Sometimes you may want to view your CFD results in a desktop tool like ParaView for further analysis. This guide explains how to export volume data from Bramble and download it to your computer.
Step 1: Create an ‘Extra Export’
The volume data for a completed simulation is generated by requesting an Extra Export:
- From the run view and click on Extra Export in the simulations lifecycle.
- In the Export Volume section, click + New.
- Enter a Name. This can be anything, but we usually use fluids for consistency.
- Add a Fluid Zone called ALL (this is required for OpenFOAM workflows).
- By default, the export includes the variables Cp, CpT, and Unorm. You can add more if you need them, but this is not usually necessary.
- Click the tick to save the entry, then press Submit in the bottom right corner.
7. In the confirmation window, make sure Move to File Exchange is switched on. This ensures the exported data will be available for you to download. Finally, press Submit.
⚡ Note: The export runs on the HPC (high-performance computing cluster). It will be queued but given high priority, so it should complete quickly.
Step 2: Download the Export
When the export has finished (the lifecycle will return to its normal state), the data will appear in the File Exchange area. You can find this at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
- Navigate to your simulation in the File Exchange tree.
- Right-click on the export and choose Download.
- Once downloaded, unpack the file. You will find a file with the extension .case. Open this file in ParaView (or another compatible viewer).
Things to Keep in Mind
Simulation data can be large (several GBs), so downloads may take some time. A stable and reasonably fast internet connection is recommended.