Usually, the tecplot_ise launcher adds a-datasetreader option to the Tecplot command line, such that all specified files areloaded using the DF–ISE loader.

-ise:stdaddons Allows for the loading of standard Tecplot add-ons as defined in the tecplot.add filein the Tecplot home directory $TECHOME.

-ise:us_config Uses U.S. versions of config and app-defaults files. This sets a different default papersize (U.S. letter).

-ise:wait_dialogs Enables display of transient dialog boxes in Tecplot. Such dialog boxes are used toindicate progress during some operations. The ISE-specific configuration disablestransient dialog boxes because, on some platforms and with some window managers,they can cause windows to remain locked on the screen.

5.27

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISEAPPENDIX A COMMAND OPTIONS

A.3 Loader options-ise:append Appends file to the previous frame or dataset (.plt files only).

-ise:fast_scan Disables expensive grid file–matching or data file–matching tests.

-ise:gc Reads geometry and grid files in global coordinate mode. This option can bespecified any number of times in the command line so as to enable switching fromlocal coordinate mode to global coordinate mode.

-ise:gui Displays the ISE TCAD Tools panel after the files have been loaded. This optiondepends on the selection of -ise:native.

-ise:ignore_regions_mismatch

Allows data files to be paired with grid files even if the number of regions does notcorrespond in both files.

-ise:lc Reads geometry and grid files in local coordinate mode. This is the default. Thisoption can be specified any number of times in the command line so as to enableswitching from global coordinate mode to local coordinate mode.

-ise:lpk Accepts Tecplot package files.

-ise:multi_load Does not suppress extra grid files; loads them without data.

-ise:new Creates a new frame or dataset for each file.

A.4 Tecplot optionsAny option that is not identified as a tecplot_ise option is passed over to Tecplot. Refer to the Tecplot User’sManual for an explanation of all Tecplot options.

A.5 Recognized file typesThe files specified in the command line are examined by the loader. Any file that is not identified as a knownfile type is discarded. Data files that do not match any of the specified grid files are discarded also. Knownfile types (see Chapter 2 on page 5.3) are:

DF–ISE grid files (.grd extension, mixed-element type of grid).

DF–ISE data files (.dat extension). Data files are automatically associated with a matching grid file bythe loader. If no matching grid file is found, the data file is discarded.

DF–ISE boundary files (.bnd extension). Restriction: Polygonal faces are triangulated.

DF–ISE flat recursive tensor grid and data files (.grd, .ten, .dat extensions). Restriction: Only the basegrid is loaded; the refinement tree is ignored.

DF–ISE XY-plot files (.plt extension).

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PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE APPENDIX A COMMAND OPTIONS

A.6 Environment variablesISE_LOAD_GLOBAL_COORDINATES

If set, this causes local coordinates to be transformed to global coordinates while thefile is loading. The corresponding transformation matrix is contained in the DF–ISEfile.

TEC_GRID_DEBUGGING If set, this causes an additional variable named VertexIndex to be created andinitialized with the DF–ISE vertex number. This is useful for debugging purposes. Tolook up a vertex index, use the probe tool or switch on the Tecplot data-labelingfeature: 1. Style > Data Labels.2. Select the Show Node Labels option.3. Select the Show Variable Value option, choosing the variable VertexIndex as thevariable for labeling.

DFISE_REVERSE_MODE If set, this causes flat recursive tensor data files to be loaded in reverse mode (seeSection 2.3 on page 5.4).

5.29

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE APPENDIX B INSTALLATION ISSUES

Tecplot-ISE

APPENDIX B Installation issues

B.1 Tecplot in ISE TCADThe ISE TCAD installation contains a standard Tecplot distribution in $ISEROOT/tcad/$ISERELEASE/<arch>/<os>/tecplot for each installed architecture and operating system version. The original tecplot program is not calleddirectly by the user, but by using the tecplot_ise launcher, which is a program located in $ISEROOT/bin.

The tecplot_ise launcher (actually, the generic script in $ISEROOT/bin) sets the TEC100HOME environment variableto the appropriate value.

If the Tecplot installation to be used is different from the installation provided with ISE TCAD, the value ofthe environment variable TEC100HOME must be changed accordingly in the file $ISEROOT/bin/GENERIC. However,ISE does not recommend using Tecplot installations that are different from the one provided with ISE TCAD.

5.31

PART 5 TECPLOT-ISE GLOSSARY

Tecplot-ISE

Glossary

Some important terms are used in other ISE TCAD documents, which have different meanings in the contextof Tecplot, as Tecplot is a non-ISE tool. These are explained here.

dataset versus variable ‘Dataset’ in DF–ISE format corresponds to a ‘variable’ in Tecplot. InTecplot language, the ‘dataset’ is the top-level data structure that containsthe complete information on the grid with its associated data.Tecplot variables are global in that they are always defined in all zones,whereas DF–ISE allows variables to be defined in subsets of the regions ofa grid. Whenever a variable is not defined in a certain region of the DF–ISEfile, the corresponding zone is initialized with zero values for this variable.

file name extensions .plt and .dat

Tecplot uses the file extension .dat for its own data files in ASCII formatand .plt for binary format files. These files are loaded and written by usingFile > Load Data File and File > Write Data File. In DF–ISE terminology,the file extension .dat is used for dataset files and .plt is used for XY graphfiles.

region versus zone ‘Region’ in ISE language corresponds in most cases to a ‘zone’ in Tecplotlanguage. Tecplot can display each zone with its individual graphic styles.The DF–ISE loader maps regions to zones.

5.33

tecplot

Documents

previous sixteen views

standard menu bar

global coordinate mode

custom contour levels

exporting 1d cuts

tecplot ise launcher adds

local coordinate mode

xy line mode