Basic Folder Structure and Commonly Used File Types

Every Autodesk Simulation CFD design study is stored in a pre-defined directory structure:

• Geometry folder: Contains the geometry files and automatically-generated support file for each design study. This folder is not created by Autodesk Simulation CFD, and its name is defined by the user.
  • Design study folder: Contains files specific to the design study and a sub-folder for each design.
    • Design folder: Contains files specific to the design and a sub-folder for each scenario.
      • Scenario folder: Contains the files specific to the scenario and sub-folders for log files.
        • Logs folder: Contains log files for each scenario. These are often useful for troubleshooting problems, and Technical support may request them for additional information.

All folders except the geometry folder are named after their respective design study, design, or scenario.

For more about the Design Study structure...

The following is an overview of the types of files most commonly used with Autodesk Simulation CFD:

File Extension	File Name and Link for more information	Location
".cfdst"	Design Study file	Design study folder
".cfz"	Share file	User defined (default = design study folder)
".vtfx"	Dynamic Image	User defined (default = design study folder)
"_support.cfz"	Support file Note that the support file is generated each time a scenario within a design study is run.	Geometry folder (same level as the Design study folder)
".sum"	Summary file	Scenario folder
".st"	Status file	Scenario folder
"_torque.csv"	Rotating region torque	Scenario folder
"_motion.csv"	Motion time-history	Scenario folder
".cts"	Component thermal summary	Scenario folder

Additionally, there are numerous ".csv" files that can either be read into Autodesk Simulation CFD (to define data such as material function data) or written out by Autodesk Simulation CFD (to save specific data such as XY plot points). These are described throughout the Help in their appropriate context.