Welcome To FieldView 2026 Release 1

Table of Contents

Introducing PyFieldView
Improvements to Order Independent Transparency (OIT)
List of Resolved Issues
Platform Support
Copyright

Introducing PyFieldView

FieldView 2026 R1 introduces PyFieldView, a new Python API that provides complete access to FieldView capabilities from Python. Designed specifically for FieldView workflows, PyFieldView supports both interactive and batch execution and enables users to automate visualization, post-processing, and quantitative analysis using a modern programming language.

PyFieldView replaces the previous Python scripting capability and builds on the experience gained from developing PyTecplot. It provides a Python-native interface to FieldView, making it easier to create maintainable automation workflows and integrate FieldView into larger engineering processes.

Beyond automation, PyFieldView connects FieldView to the broader Python ecosystem. CFD data can be exported to libraries such as NumPy, PyTorch, and other scientific computing tools for custom analysis, machine learning, and AI workflows. Derived quantities can then be brought back into FieldView for visualization and further investigation.

PyFieldView includes comprehensive documentation, examples, and API references designed to help users get started quickly. The documentation follows a structure familiar to PyTecplot users and has been designed to support both traditional scripting workflows and modern AI-assisted development tools.

PyFieldView is included with FieldView for users with active maintenance.

Existing FVX workflows remain supported, while new automation and customization projects are encouraged to use PyFieldView. Assistance migrating existing FVX workflows is available through Tecplot Support (support@tecplot.com)

PyFieldView makes it easy to automate repetitive visualization tasks. The following example creates a series of evenly spaced coordinate surfaces in a few lines of Python.

import fieldview as fv

# X-range
x_min = 0.1
x_max = 3.5

num_planes = 5
step = (x_max - x_min) / (num_planes - 1) if x_max != x_min else 0.0

# Create X planes from x_min to x_max (inclusive).
for i in range(num_planes):
    x = x_min + i * step
    cs = fv.vis.create_coord(
        plane=fv.constant.Plane.X,
        x_plane=fv.RangedValue(range=fv.Range(min=x_min, max=x_max), value=x),
        y_plane=fv.RangedValue(range=fv.Range(min=-1.0, max=1.0)),
        z_plane=fv.RangedValue(range=fv.Range(max=1.5)),
        coloring=fv.constant.Coloring.SCALAR,
        scalar_func="Cp [PLOT3D]",
        display_type=fv.constant.DisplayType.CONSTANT,
        transparency=0.5,
    )
    if i == 0:
        cs.legend.show = True
        cs.legend.frame = True
        cs.legend.background = True
        cs.legend.relative_position = (0.97,0.97)
    else:
        cs.legend.show = False

Figure 1. A series of coordinate surfaces generated from the short Python script shown above, demonstrating how PyFieldView can automate complex visualization workflows.

Improvements to Order Independent Transparency (OIT)

FieldView 2026 R1 makes Order Independent Transparency (OIT) easier to tune by exposing the transparency quality settings directly in the Rendering Options dialog. Previously, these settings could only be configured through environment variables before launching FieldView. They can now be adjusted interactively during a live session, making it much easier to balance rendering quality, responsiveness, and GPU memory usage.

Introduced in FieldView 2025, OIT significantly improved both the accuracy and performance of transparency rendering, particularly for scenes containing many overlapping transparent surfaces. Compared to previous transparency techniques, OIT produces more accurate images while delivering substantial performance improvements. Because rendering requirements vary depending on the complexity of the scene and the capabilities of the graphics hardware, FieldView provides several controls to help users optimize transparency rendering for their particular workload.

The following OIT settings are now available directly from the Rendering Options dialog:

Total GPU Memory (MiB) displays the amount of graphics memory available to the rendering system. This value provides a useful reference when choosing an appropriate transparency buffer size and may include shared system memory on platforms with integrated graphics.
Buffer Size (MiB) controls the amount of GPU memory reserved for transparency rendering. This setting corresponds to the FV_OIT_FRAGMENT_BUFFER_SIZE environment variable. Increasing the buffer size can help prevent missing portions of transparent surfaces in scenes containing large numbers of overlapping fragments.
Quality (fragments) controls the number of transparent fragments sorted during rendering. The Low value is used while interacting with the view and corresponds to FV_OIT_MIN_SORTED_FRAGMENT_COUNT. The High value is used when the view is stationary and corresponds to FV_OIT_MAX_SORTED_FRAGMENT_COUNT. Lower values improve rendering performance during interaction, while higher values improve image quality for complex transparent scenes.

Figure 2. Order Independent Transparency settings are now available directly in the Rendering Options dialog and can be adjusted during a live FieldView session

When tuning OIT, start with the Quality (fragments) controls. If transparent surfaces look noisy, grainy, incorrectly layered, or visually unstable, increase the High value to improve quality in a stationary view. If interaction becomes slow while rotating, panning, or zooming, lower the Low value to improve responsiveness during view changes.

Adjust Buffer Size (MiB) if increasing the Quality (fragments) settings does not eliminate the artifacts, or if transparency artifacts persist in scenes with many overlapping transparent surfaces. A larger buffer allows FieldView to retain more transparency information, but it also reserves more GPU memory. Use the Total GPU Memory value as a guideline when choosing a buffer size, especially on systems with limited graphics memory.

The environment variables introduced in FieldView 2025 remain fully supported. If they are defined when FieldView starts, their values are used as the initial settings shown in the dialog. Any adjustments made through the Rendering Options dialog take effect immediately and are automatically remembered for future FieldView sessions.

List of Resolved Issues

Fixed an issue where some panels could briefly appear during FieldView startup on Linux.
Improved startup performance on Windows systems where FieldView 2025 could take significantly longer than expected to launch.
Improved the readability of 2D plots when axis values require many significant digits. Plot symbols are also displayed more clearly on high-DPI monitors.
Fixed an issue where legends were not resized correctly after splitting a window.
Fixed an issue that could trigger an assertion when closing windows in certain workflows.
Fixed Vulkan validation errors that could occur during startup or when load a Restart on some systems.

Platform Support

FieldView 2026 is supported on the following platforms:

Linux:
- RedHat 8, 9, and 10
- Rocky Linux 8, 9, and 10
Windows: 11
macOS: 14, 15, and 26

Enjoy FieldView 2026 R1 and master the view.

Copyright

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