CAD package for electromagnetic and thermal analysis using finite elements

Geometry and mesh tutorial

First steps in using Flux
3D basic example

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Flux is a registered trademark.

Copyright © 1983 – 2016 Altair Engineering, Inc.

This tutorial was edited on 17 November 2016

Ref.: KF 3 05 - B - 122 - EN -11/16

Altair
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38246 Meylan Cedex
FRANCE
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Fax: +33 (0)4 56 38 08 30

Web: http://www.altair.com
 Foreword
*(Please read before starting this document)

Description of The goal of this basic example is to familiarize the user with the Flux
the example geometry and mesh description process using a simple device.
The user who wants to learn the physics, solving and post-processing
description process will consult one of the three basics examples.

Organization The organization of the chapters is the following.

information • all topics beginning with a verb (create, add, assign, …) contain
information about actions you must complete
• all topics beginning with the word “about” contain definitions or
general information about specific features.

Required If you are a beginner with Flux, it is recommended that you read and work
knowledge through the complete text of the chapters.
If you are an experienced user of Flux, you may be able to enter the
problem information quickly without having to read the “about”
paragraphs.

Support files You can refer to the supplied files in case of difficulties completing this
included... tutorial, or directly adapt this tutorial to your needs, without going through
all the steps to construct the model. If you install Flux with the
documentation and the examples, files are placed in the folder:
C:\CEDRAT (or your installation folder)
\FluxDocExamples_11.1\Examples3D \ GeometryMesh.
Supplied files are command files written in PyFlux language. The user can
launch them in order to automatically recover the Flux projects for each
case.
**(.py files are launched by accessing Project/Command file from the
Flux drop down menu.)

Supplied files Contents Flux file obtained after

launching the .py file
Geometry of the two probes PROBE_3D.FLU
-
Geometry of the wheel base object WHEEL_BASE_3D.FLU
GeoMesh_3D.py Geometry and mesh of the sensor SENSOR_3D.FLU
(complete device)

The main.py enables the launch of these command files

Flux TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Overview .................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Introduction .........................................................................................................................4
1.2. Studied devic e .....................................................................................................................5
1.3. Device description in Flux: whic h strategy? ............................................................................6
1.4. Main stages for geometry description ....................................................................................7
2. Get started with Flux ................................................................................................................. 9
2.1. Start a Flux supervisor........................................................................................................ 11
2.2. About the Flux supervisor ................................................................................................... 12
2.3. Start a Flux 3D window....................................................................................................... 14
3. Flux environment ..................................................................................................................... 15
3.1. About the Flux window ....................................................................................................... 16
3.2. About the Help menu / User guide....................................................................................... 17
3.3. About the geometry context ................................................................................................ 19
3.4. Name the project ............................................................................................................... 20
4. Geometry About ...................................................................................................................... 21
4.1. Geometry definition ............................................................................................................ 23
4.1.1. About old geometry context ................................................................................... 24
4.1.2. About modeler ...................................................................................................... 25
4.2. General and geometric tool................................................................................................. 27
4.2.1. About creation of an entity ..................................................................................... 28
4.2.2. About modification and deletion of an entity ............................................................ 30
4.2.3. About display of entities in the graphic zone ........................................................... 33
4.2.4. About selection of graphic entities .......................................................................... 34
4.2.5. About selection by criterion.................................................................................... 36
4.2.6. About the Tools menu / toolbar .............................................................................. 37
4.2.7. About graphic view ............................................................................................... 38
4.2.8. Change the background color ................................................................................ 40
4.2.9. About geomet ric parameters.................................................................................. 41
4.2.10. About coordinate systems ..................................................................................... 42
4.2.11. About an infinite box ............................................................................................. 44
4.3. Modeler tool....................................................................................................................... 47
4.3.1. What is the Flux Modeler? ..................................................................................... 48
4.3.2. Modeler functionalities .......................................................................................... 50
4.3.3. Notion of volume / object and geometric operation .................................................. 52
4.3.4. Dedic ated Modeler context integrated in Flux ......................................................... 53
4.3.5. Compatibility of old 3D and 2D projects with the modeler......................................... 55
4.3.6. Use parameters in the Modeler .............................................................................. 56
4.3.7. Referenc e entities: point, line, plane....................................................................... 57
4.3.8. Delet e Flux entities linked with A CIS entities........................................................... 60
5. Geometry definition ................................................................................................................. 61
5.1. Wheel geometry definition .................................................................................................. 63
5.1.1. Main steps ........................................................................................................... 65
5.1.2. Create geometric parameters for the wheel ............................................................ 67
5.1.3. Create wheel sketch ............................................................................................. 69
5.1.4. Create one teeth sketch ........................................................................................ 70
5.1.5. Create the cogged wheel sketch ............................................................................ 73
5.1.6. Parameterize the geometry ................................................................................... 75
5.1.7. Make the extrusion ............................................................................................... 76
5.2. Probe geometry definition ................................................................................................... 77
5.2.1. Main steps ........................................................................................................... 78
5.2.2. Create geometric parameters ................................................................................ 79
5.2.3. Create the first probe ............................................................................................ 81
5.2.4. Create the second probe ....................................................................................... 83
5.2.5. Cut the probes in two parts .................................................................................... 84

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE A

TABLE OF CONTENTS Flux

5.3. Completing the domain ...................................................................................................... 85

5.3.1. Add an infinit e box ................................................................................................ 86
5.3.2. Build fac es ........................................................................................................... 87
5.3.3. Check the geometry.............................................................................................. 88
5.3.4. Build volumes ....................................................................................................... 89
5.3.5. Change wheel position.......................................................................................... 90
5.3.6. Modify the visibility of faces ................................................................................... 91
6. Mesh about...............................................................................................................................93
6.1. A vailable meshing tools and analysis before mesh generation .............................................. 95
6.2. About mesh tools ............................................................................................................... 96
6.3. About the mesh context...................................................................................................... 99
7. Mesh definition .......................................................................................................................101
7.1. Main phases for mesh description ..................................................................................... 103
7.2. Mesh with aided mesh ..................................................................................................... 105
7.2.1. Change to the mesh context ................................................................................ 106
7.2.2. Mesh with Aided mesh values ............................................................................. 107
7.3. Optimize the mesh ........................................................................................................... 111
7.3.1. Modify the Aided shadow on fac es....................................................................... 112
7.3.2. Modify the mesh points ....................................................................................... 113
7.3.3. Change the display and the view ......................................................................... 114
7.3.4. Assign mesh points to points ............................................................................... 115
7.3.5. Create a line relaxation ....................................................................................... 118
7.3.6. Assign relaxation line to lines .............................................................................. 120
7.3.7. Create a mesh line ............................................................................................. 122
7.3.8. Assign meshline to lines ...................................................................................... 124
7.4. Meshing the sensor.......................................................................................................... 127
7.4.1. Mesh lines, mesh faces, mesh volumes and generate second order elements ........ 128
7.4.2. Save the project and close the Flux window ......................................................... 134
8. Annex .....................................................................................................................................135
8.1. Use of command files....................................................................................................... 137
8.1.1. About command files .......................................................................................... 138
8.1.2. Execute a command file ...................................................................................... 141

PAGE B Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Overview

1. Overview

Introduction This chapter presents the studied device (a variable reluctance speed sensor)
and the strategy of the device description in Flux.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Introduction 4
Studied device 5
Device description in Flux: which strategy? 6
Main stages for geometry description 7

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 3

Overview Flux

1.1. Introduction

Introduction Flux is finite element software for electromagnetic simulation. Flux handles
the design and analysis of any electromagnetic device.
To perform a study with Flux, you build a finite element project. This
process is broken into 5 phases:
• geometry description
• mesh generation
• description of the physical properties
• solving process
• results post-processing
Only the first two phases are presented in this document.

Objective The objective of this document is discovery and mastering various

functionalities in the software through the example of a simple device.
The device, which will be used as example, is a variable reluctance speed
sensor described in the following paragraph.
The studied functionalities * of the software are those related to the phases of
construction of the geometry and generation of the mesh.
The user will also find in this document useful information concerning the
software: description of the environment, data management, graphic
representation, etc.
* The functionalities of the software related to the following phases - description of
physical properties, solving process and results post-processing - are not detailed in
this document.

PAGE 4 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Overview

1.2. Studied device

Introduction The device to be analyzed is a variable reluctance speed sensor.

Structure The variable reluctance speed sensor consists of a cogged wheel, a magnet
and a coil connected to a measuring resistance.

Functionality The rotation of the target wheel near the tip of the sensor changes the
magnetic flux, creating an analog voltage signal that can be recovered in
probes.

Typical Typical applications are:

applications • ignition system engine speed and position
• speed sensing for electronically controlled transmissions
• vehicle speed sensing
• wheel speed sensing for ABS and traction control systems

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 5

Overview Flux

1.3. Device description in Flux: which strategy?

Problem How to describe the device in Flux?

Reminder:
We only are interested in geometrical construction and generation of the mesh.

Geometric The device consists of:

structure • one cogged wheel with three teeth
• two probes with a magnet and a coil around

Strategy Two strategies of description exist:

- geometry description in the standard geometry context
- geometry description in the modeler context geometry
The second strategy is selected in this tutorial.
Of course, the geometry can be built in ways other than the presented one. The
sensor geometry is defined in this particular way in order to introduce you to
the most used Modeler features.

Continued on next page

PAGE 6 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Overview

1.4. Main stages for geometry description

Introduction An outline of the general construction process is given in this section.

Process (1) An outline of the logical process of the geometry description is given in the
table below.

