Output Surface¶

Introduction¶

Output surfaces are arbitrary 2D surfaces that sample local regions of the lattice. The shape of the output surface is defined using either built-in or imported children geometry. Output surfaces are useful for visualizing local spatial variations without storing full volumetric data. Although output surfaces are characterized by a parent-child relationship, there is no property grid associated with the output surface parent. Instead, the location/topology of the output surface is controlled by the child geometry. The output data printed to the surface are defined by the Probes/Planes Output Controls.

Download Sample File: Output Surface

Output surfaces interpolate solution data from the Cartesian lattice onto the surface geometry, with resolution defined by the surface discretization rather than the lattice spacing. This distinguishes output surfaces from Output Planes, which use nearest-plane sampling. In addition to visual output, the solver reports surface mean/min/max statistics and total fluid flux through the child geometry as a supplemental text file. For a visual representation of output planes versus output surfaces, see the video below.

Download Sample File: Output Planes & Surfaces

Output Surface Data¶

The data printed along the output surface are determined by the selections on the Probes/Planes Output Controls. The data are printed to a binary .vtp file for visualization and analysis within M-Star Post. The name of the .vtp output file is linked to the dynamic name of the output surface. These visualization files are printed at the Plane/Probe Output Write Interval. For more information about the .vtp file structure, see the Visualization Toolkit.

Output surfaces interpolate solution data from the Cartesian lattice onto the surface geometry. Solution values are reconstructed from surrounding lattice points onto the surface, allowing interpolation at arbitrary surface locations. The surface resolution is defined by the surface discretization and can be tuned independently of the underlying lattice spacing using the Edit Mesh form on the Output Surface Toolbar (see below). This behavior distinguishes output surfaces from Output Planes, which use nearest-plane sampling and are constrained by the local lattice resolution.

In addition to this binary .vtp file, the solver will report summary statistics for the mean/min/max of cell data variables along the surface to a text file. This text file will also report the total fluid flux through all children geometry. These data are printed at the Statistics Output Write Interval.

Output Surface Toolbar¶

Context-Specific Toolbar Forms	Description
Add Geometry	The Add Geometry form adds child geometry by importing from external CAD files, extracting from external CAD assemblies, or defining internally using built-in parametric geometry.
Move	The Move form enables three-dimensional rigid body transform of object through free drag or point-to-point snapping.
Rotate	The Rotate form enables three-dimensional rotation of geometry.
Scale	The Scale form enables volumetric scaling of a geometry about a set anchor point.
Edit Mesh	The Edit Mesh form modifies the resolution of the solid body surface mesh used in the simulation.
Mate	The Mate form allows surface-to-surface mating and alignment.

For a full description of each selection on the Context-Specific Toolbar, see Toolbar Selections.