New Surface Offset filter
Please create a new filter in ParaView. One idea is to call it the SurfaceOffsetDistance filter. (You guys are usually better at names than I am, so feel free to change.). Below, I am going to show you how to replicate this using a VTK filter, then show you how I want it cleaned up.
- 5.9.0, Linux, builtin server.
- Load as plugin the attached file, PolyDataDistance.xml.
- Load can.exo. Apply.
- +Y
START SECTION TO GET USEFUL DATA.
We only want surfaces, thus we create surfaces.
- Extract Surface. Apply.
We only want to have two surfaces, close together.
- Select cells through, and select the vast majority of the can. Don't include any of the edges.
- Find data. Freeze Selection.
- Extract Selection.
Now, we want to seperate the two surfaces. Select and extract one surface, then do so for the other surface.
- Select cells on. Select everything.
- Find data. Freeze Selection.
- Extract Selection. Apply. I will call this surface 1.
- Click back on the previous filter, Extract Selection. Stuff is already selected. Find Data, invert selection.
- Extract Selection. Apply. I will call this surface 2.
STOP SECTION TO GET USEFUL DATA. From here, this is actually preparing for the PolyDataDistance filter. These steps should NOT be necessary.
Note that surface 2 is still highlighted in the pipeline browser. Data is Multi-Block dataset.
- Merge Blocks.
Now, our data is 2d surface data, as an Unstructured grid. We need Polydata.
- Extract Surface. Apply.
Lets do the same to surface 1.
- Select the Extract Selection for surface 1.
- Merge Blocks. Apply.
- Extract Surface. Apply.
Now, finally, fingers smoking, lets apply the polyDataDistance filter.
- PolyDataDistance. Apply.
- Paint by "distance".
OK, now for what I want.
- This filter should work on all kinds of 2d data, including multipblock, unstructured grid, polydata, etc.
- This filter needs to work in parallel. How to test? Create a 4 or 8 file version of can? (I have one, if needed.)
Cory was the original person that figured this out, so is a good reference.