Phase Description
1 Cogged wheel description

2 Probe description

3 Sensor description

4 Addition of air around the device and closing of the domain

by the technique of the infinite box

Continued on next page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 7

Get started wit h Flux Flux

PAGE 8 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Get started with Flux

2. Get started with Flux

Introduction This chapter shows how to start working with Flux and includes a
presentation of the Flux supervisor.
It also shows how to start a Flux 3D program and includes a brief introduction
to the Flux window.
More detailed information about Flux menus and commands is presented in
§ 3.1 About the Flux window.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Start a Flux supervisor 11
About the Flux supervisor 12
Start a Flux 3D window 14

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 9

Get started wit h Flux Flux

PAGE 10 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Get started with Flux

2.1. Start a Flux supervisor

Goal First, the Flux supervisor will be open.

Action To start Flux from the Windows taskbar:

 Start  Program  Cedrat  Flux

Result The Flux supervisor window opens.

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 11

Get started wit h Flux Flux

2.2. About the Flux supervisor

The Flux The Flux Supervisor window is divided into several zones. The different
Supervisor zones are identified in the figure below and then detailed in following blocks.
window

Dimensions

How to
proceed?

Contexts

Customized
Working zone
directory

Cross-functions

Zones of the The different zones of the Flux Supervisor and their functions are presented in
Supervisor the table below.

Zone Function
The user selects the dimension in which he wishes
Dimensions
to model his project: 2D or 3D, Skew
The user have the choice between several use
contexts of supervisor:
• New project
Contexts • Open un project
• Open example
• Python for Flux
• Batch solve

Continued on next page

PAGE 12 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Get started with Flux

The user chooses a working directory. The path of

this directory is displayed.
Working directory It is possible to manage folders and files by
Directory selector clicking on button :

The content of this zone is adapted according to the

Customized zone context of use chosen.

The action button is also customized.

The process of use of each context is in this zone.
How to proceed ? It is possible to hide/display this zone by clicking
on
The user also has access by the supervisor at cross-
functions:
• Specific functions to Flux (Options, License,
Cross functions
Materials, Units)
• Functions of coupling with external softwares
(Got-It, Portunus, Simulink ...)
This icon allows to access to :
• Help (HTML documentation)
• PDF documents (user guide, tutorials, new
features document…)
• User portal (sharing plateform)
•…

Some checks From the Flux supervisor you should:

before you • Select the Flux 3D tab in order to access the specific Flux 3D programs.
begin • Access your working directory by selecting it in the directory manager.
• Verify that the title of the Program manager area is the standard version
(Flux 3D: Standard). If not, in the menu bar, select Versions and check
Standard.

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 13

Get started wit h Flux Flux

2.3. Start a Flux 3D window

Goal The Flux 3D window will be opened to manage the geometry building and
mesh generation of the device.

Action To start Flux 3D from the Flux supervisor:

Result The Flux window for Flux 3D applications is opened.

* A new project must be created to see the complete set of Flux commands.

PAGE 14 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Flux environment

3. Flux environment

Introduction Flux environment is presented in this chapter.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

About the Flux window 16
About the Help menu / User guide 17
About the geometry context 19
Name the project 20

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 15

Flux environment Flux

3.1. About the Flux window

Introduction The Flux project window has the complete set of the tools to build the
geometry of the device, to mesh the computation domain and to visualize the
device during different steps of the construction.

Flux window The general Flux window consists of several zones. These zones are
identified in the figure below.

Graphic

Data tree

Output

PyFlux Command

Configuration Flux desktop is automatically configured depending on:

of the window • dimension of the application (2D or 3D)
• the physical application defined (no physics defined, magnetostatics,
electrostatics…)
• the context: Geometry / Mesh / Physics / Solver / Post-processing (toolbars)
• or sub context (healing context for the CAD geometry…)

PAGE 16 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Flux environment

3.2. About the Help menu / User guide

Introduction There are several ways to access the user guide information:
• the complete user guide
• the online help within a dialog

Method (1) To open the complete user guide in the Flux supervisor from the …
Help toolbar:

Method (2) To open the complete user guide in the Flux window from the Help menu:

Method (3) To open the online help about an entity from its dialog box:

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 17

Flux environment Flux

User guide The online version of the Flux user guide is presented in the figure below.
The corresponding sections of the Flux user guide can be opened by clicking
on the hyperlinks.

PAGE 18 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Flux environment

3.3. About the geometry context

Presentation There are five contexts in Flux:

Context Icon Function

Geometry to build the geometry of the device

Mesh to mesh the computation domain

Physics to define the application and physical properties

Solving process to define the solving scenario and solve the

problem
Post-processing to analyze results

The context can be changed by using the arrows .

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 19

Flux environment Flux

3.4. Name the project

Goal The new project, temporarily named ANONYMOUS, will be renamed and
saved.

Action To rename and save the project from the …

Project menu: Project toolbar:

OR

Notes:
The user can choose another name for the project and change the current project
directory (working directory), displayed in the Save In field at the top.
A periodic data backup is recommended.

PAGE 20 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4. Geometry About

Introduction This chapter introduces some geometrical concepts for geometry description
with Flux in 3D.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Geometry definition 23
General and geometric tool 27
Modeler tool 47

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 21

Geometry About Flux

PAGE 22 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4.1. Geometry definition

Introduction From Flux 12, a new dedicated geometry context called “Modeler” is
available in 3D. The old Flux geometry context still exists, but it is truly
advised to use the new Modeler context to create easily a 3D geometry.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

About old geometry context 24
About modeler 25

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 23

Geometry About Flux

4.1.1. About old geometry context

Old geometry The old Flux geometry context was used until Flux 11.2 to create geometries.
context It is still available in the last Flux versions.
This old context is efficient and robust, but it is much longer to create a 3D
geometry in comparison with the new Modeler context. In fact, in the old
context user has to begin by creating points, then lines and finally building
faces and volumes.

Old geometry When creating a new project, the new geometry context (Modeler) is opened
context by default (in the supervisor options, it is possible to choose the context to
activation open by default). To create a geometry in the old context, the Modeler should
be closed, by clicking on the following icon :

Tools of the old After having activated the old geometry context, toolbars dedicated to the
geometry geometry description appear in the Flux window.
context
The different toolbars and their principal roles are briefly described below.

Geometry context toolbar Function

1 to create geometric entities
2 to propagate / extrude points, lines, etc.
3 to build faces, volumes
4 to compute geometric values
5 to check the geometry

PAGE 24 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4.1.2. About modeler

What is the
The modeler is a tool to describe a CAD geometry quickly and easily using
modeler?
intuitive and powerful functionalities. The Flux modeler does not compete
with a dedicated CAD tool, but it is strongly inspired. It gives users a simple
and ergonomic method of geometry description unlike the previous method,
robust but tedious.

Activate the The Modeler is opened by default in a new project (in the supervisor options,
modeler it is possible to choose the context to open by default).
From the old Flux geometry context, the modeler is accessible through the
following menu:

Tools of the old After having activated the new geometry context, toolbars dedicated to the
geometry geometry description appear in the Flux window.
context
The different toolbars and their principal roles are briefly described below.
For more details about the modeler, please refer to the part Modeler tool.

Geometry context toolbar Function

1 to create primitives
2 to make Boolean operations /
transformations / extrusion /
fillets / etc.
3 to simplify & correct the
geometry

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 25

Geometry About Flux

PAGE 26 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4.2. General and geometric tool

Introduction The section presents the geometric tools.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

About creation of an entity 28
About modification and deletion of an entity 30
About display of entities in the graphic zone 33
About selection of graphic entities 34
About selection by criterion 36
About the Tools menu / toolbar 37
About graphic view 38
Change the background color 40
About geometric parameters 41
About coordinate systems 42
About an infinite box 44

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 27

Geometry About Flux

4.2.1. About creation of an entity

Definition of An entity is an object in the database of a Flux project.

entity It can be:
• a point, a line, a coordinate system, etc. in the Geometry context
• a mesh point, a mesh line, etc. in the Mesh context
• a line region, a volume region, etc. in the Physics context

Creating An outline of the creating process is presented in the table below. The
process different steps are detailed in the blocks describing the creation of project
entities.

Step Description
1 Activating the New command
2 Definition of entity attributes

Access the The access to the New command can be carried out:
“New” • from the Geometry menu bar (1)
command • using icons from the Geometry toolbar (2)
• from the data tree (3)
These three methods to access the New command are presented in the
following figure (with the example of creation of a geometric parameter in the
Modeler) and described in the table below.

Method Description
1 point on the entity-type and click on New
2 click on the corresponding icon
3 double-click on the entity-type or right click and click on New

Continued on next page

PAGE 28 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

Dialog box The interaction with the database is done using dialog boxes. In this box the
user can enter information relating to the data.

The required fields (necessary and sufficient for the definition of the entity) are
marked by an asterisk *.

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 29

Geometry About Flux

4.2.2. About modification and deletion of an entity

Modification / An outline of the modification / deletion process is presented in the table

deletion process below.

Step Description
1 Activating the command (Edit, Edit array, Delete, Force delete)
and selection of entities
2 Modification of the entity characteristics /
Validation of the entity deletion

Access the For the commands Edit / Edit array / Delete / Force delete, which require
commands data selection, the access to the command, can be carried out:
• from the menu
- activation of the command and then selection via a selection box (1)
• from the data tree:
- activation of the command and then selection via a selection box (2)
- direct selection of an entity and then activation of the command (2’)
• from the graphic zone (only for graphic entities)
These methods to access the command are presented in the following figure
(with the example of editing the ANGLE geometric parameter in the
Modeler) and described in the table below.

