# FAQ

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/c/faq/13.md

[Latest](https://discourse.paraview.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.paraview.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discourse.paraview.org/tags.md)

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## [How are features and bug fixes incorporated into ParaView?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-are-features-and-bug-fixes-incorporated-into-paraview/4735)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 10:52am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-are-features-and-bug-fixes-incorporated-into-paraview/4735 "2020-07-08T10:52:57Z")

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As with all open source projects, adding features and fixing bugs takes developer effort. That effort may originate from volunteer community contributors, or through paid professional services offered by companies like K…

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## [About the FAQ category](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/about-the-faq-category/4508)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 0

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Common questions about ParaView. Check here first to see if your question has been answered.

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## [Paraview display is completely corrupted with white/grey triangles after a driver update](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-display-is-completely-corrupted-with-white-grey-triangles-after-a-driver-update/17474)

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**Author:** [@lockan](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/lockan)\
**Replies:** 25\
**Last updated:** [June 8, 2026, 8:28am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-display-is-completely-corrupted-with-white-grey-triangles-after-a-driver-update/17474 "2026-06-08T08:28:10Z")

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ParaView not working with NVIDIA driver 595 Severe graphical issues in the render view when upgrading to latest 595 NVIDIA driver. Rolled back to 582.16 and both 5.13.3 and 6.1.0-RC1 now work again. Also Optix is not av…

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## [I want to share data here, how can I do that ?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-share-data-here-how-can-i-do-that/5296)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [December 19, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-share-data-here-how-can-i-do-that/5296 "2025-12-19T14:45:48Z")

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For small dataset ( \< 10 mB), they can be shared directly here, on discourse, by clicking on the arrow button in the editor. For bigger dataset, please use google drive, wetransfer or any file sharing website. Do not f…

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## [I'm using Ubuntu 22 and ParaView reports "Could not load the Qt platform plugin 'xcb'"](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-22-and-paraview-reports-could-not-load-the-qt-platform-plugin-xcb/10642)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [September 9, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-22-and-paraview-reports-could-not-load-the-qt-platform-plugin-xcb/10642 "2025-09-09T19:52:34Z")

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Install missing xcb packages using apt install libxcb-xinerama0 apt install libxcb-xinput0

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## [I'm unable to run pvserver osmesa, it fails with a libglapi.so.0 error](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-unable-to-run-pvserver-osmesa-it-fails-with-a-libglapi-so-0-error/16764)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-unable-to-run-pvserver-osmesa-it-fails-with-a-libglapi-so-0-error/16764 "2025-06-02T14:34:08Z")

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There is an issue in older ParaView osmesa binary release that causes it to rely on system libglapi.so.0 instead of using the one provided in the package. If this file is not present on your system, you may encounter: e…

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## [I'm trying to install ParaView but do not know where to start.](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-trying-to-install-paraview-but-do-not-know-where-to-start/16033)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-trying-to-install-paraview-but-do-not-know-where-to-start/16033 "2025-01-23T15:23:21Z")

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Windows Download the latest binary release of ParaView from https://paraview.org/download Download the one without mpi in the name that finish with the .exe extension Execute the installer and follow the steps Double c…

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## [I'm using Ubuntu and ParaView osmesa binary crashes on rendering](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-and-paraview-osmesa-binary-crashes-on-rendering/14046)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [January 20, 2025, 1:05pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-and-paraview-osmesa-binary-crashes-on-rendering/14046 "2025-01-20T13:05:00Z")

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This is a known issue that affect all binary versions of ParaView from https://paraview.org/download: https://gitlab.kitware.com/paraview/paraview/-/issues/22350 How can I check if I am affected by this issue ? Run th…

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## [I'm using Ubuntu and I am unable to open a .vtp/.vtu/.vti file that was working previously](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-and-i-am-unable-to-open-a-vtp-vtu-vti-file-that-was-working-previously/15517)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [October 8, 2024, 9:01am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-ubuntu-and-i-am-unable-to-open-a-vtp-vtu-vti-file-that-was-working-previously/15517 "2024-10-08T09:01:51Z")

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There is a regression in libexpat that makes VTK/ParaView unable to read any XML files. The error looks like this: ( 279.351s) \[paraview \] vtkXMLParser.cxx:375 ERR| vtkXMLDataParser (0x594128ee3790): Er…

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## [I'm using WSL and paraFOAM does not work](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-wsl-and-parafoam-does-not-work/14772)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 5, 2024, 6:37am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/im-using-wsl-and-parafoam-does-not-work/14772 "2024-06-05T06:37:10Z")

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You may have followed the tutorial from openfoam.org, “OpenFOAM for Windows” This tutorial was not written nor is maintained by ParaView developers or Kitware. Also paraFOAM is not developed nor maintained by ParaVie…

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## [How do I use three different arrays as components of one vector field?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-use-three-different-arrays-as-components-of-one-vector-field/4637)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [October 31, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-use-three-different-arrays-as-components-of-one-vector-field/4637 "2022-10-31T17:43:37Z")

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Many filters that operate on vector fields (e.g., Glyph, Stream Tracer, and so on) expect to operate on an array with three components. Suppose your data set has three separate arrays named “VX”, “VY”, and “VZ” that defi…

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## [How do I do client/server visualization on a remote cluster or supercomputer with ParaView?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-do-client-server-visualization-on-a-remote-cluster-or-supercomputer-with-paraview/6963)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [July 29, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-do-client-server-visualization-on-a-remote-cluster-or-supercomputer-with-paraview/6963 "2022-07-29T13:10:19Z")

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Please see this guide on setting up ParaView for remote visualization. It discusses: Part 1 - Getting connected ParaView client/server architecture Running and connecting the client and server Connection types Connect…

