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Problem:
How can I calculate the velocity magnitude in Tecplot 360 or Focus?
Solution:
There are two methods, which are described below:
General method (works in Tecplot 360 and Focus)
In this method, the mathematical definition of vector magnitude is entered and the calculated result is stored in a new variable. After loading your data, do the following:
Go to Data > Alter > Specify Equations and enter the following equation:
{Velocity Magnitude} = sqrt({U}**2+{V}**2+{W}**2)
A text string enclosed in curly braces defines a variable name. Be sure to change U, V, and W to match the variable names of your dataset’s velocity components, as defined in Data > Data Set Info. The W term should be removed for 2D velocity magnitude calculations.
Click Calculate
Using the CFD Analyzer (only works in Tecplot 360)
In this method, the velocity magnitude calculation is performed by the CFD Analyzer and the calculated result is stored in a new variable. After loading your data, do the following:
Go to Analyze > Field Variables
Under Convective Variables, Select the Velocity option, click the Select button, and choose the velocity variables, where U, V, and W, are the X, Y, and Z components of velocity, respectively.
Go to Analyze > Calculate Variables
Click the Select button, select Velocity Magnitude from the list, and click OK
Click Calculate
To show the results in a contour plot, go to Plot > Contour/Multi-Coloring and select the Velocity Magnitude as your contour variable.