Continued on next page

PAGE 30 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

Method Description
1 point on the entity-type and click on the command
select entities via a Selection box
2 right click on the entity-type and click on the command
select entities via a Selection box
2’ double-click on the entity
or right click on the entity and click on the command
3 right click on the graphic entity* and click on the command

*
The corresponding selection filter must be first activated.
Edition mode To check the data, the user needs to edit (and modify if necessary) the entities
created.
There are two modes of edition:
• the edition in a dialog box is used to check and to modify the
characteristics of one entity

• the edition in a data array is used to check and to modify the

characteristics of a group of entities

Continued on next page

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 31

Geometry About Flux

Deletion mode The user sometimes needs to delete entities. He can easily delete an entity if it
is an independent entity. However, very often, the entity is connected to other
entities and the deletion of the entity can cause the deletion of all the
connected entities.
There are thus two modes of deletion:
• the simple deletion:
is carried out on independent entities (non connected with other entities)
• the in force deletion :
is carried out on any entity.
These two modes are described in the table below:

Mode Destroyable entity What is destroyed

simple independent selected entity
in force any selected entity + entities connected to it

PAGE 32 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4.2.3. About display of entities in the graphic zone

Introduction The graphic representation of objects is not the same during the different
steps of building the device model.
From one step to the next, we are interested in:
• representation of points and lines during geometry building
• representation of nodes and surface elements during mesh generation

Possibilities to To control the graphic representation, Flux provides default settings, but the
modify the user can also modify this representation.
visualization
To do so, the following commands are available:
• the Display commands, which manages the list of entities to display,
• the Edit command, which allows the modification of the entity appearance
(characteristics of visibility and color)

How to display There are two methods to display entities in the graphic zone. The settings
entities can be made:
• from the Display menu (1)
• using icons from the Display toolbar (2)
Below, the screen shot is done in the Modeler:

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 33

Geometry About Flux

4.2.4. About selection of graphic entities

Overview of Selection of entities can be done with the following selection modes:
selection modes • graphic selection (with the mouse)
- in the data tree for all entities
- in the graphic zone for graphic entities
• identifier selection (by name / by number)
• advanced selection (by criterion / by choice)

Graphic An outline of the selection process for graphic entities is presented in the
selection table below.
process

Step Description
1 Activating of the selection filter
2 Selection of the entity in the graphic zone

Selection filter A selection filter makes possible to identify the selectable entity-type.
For the graphic entities, the selection filter can be activated by the
commands from the Selection menu or from the Selection toolbar.

Selection menu/ The choices in the Selection menu or in the Selection toolbar relate to the
toolbar graphic entities; they are presented in the figure (in the Modeler) and
described in the table below.

Choice Description
No selection nothing selectable
all is selectable
Free selection The first entity, selected by the user, determines the
entity-type selectable
Select points the points are selectable
… …

Continued on next page

PAGE 34 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

Step 1: The activating of the selection filter can be carried out:

activating of • from the Select menu (1)
the selection • using icons from the Select toolbar (2)
filter
These two methods to activate the selection filter are presented in the
following figure (in the Modeler) and described in the table below.

Step 2: Click on the specific graphic entity to select the entity in the graphic zone.
selection in the The selected entity is highlighted.
graphic zone

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 35

Geometry About Flux

4.2.5. About selection by criterion

Definition / use One speaks about selection by criterion when the selection is carried out by
the intermediary of the existing relations between the various entities (points
belonging to a line, ...) or characteristics, common to several entities (faces
with the same color, faces on the same surface, ...).

Operation The selection by criterion is available on the level of selection boxes and is
mode carried out in two stages as presented in the table below.
Stage Description
1 From a selection box:
• opening the criteria list (with the button )
• and selection of a criterion
2 From a specific (with logical operators) selection box:
• selection of entities (graphic selection, by identifier or criterion)
• with applying selection operators to the group of entities

Selection The selection criteria are presented in the tables below.

criteria
General criteria
The option … allows …
Select all selection of all entities
Clean selection deselection of all the entities previously selected
Select last instance selection of the last selected entity
Selection by
selection of the nearest entity to the entered coordinates
coordinates
Specific criteria (implying the use of the operators)
The selection by … allows the selection of all the entities …
line / face / volume belonging to a line / face / volume
surface belonging to a surface (defined by a face)
linear / face / volume region belonging to a linear / face / volume region
mechanical set belonging to a mechanical set
color defined by a color
visibility defined by a visibility (visible or invisible)
nature defined by a nature (standard, in air, no exist)
discretization defined by a discretization (point or line)

Selection To manage the logical operations on the groups of the selected entities, the
operators user disposes the selection operators introduced in the table below.
Operator Function
Exclude to remove entities from the list
Union to add entities in the list
Intersect to carry out the intersection of two groups of selection

PAGE 36 Geometry and mesh tutorial

Flux Geometry About

4.2.6. About the Tools menu / toolbar

Undo command There is a Flux command to undo operations. The user can use this command
if an error was made.
There are two possibilities described in the table below.
Method Function
1 to undo the previous operation to undo the last action
2 to undo several operations to undo all actions up to the indicated
action

Method (1) To undo the previous operation from the Tools toolbar:

Method (2) To undo several operations from the …

Tools menu: Tools toolbar:

OR

Geometry and mesh tutorial PAGE 37

Geometry About Flux

4.2.7. About graphic view

Introduction When referring to the graphic representation of a device, we are interested in:
• the different entities and their appearance: points and their visibility, lines
and their color, faces, surface elements, etc.
• the type of displayed view: side view, top view, bottom view, global view,
etc. and its position and dimensions in the graphic display zone.

How to modify There are three methods to modify the view in the graphic zone. The settings
a view can be made:
• from the View menu (1)
• using icons from the View toolbar (2)
• using the mouse (3)
Below, the screen shot is done in the Modeler:

Using the View Flux offers modes to modify the view using commands from the View menu
menu / icons or icons from the View toolbar. They are described in the table below.

Command Icon Mode Mode activation

View To rotate, translate click on the command / icon
direction and resize the view and fill out the dialog box
Zoom in - To enlarge the view click on the command
Zoom out - To reduce the view click on the command
Zoom all To set total view click on the command / icon
click on the command / icon
Zoom To enlarge a part of
and select the rectangular zone
region view
to enlarge using the mouse

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Using the Flux offers modes to modify the view using the mouse, described in the table
mouse below. User can determine the active mode by the different cursors.
Mode Mode activation Cursor
2D planar rotation around mouse is far from the center of the
the center of the view view, click on the graphic zone
with the left button of the mouse
and move the mouse, keeping the
left button pressed
3D rotation around the mouse is close to the center of the
center of the object object, click on the view with the
left button of the mouse and move
the mouse, keeping the left button
pressed
3D rotation around the while holding the Shift key, click
point defined by mouse on the view with left button of the
cursor mouse and move the mouse,
keeping the left button pressed
Displacement click on the view with the right
(to translate the view) button of the mouse and drag the
view to the new location, keeping
the right button pressed
Dimension click on the graphic zone with the
(to resize the view) left button of the mouse and resize
the view with the scrolling wheel
of your mouse

Predefined It is possible to choose one view from predefined views available in Flux.
views
The different commands to set predefined views and their corresponding
icons are presented in the table below.
Command Icon Description
Standard view 1 First Flux 3D predefined view (default one)
Standard view 2 Second Flux 3D predefined view
Opposite view View perspective from the opposite direction
View direction View defined by the user
Four-view mode Graphic display of four different views
X-plane view View of the device so that the X-axis is
perpendicular to the graphic zone
Y-plane view View of the device so that the Y-axis is
perpendicular to the graphic zone
Z-plane view View of the device so that the Z-axis is
perpendicular to the graphic zone

Background It is possible to swap the background color from black to white and vise versa
color by using the Reverse video command.

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4.2.8. Change the background color

Goal To better visualize the geometry, the background color will be changed.

Action To change the background color from the View menu:

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4.2.9. About geometric parameters

Principle of use Geometric parameters are entities that can be used for the geometry building
of the device. It can be entered in different geometric entities:
• In the modeler: in primitives, translations, repetitions, fillets etc.
• In the Flux old geometry context: in points, coordinate systems, infinite box
dimensions and other geometric entities.
Defining parameters simplifies the construction of the geometry and enables
modifications to be made more easily later. Many changes can be made by
modifying only the definition of the parameters instead of modifying all the
individual geometric entities that might be built using the parameters.
Parameters also can modify the scale of the geometry through their
relationship with coordinate systems.

Definition of The geometric parameters are defined by the name and the algebraic
parameters expressions.
The algebraic expressions may contain:
• constants
• arithmetic operators (+, –, *, /, **)
• arithmetic functions allowed in FORTRAN (SQRT, LOG, SIN, etc.)
• other parameters
• combinations of any of these

Parameters and Please note that parameters are independent of any unit of measurement. In
measurement other words, the numerical value entered for a parameter is not changed when
units the unit of measurement is changed. Any measurement unit associated with a
parameter derives from the coordinate system in which the parameter is used.
For example, a parameter's value may be 10 in a coordinate system with
millimeters as units. This parameter's value is still 10 whether the coordinate
system's units are changed to inches or meters or kilometers or any other
available unit. Thus, when you use parameters, you can also modify the scale
of a geometric feature without reentering each point or item.

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4.2.10. About coordinate systems

Introduction All geometric features are defined within a specific coordinate system.
Defining our own coordinate systems enables us to describe and modify the
geometry much more easily.

Types of coord. The different types of coordinate systems for 3D domain and associated
systems coordinates are presented below.

