Learning Forum

[Emmanuel Ramogi]

Hello everyone,

I saved Ansys fluent simulation data in .dat format. However, I need some assistance regarding how to read the data within. After searching the internet for hours, I have not been able to find any solution to this.
How can one adjust a programming language code to read the Ansys fluent .dat file?

Emmanuel

[Sunil Lilhare]

Hello, the case and data files contains information related to the Ansys Fluent simulation. You can make use of read option to load the required files.

To know more about how to read and write Ansys Fluent case and data files please have a look at the section of Ansys Fluent's User Guide whose link is given below.

3.3. Reading and Writing Case and Data Files (ansys.com)

"If you are not able to access the link, please refer to this forum discussion: How to access the ANSYS Online Help"

[Nikhil N]

To add to what Sunil suggested,  you may also consider reading the data file within CFD-Post: File -> Load Results... and pick the data file you have. 

[Emmanuel Ramogi]

 

Thanks for the reply @Nikhil and @Sunil. To be more specific, here is the assistance I need. 

I am looking for help to read the solution file from Fluent into an external Python code.

I am working on modifying the solution from Fluent using singular value decomposition and reconstructing the solution using a fewer number of modes.  To evaluate singular value decomposition, I need to read the solution data from Fluent into a Python code.  Therefore, I am looking for the format for  .dat file from Fluent.  Also, after reconstruction of the solution, I need to write the reconstructed solution from the Python code into another .dat file, so that I can read it into CFD-Post and visualize it.  Hope this is clearer.

 

 

 

[Nikhil N]

Can you check if this works for you? Using PyFluent Core - Lesson 4 - YouTube ; Using PyFluent Visualization - Lesson 6 - YouTube 

If so, you may have to install PyFluent API packages. I would recommend to check out this comprehensive course on PyFluent: Getting Started with PyFluent | Ansys Courses

[Emmanuel Ramogi]

 

I have gone through the videos and course however, I have not found what would work for me. The course and videos are mostly about how to use PyFluent as an interface with Ansys Fluent which is really not my objective.

I need to find out how the variables are stored on the .dat file (simulation data) format or how the .dat file format is constructed so that I can be able to read it using a Python code. Learning how to read it will be useful during the reconstruction process as I explained above. My main concern is how to read the solution data from fluent into a python code.

 

[Rob]

You may find you're better off using an interpolation file or ASCII type format from File>Export>Solution Data. As others have commented the case and data files are linked, and whilst the data file will contain all of the results it may not contain all of the required information. 

File formats are covered here https://ansyshelp.ansys.com/account/Secured?returnurl=/Views/Secured/corp/v232/en/flu_ug/flu_ug_chp_fileformat.html