Set Up and Run a CFD simulation

Run a CFD simulation using default or custom settings.

CFD Quick Run

Use the default settings to run a CFD simulation for the selected parts.

  1. On the Fluids ribbon, click the Run CFD Simulation button in the Analyze CFD tool group.

  2. Let the analysis run to completion.

Custom CFD Run

Run a CFD simulation with custom settings.

  1. On the Fluids ribbon, click the Custom CFD Run tool in the Run CFD Analysis tool group.
  2. Customize the settings:
    Table 1. Simulation tab
    Option Description
    Name Enter the name of the simulation.
    Low-High Resolution Drag the slider to the left for a fast, low resolution simulation. Drag the slider to the right to increase the resolution.
    Voxel Size Define the size of the voxel mesh used for the calculation.
    Estimated No. of Voxels The approximate number of voxels in the mesh used for the calculation.
    Max. Facet Size Enter the facet size of the surface mesh used to visualize the results.
    Curve Chord Angle Define how closely the curve is approximated with straight sections in the mesh. For a finer mesh, decrease this value. For a coarser mesh, increase this value.
    Table 2. Advanced tab
    Option Description
    Termination Criteria Stop the simulation when the selected criteria are met.
    • Physics and Equations: Stop the simulation when both the Physics and Equations criteria are met.
    • Physics or Equations: Stop the simulation when either the Physics or Equations criteria are met, whichever occurs first.
    • Physics: Stop the simulation when the Physics convergence criteria are met.
    • Equations: Stop the simulation when the Equations criteria are met.
    Convergence Speed Control the time step size used to pursue a steady solution. Larger values may lead to instability for some simulations.
    Max. Time Steps Define the maximum number of time steps allowed in the simulation.
    Flow Type Select a flow type.
    • Turbulent: Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic particle movement. Most engineering flows of interest are turbulent.
    • Laminar: Laminar flow occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers. This only appears at very low Reynolds numbers.
    Note: To restore the default settings, click the Reset button and select Defaults.
  3. Click the Run button.

Run Status

View the status of the current run, as well runs for the current model that have not yet been viewed. To see all past runs, you need to view the run history.

  1. Hover over the Analyze icon, then select the Run Status tool.

    The run status window is displayed.

  2. When the run is complete, review its status.
    Status Description Note
    The run completed successfully. This is also indicated by a green flag above the Analyze icon. You can click the green flag to display the results.
    The run was incomplete.

    If running an analysis, the run was incomplete. Some but not all of the result types may be available. You should run a new analysis to generate complete results.

    If running an optimization, the run was completed but with warnings or violations. Double-click the name of the run in the Run Status dialog, and then click the Design Violations button in the Shape Explorer for more information.
    The run failed and no meaningful results are available. This is also indicated by a red flag above the Analyze icon.
  3. View one or more runs.
    • To view a run, double-click the row.
    • To view multiple runs, hold down Ctrl or Shift while clicking the rows, and then click the View Now button.
      Note: If several runs are associated with the same part, the result from the most recently completed run for that part will be activated in the modeling window.
Tip:
  • To open the directory where a run is stored, right-click the run name and select Open Run Folder.
  • To view deleted or previously viewed runs, click the History button.
  • To delete a run, select the run and press Delete. You can also delete runs using the right-click context menu in the Analysis Explorer and the Model Browser.

Run History

View, sort, open, and delete past runs for the current and previous models.

Once you have viewed an analysis run, it is removed from the Run Status window but can be viewed using the Run History table.
  1. Hover over the Analyze or Analyze CFD icon, then select the Run Status tool.

    The run history is displayed.

  2. Review the status of the run.
    Status Description Note
    The run completed successfully.  
    The run was incomplete.

    If running an analysis, the run was incomplete. Some but not all of the result types may be available. You should run a new analysis to generate complete results.

    If running an optimization, the run was completed but with warnings or violations. Double-click the name of the run in the Run Status dialog, and then click the Design Violations button in the Shape Explorer for more information.
    The run failed and no meaningful results are available.  
  3. To view a run, double-click the row.
Tip:
  • To open the directory where a run is stored, right-click the run name and select Open Run Folder. The default directory where the run history is stored can be changed in the Preferences under Run Options.
  • By default, you will receive a notification when the run history exceeds a certain size. You can change the size limit or turn off the notification in the Preferences under Run Options.
  • To delete a run, select the run and press Delete.