Cartesian coordinate Cylindrical coordinate Spherical coordinate

system system system
Coordinates (x, y, z) Coordinates (r, θ, z) Coordinates (r, θ, ϕ)
z z
p p p

y ϕ
x
θ r θ r

Reference It is possible to distinguish the following coordinate systems:

coordinate • The global coordinate system is the coordinate system where all
systems computations are performed. It is inaccessible to the user. The global
coordinate system is a universal Cartesian coordinate system using meters
as the length unit and degrees as the angle unit.
• The working coordinate systems are coordinate systems created by the
user to cover the study needs.
The working coordinate systems are defined:
- with respect to the Global coordinate system, when they refer to the
global coordinate system
- with respect to a Local coordinate system, when they refer to other
coordinate systems.
All entities are defined in the working coordinate systems (user’s coordinate
systems) and are evaluated in the global coordinate system for calculations.

Coordinate The user can define the length and angle units for a coordinate system defined
system units with respect to the global coordinate system (millimeter and degree by
default).
A coordinate system defined with respect to the local coordinate system
inherits the units of the reference coordinate system (parent coordinate
system).

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Predefined To assist the user, Flux provides some default coordinate systems. They are
coordinate created for every new project. It is possible to rename them, to modify them
systems or to delete them.
The predefined working coordinate systems provided to the user are:
• of Cartesian type
• defined with respect to the global coordinate system
The coordinate systems are distinguished one from each other by their
positioning as presented in the table below.

Coordinate system Characteristics

XYZ1 Origin of coordinate system:
• first component: 0
• second component: 0
• third component: 0
Rotation angle:
• about X axis: 0
• about Y axis: 0
• about Z axis: 0

Z_ON_OX Origin of coordinate system:

• first component: 0
• second component: 0
• third component: 0
Rotation angle:
• about X axis: 90
• about Y axis: 90
• about Z axis: 0

Z_ON_OY Origin of coordinate system:

• first component: 0
• second component: 0
• third component: 0
Rotation angle:
• about X axis: 90
• about Y axis: 0
• about Z axis: 0

In the modeler In the modeler, if user want to move his geometrical object from the initial
position (rotation or translation), it is truly advised to create a rotation /
translation entity in the modeler instead of using the coordinates systems.

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4.2.11. About an infinite box

Infinite box In the Flux software, using a transformation to model an infinite domain is
technique called the infinite box technique.
The exterior domain (infinite) is linked to an image domain (called the
infinite box) through a space transformation.

Principle of use The use of the infinite box implicitly assumes a null field at infinity.
The boundary conditions on the corresponding boundaries of the infinite box
are set automatically in the physical module.

Types of The infinite boxes available for 3D study domain and their characteristics are
infinite box presented in the table below.

Infinite box Characteristics

parallelepiped:
• centered in (0,0,0) in the global
coordinate system
• comprises 16 points, 32 lines
• dimensions set by the user

cylinder:
• along the axis X, Y or Z
• centered in (0,0,0) in the global
coordinate system
• comprises 32 points, 32 lines
• dimensions set by the user

Length and Length and angle units are those associated with the domain.
angle units

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How to choose The dimensions of the infinite box are defined by the user. This requires a
the dimensions? certain experience because there is no general rule.
We can, however, give some advice:
• the distance between the device and the interior surface of the infinite box is
at least equal to the dimension of the device in this direction
• the dimensions of the infinite box are related to the mesh. In Flux 3D, the
number of elements on the thickness of the box must be roughly equal (at
least) to two (second-order elements) or to three (first-order elements).
The mesh and the size of the infinite box must take into account the studied
phenomena. The computations should be performed as follows:
• for computing of a global or a local quantity inside the device, it is
unnecessary to refine the mesh of the infinite box;
• for computing of the field created outside the device, it is necessary to
define the box of more significant size and to refine the mesh inside.
It is recommended to parameterize the dimensions of the infinite box to
adjust its size during the meshing.

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4.3. Modeler tool

Introduction The tool Modeler (which allows an ease description of the geometry) is
integrated into Flux in a dedicated context.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

What is the Flux Modeler? 48
Modeler functionalities 50
Notion of volume / object and geometric operation 52
Dedicated Modeler context integrated in Flux 53
Compatibility of old 3D and 2D projects with the modeler 55
Use parameters in the Modeler 56
Reference entities: point, line, plan 57
Delete Flux entities linked with ACIS entities 60

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4.3.1. What is the Flux Modeler?

Introduction The modeler is a tool to describe a CAD geometry quickly and easily using
intuitive and powerful functionalities. The Flux modeler does not compete
with a dedicated CAD tool, but it is strongly inspired. It gives users a simple
and ergonomic method of geometry description unlike the previous method,
robust but tedious.
Significant work was also provided with this modeler on CAD import and
correction which allowed rethinking the algorithms existing import and thus
improving the quality.

Without and Here is a simple example (building of a block) to illustrate the pour illustrer
with modeler the radical change of method of geometric description without modeler (with
tools of standard geometry context) and with modeler.
P8
L8 L7
P7
L12
P5 L5 L6
P6 L11
L9 P4
L3
L4 P3
P1 L10
L2
L1 P2
Without modeler With modeler
1 Create the point 1
2 Create the point 2
3 Create the point 3
4 Create the point 4
5 Create the point 5
6 Create the point 6 Create a block
7 Create the point 7
The resulting entities obtained
8 Create the point 8
immediately:
9 Create the line 1 between P1 and P2
• 8 points
10 Create the line 2 between P2 and P3
• 12 lines
11 Create the line 3 between P3 and P4
1 • 6 faces
12 Create the line 4 between P4 and P1
• 1 volume
13 Create the line 5 between P5 and P6
• 1 object (new entity for the modeler)
14 Create the line 6 between P6 and P7
• 1 geometric operation (new entity for
15 Create the line 7 between P7 and P8
the modeler representing the achieved
16 Create the line 8 between P8 and P5 action and useful to ensure the cycle
17 Create the line 9 between P1 and P5 of life)
18 Create the line 10 between P2 and P6
19 Create the line 11 between P3 and P7
20 Create the line 12 between P4 and P8
21 Build faces
22 Build volumes
22 user actions Only 1 user action

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Technical The Flux modeler is based on geometric kernel ACIS 3D developed by

solution SPATIAL Technology du groupe Dassault Systemes. Modeler’s
functionalities use API of ACIS. A permanent synchronisation between ACIS
database and Flux database allows ensuring the cycle of life and the tree of
construction of actions done in the modeler.

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4.3.2. Modeler functionalities

Functionalities Here is a table listing the functionalities of the modeler.

Functionalities Description
Reference point Allow creating a reference point usable by other functionalities
Reference line Allow creating a reference line usable by other functionalities
Reference plane Allow creating a reference plane usable by other functionalities
Primitive Block Allow building a bloc in a single action
Primitive Cylinder Allow building a cylinder in a single action
Primitive Cone Allow building a cone in a single action
Boolean operation Allow uniting objects into a single object
Union
Boolean operation Allow subtracting objects to another objet
Subtraction
Boolean operation Allow intersecting objects and obtaining as resulting object, the
Intersection common part between objects
Boolean operation Allow assembling objects into a single object and correcting
Assembly potential collisions between objects
Fillet Permet d’arrondir les angles d’un ou plusieurs objets
Chamfer Allow breaking angle of objects
Symmetry Allow duplicating objects one time by symmetry
Linear repetition Allow repeating objects N times with a user vector
Allow repeating objects N times around an axis with an user
Circular repetition
angle
Rotation Allow rotating objects around an axis
Translation Allow move an object according to a vector
Sketch Allow creating a 2D profile to be extruded (use Sketcher tools)
Extrusion along Allow extruding faces along a vector
vector
Extrusion around axis Allow extruding faces around axis
Helicoidal extrusion Allow extruding faces along an helix around an axis
Cutting objects Allow cutting objects intersecting a reference plane
Defeaturing objects Allow defeaturing fillets / chamfers / holes of objects
Allow removing faces and filling with neighbouring entities
Cleaning faces
For example, useful to remove incrustations and engravings
Separation of Allow separating an object composed by N volumes in N objects
volumes
Allow removing cell of an object ( corresponding to one volume,
Removing volumes
faces, lines and points) without delete the object
Detection small lines Allow detecting small lines according to an user criteria
Detection small faces Allow detecting small faces according to an user criteria
Detection small Allow detecting small volumes according to an user criteria
volumes
Detection Allow detecting hypertangences according to an user criteria
hypertangences

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Functionalities (continued)

Functionalities Description
Simplification small Allow simplifying small lines previously detected by merging
lines with a neighboring line
Simplification small Allow simplifying small faces previously detected by merging
faces with a neighboring face
Simplification small Allow simplifying small volumes previously detected by
volumes merging with a neighboring volume
Checking defects on Allow checking geometric defects on entities ACIS on each
ACIs entities object
Healing defects on Allow healing geometric defects on entities ACIS on each object
ACIs entities

Each functionality is described with more details in this chapter.

Movie examples Several movies using the functionalities of the modeler are available.

Build an Induction Motor with the modeler.

