About PPView Help Manual

• This manual simply describes the usage of PPView.
• Author: Fang Shi
• Website: http://phipsi.top
• Email: shifang@hyit.edu.cn
• Updated on February 11, 2026.

Click here to download the latest version of PPView: https://sourceforge.net/projects/phipsi/.

Contents

• 1. About PPView

• 2. Basic usage

  • 2.1 Installation

  • 2.2 Window Layout

• 3. Tutorial

  • 3.1 Open an example kpp file (2D)

  • 3.2 Open an example kpp file (3D)

  • 3.3 Import Abaqus model file

1. About PPView

• PPView is a visualization tool for PhiPsi. It enables users to:

  • Perform PhiPsi simulations;
  • View models defined in PhiPsi keyword files (.kpp files);
  • Edit PhiPsi keyword files (.kpp files);
  • View simulation results generated by PhiPsi;
  • Import Abaqus model files (.inp files).

• PPView supports the following operating systems:

  • Windows 10 and Windows 11;
  • macOS (Apple Sillicon);
  • Linux (e.g., Ubuntu).

• The latest PhiPsi solver executable is available within PPView, for Windows users, for example: C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\PhiPsi\PhiPsi_Win64.exe.

2. Basic usage

2.1 Installation

• It is recommended to install by default to the path C:\Program Files (x86) folder. When finished, a shortcut for PPView will be created on the desktop.

2.2 Window Layout

• The PPView interface is composed of a menu bar, a toolbar, a model tree, a data analysis panel, an operation log panel, and the main window.

2.2.1 The menu bar

• The menu bar encompasses several sections: File, Analysis, View, Windows, Setting, Tools, Help, and About.

  File

  • - Opening kpp file: Open the PhiPsi keywords file, i.e., *.kpp file.
  • - Open example kpp file: Open the PhiPsi keywords file of examples, i.e., *.kpp file.
  • - Edit kpp file: Edit the PhiPsi keywords file.
  • - Check kpp file: Check the PhiPsi keywords file.
  • - Save kpp file as...: Save the current kpp file as other kpp file.
  • - Open work directory: Open work directory defined in the keywords file.
  • - Open PhiPsi log file: Open PhiPsi running log file (*.log) which is stored in the work directory.
  • - Clear result files: Clear result files of the current work defined in the keyword file.
  • - Create a blank kpp file: Create a blank kpp file in a user defined folder.
  • - Import Abaqus model (.inp): Import Abaqus model (.inp file). PPView will automatically transform the Abaqus model file to PhiPsi model files. The element information, node information, boundary conditions, external forces, and materials defined in the Abaqus model file will be handled. For 2D problems, the supported element types include CPS4, CPS4R, CPS4I, CES4, and CPE4R; For 3D problems, the supported element types include C3D8, C3D8R, C3D8H, C3D8I, C3D8RH, and C3D8IH. The supported loads include concentrated force and pressure. The extracted material parameters include elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio and density. Once the Abaqus model file has been read, PPView will automatically plot the model and update the kpp keyword file based on the extracted data.
  • - Import geometry file (.step): Import geometry model file (.step).
  • - Recent kpp file: Open recent kpp files.
  • - Save plot as image: Save pictures.
  • - Exit: Exit PPView.
  • - Close and restart PPView: Close and restart PPView.

  Analysis

  • - Run kpp file with PhiPsi: Start the PhiPsi kernel to solve the problem defined in the keywords file.
  • - Stop PhiPsi: Stop all running PhiPsi tasks.
  • - Refresh results: Reload the result files of the currently running PhiPsi task.

