4. GAMBIT MENU COMMANDS

The GAMBIT main menu bar includes the following menu commands.

The following sections of this chapter describe the functions and uses of commands available for each of main menu items listed above.

NOTE: Most of the specification forms described in the following sections include Accept and Close command buttons. Unless otherwise noted, the functions of the two buttons are as follows: Accept--executes the operation associated with the form. Close--closes the form without executing the associated operation.

4.1 File Commands

The GAMBIT File command menu includes the following commands.

4.1.1 New

When you select New from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Create New Session form. The Create New Session form allows you to create and name a new GAMBIT session.

To create a new session, you must specify the following items:

• Session identifier
• Save option

In addition to the two mandatory specifications listed above, GAMBIT also allows you to specify a title for the session.

The session identifier constitutes the root name for GAMBIT data files associated with the new session. (For a description of GAMBIT data file contents and organization, see Chapter 2 of this guide.) The save option determines whether or not GAMBIT saves existing session data before creating a new session. The session title constitutes a general descriptor for the session.

Specifying the Session Identifier

The session identifier can consist of any combination of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols that constitutes a valid file name in the operating system under which GAMBIT is running. The GAMBIT default session identifier is "model1."

Specifying the Save Option

When you create a new session, GAMBIT deletes any data associated with the current session. To save the current session data when you create a new session, select the Save current session option on the Create New Session form.

Specifying the Session Title

The session title constitutes a general descriptor for the session. It may consist of any combination of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols up to 80 characters in length.

Using the Create New Session Form

The Create New Session form (see below) allows you to create and name a new GAMBIT session. To open the Create New Session form, select New from the File menu on the main menu bar.

The Create New Session form includes the following specifications.

ID:	specifies the identifier for the new session.
Title:	specifies a session title up to 80 characters in length.
Save current session	specifies that any current session data is saved when the new session is created. GAMBIT uses the current session identifier as the root file name for the files containing the current session data.

4.1.2 Open

When you select Open from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Open Existing Session form. The Open Existing Session form allows you to open a previously saved session.

To open an existing session, you must specify the following information:

• Session identifier
• Save option

The session identifier constitutes the root name of the data files for the session to be opened. (For a description of GAMBIT data file contents and organization, see Chapter 2 of this guide.) The save option determines whether or not GAMBIT saves current session data before opening a new session.

Specifying the Session Identifier

To open an existing session, you must specify the identifier of the session to be opened. The session identifier constitutes the root name of all files associated with the session.

You can specify the session identifier in one of two ways:

• ID text box
• Browse command button

The ID text box allows you to directly specify the identifier of the session to be opened. The Browse command button allows you to browse file directories and to select the session to be opened from a list of existing files.

Using the ID Text Box

When you specify an identifier in the ID text box and click Accept, GAMBIT searches the current directory for a database (dbs) file the root name of which matches the specified identifier. If the database file corresponding to the session to be opened exists in a directory other than the current directory, you must also include the directory specification in the input text.

If you include a file extension when you specify the identifier, GAMBIT searches for a file matching the exact name specified in the ID text box. If you do not include a file extension when you specify the identifier, GAMBIT searches for a file with a root name matching the session identifier and a database file extension (dbs). For example, if you specify the identifier "example" in the ID text box, GAMBIT searches for a database file named example.dbs.

Using the Browse Command Button

When you click the Browse command button, GAMBIT opens the Select File form. The Select File form allows you to browse file directories in search of existing files. (For instructions concerning the use of the Select File form, see "Using the Select File Form," below.)

To specify the identifier of an existing GAMBIT session by means of the Select File form, you must search for and select a database (dbs) file the root name of which constitutes the identifier of the session to be opened. For example, to specify an existing session with the identifier, "wing005," you must search for and select a file named wing005.dbs.

Specifying the Save Option

When you open an existing session, GAMBIT deletes any data associated with the current session. To save the current session data when you open an existing session, select the Save current session option on the Open Existing Session form.

Using the Open Existing Session Form

The Open Existing Session form (see below) allows you to open a previously saved session. To open the Open Existing Session form, select Open from the File menu on the main menu bar.

ID:	specifies the identifier of the session to be opened.
Browse…	opens the Select File form (see "Using the Select File Form," below), which allows you to browse directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists.
Save current session	specifies that any current session data is saved when the existing session is opened. GAMBIT uses the current session identifier as the root file name for the files containing the current session data.

