FORMAT

I/O Options EntryThe FORMAT command can be used in the I/O Options section to indicate the format in which results are to be output.

Format

FORMAT = option

Definitions

Argument Options Description
option <ASCII, OS, OPTI, HM, HYPER, BOTH, H3D, FLX, NASTRAN, PUNCH, PATRAN, APATRAN, O2, OUT2, OUTPUT2, PLOT,HDF5, KPI, NONE>
ASCII, OS, OPTI
OptiStruct ASCII results files are output.
HM, HYPER
The HyperMesh binary results file (.res file) is output.
BOTH
Same as defining both HM and OPTI.
H3D
Hyper3D binary results file (.#.h3d file) is output.
FLX (Default)
Same as defining both HM and H3D.
NASTRAN, PUNCH
The Nastran punch file format (.pch file) is output.
PATRAN, APATRAN
A number of Patran ASCII results files are output. APATRAN outputs the same files using an alternative file naming convention.
O2, OUT2, OUTPUT2
Nastran binary output2 file format (.op2 file) is output.
PLOT
Results are output in Nastran output2 format (.op2 file) when PARAM, POST is defined in the Bulk Data section.
HDF5
Results are output in the Hierarchical Data Format, Version 5 (.h5 file). 4
KPI
Controls the output of Key Performance Indicators to .kpi file (ASCII). 5
NONE
Analysis output is not required. Cannot be used in combination with other FORMAT commands.

Comments

  1. Information provided on OUTPUT entries take precedence over information provided on FORMAT entries. If neither of these entries are defined, the output formats defined in the Configuration File are used. If a format is not defined by the Configuration File, then both the HM and H3D formats are active by default.
  2. Multiple FORMAT commands are allowed.
  3. It is recommended to use the OUTPUT command instead of the FORMAT command since it is more flexible and allows different frequencies of output for different formats during an optimization.
  4. The HDF5 output is printed to a .h5 binary results file. For details of the supported analysis types and elements when the .h5 output format is requested, refer to the .h5 file.
  5. KPI output includes maximum value for Displacement, Stress, Strain, and Plastic Strain with respect to the corresponding property. It is supported for linear and nonlinear static analysis only. Stresses and Strains are supported only for shells and solids. This output can also be activated from the corresponding I/O Options Entry (DISPLACEMENT, etc).