ANSYS Fluent User's Guide
Release 19.0ANSYS, Inc.
January 2018Southpointe
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Table of Contents
I. Meshing Mode ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction to Meshing Mode in Fluent .......................................................................................... 3
1.1. Meshing Approach ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Meshing Mode Capabilities ......................................................................................................... 3
2. Starting Fluent in Meshing Mode ..................................................................................................... 5
2.1. Starting the Dual Process Build .................................................................................................... 5
3. Graphical User Interface ................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. User Interface Components ......................................................................................................... 8
3.1.1. The Ribbon ........................................................................................................................ 8
3.1.2. The Tree ........................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.3.The Graphics Window ....................................................................................................... 19
3.1.4. The Console ..................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.5.The Toolbars ..................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.5.1. Pointer Tools ............................................................................................................ 21
3.1.5.2. View Tools ............................................................................................................... 22
3.1.5.3. Projection ................................................................................................................ 22
3.1.5.4. Display Options ....................................................................................................... 23
3.1.5.5. Filter Toolbar ........................................................................................................... 23
3.1.5.6. CAD Tools ................................................................................................................ 23
3.1.5.7. Tools ....................................................................................................................... 24
3.1.5.8. Context Toolbar ....................................................................................................... 24
3.1.6. ACT Start Page ................................................................................................................. 24
3.2. Customizing the User Interface ................................................................................................. 25
3.3. Setting User Preferences/Options .............................................................................................. 25
3.4. Using the Help System .............................................................................................................. 26
3.4.1. Help for Text Interface Commands .................................................................................... 27
3.4.2. Obtaining a Listing of Other License Users ........................................................................ 27
4. Text Menu System ........................................................................................................................... 29
5. Reading and Writing Files ............................................................................................................... 31
5.1. Shortcuts for Reading and Writing Files ..................................................................................... 31
5.1.1. Binary Files ....................................................................................................................... 31
5.1.2. Reading and Writing Compressed Files ............................................................................. 31
5.1.2.1. Reading Compressed Files ....................................................................................... 32
5.1.2.2.Writing Compressed Files ......................................................................................... 32
5.1.3.Tilde Expansion (LINUX Systems Only) .............................................................................. 33
5.1.4. Disabling the Overwrite Confirmation Prompt .................................................................. 33
5.2. Mesh Files ................................................................................................................................. 33
5.2.1. Reading Mesh Files ........................................................................................................... 33
5.2.1.1. Reading Multiple Mesh Files ..................................................................................... 34
5.2.1.2. Reading 2D Mesh Files in the 3D Version of Fluent .................................................... 34
5.2.2. Reading Boundary Mesh Files ........................................................................................... 34
5.2.3. Reading Faceted Geometry Files from ANSYS Workbench in Fluent ................................... 35
5.2.4. Appending Mesh Files ...................................................................................................... 35
5.2.5.Writing Mesh Files ............................................................................................................ 35
5.2.6. Writing Boundary Mesh Files ............................................................................................ 36
5.3. Case Files .................................................................................................................................. 36
5.3.1. Reading Case Files ............................................................................................................ 36
5.3.2. Writing Case Files ............................................................................................................. 37
5.3.2.1.Writing Files Using Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) ................................................... 37
5.4. Reading and Writing Size-Field Files ........................................................................................... 38
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5.5. Reading Scheme Source Files .................................................................................................... 38
5.6. Creating and Reading Journal Files ............................................................................................ 38
5.7. Creating Transcript Files ............................................................................................................ 40
5.8. Reading and Writing Domain Files ............................................................................................. 41
5.9. Importing Files ......................................................................................................................... 41
5.9.1. Importing CAD Files ......................................................................................................... 42
5.10. Saving Picture Files ................................................................................................................. 47
5.10.1. Using the Save Picture Dialog Box ................................................................................... 48
6. CAD Assemblies .............................................................................................................................. 51
6.1. CAD Assemblies Tree ................................................................................................................. 51
6.1.1. FMDB File ......................................................................................................................... 52
6.1.2. CAD Entity Path ................................................................................................................ 52
6.1.3. CAD Assemblies Tree Options ........................................................................................... 53
6.2. Visualizing CAD Entities ............................................................................................................ 53
6.3. Updating CAD Entities .............................................................................................................. 54
6.4. Manipulating CAD Entities ........................................................................................................ 55
6.4.1. Creating and Modifying Geometry/Mesh Objects ............................................................. 55
6.4.2. Managing Labels .............................................................................................................. 55
6.4.3. Setting CAD Entity States ................................................................................................. 56
6.4.4. Modifying CAD Entities .................................................................................................... 56
6.5. CAD Association ....................................................................................................................... 57
7. Size Functions and Scoped Sizing ................................................................................................... 59
7.1.Types of Size Functions or Scoped Sizing Controls ...................................................................... 60
7.1.1. Curvature ......................................................................................................................... 60
7.1.2. Proximity ......................................................................................................................... 61
7.1.3. Meshed ............................................................................................................................ 65
7.1.4. Hard ................................................................................................................................ 65