Using the Select File Form

The Select File form (see below) allows you to browse directories and to select a file from a list of currently available files. To open the Select File form, click the Browse command button on any file-related GAMBIT form.

Filter	Changing the Filter Directory Specification There are three ways to change the filter directory specification. Input the new directory name in the Filter text box and press Enter or click the Filter command button. Double-click a directory name in the Directories list. Highlight a directory name in the Directories list and click the Filter command button at the bottom of the form. Changing the Filter File Specification To change the filter file specification, input the new specification in the Filter text box and either press Enter or click the Filter command button at the bottom of the Select File form.
Directories	lists all directories and subdirectories associated with the directory specified in the Filter text box. The topmost directory listed in the Directories list represents the current filter directory.
Files	lists all files that match the current filter specifications.
Selection	specifies the file to be selected by means of the Select File form. To change the selected file, either input the new file name in the Selection text box or highlight the name of the file in the Files list.
Accept	accepts the current file selection and closes the Select File form. You can also select a file and close the form by double-clicking the file name in the Files list.
Filter	changes the filter directory specification to the currently highlighted directory in the Directories list or updates the directories or files list to reflect changes made to the Filter specification..
Cancel	closes the Select File form without accepting a file for selection.

4.1.3 Save

When you select Save from the File command menu, GAMBIT saves the current session data to three data files the root name of which constitutes the current session identifier. (For a description of GAMBIT data file contents and organization, see Chapter 2 of this guide.)

The saved data includes the following items:

• Model geometry
• Boundary-type specifications
• Continuum-type specifications
• Mesh specifications
• Layout and characteristics of the GUI and graphics window at the time the data is saved.

4.1.4 Save As

When you select Save As from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Save Session As form. The Save Session As form allows you to save the current model data using a specified identifier.

To save session data by means of the Save Session As form, you must specify an identifier that serves as the root name for the session database files. (For a description of the session identifier specifications, see "Specifying the Session Identifier," in Section 4.1.1, above.) If you specify an identifier that corresponds to an existing session, GAMBIT prompts you to acknowledge that the existing session data is to be overwritten by the current data.

Using the Save Session As Form

The Save Session As form (see below) allows you to save the current model data using a specified session identifier. To open the Save Session As form, select Save As from the File command menu on the main menu bar.

ID:	specifies the identifier under which the current data is to be saved.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

4.1.5 Print Graphics

When you select Print Graphics from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Print Graphics form. The Print Graphics form allows you to print the model as currently displayed in the graphics window. You can print the graphics either to a printer or to a file.

Printing Graphics to a Printer

To print graphics to a printer, you must specify the following information:

• Printer Name—identifier corresponding to the printer
• Printer Options -- command codes required by the printer
• Printer Command -- command string required to print graphics files

When GAMBIT opens the Print Graphics form, it displays the current default settings for the Printer Name, Printer Options, and Printer Command string specifications. The default settings are specific to the hardware configuration, operating system, and/or networking capabilities of the computer system upon which GAMBIT resides. To change the default settings for any of the items listed above, open the Edit Defaults form and modify the printer settings on the GLOBAL default definition subform. (See Section 4.2.4, below.)

Printing Graphics to a File

To print graphics to a file, you must specify the following information:

• File Format—graphics format
• File Name—name of the file to which the graphics are printed

Specifying a File Format

GAMBIT allows you to specify any one of the following formats for the graphics output file:

• SGI RGB—Silicon Graphics
• PS—PostScript
• EPS—Encapsulated PostScript
• TIFF—TIFF bitmap
• BMP—Windows bitmap
• TARGA—Targa bitmap
• PICT—Macintosh PICT

Specifying a File Name

There are two ways to specify the file name for the graphics file.

• Input the name in the File Name text box
• Click the Browse command button and select an existing file name by means of the Select File form

The graphics file name can consist of any combination of alphanumeric characters and/or symbols that constitutes a valid file name in the operating system under which GAMBIT is running. For a description of how to use the Select File form, see "Using the Select File Form," in Section 4.1.2, above.

Using the Print Graphics Form

The Print Graphics form (see below) allows you to print graphics either to a printer or to a file. To open the Print Graphics form, select Print Graphics from the File command menu on the main menu bar.

