OOF2: The Manual

The script format saves the file as a Python script containing OOF2 menu commands. The file is easily editable, and arbitrary Python code can be inserted into it. However, because the file can contain any valid Python code and is read by the Python interpreter, it presents a (theoretical) security risk. A malicious Python program could be masquerading as an OOF2 script.

script files can be loaded into OOF2 by the OOF.File.Load.Script command.

Example. 

	  OOF.LoadData.FileVersion(number=1.0, format='script)
	  microname = "MyFavoriteMicrostructure"
          physicalsize = Point(1.2, 1.2)
          pixelsize = iPoint(100, 100)
          OOF.LoadData.Microstructure.New(name=microname, size=physicalsize, isize=pixelsize)
	  

This file contains two OOF2 commands, one of which is written in terms of three Python variables, microname, physicalsize, and pixelsize.

Files in the ascii format contain Python-like code that can be easily read and edited, but when loaded into OOF2 is not processed by the Python interpreter. This format does not present any security risk, because the OOF2 routines for reading ascii files do not understand arbitrary Python code: they only understand OOF2 menu commands. There is no danger when loading ascii files from unknown sources. Their disadvantage is that they cannot contain most Python constructions: they can't define variables, import other files, or make general function calls. ascii files are slightly smaller than script files.

To convert an ascii file to a script file, it's only necessary to prepend OOF.LoadData. to the beginning of each line in the file. A script file can be converted to an ascii file by removing the OOF.LoadData. from each line, provided that no Python code has been inserted into the file.

ascii files can be loaded into OOF2 by the OOF.File.Load.Data command.

Example.  The example script file above could be converted to an ascii file by removing the variable assignments and leaving off the OOF.LoadData. part of the commands:

	  FileVersion(number=1.0, format='ascii')
          Microstructure.New(name="MyFavoriteMicrostructure", size=Point(1.2,1.2), isize=iPoint(100,100))

	  

The binary format has the advantages that it is more accurate than the script or ascii formats. By storing the full binary representation of data, it avoids errors introduced by converting numerical values to text and back. Binary files are generally smaller and faster to read and write, as well. They don't have the security problems of script files. Their disadvantage is that they are not user-friendly: they cannot be viewed or edited in a text editor.

binary files can be loaded into OOF2 by the OOF.File.Load.Data command.

	Note
	The binary files are designed to be as portable as possible, in that they detect and correct for the differences between big-endian and little-endian computers. The files cannot be shared between machines with fundamentally different representations of floating point numbers, though.

Skeletons and Meshes can be saved in abaqus format, which allows them to be read by the Abaqus finite element program. The OOF2 Materials are not stored in the file because there is in general no simple translation from OOF2 Materials to Abaqus materials. However, the output file contains comments indicating where the Abaqus materials should be defined, and creates element groups for each OOF2 Material type.