[Gmsh] Hello, and a question about which file type

[Christophe Geuzaine]

Neil Hodge wrote:
> All:
> 
> I have recently started using gmsh, and it seems that it will suit my
> needs nicely.
> 
> That being said, it appears that there will still be a bit of a
> learning curve.  So, my first question is: which file type should I
> use?  Notes:
> 
> * I will be using gmsh (at least initially) only for post-processing,
> as I typically do everything else myself.  So, I need to write a file
> containing results to be able to use gmsh.
> 
> * My field is mostly solid mechanics, with a few other things thrown
> in.  So, I need to be able to 1) plot scalar, vector, and tensor
> quantities 2) at both nodes and elements 3) on unstructured meshes 4)
> that are changing in time.
> 
> * I would like to use ascii files, as my problems are typically quite
> small, and ascii files will be easier to debug.
> 
> I notice that most of the questions on this mailing list seem to refer
> to the "pos" ascii file type, indicating that it is being used by more
> people, but the manual intimates that "msh" 2.0 files are the
> preferred format.
> 
> So, given my requirements, which file type should I use?

Hello Neil - For small datasets it doesn't really matter: any format 
will do...

* the old parsed .pos format is very easy to use: it does not require an 
underlying mesh (connectivity), so it's possible to write it on the fly, 
just like a plotting format. Cons: it does not scale well for large 
(especially "continuous") datasets.

* the new .msh format is bit less flexible (it is tied to one or more 
meshes), but it scales much better for large datasets. Cons: not all the 
features available with the old format are implemented yet in the new 
one (labels, high-order visu, some plugins, etc.).

Both formats will be maintained for a long time. Gmsh allows you to 
convert one format into the other either in the GUI or from the command 
line.

Hope this helps,

Christophe


> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Neil
> 
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> 


-- 
Prof. Christophe Geuzaine
University of Liege, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~geuzaine