Destination:	-------------------------
Printer	specifies printing graphics to a printer.
File	specifies printing graphics to a file.

Printing Graphics to a Printer

When you select the Printer option on the Print Graphics form, the middle section of the form appears as shown above. It includes the following specifications.

Printer Name:	specifies the name of the printer to which the graphics are printed.
Printer Options:	specifies system-specific options for the printer.
Printer Command:	specifies the system commands required to print the graphics to the printer. (NOTE: The parameters %p, %o, and %f represent the printer name and options and the name of the file to be printed, respectively.)

Printing Graphics to a File

When you select the File option on the Print Graphics form, the middle section of the form appears as shown below.

File Format:	-------------------------
SGI RGB PS EPS TIFF BMP TARGA PICT	specifies the format for the graphics file (see above).
File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the graphics output is saved.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

4.1.6 Run Journal

When you select Run Journal from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Run Journal form. The Run Journal form allows you to execute the commands contained in a journal file.

Overview

Journal files are text files that contain GAMBIT program commands. During any GAMBIT session, GAMBIT maintains a temporary journal file that contains all commands executed during the session. When you save a session, GAMBIT copies the temporary journal file to a permanent file. The root name of the permanent journal file is the session identifier, and its extension is "jou." For example, if you save a session with the identifier "model2," GAMBIT copies the journal file to a file named "model2.jou."

NOTE: GAMBIT allows you to include comment lines, as well as commands, in journal files. Any line in a journal file that begins with a forward slash (/) is interpreted as a comment line rather than as a command line.

The Run Journal form allows you to run journal files-including the current (temporary) journal file, journal files saved from previous sessions, and journal files that have been created external to the GAMBIT program by means of a text editor. When you run a journal file, GAMBIT executes the file commands as if they were entered by means of the Command line.

NOTE (1): GAMBIT allows you to use IF blocks and DO loops in journal files. For a description of the syntax associated with GAMBIT IF blocks and DO loops, see Appendix A of this guide.

NOTE (2): You can pause the execution of a journal file at any moment during the Run Journal operation. While the file is paused, GAMBIT allows you to execute commands from the Command line or to open and run other journal files by means of the Run Journal form. GAMBIT maintains a stack of open journal files and executes them on a last-in/first-out basis.

Journal File Run Modes

You can run a journal file in either of two modes:

• Run
• Edit/Run

Run Mode

When you run a journal file in the Run mode, GAMBIT automatically executes all of the journal file commands in sequence, beginning at the top of the file.

Edit/Run Mode

When you run a journal file in the Edit/Run mode, GAMBIT opens the Edit/Run Journal form. The Edit/Run Journal form allows you to edit and run the entire journal file or specified portions of it. For a description of the procedures and specifications required to use the Edit/Run Journal form, see "Using the Edit/Run Journal Form," below.

Using the Run Journal Form

The Run Journal form (see below) allows you to run an existing journal file. To open the Run Journal form, select Run Journal from the File menu on the main menu bar.

Mode:	-------------------------
Run	specifies running the journal file in the automatic mode. In the Run mode, GAMBIT executes all of the commands in the journal file as if they are input in sequence by means of the Command text box. During the execution of the journal file, a Pause command button appears at the right side of the Command text box. To pause the execution of the journal file commands, click the Pause button. When you do so, GAMBIT pauses the execution of the journal file following the execution of the current command. At the same time, GAMBIT changes the button title from Pause to Resume. To resume execution of the journal file commands, click Resume. (NOTE: If GAMBIT encounters a "read pause" command during the running of a journal file, GAMBIT pauses execution of journal file commands as if the Pause button had been clicked.)
Edit/Run	specifies running the journal file in the semiautomatic mode. When you select the Edit/Run option, GAMBIT opens the Edit/Run Journal form (see "Using the Edit/Run Journal Form," below.)
File Name:	specifies the name of the journal file.
Current Journal	specifies the name of the current, temporary journal file.
Close existing journal	allows you to close all open journal files that are currently paused. (NOTE: If you do not select the Close existing journal option, GAMBIT places the specified journal file in the stack of open journal files (see above).)
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Using the Edit/Run Journal Form

The Edit/Run Journal form (see below) allows you to edit and/or execute any or all of the commands in a journal file. It consists of a text editor and an input field consisting of a text box and several command buttons.