  View

  • - Isometric: Plot in isometric view.
  • - XY plane, (Z+): Plot in xy view (z plus).
  • - XY plane, (Z-): Plot in xy view (z minus).
  • - XZ plane, (Y+): Plot in xz view (y plus).
  • - XZ plane, (Y-): Plot in xz view (y minus).
  • - YZ plane, (X+): Plot in yz view (x plus).
  • - YZ plane, (X-): Plot in yz view (x minus).
  • - YX plane, (Z+): Plot in yx view (z plus).
  • - YX plane, (Z-): Plot in yx view (z minus).
  • - ZX plane, (Y+): Plot in zx view (y plus).
  • - ZX plane, (Y-): Plot in zx view (y minus).
  • - ZY plane, (X+): Plot in zy view (x plus).
  • - ZY plane, (X-): Plot in zy view (x minus).
  • - Rotate 5° around X axis: Rotate 5° around the X axis.
  • - Rotate 5° around Y axis: Rotate 5° around the Y axis.
  • - Rotate 5° around Z axis: Rotate 5° around the Z axis.
  • - Auto rotate around X, Y, Z axes: Automatically rotate once around the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis respectively.
  • - View cut manager: Open the view cut manager to plot user defined section view along the x, y, and z directions.

  Windows

  • - Minimize the Window: Minimize the Window.
  • - Maximize the Window: Maximize the Window.
  • - Fullscreen: Fullscreen the window.
  • - Center: Center the window.

  Setting

  • - Model Display Style: Change model display style, the following display modes are available:
    • - Mesh View: Display the model with mesh (default).
    • - Smooth View: Display the model in a smooth view without mesh.
    • - Wiremesh: Display the model only with wirelines.
    • - Points: Display the model with only nodes.
  • - Model Color: Change model color, the following options are available:
    • - Cyan: All elements of the model will be drawn in Cyan.
    • - Varies with Material Type: Elements with different material numbers are drawn in different colors.
  • - Model Deformation Display Style: Change model deformation display style, the following display modes are available:
    • - Mesh View: Display the deformed model with mesh (default).
    • - Smooth View: Display the deformed model in a smooth view without mesh.
    • - Mesh View + Wiremesh (undeformed): Display the deformed model with mesh and underformed wirelines.
    • - Smooth View + Wiremesh (undeformed): Display the deformed model in a smooth view without mesh and underformed wirelines.
  • - Crack Display Style: Change crack Display style, the following options are available:
    • - Mesh View (for 3D): Display 3D cracks with mesh.
    • - Smooth View (for 3D): Display 3D cracks in a smooth view without mesh.
    • - Show Model Feature lines: Show model feature lines.
    • - Show Model Wiremesh: Show model wiremesh.
    • - Show Deformed 2D Cracks: Display the true shape of the 2D cracks after deformation.
    • - 2D Crack Lines Color: Change color of 2D cracks - Balck (default) / White / Red / Purple.
    • - 2D Crack Lines Width: Change width of 2D cracks - 1 / 2 (default) / 3.
    • - Show 2D Crack Points: Display 2D crack points.
    • - Pre-exsisting Natural Cracks: Settings about pre-exsisting natural cracks: Plot Pre-exsisting Cracks as Surface (3D) (default), Plot Pre-exsisting Cracks as Wireframe (3D), or Hide Pre-exsisting Cracks.
    • - Show Fluid Elements (for 3D): Show fluid elements for 3D hydraulic fracturing problems.
    • - Show Crack Vertex Local Coordinate System and Integral Domain (for 3D) : Show local Coordinate system and integral domain of crack vertex for 3D problems.
  • - Enriched Nodes Display Style: Change the Display style of enriched nodes - Size 2 / Size 4 / Size 6 (default) / Size 8 / Size 10 / Size 12 / Size 14 / Size 16.
