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Post-Processing
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to post-process the solution after each iteration or time-step, (while the simulation is running), as well as when the simulation completes. For this reason, you generally create post-processing objects before running the simulation. Post-processing objects are also known as analysis objects.
Transient Solution Data
For transient solutions, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides the simulation history file (.simh) to which you can save selected data while a simulation is running. After the simulation completes, you can load this file and query its states for post-processing.
Transient Solution Data Workflow
Obtaining transient solution data requires that you plan ahead for the data you want before you run the simulation. After running the simulation, you load the simulation history files into the simulation for post-processing.

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Post-Processing
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to post-process the solution after each iteration or time-step, (while the simulation is running), as well as when the simulation completes. For this reason, you generally create post-processing objects before running the simulation. Post-processing objects are also known as analysis objects.
- Analysis Workflow
  The key steps in successfully analyzing simulation results are to: (1) be clear on what quantities you want to extract; (2) locate or define surfaces on which to obtain the data; and, (3) present the data in visual scenes or numeric output.
- Data Interpolation
  Most visualization objects such as plots, reports, and scalar displayers allow for smooth and non-smooth values. For example, the contour style for scalar displayers provides a Smooth Filled option (smooth) and a Filled option (non-smooth). The way these values are calculated depends on the discretization method.
- Field Function Interpolation and Interfaces (FV)
  For finite volume meshes, understanding how Simcenter STAR-CCM+ deals with field function data is important for avoiding non-physical results in post-processing at an interface, and to appreciate the difference that smoothing makes when it is applied.
- Accessing Solution Data through Derived Parts
  Although Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can display, analyze, and report simulation data on regions, boundaries, and parts, there are many cases when you want to access data in other entities of the solution space. Derived parts provide a mechanism for defining additional entities on which you can access solution data.
- Visualizing the Solution
  The visualization tools in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ are integrated with the analysis, allowing for the interactive extraction and viewing of solution data from either a running or converged simulation.
- Transient Solution Data
  For transient solutions, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides the simulation history file (.simh) to which you can save selected data while a simulation is running. After the simulation completes, you can load this file and query its states for post-processing.
  - Transient Solution Data Workflow
    Obtaining transient solution data requires that you plan ahead for the data you want before you run the simulation. After running the simulation, you load the simulation history files into the simulation for post-processing.
    - Recording Transient Solution Data
      Before running a transient simulation, define the solution data you wish to save using a solution history. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ writes one simulation history file (.simh) per solution history node. You can create multiple solution history nodes in the same simulation.
    - Retrieving Transient Solution Data
      Solution views allow you to retrieve and view solution data states from a simulation history file. Each solution view has its own representation that you then apply in scenes, plots, and reports.
  - Using Solution Snapshots
    A snapshot is essentially a copy of the selected solution data (scalars/vectors for that moment in time) in a simulation file. Snapshots can be used to compare multiple steady state solutions in a single simulation file, such as different design iterations.
  - Animating Solution Views
    You can animate the transient and steady state solution data that is stored in a simulation history file.
  - Solution History Reference
    Solution histories govern the writing of solution data to simulation history files.
- Sampling Data Values Using Reports and Monitors
  This workflow incorporates the roles of both reports and monitors.
- Accessing Field Data from Previous Time-Steps or Iterations
  A field history is a type of field monitor that stores a finite number of past values (or samples) of a field function, captured at moments defined by its update policy, for a given set of input regions or boundaries (or both).
- Reporting Results
  Reports provide summaries of solution data.
- Monitoring the Solution
  Monitors sample, save, and plot solution data.
- Plots
  The plotting features in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allow you to create three kinds of two-dimensional plots.
- Exploring Solutions with Data Focus
  This interactive tool lets you extract knowledge of merit -- information that facilitates a correct engineering decision -- from a large volume of data.
- Parametric Positioning for Analysis Surfaces in Turbomachine Domains
  In studies of cases of revolving volumes, such as turbomachinery, a typical requirement for post-processing is to render and plot data on surfaces or profiles that are positioned parametrically in relation to the domain bounding surfaces. For example, you may wish to view the total pressure on a surface located exactly half-way between the hub and shroud, or you may wish to plot pressure across both blade surfaces on a given slice.
- Triggers and Update Events
  Several features of Simcenter STAR-CCM+ require that you define a trigger for when an action takes place. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides three built-in trigger types, and one custom trigger type (defined by an update event).
- Signal Processing
  Signal processing applies data set functions to sets of wave data.

Transient Solution Data Workflow

Obtaining transient solution data requires that you plan ahead for the data you want before you run the simulation. After running the simulation, you load the simulation history files into the simulation for post-processing.

To save and post-process transient solution data:

Prepare solution histories for recording solution data.
See Recording Transient Solution Data.
Run the simulation. If you wish, you can manually cause Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to write an instance of data to a simulation history file at any point. To force a data save:
1. Stop the simulation.
2. On the simulation history node whose data selection you want to store, right-click and select Create Snapshot.
3. Enter a name for this snapshot and click OK.
  In the simulation history file, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ inserts the snapshot before any states that are recorded during the regular simulation run.
4. Resume the simulation.
Retrieve data states from the simulation history files and use them in plots, scenes, and animations.
See Retrieving Transient Solution Data.
To clear history data before running the simulation again:
1. From the menubar, select Solution > Clear Solution.
2. In the Clear Solution dialog, activate Recorded Solution History before clicking OK.

The following tutorials illustrate this workflow: