CFD-ACE+ V2008.2
User Manual
ESI CFD Inc.
6767 Old Madison Pike, Ste. 600 Huntsville, AL 35806
Phone: (256) 713-4700 Fax: (256) 713-4799 Software Support: [email protected]
Table Of Contents
1.
Introduction _________________________________________________________________________________ 1About CFD-ACE+ 1
About ESI GROUP 3
Copyright Information 4
Getting Started 5
How to Report Problems 6
Using Help 7
2.
CFD-ACE-GUI Overview _______________________________________________________________________ 9User Manual Starting CFD-ACE+ 9
User Manual Window Layout 9
User Manual Title Bar 10
User Manual Status Line 10
Graphics Area 10
Graphics Area Introduction 10
Graphics Area Working With the Viewer Window 10
Graphics Area Mouse Operations 11
Graphics Area Viewing Operations 11
Graphics Area Picking Operations 12
Menu Bar 14
Menu Bar Introduction 14
Menu Bar-File Menu 15
Menu Bar-Edit Menu 19
Menu Bar View Menu 27
Menu Bar Models Menu 28
Menu Bar-Tools Menu 29
Menu Bar Window Menu 35
Menu Bar Help Menu 35
Tool Bar 35
Tool Bar Introduction 35
Tool Bar File Open, Save, Save As 36
Tool Bar Undo 36
Tool Bar Projection 36
Tool Bar Viewpoint 36
Tool Bar Colors 37
Tool Bar Solver Control 37
Tool Bar Launch CFD Software 37
Tool Bar About CFD-ACE+ 38
Control Panel 38
Control Panel Overview 38
Control Panel-Problem Type (PT) 38
Control Panel-Model Options (MO) 40
Control Panel-Volume Conditions (VC) 44
Control Panel-Boundary Conditions (BC) 50
Control Panel-Initial Conditions (IC) 57
Control Panel-Solver Controls (SC) 61
Control Panel-Output (OUT) 67
Control Panel-Run Controls (RUN) 72
Entity Bar 77
Entity Bar Introduction 77
Entity Bar Set Grid Scale Tab 77
Entity Bar Set XYZ Visual Scale Tab 78
Entity Bar BC or VC Blanking Tab 79
Model Explorer 80
Model Explorer Introduction 80
Model Explorer Operation 80
Model Explorer-Volume Condition (VC) Explorer 82
Model Explorer-Boundary Condition (BC) Explorer 84
Model Explorer-Initial Condition (IC) Explorer 86
User Manual Frequently Asked Questions 87
3.
Database Manager __________________________________________________________________________ 89Database Manager Introduction 89
Database Manager-Window 89
Database Manager Window Introduction 89
Database Manager Mode Selector 91
Database Manager Data Organizer 92
Database Manager Data Panel 94
Database Manager-Material Properties 94
Database Manager Material Properties Introduction 94
Database Manager Material Properties-Gases 94
Database Manager Material Properties-Liquids 95
Database Manager Material Properties-Solids 95
Database Manager-Chemistry 95
Database Manager Chemistry Introduction 95
Database Manager Chemistry-Elements 96
Database Manager Chemistry-Species 96
Database Manager Chemistry-Mixtures 96
Database Manager Chemistry-Gas Mixing Rules 96
Database Manager Chemistry-Liquid Mixing Rules 97
Database Manager-Chemistry-Volume Reactions 97
Database Manager-Chemistry-Surface Reactions 104
Database Manager-Biochemistry 105
Database Manager Biochemistry Introduction 105
Database Manager Biochemistry-Analytes 106
Database Manager Biochemistry-Buffers 106
Database Manager Biochemistry-Receptors 106
Database Manager Biochemistry-Receptor Groups 106
Database Manager Biochemistry-Mixing Rules 106
Database Manager Biochemistry-Volume Reactions 107
Database Manager Biochemistry-Surface Reactions 107
Database Manager Examples 107
Database Manager Frequently Asked Questions 107
4.
Arbitrary Interface Boundary Conditions _______________________________________________________ 109Arbitrary Interface BC Introduction 109
Applications 109
Arbitrary Interface BC Applications Introduction 109
Arbitrary Interface BC Applications-Hybrid Grid Systems 109
Arbitrary Interface BC Applications-Component Libraries 110
Arbitrary Interface BC Applications-Parametric Part Studies 111
Arbitrary Interface BC Applications-Sliding Grids 112
Arbitrary Interface BC Features 112
No Need for Point-To-Point Matching 112
Automatic Face Projection 112
Other Features 113
Arbitrary Interface BC Theory 113
Not Supported for 2D Grid Systems 114
Multiple Structured Directions 114
Not Supported For Various Modules 114
Conjugate Interfaces 115
Monte-Carlo Radiation 115
Avoid T-Junctions 115
Implementation 115
Arbitrary Interface BC Implementation Introduction 115
Grid Generation 116
Model Setup and Solution 117
Arbitrary Interface BC Implementation-Post Processing 118
Arbitrary Interface BC Frequently Asked Questions 118
5.
Thin Wall Boundary Conditions ______________________________________________________________ 121Thin Wall BC Introduction 121
Thin Wall BC Applications 121
Thin Wall BC-Theory 121
Thin Wall BC Theory Introduction 121
Thin Wall BC Theory-Thermal Gap Model 123
Thin Wall BC Theory-Gaseous Heat Transfer Coefficient 124
Thin Wall BC Theory-Direct-Contact Heat Transfer Coefficient 124
Thin Wall BC Theory-Radiative Heat Transfer Coefficient 125
Thin Wall BC Limitations 126
Thin Wall BC-Implementation 126
Thin Wall BC Implementation Introduction 126
Thin Wall BC Implementation-Grid Generation 126
Thin Wall BC-Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 126
Thin Wall BC Implementation-Post Processing 127
Thin Wall BC References 128
6.
Cyclic Boundary Conditions _________________________________________________________________ 129Cyclic BC Introduction 129
Cyclic BC Theory 129
Cyclic BC Features 130
Cyclic BC Limitations 130
Cyclic BC-Implementation 130
Cyclic BC Implementation Introduction 130
Cyclic BC Implementation-Grid Generation 130
Cyclic BC-Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 131
Cyclic BC Implementation-Post Processing 131
7.
Periodic Boundary Conditions _______________________________________________________________ 133Periodic BC Introduction 133
Flow Module Periodic BC 133
Electric Module Periodic BC 133
Periodic BC Theory 133
Flow Module Periodic BC 133
Electric Module Periodic BC 134
Periodic BC Features and Limitations 134
Features 134
Limitations 134
Periodic BC Implementation and Grid Generation 135
Periodic BC Model Setup 135
Flow Module Periodic BC 135
8.
Fan Model ________________________________________________________________________________ 137Fan Model Introduction 137
Fan Model Features 137
Fan Model Theory 137
Fan Model Limitations 139
Fan Model-Implementation 139
Fan Model Implementation Introduction 139
Fan Model Implementation-Grid Generation 139
Fan Model-Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 139
Fan Model Implementation-Post Processing 142
Fan Model References 142
9.
Momentum Resistance or Source _____________________________________________________________ 143Momentum Resistance Introduction 143
Momentum Resistance Features 143
Momentum Resistance Theory 143
Momentum Resistance Limitations 145
Momentum Resistance-Implementation 145
Momentum Resistance Implementation Introduction 145
Momentum Resistance Implementation-Grid Generation 145
Momentum Resistance-Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 145
Momentum Resistance Implementation-Post Processing 146
10.
Porous Media _____________________________________________________________________________ 147Porous Media Introduction 147
Porous Media Features 147
Theory 148
Porous Media Theory-Introduction 148
Mass Conservation 148 Momentum Conservation 148 Energy Conservation 148 Species Conservation 149 Limitations 154 Implementation 154 Implementation Introduction 154 Grid Generation 154
Model Setup and Solution 154
Post Processing 160
References 160
11.
Rotating Systems __________________________________________________________________________ 161Rotating Systems Introduction 161
Multiple Reference Frames 161
Rotating Systems Features 161
Multiple Reference Frame 161
Rotating Systems Theory 161
Multiple Reference Frames 162
Rotating Systems Limitations 163
Multiple Reference Frame 163
Rotating Systems-Implementation 163
Rotating Systems Implementation Introduction 163
Rotating Systems Implementation-Grid Generation 163
Rotating Systems-Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 163
12.
Parallel Processing _________________________________________________________________________ 169Parallel Processing Introduction 169
Parallel Processing Applications 169
Parallel Processing Features and Limitations 169
Features 169
Limitations 170
Parallel Processing Theory 171
Parallel Processing Setup 171
Parallel Processing Implementation and Grid Generation 171
Parallel Processing Decomposition Options 171
Parallel Processing Executing a Parallel Run 173
Parallel Processing User ID Requirements for Parallel Processing 175
Parallel Processing Post Processing 175
Parallel Processing Frequently Asked Questions 175
Parallel Processing Examples-Demo Instructions 178
13.
Chimera Grid Methodology __________________________________________________________________ 181Chimera Introduction 181
Chimera Features and Limitations 181
Features 181
Limitations 181
Chimera Applications 182
Chimera Theory 182
Chimera Model Setup 187
Chimera Implementation and Grid Generation 187
Chimera Volume Conditions 187
Chimera Boundary Conditions 188
Chimera Example 188
Activating the Chimera Feature 189
Hole Cutting Priority 190
Chimera Boundaries 191
14.
User Subroutines __________________________________________________________________________ 193User Subroutines Introduction to User Subroutines 193
Activating User Subroutines 193
User Subroutines User Subroutine Applications 194
User Subroutines Introduction to User Subroutine Features 194
Accessible Variables 194
User Subroutines Introduction to Accessible Variables 194
User Subroutines Features-Access Variables 194
User Subroutines Features-Utility Variables 212
User Access Routines 214
User Subroutines Introduction to User Access Routines 214
User Subroutines General Purpose Routines 214
User Subroutines DTF Read/Write Routines 227
User Subroutines Boundary Condition Routines 230
User Subroutines Volume Condition Routines 240
User Subroutines Porous Media Volume Condition Routines 247
User Subroutines Unsteady Problem Routines 248
User Subroutines Grid Deformation Routines 251
User Subroutines Moving Grid Routines 253
User Subroutines Radiation Routines 257
User Subroutines Spray Routines 260
User Subroutines Grid Connectivity Routines 271
User Subroutines User Defined Output Routines (UOUT, UREAD_DTF, UWRITE_DTF) 284 User Subroutines User Defined Boundary Condition Values (UBOUND) 287 User Subroutines User Defined Boundary Condition Values (UBOUND_PATCH) 288 User Subroutines User Defined Boundary Condition Values (UMODAL_SHAPES) 289 User Subroutines User Defined Grid Deformation Boundary Condition Values (UDEFORM_BC) 291 User Subroutines User Defined Emissivity Boundary Condition Values (UEMISSIVITY_BC) 293
User Subroutines User Defined Parameter (UPARAMETER) 294
User Subroutines User Defined Source Terms 294
User Subroutines User Defined Reaction Rate Factor 295
User Subroutines User Defined Properties 296
User Subroutines User Defined Time Step (UDT) 299
User Subroutines User Defined Gravity (UGRAVITY) 300
User Subroutines User Defined Initial Conditions (UINIT) 300
User Subroutines User Defined Grid Deformation (UGRID) 301
User Subroutines User Defined Moving Solid Motion 302
User Subroutines URADIATION 302
User Subroutines Spray Subroutines 303
User Shared Library/DLL 314
User Subroutines Building a User Shared Library/DLL 314
User Shared Library-UNIX 315
User Shared Library-Windows 319
User Subroutines FAQ 320
15.
Numerical Methods _________________________________________________________________________ 321Numerical Methods Introduction 321
Numerical Methods-Discretization 321
Numerical Methods Discretization Introduction 321
Numerical Methods Discretization-Finite Volume Method 321
Numerical Methods Discretization-Transient Term 322
Numerical Methods-Discretization-Convection Term 323
Numerical Methods Discretization-Diffusion Terms 326
Numerical Methods-Discretization-Source Term Linearization 327 Numerical Methods Discretization-Finite Difference Equations 329
Numerical Methods-Velocity-Pressure Coupling 329
Numerical Methods Velocity-Pressure Coupling Introduction 329 Numerical MEthods Velocity-Pressure Coupling-Continuity and Mass Evaluation 330 Numerical Methods Velocity-Pressure Coupling-Pressure Correction and SIMPLEC Algorithm 330
Numerical Methods Boundary Conditions 335
Fixed Value Boundary Condition 336
Zero-Flux Boundary Conditions 336
Numerical Methods-Solution Methods 337
Numerical Methods Solution Methods Introduction 337
Numerical Methods Solution Methods-Solution Procedure 337
Numerical Methods Solution Methods-Under Relaxation 338
Numerical Methods-Solution Methods-Linear Equation Solvers 339
Numerical Methods References 341
16.
Mixing Plane ______________________________________________________________________________ 343Mixing Plane Introduction 343
Mixing Plane Applications 343
Mixing Plane Theory 343
Mixing Plane Limitations 343
Mixing Plane Implementation 343
Model Setup and Solution 344
Frame rotation specification 344
Additional Input 344
Description of the Parameters in Each Line 344
Special Instructions 345
Mixing Plane References 345
17.
Filament Model ____________________________________________________________________________ 347Filament Model Introduction 347
Filament Model Applications 347
Filament Model Limitations 350
Filament Model Implementation 351
Model Setup and Solution 351
Filament Model Input File Format 351
Filament Model Frequently Asked Questions 352
18.
Applications: Electrokinetics ________________________________________________________________ 355 Electrokinetics Introduction 355 Electroosmotic Flow 355 Electrophoresis 355 Electrokinetics Features 355 Electrokinetics Limitations 356 Electrokinetics Theory 356 Electrokinetics Implementation 358 Electroosmosis 358 Electrophoresis 360Electrokinetics Future Work 360
Electrokinetics Frequently Asked Questions 361
Electrokinetics References 362
19.
