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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.
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.
Importing a Geometry Definition File
The electric machine design and properties are defined in a geometry definition file with .xgdf (v2.0) or .xGDF (v1.7) extension. When you import a geometry definition file in a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates corresponding CAD bodies and geometry parts based on the details specified in the imported file.

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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.
    - Accessing the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow Wizard
      To make the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow wizard accessible in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you add it to the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ toolbar.
    - Importing a Geometry Definition File
      The electric machine design and properties are defined in a geometry definition file with .xgdf (v2.0) or .xGDF (v1.7) extension. When you import a geometry definition file in a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates corresponding CAD bodies and geometry parts based on the details specified in the imported file.
      - E-Machine Geometry
        The .xgdf file can contain the full geometry of the machine or a symmetrical sector that uses the machine symmetries. During the import process, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates a 3D-CAD model of the imported machine and corresponding geometry parts.
      - Rotor Eccentricity
        The .xgdf file can contain parameters that define the rotor eccentricity, that is, the displacement of the rotor axis with respect to the machine axis.
      - Skew
        The .xgdf file can define skew motors in which an angle exists between the rotation axis and the stator or the rotor (or both).
      - Windings
        The geometry definition file can include information on stator windings, but not rotor windings. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ imports stator windings as either bulk or single-tooth windings, as defined in the geometry definition file. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ constructs 3D rotor windings as single-tooth windings from the field coil bodies of the 2D geometry.
  - 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 a Geometry Definition File

The electric machine design and properties are defined in a geometry definition file with .xgdf (v2.0) or .xGDF (v1.7) extension. When you import a geometry definition file in a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates corresponding CAD bodies and geometry parts based on the details specified in the imported file.

A geometry definition file contains the following information:

geometry of the machine and its components
material property tables that describe the magnetic flux density $B$ , magnetic field strength $H$ , and permeability $B/H$ of the machine components
eccentricity
skew
stator windings

To import a geometry definition file in a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation:

Open the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation.
In the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ toolbar, click (Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow).
In the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ E-Machines Performance Workflow import dialog:
1. Select the file that you wish to import.
2. For geometries that are symmetric in the axial direction, you can activate Z=0 Plane Symmetry Simulation.
  With this setting, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates the full CAD model. The imported model is centered about the Z=0 plane. At the end of the CAD generation process, the model is sliced at Z= 0 and the portion on the Z-positive side is discarded. During analysis setup, the symmetry plane condition is applied at the Z=0 faces.
3. Click OK.
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates a 3D-CAD model and geometry parts based on the specifications in the imported file. For details on the imported features, see: