HDF

HDF

T/HIS can read HDF files. The version of HDF file supported in T/HIS is HDF5. HDF4 files require conversion to HDF5 before they can be read (see Converting HDF4 to HDF5). Currently, T/HIS supports Float data types within Atomic datasets and Float data types within Compound datasets. Reading HDF files is supported in FAST-TCF. We plan to improve our support for HDF in future releases of T/HIS, so please send us any feedback you have.

An HDF5 file can be read by entering the path in the textbox or using the file selector:

Plot Y against X dataset

Once a valid HDF file is selected, the HDF panel will open with two navigation lists mapped in "Plot Y against X dataset" mode – one related to Y-Axis and the other for X-Axis – showing the contents in the root group (/). Using these navigation lists, the entire HDF5 file can be accessed. If the selected datasets have any associated attributes, they will be listed in the attributes lists below.

An example of a curve reading in from a HDF5 file has been shown below. The file that has been read in is a binout file converted to HDF5 format:

Clicking on a dataset will map an adjecent list of the dataset contents. An empty dataset box or disabled rows just means that data is not readable into T/HIS or we do not support it yet.

In this example, for Y-Axis we have selected elout → elout → shell followed by sig_xx (which is a 2D dataset), and selected Column 2 in the dataset list. For X-Axis we have selected elout → elout → shell followed by time (which is a 1D dataset) and selected Column 1:

When you click Apply, a curve will be mapped:

Plot Y against Index 0...n

The second mode available is "Plot Y against Index 0...n", where only the Y-Axis points need to be selected. Y-values will then be plotted against their index i.e. X-values of 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

3D Datasets

The contents of the dataset list change depending on the data. For a 1D or 2D dataset, a list of columns is shown (see previous examples) but for a 3D dataset, first the Level has to be selected:

After selecting the Level, the dataset box will show the list of Columns for selection:

After clicking Apply, the curve label will show the Level and the Column selected:

Compound Datasets

For a compound dataset, the curve label shows the list label:

Navigation aids

Navigation aids have been introduced in order to traverse through the file easily and with minimum number of clicks.

Search

Let us consider the "Plot Y against X dataset" example above. We had to follow the sequence elout → elout → shell → sig_xx. Instead, if you already know that you want to retrieve sig_xx you can search for it in the <Search Groups> textbox directly, and select from the matching paths listed:

Column selection

The <Enter Dataset Column> textbox allows you to select columns quickly. The following are all valid searches:

• “1” or “Column 1”
• “1-4” or “Column 1-4”

• “1, 2, 3, 5“ or “1 2 3 5” or “Column 1, 2, 3, 5” or “Column 1 2 3 5”

Copy path

Converting HDF4 to HDF5

To convert an HDF4 file to the HDF5 format, you need to install the h4h5tools application, which can be found on the HDF Group website (we tested h4h5tools-1.10.6-2.2.5-win10_64-vs15.zip). Once installed, you can use the HDF4 to HDF5 Converter Tool script included with T/HIS to aid file conversion. The script converts selected HDF4 files into HDF5 files, writing the new files in the same directory as the originals. The script can be found in the T/HIS JavaScript menu:

We plan to improve our support for HDF in future releases of T/HIS, so please send us any feedback you have.