Applications: Ionization _____________________________________________________________________ 363 Ionization Introduction 363 Ionization Features 363 Ionization Limitations 363 Ionization Theory 364 Ionization Implementation 366 Ionization Example 367 Ionization Comments 369Ionization Frequently Asked Questions 370
Ionization References 372
20.
Applications: Dielectrophoresis (DEP) _________________________________________________________ 375Dielectrophoresis Introduction 375 Dielectrophoresis Features 375 Dielectrophoresis Limitations 375 Dielectrophoresis Theory 376 Dielectrophoresis Implementation 377 Grid Generation 377
Model Setup and Solution 377
Dielectrophoresis DC Electric with Sinusoidal Wave 381
Dielectrophoresis Additional Output 381
Dielectrophoresis Frequently Asked Questions 381
Dielectrophoresis-Examples 381
Dielectrophoresis Examples-Case 1 381
Dielectrophoresis Examples-Case 2 383
Dielectrophoresis Examples-Case 3 385
21.
Applications: Solidification __________________________________________________________________ 389Solidification Introduction 389
Solidification Applications 389
Solidification-Theory 389
Solidification Theory Introduction 389
Solidification Definition of Source Terms 390
Solidification Theory-Implementation in CFD-ACE-Solver 391
Solidification Theory-Initialization 391
Solidification Theory-Non-Source Term Methods 392
Solidification Limitations 393
Solidification Model Setup and Solution 393
Problem Type 393 Available Modules 394 Model Options 394 Shared 394 Heat 394 Volume Conditions 394 Graphic Output 394
Solidification Frequently Asked Questions 394
Soldification-Examples 395
Solidification Examples 395
Solidification Case 1: Pure heat conduction, multi-zone, and isothermal case 395 Soldification Case 2:Natural convection + heat conduction, single-zone, and isothermal/mush-zone cases 397 Solidification Case 3: Heat conduction, single-zone, piece-wise linear Cp, and isothermal/mush-zone cases 399 Solidification Case 4: Heat conduction, single-zone, constant Cp, and isothermal case 402
Solidification References 405
22.
Applications: Fuel Cell Modeling _____________________________________________________________ 407Fuel Cell Modeling Introduction 407
Fuel Cell Modeling Where Can CFD Help? 409
Fuel Cell Modeling Examples 409
Fuel Cell Modeling Reformer Modeling Examples 410
Fuel Cell Modeling Fuel Cell Simulation Features 410
Fuel Cell Modeling Fuel Reformer Simulation Features 411
Fuel Cell Modeling-Theory 411
Fuel Cell Modeling Theory Introduction 411
Fuel Cell Modeling Theory-Electrochemical Reactions in Porous Media 411 Fuel Cell Modeling Theory-Membrane Electrical Conductivity 413
Fuel Cell Modeling Theory-Springer Model 413
Fuel Cell Modeling Limitations 415
Fuel Cell Modeling Implementation 415
Problem Type 415 Model Options 415 Volume Conditions 415 Boundary Conditions 416 Initial Conditions 416 Solver Controls 416
Fuel Cell Modeling References 416
Fuel Cell Modeling FAQ 417
23.
Applications: Biochemistry __________________________________________________________________ 419Biochemistry Introduction 419
Biochemistry Applications 419
Biochemistry Features 419
Coupling of VOF and Biochemistry 420
Echem Applications 420
Biochemistry Limitations 420
Biochemistry-Theory 420
Biochemistry Theory Introduction 420
Biochemistry Theory-Convective/Diffusive Transport Equations 420
Biochemistry Theory-Surface and Volume Chemistry Rates 421
Biochemistry Theory-Capabilities 422
Biochemistry Theory-Surface Reaction Data Output 426
Biochemistry Theory-Graphical Output for Post Processing 426
Biochemistry-Implementation 426
Biochemistry Implementation Introduction 426
Biochemistry Implementation-Grid Generation 427
Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 427
Biochemistry Implementation-Post Processing 437
Biochemistry Frequently Asked Questions 437
Biochemistry References 448
24.
Applications: Electroplating _________________________________________________________________ 449Electroplating Introduction 449
Electroplating Applications 449
Where Can Modeling Help? 450
Electroplating Features 450 Electroplating Theory 451 Surface Reactions 452 Electroplating Limitations 454 Electroplating-Implementation 454 Electroplating Implementation-Introduction 454
Electroplating Implementation-Grid Generation 454
Implementation-Model Setup and Solution 454
Electroplating Implementation-Post Processing 456
Electroplating Examples 456
Electroplating References 457
25.
Appendix A CFD-ACE+ Files _________________________________________________________________ 459Appendix A CFD-ACE+ Files Introduction 459
Appendix A DTF File 460
Appendix A Output File 460
Appendix A MOD File 461
MOD File Explanation: 461
MOD File Usage 461
Appendix A Profile BC File 467
Appendix A Boundary Condition Integral File 468
BC Integral File Usage 468
General Format 469
Explanation 469
List of Variables 470
Appendix A Monitor Point File 471
Appendix A CVD File 477
26.
Appendix B DTF Utility ______________________________________________________________________ 479 Appendix B DTF-Utility-Introduction 479 Appendix B Applications 479 Appendix B Features 479 Appendix B Limitations 480Getting the basics from a DTF file: -i 480
Viewing DTF Data 481
Printing a data array: -ph 481
Viewing and Updating General Simulation Data 481
Testing File 481
Testing Structured Grid Patch Data for Overlaps: -tp 482
Testing Connectivity: -tc 482
Tagging Bad Boundary Faces: -tag_bad_bc 482
Deleting a Simulation from the File: -[f]del_sim 482
Deleting a Zone from the File: -[f]del_zone 482
Deleting Particular Simulation Data Arrays: -[f]del_sd 482
Deleting Particular Zonal Data Arrays: -[f]del_zd 482
Deleting ALL Simulation Data Arrays: -[f]del_all_sd 483
Deleting ALL Zonal Data Arrays: -[f]del_all_zd 483
Updating Data Compression: -rle 483
Unlocking a Locked DTF File: -unlock 483
Setting the Scaling Factor: -set_scaling 483
Appendix B Frequently Asked Questions 483
27.
Appendix C CFD-ACE Python Scripting ________________________________________________________ 485Appendix C Python Scripting Introduction 485
Appendix C Usage 485
Appendix C GuiFILE 488
Appendix C GuiML (GUI Models) 490
Radiation Model Operations 490
DOM Model 491
STS Model 492
Examples 493
Fan Model 494
Examples 495
Momentum Resistance Model 495
Active Mixtures and Species 496
Appendix C GuiPT (Problem Type) 497
Appendix C GuiMO (Module Options) 498
Appendix C GuiVC (Volume Conditions) 498
Appendix C GuiBC (Boundary Conditions) 501
Appendix C GuiIC (Initial Conditions) 504
Appendix C GuiPC (Point Conditions) 505
Appendix C GuiOut (Output Controls) 506
Appendix C GuiSC (Solver Controls) 506
Appendix C GuiRun (Run Controls) 507
Introduction
About CFD-ACE+
CFD-ACE+ is a set of computer applications for multi-physics computational analysis. The programs provide an integrated geometry and grid generation software, a graphical user interface for preparing the model, a computational solver for performing the simulation, and an interactive visualization software for examining and analyzing the simulation results.
The standard CFD-ACE+ package includes the following applications: • CFD-GEOM - geometry and grid generation
• CFD-VisCART -
• CFD-ACE-GUI - graphical user interface to the CFD-ACE-SOLVER • CFD-ACE-SOLVER - advanced, multiphysics solver
• CFD-VIEW - interactive post processor
The information contained within specifically addresses the CFD-ACE-SOLVER and its
Schematic Representation of CFD-ACE+
CFD-ACE+ provides an interactive tool kit for building the input required for the CFD-ACE-Solver. You can use it in conjunction with other ESI CFD products to form a complete solution analysis package. Other ESI CFD products include:
• CFD-VisCART - provides Cartesian and viscous Cartesian grid generation capabilities.
• CADalyzer - works with native CAD geometries and provides automatic grid generation for CFD calculations
• CFD-TOPO - predicts the transport, chemistry, etch and deposition of semiconductor materials on the microscopic scales
• SimManager - uses the CFD-ACE+ package to perform parametric and optimization studies using various parameters (e.g. geometrical parameters, boundary values, etc.)
About ESI GROUP
ESI CFD is a technology leader in the field of advanced computational fluid dynamics simulation software backed by more than 20 years of research based knowledge throughout a wide range of industries. ESI CFD’s broad range of products and services provide all of the necessary tools for advanced multiphysics analysis in a virtual prototype environment, significantly reducing time and expense through comprehensive up-front modeling and simulation. Key focus areas include microfluidics, biomedical, plasma, MEMS, fuel cells, semiconductor, automotive and aerospace. ESI CFD’s product portfolio represents a unique collaborative, virtual engineering solution, known as the Virtual Try-Out Space (VTOS), enabling a continuous improvement on the virtual
prototype. By drastically reducing costs and development lead times, VTOS solutions offer major competitive advantages by progressively eliminating the need for physical prototypes.
Copyright Information
™©1997-2008 by ESI-Group All rights reserved. Published 2008.This information is the confidential and proprietary product of ESI-Group. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or transfer of this manual is strictly prohibited. Subject to limited distribution and restricted disclosure only.
CFD-ACE™, CFD-ACE+™, CFD-CADalyzer™, CFD-VIEW™, CFD-GEOM™, SimManager™, CFD-VisCART™, CFD-TOPOTM and CFD-FASTRAN™ are registered trademarks of ESI-Group.
Portions of this software are owned by Spatial Corp. Copyright© 1989-2008 All rights reserved.
Getting Started
How to execute the software:
To execute the graphical software (once the environment and path has been set according to the installation instructions that can be found on the CFD Portal) from the command line, enter one of the following commands in a DOS window on Windows Systems or in a shell on Linux/UNIX systems: • CFD-GEOM • CFD-CADA • CFD-VisCART • CFD-ACE-GUI • CFD-FASTRAN-GUI • CFD-TOPO-GUI • CFD-VIEW • SimManager
The appropriate solver can be executed from CFD-ACE-GUI, CFD-FASTRAN-GUI, CFD-TOPO-GUI, or SimManger. They can also be submitted from the command line using:
• CFD-ACE-SOLVER –dtf model.DTF
• CFD-FASTRAN-SOLVER –dtf model.DTF • CFD-TOPO-SOLVER –dtf model.DTF
If multiple versions of the software have been correctly installed, then the old version can be executed using: CFD-GEOM –runver 2006 (which will run version 2006 of GEOM).
Note your license file will dictate which applications you can execute.
How to add shortcuts to the Start Menu:
Windows users that installed via CD will have short cuts under Start -> Programs ->
ESI-Software. If your software was received via ftp or the CFD portal, then you can create your own short cuts. To do so:
1. Create an ESI_Software folder typically under C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs
2. Copy the desired icons from the latest UTILS_20xx.x\icons directory in the ESI_Software folder
3. In Windows Explorer, right click on the icon and select: Create Shortcut 4. Right click on the just created shortcut and select: Properties
5. Change the target to the desired application in the UTILS_20xx.x\bin directory (for instance: CFD-VIEW.exe)
6. Change the Start in directory to your desired starting location
7. Select the Change Icon button and browse back to the originally icon in the UTILS_20xx.x\icons directory and select the appropriate icon.
8. Delete the icon that is setting Start Menu\Programs directory 9. Repeat as needed
Note the target string can contain at the end the –runver option (ie. –runver 2006) so that a specific version of the software can be executed. If this option is not specified, by default the latest version found will be executed.
Where to request a license file:
The following table gives the email address where to request a license key:
Country/Region Contact
North America [email protected] South America [email protected]
France Rest of Europe [email protected]
Japan [email protected] Korea [email protected]
China [email protected] India [email protected]
Rest of Asia [email protected]
Australia/New Zealand [email protected]
Africa [email protected]
Or contact your local ESI Sales Representative.
How to Report Problems
If you experience problems while using CFD-ACE-GUI/SOLVER, you can report your problem by: • E-mail: [email protected]
• Telephone: 256-713-4750 (United States country code is 01) When reporting a problem it is important to have the following information:
• CFD-ACE-GUI version number • CFD-ACE-Solver version number • Modules you were using
• Type of problem you were trying to solve
• Any error messages you may have received in the modelname.out file or screen
To find the CFD-ACE-GUI version number or the DTF version number: 1. Open the CFD-ACE+ application.
2. Click on the Help menu.
3. Select the About CFD-ACE-GUI option. 4. Make a note of the version number.
-OR-
2. On the command line, enter GUI -v and press Enter. (Note that the command is CFD-ACE-GUI(space)-v and the command is case sensitive in most environments) A file is created (CFD-ACE-GUI.version) which contains the build date and version information. The file will be created in the current working directory.
To find the CFD-ACE-Solver version number:
1. Note the version number at the top of the CFD-ACE-GUI modelname.out file. -OR-
1. Open a command prompt.
2. On the command line, enter SOLVER -v and press Enter. (Note that the command is CFD-ACE-SOLVER(space)-v and the command is case sensitive in most environments) A file is created (CFD-ACE-SOLVER.version) which contains the build date and version information. The file will be created in the current working directory.
Using Help
This help system is arranged in two volumes:
Volume I - User Manual describes the CFD-ACE+ operations and features of the CFD-ACE-Solver which are module independent:
Volume II - Modules contains a section for each of the CFD-ACE+ modules that appear in the Problem Type (PT) Panel:
• User Manual Overview • Database Manager • Arbitrary Interface Boundary
Conditions
• Thin Wall Boundary Conditions • Cyclic Boundary Conditions • Periodic Boundary Conditions • Fan Model • Momentum Resistance • Porous Media • Rotating Systems • Parallel Processing • User Subroutines • Numerical Methods • Mixing Plane • Filament Model • Electrokinetics • Ionization • Electroplating • Dielectrophoresis (DEP) • Solidification
• Fuel Cell Modeling • Biochemistry
• Appendix A - CFD-ACE+ Files
• Flow • Heat Transfer • Turbulence • Chemistry • User Scalar • Radiation • Cavitation • Grid Deformation • Stress • Electric • Magnetic • Spray • Macro Particle • Free Surface (VOF) • Plasma
• Two-Fluid • Kinetic • Semi Device
• Appendix B - DTF Utility • Appendix C - GUI Scripting
We recommend that you first read the User Manual Overview to learn the basics of how the CFD-ACE+ application works. Then review the remaining information in the User Manual and Modules that apply to your application of interest for details on using each module or feature.
It is also worthwhile to review the Introduction, Applications, and Features sections of each module to determine if they can help you to model your systems.
CFD-ACE-GUI Overview
User Manual Starting CFD-ACE+
You can start CFD-ACE+ from three different operating systems:
• Windows - Select Start--> Programs--> ESI -> ACE-GUI. This starts CFD-ACE+ in the proper mode for the CFD-ACE-Solver.
• MS-DOS - Enter CFD-ACE-GUI on the command line. • UNIX - Enter CFD-ACE-GUI at the UNIX prompt.
User Manual Window Layout
The CFD-ACE+ interface consists of: • Title Bar • Status Line • Graphics Area • Menu Bar • Tool Bar • Control Panel • Model Explorer • Entity Bar
These elements are described in the corresponding online help sections. The window layout is shown below.
CFD-ACE+ Layout
User Manual Title Bar
The Title Bar shows the application name and the full file path for the currently active model. Note that a "*" symbol can be placed after the filename as an indication that the current model has been changed since it was last saved.
User Manual Status Line
The Status Line is located at the bottom of the main window. The Status Line displays informative messages and prompts you through multi-step operations. The Status Line will also show a progress bar when reading or saving files. Additionally, when you place the cursor over a button, menu, or other control on the user interface, the Status Line displays a brief description of the purpose of that item.
Graphics Area
Graphics Area Introduction
The Graphics Area fills the largest portion of CFD-ACE+ and displays the current model in a viewer window. The display consists of a wire-frame representation of the model outline, the boundary condition locations, and the volume condition locations.
For structured grids, boundary conditions are displayed as lines or curves in 2D and cross-hairs centered on the boundary patch in 3D. Structured volume conditions are displayed as cross-hairs in 2D and three-dimensional cross-hairs in 3D.
For unstructured grids, boundary conditions are displayed as lines and curves in 2D and as the bounding elements of each surface in 3D. For both structured and unstructured grids, the boundary and volume conditions are colored to correspond to the boundary or volume condition type. Note that volume conditions are displayed by fringe cells. The Graphics Area section includes:
• Working with the Viewer Window
• Mouse Operations
• Viewing Operations
• Picking Operations
Graphics Area Working With the Viewer Window
The viewer window is a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) Window, which means that the application can open more than one model at a time.
Opening Multiple Viewer Windows
You can have more than one viewer window open at a time by opening several different models. You can also view an open file in several windows by selecting New Viewer from the Windows menu.
Arranging Multiple Open Viewer Windows
The Windows menu contains three selections that arrange multiple open image windows: cascade, tile horizontally and tile vertically. These commands only affect the non-minimized windows.
Selecting a Viewer Window
Only one viewer window can be active at a time. The active viewer window receives all picking commands. You can select any viewer window by clicking on it. When a viewer window is selected it appears on top of any other viewer windows, the title bar is highlighted, and the filename appears in the main window’s title bar. If the file has been modified then the filename will appear with an “*” beside it.
See Also
Mouse Operations Viewing Operations Picking Operations
Graphics Area Mouse Operations
The mouse has two functions in the viewer window, manipulating the on-screen image (viewing operations) and selecting on-screen objects (picking operations). The general procedure for manipulating the on-screen image is to simultaneously hold down one of the three mouse buttons as you move the mouse. Manipulation of an image includes rotation, zooming, or translation. To select or pick an object on the screen, move the cursor to the applicable object, hold the mouse steady and click with the left mouse button.
To facilitate your understanding of the mouse operations, the following definitions are provided: • Click: press a mouse button and quickly release it
• Clicking: the action of pressing a mouse button and quickly releasing it
• Point and click: use the mouse to position the cursor (point) and then click a mouse button
• Double-click: press a mouse button twice in rapid succession
• Control-click: hold down the control key on the keyboard as you click a mouse button • Shift-click: hold down the shift key on the keyboard as you click a mouse button • Drag: hold down a mouse key as you move the mouse (click but do not release the
button until you have finished moving)
• Dragging: interactive technique for repositioning an image on the screen
See Also
Working with the Viewer Window Viewing Operations
Picking Operations
Graphics Area Viewing Operations
Use viewing operations to manipulate the position and orientation of your model in the viewing window.
Rotation: Left Button
Use the left mouse button to rotate the image about the desired axis. To rotate your image, drag the mouse while holding down the left mouse button. The cursor changes shape to reflect the mode of operation.
To rotate the model approximately about the screen X-axis: • Place the cursor in the center of the screen.
• While holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse up or down.
To rotate the model approximately about the screen Y-axis: • Place the cursor in the center of the screen.
• While holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse left or right.
To rotate the model approximately about the screen Z-axis (perpendicular to the screen): • Place the cursor near the edge of the screen.
• While holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse about the edge of the screen. Zoom: Middle Button
To zoom (enlarge or reduce) a model, drag the mouse using the middle button. To enlarge the model, drag the mouse toward yourself. To reduce, drag the mouse away. Unlike rotation, however, the cursor location where you first press the mouse button on the screen is not important for zooming.
Translate: Right Button
To translate a model, using the right mouse button, drag the mouse. The model movement is proportional to the movement of the cursor. As in the zooming operation, the initial location of the cursor on the screen is unimportant.
See Also
Working with the Viewer Window Mouse Operations
Picking Operations
Graphics Area Picking Operations
Picking Operations
While performing certain tasks, namely, assignment of volume condition and boundary condition settings, you can use the mouse to select one or more entities in the viewer window. The active entity is defined as the entity which is under the mouse cursor at the moment the mouse button is pressed. Picking operations are described below.
Left Mouse Button
Use the left mouse button to select the active entity. To de-select all entities, press the left mouse button while the cursor is not hovering over any entity. You may perform a window pick operation by holding down the Shift-key and dragging a window with the left mouse button.
Ctrl or Shift-Left Mouse Button
Use the Ctrl or Shift-Left mouse button combination to add the active entity to the current set of entities. To select multiple entities simultaneously, hold down the Shift - Left mouse buttons and then drag the mouse over the area that contains the entities you want to select.
Right Mouse Button
Clicking the right mouse button while hovering over an entity blanks the active entity or to view the entity’s properties. Clicking the right mouse button while the cursor is not over any entity (on empty space in the background) accesses the general viewer window menu.
New Viewer
The New Viewer option creates a new viewer window for the current model. It is the same as the operation described in the section Window Menu.
The viewpoint orientation, Fit to Window, and Reset View options are the same as described in the section View Menu.
The Show All Domains and Hide All Domains options unblank or blank all of the entities from the viewer window.