• Create cylinders
• Subtraction, Union
• Cut
• Chamfers …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g27JVa9U_Lo
Build an Linear actuator with the modeler.
• Primitives
• Chamfers, fillets
• Sketch + extrusion
• Parameterizing
• Symetries, translation etc.
• Union, assembly …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ic5T9InNA
Build a simple Induction Motor
• Creating sketches of the 2D view + extrusion
• assembly, union …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFyaFTRkm2Y
Import a CAD files, simplify and defeature
• import a CAD geometry
• detection and simplification of small entities (point, line, face)
• defeaturing (hole , fillet, chamfer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saWmmzNy0cc
Old Project converted in object to complete the geometry in the
modeler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSyfcqAy2g

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4.3.3. Notion of volume / object and geometric operation

Introduction For operation of the modeler and to ensure synchronization between the
database Flux and database ACIS, new entities are being added in the
modeler:
• The “object” entity (different to volume entity, it is a level above volume)
• The “geometric operation” entity

Notion The modeler functionalities are applied on objects, unlike the standard
Volume/Object geometry context where it is points lines faces and volumes that are
manipulated.
The object is the entity “father” in the modeler, the points lines faces and
volumes become sub-entities.
The object entity allows being synchronous with geometric kernel ACIS that
also have this type of entity to manipulate CAD.
The object may be composed by one or more volumes.
The entity volume has always the same interest for Flux; it is an entity over
which the physical regions may be assigned.

Geometric The geometric operation in a Flux entity that is associated with each action of
operation construction done in the modeler. This entity may be edited from the data tree
to modify an action of building. Geometric operations are linked according to
the sequence of building action. It is the construction tree which allows to
ensure the cycle of life of the construction (in creation, , modification and
deletion)
Geometric operations are only available in the modeler context.

Example The shown example is:

• Creation of a block  an operation BLOCK_1 + an object OBJ_BLOCK_1
• Creation of a fillet on this object  an operation FILLET_1 + modification
of the object OBJ_BLOCK_1
• Modification of dimensions of BLOCK_1  in chronological order the
operation BLOCK_1 is revaluated, then the operation FILLET_1

Block
dimension
modified

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4.3.4. Dedicated Modeler context integrated in Flux

Introduction The modeler integrated to Flux is a dedicated context accessible from a 3D

Flux project.

Access The modeler context is directly opened when the user start a new project 3D.
It is a configurable option in user preferences of supervisor.
In the standard geometry context to access in the modeler context:
• By Menu: Geometry  Modeler context
• By icon:

Environment The environment of the modeler context is similar to the Flux environment
with a data tree, a graphic window, the command window and the history of
the commands. The graphic window is identical with graphic window of the
standard environment of Flux 3D.

Cohabitation The standard geometric description of Flux is usable identically outside the
with Flux modeler context, but it is not advisable to mix the two approaches to
geometric construction that are completely different.
Advice: Once the modeler has been used to describe the geometry, it is
advisable not to use functionalities of standard context, but to complete
geometry in the modeler.

PyFlux All the operations carried out in the modeler are recorded in the command
PyFlux as for Flux operation.
Command files can also be executed starting from the modeler by the Project
menu or by the python editor.

Build Face / In the modeler, there is no need to run the commands Build face and Build
Build Volume volume. These sub-entities of the object are automatically built during the
different construction operations.

Manipulation Once the modeler used to describe the geometry, high level entity becomes
of entities the object. The object is the only modifiable entity. The sub entities points /
lines / faces / volumes are revaluated according to manipulations applied on
objects. Therefore, the point coordinates are not modifiable neither in the
context modeler nor in the standard geometry context (out of modeler).

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Particularity of The modeler uses coordinates systems in the same way as Flux. The creation
coordinate system of a coordinate system remains unchanged and is done as it is in the standard
of creation
geometry context.
The description of geometry requires specifying the coordinate system of
creation with the possibility to have several coordinate systems.
The coordinate system taken into consideration upon the creation (or the
modification) is the active coordinate system which the user can choose
graphically (drop down list at the bottom left of the graphic view).

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4.3.5. Compatibility of old 3D and 2D projects with the modeler

Introduction How does the modeler with Flux projects generated with a version without
modeler (prior to version 12)?

Old 3D projects Old 3D projects are compatible with the modeler. After opening your old
project, you may modify the geometry with modeler functionalities. When
entering in the modeler context, a conversion of entities of the project is done
to ensure the compatibility with the ACIS kernel. The geometry is
transformed into an object in addition to volumes faces et lines points already
existing.
The user can thus use the functionalities of the modeler whose manipulate
only objects.

Informations on The information (mesh, region,… ) on entities points lines faces and
entities volumes of the origin project, are kept if the topology remains constant.
The infinite box of a project is ignored (but kept) when you enter in the
Infinite box modeler. So it is not apparent. On leaving modeler context, it was rebuilt
so that the air volume surrounding the device.
There is the possibility to break the object composed by N volumes in N
objects. This allows the user to manipulate the N resulting objects
independently. If the user chooses to separate the cells in this case he
Separation of should reassemble everything before out of context modeler to be
volumes compatible with Flux.
This functionality is accessible:
• By menu: Correction&Simplification  Separate volumes  New
• By icon:

2D project In Flux (out of modeler) it is possible to import a 2D project, then the user
imports would extrude faces to a 3D device. Upon entry in the modeler context the 2D
geometry that is in a certain plane is converted to a sketch entity. The sketch
entity allows using modeler functionalities of extrusion to obtain a 3D
geometry.
The sketch is also editable and modifiable using the sketcher tool that is
accessible from the modeler.

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4.3.6. Use parameters in the Modeler

Parametric It is possible to achieved parametric studies with a project described in the

study modeler like in standard geometry context of Flux, but the operation mode is
radically different:
• Without modeler, geometric parameters are applied directly on the
coordinates of points
• With the modeler, geometric parameters are used in geometric operations of
the modeler (dimensions of a block, radius of a cylinder, distance of a
chamfer, length of extrusion, …)

Example of Here is an example of a block whose dimensions are parameterized.

parameterized
block

X = 10 Y =10 Z=10 X = 10 Y =5 Z=20

Parametrisation In the standard geometry context, to parameterize a movement it was

strategy customary to parameterize coordinates systems.
With a geometric construction with the Modeler, you must abandon this
method, and directly parameterize geometric operations. For example of the
movement, just create and parameterize the geometric operations of
translation and rotation.

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4.3.7. Reference entities: point, line, plane

Introduction A reference entity provides some support to the construction of the geometry
without being taken into consideration during the mesh and solving
operations. These entities are of « NO_EXIST » type.
It exists several “Reference” entities:
• Reference point
• Reference line defined between two points
• Reference plane

When use it? The table below presents when reference entities can be used.

Reference When use it ?

Entities
Reference • Symmetry of objects in relation to a reference point
Point • Creation of a reference line in relation to two reference points
Reference • Symmetry of objects in relation to a reference line
line • Circular repetition of objects around a reference line
• Rotation of objects around a reference line
• Extrusion by revolution of faces around a reference line
• Helicoidal extrusion of faces around a round a reference line
Reference • Symmetry of objects in relation to a reference plane
plane • Cutting of objects in intersection with a reference plane
• Creation of a sketch on a reference plane

How create it? The table below presents how the reference entities can be created.
How create it ?
Reference The creation of a reference point is identical to the creation of a standard point
point of Flux. It is necessary to define the coordinate system of creation and
coordinates of the point ((X Y Z). To create a reference point:
• By menu: Construction  Reference  Reference point  New
• By icon:
Reference The creation of a reference line is identical to the creation of a standard line of
line Flux of segment type. It is necessary to define two points of the segment.
These points can be standard points of objects or reference points previously
created.
• By menu: Construction  Reference  Reference line  New
• By icon:
Reference The creation of a reference plane contains several type of definition (see
plane below)
• By menu: Construction  Reference  Reference plane  New
• By icon:

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Type of The table below shows different types of creation of a reference plane
reference plane
Type Description Illustration

The reference plane is positioned on

Defined by a face (flat) the plane of the face which must be
flat

The reference plane is positioned on

Defined by a point and a the plane describe by the selected
line point and both points of the selected
line (the line must be a segment type)

The reference plane is positioned on

Defined by 3 points the plane describe by 3 selected
points

The reference plane is positioned on

Defined by a point and a the plane describe by the orthogonal
line perpendicular projection on the trajectory of the
selected line

The reference plane is positioned

XY plane with offset
parallel to the XY plane with an offset
The reference plane is positioned
XZ plane with offset
parallel to the XZ plane with an offset
The reference plane is positioned offset
YZ plane with offset
parallel to the YZ plane with an offset
The reference plane is positioned
Plane parallel to a plane parallel to the selected reference plane
with an offset
The reference plane is positioned on
the plane describe by the equation Ax
Defined by equation
+ Bx + Cx = D. The user must choose
coefficients A, B, C and D.

The reference plane is positioned with

Defined by angle an angle in relation to the selected
between two planes reference plane around an axis (the angle
selected line)

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Predefined Here is the list of predefined reference plane available at th opening of the
reference modeler:
planes • XY plane
• XZ plane
• YZ plane

Corresponding For each creation of reference plane (REFERENCEPLANE_1) a

coordinate corresponding coordinate system (COORDSYS_REFERENCEPLANE_1) is
system created.

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4.3.8. Delete Flux entities linked with ACIS entities

Introduction It is possible to delete geometric entities Object, Volume, Face, Line, Point
using the command Delete Force.
The deleting of entities behaves differently depending on the type of
geometry :
• Geometry without ACIS link: built/imported outside the modeler context or
with a version prior to Flux 11.2 version (included)
• Geometry with ACIS link: built/imported inside the modeler context

What entities What are entities deleted (or not)?

deleted ?

