POSTFEKO has been extended to support all new features and solution techniques in the FEKO solver. In addition to supporting the new solver features, numerous other features and improvements have also been implemented. These features are listed in the sections that follow.
A new Cartesian surface graph plot type is available (14.0.430). This allows plotting quantities like radar cross section (RCS), gain or near fields as a function of two independent parameters, such as angles theta and phi or frequency and position.
Far fields, near fields, custom datasets, maths scripts and imported data can be displayed on surface graphs. A single plot per Cartesian surface graph is supported.
Cartesian surface graphs are extended in FEKO 2017 to support S-parameter data and Touchstone imported data. (2017)
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| • | The display of angular and/or radial minor grid value labels can be enabled for polar graphs when the minor grid is enabled. (2017) |
| • | The display of horizontal and/or vertical minor grid value labels can be enabled for Cartesian graphs (only applicable when the minor grid is enabled). (14.0.410) |
| • | The number of minor grid subdivisions can be specified for polar graphs. (2017) |
| • | The number of minor grid subdivisions can be specified for Cartesian graphs. (14.0.410) |
| • | Text boxes and shapes (lines, single arrows, double arrows, boxes and circles) can be added to a 2D graph to highlight aspects of a result or to add comments. (2017) |
| • | Multi-line text is now possible for chart titles, legends, captions, axis titles and text boxes. Press Shift+Enter to start a new line in the text field (on the Advanced settings for 2D text entries, Legend entry settings and Create text box dialogs). (2017) |
| • | Polar graphs were extended to support the display of only a specified angular range. This feature allows creating polar graphs that show only the top/bottom/left/right half of the graph. (14.0.410) |
| • | Polar graphs now support a wider range of traces, provided that they have an angular axis. (14.0.410) |
| • | A user can now specify whether a legend entry should be displayed in the 2D legend. This feature allows finer control over the entries displayed in the 2D legend. (14.0.410) |
| • | A user can now specify to use the trace label text as the legend entry. (14.0.410) |
| • | The number of columns in a legend is user adjustable. (14.0.410) |
| • | A user can now bring attention to a specific point on a trace by adding a quick annotation. The annotation can be added to a Cartesian graph or polar graph by using the Ctrl+Shift+left mouse click combination on a trace. (14.0.410) |
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| • | The PDF, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word templates used during quick reporting now display Altair HyperWorks branding. (2017) |
| • | Quick reports and report templates are extended to allow specifying the image format and resolution for exported images. (2017) |
| • | Extensions to report templates: |
| - | A user can now modify an existing report template. (14.0.410) |
| - | An existing report template can be exported to a report template configuration file (*.xml). (14.0.410) |
| - | A report template can be imported by means of a report template configuration file (*.xml). (14.0.410) |
| - | The file path of a report template is now stored relative to the path of the POSTFEKO session (*.pfs file). If no POSTFEKO session exists, the report template file path will make use of an absolute file path. (2017) |
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| • | The improved Import data: FEKO near field dialog allows a user to specify the imported file name only once when importing both the *.efe and *.hfe files. It is assumed the *.efe and *.hfe have identical file names. |
| • | Multiple result files (*.ffe , *.efe , *.hfe , *.snp and *.xml report templates) can be selected for import, provided the files are located in the same folder. In the past, result files had to be imported one by one. |
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| • | DataSet objects are extended to allow more than six axes. A maximum of 10 custom axes and a total maximum of 12 axes are now supported. (2017) |
| • | The API provides new methods for importing data from *.mat files. (14.0.432) |
| • | Extended the API with the CombineDataSets function that combines multiple DataSet objects into a single DataSet. (14.0.431) |
| • | Extended the API for report generation to include the GenerateAndOpen method. This method will generate and open the report. Use the Generate method when the requirement is only to generate the report. (14.0.421) |
| • | The API for Cartesian and polar graphs is extended to include the Values property for the ResultTrace object. The Values property contains a table with the trace values along each axis. (14.0.420) |
| • | Extended the API to allow the export of isosurfaces to STL file format. (14.0.401) |
| • | Support for 1D fast Fourier transform (FFT) and 1D inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on matrices. (14.0.401) |
| • | Added UTF-8 character encoding support for the script editor. This allows the use of all characters defined by Unicode, instead of the limited ASCII character set. (14.0.401) |
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| • | The About POSTFEKO dialog is now modal and the text (application, version and date information) can be copied to clipboard. (2017) |
| • | Support for previewing near field sources and receiving antennas using near field scan data (*.NFS) with irregular grid spacing. (14.0.430) |
| • | Support was added for waveguide ports, FEM modal ports and S-parameters to be analysed in the time domain (based on FFT/IFFT transformation). (14.0.410) |
| • | Multiple image file formats are supported when selecting an application macro icon. (14.0.410) |
| • | The solution header block in an exported file (*.ffe, *.efe, *.hfe, *.os, *.ol) now also contains the configuration name when it is available. (14.0.410) |
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| • | Cartesian surface graph resolved issues: Resolved the following issues with Cartesian surface graphs (introduced in FEKO 14.0.430): |
