Files Required for D3PLOT to Run

Files required for D3PLOT to run

D3PLOT must have a complete state (.ptf ) file in order to function. If any of the other files ( .xtf , .ctf and .ztf ) are missing then the entities within them will not be processed.

You can choose whether or not read the xtf , ctf and ztf files by checking the relevant boxes on the front file selection panel.

Here the contact force file (" Read CTF file ", etc) has been de-selected, but the other two database files will be read if present.

In D3PLOT 9.3 a ztf file can be created automatically if required if the input (.key) deck is available by ticking Create if req'd .

Three further, optional files generated from previous D3PLOT runs may be read in: (none of these files is required)

The " PRP " file contains model properties, written from the PROPERTIES panel.

This is a model-independent file of element and node properties that can be applied to the current model. "Properties" are colour, transparency, blanking status, etc. See The settings file (.set) stores Programme, not Model, information for more information about this file.

The " SET " file containing saved D3PLOT settings written from the UTILITIES, SETTINGS panel.

This is programme-specific data, allowing virtually all the options on the user interface to be saved and restored. For example the number and layout of windows, current data components, etc. See UTILITIES, SETTINGS_FILE for more information about this file.

The " ASC " ascii groups file written from the GROUPS panel.

An ascii groups file is a compact and human readable file of group information that can be applied to any model.