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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.
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.
Visualizing Named Faces, Edges, and Vertices

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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.
      - Faces, Edges, and Vertices in 3D-CAD
      - Visualizing Named Faces, Edges, and Vertices
      - Setting Face, Edge, and Vertex Names
        When you convert a 3D-CAD model to geometry parts, any named entities (faces, edges, or vertices) in the 3D-CAD model appear as the equivalent named entity in geometry parts. This behavior is important when you must identify entities in some way for building the mesh or applying physics.
      - Finding Objects
        In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you can identify and locate specific Body Groups, Bodies, Faces, Edges, and Vertices based on specified search criteria.
      - Finding Objects Reference
        You can use the Find Objects option to identify and locate specific Body Groups, Bodies, Faces, Edges, and Vertices. You can set criteria to refine your search.
      - Hiding Faces
        You can gain access to concealed parts by hiding obstructive parts.
      - Deleting Faces
        The Delete Faces action removes faces that you select from the 3D-CAD model.
      - Extending Surfaces
      - Filling Holes
        In 3D-CAD, you can create a surface from free edges on the perimeter of a hole in a sheet or facet body.
      - Bridge Surfaces
        The Bridge Surface action creates a sheet body between two sets of edges on existing sheet bodies.
      - Imprinting Faces
        Imprint Faces allows you to select faces to be imprinted onto one another.
      - Moving Faces
        The Move Faces operation allows you to directly move a set of faces along linear, angular, or radial directions. 3D-CAD modifies adjacent faces and edges to compensate for the change of location.
      - Replacing Faces
        In 3D-CAD, the Replace Face feature is a synchronous modeling feature that allows you to replace one or more faces of a body with another set of faces.
      - Extend Solid
        In some imported geometries the gaps between components can obstruct the process for extracting the fluid volume. The extend solid feature allows you to close these gaps while maintaining the shape of the geometry.
      - Splitting a Face by Offsetting an Edge
        The Offset Edges tool splits a specified face by offsetting selected edges.
    - 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.
  - 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.

Visualizing Named Faces, Edges, and Vertices

Named entities (faces, edges, and vertices) are grouped under the Bodies > Body > Named [Entity] node in the 3D-CAD object tree. Named faces in imported CAD geometries (for supported formats only) are maintained and added to the Named [Entity] node at the end of the import process.

In the example below, the named faces of Main Pipe are shown.

Clicking the nodes highlights the relevant entities in the 3D-CAD View scene.

Multiple entities of the same type (such as faces) that share a name are stored under one node in the object tree and appear in the 3D-CAD View scene when you select the node.

Editing Names From the 3D-CAD Feature Tree

To rename an entity that is listed:

In the 3D-CAD feature tree, right-clicking the desired face/edge/vertex name node and select Rename...
Enter the new name in the inline editor.
Press <Enter>.

Names that you edit this way are not sorted in alphabetical order. To sort the face names by alphabetical order:

Right-click on the Named Faces manager node and select Refresh.

Removing Names From Entities

To remove a name from an entity:

In the 3D-CAD feature tree, right-click on a face/edge/vertex name node and select Delete.