# Tips and Tricks

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/c/tips-and-tricks/9.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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## [About the Tips and Tricks category](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/about-the-tips-and-tricks-category/31)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [May 28, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/about-the-tips-and-tricks-category/31 "2018-05-28T14:38:38Z")

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This category is a place for community-contributed tips and tricks. Support questions should be posted under the category ParaView Support. New posts in this category should have a clear description of what the tip achi…

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## [Install any python package for the ParaView binary release using pip](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/install-any-python-package-for-the-paraview-binary-release-using-pip/14437)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [December 10, 2025, 8:18am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/install-any-python-package-for-the-paraview-binary-release-using-pip/14437 "2025-12-10T08:18:42Z")

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The ParaView binary release (from https://paraview.org/download) is great as it is an very easy way to install and use ParaView. However it has one big limitation, is that it contains a set number of python packages wit…

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## [How to get ParaView Dark UI (Any OS, Any release)](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-get-paraview-dark-ui-any-os-any-release/4545)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 35\
**Last updated:** [February 23, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-get-paraview-dark-ui-any-os-any-release/4545 "2026-02-23T18:57:20Z")

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GENERIC SOLUTION It is possible to modify the aspect of the ParaView UI, eg like this: Download this Qt style.qss (49.2 KB) from QDarkStyleSheet and then run ParaView with the following argument. paraview -style=de…

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## [Slice/Clip with a surface](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/slice-clip-with-a-surface/9436)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/slice-clip-with-a-surface/9436 "2025-06-05T23:18:07Z")

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It is possible to slice and clip a volume with a surface by using a Python Programmable Filter. This relies on the vtkImplicitPolyDataDistance, so the result is an approximation, not an actual boolean operation. Steps …

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## [I want to know how to calculate the time derivatives ](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-know-how-to-calculate-the-time-derivatives/16757)

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**Author:** [@AYUSH\_GARG](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/AYUSH_GARG)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [May 31, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/i-want-to-know-how-to-calculate-the-time-derivatives/16757 "2025-05-31T18:12:44Z")

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I want to know how to calculate the time derivatives of velocity for non uniform time interval.

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## [pre-caching of animation geometry](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/pre-caching-of-animation-geometry/16588)

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**Author:** [@inealey](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/inealey)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [May 12, 2025, 7:10am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/pre-caching-of-animation-geometry/16588 "2025-05-12T07:10:16Z")

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Hi Paraviewers, I’m working to create an animation with some mid-size 3D regular grid/image data, ~500MB per tilmestep. It’s heavily compressed to reduce disk footprint (i.e. LZMA level 7), with each timestep stored in…

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## [How to debug pvserver with MPI and gdb](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-debug-pvserver-with-mpi-and-gdb/3173)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [April 11, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-debug-pvserver-with-mpi-and-gdb/3173 "2025-04-11T13:23:57Z")

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A simple yet very practical way to debug pvserver with mpi and gdb. mpirun -np 4 xterm -e gdb ./bin/pvserver -ex 'run' This will open 4 xterm windows, one for each process and start the pvserver inside gdb. You can the…

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## [How to connect to a pvserver on a node behind a gateway](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-connect-to-a-pvserver-on-a-node-behind-a-gateway/14524)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [April 30, 2024, 2:14pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-connect-to-a-pvserver-on-a-node-behind-a-gateway/14524 "2024-04-30T14:14:18Z")

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How to connect to a pvserver running on a node behind a gateway using a SSH tunnel When connecting to a HPC to do some post processing, the usual scenario is as follows: \[client\] —\>can ssh—\> \[gateway\] —\>can ssh—\> \[node\] …

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## [Abaqus Rainbow colormap](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/abaqus-rainbow-colormap/16444)

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**Author:** [@GregVernon](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/GregVernon)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [April 10, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/abaqus-rainbow-colormap/16444 "2025-04-10T16:47:03Z")

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If you’ve ever found yourself needing to make a comparison plot between an Abaqus result and ParaView visualization, you’ve probably wanted to use the Abaqus rainbow “spectrum”. I’ve transcribed Abaqus’ rainbow spectrum…

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## [How to find the maximum value on a line](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-find-the-maximum-value-on-a-line/6680)

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**Author:** [@wascott](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/wascott)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [March 12, 2021, 2:16am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-find-the-maximum-value-on-a-line/6680 "2021-03-12T02:16:39Z")

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I will show two different cases how to find the maximum value on a line. One has NaNs in the data, the second does not. How to find the maximum value for a Plot over Line. The plot over line includes NaNs. Open Examp…

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## [ParaView usage logger](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-usage-logger/6276)

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**Author:** [@wascott](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/wascott)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [April 13, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-usage-logger/6276 "2024-04-13T12:29:58Z")

