# Create python reader for a custom format

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Tags:** python
**Created:** [July 29, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066 "2022-07-29T03:22:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Juan\_Jose\_Casafranca](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/juan_jose_casafranca/32/3499_2.png) [@Juan\_Jose\_Casafranca](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Juan_Jose_Casafranca)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066/1 "2022-07-29T03:22:50Z")

</div>

I am storing data from a simulation engine in a HDF5 file. In the file I have the positions and velocities of some triangular meshes for each simulated timestep and also the transformation (location and rotation) of some rigidbodies. I also store some metadata so I know which set of positions correspons to which timestamp.

I want to load this into Paraview, and I know I need to create my own reader, but to be honest, I have no clue where to start from. Is there any example of python reader which creates an unstructured grid whose points are animated that I could start from? I havent been able to found anyone.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/theodorebaltis)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066/2 "2022-07-29T16:24:21Z")

</div>

If using Python, the CSV Reader example here is a good place to start:

[https://github.com/Kitware/ParaView/blob/master/Examples/Plugins/PythonAlgorithm/PythonAlgorithmExamples.py](https://github.com/Kitware/ParaView/blob/master/Examples/Plugins/PythonAlgorithm/PythonAlgorithmExamples.py)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/theodorebaltis)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066/3 "2022-07-29T16:27:36Z")

</div>

Here’s some general useful information about building plugins:

[https://kitware.github.io/paraview-docs/latest/cxx/PluginHowto.html](https://kitware.github.io/paraview-docs/latest/cxx/PluginHowto.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@theodorebaltis](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/theodorebaltis)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/create-python-reader-for-a-custom-format/10066/4 "2022-07-29T16:29:36Z")

</div>

And for c++ based plugins check out these examples:

[https://gitlab.kitware.com/paraview/paraview/-/tree/master/Examples/Plugins/ElevationFilter](https://gitlab.kitware.com/paraview/paraview/-/tree/master/Examples/Plugins/ElevationFilter)