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Pointwise Tutorial for Beginners

The Durham Pointwise Tutorial provides a step-by-step guide for generating a mesh using the Pointwise software, specifically for the 2D NACA 6412 Airfoil. It includes instructions on starting the program, accessing help resources, and exporting the mesh for use with ANSYS Fluent. Additionally, it offers troubleshooting tips for common issues encountered during the process.

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21 views4 pages

Pointwise Tutorial for Beginners

The Durham Pointwise Tutorial provides a step-by-step guide for generating a mesh using the Pointwise software, specifically for the 2D NACA 6412 Airfoil. It includes instructions on starting the program, accessing help resources, and exporting the mesh for use with ANSYS Fluent. Additionally, it offers troubleshooting tips for common issues encountered during the process.

Uploaded by

bepil21688
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Durham University Pointwise Tutorial

The Durham Pointwise Tutorial


Introduction
This provides a short step by step guide to generating a mesh in the Pointwise package. The aim
being to get you started on the road to meshing and understand where to look for more detailed help.
This tutorial is for Pointwise V17.1 Release 4.

Starting the Programs.


The fluid mechanics software packages are currently available on the CIS Linux service. Detailed
instructions on how to access this service are available on this website:
[Link]
All NPCS machines in the Engineering and Computing Sciences building are “dual boot”. To
access the Linux Desktop System (LDS) you will need to restart the machine and select “Linux” to
run a linux system which will give you access to the fluid mechanics software. The remotely
accessible service “mira” has the same versions of the software and can be accessed remotely.
To start up pointwise:
● Obtain a terminal window. Usually Applications → System Tools → MATE Terminal
● Start pointwise by typing pointwise at the terminal and then pressing enter.
● After a short while something like Figure 1 will pop up.

Figure 1: General View of Pointwise

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Durham University Pointwise Tutorial

The Help System


Pointwise features truly excellent documentation. The Help menu (top right menu) contains links to
different types of documents.

Figure 2: Help Menu


To get started the best document is the Tutorial Workbook. Help → Tutorial Workbook. This has
step by step guides to a number of different problem types. Many of these require CAD files. These
can be found in the tutorials directory: /opt/local/pointwise/current/tutorials
To copy the appropriate files to your local workspace, you can use the command line in a terminal to
copy them across or navigate using the file manager. Places → Home Folder and then press Ctrl
and L at the same time. This pops up a location bar into which you can type:
/opt/local/pointwise/current/tutorials and then you have a file manager view of the files to copy.

Meshing a 2D Aerofoil
To do this we will follow the first tutorial in the Pointwise tutorial guide: “2D NACA 6412 Airfoil ”.
Note that since Pointwise is developed in the US spelling Airfoil is used.
● Firstly copy the files to your working directory:
cp /opt/local/pointwise/current/tutorials/2DAirfoil/[Link] ./
● Help → Tutorial Workbook and find the 2D Airfoil tutorial. Then follow the instructions in the
guide until you are ready to generate a mesh.
● Note that you quite often have to press toolbar buttons an index of these is given at the start of
the tutorial. You might need to refer back to these as you complete the tutorial.
At the end of the tutorial you should have something that looks like Figure 3.

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Durham University Pointwise Tutorial

Figure 3: View of Pointwise After Finishing the Tutorial


We now need to set up Pointwise so that we can export the mesh.
● CAE → Select Solver. Then pick ANSYS Fluent.
● CAE → Set Dimensions → 2D.
● CAE → Set Boundary Conditions. This is a multi-step process.
● You can use the Mask/Unmask tool so that only connectors will be picked up by the mouse
● Click New
● Click on the boundary you wish to set.
● Having selected the boundary you wish to set up: set the type and name and make sure you
click "Select" - the check box on the left hand side.
● You need a minimum of two boundary conditions: one pressure far-field and one wall type for
the aerofoil surface. Note that the aerofoil is made up of four connectors with two small ones
at the trailing edge.
● CAE → Set Volume Conditions. New to setup new volume conditions in the same way as for
the boundary condition.
● Use the List tab to select the domain (there should be only one!).
● File → Export → CAE to export a Fluent case file. (If you get problems when the mesh is
imported into Fluent check the troubleshooting section).

