CFX-CAD2Mesh
 

Hello modellers,

I am currently generating meshes for CFX 5.6 with CFX-Build. I prefer using a structured, PATRAN style mesh with hex elements (bricks). I have resisted using the new CAD2Mesh product thus far but just recieved the new release in the mail. I know that Build will soon not be supported, so I'm faced with a decision.

1. Are you people, the users, happy with CAD2Mesh? Is it easier to use than Build? How has the transition from Build to CAD2Mesh gone for other users?

2. I am a linux user and see that CAD2Mesh is not fully functional in linux. Is this a problem?

3. Am I going to be able to create structured hex elements with CAD2Mesh?

Thank you for you help and happy meshing,

Jonathan

Re: CFX-CAD2Mesh
 

Hi Jonathon,

You now have 2 choices for meshing with CFX. The current version of CAD2MESH (V2.1) includes both DesignModeller/CFX-Mesh and ICEM CFD 4.CFX.

CFX-Mesh uses the same meshing technology as the old CFX-Build, so you will the same familiar parameters and settings, just on a different GUI. It uses DesignModeller as the solid modelling package which is the current ANSYS front end. You should also be aware that an updated version of DM/CFX-Mesh is due out in a month or so which will have CFX-Mesh more tightly integrated into DM, and a few options not currently available (eg surface merging) should be available. You might want to wait until this version is available before moving across.

The other option, ICEM CFD 4.CFX is a completely different package. It uses very different meshing strategy which is ideally suited to imperfect geometries with small surfaces, gaps and holes. These imperfect geometries are common when you import geometry from other CAD packages. It has only elementary solid modelling capabilities.

Currently you get both meshing packages, so you can choose between the two packages for each simulation if you like. Overall, if you mainly deal with geometry imported from solid modelling package your best option is ICEM CFD 4.CFX. It deals with messy CAD very nicely. If you are drawing your geometries yourself for CFX then DM/CFX-Mesh is likely to be your best bet. It is a far stronger package for solid modelling.

Are the new packages better than CFX-Build? I think the new packages are far superior. ICEM deals with imported CAD geometries much better than CFX-Build ever did, and DM/CFX-Mesh has a much better look and feel than CFX-Build. Over time, I think CFX-Mesh will develop into a very good package.

I think both meshing options are currently available under linux, but I am not sure.

You cannot currently generate structured meshes in CFX-Mesh. You can generate semi-structured grids in ICEM using mesh extrusions, or to have a high-end structured meshing package you can get the optional hexa license for ICEM CFD 4.CFX.

Regards, Glenn

Re: CFX-CAD2Mesh
 

Hi Jonathan, Maybe for Patran-style mesh you should use MSC.PATRAN itself. But for hydrodynamic hexa mesh generation ICEM CFD Hexa is far superior. (Albeit I prefer conventional ICEM over AI interface).