The controls in Setup > Setup Tasks are the essential workflow items for defining a simulation. Use them in sequence, from left to right, to define your analysis model.

The following sections are a brief overview of the setup tasks. Links are provided to topics containing additional details.

Geometry Tools

Use the Geometry Tools to repair and modify the model:

• Edge Merging: Connect edges that share a vertex with an inflection less than a specified tolerance.
• Small Object Removal: Remove very small surfaces and edges that are typically too small to see, but can greatly affect meshing.
• Void Fill Creation: Fill an internal cavity with a meshable volume to simulate the flow.
• External Volume Creation: Immerse the model in a flow volume to simulate external flow.

To access the Geometry Tools, click Setup > Setup Tasks > Geometry Tools. Alternatively, right click on the Geometry branch of the Design Study bar, and click Edit...

For more about Geometry Tools

Materials

Assign a physical material to every part in the model. A material database containing a broad assortment of materials is included with Autodesk® CFD.

Available Material and Device Types

• Fluids
• Solids
• Distributed resistances
• Internal fans
• Centrifugal Pump/Blowers
• Check valves
• Rotating regions
• Compact thermal models
• Printed circuit boards
• TEC devices
• LED devices
• Heat exchangers

Materials Context Panel

The Materials context panel appears when Materials is pressed. It is available while the Setup, View, and Get Started tabs are active, and until another Task button is pressed.

The Materials context panel contains the following controls useful when working with materials:

• Edit: Assign, create, and edit materials.
• Remove: Remove materials from selected entities.
• Material Editor: Create, modify, and manage material databases.
• Scenario Environment: Define the Environment Pressure and Temperature for the scenario.

For more about materials...

Boundary Conditions

Apply flow and heat transfer conditions (loadings) such as velocity, pressure, and temperature.

Boundary Condition Context Panel

The Boundary Conditions context panel appears when Boundary Conditions is pressed. It is available while the Setup, View, and Get Started tabs are active, and until another Task button is pressed.

The Boundary Condition context panel contains the following controls useful when working with boundary conditions:

• Edit: Assign and edit boundary conditions.
• Remove: Remove boundary conditions from selected entities.

For more about Boundary Conditions...

Initial Conditions

Initial conditions are settings that are effective at the beginning of the analysis, but do not persist (like boundary conditions). Use them to define conditions at the beginning of transient simulations.

Initial Condition Context Panel

The Initial Conditions context panel appears when Initial Conditions is pressed. It is available while the Setup, View, and Get Started tabs are active, and until another Task button is pressed.

The Initial Condition context panel contains the following controls useful when working with initial conditions:

• Edit: Assign and edit initial conditions.
• Remove: Remove initial conditions from selected entities.

For more about Initial Conditions...

Mesh Sizing

Define a mesh that discretizes the geometry model for simulation with the finite element method.

Use the Mesh task to:

• Define a mesh size automatically.
• Identify potential problem areas.
• Adjust the mesh distribution for optimal performance.
• Define extrusion mesh settings with the Extrude Mesh button.
• Construct Refinement Regions to focus the mesh on critical areas.
• Adjust Mesh Enhancement parameters.

Mesh Context Panel

The Automatic Sizing context panel appears when Mesh Sizing is pressed. It is available while the Setup, View, and Get Started tabs are active, and until another Task button is pressed.

The Mesh context panel contains the following functions useful for defining mesh sizing:

• Type > Automatic or Manual: Select between Automatic and Manual Mesh Sizing.
• Autosize: Define the mesh automatically.
• Edit: Assign and modify the mesh distribution.
• Diagnostics: Use mesh diagnostics to identify potential problem areas.
• Regions: Use refinement regions to locally control the mesh.
• Enhancement: Control Boundary Mesh Enhancement.
• Advanced: (On the drop-down menu.) Modify advanced meshing parameters.

For more about Meshing...

Motion

Define and assign motion to solid parts.

Motion Context Panel

The Motion context panel appears when Motion is pressed. It is available while the Setup, View, and Get Started tabs are active, and until another Task button is pressed.

The Motion Context Panel contains the following functions often used when working with Motion:

• Edit: Assign and edit motion definitions on solid parts.
• Preview: Preview either all motion paths or the path of the selected part.
• Remove: Remove motion definitions from selected entities.

For more about Motion...