15.4 Post Processing

The open non-proprietary file formats used by TUFLOW for its input and output make it well suited to automation via scripting as a means to improve workflow efficiency. Many modellers develop their own tools to assist in their use of TUFLOW and to automate many tasks. A GitLab TUFLOW User Group has been established to support the sharing and collaborative development of these tools. These tools include scripts to assist with post-processing of TUFLOW outputs.

Where repeated plotting of results is required during a project, or there are a large number of charts to produce, Python scripts offer an attractive workflow efficient option. For some initial guidance regarding using Python scripts please see our Python eLearning.

Experienced python coders may also be interested in the PyTUFLOW tools, developed to simplify result analysis and post-processing automation. PyTUFLOW for instance can allow real-time calibration plots to be produced during the course of a simulation.

Additionally, the TUFLOW Utilities offer a range of options for post-processing TUFLOW map and grid output. Some of the more common functions include:

• Creating a vector GIS (e.g. .shp) file of velocity vectors;
  
• Creating a grid of the maximum values from two or more input grids; and
  
• Calculating the affluxes between two grids (see Section 15.5).

Refer to Chapter 17 and the TUFLOW Utilities Wiki Page for further information on the TUFLOW Utilities.