Tutorial 3: Creating a Grid Between Two Intersecting Surfaces

Tutorial 3. Part 2. Using the Cut-Plane for designing topology for complex shapes. Video

One of the most important aspects of using GridPro is in creating topology for complex geometries. Locating the corners and edges of the topology, particularly in 3D, can be time consuming and tedious without a tool that can automate the process. For this reason, the Cut-Plane in GridPro allows the user to speed up topology creation while increasing the grid generation efficiency. In this section, we will learn how to use the Cut- Plane and how to better visualize our mesh by using grid trimming commands. A brief example on how to use GridPro for CFD parametric design analysis will also be covered.

What you will learn:

• An introduction to the Cut-Plane.
• Copying topology to the Cut-Plane.
• Introduction to advanced grid viewing using functions to trim blocks and sheets.
• An introduction to creating a grid for parametric design analysis.

Step 1. Introduction to the Cut-Plane

The Cut-Plane is the most important feature inside GridPro that will be used for topology creation. You will find that when the mesh increases in complexity, you will become more dependent on using the Cut-Plane. Load the Tutorial_3_Part2.fra file and turn off shading and turn on points in the STYLE sub-command panel. Rotate the surfaces to get a nearly isometric view as in the picture below. Notice that the Cut-Plane is colored as a 2D white rectangle.

Step 2. Creating the Wrap

Now that the Cut-Plane is in the proper position we are ready to create the wrap. Snap the grid on the global XZ axis and place four corners on the Cut-Plane around the stem and connect them with edges.

Step 3. Surface Assignments

Make sure that the stem is the current surface and is in light blue. Assign the outer corners of the topology to the stem and the top corners to the cap as we did in Part I.

Step 4. Introduction to Advanced Grid Viewing

GridPro’s advanced grid viewing functions contain techniques that lead the market for inspecting and visualizing the final mesh. Run the mesh generator and display the results in the Grid Viewer. All of the blocks are initially active for viewing.

Step 5. Introduction to Creating a Grid for Parametric Design Analysis

One of the most useful features in GridPro is that once a topology for a given geometry is created, it can be reused again to mesh a geometry of a similar shape. This technique can be very useful for parametric CFD design analysis when an engineer needs to optimize the design of a part or an assembly of parts. Let’s demonstrate this function by changing the shape of the stem and regenerating the grid using the topology that has already been created. Go back to the Topology Builder and choose the stem as the current surface. Pull down the surf menu at the top and reload current surface to view the stem set surface parameters pop-up menu. Change the power from 2 to 4, hit apply and close the pop-up menu. Get a better view of the stem by going to the STYLE sub-command menu and choose shade.