Geometry without ACIS link Geometry with ACIS link

(built outside modeler) (built inside modeler)
Force • Delete the chosen object
delete an No object if no ACIS link • Delete all corresponding
Object volumes/faces/lines/points
• Delete the chosen volume
• Delete all corresponding faces/lines/points
Delete the volume and
Force (provied they are not use elsewhere)
faces/lines/points entities linked with
delete a • Don’t delete the object if it is composed by
this volume (provided they are not
Volume several volumes (Delete the corresponding
used elsewhere)
object only if this object is composed by
this single volume)
Delete the face and
Force
volumes/lines/points entities linked • Search the high associated entities
delete a
with this face (provided they are not "Volume" and delete it
Face
used elsewhere) • Delete all faces/lines/points corresponding
Delete the line and to these volumes (provided they are not use
Force
volumes/faces/points entities linked elsewhere)
delete a
with this line (provided they are not • Don’t delete objects if they are composed
Ligne
used elsewhere) by several volumes (Delete the objects
Delete the point and corresponding to these volumes only if
Force
volumes/faces/lines entities linked these objects are composed by a single
delete a
with this point (provided they are not volume)
Point
used elsewhere)

Functionality A geometric operation* allowing to remove a volume in an object composed

« Remove by several volumes without delete this object, is available.
Volume » This functionality is accessible:
• By menu : Correction&Simplification  Remove volumes  New
• By icon :

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5. Geometry definition

Introduction This chapter deals with the geometry of the device.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Wheel geometry definition 63
Probe geometry definition 77
Completing the domain 85

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5.1. Wheel geometry definition

Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of the geometry construction and the
data required to describe the wheel base geometry.
The wheel base object is presented in the figure below.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Main steps 65
Create geometric parameters for the wheel 67
Create wheel sketch 69
Create one teeth sketch 70
Create the cogged wheel sketch 73
Parameterize the geometry 75
Make the extrusion 76

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5.1.1. Main steps

Outline An outline of the geometry description process to build the wheel base
geometry is presented in the table below.

Stage Description
• Tooth inner radius: TOOTH_IR =
12.5 mm
• Tooth outer radius: TOOTH_OR
= 21.5 mm
• Wheel radius: WHEEL_R = 10
Creation of 5 geometric
1 mm
parameters
• Wheel thickness: WHEEL_TH= 6
mm
• Angle of the wheel angular
position
in the final device: ALPHA = 75

Creation of two circles to

2
model the wheel

3 Creation of the first tooth.

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4 Circular repetition of the tooth.

5 Complete the geometry

Apply the parameters to some

6 lines of the geometry and close
the modeler context

7 Extrusion of the wheel

8 Rotation of the wheel

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5.1.2. Create geometric parameters for the wheel

About See § 4.2.9 About geometric parameters.

geometric
parameters

Goal Four parameters are required for the geometry description of the wheel.

The fifth parameter, required to build the whole wheel, is presented in the
next figure.

Data The table below contains the values of the geometric parameters.
Geometric parameters
Name Comment Expression
TOOTH_IR Tooth inner radius 12.5
TOOTH_OR Tooth outer radius 21.5
WHEEL_R Wheel radius 10
ALPHA Wheel angle 75
WHEEL_TH Wheel thickness 6

Continued on next page

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Geometry definit ion Flux

Action The geometric parameters can be created in the Modeler, or in the old
geometry context, in the same way.
To create the geometric parameters from the …

Data tree: Geometry toolbar:

OR

6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 in the new dialog,

… entering data for the remaining entities.
(see the table on the previous page)

Result The geometric parameters are listed in the data tree:

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5.1.3. Create wheel sketch

Goal The wheel part is created in the Modeler context. The steps are presented in
the following table.

Action The steps of the construction of the wheel are presented in the following
table.

Step Action Illustration

The Modeler context is normally opened
automatically in a new project
0 (configuration done in the supervisor
options). If not, open the Modeler context
 Geometry  Modeler context
Create a sketch of the wheel in the XY
1 plane as in the figure.
 Tools  Sketch  New

Create a first circle defined by the center

and the radius with the following
characteristics:
Center point: 0; 0
2 Radius: 10
If necessary, modify one of the two
points to enter 10 in the first coordinate

 Construction  Circle  Circle center+radius

Create a second circle defined by the

center and the radius with the following
characteristics:
Center point: 0; 0
3 Radius: 12.5
If necessary, modify one of the two
points to enter 12.5 in the first coordinate

 Construction  Circle  Circle center+radius

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5.1.4. Create one teeth sketch

Goal The wheel part is created in the Modeler context. The steps are presented in
the following table.

Action The steps of the construction of the wheel are presented in the following
table.

Create an arc center end two points

1 defined by two points as in the figure

 Construction  Line  Arc two point with center

Modify the angle of line 5

2

 Select line 5 on the graphic and chose edit on context menu

Create a reference line as in the figure.

3

 Construction  Reference  Reference line

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Create a symmetry transformation in

order to propagate line 5:
Line to propagate: line 5
4 Symmetry axis: reference line
Connect to origin : No

 Tools  Symmetry

Delete the reference line

5

 Select line 6 and chose Delete in the context menu

Simplify the geometry in order to delete

6 point 6

 Tools  Heal and simplify all geometry

Create two lines with following

characteristics:
7 1st line: point 1; point 7
2nd line: point 1; point 8

 Construction  Line  Polyline

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Fractionate line 5 at its intersection with

line 4 (see figure) and fractionate line 7 at
its intersection with line 3

 Tools  Fractionate

Delete lines 5 and 7

9

 Select lines on the graphic and chose Delete on context menu

Simplify line 4 and 11

10

 Tools  Simplify lines

Edit line 5 and 6 in order to modify its

angle characteristics.
11
Angle = 30°

 Select line 5 and 6 and chose Edit Array in the context menu

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5.1.5. Create the cogged wheel sketch

Goal The steps are presented in the following table.

Action The steps of the construction of the cogged wheel are presented in the
following table.

Create a circular repetition of the tooth

with the following characteristics:
Graphic selection: lines 10; 8; 6; 5
Pivot point: 1
1 Angle between repetition: 120
Number of repetition: 2
Connect to origin: yes

 Tools  circular repetition

Simplify lines 19 and 3

2

 Tools  Simplify lines

Create a line between point 1 and point 3

3

 Construction  Line  Polyline

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Create a circular repletion of this line

with the following characteristics:
Graphic selection: lines 3
Pivot point: 1
4 Angle between repetition: 120
Number of repetition: 2
Connect to origin: yes

 Tools  Circular repetition

Simplify lines 22 and 1.

5

 Tools  Simplify lines

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5.1.6. Parameterize the geometry

Action The created parameters are applied to some lines.

Parameterize the following lines:

Lines 2, 23, 21 radius : WHEEL_R
1 Line 5 radius: TOOTH_IR
Line 6 radius: TOOTH_OR

 Select lines and chose Edit array

Close the sketch and return to the

2 modeler context

 Project  Close Sketch context

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5.1.7. Make the extrusion

Action The extrusion is created with the following characteristics.

Extrude the faces with the following

characteristics:
Sketch containing faces to extrude:
Sketch_1
Faces: ALL
1 Extrusion type: along a vector
Coord. system: COORDSYS_XY_PLANE
Formula: (0,0,1)
Length: WHEEL_TH
Offset of origin plane: -WHEEL_TH/2
 Tools  Extrusion  New

Rotate the device with the following

characteristics:
OBJ_EXTRUDE_1
2 Rotation axis: 64
Angle: ALPHA

 Tools  Rotation  New

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5.2. Probe geometry definition

Introduction This chapter presents the general steps of the probe construction and the data
required to describe the probe geometry.
The probe object is presented in the figure below.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Main steps 78
Create geometric parameters 79
Create the first probe 81
Create the second probe 83
Cut the probes in two parts 84

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5.2.1. Main steps

Outline An outline of the geometry description process to build the probe geometry
is presented in the table below.

Stage Description
• COIL_H
• ANGLE
Creation of geometric • COIL_IR
1
parameters • COIIL_OR
• MAG_H
• MAG_R

2 Creation of the first probe

3 Creation of the second probe

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5.2.2. Create geometric parameters

Introduction Six parameters will be created and applied to some lines.

Goal Six parameters, required to describe the geometry of the probe, are presented
in the figure below.

Data The table below contains the values of the geometric parameters.
Geometric parameters
Name Comment Expression
COIL_IR Coil inner radius 2.8
COIL_OR Coil outer radius 3.5
COIL_H Coil height 16
ANGLE Angle of the probe position 30
MAG_R Magnet radius 2.5
MAG_H Magnet height 20

Continued on next page

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Geometry definit ion Flux

Action The geometric parameters can be created in the Modeler, or in the old
geometry context, in the same way.
To create the geometric parameters from the …

Data tree: Geometry toolbar:

OR

6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 in the new dialog,

… entering data for the remaining entities.
(see the table on the previous page)

Result The geometric parameters are listed in the data tree:

Notice too, that as you move your cursor over the parameter names, the comments
are displayed to help you to identify the parameters.

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5.2.3. Create the first probe

Goal The probe is created in the Modeler context. The steps are presented in the
following table.

Action (1) The steps of the construction of the first probe are presented in the following
table.

Step Action Illustration

Select first the coordinate system in

which the cylinder is created (at bottom
1
left of graphic zone)

Create a fist cylinder with the following

characteristics:
1st coord.: 0
2nd coord. : 0
2 3rd coord: 32-MAG_H/2
Radius: MAG_R
Height: MAG_H
 Construction  Cylinder  New
Create a second cylinder with the
following characteristics:
1st coord.: 0
2nd coord. : 0
3 3rd coord: 32-COIL_H/2
Radius: COIL_OR
Height: COIL_H
 Construction  Cylinder  New

Create a third cylinder with the following

characteristics:
1st coord.: 0
2nd coord. : 0
4 3rd coord: 32-COIL_H/2
Radius: COIL_IR
Height: COIL_H

 Construction  Cylinder  New

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Assemble the 3 cylinders

5

 Tools  Assembly  New

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5.2.4. Create the second probe

Goal The second probe is created in the Modeler context with circular repetition.
The steps are presented in the following table.