| - | The vertical axis labels (values) do not update along with the change to the surface graph when manual grid range settings are entered. (2017) |
| - | Surface graph axis labels do not update when an independent axis with a single value is specified. (2017) |
| - | An assertion fails with "Assertion failed: index != -1" when a maths script result without appropriate axes is plotted on a surface graph. An error message will now be given. (2017) |
| - | Entering a negative number for the major grid spacing causes POSTFEKO to crash. An error message will now be given for Cartesian surface graphs stating "The major grid spacing for the horizontal/vertical independent axis may not be less than zero." (2017) |
| - | Validation is added to surface graphs to ensure the horizontal/vertical axis range and individual range limits are specified with the maximum larger than the minimum. (2017) |
| - | Changing an independent axis from Theta (wrapped) to Theta through the API does not update the surface graph's axis. (2017) |
| - | If only the *.bof file is present, results cannot be added to the surface graph from the ribbon (the buttons on the Add results group on the ribbon are disabled). (2017) |
| - | The Axis settings and Chart text options can now be accessed from the surface graph context menu. (2017) |
| - | The Major grid button on the ribbon is renamed to Grid. It works as in the past to activate the major grid lines on a surface graph. The button is renamed to clarify that the minor grid can only be enabled once the (major) grid is enabled. (2017) |
| - | Exporting a 3D view animation directly after adding a plot to a surface graph causes POSTFEKO to crash. (2017) |
| - | Extended the API with BlockGraphRedraws and UnblockGraphRedraws methods for surface graphs. The BlockGraphRedraws method disables graph redraws for performance purposes. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue with the API that Cartesian surface graphs were not listed in the WindowCollection or returned by the GetActiveWindow method. (14.0.431) |
| - | Export all images now applies to Cartesian surface graphs. (14.0.431) |
| - | Projects that are saved with a Cartesian surface graph as the active view will now reopen with the same view open. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue for surface graphs with Theta (wrapped) and Phi independent axes. The wrapped Theta results were incorrectly plotted symmetrically around Theta equal to 0. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue where an assertion could fail for certain results when setting the independent axes of a surface graph to Theta (wrapped) and Frequency. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue where an assertion failed when unwrapping the phase of a near field plotted on a surface graph with Frequency as independent axis. (14.0.431) |
| - | It is no longer possible for the result palette of a surface graph to indicate an angle as one independent axis with the wrapped or unwrapped counterpart of the same angle as the other independent axis. (14.0.431) |
| - | Before, when the wrapped or unwrapped counterpart of an angle already used as one axis was selected for the other axis, the result palette updated to a third axis with no update to the graph or the axis labels. This caused the result palette to be out of sync with the graph. It could happen that frequency was indicated as both a fixed and an independent axis. When changing the source of the graph to another request and back to the original source, the unexpected change to the slicing palette could cause the graph to be different from before the change. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue where an assertion could fail with "Could not match the axes to extract the data" when the solver was cancelled during the calculation of a result plotted on a surface graph with Theta (wrapped) and Frequency independent axes. (14.0.431) |
| - | It is not supported to have multiple plots on a surface graph, but the Ctrl+K shortcut key incorrectly duplicated selected plots. This shortcut key is now disabled for surface graphs. (14.0.431) |
| - | Simultaneously selecting multiple surface graph plots on the result palette caused an assertion failure. It is no longer possible to duplicate plots on surface graphs. (14.0.431) |
| • | 2D graphing resolved issues |
| - | Resolved an issue with annotations on 2D graphs where adding a delta custom annotation or null to null beamwidth annotation to certain traces could lead to a crash. (2017) |
| - | Resolved an issue where pressing Ctrl+Shift+left mouse click on a graph did not display an annotation. (14.0.420) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could potentially lead to an assert failing when changing the axis settings of a dataset with duplicate entries. (14.0.411) |
| - | Polar graph annotations for dB values shown incorrectly. (14.0.410) |
| - | Unable to select multiple traces and set the independent axis to Theta (wrapped). (14.0.401) |
| - | Values displayed on annotations were incorrect for normalised charts. (14.0.401) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have led to an assert failing when exporting continuous data to *.dat file from a Smith chart. (14.0.401) |
| - | Resolved an assertion that failed with "pf_Result3DMeshElementPicker.cpp (182): Assertion failed: 0" when holding Ctrl+Shift and hovering over a 3D view displaying wire vertices. The measure distance tool can now be used while wire vertices are displayed. (2017) |
| - | Resolved the issue where an assertion fails for certain models with the message "pViewOp->hasHoopsKey()" when holding Ctrl+Shift and hovering over a source in the 3D view. This is no longer encountered when adding annotations to the 3D view. (2017) |
| - | Resolved an issue where surface currents on curvilinear triangles were sometimes not displayed after making a change to the visibility settings of the 3D view or the quantity being displayed. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue where range calculations resulted in incorrect surface currents display when using symmetry. (14.0.421) |
