Overview
Using the Exodus file format significantly accelerates the time stepping in Paraview! Simply by importing a sequence of VTU results, such as written from Flac3D for StopeX models, these results can be saved in a compact and fast binary file in Exodus format (*.e filetype).
Tip: Select Enable Include Model Outputs for ParaView in General Settings in StopeX.
Importing VTU
A .vtu file is an XML-based format used by ParaView to represent unstructured grid data, commonly generated from simulations like finite element or computational fluid dynamics analyses. It stores mesh information—such as points, cells, and connectivity—as well as associated scalar or vector fields, enabling detailed 3D visualization of complex geometries and results. For time-dependent simulations, ParaView can automatically recognize and sequence multiple .vtu files (e.g., simulation_0001.vtu, simulation_0002.vtu, etc.) as a time series, facilitating dynamic visualization over time. The .vtu format’s XML structure allows for both human readability and machine parsing, making it suitable for scripting and automated processing in scientific workflows.
Use the File -> Open … command and navigate to a time series. This is indicated by a drop-down arrow and a filename substituting .. for the step numbers (Model_step**..**_VTK_outputs.vtu). If this grouping does not appear (lists of individual files) check that there is no confusing patterns. Examples can include leading numbers such as a project number, trailing characters, or the dash sign, in particular when combined, such as in longer patterns like 123N_Site-v01_step1_output, which is guaranteed to fail. If this occurs, the best approach is to rename files with Microsoft PowerToys PowerRename.
A successful import will reflect the step numbers in the Time counter:
Exporting Exodus
Select the stack of vtu files in the tree and use the File -> Save Data … command. Choose the Exodus format. This process can take several minutes or longer.
Select Write All Time Steps.
Renaming Files
Before loading your dataset in ParaView, it’s recommended to streamline your filenames using PowerRename so that ParaView can correctly detect and group them as a time series. Removing redundant information like trailing _VTK_outputs would increase readability here. Delegating most information to the folder structure above might be an elegant way to address this.
Tip: The free Microsoft PowerToys (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/) can be installed from the Microsoft Store. It integrates with Windows Explorer to be available via right-click pop-up menu.
