[vtkusers] Multiple Scalars

[Greg Novak]

Something I find puzzling about VTK is how to get multiple scalars into
the same data file.  I've searched the mailing list archives, and the
consensus seesm to be to "Put one scalar value into the 'Scalars' slot in
the data set attributes, and put the other in as field data."  Fine, but
why?  Scalars can have one to four components (making them seemingly
un-scalar-like, but that's another issue), so why not just put your first
scalar in the first slot, second in the second, etc?  Why doesn't anyone
do it that way?

Furthermore, if you construct a data file with multiple scalars (not as
field data or as addtional components in the same "scalars" block, but as
a separate "scalars" block) in it, VTK can read it based on the names you
give to the scalar values.  But it does not seem to be able to write such
a file.  Correct?

Thanks,
Greg