I’m trying to output variables along parcel trajectories. It seems like if I play the pathlines all the way forward, I get a different dataset written out than if I try selecting that tool without letting the pathlines play forward. Is there any kind of documentation on how to properly use this tool? Also, if parcels hit the surface or lowest model level, do the pathlines stop there? It seems like certain parcel trajectories have different lengths than others based on the file that gets output.
Hi @elucy, when saving the flowline output to a file, the currently simulated trajectories are written. Trajectories are simulated up to the currently active timestep so if you want the entire time series to be simulated, you need to advance to the last timestep before saving the output.
If advected particles leave the dataset (e.g. by hitting the surface) they will stop there, yes, as there is no more data with which to advect them. You can alternatively make your data bounds periodic under Seeding → Flow Integration Settings.
You can find documentation for the flow renderer here: Flow — 3.9.2 documentation