  • - Colorbar Colormap: Change colormap of colorbar. The following options are available:
    • - Jet.
    • - coolwarm.
    • - PiYG.
    • - Greys.
    • - hsv.
    • - cool.
    • - ocean.
    • - spring.
    • - summer.
    • - autumn.
    • - winter.
    • - Blues.
    • - Reds.
    • - Greens.
    • - Purples.
    • - pink.
    • - Oranges.
    • - copper.
    • - YlGn.
    • - YlOrRd.
    • - cividis.
    • - inferno.
    • - magma.
    • - plasma.
    • - viridis.
    • - Accent.
    • - Paired.
    • - tab20.
  • - Colorbar Font: Change the size and color of colorbar font.
  • - Colorbar Location: Change the location (right or bottom) of the colorbar.
  • - Enable Lighting: Enable lighting.
  • - Enable Anti-Aliasing: Enable Anti-Aliasing.
  • - Enable Parallel Projection: Enable parallel projection, switch the visualization mode of a 3D scene from perspective projection to parallel projection.
  • - Enable Model Transparent: Make the 3D model transparent, enabling users to see through the model's surfaces. Opacity can be adjusted through the Miscellaneous settings.
  • - Show Load: Plot the applied force of nodes.
  • - Show Boundary Support: Display the supporting of fixed nodes.
  • - Show Model Coordinate Origin: Display the coordinate origin of the model.
  • - Show Model Boundary Box: Allows users to visually display a bounding box around the model.
  • - Show Gauss Points (2D): Display the Gauss points of 2D problems.
  • - Plot Gauss Point Results instead of Nodal Results (2D): Plot Gauss point results instead of nodal results for 2D problems. After enabling this option, the accuracy of cloud image rendering can be significantly increased, but the rendering speed will decrease.
  • - Animation: Animation-related settings.
  • - Background Color: Change background color, the following options are available:
    • - Gradient Blue.
    • - Gradient Grey.
    • - Gradient Green.
    • - Gradient Yellow.
    • - Gradient Purple.
    • - Gradient Black.
    • - White.
    • - Black.
    • - Grey.
    • - Select a Solid Color.
  • - Theme: Change theme of icons or font:
    • - Change icon theme. The following options are available:
      • - Green icon theme (default).
      • - Blue icon theme.
    • - Change font theme.
  • - Text Editor: Change text editor - Notepad (default) / Notepad ++ (if installed).
  • - Language: Change Language - English / 中文.
  • - PhiPsi Solver: Change PhiPsi solver, the following options are available:
    • - PhiPsi Solver Compiled Using gfortran (default): Simulation will be performed by running PhiPsi_Win64.exe (C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\PhiPsi\PhiPsi_Win64.exe) compiled using gfortran.
    • - PhiPsi Solver MPI Version. Simulation will be performed by running PhiPsi_Win64_MPI.exe (C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\PhiPsi\PhiPsi_Win64_MPI.exe).
    • - Set Number of MPI Processors. Set the number of MPI processors for PhiPsi_Win64_MPI.exe.
  • - Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous Settings:
    • - Show wellbore (3D). Set wellbores for 3D hydraulic fracturing simulation.
    • - Model opacity. Set the model's opacity.
  • - Other Settings: Other Settings:
    • - Enable PhiPsi Legend: Display the PhiPsi logo and the PhiPsi solver version number in the upper-right corner of the window.
    • - Enable Startup Window: Show the welcome screen when launching the software.
    • - Show Coordinate System: Display the coordinate system in the lower-left corner of the window.
    • - Automatically Refresh the Simulation Results: Automatically refresh (read) simulation results every 10 seconds.

  Tools

  • - Open PhiPsi kpp File Editor: Open the PhiPsi kpp file editor that comes with the PPView software.
  • - PhiPsi Running Monitor: Run the PhiPsi running monitor to watch the memory and CPU usage of the PhiPsi kernel.
  • - Run a Batch File: Run a batch File (*.bat).
  • - Run a Python Script: Run a Python script (*.py).
  • - Read and Plot ANSYS Result file (.rst): Read and plot ANSYS result file (.rst).

  Help

  • - PPView Help: Open the online PPView help manual.
  • - PhiPsi Instruction Manual: Open the online PhiPsi instruction manual.
  • - PhiPsi Keywords Manual: Open the online PhiPsi keywords manual.
  • - View Change Log of PPView: View change logs of PPView.
  • - Keyboard Shortcuts: Show keyboard shortcuts.

  About

  • - About: About PPView.
  • - PhiPsi Website: Visit PhiPsi Website - phipsi.top.
  • - Check for updates: Check for updates of PPView.

2.2.2 The toolbar

• The toolbar buttons include:
  • - Opening kpp file: Open the PhiPsi keywords file, i.e., *.kpp file.
  • - Edit kpp file: Edit the PhiPsi keywords file.
  • - Create a blank kpp file: Create a blank kpp file.
  • - Check kpp file: Check the PhiPsi keywords file.
  • - Open work directory: Open work directory defined in the keywords file.
  • - Run kpp file with PhiPsi: Start the PhiPsi solver to solve the problem defined in the keywords file.
  • - Stop running PhiPsi tasks: Stop all running PhiPsi tasks.
  • - Refresh results: Reload the result files of the currently running PhiPsi task.
  • - Open PhiPsi log file: Open PhiPsi running log file (*.log) which is stored in the work directory.
  • - Clear result files: Clear result files of the current work defined in the keyword file.
  • - Plot model: Plot the model.
  • - View isometric: Plot in isometric view.
  • - Zoom to fit: Automatically fit the view to the screen (Zoom to Fit).
  • - View xy_zplus: Plot in xy view (z plus).
  • - View xy_zminus: Plot in xy view (z minus).
  • - View xz_yplus: Plot in xz view (y plus).
  • - View xz_yminus: Plot in xz view (y minus).
  • - View yz_xplus: Plot in yz view (x plus).
  • - View yz_xminus: Plot in yz view (x minus).
  • - Enable Model Transparent: Make the 3D model transparent, enabling users to see through the model's surfaces.
  • - Enable Feature Line Mode: Render the model's feature lines instead of the mesh.
  • - Enable Parallel Projection: Enable parallel projection, switch the visualization mode of a 3D scene from perspective projection to parallel projection.
  • - View cut manager: Open the view cut manager to plot user defined section view along the x, y, and z directions.
  • - View Node Label: Show labels of all nodes.
  • - View Node Coordinate: Show coordinates of all nodes.
  • - View enriched nodes: Click to show enriched nodes.
  • - View cracks: View cracks.
  • - View user defined initial crack, void, inclusion: Click to view user defined initial cracks, voids, and inclusions.
  • - Plot Curve: Plot curves.
  • - Save Plot as Image: Save the current plot as image (*.png).
  • - Save Animation: Export animation (gif file).
  • - Minimize the Window: Minimize the Window.
  • - Maximize the Window: Maximize the Window.
  • - Fullscreen: Fullscreen the window.
  • - Center: Center the window.
  • - PPView Help: Open the online PPView help manual.
  • - Info: About PPView.
  • - Exit: Exit PPView.

2.2.3 The model tree

• The model tree includes the following nodes:
  • - kpp file: the kpp file.
  • - Abaqus model file: Abaqus model file. This model tree node will be available once an Abaqus model file was imported successfully.
  • - Geometry: This model tree node is used to display model geometry information.
  • - Geometry: This model tree node is used to display model geometry information.
  • - Boundary Conditions: This model tree node is used to display model geometry information.
  • - Applied Force: This model tree node is used to display model geometry information.
  • - Initial Defect: Edit or define initial defects such as cracks, holes, and inclusions.
  • - Materials: Edit Material Parameters.
  • - Hydraulic Fracturing: Currently unavailable.
  • - Analysis Settings: Analysis settings include analysis type, load step, linear equations solver, etc.
  • - Result_Settings: Currently unavailable.
  • - Solve: Click to run the PhiPsi simulation.

3. Tutorial

3.1 Open an example kpp file (2D)

• Click the PPView icon on the desktop.
• Click on the toolbar to open PhiPsi keywords file. Select 2d_plate_with_holes.kpp from the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\Examples. This example simulates the propagation of crack in a plate with holes, as shown in the following figure.

• Click on the toolbar to open and view the keywords file.
• Click on the toolbar. The analysis will be started and a Windows terminal will show.
• When the simulation is finished, the simulation log can be opened by clicking on the toolbar.
• Click on the toolbar to reload the simulation results.
• In the Simulation Results Panel, users can select component to be plot. By clicking the Apply button, the selected simulation result will be shown. By clicking the Open File button, the corresponding result file will be opened.
• The figure can be saved to png file by clicking on the toolbar.
• The colormap of the colorbar can be changed by clicking Setting < Colorbar Colormap, select coolwarm, for example. Click Apply button, the contour will be replot.
• The default calculation results are nodal solutions. Check Setting < Plot Gauss Point Results instead of Nodal Results (2D). Click Apply button, the contour of calculation results at Gauss points will be replot. Contour plots based on Gauss point solutions are more accurate, as shown in the following figure.

