Autodesk® Simulation CFD Viewer

Use the Autodesk® Simulation CFD Viewer to:

The Autodesk® Simulation CFD Viewer reads Dynamic Images (".vtfx"), which contain the model geometry, results, display attributes, and animation settings. They are fully navigable, so unlike static images, they allow direct interaction for a deeper understanding of the results.

To save a Dynamic Image, click Results (tab) > Image (panel) > Dynamic Image.

Main Window

The Autodesk® Simulation CFD Viewer is shown with a results set loaded:

Toolbar Functions

File Open

Open Dynamic Images (VTF and VTFx) created in Autodesk® Simulation CFD.

InfoBox On/Off

Toggle the display of the Result Info box in the lower right corner of the graphics window. This shows the date, the active scalar and vector quantities.

Step Info On/Off

Toggle display of time step and load case information. This is shown in the lower left corner of the Graphics window.

Color Legend On/Off

Toggle display of all legends.

Navigation Cube On/Off

Toggle display of the Navigation Tool.

Drop Shadow On/Off

Toggle display of the shadow visual effect below the model.

Modify

Reset View: Restore the original view of the image

Frame Model: Display the model at its maximum size in the viewport

Rubberband Zoom

To zoom to a region:

  1. Click this icon
  2. Press and hold the left mouse button on one corner of the desired zoom region
  3. Drag to the other corner of the zoom region
  4. Release the mouse button

Viewports

Select the number of viewports and their initial placement.

Move as Outline

Converts the model to outline while navigating. Use this setting for very large models on computers with slower graphics hardware.

Synchronous Navigation

Causes the mouse movement in all viewports to be the same

This is useful when comparing designs and scenarios in multiple viewports.

Automatic Rotation Point

Click to enable automatic computation of an optimal rotation point based on the geometry.

The default center of rotation is the origin.

Set Rotation Point

Set a rotation point by picking a node in the model

Selection

Select Part: Toggle to select a part and probe values on the part

Select Element: Toggle to select an element and probe values on the element

Select Node: Toggle to select a node and probe value from the node

Distance Measurement

Measure the distance between two nodes on results objects (cutting planes, iso surface, etc.).

Delete Distance Measurement

Clear all distance measurements

Full Screen

Display in full screen mode

Animation Control

Use the animation control buttons to pause, play, and single step through the animations to inspect individual steps

Case Selection

Every case that is included in the Study View (VTFx) file is listed in this drop menu. Use the arrows to select the case to view.

Case Panel

The Case Panel lists information about each case (scenario from Autodesk® Simulation CFD).

To show a case, drag and drop its thumbnail in the Table of Cases list into a viewport.

Selection Panel

Probed results are displayed in the Selection Panel.

Settings Panel

Use the Settings Panel to manipulate visibility and drawing modes of parts and element sets.

Visiblity options include visibility, shaded, and outline.

Results Panel

Use the Results Panel to control the display of results and legend range and appearance.

Model Navigation

Zoom Ctrl + LMB
Rotate Ctrl + MMB
Pan Ctrl + RMB

Microsoft® Office Add-Ins

The Simulation CFD 3D Viewer has connections to Microsoft® PowerPoint and Microsoft® Word. These enable Dynamic Images to be a part of your Office presentations and documents.

PowerPoint

Before adding a Dynamic Image for the first time, add the CFD Viewer AddIn:

If the button does not appear, reduce the PowerPoint security settings:

To add a Dynamic Image:

Word

Before adding a Dynamic Image for the first time, add the CFD Viewer AddIn:

If the button does not appear, reduce the Word security settings:

To add a Dynamic Image: