Grouping Objects

When an object tree contains many nodes of the same type, such as interfaces, it helps to be able to organize them into groups.

Grouping can be done with many types of objects in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ by creating subfolder nodes in their manager nodes. A few examples are:

Placement of objects in a group has no effect on how they function in the simulation. To use the feature:

Action Instructions

Set up a group
  1. Right-click, for example, the Reports node and select New Group.

    A New Group node appears in the object tree.

  2. Drag-and-drop nodes into this group node.
  3. To represent the contents of the group node, rename it.
  4. If you have a set of items so large that you want subcategories, create groups within groups.

Right-click the manager node of the objects and select Group By.

This pop-up menu item is an alternative way to set up a group. It takes all the properties of the objects in that manager node and makes them available as group categories. This menu item is unavailable (grayed out) when the selected manager node is empty.

Groupings are only possible based on one property at a time. Pre-existing group nodes, whether they were created manually or automatically, are deleted as the objects are moved into the new groups.

Move objects between group nodes

You can do this with either of the following techniques:

  • Drag and drop the object into the destination group.
  • Use keyboard commands:
    • Right-click the object and select Copy. Alternatively, press either <Ctrl>+<C> or <Ctrl>+<X>.

      If you are doing this with a group node, the menu item is Cut.

    • Right-click the destination group node and hover with your mouse pointer over Paste. In the submenu that appears, select Move.

      Alternatively, select the destination group node and press <Ctrl>+<V>

Duplicate objects between group nodes
NoteDuplication is available for objects within group nodes, but not for the group nodes themselves.
  • Right-click the object and select Copy. Alternatively, press either <Ctrl>+<C> or <Ctrl>+<X>.
  • Right-click the destination group node (or the same group node) and hover with your mouse pointer over Paste. In the submenu that appears, select Duplicate.
    NotePressing <Ctrl>+<V> only moves the object; it does not create a duplicate.

Create an object of the same type as others in the group

Right-click the group node and select New.

Reverse the process of grouping

Right-click the manager node, or an individual group node, and select UnGroup.

This action moves the objects back to their original location, and automatically deletes any empty group nodes.