The Simulation Properties... option opens a dialog box that gives details about the current simulation and the ability to scale the geometry of the model. See the FAQ section for more details on how to scale your geometry in CFD-ACE-GUI.
See Also
Working with the Viewer Window Mouse Operations
Viewing Operations
Menu Bar
Menu Bar Introduction
The Menu Bar contains menus. Each menu lists a grouping of selections, and each selection performs a specific action.
You open a menu by clicking on it, or by pressing <Alt> plus the letter that is underlined in the menu’s title. For example, to open the File Menu, you press Alt+F. You choose a menu selection by clicking on it, by pressing its underlined letter, or by using the cursor arrow keys to highlight it and then pressing <Enter>. Menu selections that appear in grey are not currently available. Many of the menu options contain shortcuts. These shortcuts will be shown on the menus (for example, Ctrl+o for File -> Open). This means that if you hold down the Control key and press the letter o (always lowercase), you will be able to perform the same function as selecting File from the Menu Bar and selecting the Open option.
See Also File Menu Edit Menu View Menu Models Menu Tools Menu Window Menu Help Menu
Menu Bar-File Menu
Menu Bar
File Menu Introduction
The File menu enables you to open, import, close, and save existing models. It also displays a list of recently used files for opening a previously saved simulation. You can clear the most recently used files list from the File Preferences area located in the Edit Menu (see Recently Used Files). The File Menu includes:
• Open • Import • Close • Close All • Save • Save As
• Save Journal File As
• Quit
File Menu
Menu Bar File Menu-Open
The Open option loads ESI CFD Data Transfer Facility (DTF) files that have been previously created by a grid generator such as CFD-GEOM, or DTF files that have already been setup by the CFD-ACE-GUI. The File Open dialog box is shown below.
File Open Dialog Box
You can navigate through the file directory structure by using the Directory pull-down menu and directory Up buttons. The default file filter is *.DTF so that only DTF files will be shown. This can be changed to show all files if desired. The file list can be set to display the files as a list, icons, or with details.
To Open a file, double-click on the filename in the file list; or, select the file from the file list, and click the Accept button. The Open option is also available from the Tool Bar (see File I/O).
Menu Bar
File Menu-Import
The Import option opens geometries that have been created in one of the formats listed under the Source section. When selected, the Open Data File window appears:
Open Data File Window
You can navigate through the file directory structure by using the Directory menu and directory up buttons. There are twelve options available from the file filter menu including an All Files Filter. If you select one of the radio buttons or check boxes at the top of the dialog, the file filter will update automatically. Similarly, if a selection is made from the file filter menu that option under Source corresponding to the selection is also selected.
CFD-ACE-GUI reads the following file types: • Plot3D
• FAST • MeSH • NASTRAN
• PATRAN • ANSYS • MFG • AGRD • CGNS
To read in a particular file type, activate the corresponding radio button in the Source section for the Open Data File dialog. The following file types require that additional information is provided:
• Plot3D • FAST • NASTRAN • PATRAN Menu Bar File Menu-Close
The Close option closes the active simulation. If modifications have been made to this simulation during the current CFD-ACE-GUI session, then a dialog box will appear to ask if you want to save the current simulation before closing.
Menu Bar
File Menu-Close All
The Close All option closes all simulations loaded in the CFD-ACE-GUI.
Menu Bar File Menu-Save
The Save option saves the simulation into the original DTF file. Any changes that have been made during the current CFD-ACE-GUI session will be written to the DTF file. The Save option updates the original DTF file with the new information. If you want to preserve the original DTF file then you should use the Save As option. The Save option is also available in the Tool Bar.
Menu Bar
File Menu-Save As
The Save As option works the same as the Save file option, except that it allows you to specify a directory and filename. The options for specifying the directory and filename are the same as for the Open File menu option. The Save As option is also available from the Tool Bar.
Menu Bar
File Menu-Save Journal File
The Save Journal File option writes the current contents of the journal file to disk. In order for this option to work you must have enabled Journaling under the Tools menu.
Menu Bar File Menu-Quit
The Quit option closes all simulations and terminates the application. If there are any simulations with unsaved data then a dialog box appears asking if you want the simulation saved before closing.
Unsaved Changes Dialog Box
Menu Bar-Edit Menu
Menu Bar
Edit Menu Introduction
The Edit menu enables you to undo operations for blanking, picking, and de-selecting entities, and provides Preferences. The Edit Menu contains the following options:
• Undo • Select All • Deselect All • Blanking • Preferences Edit Menu Menu Bar Edit Menu-Undo
The Undo option enables you to undo blanking and unblanking operations.The Undo option is also available from the Tool Bar (see Undo).
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Select All
The Select All option picks every available entity in the model. Its behavior is different depending on whether you are in volume condition mode or boundary condition mode. If you are in volume condition mode then Select All will pick all of the volume conditions in the model, and likewise, when in boundary condition mode Select All will pick all of the boundary conditions in the model.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Deselect All
Edit Menu-Blanking Functions Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Blanking Introduction
The Blanking option opens a sub-menu that provides four options: • Edit Menu-Blank
• Edit Menu-Unblank
• Edit Menu-Blank Remaining
• Edit Menu-Toggle Blanking
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Blank
The Blank option blanks or hides an entity from display. Boundary conditions or volume
conditions can be blanked so that they are not visible in the viewer window. Blanked entities are still part of the model and can be picked from the Model Explorer. The blank column in the Model Explorer will show an indication for blanked entities.
To blank an entity, click the right mouse button on the entity in the Viewer Window or right click the entity name in the Model Explorer.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Unblank
The Unblank option displays an entity that has been hidden or blanked. Since the entity cannot be seen or picked from the viewer window, you must pick the entity from the Model Explorer and then select Unblank to make the entity visible.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Blank Remaining
The Blank Remaining option blanks everything that is not currently picked. This enables you to pick the entities that you want to work with and then use Blank Remaining to remove everything else from view.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Toggle Blanking
The Toggle option reverses the state of the blank flag for each entity. When selected, all unblanked entities are blanked and all blanked entities are made visible.
Edit Menu-Preferences Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences Introduction
The Preferences options enables you to set global settings for CFD-ACE+. These preferences will be remembered the next time you start the CFD-ACE+ software. You can set the following preferences: • Preferences-Files • Preferences-Display • Preferences-Colors • Preferences-Tools • Preferences-Script
Edit Menu-Preferences-Files Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Files
Click the Files tab to gain access to the File Preferences settings. There are three sections in the File Preferences area:
• Recently Used Files
• Backups
• User Files
File Preferences
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Recently Used Files
Under Recently Used Files, click the Clear button to clear the most recently used files that appear in the File menu.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Backups
• Backup Copy Before Save copies the original DTF file to model.backup.DTF before the CFD-ACE-GUI saves the current file. This enables you to keep a fresh version of the DTF file for later use. The Backup File will not contain any CFD-ACE-GUI settings.
