3.3. Importing Body of Influence Geometries

Bodies of influence are often defined in separate CAD geometry or mesh files. Once you have imported your geometry/mesh into your workflow, you can use the Import Body of Influence Geometry task to import any bodies of influence you may have defined in separate files.

Note:  This task must be added after you have completed the Import Geometry task in your Watertight Geometry workflow.

  1. Use the File Type field to choose either a CAD geometry, or a surface or volume Mesh file type. The units for length will be the same as those specified in the Import Geometry task.

  2. Browse for a specific File Name. You can specify multiple CAD and mesh files, since bodies of influence can be specified using several different files, and each CAD file may contain multiple bodies.

    Important:  Importing geometries with connected bodies and/or regions (for example, share topology) is not permitted.

    Supported file types are SpaceClaim (.scdoc), Discovery (.dsco), and Workbench (.agdb) files and also .pmdb files.

    Note:  When a SpaceClaim (.scdoc) file is imported into Fluent while in meshing mode, Fluent also creates an intermediary .pmdb file that can be imported. The .pmdb file should always reside alongside the .scdoc file. When changes are made to the geometry in SpaceClaim, and the file is reimported into Fluent, the original .pmdb file is overwritten. The .pmdb file can be more easily and quickly read into Fluent for additional processing and should be used as long as the .scdoc file has not changed.

    Note:  SpaceClaim (.scdoc) files are only supported on Windows. When working on Linux systems, however, you can use the intermediary .pmdb file as your geometry file for the workflows.

    On Windows, use the Import Body of Influence Geometry task to import the CAD file into Fluent, and enable the Save PMDB (Intermediary File) option in the Import Options dialog. After the file is imported, you can move the generated .pmdb file over to your Linux system to use in your workflow.

  3. Once your selections are made, click Import Body of Influence Geometry and proceed onto the next task.

    Note:  Once this task is completed, the Add Local Sizing task is automatically enabled in your workflow (see Adding Local Sizing).

    If you need to make adjustments to any of your settings in this task, click Edit, make your changes and click Update, or click Cancel to cancel your changes.