| - | Resolved an issue where the specified number of contours or contour values was ignored for surface currents. (14.0.420) |
| - | The Fixed range for 3D view legends is now determined solely by the specified Maximum and Minimum values. The Round off legend range and step size setting has no effect on the specified fixed range. (14.0.411) |
| - | Plane waves were not displayed at the correct location in the 3D view. (14.0.401) |
| - | Faces without any coating were incorrectly highlighted as being covered with a coating. (14.0.401) |
| - | When using geometry with waveguide ports in an array, the display of the ports could have been incorrect. The ports are now translated to the correct location in the 3D view. (14.0.401) |
| • | Resolved performance issues |
| - | Improved the handling of large data structures in POSTFEKO. This speeds up interactions large datasets, for example adding results to the 3D view. (14.0.431) |
| - | Improved rendering performance for models containing aperture excitations. (14.0.421) |
| - | Improved rendering performance for large models when rotating or zooming. (14.0.420) |
| - | Improved the opening speed for certain models containing large wire grids. (14.0.411) |
| - | Improved performance for exporting time signal trace data to file. (14.0.411) |
| - | Improved performance for the loading and view switching of models with a large number of solution configurations. (14.0.401) |
| • | Reporting resolved issues |
| - | Resolved an issue with reporting and image export where it could happen in some cases that a trace would not be included on a graph. This affected graphs exported to Microsoft PowerPoint and Word documents and to EMF image format. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have led to an assert failing when modifying a report template. (14.0.410) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have led to an assert failing when trying to print, creating a quick report in *.pdf/*.eps format or exporting an image to *.pdf/*.eps format when no printer is installed. (14.0.401) |
| - | Resolved an issue with text boxes on dialogs that affects FEKO 14.0. Text boxes are now given focus when a dialog is opened and the Tab key navigates through all the fields, including the text boxes. (2017) |
| - | Resolved an issue where an assertion could fail with "Assertion failed: !exception.needToRollBack()" when opening some older models containing parts with geometry faults. (2017) |
| - | Resolved an issue that caused an assertion to fail in FEKO 14.0.430 when opening a POSTFEKO session from an older version that contained near field sources or receiving antennas. (14.0.431) |
| - | Resolved an issue where graphs containing S-parameter results disappeared after opening a *.pfs file. (14.0.421) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could potentially lead to an assert failing when opening a *.fek file stating that the heading could not be found for "MediumPEC". (14.0.411) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could potentially lead to an assert failing when opening a session containing stored receiving antenna data. (14.0.411) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could lead to a crash when opening an old session and clicking on a 3D view containing an isosurface. (14.0.401) |
| - | Resolved an issue that led to an assertion failing when assigning a value through automation to a near field isosurface of which the visibility has been disabled. If a near field isosurface is not visible, POSTFEKO will no longer allow its isolevel to be set. (14.0.430) |
| - | Resolved an issue where receiving antenna labels were incorrect. (14.0.421) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have resulted in an incorrect time signal preview. (14.0.420) |
| - | It is now allowed to store a DataSet when no model is loaded. (14.0.420) |
| - | The complete file path for a model/result is now displayed when hovering with the mouse over an entry in the project browser. (14.0.420) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could potentially lead to an assert failing when attempting to export an *.ffe file while there is no far field request. (14.0.411) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could potentially lead to an assert failing when attempting to export *.efe and *.hfe files while there is no near field request. (14.0.411) |
| - | A small window of a third-party library was displayed and closed each time an animation frame was exported. (14.0.410) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have led to an assert failing during the export of stored data. (14.0.410) |
| - | The form dialog is now modal to the main window and displayed in front of the script editor, but it still allows interaction with the script editor. (14.0.410) |
| - | The Size (pixels) field (Export animation dialog) was enabled and compulsory for when the Export size was set to Same as source. (14.0.401) |
| - | Resolved an issue that could have led to an assert failing when blocking graphs for redrawing (for speed improvement), but was never unblocked. (14.0.401) |
| - | For power data sets, the RelativeSignalPhase property is now only added to configurations that support the calculation of the relative signal phase. (14.0.401) |
| - | Corrected the failure to save a custom reference impedance value. (14.0.401) |
| - | An inconsistency in how far field components were normalised has been rectified. (14.0.401) |
| - | An assertion failure was possible when closing mixed graph types in a certain order and undoing the action, which resulted in the incorrect ribbon tab being given focus. This has now been resolved. (14.0.401) |
| - | In cases where passive waveguide ports were used in a model, POSTFEKO would report that data is not available. The behaviour has been modified so that only valid data is made available to the GUI and scripting interfaces. (14.0.401) |
| - | An assertion failure could have been triggered when exporting Touchstone files that contain custom axes in addition to the frequency axis. Exporting has been disabled for S-parameter results that are not supported by the Touchstone file format. (14.0.401) |
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