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User Interface
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a Graphical User Interface generally known as the client workspace. This interface appears when you launch Simcenter STAR-CCM+ interactively.
Wizard Guide
This part of the documentation illustrates how Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is used for special application tools and projects.
Using The IDF Import Wizard
The IDF Import Wizard imports IDF (Intermediate Data Format) files into the 3D-CAD modeler in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

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User Interface
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a Graphical User Interface generally known as the client workspace. This interface appears when you launch Simcenter STAR-CCM+ interactively.
- Using the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Workspace
  This chapter shows you how to use the various components of Simcenter STAR-CCM+, with a focus on the user interface.
- What Are the Important Concepts?
  This section presents the key concepts you come across when using Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Working with Simulation Objects
  Objects are the key components of Simcenter STAR-CCM+. They represent various aspects of a simulation and have properties that you can set as required for your particular problem.
- Automation
  The Automation node provides easy access to a number of frequently used automated processes.
- Expressions
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you can define property values using expressions, which you write using a function language that is a subset of the C programming language. Expressions can define mathematical expressions or perform other operations, such as interpolating tabular data from XY tables in the simulation.
- Global Parameters
  Global parameters include scalar and vector physical quantities (for example, 120.0 K or [0.0, 1.0, 0.0] m) that can be defined once and used in multiple objects. Another type of global parameter is a file, currently used for the Replace Parts operation in Geometry > Operations and in Design Manager.
- Field Functions
  Field functions allow you to access fields (scalar or vector data that are evaluated at cells, vertices, or boundary faces) in Simcenter STAR-CCM+. You can use field functions to visualize the computed fields, to specify boundary and region values, or to define initial conditions.
- Engineering Units
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ has flexible and customizable support for engineering units. The standard SI and USCS systems are built in, and you can add new units as desired. Physical quantities can be specified and displayed in any of these units. Individual quantities can be specified with new units on the fly by simply typing something like “80 mph”.
- Simulation Operations
  Simulation operations allow you to automate the solution processes in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ without using Java macros. Condition and loop operations provide the basic logic control common to many programming languages.
- Staged Physics
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, staged physics allows you to store multiple configurations of physics settings and apply them in sequence during a simulation. Simulation operations provide the framework in which physics stages are applied.
- Working with Volume Shapes
  A volume shape is a closed geometric figure that can be shaped as a block, cone, cylinder, or sphere.
- Simulation Guide
  The simulation guide is a single embedded document that you can edit within a simulation file. This document can contain formatted text, tables, images, and hyperlinks to nodes in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ object tree or external web resources.
- Template Simulation Files
  Template simulation files allow you to define pre-configured setups for use in new simulations. When used in conjunction with query-based selection, template files present a powerful technique for automating repeat analyses on similar geometries.
- Scripting the Application
  Scripting allows you to work more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks.
- Working with User Code
  User code allows Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to be customized with functions written in a compiled language such as C, C++ or Fortran.
- Working with the Plugins Manager
  The Plugins Manager makes it possible to install and manage NetBeans modules for Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Simulation Assistants
  A Simulation Assistant provides a visual workflow within the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface (UI).
- Wizard Guide
  This part of the documentation illustrates how Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is used for special application tools and projects.
  - Using the Fire and Smoke Wizard
    This section describes the fire and smoke wizard feature of Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  - Using the Thermal Comfort Wizard
    This section explains the thermal comfort feature of Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  - Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow
    The Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow wizard allows you to import electric machine designs into Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for further analysis. For example, you can compute the 3D magnetic fluxes within the electric machine or set up a thermal analysis.
  - Using The IDF Import Wizard
    The IDF Import Wizard imports IDF (Intermediate Data Format) files into the 3D-CAD modeler in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
    - Importing IDF Files
      This section describes how to use the IDF Import Wizard.

Using The IDF Import Wizard

The IDF Import Wizard imports IDF (Intermediate Data Format) files into the 3D-CAD modeler in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

IDF files contain design information about circuit boards and electronic components, and are widely used in the electronics cooling industry. The import process reads these files and builds the circuit board in 3D-CAD. You can then convert the 3D-CAD models to geometry parts for integration with the meshing and simulation process in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Note

Alternatively, you can import IDF files into the Electronics Cooling Toolset in Simcenter STAR-CCM+. In the Electronics Cooling Toolset, IDF files are imported as QuickParts, which allow you to define the geometry, placement, and physics of the components in an efficient and compact way. In the background, the Electronics Cooling Toolset automatically defines the models and parameters that are required for the meshing and simulation process in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

IDF files are neutral text files that typically contain board and library information. Board files contain information about the shape and size of a circuit board, and define the location and size of holes, and the placing of components. Library files contain information about the shape and size of the components. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ supports the following board file and library file formats:


Board File	Library File
.emn	.emp
.brd	.lib .pro
.brf	.ldf

When using the Import IDF Tool, you select the board file. However, the library file must also be in the same directory to load the complete circuit board. If no library file is found, you are asked to locate it manually.

In the electronics cooling industry, the board and its components are all built from the XY plane. The board outline and the components are created from 2D profiles, which are then extruded outwards.