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ParaView now has an optional usage logger. This logger defaults off. It is documented in the class reference here: https://kitware.github.io/paraview-docs/nightly/cxx/classpqUsageLoggingBehavior.html. Here is the chec…

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## [Automatic plot over line and data extraction into CSV files](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/automatic-plot-over-line-and-data-extraction-into-csv-files/14283)

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**Author:** [@Sunethan](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Sunethan)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [March 28, 2024, 8:26am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/automatic-plot-over-line-and-data-extraction-into-csv-files/14283 "2024-03-28T08:26:55Z")

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Hello, I wanted to analyze my simulation result by extracting data from multiple cutlines, so I wrote a very simple Python script for this. Here we go. Steps: Click Tools Select Python Script Editor In the Python Scri…

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## [How to run ParaView (including the binary release) using Mesa on Windows](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-run-paraview-including-the-binary-release-using-mesa-on-windows/4321)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 10\
**Last updated:** [March 11, 2024, 8:25am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-run-paraview-including-the-binary-release-using-mesa-on-windows/4321 "2024-03-11T08:25:04Z")

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Mesa is an alternative OpenGL implementation that let you run graphic application while not using your GPU driver. It can be very useful for a number of cases : GPU is unsupported by OS (Old intel GPU) GPU driver is i…

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## [Compute the signed distance field from a polygonal mesh](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/compute-the-signed-distance-field-from-a-polygonal-mesh/123)

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**Author:** [@cory.quammen](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/cory.quammen)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [February 23, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/compute-the-signed-distance-field-from-a-polygonal-mesh/123 "2024-02-23T14:55:31Z")

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Goal Compute the signed distance field from points in a data set to a polygonal mesh. The signed distance field has many applications in computational geometry, and can be used, for instance, to find intersections of obj…

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## [export paraview colormap for pgfplots/tikz integration in LaTeX](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/export-paraview-colormap-for-pgfplots-tikz-integration-in-latex/13272)

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**Author:** [@thomas-saigre](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/thomas-saigre)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [November 17, 2023, 10:20am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/export-paraview-colormap-for-pgfplots-tikz-integration-in-latex/13272 "2023-11-17T10:20:26Z")

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To allow better handling of the text around the legend of the color bar of an exported figure in a LaTeX document, I chose to export as a PNG only the content of the figure and display manually the colorbar next to it, u…

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## [Updated PCL plugin for ParaView](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/updated-pcl-plugin-for-paraview/1200)

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**Author:** [@Mike\_Rye](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Mike_Rye)\
**Replies:** 19\
**Last updated:** [August 7, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/updated-pcl-plugin-for-paraview/1200 "2023-08-07T13:08:16Z")

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Hi everyone, The PCL plugin for ParaView has received a significant update with yesterday’s release. You can find the announcement here and the new Git repo here. For ParaView users, this update introduces support for …

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## [Customize Python View with Python plugins](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/customize-python-view-with-python-plugins/11885)

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**Author:** [@charly\_bollinger](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/charly_bollinger)\
**Replies:** 4\
**Last updated:** [June 26, 2023, 10:03am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/customize-python-view-with-python-plugins/11885 "2023-06-26T10:03:13Z")

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This is an example of how to customize dynamically your Python View by adding parameters in ParaView linked to your Python View through the use of a custom Python Plugin (adding a Python Filter). In this example, we wil…

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## [Quick guide to using PyTorch in ParaView](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/quick-guide-to-using-pytorch-in-paraview/9037)

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**Author:** [@aschieb](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/aschieb)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [May 27, 2023, 4:06am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/quick-guide-to-using-pytorch-in-paraview/9037 "2023-05-27T04:06:56Z")

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When it comes to using Machine Learning Frameworks alongside ParaView, PyTorch has proven itself to be much more flexible than others like Tensorflow. This post will guide you through the steps of using the PyTorch Mach…

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## [Plotting univariate function to compare against simulation results](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/plotting-univariate-function-to-compare-against-simulation-results/12085)

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**Author:** [@GregVernon](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/GregVernon)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [May 13, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/plotting-univariate-function-to-compare-against-simulation-results/12085 "2023-05-13T16:13:59Z")

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I was wondering today how to plot a known shear-stress profile against computed results. Came up with a solution, thought I’d share. Let’s say I have the following data that I’ve created via PlotOverLine filters from a…

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## [Building ParaView with EGL MESA](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/building-paraview-with-egl-mesa/12016)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [May 11, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/building-paraview-with-egl-mesa/12016 "2023-05-11T21:02:55Z")

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Note: This tutorial is inspired by Building ParaView with GPU accelerated MESA and relatively recent mesa improvements. Before getting into details of Mesa graphics hardware drivers, a disclaimer. If you have graphics …

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## [Save data to python array from Integrate Variables filter](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/save-data-to-python-array-from-integrate-variables-filter/534)

