General overview

Table of contents

1. Introduction

Post-processing module VISU for SALOME is destined for visualization of data produced by other components. VISU provides various forms of data visualization including:

• Data tables,
• XY plots based on data from tables,
• 3D presentations,
• Scalar Map,
• Deformed Shape,
• Vectors,
• Iso Surfaces,
• Cut Planes,
• Stream Lines,
• Cut Lines.

2. Defintions

The following terms are used for presentation of the VISU module:

Study

manages data produced by various component of SALOME platform. More detailed description of the SALOME Study can be found in the document named "Data Structure and Persistence Specifications".

Component

a SALOME software module that implements predefined interfaces. The component provides the data for the SALOME study in a form of links (stored in the Study) to the specific data stored in the component. All components are CORBA servers and it allows them to be running on different host stations.

Geometry

a coherent set of data produced by component GEOM or any other geometry tool and imported using geometry exchange interface (like BRep, IGES and so on).

Mesh

a collection of elements used as a support for numeric simulation.

Field

the set of results of the same type allocated to mesh elements. Fields can be one of next types: scalars, vectors, tensors, matrices, character strings.

3. Forms of data visualization

3.1 Data tables

Table represents data in spreadsheet-like form. For these purposes the QTable widget will be provided. This widget can be reused in any module for any dialog box as a control. For post-processing data visualization needs this widget is used inside of Table window (based on non-modal window frame). Data represented in Table window of post-processing module is be editable.

3.2 XY plots

XY plot represents calculation data in form of 2D (XY) plotting. XY plot view is shown in a separated view window (non-modal dialog box), which can be moved in any position of the screen for convenience. The QWT extension of QT toolkit is used for XY plotting. QWT provides unlimited number of displayed curves (data sets) and supports logarithmic scale, zooming, and selection.

3.3 3D presentations

A 3D presentation shows geometry, mesh and fields in 3D space. Provides selection, rotation, zooming, scaling, and panning of 3d scene. Color bar for scalar data presentation is supplied. For 3D presentation window of the current implementation of VTK viewer in study window is used.

4. Data structure

Source data for post-processing module can be imported from MED file or MED object in study data structure (CORBA object) can be used for this purposes.

In case of import MED file the data from this file will be converted in form of VTK Data Source format and stored in VISU data structure. In case of using of MED object from study the label in VISU data structure will be created with reference to the corresponded MED object.

Available result data is displayed under corresponded MED data label. For every result the number of presentations can be created dependently on result type.

Presentation is represented in data structure in form of list of presentation creation parameters. This could be:

• Presentation type (table, XY plot, 3d view);
• Presentation subtype (for example for 3d: scalar map, iso-surfaces, combined view and so on);
• Parameters of the presentation dependently on its type (number of colors, type of scale, font parameters, grid parameters and so on).

Parameters of presentation are persistent data, which will be stored in study file.

5. VISU module features and services

The functionality of the VISU module is provided by a set of classes which are combined into the VISU package.

The API reference of the VISU component can be found here.

5.1 Base class

This is a root class for all objects of the VISU module.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.2 ViewManager class

This class is used for management of the view windows (creation and deletion).

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.3 View class

View class is a base for all other classes, necessary for creation of different views .

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.3.1 3dView class

This class provides a set of methods for creation of a 3d view window.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.3.2 TableView class

This class provides a set of methods for creation of a Table view window.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.3.3 XYPlotView class

This class provides a set of methods for creation of a XYPlot view window.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.4 Result class

This class serves for inner representation of data generated in other sources. (MED object or file) This data is needed for further construction of graphical presentations.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5 PrsObject class

It is the root class of all presentable objects.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.1 Curve class

Manages presentation parameters of one curve. This object can be used for presentation of set of curves using Container class.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.2 Table class

Manages presentation parameters of a table.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.3 Container class

This class is provided in order to create one presentation using several presentable objects. This can provide combination of a set of curves to display them in XY plot view.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.4 Prs3d class

Root class for all 3D presentations.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.5 Mesh class

Manages presentation parameters of a 3D presentattion of a mesh. This object can be used for presentation of set of curves using Container class.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.6 ScalarMap class

Manages presentation parameters of the scalar bar.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.7 CutLines class

Manages presentation parameters of the cut lines presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.8 CutPlanes class

Manages presentation parameters of the cut planes presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.9 IsoSurfaces class

Manages presentation parameters of the iso surfaces presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.10 DeformedShape class

Manages presentation parameters of the deformed shape presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.11 Vectors class

Manages presentation parameters of the vector presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.5.12 StreamLines class

Manages presentation parameters of the streamlines presentation.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.6 Animation class

This class provides a set of methods used for:

• generating different animations,
• setting the parameters of the animations,
• playing these animations in the VISU module.

The API reference for this class can be found here.

5.7 VISU_Gen class

This is the main clas of the VISU component in SALOME application. It is used for , using the views provided by ViewManager. This class provides a set of methods used for:

• creation of all types of post-processing presentations from given Result and Table object reference
• creation of animations

The API reference for this class can be found here.