##  [Ansys Data Processing Framework (DPF) for developers](/docs/dpf) 

## Overview

Ansys Data Processing Framework™(DPF) provides reusable operators that allow you to access and transform simulation data coming from different Ansys and third-party result files. These operators are computation libraries that can be extended with custom libraries.

You have multiple options for interfacing with the **DPF** framework:

- Via **APIs** for building your client in C, C++, or Python (with open source libraries).
- Via the dedicated **IronPython/C# scripting interface** provided by the Ansys Mechanical application.

The DPF framework allows you to extend its capabilities by exposing your product capabilities as native operators. You can use these custom operators within Mechanical or other Ansys applications that support the DPF framework. Plus, you can access these operators remotely via gRPC from Python/C#/C++ client APIs, without having to learn gRPC or any of these languages.  
  
To use the DPF APIs, you need to install a DPF server on your machine. The Ansys Unified Installer includes major releases of the DPF server by default, requiring no extra selection. You can find beta releases on the [DPF Pre-Release page](https://download.ansys.com/Others/DPF%20Pre-Release) of the Ansys Customer Portal.





 



## OS and supported languages

**DPF libraries** are available for **Windows** and **Linux** in:

- C/C++
- C#
- IronPython
- Python (open source)





 



 

 

 



## Start here

###### DPF Onboarding

Start here to learn how to use DPF and understand how to make the most of the resources available on this page.

It will help you get up and running quickly.

[2026 R1](/docs/dpf-onboarding-2026-r1/index.md)





 

 



 

 

 



## Resources

###### Search DPF operators

Quickly find DPF operators using advanced filters such as category, plugin, license, result file type, and result file extension.

[Search DPF operators](/docs/dpf/operators-search)





 

 



###### DPF Framework

Explore the DPF framework with detailed specifications for all operators in the official Ansys plugins. This guide supports API integration and advanced usage, and includes a changelog to track the latest updates.

[2026 R1](/docs/dpf-framework-2026-r1/index.md)

[Previous](/docs/dpf/previous)





 

 



###### DPF C++ client library

Build your client in C++ to connect with the DPF framework and leverage its post-simulation analysis and computation. Customize workflows and expand operator libraries as needed.

[2026 R1](/docs/dpf-cpp-client-library-2026-r1/index.md)

[Previous](/docs/dpf/previous)





 

 



###### DPF Mechanical

Use DPF in Ansys Mechanical with IronPython. Covers the scripting window, Python Result objects, examples, and API reference for post-processing automation.

[2026 R1](/docs/dpf-mechanical-2026-r1/index.md)





 

 



 

 

 



###### PyDPF - Core (open source)

Use the PyDPF-Core library, which provides the same functionality as the DPF C++ client library, to connect to and interact with DPF.

[View docs](https://dpf.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/index.html)





 

 



###### PyDPF - Post (open source)

Build your Python client to connect with the DPF framework and leverage its post-simulation analysis and computation capabilities.

[View docs](https://post.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/index.html)





 

 



###### PyDPF Composites (open source)

Build your Python client to connect with the DPF framework and leverage its post-simulation analysis and computation capabilities on layered and short-fiber composite models.

[View docs](https://composites.dpf.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/index.html)





 

 



###### PyAnsys Sound (open source)

PyAnsys Sound library lets you use the main features of the Ansys Sound software to perform the postprocessing and analysis of sounds and vibrations in Python.

[View docs](https://sound.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/)





 

 



 

 

 



## Related projects

The **DPF** framework can process simulation data from the following Ansys products through APIs:





 



###### ACP





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/acp>

 

 



###### AVxcelerate





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/avxcelerate>

 

 



###### Common Fluids Format





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/cff>

 

 



###### Discovery





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/discovery>

 

 



 

 

 



###### LS-DYNA





 

<https://www.ansys.com/products/structures/ansys-ls-dyna>

 

 



###### MAPDL





 

<https://www.ansys.com/products/structures/ansys-mechanical>

 

 



###### Mechanical





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/mechanical>

 

 



###### Motion





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/motion>

 

 



 

 

 



###### optiSLang





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/optislang>

 

 



###### Post-processing





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/post-processing>

 

 



###### SCADE





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/scade>

 

 



###### Sound





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/sound>

 

 



 

 

 



###### Speos





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/speos>

 

 



###### System Coupling





 

<https://developer.ansys.com/docs/system-coupling>