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Unable to add .ffe file as a directional antenna pattern in Proman

Description:

Dear community members,

I am trying to add a custom antenna pattern in the .ffe format (zip-file attached here) in Proman file> Site new > Transmitter type > Antenna > Site 1 Antenna 1 > Cell > Directional/sectoral antenna > attach .ffe file, and this .ffe file was already given in one of the examples of Feko itself. But surprisingly, when I want to attach this file, it throws an error as shown in the screenshot: "The pattern currently selected is not a valid file on the disk! Therefore the directional antenna can not be used." Please let me know how to get around this issue. I want to attach different 3D pattern files obtained from somewhere else to Proman. Are there any other methods to do so through a script? Thank you.

With regards Saurav

Screenshot 2025-08-14 184437.png

Screenshot 2025-08-14 191720.png

Product/Topic Name: Proman, Altair Winprop

RadarAntenna.zip

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Feko

WinProp

Accepted answers

Zeina

Regarding importing 3D pattern files obtained from external tools, the file should be preprocessed in a format that is supported by WinProp. This can be either a .ffe file format, or the WinProp .apa file format that is explained in details here. This preprocessing will depend on the data format in your original external files, so the user will have to do it on their side. We do not have scripts that cover all possible file types.

All comments

Zeina

Hi @Saurav_Roy I have no issue opening the .ffe file in both AMAN, and ProMan while assigning it to a transmitter. Here is the AMAN view:

And this is the assignment and view in ProMan:

The error you mentioned seems to point to an issue with the file itself on your machine or its location (i.e. path). Double check if it is in a read/write enabled directory, or try to copy it to another location and try again.

Best,

Zeina

Saurav_Roy

Hi @Zeina, I tried that in different drives and folders, it does not work. But, surprisingly, when I use the .apb format in the same folder, the pattern gets loaded without any error. That brings me to the other question I asked before. I want to attach different 3D pattern files obtained from somewhere else to Proman. Are there any other methods to convert multiple pattern files to .apb format through a script in AMAN or PROMAN? Could you please suggest an example or a source?

Regards

Saurav

Zeina

Unfortunately, I am not able to see what could be the reason for the error on your side as I am not able to reproduce. Which version are you using in general, for both Feko and WinProp?

Zeina

Saurav_Roy

When the same thing was attempted from another PC, it was solved.

Zeina

I see, it really seems to be an issue on the machine side.