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Points

The sets function object samples field values at point locations and writes the result to file using the chosen output file format.

Usage​

Basic operation of the sets function object comprises:

sets1
{
    type            sets;
    libs            ("libsampling.so");

    setFormat       <format-type>;

    fields          (<fields>);

    interpolationScheme <scheme-type>;

    sets
    {
        mySet1
        {
            // set definition for 'mySet1'
            type            <set-type>;
            axis            <axis>;
            ...
        }
        mySet2
        {
            // set definition for 'mySet2'
            type            <set-type>;
            axis            <axis>;
            ...
        }
        ...
        mySetN
        {
            // set definition for 'mySetN'
            type            <set-type>;
            axis            <axis>;
            ...
        }
    }
}

Fields to be sampled are listed in the fields entry, e.g.

fields          (U p T);

Sets to be returned are listed in the sets sub-dictionary, each in dictionary format with a user-supplied name, e.g. mySet1, mySet2, and mySetN above.

The <set-type> value can be set to:

  • array: array of uniformly distributed points in a 3-D box
  • cellCentre: points defined at cell centres in a 3-D box
  • circle: uniformly distributed points on a circular path
  • face: face intersection points on line between start and end points
  • midPoint: mid points of face intersection points on line between start and end points
  • midPointAndFace: combination of midPoint and face methods
  • patchCloud: same as cloud, but points constrained to nearest patch faces
  • patchEdge: points intersecting a patches and external surfaces
  • patchSeed: points on a patch
  • polyLine: points on the knots of a line defined as a list of points
  • triSurfaceMeshPointSet: all points from a triSurfaceMesh
  • uniform: uniformly distributed points on line between start and end points

The <axis> value describes how the point co-ordinates are written. Options include:

  • x, y, or z: single Cartesian co-ordinate only
  • xyz: Cartesian x, y, z
  • distance:
    • for lines: the distance from the start of the line
    • for points: the distance from the first point

Sample output​

This information is also written in the user-specified output format to file in the directory:

$FOAM_CASE/postProcessing/<function object>/<time>

Stored properties​

Reduced data​

The following data are stored by the function object for the set of sample values, and can be used by other function objects:

  • average(<field-name>) : average set value
  • min(<field-name>) : minimum set value
  • max(<field-name>) : maximum set value
  • size(<field-name>) : size of set

Further information​

Related:

Source code:

API:

Example usage: