gambit release notes_2316

GAMBIT Version 2.3.16 Release Notes

© Fluent Inc., Apr-06

GAMBIT Version 2.3.16—Release Notes

GAMBIT 2.3 includes significant improvements in key geometry and meshing opera-

tions, enhancements to existing features, and bug fixes.

NOTE: A list of all known and fixed defects in this release is available in the GAMBIT

Release Information section of the Fluent online User Services Center (USC). The USC

also contains a collection of best practices and guidelines for CAD and Fluent CFD

software users who share models.

Enhanced features in GAMBIT 2.2 include:

• geometry enhancements, including:

o an upgrade of the ACIS geometry kernel to R15,

o better import of IGES, STEP, Parasolid and native CATIA V4 files,

o native CAD readers for Pro/ENGINEER and Parasolid based CAD systems,

o a new translator for native CATIA V5 files,

o improved edge-on-face and new vertex-on-face projections,

o more construction tools for non-real geometry,

o cleanup-tool improvements,

o improvements to healing,

o improvements to wireframe face creation,

o additional options for edge and vertex creation,

o ability to split a face or volume by multiple entities,

o ability to merge edges and faces in real geometry;

• meshing enhancements, including:

o ability to modify size-function sources,

o improvements to size-function speed,

o addition of a new size-function based on boundary layer elements,

o ability to specify a minimum size limit for curvature and proximity size

functions,

o a new algorithm to create boundary layers,

o a new preview tool to mesh and view 3-D boundary layers,

o automatic collision detection and height adjustment for boundary layers,

o new meshing schemes to create triangular mesh,

o new blending option for size functions;

• miscellaneous enhancements, including:

o 64-bit support on selected platforms,



o ability to have different specifications for 2-D and 3-D proximity size

functions,

o automatic non-conformal quad split on hexahedral boundary layer caps,

o the ability to repair corrupt databases,

o improvements to defaults descriptions,

o improvements to examine-mesh functionality,

o new filters for bad-checking entities,

o improved accuracy of size functions for virtual geometry,

o ability to interrupt auto journal run while using the edit/run mode,

o ability to access a new algorithm for HexCore meshing,

o ability to skip the startup window,

o memory usage warning while approaching the limit,

o interpreter enhancements.

Enhanced Features

• Geometry

o The integration of an updated version of ACIS (R15) improves speed and

robustness of all geometric operations.

o Upgraded interop translators result in a better import of IGES, STEP,

Parasolid, and native CATIA V4 files. The upgraded translators support

Parasolid files up to Version 16 and ACIS files up to Version R15. Other

improvements include the ability to import/export labels, levels and color

information.

o New CAD readers are available for Pro/Engineer and Parasolid based systems

to read CAD models without translation and to automatically extract the flow

volumes. These CAD readers are available as an add-on and require separate

feature key in the license file. (NOTE: Pro/Engineer CAD reader supports

ProE-Wildfire and is available on Windows, HP, and SUN platforms.

Parasolid CAD reader is supported on Windows, HP, SUN, LINUX and SGI).

o A new translator is available to read native CATIA V5 files. This is an add-on

feature and requires an additional feature key in the license file. The translator

is not supported on Linux.

o Vertex and edge projections are improved by addition of a new vertex-on-edge

projection tool. Edge-on-face projection has a new “closest distance” option.

Other improvements include projection of multiple entities in a single step.

o All edge and face construction tools such as Create Net Surface Face now

support non-real geometry.



o Cleanup-tools improvements include the ability to interrupt the Auto option,

better handling of sharp angles, and a new tool for removing annular sliver

faces.

o Healing enhancements include improved robustness and a check for possible

alteration of geometry.

o Wireframe face creation is enhanced to support a real, complex face creation

from any number of non-planar edges. Guide edges and vertices can be used to

further define the surface curvature. Conversion of non-real geometry is

enhanced to allow nonreal-to-real conversion of an arbitrarily shaped single-

loop face.

o New edge- and vertex-creation options include the ability to sweep vertices

and create a vertex at the centroid of an existing entity.

o Face-split and volume-split operations have been enhanced to support splits by

multiple entities in a single operation.

o Face-merge and edge-merge operations are improved to allow the merging of

entities within the real-geometry mode.

