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API, Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running applications in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
External Readers and Altair Binary Format
Altair Binary Format (ABF) is the standard binary format read by the program. A library called abflib allows you to create files in ABF.
Create Data Structures
Once an Altair Binary Format file is created and opened, the structure of the data contained within the file must be specified. The data structure and the data can be specified in one step or the data can be entered after the data structure is specified.

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API, Reference Guides
Overview of external readers and the Altair Binary Format, the generic ASCII reader, running applications in batch mode, using Tcl/Tk commands, translators, and result math.
- Extensions
  Extensions are programs integrated with the application to enhance or extend the user experience.
- External Readers and Altair Binary Format
  Altair Binary Format (ABF) is the standard binary format read by the program. A library called abflib allows you to create files in ABF.
  - Altair Binary Format Organization
    ABF is organized according to a three-tier system. The format consists of two parts, the header and the data.
  - Import Templates and External Readers
    The program reads a variety of ASCII and binary formats and have a template-based system that allows you to read formats which are not supported internally. This template-based system uses a language called Import.
  - ABF File Format
    ABF and the program use a three-tier system comprised of datatypes, requests, and components. A file that does not contain three tiers cannot be translated into Altair Binary Format unless it is restructured into three tiers.
  - Create and Open the ABF File
    The ABF library is used to write to Altair Binary Format files. Before you can write to an ABF file, it must first be initialized. Once the file is initialized, you can create and open the file. When you write to an ABF file, the existing file is overwritten without warning.
  - Create Data Structures
    Once an Altair Binary Format file is created and opened, the structure of the data contained within the file must be specified. The data structure and the data can be specified in one step or the data can be entered after the data structure is specified.
  - Specify Numeric Precision
    In Altair Binary Format files, data is stored at the component level. The default data format is eight-byte floating point values.
  - ABF File Data Output
    Once the data structure and data for each component have been specified, the ABF library can output the ABF file.
  - Delayed Data Transfer
    An external reader is usually called several times while importing data. This process allows you to specify what file information you want to access.
  - Labels and Annotations
    An Altair Binary Format file can include labels and annotations that contain additional information.
  - Specify Component Data with Expressions
    When a data component can be expressed in terms of another, it is unnecessary to include the full set of values for both.
- Generic ASCII Reader
  A generic ASCII reader is now available which allows you to bring custom results directly into HyperView. The Altair ASCII format is useful for reading the results of any in-house or propriety codes which are saved in a generic format.
- Batch Mode
  Batch mode allows you perform a series of operations outside the program interface.
- External Resources
  External resources can be registered in preference files, session files, or Templex files. If an external resource is registered in a program session, it is automatically registered in the session file when the session is saved.
- Python API
  The Python API documentation for HyperMesh applications.
- Tcl/Tk Commands
  The application's scripting interface is a set of Tcl/Tk commands that follow a simple and consistent syntax.
- Translators
  Translators are utilities that are run from the command line of the operating system to convert various types of files into different formats.
- Result Math
  XML commands in the Result Math Module.
- HWC Console
  Record playback workflows in the application.
- HyperMesh Report
- Task Manager
  Use the Task Manager to load an XML file that defines tasks and their attributes.
- HyperMesh
- MotionView
- Templex and Math Reference Guide
- Script and Model Library
  The Script and Model Library is a database of freely accessible scripts and models posted by users and Altair engineers.

View All Altair HyperWorks Help

Create Data Structures

Once an Altair Binary Format file is created and opened, the structure of the data contained within the file must be specified. The data structure and the data can be specified in one step or the data can be entered after the data structure is specified.

Component names and component data are separate. Each request in a datatype contains the same set of component names but has its own set of data corresponding to each name. For instance, for datatypes with requests each containing X, Y, and Z components, a separate set of XYZ data is assigned to each request.

Use abfNewDatatype() to create a new datatype.
Use abfOpenDatatype() or abfOpenDatatypeByIndex() to open the datatype
Use abfNewRequest() to create a request.
Use abfNewComponent() to create a sub-field (component).
It is not necessary to open a request to create a component within it, since all requests within a datatype contain the same set of components. However, a datatype must be open. Any requests present in the datatype or added to the datatype later will contain a component by that name.
Repeat this process for all datatypes.