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## [I want to visualize my OpenFOAM simulation results with ParaView but I'm confused, which version should I use ?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-visualize-my-openfoam-simulation-results-with-paraview-but-im-confused-which-version-should-i-use/7232)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [June 7, 2022, 2:03pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-visualize-my-openfoam-simulation-results-with-paraview-but-im-confused-which-version-should-i-use/7232 "2022-06-07T14:03:49Z")

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Short Answer: go to paraview.org/download download the last version of ParaView available Use it to visualize your results Long Answer: OpenFOAM ships with a script named paraFoam, which can be used to call ParaView…

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## [I've just opened my dataset. I can't add filters, and everything is greyed out](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ive-just-opened-my-dataset-i-cant-add-filters-and-everything-is-greyed-out/4511)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [June 8, 2022, 12:38pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ive-just-opened-my-dataset-i-cant-add-filters-and-everything-is-greyed-out/4511 "2022-06-08T12:38:41Z")

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Make sure your dataset is selected in the Pipeline Browser Click apply (in the Properties tab) if the apply button is green

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## [I've never used ParaView before. It looks like complex software! Can you help me figure out the basics?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ive-never-used-paraview-before-it-looks-like-complex-software-can-you-help-me-figure-out-the-basics/4510)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 4, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/ive-never-used-paraview-before-it-looks-like-complex-software-can-you-help-me-figure-out-the-basics/4510 "2020-06-04T15:33:35Z")

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If you are new to ParaView, be sure to start with Help -\> Getting Started With ParaView. This is a 2 page getting started guide. You can also find it here.

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## [I can't find an option/parameter/control in a dialog, or tab (such as the Properties tab)](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-cant-find-an-option-parameter-control-in-a-dialog-or-tab-such-as-the-properties-tab/4512)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 4, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-cant-find-an-option-parameter-control-in-a-dialog-or-tab-such-as-the-properties-tab/4512 "2020-06-04T15:35:17Z")

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Make sure to enable the advanced option by clicking on the gear icon:

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## [I can't find the nightly builds in the ParaView download page](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-cant-find-the-nightly-builds-in-the-paraview-download-page/5207)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [August 28, 2020, 7:58am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-cant-find-the-nightly-builds-in-the-paraview-download-page/5207 "2020-08-28T07:58:29Z")

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Sometime, the CI can fail to produce test-free nightly builds, the builds are not uploaded to the nightly page of paraview.org. If you still want to download a recent gnithly, you can head to https://open.cdash.org/inde…

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## [How do I add a VTK filter that isn't already in ParaView?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-add-a-vtk-filter-that-isnt-already-in-paraview/6852)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [April 3, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-add-a-vtk-filter-that-isnt-already-in-paraview/6852 "2021-04-03T01:32:23Z")

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You can write an XML-only plugin for many VTK filters. Please see the “Exposing an Existing Filter” section of the ParaView Plugin Howto for details.

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## [I am using ParaView on Windows 10 and the application resolution is low with big icons !](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-am-using-paraview-on-windows-10-and-the-application-resolution-is-low-with-big-icons/6370)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [February 2, 2021, 5:27pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-am-using-paraview-on-windows-10-and-the-application-resolution-is-low-with-big-icons/6370 "2021-02-02T17:27:16Z")

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Sometimes, on Windows, ParaView can look strange with very big icons: This is caused by Windows trying to scale the application for HiDPI settings, which is actually not needed. The resolution is as follows: Right …

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## [I am using ParaView 5.8.0 on Windows 10, and my GUI is completely broken, with missing icons! What is happening?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-am-using-paraview-5-8-0-on-windows-10-and-my-gui-is-completely-broken-with-missing-icons-what-is-happening/4509)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 11\
**Last updated:** [September 18, 2020, 10:50am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-am-using-paraview-5-8-0-on-windows-10-and-my-gui-is-completely-broken-with-missing-icons-what-is-happening/4509 "2020-09-18T10:50:55Z")

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This is due to the "Intel Driver Bug., You can find all info about it here: https://gitlab.kitware.com/paraview/paraview/-/issues/19364 Possible solutions are: Upgrade to ParaView 5.8.1 or more recent Use another G…

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## [How do I load Ansys Fluent results into ParaView?](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-load-ansys-fluent-results-into-paraview/4880)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-do-i-load-ansys-fluent-results-into-paraview/4880 "2020-07-17T20:47:22Z")

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Export to EnSight-Gold format from Ansys Fluent and load the resulting file in ParaView. For a discussion about this topic, see this post.

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## [ParaView does not work on my remote computer with ssh -X/Y! (OpenGL Errors)](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-does-not-work-on-my-remote-computer-with-ssh-x-y-opengl-errors/4548)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 10, 2020, 1:51am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-does-not-work-on-my-remote-computer-with-ssh-x-y-opengl-errors/4548 "2020-06-10T01:51:07Z")

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With caveats, ParaView can works with X forwarding. The issue is that X forwarding only supports OpenGL 2.1, where ParaView requires OpenGL 3.2. To get around this, you may want to run Kitware’s ParaView binaries with s…

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## [On Fedora, I can't see or find filters in the Alphabetical list!](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/on-fedora-i-cant-see-or-find-filters-in-the-alphabetical-list/4518)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [June 5, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/on-fedora-i-cant-see-or-find-filters-in-the-alphabetical-list/4518 "2020-06-05T02:55:33Z")

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There is (probably) an issue between Qt and ParaView using the fedora provided ParaView 5.8.0 package. A simple work around is to enable this setting : Edit -\> Settings -\> Toggle Advanced Properties (the Gear Symbol…