Home
Interacting with CAE Software
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can interact with a wide range of other computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. This interaction includes import/export of mesh and solution data as well as coupling capabilities for multiphysics simulations.
File Import and Export
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import mesh and solution data from other CAE packages using files. You can also export such data from Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for use in external software.
CGNS File Import and Export
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for import or export of data through CGNS files. CGNS (CFD General Notation System) is a standard data format that can can contain both mesh and solution data.
CGNS Link Reference
You specify the CGNS import/export details in a link node under the External Links node. A CGNS link node represents a connection to a CGNS file.

Share

Link: copied

Breadcrumb: copied

Interacting with CAE Software
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can interact with a wide range of other computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. This interaction includes import/export of mesh and solution data as well as coupling capabilities for multiphysics simulations.
- File Import and Export
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import mesh and solution data from other CAE packages using files. You can also export such data from Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for use in external software.
  - CGNS File Import and Export
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for import or export of data through CGNS files. CGNS (CFD General Notation System) is a standard data format that can can contain both mesh and solution data.
    - Preparing the Simulation for CGNS File Exchange
      To import data through CGNS files, you require a physics continuum with the CGNS Data Fileset model enabled. To export data through CGNS files this can be done with or without the presence of an external continuum in the simulation.
    - CGNS Data Fileset Model Reference
      To import or export data through CGNS files, you require an additional external physics continuum with the CGNS Data Fileset model.
    - CGNS Link Reference
      You specify the CGNS import/export details in a link node under the External Links node. A CGNS link node represents a connection to a CGNS file.
      - Export Settings
        The following settings appear under the CGNS link node when you set the Transfer Direction to Export.
      - Import Settings
        The following settings appear under the CGNS link node when you set the Transfer Direction to Import.
  - Simcenter Data File Export (.scd5)
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can export mesh and solution data as a Simcenter Data File (.scd5), which is a standard file format based on HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format, Version 5). This type of file export enables file-based coupling with Simcenter 3D.
  - gPROMS File Export
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to export solution data to gPROMS, a process modeling platform for the simulation of complex systems. In general, the gPROMS model consists of a multizonal network model that performs process calculations. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides the flow solution.
  - Importing STAR-CD Data
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import mesh and solution data from STAR-CD, in order to post-process the STAR-CD solution data using the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ visualization tools. This import option does not support Lagrangian solution data.
  - Importing CAE Models
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import CAE models that have been prepared in other CAE products. You can use imported CAE models for coupling Simcenter STAR-CCM+ with external CAE codes using the file-based coupling technique.
- File-Based Coupling (through Imported CAE Model)
  File-based coupling is a method used to couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ with another CAE code via external files stored in the computer memory.
- Rotor Blade Aeroelasticity
  Rotor Blade Aeroelasticity (RBA) simulations model the aerodynamic performance of elastic rotor blades using displacement and twist data from external files. You can create these data files in multi-body dynamics software such as RCAS, CAMRAD-II, DYMORE, and FLIGHTLAB. Typical RBA applications include urban air vehicle rotors, wind turbines, and helicopter rotors.
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to couple two running simulations together in a co-simulation analysis. The Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ co-simulation capability targets analyses involving conjugate heat transfer (CHT), fluid-structure interaction (FSI), and exchange of any scalar or vector fields across the coupled boundaries or regions.
- Simcenter Nastran Co-Simulation
  For fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analyses, you can couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Nastran in a co-simulation analysis.
- Simcenter Amesim Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for two-way co-simulation with Simcenter Amesim, which is used for modeling dynamic systems.
- FMU Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) models for co-simulation. An FMU is a time-dependent model, typically representing a dynamic network, that is written according to the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard. The FMI standard is a software-independent standard that provides an interface for coupling simulation software.
- Abaqus Co-Simulation
  The co-simulation technique can be used to solve complex fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems by coupling Abaqus and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Mechanical and/or thermal fields can be exchanged across the fluid-structure interface.
- GT-SUITE Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for two-way co-simulation with GT-SUITE, a multiphysics simulation tool from Gamma Technologies. GT-SUITE provides a modeling framework for the design and analysis of engineering systems, such as engines, vehicles, and thermal-hydraulic networks.
- Reacting Channel Coupling
  The Reacting Channel Coupling feature provides the ability for exchange of data between three-dimensional Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and the one-dimensional Plug Flow Reactor which uses the CVODE solver. You can use the Reacting Channel co-simulation model in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to solve reacting flow simulations in tubular heat exchangers with channels that are long and thin.
- Generic Launcher
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a generic launcher for external applications that allows you to launch any application or file at a specified time interval during a simulation.
- Co-Simulation API
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows you to write partner code that exchanges data with a running Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation. As the partner code can be part of any other application that supports linking to a flat C library, the co-simulation API extends the range of co-simulation scenarios possible with Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Data Mappers
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, data mappers allow you to interpolate field data available either on a source mesh or on a source table to a target mesh representation, so that the mapped fields can be used for applying boundary or volume conditions on the target mesh.
- Coordinate Cell Clustering
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to group mesh cells into clusters, based on their position with respect to a specified coordinate system, and provides a field index for querying values based on cluster. You can create threshold reports based on these clusters of cells.

CGNS Link Reference

You specify the CGNS import/export details in a link node under the External Links node. A CGNS link node represents a connection to a CGNS file.

The following settings are always available and apply to both import and export.

[Link 1] Properties

Link Type: Describes the type of connection. Read-only.
Link Priority: Specifies the order in which the links are executed.

[Link 1] Models

Link models configure the connection to a partner application or file. The link icon changes based on the application, or file, that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ connects to through the link. The link model must be appropriate for the co-simulation or file export model selected in the physics continuum.

[Link 1] Conditions and Values

CGNS Version (Read-Only): Specifies the version of the CGNS standard in use. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ currently supports version 3.4.2.

Transfer Direction: Specifies whether Simcenter STAR-CCM+ uses this link for import or export of data to the CGNS format.

Verbosity Level: Controls the amount of information that is printed to the Output window.

External Continua: Allows you to select the external physics continuum in which you chose the File Import/Export model.

Zones Manager Properties

Number of Zones: Displays the number of zones defined for this link. Read-only.

Zones Manager Right-Click Actions

New: Adds a zone under the Zones node.

[Zone] Properties

Index: Specifies a unique index which identifies a zone. Read-only.
Zone Type: Set automatically based on the space model you select in the external physics continuum. CGNS export supports surface zones (for export of boundary data) and volume zones (for export of region data).

Link Right-Click Actions

Create New Zone: Allows you to create a new zone within an existing link.