• Archive File copies the current file to model.archive.DTF when the solver is launched. The Archive File will have all of the CFD-ACE-GUI settings stored as it is essentially a copy of the model.DTF. This file can be retained as an archive since it has all of the settings needed to run the simulation yet does not contain the results of the
simulation. The Archive File recovers the CFD-ACE-GUI settings in the rare event that the solver corrupts the original DTF file.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-User Files
User Files enables you to specify the location of the user defined Property, Reaction, Surface Reaction, and Material database files. These files are used by their respective database
managers and enable you to maintain a database of often used properties or reactions. If the full path to the files are not given then the CFD-ACE-GUI will look in the current working directory to find these files.
The Browse button, located next to the file field, launches a file browser that browses the file system to find a file.
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display Introduction
Press the Display tab to gain access to the Display preference settings. There are four sections in the Display Preferences area:
• Display-Boundary Conditions (3D Models Only)
• Display-Volume Conditions (2D Models Only)
• Display-Lines
Display Preferences
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display-Boundary Conditions
Boundary Conditions enables you to choose to display the boundary conditions as a wireframe or solid-shaded surface. Wireframe drawing is much faster and allows you to see through the model while solid-shaded surfaces shade the model. This option only affects 3D models as boundary conditions for 2D models are always drawn in wireframe.
See Also
Preferences-Display-Volume Conditions (2D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Lines
Preferences-Display-Miscellaneous
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display-Volume Conditions
You may choose how you want to display unstructured volume conditions. If you check Draw fringe cells in 2D unstructured cell groups, the unstructured grid will be drawn and will be pickable. If the option is off, the unstructured volume conditions are represented by normal vectors along the boundaries of the volume condition.
The Draw Arrow Pointers on 3D Unstructured Cell Groups option shows normal vector arrows at the boundaries of the 3D unstructured volume conditions. This display mimics the type of display that you see in CFD-GEOM.
See Also
Preferences-Display-Boundary Conditions (3D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Lines
Preferences-Display-Miscellaneous
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display-Lines
The Draw Model Outlines options enables you to see the wireframe outline of the current model. You may also select the line thickness to be used when the CFD-ACE-GUI draws thick lines (as when picking a boundary or volume condition). The default value is 2 pixels.
See Also
Preferences-Display-Boundary Conditions (3D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Volume Conditions (2D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Miscellaneous
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Display-Miscellaneous
You can choose whether or not to use your graphics card's hardware acceleration for OpenGL drawing. In most instances you want to use this acceleration as it will speedup the graphics manipulation in the viewer window. If you experience unsatisfactory performance with the viewer window, you may want to disable this feature. This change will not take affect until the CFD-ACE-GUI is restarted.
You can select the Picking Tolerance in pixels. This lets you set the sensitivity of picking by allowing the application to recognize that an entity has been picked when you get within the specified tolerance. Smaller numbers will be more sensitive than larger numbers. The default value is three pixels.
See Also
Preferences-Display-Boundary Conditions (3D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Volume Conditions (2D Models Only) Preferences-Display-Lines
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Colors
The Preferences Colors tab enables you to change the colors for drawing boundary conditions, volume conditions, and other miscellaneous entities.
Color Preferences
To change any color, double-click on the color well located next to the item’s label. The Color Dialog window appears.
Color Dialog Panel
You can change the color by adjusting the slider bars or typing in the appropriate value for the color attribute. There are four different ways to specify colors and the method is switchable by using the tabs located near the top of the panel. The four methods are: 1) Red-Green-Blue, 2) Hue-Saturation-Value, 3) Cyan-Magenta-Yellow, and 4) by Name.
You can also quick-pick a color from any of the color wells that line the bottom of the panel, or drag and drop colors from any color well to any other color well.
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Tools
The Tools enables you to specify which applications to launch for certain operations. It allows you to pick a customized solver when using the user subroutine. If no path is given, then the system’s path will be searched to find the application. To browse the file structure, click the Browse button.
Tool Preferences
Menu Bar
Edit Menu-Preferences-Script
The Script tab enables you to turn on the journaling feature and specifies the python script directory. When the Journaling feature is activated, CFD-ACE-GUI records all user interactions to a python script file. This file can later be read back into the CFD-ACE-GUI program to reproduce the steps. The Journaling feature may be turned on and off during the recording session to allow only certain parts of the interaction to be recorded. Because the results are written into an ASCII python file, you may edit the commands in the file to achieve different affects when processing the file.
To produce the final journal file, select File -> Save Journal File to save the resulting python script file (model.py).
In the Python Script Directory area, you can specify the location of the Python Script files. If the full path to the files is not provided, then CFD-ACE-GUI looks in the current working directory to find these files.
The Browse button launches a file browser to enable you to browse the file system to find a file.
Script Preferences
Menu Bar View Menu
The View menu controls the appearance of the CFD-ACE+ layout and the model orientation and size within the viewer window. The View menu has three sections. The top section enables you to pick one of six viewpoints.
• Front - Looks at the X-Y plane from the positive Z direction • Back - Looks at the X-Y plane from the negative Z direction • Left - Looks at the Y-Z plane from the negative X direction • Right - Looks at the Y-Z plane from the positive X direction • Top - Looks at the X-Z plane from the positive Y direction • Bottom - Looks at the X-Z plane from the negative Y direction
View Menu
It controls which parts of CFD-ACE+ are visible in the applications window. The Graphics Area and Menu Bar are always visible. You have control over the visibility of the Toolbar, Control Panel, Status Bar, and Model Explorer. These settings are saved to the registry and will be remembered the next time that the program is started.
The next section enables you to Fit the current model to the Viewer Window size by automatically zooming to fit. The Reset option will reset the viewpoint back to Front view with the model fit to the Viewer Window size. These options are also accessible from the Tool Bar (see Viewpoint). Projection controls the projection option for the viewing window. The default projection method is Orthogonal (or parallel). You may choose a Perspective projection to give more depth
information. When Perspective projection is selected, you may change the field-of-view angle by holding down the Ctrl key and dragging up or down with the middle mouse button. These options are also accessible from the Tool Bar (see Projection).
The last section contains one option, Turbo. Turbo blanks the model during in the viewer window during its motion. This proves to be very useful when working with large models. The model outline is not blanked. Only the boundary conditions and volume conditions are blanked.
Menu Bar Models Menu
Active Mixtures & Species
When you select the Active Mixtures & Species option from the Models Menu, the Active Mixtures & Species window appears with a Mixtures tab and a Species tab.
Active Mixtures & Species Window - Species Tab
These options enable you to view, add, or delete mixtures and species to those that you created in the Database Manager that reside in the Modelname.DTF folder. The Data Transfer Facility (DTF) will not save any mixtures or species data that are not used or are not activated in the Active Mixtures & Species window. As the name implies, DTF only saves the active mixtures and species. For example, if you run a solution with ALCL3 species selected, DTF saves the species with the solution. HOWEVER, if you restart from a previous solution and ALCL3 has not been activated, DTF will not save the species with the solution.
Menu Bar-Tools Menu
Menu Bar
Tools Menu Introduction
The Tools menu enables you to set database options, enter parametric information, and edit python scripts. The options include:
• Tools Menu-Database
• Tools Menu-Parametric Input
• Tools Menu-View DTF Content
• Tools Menu-Edit Python Script
Tools Menu
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-Database
The Database option opens the database manager for Properties and Chemical Reactions. The tools menu also allows you access to the parametric input functionality.