7.1.5. Soft .................................................................................................................................. 66
7.1.6. Body of Influence ............................................................................................................. 66
7.2. Defining Size Functions ............................................................................................................. 67
7.2.1. Creating Default Size Functions ........................................................................................ 68
7.3. Defining Scoped Sizing Controls ............................................................................................... 68
7.3.1. Size Control Files .............................................................................................................. 69
7.4. Computing the Size Field .......................................................................................................... 69
7.4.1. Size Field Files .................................................................................................................. 70
7.4.2. Using Size Field Filters ...................................................................................................... 70
7.4.3. Visualizing Sizes ............................................................................................................... 71
7.5. Using the Size Field ................................................................................................................... 72
8. Objects and Material Points ............................................................................................................ 75
8.1. Objects ..................................................................................................................................... 75
8.1.1. Object Attributes ............................................................................................................. 76
8.1.1.1. Creating Objects ...................................................................................................... 78
8.1.2. Object Entities ................................................................................................................. 79
8.1.2.1. Using Face Zone Labels ............................................................................................ 79
8.1.3. Managing Objects ........................................................................................................... 80
8.1.3.1. Using hotkeys and onscreen tools ............................................................................ 80
8.1.3.1.1. Creating Objects for CAD Entities .................................................................... 81
8.1.3.1.2. Creating Objects for Unreferenced Zones ........................................................ 81
8.1.3.1.3. Creating Multiple Objects ............................................................................... 81
8.1.3.1.4. Easy Object Creation and Modification ............................................................ 82
8.1.3.1.5. Changing Object Properties ............................................................................ 82
8.1.3.1.6. Automatic Alignment of Objects ..................................................................... 83
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User's Guide
8.1.3.1.7. Remeshing Geometry Objects ......................................................................... 83
8.1.3.1.8. Creating Edge Zones ....................................................................................... 83
8.1.3.2. Using the Manage Objects Dialog Box ...................................................................... 84
8.1.3.2.1. Defining Objects ............................................................................................. 84
8.1.3.2.2. Object Manipulation Operations ..................................................................... 85
8.1.3.2.3. Object Transformation Operations ................................................................... 86
8.2. Material Points .......................................................................................................................... 86
8.2.1. Creating Material Points ................................................................................................... 89
9. Object-Based Surface Meshing ....................................................................................................... 91
9.1. Surface Mesh Processes ............................................................................................................ 91
9.2. Preparing the Geometry ........................................................................................................... 93
9.2.1. Using a Bounding Box ...................................................................................................... 93
9.2.2. Closing Annular Gaps in the Geometry ............................................................................. 94
9.2.3. Patching Tools .................................................................................................................. 94
9.2.3.1. Using the Patch Options Dialog Box ......................................................................... 95
9.2.3.2. Using the Loop Selection Tool .................................................................................. 98
9.2.4. Using User-Defined Groups .............................................................................................. 99
9.3. Diagnostic Tools ........................................................................................................................ 99
9.3.1. Geometry Issues ............................................................................................................. 100
9.3.2. Face Connectivity Issues ................................................................................................. 100
9.3.3. Quality Checking ............................................................................................................ 102
9.3.4. Summary ....................................................................................................................... 103
9.4. Connecting Objects ................................................................................................................ 103
9.4.1. Using the Join/Intersect Dialog Box ............................................................................... 106
9.4.2. Using the Join Dialog Box ............................................................................................... 107
9.4.3. Using the Intersect Dialog Box ....................................................................................... 108
9.5. Advanced Options .................................................................................................................. 108
9.5.1. Object Management ...................................................................................................... 108
9.5.2. Removing Gaps Between Mesh Objects .......................................................................... 109
9.5.3. Removing Thickness in Mesh Objects .............................................................................. 110
9.5.4. Sewing Objects .............................................................................................................. 112
9.5.4.1. Resolving Thin Regions .......................................................................................... 114
9.5.4.2. Processing Slits ...................................................................................................... 114
9.5.4.3. Removing Voids ..................................................................................................... 114
10. Object-Based Volume Meshing ................................................................................................... 115
10.1.Volume Mesh Process ............................................................................................................ 115
10.2. Volumetric Region Management ........................................................................................... 116
10.2.1. Computing and Verifying Regions ................................................................................. 117
10.2.2. Volumetric Region Operations ...................................................................................... 118
10.3. Generating the Volume Mesh ................................................................................................ 120
10.3.1. Meshing All Regions Collectively Using Auto Mesh ........................................................ 120
10.3.2. Meshing Regions Selectively Using Auto Fill Volume ...................................................... 123
10.4. Cell Zone Options ................................................................................................................. 124
11. Manipulating the Boundary Mesh .............................................................................................. 125
11.1. Manipulating Boundary Nodes .............................................................................................. 125
11.1.1. Free and Isolated Nodes ............................................................................................... 125
11.2. Intersecting Boundary Zones ................................................................................................. 126
11.2.1. Intersecting Zones ........................................................................................................ 127
11.2.2. Joining Zones ............................................................................................................... 127
11.2.3. Stitching Zones ............................................................................................................ 129
11.2.4. Using the Intersect Boundary Zones Dialog Box ............................................................ 131
11.2.5. Using Shortcut Keys/Icons ............................................................................................ 132
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Release 19.0 - © ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information
of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
User's Guide
