Creating a Visual Data (VDF) File

You can convert your STK 3D scenarios to Visual Data (.vdf) files that can be:

Displayed in STK Viewer. Using STK Viewer, you can send the VDF file to managers, coworkers, customers and prospects for collaboration, without the need for a full STK installation. The free STK Viewer can be downloaded through AGI's website.
Loaded and edited in STK Viewer. Using STK Viewer, you can change the globe, images, and terrain in the VDF file and then share this file with other STK Viewer or STK users.
Loaded, edited and saved as a scenario file (.sc) in STK. You can load and modify a VDF file in STK and then save it as a scenario file (.sc). To save a VDF file as a scenario file, click Save as... from the STK File menu.

When saving a .vdf using the STK Basic license, the .vdf is saved using default settings; VDF Setup options are not available to STK Basic users.

Use the Best Practices for Authoring a VDF to help you optimize your VDF for your users.

To define preferences for VDFs that you create, select VDF Setup... from the File menu:

Select the 3D Graphics window to be converted to a VDF file in the Primary 3D Window For STK Viewer field. The primary 3D window is relevant only for the Viewer ActiveX control.
Select the file settings:

Select Minimal VDF to create the smallest possible VDF file that can be opened in STK and STK Viewer. The Minimal VDF option will include only the default data sets in your VDF file. (The default data sets are selected when the Minimal VDF option is enabled.)

If you select the Minimal VDF option, you should open and view the VDF that you create to ensure that all critical information is included in the file. For example, check the heads up and data displays and make sure that all stored views and camera paths appear in the drop-down lists.

Select Exclude Install Files to reduce the VDF size by excluding files that are part of the STK install from the VDF; this option is not recommended if the VDF will be used on computers that only have STK Viewer installed, as the missing files may affect the appearance of the scenario.

Select the files to be included in the VDF file:

To view a list of files that will be included for a particular group, click Details.... for that group. The VDF Details window is displayed.

Analysis Files

Include computed ephemeris: If not selected, calculations are made at playback.

Copy earth orientation parameters: Includes Earth Orientation Parameter data.

Copy planetary ephemeris: Includes planetary ephemeris data.

Copy analytical terrain: Includes access computations. If not selected, your access calculations could change. Depending on the outcome, this may not matter.

Copy custom report/graph styles. Includes any custom styles you created, along with any associated post processing script.

Quick Reports. Select the quick reports to be made available in STK Viewer. (Quick Reports created from graphs, dynamic displays, and strip charts are not available in STK Viewer.)

Authoring of STK World terrain or DMED is not supported. If your scenario contains STK World terrain or DMED, it will not be included in the VDF.
Objects or analysis from ITAR restricted engineering tools will not be included in a VDF.

Graphics Files

Globe Data: Select an option for inclusion of globe data. You must select the first option if you used a planet other than earth in your scenario.

Copy current globe data : Copies the globe you are using in STK. This option significantly increases file size, since globe data must be sent as part of the file.
Search for globe data or prompt: Will not include any of the files associated with the globe; the end user will specify where the globe file to be used is located. This helps reduce the file size for optimal use.
Load default globe data: Uses globe data installed with STK Viewer. View the file before you send to ensure this data is adequate.

Copy models: Includes any models for vehicles, facilities and targets in the VDF file.

Copy markers and labels: Includes markers and labels in the VDF file.

Copy clouds: Includes clouds in the VDF file.

Copy central body images: Select this option to include any additional images (planets or bodies other than the globe) you have in your scenario with your VDF file.

Custom/User Data Files

To select the scenario files and non-STK files (.doc and .XLS files, for example) to be included with the VDF file, select Copy scenario folder contents and click Details/Add Custom Files.... Click Add... on the Details window, browse to the file, and click Open.

To determine the size of an included file, select the file. The file properties are displayed.

Click Remove... to remove a file from the list.

Security

Allow loading by STK Viewer Only. The file can only be opened in the STK Viewer. The file cannot be opened in STK.

Protect for STK Viewer: Enter a password for the VDF file. The user receiving the file will need this password to open the file.

Protect for STK: Enter a password for the VDF file.

Size of files selected: Select this option to have the file size displayed. Calculating this value can slow down file creation as you select options.

File Overview: Enter information about the VDF file. STK Viewer users will be able to view this information in the STK Viewer without opening the VDF file.

You can immediately generate a VDF of the current scenario by clicking Create VDF... and selecting a name and location for the VDF file. After the file has been created, a message appears in the Message Viewer. Otherwise, click OK to accept the preferences that you have defined; they will be applied to all VDFs that you save.

The current 3D view at the time of authoring a VDF is saved in the VDF file as the Viewer Initial View. This view may be the same as one of the other stored views in your file.

If your scenario was authored in Real Time or X Real Time, the Animation step buttons will use the last Time Step entered.