Convert OpenRadioss ANIM Output to VTKHDF for ParaView

This guide explains how to run an OpenRadioss example, convert its ANIM output (A001, A002, etc.) into a single VTKHDF file, and visualize the results in ParaView.

1. Install OpenRadioss

Download the latest release from:

https://openradioss.org/

2. Clone your project repository

git clone <your-repo-url>

This repository should contain:

Convert_Anim_to_VTKHDF.py

3. Clone and install the ANIM → VTKHDF converter

Clone into a separate directory:

git clone https://gitlab.kitware.com/keu-public/openradioss-to-vtkhdf.git
cd openradioss-to-vtkhdf

Create and activate a Python virtual environment:

python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\activate

Install the converter:

python -m pip install .

4. Install ParaView (version 6.0.1 or newer)

Download from:

https://www.paraview.org/download/

5. Run an OpenRadioss example

Use the OpenRadioss GUI to run any example.
After the run, the output directory will contain ANIM files such as:

A001
A002
A003

These files have no extensions.

6. Convert ANIM → VTKHDF

Place Convert_Anim_to_VTKHDF.py inside the directory containing your ANIM files.

Activate the virtual environment:

cd <path to openradioss-to-vtkhdf>
.\.venv\Scripts\activate

Navigate to your ANIM directory and run:

python Convert_Anim_to_VTKHDF.py

This creates:

output.vtkhdf

7. View in ParaView

Open ParaView → File → Open → select the generated .vtkhdf file.
Click Apply to load the time series and fields.