An Overview of the New Tecplot 360

CFD visualization and analysis tools are enhanced for faster decision-making.

Tecplot Inc. demonstrated that it is seriously committed to taking the lead in the development of visualization and analysis software aimed at helping engineers and scientists to rapidly and easily access, analyze and plot their simulated results. The company accomplished this by announcing the availability of Tecplot 360 2020 R2 in December 2020.

Tecplot 360 is a visualization tool used in multiple domain applications, such as aerodynamics, oil and gas, internal combustion, and geoscience. (Image courtesy of Tecplot Inc.)

From its conception, Tecplot 360 has been a tool used for computational fluid dynamics (CFD), other simulations, and test data post-processing.

Just as was true with the previous versions, Tecplot 360 2020 R2 is focused on solving the three biggest problems in CFD post-processing: handling large and heterogeneous datasets, understanding data ensembles, and handling advanced analytical processing automation.

• Reintroduction of Tecplot Chorus, which now supports 4K monitors and newer operating systems. Chorus is a parametric design space analysis tool with an incorporated simulation data management system that engineers find easy to use and which makes it possible to run multiple and varied simulation cases simultaneously. This is an advantage when trying to discover trends and anomalies in output variables and link them to the underlying physics.
• Ability to reference variables by name. In this new version, variables can be saved by name in layouts, macros and stylesheets. This is in contrast to the previous feature where variables were saved by number, which would cause issues if the variable numbers or positions changed from one simulation to another. Using variable names is useful when loading data and retaining the existing style.
• Faster CFD variable calculations are also possible. Go to the Analyze>Calculate Variables menu for fully multi-threaded variable calculations, which can run up to 6x faster, depending on the data attributes being handled and how many cores the machine on which these calculations are performed has. The biggest benefit will be for those variables with a single volume grid. 

This image shows how Python module in PyTecplot can be used to analyze extracted zones. In this example, the volume of each bubble seen on the right is quantified. (Image courtesy of Tecplot, Inc. YouTube channel.)

• Extract zones to connected regions – An interesting capability was added in PyTecplotthrough the script tecplot.data.extract.extract_connected_regions(), as well as in the Tecplot 360 macro language $!ExtractConnectedRegions. This allows users to create or split new zones from isolated regions into one or more finite element zones.
• New and updated data loaders and file support
• Exodus II is a brand-new data loader for the Exodus II file format.
• CGNS 4 file support. Built against CGNS 4.1.2, CGNS 4 and its new capabilities allow for faster parallel write of polyhedral data.
• Converge 3.1 file support, which will be updated in a later release to support solid liquid and gas parcels.
• OpenFOAM files loader has been fixed and enhanced.
• Platform support changes.This new release comes with its pros and cons in regard to the operating systems being supported. 
  • Mac: macOS Big Sur (11), added in 2020 R2; Tecplot 360 will no longer run on macOS High Sierra 10.13.
  • Linux: CentOS and Red Hat 6.10 are last supported in Tecplot 360 2020 R2. In the case of Ubuntu 16, the support ends in April 2021.
• As regards toPython, unfortunately, Tecplot will no longer support version 2.7 nor will new APIs be tested on this version; however, Scott Fowler, Tecplot product manager, has reassured PyTecplot users that Python 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9 are the company’s current supported versions. 

Visualization is crucial when it comes to explaining results using complex data. Figures 7 and 8 are from a case study in the field of aerodynamics to achieve tail strake position optimization. (Image courtesy of Tecplot, Inc.)

Whether you are one of the more than 47,000 tech professionals already using this CFD post-processor that integrates XY, Polar, 2D, and 3D plots to communicate visually powerful outcomes to clients and stakeholders, or you want to try new software to help you understand complex data information through images and animations, you’ll want to check all the updates in Tecplot 360 2020 R2.