View factors can be read from external files. Two file formats are currently supported:
View factors calculated for a three-dimensional mesh may be imported and converted for use in a two-dimensional mesh. They remain valid for two-dimensional calculations only if the patch surface area remains the same after conversion (see Importing Patches).
View factor files may be imported only after the S2S radiation model has been enabled. Files are then imported from the general File Import menu,which will detect available files bearing the .vfs and .nvfs file extensions, as shown below.
Note that after a set of view factors has been imported, trying to import another set will prompt an error message from the server warning that view factors already exist. To reset the view factors, it is necessary to first flush the existing set by disabling the S2S radiation model in the Model Selection dialog. The S2S model may then be reactivated and a new set of view factors imported.