Field Data Manager

Field Data Manager represents the lowest level of coupling, without using a coupling interface itself. You can manually export field data such as velocity, vorticity, or temperature can be from a solver into one of the supported formats and then import the data into EDEM. The Field Data Manager allows you to import and manage field data for use in a Custom Model (commonly in a Particle Body Force). This feature supports both steady-state and transient field data, giving you more flexibility when modeling complex interactions.

Field data is of the following two types:
  • Vector
    A Vector field is a construction in vector calculus used to represent a field (such as the velocity profile of a fluid or a magnetic force field) as points in Euclidian space. Each point has an associated magnitude and direction. EDEM displays Vector field data using arrow representation. The color of the arrow indicates the magnitude of the vector.

  • Scalar
    A Scalar field associates a scalar value to points in space. This can be used to measure temperature distribution throughout space or air pressure, for example. EDEM displays Scalar field data using point representation. The color of the points indicates the scalar value.

Note: To use scalar field data in a simulation, custom plug-in models are required. These models interpret the scalar data and apply it to the relevant physics.

To import field data:

  1. Run the CFD simulation (steady or transient) in any solver which can export the field data in EDEM supported formats (.txt,.cgns)
  2. Export the field data from CFD solver.
  3. Open EDEM and save the deck in your working folder. Saving the deck makes Field Data Manager active.
  4. In the Creator Tree, select Physics > Field Data Manager.
    Note: Field Data Manager displays the following two tables:
    • The Left-hand table displays the number of Field Lists that can be enabled simultaneously. Each Field List has a unique ID and Name. The name can be edited by the user.
    • The Right-hand table displays all the available fields. Only one field from this list can be active at a time.
      • The Active Time column determines if a field is applied during the simulation using ranges such as 1-2 or 1.345-1.365.
      • Other columns display the field’s original name, dimensions, orientation (editable), data type, number of points, and the source file containing the field data. The Active Time setting determines which field is used at a given simulation time.
      • The start value is exclusive (field activates after this time).
      • The end value is inclusive (field remains active until this time).
      • By default, a field is set to 0-max (active from time 0 indefinitely).
      • Additional fields are set to empty (""), meaning they are inactive unless edited.
      • Multiple active periods can be specified. For example, -1, 2-3, 3-4.
      • Active Time values can also be copied from a spreadsheet and pasted into the table.

    Additionally, you can enable the Loop option for a Field List. If looping is selected, once the last active time is reached, EDEM restarts from the first entry. If any field uses Max as its active time, looping has no effect.

  5. Import the vector field data into EDEM.
    Note: There are four different ways to load new field data into the dialog.


    You can select multiple files (CGNS or text) for a single import operation.
    • Each entry in a Field List must be unique. The Name + FileName combination cannot duplicate an existing field. If a duplicate is imported, the new field will replace the old one.
    • Fields that do not match the required dimensions or data types are automatically skipped.
    • You cannot manually remove an entire Field List. A list is deleted automatically when it becomes empty. However, you can select multiple fields (or all fields) within a list and remove them at once.
  6. Add contact models and run the model.
    Note: If the field contains vector data (velocity or vorticity), you can select an appropriate model in the Particle Body Force interaction to calculate forces such as drag and lift (for example, the Schiller–Neumann drag model). If it is scalar data, you must imported the API plug-in model.
    You can visualize the imported fields in Creator.


    In the Analyst tree, you can view the imported fields used in the simulation. Variable coloring and different representations are available for better visualization.


Custom plug-ins can query field data and configure the interpolation algorithm using EDEM’s API. For more information about EDEM's API, see the EDEM Programming Guide.