• Meshing

o Size-function modification operations are enhanced to allow the modification

of source entities.

o Size-function operations are faster and more robust in GAMBIT 2.3 compared

to GAMBIT 2.2.

o A new boundary-layer cap size function is now available to ensure a smooth

transition from the boundary layers into interior.

o Other size-function improvements include a new option to set the minimum

size limit for curvature and proximity size functions in order to avoid over-

refinement of the mesh.

o A new Aspect ratio (last) algorithm is available for boundary-layer creation to

ensure a desired height for the first layer and a desired aspect ratio for

elements in the last layer of the boundary layer.

o A new preview tool is now available to mesh and view 3-D boundary layers

before creating a volume mesh.

o Boundary layer improvements also include automatic collision detection and

height adjustments while attaching boundary layers to narrow gaps.

o Two new meshing options are available to create a triangular mesh based on

Map and Submap meshing schemes.

o A new blending option is available for size functions to allow a smoother size

transition near a premeshed boundary.



• Miscellaneous

o A 64 bit version of GAMBIT is available on Linux Optron and Linux EM64T

to help create larger meshes. Limited 64 bit support allows it to access larger

memory, if available, like a 64 bit application. Database itself remains 32 bit.

o Proximity size-function operations now allow different specifications for

resolving 2-D and 3-D proximity to help prevent over refinements.

o A new option is available to automatically split the quad faces of a boundary

layer cap and avoid pyramid as transitional element during hybrid meshing.

o GAMBIT 2.3 now supports automatic repair of corrupt databases while they

are being opened.

o Defaults are now better organized and documented.

o A new EquiSize Skew quality measure has been added to the mesh examine for

measuring size change within the mesh.

o Other examine-mesh improvements include a user-controlled update of the

mesh quality display during the examination.

o A new filter is available in the picker to filter for entities that pass or fail the

geometry check.

o Size-function accuracy for virtual entities is improved by the using conformal

facets.

o Usability improvements include ability to interrupt an automated journal run

while using the edit/run mode.

o Hex Core meshing improvements include a new option to access a new

algorithm from the TGrid.

o A new option is available for the Windows platform to skip the startup

window display while launching GAMBIT in the GUI mode. This behavior is

similar to that in the batch mode.

o Warning messages are issued if the used memory reaches 4 gigabytes or

approaches the limit available on the system.

o Interpreter enhancements include new query functions that return parameters

associated with the CAD entities.

NOTE: GAMBIT journal files are not intrinsically compatible between GAMBIT

versions. Entity labels (identifiers) can differ between versions due to geometry kernel

upgrades and bug fixes associated with each release, thereby rendering inoperable certain

label-specific commands. Defaults have been made available to reduce the impact of

labeling differences between versions wherever possible, and journal files can be made

label-independent to further reduce the impact.



Platform Support Changes

GAMBIT 2.2 (and all later versions) will not be supported on the following platforms.

Platform Processor/Series Operating System 32/64 Bit

Linux EM64T Suse SLES 8.2 32 bit

Linux Opteron Suse Linux 8.2 32 bit

Linux Opteron Suse SLES 9.0 32 bit

Linux Opteron Suse SLES 8.2 32 bit

Linux Pentium Suse Linux 8.2 32 bit

Linux Pentium Suse Linux 9.0 32 bit

Linux Pentium Suse SLES 8.2 32 bit

SGI R10000 IRIX 6.5 32 bit



SUN Ultra Solaris 8 32 bit

IBM Power 3 AIX 5.1.0 32 bit



HP PA-RISC HP-UX 11.0 32 bit

Fujitsu Primepower Solaris 8 32 bit

NOTE: Version 2006 is the supported version of Exceed for GAMBIT 2.3. Exceed

Versions 9 and 10 are also compatible. A list of all supported platforms for GAMBIT 2.3

is available on the Fluent Users Services Center.

gambit release notes_2316

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