Output Planes

These are the options for the output planes which control axis direction, particle screen options, and display attributes.

The available options depend on user selection. In M-Star Pre, click on each component to display the associated properties, including the multi-choice combo boxes. You may also right-click on the component to display any supported actions, such as moving or rotating geometry.

General

Value [m]

The plane intercept value in template units [m] along the defined axis direction.

Axis Direction

The plane normal direction. After defining the direction of the plane, users enter or select a plane position along this direction. Output planes are X, Y, or Z planes used to display the time-evolution of fluid properties across the domain.

For example, if the user chooses to define an X plane, they will be prompted to select a Mount Point along the X axis that positions the X plane. Only points inside the domain can be selected as Mount Points.

  • X: Plane is perpedicular to the Y-Z Plane.

  • Y: Plane is perpedicular to the X-Z Plane.

  • Z: Plane is perpedicular to the X-Y Plane.

Particle Screen Option

Users also have the option of declaring planes to be a particle screen. A particle screen, when used in tandem with particles, automatically computes a heat map describing the frequency at which particles cross the plane.

  • Disabled: No particle screening done

  • Stick: The particle stick to the screen and pass beyond it.

    • Particle Screen Start Time [s]: Time to start the screening activity.

    • Particle Screen Stop Time [s]:

      • End of Simulation: The screen will be active from the Start Time until the simulation ends.

      • Custom Stop Time: The user provides a stop time. The screen will be active from the Start Time to the Custom Stop Time.

  • Passthrough: Particle will be noted in the heat map but continue in the flow, unimpeded.

Display Attributes

Visible

Enable or disable the visibility of this component.

  • Hidden: Plane is active, but not shown in the GUI. This can be used when the setup is complicated or visually “Busy”

  • Shown: Plane is active and visible.

Mode

Defines if the visualaization is a shaded rectange or a wireframe rectangle

  • Shaded

  • Wire

Color

Select color for the shaded surface or wirefame

Width or Opacity

Defines the size of the wireframe or the opacity of the shading.

Output Plane Toolbar

Context-Specific Toolbar Forms

Description

move Move

The Move form enables three-dimensional rigid body transform of object through free drag or point-to-point snapping.

center Recenter

The Recenter command snaps a plane to the center of the bounding box.

help Help

The Help command launches the M-Star reference documentation in your web browser.

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