The Database managers (Property Manager, Reaction Manager, Surface Reaction Manager, Material Manager, and the Chemkin Interface) are described in the Database Manager.
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-Parameter/Expression Input Parameter Input
In V2007, CFD-ACE+ supports parametric runs through CFD-ACE-GUI. Parameters can be used for almost all value input through CFD-ACE-GUI. This eliminates the need to use SimManager to run some parametric analyses. However, SimManager should be used for parametric runs which use both geometric and solver parameters or optimization studies.
Creating a Parameter
To create a Parameter, open the Parametric/Expression dialogue in Tools −> Parametric Input and shown in Figure 1. Click the Insert or Append button to create a new Parameter
Figure 1. Parameter/Expression input window
Once the Parameter has been created, input the values or expressions to be used. You can now use this parameter for BC, VC, or other values. You will need to click the drop down box
available for GUI inputs and select the parameter. To add the parameter to the parametric study, click the check box located in the Add to Parametric Study column. This will make the parameter active when you provide the parametric values on the Run tab.
Submitting a Parametric Study
To create and submit the parametric study, go to the Run tab. Select the Parametric Study option. You will then need to click insert or append button to insert a case. Click insert or append to add a new case to be run, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Parametric study window.
Once you have entered all the case studies, click the submit button to submit all of the cases to the solver. Note that, you must click the submit button on the Parametric Study Dialogue to submit the parametric study (the cases will be submitted sequentially to the solver). If you submit the run by clicking the submit button on the Run panel, only one case will be run (Case 1 in the parametric study list).
Note: The Insert button will create a new Parameter in the current location in the list, while the Append button will create
a new Parameter at the end of the list. Expression Input
When you select Parametric Input, the Parameter/Expression panel appears. You can also access the panel in CFD-ACE-GUI where parameter's input is needed.
The Parameter/Expression Input Panel allows you to enter values for parameters which are later used in several inputs for specification of variables. Expression values can be used to set a time step size, boundary condition values for flow, heat, turbulence, etc. The expression value is evaluated at the beginning of each time step. You can specify the expression value to be user_defined and use a user subroutine to calculate the value of the expression. See User Subroutines for details.
Parameter Description
SIN(a) Returns the sine of the argument (the argument should be given in radians)
COS(a) Returns the cosine of the argument (the argument should be given in radians) TAN(a) Returns the tangent of the argument (the
argument should be given in radians) ASIN(a) Returns the arcsine of the argument (in
radians)
ACOS(a) Returns the arccosine of the argument (in radians)
ATAN(a) Returns the arctangent of the argument (in radians)
SQRT(a) Returns the square root of the argument ABS(a) Returns the absolute value of the argument EXP(a) Returns exponential of the argument PI Returns the value 3.1415927 STEP(a) Returns 0 if a<0 and 1 if a >= 0 DELT(a) Returns 0 if a <0, 1 if a=0, 0 if a>0 TIME or T Returns the current time (in seconds) TSTP Returns the current timestep number ITER Returns the current iteration
INT(a) Returns the integer remainder of the argument X Returns the boundary face X coordinate (in
meters)
Y Returns the boundary face Y coordinate (in meters)
Z Returns the boundary face Z coordinate (in meters)
XO Returns the boundary nodal X coordinate for the previous timestep (in meters)
YO Returns the boundary nodal Y coordinate for the previous timestep (in meters)
ZO Returns the boundary nodal Z coordinate for the previous timestep (in meters)
XOO Returns the original (beginning of simulation) boundary nodal X coordinate (in meters) YOO Returns the original (beginning of simulation)
boundary nodal X coordinate (in meters) ZOO Returns the original (beginning of simulation)
boundary nodal X coordinate (in meters) user_defined Returns value as coded in user subroutine.
To use expressions, click the Add button, give the expression a name, and specify how it should be evaluated. Expressions can be used later during the evaluation of other expression. You can use these expressoin later in CFD-ACE-GUI setup for any boundary or volume condition that has an evaluation mode of Parametric.
Some examples of expression input include: V_1 = 4.23*SIN(32.6*PI*T)
V_2 = user_defined V_3 = V_1*100.0
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-Special DTF Update
The Special DTF Update option is available to activate certain features which may not be available in CFD-ACE-GUI. These features may be new features that have not been implemented in CFD-ACE-GUI. This tool offers a shortcut to the DTF -ud command. All variables which can be updated with the DTF -ud command can be updated using this Special DTF Update tool (i.e. all simulation data [max iterations, convergence criterion, etc.]).
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-View DTF Content
The View DTF Content options opens the DTF viewer where the current DTF file is displayed in the tree list.
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-Edit Python Script
The Edit Python Script options opens the script editor window for CFD-ACE-GUI scripting.
Menu Bar
Tools Menu-Run Script
Menu Bar Window Menu
The Window menu controls what is seen in the Graphics Area. New Viewer makes a copy of the current viewer window and contains the current model. This is a second viewer of the same model and you can pick in either viewer. It allows you to view the model from two or more orientations to facilitate picking operations.
The Tile Horizontally, Tile Vertically, and Cascade options control the placement of the viewer windows in the Graphics Area.
The final options of the Window menu lists the viewer windows that are currently under
management. The filename of the model contained in each viewer window is given followed by a colon and the viewer sequence number. If the same model is shown in multiple viewer windows, then the sequence number will be incremented. A check mark appears next to the active window and the active window can be changed by picking from this list.
Window Menu
Menu Bar Help Menu
The Help menu opens the CFD-ACE+ help system and provides access to ESI Group’s corporate website. It also provides information about the version of CFD-ACE+ that you are using.
The ESI CFD on the Web option launches a web browser that specified in the Preferences -> Tools area, or associated with web pages for Windows platforms, and automatically load ESI CFD’s homepage.
The About CFD-ACE+ option shows a dialog box that contains version information about the CFD-ACE+ application, libraries, platform, and the date the application was compiled. Information about how to contact ESI CFD is also available.
Help Menu
Tool Bar
Tool Bar Introduction
The Tool Bar contains buttons that are used as shortcuts to several of the same items accessible from the Menu Bar. It includes:
• Tool Bar-Files Open, Save, Save As
• Tool Bar-Undo
• Tool Bar-Viewpoint
• Tool Bar-Projection
• Tool Bar-Colors
• Tool Bar-Solver Control
• Launch CFD Software
• About CFD-ACE-GUI
Tool Bar Layout
Tool Bar File Open, Save, Save As
The File buttons provide quick access to the same functions listed in the File Menu. The buttons represent the Open, Save, and Save As commands.
Tool Bar Undo
The Undo button blanks and unblanks operations. It is also available in the Edit Menu-Undo.
Undo Button
Tool Bar Projection
The Projection buttons control whether the viewer window is drawing the image with a parallel or perspective projection. These options are also available in the View Menu.
Projection Buttons
Tool Bar Viewpoint
The Viewpoint buttons orient the viewpoint to one of the six views. These options are also available in the View Menu.