Action (1) The steps of the construction of the second are presented in the following
table.

Change the coordinate system: choose

1 XYZ1

Create a circular repetition with the

following characteristics:
Object: OBJ_CYLINDER_1
Axis line: 64
2 Angle between repetition: ANGLE
Number of repetition: 1

 Tools  Circular repetition  New

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5.2.5. Cut the probes in two parts

Goal In order to define the current orientation in the probes coils, it is necessary to
have two internal faces in the coils.
For that, the probes are cut in two parts.

Action (1) The steps of the probes cut are presented in the following table.

Create a cut by choosing:

Objects to cut: OBJ_CYLINDER_1 and
OBJ_CIRCULAR_1_1
1 Cut reference plane : XY_PLANE
List of cut sections: SECTION_1 and
SECTION_2

 Correction&Simplification  Cut objects  Object cut

Make the assembly of the two parts of
each probe:
1st assembly: OBJ_CUT_1_1 with
2 OBJ_CUT_1_2
2nd assembly : OBJ_CUT_1_3 with
OBJ_CUT_1_4
 Tools  Assembly  New

Close the modeler context.

3

 Project  Return to standard geometry

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5.3. Completing the domain

Goal In this chapter, the domain is completed with an infinite box. Then the
geometry is verified.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Add an infinite box 86
Build faces 87
Check the geometry 88
Build volumes 89
Change wheel position 90
Modify the visibility of faces 91

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5.3.1. Add an infinite box

Goal An infinite box will be added to close the study domain.

Data The main characteristics of the infinite box are shown in the following table.

Parallelepiped infinite box

X inner size, X outer size, Y inner size, Y outer size, Z inner size, Z outer size,
½ length ½ length ½ length ½ length ½ length ½ length
50 60 50 60 30 40

Action To create the infinite box from the …

Data tree: Geometry toolbar:

OR

Result The infinite box is displayed in the graphic zone:

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5.3.2. Build faces

Goal The faces will be automatically built by Flux.

Action To build faces from the …

Geometry menu: Geometry toolbar:

OR

Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.

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Geometry definit ion Flux

5.3.3. Check the geometry

Goal The geometry will be verified to identify the presence of geometric defects,
which can block the building of volumes.

Action To check the geometry from the …

Geometry menu: Geometry toolbar:

OR

Result The output is displayed in the History zone:

…
Geometry is correct.

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5.3.4. Build volumes

Goal The volumes will be automatically built by Flux.

Action To build volumes from the …

Geometry menu: Geometry toolbar:

OR

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Geometry definit ion Flux

5.3.5. Change wheel position

Goal In order to mesh the sensor in a position with a probe in front of the wheel,
the angular position of the wheel is changed

Action To change the wheel position, the value of the parameter ALPHA is changed.

In the data tree: Modify the value:

AND

Result The wheel position is changed as in the following figure:

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5.3.6. Modify the visibility of faces

Goal The visibility of some faces will be modified to see the sensor inside of the
infinite box.

Action (1) To activate the selection filter from the …

Select menu: Select toolbar:

OR

Action (2) To modify the visibility of faces from the graphic zone:

3. Repeat steps 1 to 2 to set invisible the necessary

… quantity of faces

Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.

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6. Mesh about

Introduction General information on Flux mesh are presented in this part.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Available meshing tools and analysis before mesh generation 95
About mesh tools 96
About the mesh context 99

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6.1. Available meshing tools and analysis before mesh

generation

Local / global Two solutions are offered to users for the mesh adjustment: the global
mesh adjustment (automatic) and / or the local adjustment (manual).
adjustments
The global adjustment permits to adjust the automatic mesh (tetrahedrons
elements) of the whole domain taking into account certain geometry
constraints (faces or lines that are distorted, thin, or close to each other but
that are not part of the same geometry). It is done automatically thanks to the
Aided Mesh tool box.
The local adjustment permits to locally adjust the mesh near an entity (point,
line) or a group of entities defined by the user (creation and assignment of
mesh tools).

Aided mesh The Aided Mesh box groups a list of tools preset with default values that are
available to adjust the mesh globally:
• Aided mesh point (on free points)
• Deviation (on free lines/faces)
• Relaxation (on free line/ faces/ volumes)
• Shadow (on free faces)
The aided mesh is activated by default.

Use Usually, it is advised to first mesh the device with the preset default values.
Then if the user is not completely satisfied of the mesh quality, it is possible
to adjust the default values of the aided mesh and /or to add some local mesh
information where needed.

Note! If there is global and local adjustment on the same project, the local
adjustment has the priority on global adjustment. In this case, the global adjustment
information will be assign on entities that are free of local mesh information (free
points, free lines and free faces.

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6.2. About mesh tools

Mesh To mesh the device is to subdivide the computation domain into finite
elements:
• nodes
• line elements
• face elements
• volume elements

Meshing tools The meshing tools accessible in the Mesh context are the following:

Tool Function
Mesh point to control the size of mesh elements through
the geometric points
Mesh line to control the size of mesh elements through
the geometric lines
Mesh generator to perform the subdivision into finite elements
(or algorithms for meshing) on faces or volumes
Relaxation to control the repartition of the mesh density
through lines, faces and volumes
Shadow To control the mesh in the area where two
object are close (only in 3D)

Mesh point The Mesh point distributes nodes on the lines based on weights assigned to
points.
The node spacing on a line between two end points with different mesh points
is determined by interpolation, taking into consideration the different values
at the two ends of the line.

Default mesh There are three predefined mesh points:

points • SMALL
• MEDIUM
• LARGE
Their values are computed by Flux according to dimensions of the geometry
of the device.
The default mesh point values proposed to the user are expressed in
millimeters.

Continued on next page

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Mesh line The Mesh line distributes nodes on the lines based on a subdivision of the
line length.
We can distinguish two modes of distribution of nodes on lines:
• uniformly distributed nodes: line elements of the same length (uniform
distribution of nodes)
• nodes distributed in a geometrical progression (non-uniform distribution of
nodes)
It is also possible to take into account the node distribution on curved lines
with the Mesh line of the deviation type (repartition of nodes in function of a
deviation criteria)

Mesh The different mesh generators are the following:

generators • generic mesh generators:
- automatic
- mapped
- none (no mesh)
• users mesh generators (associated with a transformation):
- linked
- extrusion
The automatic mesh generator is used by default in Flux2D.

Mesh generator Function

automatic to create triangular elements on the surfaces and
tetrahedral elements on the volumes
(option to apply deviation on faces in 3D)
mapped to create quadrangular elements on surfaces and the
hexahedral elements on the volumes
none (no mesh) to impose non meshed zones
linked to impose the same mesh on faces linked by a geometric
transformation
extrusion to reproduce the same mesh in layers on domains
obtained by extrusion (the volume elements are prisms
or hexahedrons, depending on the mesh of the base
faces)

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Relaxation Relaxation enables the creation of triangular or tetrahedral good quality

elements as big as possible depending of the size of geometrical entity. The
mesh is denser on small entities and more relaxed on bigger entities,
depending on the relaxation coefficient.
The example below show relaxation on lines:

Low relaxation on lines

Medium relaxation on lines

High relaxation on lines

Shadow (3D) Shadow can be applied on faces closed to each other in 3D only. Shadow
enables to take into account the proximity of disconnected objects.

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6.3. About the mesh context

Mesh context To activate the Mesh context (display the Mesh toolbar) from the Context
activation toolbar:

1. Select the Mesh Context

using the arrows

Tools of the After having activated the Mesh context, toolbars dedicated to the mesh
mesh context description appear in the Flux3D window.
The different toolbars and their principal roles are briefly described below.

Mesh context toolbars Function

1 to create mesh entities
2 to assign mesh entities to geometric entities
3 to mesh lines, faces, volumes;
to generate second order elements;
to delete the mesh
4 to check the mesh
5 to display mesh points, mesh lines, nodes,
surface elements

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7. Mesh definition

Introduction This part presents how to mesh the studied device.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Main phases for mesh description 103
Mesh with aided mesh 105
Optimize the mesh 111
Meshing the sensor 127

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7.1. Main phases for mesh description

Outline An outline of the mesh generating process is presented in the table below.
Stage Description
1 Meshing the device
2 Modification of aided mesh values and meshing the device
• Outer size infinite box mesh point:
Modification of 2 LARGE = 9 mm
3
predefined mesh points • Inner size infinite box mesh point:
MEDIUM = 6 mm

Assignment of
the MEDIUM mesh point
to points

and assignment of
the LARGE mesh point to
points

Creation of a line RELAXLINE_BI = 0

5
relaxation

Continued on next page

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Assignment of
6 the RELAXLINE_BI
relaxation to lines

Relaxline_BI

Creation of deviation MESHLINE_TEETH :

7
mesh line Relative deviation = 0.75

Assignment of
8 the MESHLINE_TEETH
mesh line to lines

Meshing:
• meshing lines
• meshing faces
9
• meshing volumes
• generation of second
order elements

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7.2. Mesh with aided mesh

Introduction This section presents the aided mesh.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Change to the mesh context 106
Mesh with Aided mesh values 107

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Mesh definit ion Flux

7.2.1. Change to the mesh context

Goal The Geometry context of Flux3D should be changed to the Mesh context.

Action To activate the Mesh context (display the Mesh toolbar) from the Context
toolbar:

1. Select the Mesh Context

using the arrows

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7.2.2. Mesh with Aided mesh values

Goal The computation domain will be meshed in the following way: meshing lines,
meshing faces and meshing volumes. The aided mesh information is used by
default.