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Durham University Pointwise Tutorial

Hints and Tips


You can use the examine menu to look at mesh quality. A high quality mesh is essential for a high
quality fluid dynamics solution.
If you find menus greyed out and not available it means that you have dialogue open that Pointwise
wants you to do something with. This is normally highlighted in red text on the top left of the
application window.
At L1 you had detailed step by step courses on bits of engineering software (e.g. Solidworks). At
L3 or L4 it is my expectation that you have the skills to learn how to use engineering software
yourself so you should make extensive use of the help functions and the rich variety of on-line
resources for the various fluid mechanics packages.
Pointwise has a Youtube channel featuring lots of hints and tips:
[Link]

Troubleshooting
Problem: When Pointwise starts it demands a license server.
Solution: This arises if you are using a local installation on a windows machine. Enter
[Link] into the box and the program should start properly.
Problem: When using 2D meshes Fluent complains about negative volumes or can't read the
mesh
Solution: You need to flip the orientation of the mesh. More details are here: [Link]
[Link]/Forums/pointwise/[Link] But the quick fix is to Edit →
Orient and then swap I-J. This will flip the z-direction and keep Fluent happy - only do this if it
doesn't work the first time.

Grant Ingram
5 November 2015

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Common questions

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The tutorial instructs to export a mesh for use in ANSYS Fluent by first setting CAE options through CAE → Select Solver and choosing ANSYS Fluent, then going to File → Export → CAE to export the Fluent case file. Ensure boundary and volume conditions are correctly set before exporting .

Students at L3 or L4 are encouraged to use rich online resources and the help functions of engineering software to learn independently. Pointwise, for instance, offers a YouTube channel with numerous tips and tutorials that can facilitate self-guided learning .

To troubleshoot a license server issue when starting Pointwise on Windows, enter 'cisvirlic01.dur.ac.uk' in the license server box. This step resolves the issue when the software requests a license server due to a local installation .

If errors occur importing a mesh into Fluent, one solution is to flip the orientation of the mesh. You can achieve this by selecting Edit → Orient and then swapping I-J to flip the z-direction, which may resolve issues with negative volumes .

To use the Pointwise software on the CIS Linux service, you must access a terminal window by navigating to Applications → System Tools → MATE Terminal. Once the terminal is open, you start Pointwise by typing 'pointwise' and pressing enter .

To set boundary conditions for a 2D aerofoil mesh in Pointwise, use the Mask/Unmask tool to isolate connectors. Then, click 'New' and select the boundaries. Assign the type and name, ensuring the 'Select' checkbox is ticked. A minimum of two boundary conditions is required: one pressure far-field and one wall type for the aerofoil surface. The aerofoil comprises four connectors, with two small ones at the trailing edge .

High-quality meshes are crucial for accurate computational fluid dynamics solutions because the mesh directly impacts the precision and reliability of simulation results. The Pointwise tutorial emphasizes using the examine menu to ensure mesh quality, highlighting its impact on problem-solving effectiveness .

Completing the 2D NACA 6412 Airfoil tutorial in Pointwise involves copying the necessary CAD files to your working directory, accessing the tutorial workbook, and following detailed instructions to set up and generate the mesh. The process includes using CAD files, pressing toolbar buttons as needed, and understanding the index provided at the tutorial start .

Menus in Pointwise may be greyed out if there is a dialogue open that requires user action. This is highlighted in red text at the top left of the application window. Closing or addressing the dialogue typically resolves this interface navigation issue .

The Tutorial Workbook in Pointwise is highly recommended for beginners as it contains step-by-step guides for different problem types, enabling users to become familiar with the software's functionalities. It offers structured learning and hands-on practice with necessary CAD files provided in the tutorials directory .

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