• The applied force and boundary conditions can be plot by clicking Setting < Show Load and Setting < Show Boundary Condition. Click Apply button, the contour will be replot.
• If the user want to plot the model again, click on the toolbar. When you click the button on the toolbar, the model will be rendered in feature line mode instead of the mesh mode.
• The work directory of the current task defined in the keywords file can be opened by clicking on the toolbar.

3.2 Open an example kpp file (3D)

• Click the PPView icon on the desktop.
• Click on the toolbar to open PhiPsi keywords file. Select 3d_cylinder_uniaxial_tension.kpp from the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\Examples. This example simulates the propagation of a mixed-mode penny-shaped crack under uniaxial tension.

• Click on the toolbar. The analysis will be started and a Windows terminal will show.
• Click on the toolbar to refresh the simulation results.
• In the Simulation Results Panel, users can select component to be plot. By clicking the Apply button, the selected simulation result will be shown.
• Click to open the Plot Curve Settings window. Swtich to 3D Crack Curve pannel and click the Plot Curve botton, the curve of stress intensity factor (SIFs) will be plot. The analytical solution of SIFs at step 1 can be written as:

$$K_{\mathrm{I}} = 2\sigma\cos^{2}\alpha \sqrt{\frac{a}{\pi}} \tag{3.2.1}$$

$$K_{\mathrm{II}} = -\frac{4}{2-\nu}\,\sigma\sin\alpha\cos\alpha \sqrt{\frac{a}{\pi}}\sin\gamma \tag{3.2.2}$$

$$K_{\mathrm{III}} = -\frac{4(1-\nu)}{2-\nu}\,\sigma\sin\alpha\cos\alpha \sqrt{\frac{a}{\pi}}\cos\gamma \tag{3.2.3}$$

where $\gamma$ denotes the angular position along the crack front at which the SIFs are evaluated, $\sigma$ is the applied remote stress (100 MPa), $a$ is the crack radius, $\nu$ is Poisson's ratio, and $\alpha$ is the inclination angle of the initial crack ($45^\circ$). The comparison between the theoretical solutions of the stress intensity factors and the results computed by PhiPsi is shown in the figure below.

3.3 Import Abaqus model file

• Click the PPView icon on the desktop.
• Click File from the menu bar and then Click to create a blank kpp file. Select a folder, and then enter the name of the keyword file, for example Test. Then, a blank kpp file will be created.
• Click File from the menu bar and then Click to import the Abaqus model file. Select an Abaqus model file (*.inp), for example C:\Program Files (x86)\PhiPsi\PPView\Examples\Abaqus_inp_files\3d\3d.inp. PPView will automatically transform the Abaqus model file to PhiPsi model files. Afterwards, PPView will plot the Abaqus model and update the kpp file according to the obtained information.
• Now the model is ready to be solved. You can click the node in the model tree to solve the model.
• Once the simulation is done, click the button in the Simulation Results Panel to update the obtained simulation results.
• Users can also add initial cracks to the model. Right click Initial Crack, then select New Circular Crack. Click the newly added Circular Crack 1, then the 3D Circular Crack Settings window will appear. Input 0.5, 0.5, 0.75, 0, 0, 1, and 0.35, respectively, for each text-box from top to bottom.
• Click Solve in the model tree to solve the model.
• Once again, click the Refresh Results button in the Simulation Results Panel to refresh the obtained simulation results.
• Enable model transparent by clicking the Enable model transparent on the toolbar, and disable initial crack by deactivating the View user defined initial cracks, void, inclusion on the toolbar. In this way, you can see the crack inside the model.
• Finally, the 3D problem with an initial circular crack can now be post-processed through the Simulation Results Panel.