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Pre-Processing
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ solves physics problems on a computational mesh. To provide this mesh, you first define geometry using internal or external tools, and then create a mesh pipeline whose operations generate the mesh in repeatable steps.
3D-CAD
3D-CAD is a feature-based parametric modeler within Simcenter STAR-CCM+ that allows you to build geometries from scratch. The geometries that you create with 3D-CAD are stored as 3D-CAD models, which you can then convert to geometry parts for integration with the meshing and simulation process.
3D-CAD Geometry Modeling
Bodies represent the individual objects that make up the 3D-CAD model. Imported CAD geometry appears as bodies in 3D-CAD, and you can also create your own bodies directly using 3D-CAD features.
The Turbo Slicing Tool
In turbomachinery simulations, the repeat periodic nature of the geometry allows you to model flow through a single blade passage only. To create the fluid volume for a single blade passage, you must cut the blade passage out of the whole domain volume using surfaces that pass between adjacent blades. The Turbo Slicing tool computes these neutral surfaces for you.
Extracting the Final Fluid Volume
After generating the neutral surface, you can use this to extract the final fluid volume for your analysis.

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Pre-Processing
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ solves physics problems on a computational mesh. To provide this mesh, you first define geometry using internal or external tools, and then create a mesh pipeline whose operations generate the mesh in repeatable steps.
- 3D-CAD
  3D-CAD is a feature-based parametric modeler within Simcenter STAR-CCM+ that allows you to build geometries from scratch. The geometries that you create with 3D-CAD are stored as 3D-CAD models, which you can then convert to geometry parts for integration with the meshing and simulation process.
  - 3D-CAD Environment
    The 3D-CAD environment provides you with a feature tree from which you can activate all steps for creating and modifying geometry, and a 3D-CAD View scene in which you interact with the geometry. Many of the same feature actions are available for selection in the 3D-CAD View scene.
  - Sketches in 3D-CAD
    3D-CAD supports two types of sketch—2D sketches that are created on a planar surface and 3D sketches that are built from points located anywhere in geometric space. You can use both types of sketch in 3D geometry operations such as extrude, revolve, or sweep.
  - 3D-CAD Geometry Modeling
    Bodies represent the individual objects that make up the 3D-CAD model. Imported CAD geometry appears as bodies in 3D-CAD, and you can also create your own bodies directly using 3D-CAD features.
    - Working with Bodies
      In 3D-CAD, a body is a single object, formed from a series of operations and features.
    - Creating Bodies From Profiles
      In 3D-CAD, you create bodies by extruding, revolving, lofting, or sweeping profiles. Once a body is created, you add or remove material from it.
    - Working with Reference Geometry in 3D-CAD
      Reference geometry helps you construct models in 3D-CAD. You can also use reference geometry in downstream applications, such as FEA.
    - Working with Faces, Edges, and Vertices
      In 3D-CAD, vertices define edges, edges, define faces, and faces define bodies. These entities define the surfaces and curves in a geometry part, and the boundaries within a region.
    - Creating and Visualizing Contacts
      A contact defines the connection between two surfaces. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to define contacts directly in 3D-CAD. Face contacts in the 3D-CAD model become contacts between part surfaces, and, ultimately, can form interfaces in the physics regions.
    - Selecting Hidden and Obscured Objects in 3D-CAD
      Use the depth selector to view and select objects which are hidden or otherwise obscured by other objects in the graphics window.
    - The Turbo Slicing Tool
      In turbomachinery simulations, the repeat periodic nature of the geometry allows you to model flow through a single blade passage only. To create the fluid volume for a single blade passage, you must cut the blade passage out of the whole domain volume using surfaces that pass between adjacent blades. The Turbo Slicing tool computes these neutral surfaces for you.
      - Extracting the Overall Fluid Volume
        The Turbo Slicing Surface tool operates on a fluid volume that you extract from the geometry of the turbomachinery.
      - Generating the Neutral Surface using Blade Faces
        The Turbo Slicing Surface tool generates a neutral surface through a chosen blade in your turbomachinery geometry which represents the primary gas path.
      - Generating the Neutral Surface using Blade Sketches
        The Turbo Slicing Surface tool allows you to use blade sketches for generating a neutral surface. Using blade sketches is only available for axial geometries.
      - The Turbo Slicing Surface Panel
        The options to control the neutral surface parameters are found in this panel.
      - Extracting the Final Fluid Volume
        After generating the neutral surface, you can use this to extract the final fluid volume for your analysis.
  - Freeform Surface Modeling
    Freeform surface modeling is a modeling technique in 3D-CAD that allows you to deform existing surfaces for desired shapes.
  - Importing and Exporting Geometry
  - Working with 3D-CAD Models
  - Geometry Repair and Preparation
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a suite of tools in 3D-CAD that helps you to prepare your CAD geometry so that it is suitable for meshing. CAD that is designed for manufacture can have gaps or inaccuracies that cause problems when trying to generate a watertight mesh.
  - Design Parameters
    Design parameters allow Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to update geometry designs during design exploration studies. Although you define them within the 3D-CAD environment, they are exposed outside 3D-CAD for manual or automatic update.
- Modeling Geometry
  This part of the User Guide describes how to use 3D-CAD, the parametric solid modeler available within Simcenter STAR-CCM+. It also describes the features and tools available for further preparation of the geometry model and its surfaces.
- The Surface Repair Tool
  The Surface Repair tool diagnoses errors in, and provides repair tools for, tessellated surfaces and part curves. The same tool allows you to reorganize discretized geometry by searching for face-based features and attributes then assigning the results to new or existing part surfaces or curves.
- Defining the Regions Layout
  An essential part of the process in setting up your simulation is to define the relationship between geometry parts and regions, boundaries, and interfaces.
- Meshing
  A mesh is a discretized representation of a geometric domain. This domain can include real-world geometry, its content, and its surrounding environment.

Extracting the Final Fluid Volume

After generating the neutral surface, you can use this to extract the final fluid volume for your analysis.

Use the generated neutral surface to slice the fluid domain:

Rotate the neutral surface in one direction: See Transforming a Body.
- For axial geometries, rotate the neutral surface so that it is equally spaced between two blades.
  A formula to calculate the exact amount to rotate the neutral surface is provided below:
  $\frac{(360 / N)}{2}$
  
  where N is the total number of blades in your geometry.
- For radial geometries with different types of blade, rotate the neutral surface so that it is equally spaced between the full blade and the splitter blade.
Set Action to Copy + Rotate Bodies. The default option rotates the body, however you want to keep the original position for when you rotate the neutral surface in the opposite direction.
Rotate the original neutral surface in the opposite direction:
- For axial geometries, repeat the previous step and rotate the original neutral surface in the opposite direction by the same amount.
- For radial geometries, rotate the original neutral surface in the opposite direction so that it is equally spaced in between the next full blade and the splitter blade.
Leave Action set to Rotate Bodies.
Slice the fluid domain using the two neutral surfaces. See Performing Boolean Operations.
Set Slice by: to Sheet Body.
Use the Select From Scene tool to select the two neutral surfaces from the scene.
Delete the two neutral surfaces as well as the original fluid domain - these items are no longer required.

The extracted fluid domain is complete.

The final fluid domain for the axial geometry is shown below.

The final fluid domain for the radial geometry is shown below.