Action (1) The parameter ALPHA value is changed to put the probe in front of a wheel
tooth.

Action 1 To mesh lines from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Continued on next page

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Mesh definit ion Flux

Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic scene.

Action 2 To mesh faces from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Continued on next page

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Result The results appear as below.

Action 3 To mesh volumes from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

The output is displayed in the History zone:

Volume elements :
Number of elements not evaluated : 0 %
Number of excellent quality elements : 40.44 %
Number of good quality elements : 42.55 %
Number of average quality elements : 14.97 %
Number of poor quality elements : 2.04 %

Continued on next page

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Comments To optimize the mesh, it is advised to have at least a two elements large
Infinite box and to dense and regularize the mesh in the probes and between
the probe and cogged wheel (in order to take into account the physics).

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7.3. Optimize the mesh

Introduction After a first mesh, it is necessary to optimize the mesh result by setting aided
values and adding some ‘local” mesh information

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Modify the Aided shadow on faces 112
Modify the mesh points 113
Change the display and the view 114
Assign mesh points to points 115
Create a line relaxation 118
Assign relaxation line to lines 120
Create a mesh line 122
Assign meshline to lines 124

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Mesh definit ion Flux

7.3.1. Modify the Aided shadow on faces

Action Edit the Aided mesh box and modify the shadow on faces as below.

1. Edit the Aided mesh box

2. Select Shadow as parameters of aided mesh

3. Select Medium (s=0.5) as setting of shadow

4. Click on OK

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7.3.2. Modify the mesh points

Goal The LARGE mesh point, applied to the points on the outer faces of the
infinite box, and the MEDIUM mesh point, applied to the points on the inner
faces of the infinite box, will be modified.

Data The table below describes the new values for the LARGE and MEDIUM
mesh points.

Mesh points
Name Comment Value Color
LARGE Large mesh size 9 Red
MEDIUM Medium mesh size 6 Yellow

Action To modify the mesh points from the Data tree:

1. Click on LARGE and MEDIUM,

keeping the Ctrl key pressed

2. Right click to open the contextual menu

and click on Edit array

3. Type 9 as
value for the
LARGE mesh
point
4. Type 6 as
value for the
MEDIUM
mesh point

5. Click on OK

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7.3.3. Change the display and the view

Goal To better visualize the points of the infinite box, to which the mesh points
will be assigned, the display of entities and the view will be changed.

Action (1) To display the points and lines from the …

Display menu: Display toolbar:

OR

Action (2) To rotate the view using the mouse:

• move the mouse close to the center of the object, click on the view with the
left button of the mouse and move the mouse, keeping the left button
pressed

Result The next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.

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7.3.4. Assign mesh points to points

Goal The mesh points will be assigned to the points on the infinite box as follows:
• the MEDIUM mesh point will be assigned to the points on the inner faces

• the LARGE mesh point will be assigned to the points on the outer faces

Continued on next page

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Action To assign mesh point to points from the …

Mesh menu: OR Mesh toolbar:

1 Point on Assign mesh information

and click on Assign mesh point to points

Continued on next page

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5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 in the new dialog to

… assign the LARGE mesh point to points
(see the figure on the previous page)

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7.3.5. Create a line relaxation

Data The table below describes the characteristics of the line relaxation for the
infinite box.

Relaxation Line
Name Value Color
RELAXLINE_BI Null (r=0.00) Magenta

Action To create the relaxation line from the …

Data tree: Mesh toolbar:

1. Double-click on Relaxation line

1. Click on the icon

OR

2. Type RELAXLINE_BI as name

3. In the Definition tab select a Null

relaxation
4. Click on the Appearance tab

5. Select Magenta as color

6. Click on OK

8. Click on Cancel to quit

8. the sequence

Continued on next page

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Result The new relaxation line is listed in the data tree:

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7.3.6. Assign relaxation line to lines

About selection See § 4.2.5 About selection by criterion.

by criterion

Goal The relaxation line will be assigned to the infinite box lines in order to
increase the mesh density.

Relaxline_BI

Action To assign a relaxation line to lines from the …

Mesh menu: OR Mesh toolbar:
1. Click on the icon

2 Point on Assign mesh information

and click on Assign relaxation to lines

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2. Select the lines by

relation, by selecting
the infinite box

3. Select Relaxline_BI

4. Click OK

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7.3.7. Create a mesh line

Data The table below describes the characteristics of the mesh line for teeth
extremities.

Mesh Line
Name Type Value Color
MESHLINE_TEETH Relative deviation 0.75 White

Action To create the mesh line from the …

Data tree: Mesh toolbar:
1. Double-click on Mesh point
1. Click on the icon
OR

2. Type Meshline_teeth as name

3. In the Definition tab select

Relative deviation
4. Type 0.75 as value of the mesh
line
5. Click on the Appearance tab

6. Select White as color

7. Click on OK

8. Click on Cancel to quit

8. the sequence

Continued on next page

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Result The new mesh line is listed in the data tree:

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7.3.8. Assign meshline to lines

About selection See § 4.2.5 About selection by criterion.

by criterion

Goal The meshline will be assigned to the lines belonging to the extremity faces of
the cogged wheel. The goal is to increase the mesh density in the air gap
between the teeth and the magnets when they are in front of each other.

Meshline_Teeth

Action To assign a mesh line to lines from the …

Mesh menu: OR Mesh toolbar:
1. Click on the icon

3 Point on Assign mesh information

and click on Assign meshline to lines

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2. Select the lines in

graphic view
maintaining Ctrl key
pressed

3. Select meshline_teeth

4. Click OK

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7.4. Meshing the sensor

Introduction The last step of mesh generation of the sensor is meshing lines, faces and
volumes and generation of second order elements. The meshed sensor is
presented in the figure below.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Mesh lines, mesh faces, mesh volumes and generate second 128
order elements
Save the project and close the Flux window 134

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7.4.1. Mesh lines, mesh faces, mesh volumes and generate second
order elements

Goal The computation domain will be meshed in the following way: meshing lines,
meshing faces, meshing volumes and generation of second order elements.

Action (1) To mesh lines from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Result (1) The next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.

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Action (2) To mesh faces from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Result (2) The next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.

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Action (3) To mesh volumes from the …

Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Result (3) The output is displayed in the History zone:

Volume elements :
Number of elements not evaluated : 0 %
Number of excellent quality elements : 45.76 %
Number of good quality elements : 38.73 %
Number of average quality elements : 13.86 %
Number of poor quality elements : 1.64 %
meshVolumes executed

Action (4) To generate second order elements from the …

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Mesh menu: Mesh toolbar:

OR

Result (4) The output is displayed in the History zone:

…
Generating 2nd order elements is running
Total number of nodes --> 97057

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7.4.2. Save the project and close the Flux window

Goal The current project will be saved and the Flux window will be closed to
return to the Flux supervisor.

Action (1) To save the SENSOR_3D.FLU project from the …

Project menu: Project toolbar:

OR

Action (2) To close the Flux window from the …

Project menu: Project toolbar:

OR

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8. Annex

Introduction This chapter describes the creation and use of command files.

Contents This chapter contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

Use of command files 137

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8.1. Use of command files

Introduction This section describes the use of command files.

Contents This section contains the following topics:

Topic See Page

About command files 138
Execute a command file 141

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8.1.1. About command files

Introduction The command files, also called command programs or scripts, make possible
the automation of a certain number of specific actions.
Instead of manually executing a series of actions within Flux, you can save
the sequences of commands, which you can later replay.
The saved sequences can be improved due to the Python language which
authorizes the utilization of variables, the implementation of loops,
conditional or unconditional connections, …
A command file is therefore of interest as it can:
• accelerate the most frequent operations
• automate a series of complex tasks

Command file A Flux command file is a text file, which contains one or more Flux
commands in the Python language. It uses the filename extension *.py.

Python file The user can manage command files by means of the Flux commands from
management in the Project \ Command file menu.
Flux

Flux command Function

New creation / opening of a file
Interrupt break of the sequence saving
Resume resumption of the sequence saving
Close end of the sequence saving / closing the file

Python file There are two modes to execute a command file. These two modes are
execution in presented in the table below.
Flux

Mode Description
direct mode with graphic refreshment
batch mode without graphic refreshment (faster execution)

Default A command file is automatically created / closed by Flux upon the initiation /
command files closing of the Flux session. During the 3D session Flux creates a command
file Flux3D_log.py.

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Flux python In Flux, under the History zone, a python dedicated zone exists. It is
dedicated composed by three parts:
window

History zone

Command Python editor zone Echo zone

prompt zone

« Echo » zone This zone contains two log.py files is available (in read only):
• the “Flux[XX]_log.py” : all commands performed by the user during
a session are recorded in this file.*
• the “Project_PyFlux_log.py”: all commands performed by the user
during the beginning of the project up to the end of the project are
recorded in this file.

«Editor With python editor, user can read, write, run totally or only some selected
python » zone command of the python script.

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Notes :
• It is possible to open several py script file (one tab by file)
• This zone allows displaying automatically the groovy file when the user use
subroutine in groovy language
• An editor python similar is available directly on the supervisor (script
python context)

“Command In this zone, the user can launch and test a python command (or more python
prompt” zone commands) directly, without create a new .py file. It’s an operating direct
mode, useful when you need to work quickly or debug your python
command.

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8.1.2. Execute a command file

Goal First, the command file GeoMesh.py provided on the CDROM with the
software is saved in the working directory Tutorial.
Then, after starting the Flux 3D program the command file will be executed.

Action To execute the command file from the Project menu:

Result The new file with .FLU extension is recreated in the new directory:
• SENSOR_3D.FLU

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