# Open 3D .plt binary files from tecplot being read as 2D
**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Created:** [September 16, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358 "2020-09-16T04:27:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Partth\_Laad](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Partth_Laad)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/1 "2020-09-16T04:27:26Z")
Hi all,
I had a quick question, I have binary data sets from tecplot (.plt) before I realized my solver can output in EnSight format (which works best for me in PV). The problem is I cannot convert this .plt to the ensight format without re-doing the run.
I sought to directly load my data from tecplot then export it as an Ensight or PV compatible dataset but when loaded, the file is read as a 2D model instead of a 3D model, which it should be. I will attach it here:
> **[tecplot\_0.plt](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tBbCPVv2LWw-rsSzvmTKmGTQVJF9kXJg/view?usp=sharing)**
>
> Google Drive file.
Further, when I load another, correct ensight formatted data, it is read as a 3D model and I use the “resample to image” for volume rendering. My question is 1) how do I load my 3D model from binary tecplot files (.plt) to be read as a “3D” model not 2D? and 2) Is there a preferred approach to achieve the same visualization (resample to image using tecplot data)/sample script/ approach I can use to write the data to ensight format?
Or would I have to manually write the data to an ensight case file and corresponding variable data set files? Thank you.
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### Author:  [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 8:27am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/2 "2020-09-16T08:27:33Z")
Your data seems two dimensional.
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### Author:  [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/4 "2020-09-16T12:44:56Z")
Then you should be able to export it to another format from within these softwares.
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### Author:  [@Partth\_Laad](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Partth_Laad)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/5 "2020-09-16T12:55:54Z")
Sure I have tried that already but the issue stem from only being able to read it as a 2d data set even though it is 3d. The export options only allow for vtm format but this too remains 2d when loaded, but that is why I have attached the file for your reference. Do you think it may be better to manually write it to via a script?
Please see if you can try it out as I could not get it read as a 3d model. If I load the exact file in tecplot it is treated as 3d (note the x, y, z coordinate data). If not it’s ok. Thanks for the help anyways.
There’s a problem in reading the file via the VisIt plugin.
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### Author:  [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/6 "2020-09-16T13:42:01Z")
Right.
Just add a Calculator filter with the “Coordinate Result” settings to on and the following formula.
`X_Coordinate*iHat+Y_Coordinate*jHat+Z_Coordinate*kHat`
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### Author:  [@Partth\_Laad](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Partth_Laad)
#### Post date: [September 16, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/open-3d-plt-binary-files-from-tecplot-being-read-as-2d/5358/7 "2020-09-16T16:22:20Z")
Hi, I was able to use your fix to manipulate the data to get the image I wanted. Thanks for your help sir!
