Introduction

M-Star CFD is a multiphysics modeling package used to simulate fluid flow, heat transfer, species transport, chemical reactions, particle transport, and rigid-body dynamics. M-Star CFD is developed, maintained, and supported by M-Star Simulations, LLC (“M-Star CFD”), based in Maryland, USA.

Workflow

M-Star CFD contains three primary components: M-Star Pre, M-Star Solve, and M-Star Post. M-Star Pre is a graphical user interface (GUI) used to prepare models and specify simulation parameters. M-Star Solve uses input files generated from the interface to execute the simulation. M-Star Post renders and plots data generated by the solver. The software also contains an application programming interface (API) that can be used to integrate with other software tools.

To build, run, and process a simple model, see Modeling Your First Process.

M-StarPre.png M-Star Pre

This is the GUI component of the software suite. M-Star Pre is used to:

  • Import CAD geometry

  • Generate common geometry

  • Define simulation parameters (fluid type, speeds, physics)

  • Visualize system set up

  • Export input files for M-Star Solve

image of M-Star Pre

File Input and Output

M-Star Pre documents have an .msb file extension. These are binary files that encapsulate all components of the model—geometry, properties, UDFs, tables, parameter sweeps, output control, etc. M-Star Pre converts the model setup and configuration into a set of .xml and .stl files for processing by M-Star Solve.


M-StarSolve.png M-Star Solve

This is the solver component of the software suite. It reads simulation parameters and executes the simulation. Simulation parameter files are typically generated by M-Star Pre, although they are open source text files that can be produced by any text editor. M-Star Solve is used to:

  • Model Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flow

  • Model passive and reacting scalar fields

  • Track particle dynamics

  • Predict heat transfer

  • Simulate free-surface dynamics

  • Simulate six degree-of-freedom rigid body mechanics

  • Model systems involving coupled heat transfer, fluid flow, chemical reactions, and/or particle dynamics

  • Calculate on-the-fly relevant engineering output (heat flux, species residence time distribution, surface forces, etc.)

image of M-Star solve

File Input and Output

M-Star Solve uses .xml and .stl input files (typically generated by M-Star Pre) as instructions for executing the simulation. The .xml defines the relevant system properties and solid body dynamics, and the .stl file defines the system geometry. Data generated by M-Star Solve is saved as .csv, .vtk, and .vti files.


M-StarPost.png M-Star Post

This is the post-processing component of the software suite. It reads in data generated by the simulation. M-Star Post is used to:

  • Generate snapshots and animations of output slice data

  • Generate snapshots and animations of output volume data

  • Plot time-evolving data from probes, calculators, and boundary conditions

  • Execute user-defined functions

image of M-Star Post

File Input and Output

M-Star Post uses the .csv, .vtk, and .vti files generated by M-Star Solve to produce rendered images, animations, and plots. Plots can be exported as either .csv, .tsv, or .txt files. Rendered data can be exported in multiple standard image and video formats, including .jpeg, .bmp, .gif, .mp4, .ogv, etc.

M-Star API

The Python Pre API is a Python module that can be used to interact with M-Star pre-processor documents. Users can create models, change models, export models, and do other pre-processing activities from a Python script. This batch mode pre-processing is useful to automate workflows or do more complex analysis and optimization.

M-Star Utilities

In addition to the three primary components, M-Star also contains several utility applications.

  • M-Star Queue is a queue processing interface which allows users to build a queue of simulations.

  • M-Star Optimizer uses advanced algorithms to optimize a given quantity by changing an input property.

  • M-Star Resolver watches the output of a global variable, and stops when the global variable has converged.

  • M-Star License Utility allows the user to test and verify license options, set up licenses, and check out “roaming” licenses from a license server.

See also System Requirements.