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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.
Plots
The plotting features in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allow you to create three kinds of two-dimensional plots.
Working with XY Plots
XY plots are two-dimensional charts that can be used to display graphs of scalar values from the set of available solution variables or from table data.
XY Plot Workflow
Create an XY plot, choose parts and representations, and adjust properties such as orientation and aspect ratio. Decide when to update the plot, and whether to export the updates to image files.
Adding Reference Data to an XY Plot
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to plot data from tables in the same plot as data from simulations.

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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.
- 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.
  - Plotting Workflow
    Decide on the quantities to plot, and based on that choice, select the plot type. Set up the plot with the appropriate field functions and parts. Decide how to customize the appearance of the plot, and whether to export images for presentation purposes.
  - Working with Monitor Plots
    Monitor plots display the values collected by report-based and residual-based monitors as the solution is advanced. You can also use them to plot data from tables in the simulation.
  - Working with XY Plots
    XY plots are two-dimensional charts that can be used to display graphs of scalar values from the set of available solution variables or from table data.
    - XY Plot Workflow
      Create an XY plot, choose parts and representations, and adjust properties such as orientation and aspect ratio. Decide when to update the plot, and whether to export the updates to image files.
      - Setting the Independent Quantity
        In an XY-plot, the X-Type quantity is the independent (or control) quantity. Y-Type quantities are the dependent (or measured) quantities. Each Y-Type quantity takes data from all parts that you assign to the [xy plot] node.
      - Defining the Dependent Variables
        In an XY plot, each dependent variable is defined as a Y Type, regardless of where its axis appears.
      - Adding Reference Data to an XY Plot
        Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to plot data from tables in the same plot as data from simulations.
    - Setting and Viewing Heatmaps
      Use the heatmap style to view a high concentration of data more clearly.
    - Setting and Viewing Bubble Plots
      The bubble style lets you add additional layers of information to your XY plot. One layer of information is available by mapping the bubble diameter to a scalar field. Another layer of information comes from mapping the bubble color to a scalar field.
  - Working with Histogram Plots
    Histogram plots are two-dimensional bar charts that can be used to display data distribution.
  - Plotting with Multiple Axes
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ lets you add an axis to a plot to allow the comparison of multiple variables in a single chart display.
  - Interacting with the Plot Display
    The plot display in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to adjust the axis ranges interactively, zoom into an area, and pan the plot area. You can also reset to the original plot view.
  - Updating Plots
    You can control how open XY, monitor, and histogram plots update by changing the trigger type that is located in the Update node.
  - Customizing Data Display in Plots
    The appearance of data in all plots can be modified in a number of ways.
  - Customizing Plot Colors
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to define plot colors based on inputs to the plots, and to override these color choices where necessary. For example, you can define and maintain colors based on their relationship to specific residuals on residual plots, or to particular input surfaces within a region. You can also create and apply your own colors, such as the colors used by your company for its branding.
  - Managing Data in a Plot
    You can make various types of simulation data available for plotting: monitors, tabular data, and derived data.
  - Plots Reference
    Plot nodes contain controls for the overall content of the plot, while individual sets of sub-nodes are available for controlling data, functions of axes, and the appearance of data and grid lines.
  - Saving and Printing Plot Data
    You can export the contents of a plot as data in .csv format. You can also save the plot to an image file or PDF, or send it to a printer.
- 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.

Adding Reference Data to an XY Plot

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to plot data from tables in the same plot as data from simulations.

As tables can retrieve data from imported files, this facility means that you can import reference data from external files in order to compare it with solution data. To plot reference data from an external file:

Right-click the Tools > Tables node and select New Table > File Table.
In the Open dialog, navigate to and select the target data file then click Open.
Within the Plots > [xy plot] node, right-click Data Series and choose Add Data.
In the Add Data Providers to Plot dialog, choose the table that you created above and click OK.
To choose which table columns are plotted, select the [data series] node and change its properties until the correct data is shown. For details, see Data Set Properties Lookup.
To modify the appearance of the reference data, set the properties of the Line Style and Symbol Style child nodes.