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**Author:** [@nikichats](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/nikichats)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [November 7, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/save-data-to-python-array-from-integrate-variables-filter/534 "2022-11-07T16:58:22Z")

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Hi all! I’m trying to create a synthetic streak tool that will use scalar outputs ‘A’ and ‘B’ from simulation data to get an integrated value over the quantity ‘C’. I do this by first creating a calculator to multiply t…

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## [ParaView and Computational Fluid Dynamics Tutorial](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-and-computational-fluid-dynamics-tutorial/8640)

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**Author:** [@wascott](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/wascott)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [August 8, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/paraview-and-computational-fluid-dynamics-tutorial/8640 "2022-08-08T17:57:51Z")

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Announcing a new tutorial under the Classroom Tutorials umbrella. This tutorial covers Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Topics covered include Stream Tracers, Glyphs, flow in a fluid, 2D plots, Gradient, Divergence,…

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## [Controlling the position of the ScalarBar / color bar in Python scripting](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/controlling-the-position-of-the-scalarbar-color-bar-in-python-scripting/9341)

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**Author:** [@Oblomov](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Oblomov)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [April 4, 2022, 7:34am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/controlling-the-position-of-the-scalarbar-color-bar-in-python-scripting/9341 "2022-04-04T07:34:22Z")

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Hello, I struggled quite a bit to find how to control the position of the color bar when rendering my results in a Python script, as the common suggestion found online to just set the Position property were not sufficie…

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## [How to try out Catalyst2](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-try-out-catalyst2/9008)

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**Author:** [@nicolas.vuaille](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/nicolas.vuaille)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [February 21, 2022, 4:41pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-try-out-catalyst2/9008 "2022-02-21T16:41:17Z")

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Catalyst is an in-situ framework created as a part of ParaView a few years ago. With time and use, we saw the different drawbacks of our approach and then it was decided to create a new architecture, Catalyst2 With thi…

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## [How to try out Catalyst (legacy)](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-try-out-catalyst-legacy/4213)

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**Author:** [@nicolas.vuaille](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/nicolas.vuaille)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [April 29, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/how-to-try-out-catalyst-legacy/4213 "2020-04-29T09:32:54Z")

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EDIT: since ParaView 5.9, Catalyst was refactored and the following may not be relevant anymore Catalyst is the part of the ParaView framework dedicated to the in-situ analysis, i.e. the processing of data on the simula…

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## [Large OSPRay Material Database](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/large-ospray-material-database/2708)

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**Author:** [@mconti](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mconti)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [January 18, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/large-ospray-material-database/2708 "2022-01-18T17:36:40Z")

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Hey everyone, I haven’t been able to find a good consolidated material database for OSPRay materials online anywhere. So, I made one myself, and figured I would share it with anyone else who might find it useful. There …

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## [Potential MS Windows 10 Performance Hit due to FTH](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/potential-ms-windows-10-performance-hit-due-to-fth/405)

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**Author:** [@martink](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/martink)\
**Replies:** 6\
**Last updated:** [December 17, 2021, 2:07am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/potential-ms-windows-10-performance-hit-due-to-fth/405 "2021-12-17T02:07:16Z")

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Bit of a Public Service Announcement for Windows 7/10 Application Developers and Testers This bit me recently, so I figured I would pass it on in case some folks have not run into it. If you develop, test or run on Wind…

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## [New feature: property widgets show when keyboard shortcuts are active](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/new-feature-property-widgets-show-when-keyboard-shortcuts-are-active/8583)

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**Author:** [@dcthomp](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/dcthomp)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [December 7, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/new-feature-property-widgets-show-when-keyboard-shortcuts-are-active/8583 "2021-12-07T20:10:10Z")

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In ParaView’s property panel, any custom widgets controlling proxy properties (such as filter or source variables) that register keyboard shortcuts now show when those shortcuts are active or inactive. When a widget’s k…

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## [NetCDF Date and Time Python Filter](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/netcdf-date-and-time-python-filter/8271)

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**Author:** [@felicia\_vis](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/felicia_vis)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [October 27, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/netcdf-date-and-time-python-filter/8271 "2021-10-27T18:01:49Z")

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Hi all, I wrote a user-friendly Python filter that adds date (DD/MM/YYYY) and time (hours:min::sec) to NetCDF files, that is easily loaded via the Plugin Manager in a single step. I put the filter on GitHub with instru…

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## [Using SSH Support to secure your client/server communication with ParaView](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/using-ssh-support-to-secure-your-client-server-communication-with-paraview/682)

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**Author:** [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)\
**Replies:** 7\
**Last updated:** [October 18, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/using-ssh-support-to-secure-your-client-server-communication-with-paraview/682 "2021-10-18T15:23:05Z")

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Since mr and mr, ParaView master now has a support for ssh, which includes port forwarding. In order to use it, you will need first to install a terminal and an ssh tool. Terminals are available by default on Windows, …

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