7. Advanced: MultiBlock

7.1. Introduction

This tutorial covers multiblock processing.

Most examples assume that the user starts with a new model. To start over, go to the menu item Edit → Reset Session, and then re-open your data.

Data is opened by going to File → Open. Example data files can be found in the Examples directory, located in the upper left of the Open dialog.

7.2. Block commands onscreen menu

bake.e is a dataset that simulates the heating of a cone in a test facility. It has numerous blocks. T (for temperature) is the primary variable of interest.

  • Open the dataset bake.e.

  • Apply.

  • Your dataset is now colored by block.

  • Change vtkBlockColors to T.

  • Your dataset is now colored by temperature.

  • Play forward in time, and look into the simulation.

  • Be sure to rescale to data range.

  • Change color back to vtkBlockColors.

Notice that this model has 6 sides, and there are 12 annotation colors. Thus, they repeat. Lets make them random.

  • In the Properties tab, click Advanced.

  • Slide down towards the bottom, and find Block Colors Distinct Values, and change it to 11.

  • Right click on a side (a block). Notice that the bock name and ID are shown.

  • Right click on a side. Change the block’s color and opacity.

  • Right click on a side. Hide, then un-hide the block.

../../_images/Advanced_multiblock_1.png

7.3. Don’t load some blocks

You can easily change which blocks you load. This is done through selections. Here is an example.

  • Open the dataset bake.e.

  • Apply.

  • Your dataset is now colored by block.

  • Choose the Select Block icon (or hit the b key), then rubber band select the blocks on the outside edge of bake. You have selected numerous blocks.

  • In the Properties tab, slide down to the section named Blocks.

  • Click Uncheck Selected Blocks.

  • Apply.

../../_images/Advanced_multiblock_2.png

7.4. Load the same dataset twice

  • Open the dataset can.ex2.

  • Only turn on block ID 2.

  • Apply.

  • Open the dataset can.ex2.

  • Only turn on block ID 1.

  • Apply.

  • Change the timestep to 1.

  • Set Coloring to ACCL.

  • Play

../../_images/Advanced_multiblock_3.png

7.5. Extract Block and Extract Selection

Two filters that can also be used to partition your data are the Extract Block and Extract Selection filters. Instead of reading your data in twice, read it in once and Extract Block twice.

7.6. MultiBlock inspector

The View → MultiBlock inspector can also be used to toggle visibility, and change colors and opacities of selected blocks.