connector direction

williambwright · June 16, 2015, 14:00

I have an airfoil where I made the trailing edge a single point instead of a blunt trailing edge (maybe I shouldn't do this?) I import the initial geometry as a database and try to create a connector using create curve on database. I can't seem to get the connector to go in the direction I want. If I select the trailing edge and a point on the upper surface, it creates a connector that goes from the trailing edge around the leading edge to the point on the upper surface when I want the shorter distance (from the trailing edge directly to the point on the upper surface). It seems like this should be simple, but I don't see how to do it.

cnsidero · June 17, 2015, 10:16

It might have to do with the orientation of the database curve. You can check/change it in Edit>Orient.

The other solution is to split the airfoil curve (Edit>Split) at the lead edge so you have upper and lower surface curves. Create the connectors on those curves with the Connectors on Database tool. You'll likely want a connector point at that exact location anyway.

dgarlisch · June 17, 2015, 10:27

I suspect that when you select the trailing edge point, you are unknowingly selecting the end point of the lower half of the airfoil curve.

Try zooming in very closely to the trailing edge to be sure that you are selecting on the upper half of the curve for the second point.

You may also want to consider splitting the curve at the "apex" of the leading edge so that you have an upper and a lower airfoil curve.

If this is a 2D grid, a sharp trailing edge is fine. For instance, you can use a C or O topology. Or you can extrude cells off the curves and use smoothing tools. Either way, you will get good cells at the trailing edge.

If this is a 3D grid, there are cell-quality trade-offs between sharp and blunt trailing edges. I suggest you look at the various tutorials included with Pointwise (menu Help > Tutorial Workbook...) or the Pointwise Let's Talk Meshing or DIY videos.

June 16, 2015, 14:00	connector direction	#1
williambwright New Member William Wright Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 10	I have an airfoil where I made the trailing edge a single point instead of a blunt trailing edge (maybe I shouldn't do this?) I import the initial geometry as a database and try to create a connector using create curve on database. I can't seem to get the connector to go in the direction I want. If I select the trailing edge and a point on the upper surface, it creates a connector that goes from the trailing edge around the leading edge to the point on the upper surface when I want the shorter distance (from the trailing edge directly to the point on the upper surface). It seems like this should be simple, but I don't see how to do it.

June 17, 2015, 10:16		#2
cnsidero Senior Member Chris Sideroff Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON, CAN Posts: 434 Rep Power: 22	It might have to do with the orientation of the database curve. You can check/change it in Edit>Orient. The other solution is to split the airfoil curve (Edit>Split) at the lead edge so you have upper and lower surface curves. Create the connectors on those curves with the Connectors on Database tool. You'll likely want a connector point at that exact location anyway.

June 17, 2015, 10:27		#3
dgarlisch Senior Member David Garlisch Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Fidelity Pointwise, Cadence Design Systems (Fort Worth, Texas Office) Posts: 307 Rep Power: 14	I suspect that when you select the trailing edge point, you are unknowingly selecting the end point of the lower half of the airfoil curve. Try zooming in very closely to the trailing edge to be sure that you are selecting on the upper half of the curve for the second point. You may also want to consider splitting the curve at the "apex" of the leading edge so that you have an upper and a lower airfoil curve. If this is a 2D grid, a sharp trailing edge is fine. For instance, you can use a C or O topology. Or you can extrude cells off the curves and use smoothing tools. Either way, you will get good cells at the trailing edge. If this is a 3D grid, there are cell-quality trade-offs between sharp and blunt trailing edges. I suggest you look at the various tutorials included with Pointwise (menu Help > Tutorial Workbook...) or the Pointwise Let's Talk Meshing or DIY videos.