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ParaView Plugin

MicPy provides a plugin that allows MICRESS simulation data to be loaded and explored directly inside ParaView. Once installed, MICRESS binary files, such as concentration and phase fields, can be opened without any conversion step. Unlike exported .vti files, the plugin also allows switching between CellData, PointData (averaged), and PointData (direct) representations directly from ParaView's Properties panel, without reopening the file or converting the dataset.

Three-dimensional visualization of the simulated microstructure following rapid solidification of the equiatomic FeCrCoMnNi high-entropy alloy within a computational domain of 1×2×2 μm³. The morphology of the individual phases is represented by 0.5 isosurfaces extracted from the corresponding MICRESS phase-fraction fields, revealing the spatial distribution and topology of the precipitates. The FCC phase is rendered in light cyan, the BCC phase in olive brown, the σ phase in red, and the Ni concentration field as a semi-transparent pink volume.

Choosing the Data Representation

After loading a MICRESS file, its VTK data representation can be changed using the corresponding drop-down list in ParaView's Properties panel. Select one of the following representations and click Apply.

  • CellData stores the field as VTK CellData, with one value assigned to each cell.
  • PointData (averaged) converts the field to VTK PointData by averaging adjacent cell values at each grid point. Additional boundary points are generated so that the original dataset bounds are preserved.
  • PointData (direct) stores the field as VTK PointData without averaging. No additional boundary points are generated, so the resulting dataset is one cell smaller in each spatial direction and its bounds are reduced by one grid spacing.

Stores each field value (x0, x1, x2, x3) as VTK CellData, with one value per MICRESS cell. This preserves the field’s cell-based representation.

Converts the field to VTK PointData by averaging adjacent cell values at each grid point, e.g. p11 = average(x0, x1, x2, x3). Additional boundary points are generated so that the original spatial extent and dataset bounds are preserved.

Stores the field values (x0, x1, x2, x3) directly as VTK PointData, without averaging or generating additional boundary points. Consequently, the dataset contains one fewer cell along each non-degenerate axis, reducing its spatial extent by one grid spacing in those directions.

Extending Simulation Boundaries

MICRESS simulations often exploit symmetries and repeating patterns to reduce the computational domain and computational cost. For example, a small section of a microstructure can be simulated and subsequently extended by mirroring symmetric boundaries or repeating periodic ones to visualize a larger domain.

The MICRESS Boundary Extension filter extends a loaded dataset according to MICRESS boundary conditions, allowing these structures to be reconstructed and visualized directly in ParaView. The filter supports Periodic, Insulating, and Symmetric boundary conditions.

To use the filter, select a MICRESS dataset in the Pipeline Browser and choose Filters → MICRESS → MICRESS Boundary Extension. Configure the boundary condition and extension size for the desired spatial directions, then click Apply.

Example of the MICRESS Boundary Extension filter in ParaView. The dataset is extended along the X direction using symmetric boundary conditions, reconstructing a repeating mirrored structure from the smaller simulated domain.