Read binary result file, compute data and use as result file in HyperView

Hello everyone,

 

I want to create a script, which takes data from binary files (e.g. binout from LS-Dyna, it stores curve data), computes it (e.g. find the maximum value of a curve) and create a result file, which can be used in HyperView (e.g. as a result for a contour plot). To be more specific, I want to create a contour plot for spot weld elements, which contains maximum values (constant over time) of spot weld forces, which are given in a binary output file from LS-Dyna.

 

I did not find an easy solution for this task, therefor I tried to break it down. This describes my plan backwards from the finish to the start:

- To create a contour plot from custom data, I can use an XML file, which defines my datatype (see 'HyperWorks Result Math/Creating New Datatypes')

- To access data, which will be used for the new datatype, I can create a TCL Plugin or use TCL commands respectively

- The data is contained in a binary file. I want to either use HW TCL commands to access the LS-Dyna binary output directly or use the commands to access an Altair Binary Format file (ABF), which might be easier

- If I want to use the ABF file, I have to translate the LS-Dyna binary output file via HGTRANS first

 

Further applications could be the storage of the computed values as *.csf file, therefor I am really interested in the reading of this data.

 

Since I am really new to this topic, I would need some opinions and tips for this.

 

Makes the whole process sense or is there an easier way?

 

Which TCL or HW TCL commands can I use to access data in a binary file (LS-Dyna Binout or ABF)?

 

Thank you.

 

Update 1:

I wrote a script to access curves, which are plotted in HyperGraph, and store them in a database array. Then I write the data into a CSV file, to evaluate it with Excel.

I think this was the easy part.

 

The next question is, how do I read curve data from binary files? Can anyone help?