Variable names different than those in Fluent.

Problem: I loaded some data into Tecplot from Fluent and the variable list came out different than I expected in Tecplot. Some of the variable names have t-1 or t-2 after them. Some of them have #1 or #2 or #3 after them. What is Tecplot doing with the names of the variables? Solution: Fluent allows for different variables in one zone than in another while Tecplot requires that all […]

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Assigning different colors to zones

Problem: Tecplot 360 2006 Tecplot Focus 2006 and earlier versions of Tecplot products assigned different colors to zones whereas Tecplot 360 2008 Tecplot Focus 2008 and later products assign black to all zones by default. Is there a way to change this default to make the Tecplot 360 and Tecplot Focus 2008 versions behave like the 2006 and earlier versions? Solution: Yes. Please check your tecplot.cfg file in your Tecplot […]

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Polar Contour plot

Problem: Is there any way to show my polar data as a polar contour plot in Tecplot 10? Solution: Since Tecplot doesn’t have the built-in ability to have Polar contour plots each case may require its own special adjustments. But here are the general guidelines. Load the polar data into Tecplot in Polar line mode. The Tecplot default for Polar plots is to assign the first variable to Theta axis […]

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Failed to create OpenGL context

Problem: I saw this message after installing Tecplot on a 64 bit Linux Red Hat machine. How do I fix it? Solution: This message means that the computer does not support OpenGL. Please be sure your computers graphics card supports OpenGL and that you have the latest driver before you attempt to run Tecplot. If your computer does not support OpenGL to run Tecplot you can add the -mesa flag […]

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Options File commands

Problem: What sort of commands can I put in the Options file for the Reprise License Manager (RLM)? What functionality does it have? Solution: Here are some of the commands you can use in the ISV Options file (tecplot.opt) to control access to Tecplot 360/Focus with some examples mixed in (360 = Tecplot 360). Reserving licenses: RESERVE 1 360 USER robert RESERVE 1 360 HOST mainline The first line reserves […]

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How to calculate the circulation around a vortex core.

Problem: I extracted a vortex core using the Tecplot CFD Analyzer, and now I want to calculate the circulation around the core. How can I do this? Solution: If you can define a closed path in your data over which to integrate, you can calculate circulation using the Integrate dialog. Open the dialog by choosing “Perform Integration” from the Analyze menu. In the Integrate dialog that appears, for Type of […]

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Kriging algorithm

Problem: How does Tecplot calculate Kriging interpolation? Solution: Kriging and the Semivariogram. A semivariogram is a function that determines the relationship between distance and the variance of the data. Tecplot models the semivariogram with a spherical model using the range and zero value specified in the Kriging dialog as well as the variance of the variable(s) selected to krig.  Here are the details: For each variable selected Tecplot calculates the variance […]

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Import image tips

Problem: I want my image to be a background for my plot.  I want the image to fill the frame.  How can I match the dimensions of my image to my plot? Solution: Load your data then go to Insert/Image and insert the image. To tell Tecplot to draw the image behind the data double click on the image and set the Draw Order to Before Data. To make the […]

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Skip vectors or scatter points

Problem: My data is very dense. I want to show vectors or scatter but not at every point. Solution: On the Zone Style dialog, go to the Points tab. One of the options is Index skip and this setting will apply to both scatter points and vectors.