hanshaoqiang / createffd

Generate Free-Form Deformation boxes for SU2.

CreateFFD

This script will generate FFD boxes for use with Stanford's SU2 solver. The boxes are constructed using the extents of grouped connectors (2D) or domains (3D). The group names are parsed for the parameters necessary to generate the box. Each box is assigned a layer to help the user declutter the display and make it easier for the data to be written to the .su2 grid file.

To create a group, select the entities and go to Create, Group. The group name should be of the following format: ffd-name-scale-dimension.

Parameter	Description
ffd	Tag to let script know the group will be used for an FFD box
name	The name of the FFD box
scale	The x,y,z scale vector for the box scaling (default=1.2)
dimension	Polynomial degree in the i,j,k directions (>=1, default=1)

Example group name (please note the format): ffd-wing-1.2,1.2,1.2-4,5,2
Short group name format (will use defaults): ffd-wing

Grids created in 2D for SU2 must be in the z-plane. Therefore, when running in 2D, only x,y compenents of the scale vector and dimension are used. Also, to invoke 2D mode, ensure that the CAE solver dimension has been set to 2D.

Example 2D group name (only x,y needed): ffd-wing-1.2,1.2-4,2

The boxes are aligned with the global x,y,z axes. However, database points are generated at nodes and all connector, domain, and block centroids so the user can transform the box using the Edit, Transform menu. These points can be used as anchor points during various transformations.

When the script is run it will check to see if there are any FFD Layers where an FFD layer is a layer with a description of the form: FFD - XXX. The script will then ensure that all FFD groups have been used to create their respective FFD boxes and layers. Lastly, the script will export all FFD boxes to a file containing all necessary FFD information for SU2. The file name will be ffd.su2, The script will only export the FFD boxes when there is a one-to-one match between the groups and the layers. Therefore, the script must be run at least twice to create all the FFD boxes and then export them for SU2.

Because the script looks to export all FFD layers whenever it is executed, FFD layers you would not like to export should be tagged FFDx in the layer description field. For example,

Script will export the following layer:     FFD - wing
Script will not export the following layer: FFDx - wing

Hint: You can organize the layers by name by clicking the Description column in the Layer panel.

Typically, you'll run this script after you've completed the grid, setup all the CAE boundary conditions, and exported the .su2 grid file. Once you create the FFD boxes and export the data, simply concatenate the two files together like the following example,

cat grid.su2 ffd.su2 > aircraft.su2

Disclaimer

Scripts are freely provided. They are not supported products of Pointwise, Inc. Some scripts have been written and contributed by third parties outside of Pointwise's control.

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