Properties of Update and Its Sub-nodes

The update, hardcopy, Viewer file, and suffix properties allow you to control how the display is updated, as well as whether and how to export the display during a simulation run.

Update Properties


File Format	The graphics format that is used to save images of the visualization display. For scenes, you have the following options: .bmp .jpg .mp4 .png .pnm .ps .sce .tif *.wrl
Enabled	Uses a checkbox with which you can activate or deactivate this feature.
Save to File	Determines whether multiple images of the display are saved as the solution progresses. This property can be used to create an animation showing how the object changes while the simulation runs. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ brings the selected display to the front when it produces a screenshot of that frame.
File Name	Lets you choose between the standard file name (Automatic) or a customized one (Custom). The Custom option activates the Suffix sub-node.
Output Directory	Path to where the files specified in the Base Filename property are saved.
Base Filename	The prefix of the file name to use when saving displays to file. The full file name is prefixNNNNN.ext where prefix is this property, NNNNN is a number to indicate the sequence of the files, and ext is an extension based on the graphics format. If you leave the text box blank, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ restores the name that was there previously once that text box no longer has the focus.
Trigger	Determines how the display is updated to reflect changes in the simulation. Change the trigger type to control the method that updates the display. See Trigger Types.

Hardcopy Properties

The properties of the Hardcopy node let you control the specifications of the images generated by the display updates. However, if all clients are disconnected from a running server, no displays are saved to files. Properties that are available only for a certain type are noted in the descriptions.

Output Magnification

Produces a larger image than the image in the original display, based on the factor you enter.

Output Width

Sets the width of the image of the display when the save to file action is executed. To make this specification effective, change it while recording a macro for saving images in batch.

Output Height

Sets the height of the image of the display when the save to file action is executed. To make this specification effective, change it while recording a macro for saving images in batch.

Use Anti-Aliasing

When activated, this option reduces distortion in the rendered image, creating a smoother appearance on screen.

However, anti-aliasing also increases rendering time. It is deactivated by default.

Transparent Background

When activated, this option generates an image with a transparent background. This option is available for .png and .tif files only.

Use Current Resolution

Controls how the images are sized.

Note	To avoid unintended variation in the resolution of the images during a simulation run, deactivate this option after you finish preparing the display.

Activated

Uses the latest display resolution, which changes as you resize the view. This setting is the default for plots and scenes that you create in the current version of Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Deactivated

Uses the pixel resolution values that you set in the Output Width and Output Height properties. This setting is the default for plots and scenes in simulation files that were saved in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ v11.02 or earlier.

Viewer File Properties


Compression	Compresses data in each saved Viewer file for a reduced file size. Lossy compression exports varying degrees of reduced detail in the scene in exchange for less memory consumption. The options are as follows, with Low (Lossy) being the least loss of detail and High (Lossy) being the greatest: None—leaves compression off. Lossless—uses standard binary compression with no loss of detail. Low (Lossy) Medium (Lossy) High (Lossy) For more information about lossy compression, see Compression in Scene Export.
Append	When activated, for each individual scene object, the exports are appended to the same Viewer file.
Title	Adds a title for the exported Viewer file.
Description	Adds a description for the exported Viewer file.

Suffix Properties

This node allows you to configure an additional value to be added to the filename.


Suffix Name	Contains the string for your customized file name suffix.
Expression	Incorporates an expression to evaluate and be part of the file name, for example `${ExhaustPort1Temperature1Report}`.
Dimensions	The dimensionality of the value (read-only). Clicking the customizer executes the define dimensionality action.
Output Units	Units of the displayed quantity.
Show Units	When activated, shows the units in the file name.
Format	Defines the formatting of the text and numbers. The property customizer activates a dialog with interactive controls. For more information about this dialog, see Controlling Format of Text and Numbers.
Additional Suffix	When activated, adds another suffix after the current one. The node of the current suffix becomes a folder that contains a new Suffix sub-node.