# Optimal file format for complex 3D vector field

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/optimal-file-format-for-complex-3d-vector-field/4582
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Tags:** vtk
**Created:** [June 15, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/optimal-file-format-for-complex-3d-vector-field/4582 "2020-06-15T14:23:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![knue](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/50afbb/32.png) [@knue](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/knue)
#### Post date: [June 15, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/optimal-file-format-for-complex-3d-vector-field/4582/1 "2020-06-15T14:23:54Z")

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Hello,

I’m currently working on a Matlab based electromagnetic code and wondering how to save this stuff to visualize properly in Paraview.

- My geometry consists out of 3D nodes and lines which connects this nodes.

- FieldData

Which file-format is suitable for this requirement. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a suitable reader which can handle complex values that well.

Optional:  
Is it possible to save all the field data for different frequency-points.

Greetings and Thanks for your help  
Paul

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### Author: ![mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/mwestphal/32/17_2.png) [@mwestphal](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/mwestphal)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2020, 1:27am UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/optimal-file-format-for-complex-3d-vector-field/4582/2 "2020-06-16T01:27:54Z")

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Looks like a standard polydata for me.

matlab should let you save these as .vtk or a .vtp file.

> **[vtkwrite : Exports various 2D/3D data to ParaView in VTK file format](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/47814-vtkwrite-exports-various-2d-3d-data-to-paraview-in-vtk-file-format)**
>
> Exports 2D/3D image volume, vector field, surface, lines, polygons, etc. to ParaView