Visualization Toolkit parallel rectilinear grid data file
File type: Various data file
A PVTR file is a Visualization Toolkit (VTK) XML file that describes a parallel rectilinear grid dataset.
It acts as a collection file for the grid's partition files, allowing VTK-based software to read and visualize data distributed across multiple files.
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: September 27, 2026
The PVTR file extension is associated with the open-source Visualization Toolkit (VTK), developed and maintained by Kitware. VTK uses this format for parallel rectilinear grid data.
A PVTR file contains metadata for the complete dataset and references the individual files that contain its partitions. Those partition files use the VTK rectilinear-grid format and store the corresponding grid and data values.
PVTR is part of VTK's XML file family. VTK is available for Microsoft Windows, Linux and other Unix-like systems, and Apple macOS.
Open a PVTR file with Visualization Toolkit or with an application built on VTK, such as ParaView. The referenced partition files must remain in their expected locations so the complete dataset can be loaded.
VTK and VTK-based applications are available for Microsoft Windows, Linux and Unix-like systems, and Apple macOS.
PVTR files are normally read and written as part of a VTK data-processing workflow rather than converted with a standalone converter. A VTK-based application can load the dataset and export it to another format that the application supports.
Because the PVTR file references partition files, conversion or relocation must include those files and preserve the references required to read the complete dataset.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving pvtr files:
Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS / Mac OS X
Linux/Unix
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