To open the Edit/Run Journal form, select Run Journal from the File menu on the main menu bar, then select the Edit/Run option on the Run Journal form, specify a journal file name, and click Accept.

Using the Text Editor

When you load a file into the Edit/Run Journal form, the file appears in the text editor window. The text editor window allows you to modify, add, and/or delete lines of text. The following table summarizes the operations you can perform using the Edit/Run Journal form text editor.

In addition to the operations described above, the Edit/Run Journal form text editor allows you to search for and replace blocks of text (see "Using the Hidden Menu," below.)

Working with Command Lines and Marker Fields

Each line of text in a journal file constitutes all or part of a GAMBIT command. When you select the Run mode option on the Run Journal form, GAMBIT automatically executes each command in sequence, beginning at the topmost line of the file. By contrast, the Edit/Run Journal form allows you to select and execute individual command lines or groups of command lines.

The Edit/Run Journal form text editor includes a marker field (identified by a right-pointing arrowhead, ">") located immediately to the left of each line of text. The marker field identifies which lines of text are to be executed when you click either the Auto or Step command button at the bottom of the form. Only those lines corresponding to selected (highlighted) marker fields are executed.

To select a line of text for execution, left-click its marker field. GAMBIT highlights the marker fields for all selected lines of text. To unselect a selected (highlighted) line of text, left-click its marker field again.

To select a group of text lines for execution, either left-drag the mouse across the marker fields associated with the group or left-click the marker field that defines one limit (top or bottom) of the group and Shift-left-click the marker field that defines the other limit of the group. GAMBIT highlights all of the selected marker fields. To unselect the group, left-drag the mouse across the highlighted marker fields.

When you execute journal file commands by means of the Auto or Step command buttons at the bottom of the Edit/Run Journal form, GAMBIT executes all lines of text corresponding to selected marker fields, beginning at the topmost selected line. (NOTE: If you do not specify a starting point, GAMBIT executes the journal file commands beginning at the topmost line in the journal file.) To specify a different starting point for command execution, Ctrl-left-click the marker field corresponding to the desired starting point. GAMBIT identifies the specified starting point line by displaying a "*" sign in its marker field (that is, "*>".) To unselect the currently-specified starting point, Ctrl-left-click its marker field or Ctrl-left-click a different marker field to designate it as the new starting point.

Using the Hidden Menu

In addition to the selection options outlined above, GAMBIT allows you to perform global selection and unselection operations by means of a hidden menu. To open the hidden menu, right-click anywhere in the text editor window.

The hidden menu includes the following options:

The first four options perform functions related to specifying the sequence in which journal file commands are executed. The Replace option allows you to search for and replace blocks of text by means of the Global Search and Replace form. For instructions concerning the operation of the Global Search and Replace form, see "Using the Global Search and Replace Form," below.

Using the Input Field

The input field located at the bottom of the Edit/Run Journal form includes the following commands and specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the file to be loaded or saved by means of the Load and Save command buttons (see below).
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Auto	begins sequential execution of all selected command lines, starting at the topmost selected line or the specified starting point line. During execution, GAMBIT displays the word, "Now" in the marker field of the command line currently being executed.
Step	executes the next selected command line, starting at the topmost selected line or at the specified starting-point line.
Load	loads the file specified in the File Name text box into the Edit/Run Journal form text editor.
Save	saves the file as currently displayed in the text editor to the file name specified in the File Name text box.
Close	closes the Edit/Run Journal form.

Using the Global Search and Replace Form

The Global Search and Replace form (see below) allows you to search for and replace blocks of text in the currently-displayed journal file. To open the Global Search and Replace form, select Replace from the Edit Journal File form hidden menu (see above).

Find What:	specifies the text search string.
Replace With:	specifies the replacement text string.
Options:	-------------------------
Match Case	restricts the search to only those blocks of text matching the text search string with respect to both character-type and case.
Pattern Match	allows pattern matchingsearching for textpattern matchingyou to use the wildcard character, "*", to search for all instances of a word containing a specified combination of letters or symbols. For example, if you specify "fr*" in the Find What text box and select the Pattern Match option, GAMBIT searches the text file for all words beginning with "fr." If you do not select the Pattern Match option, GAMBIT interprets the Find What text string literally and searches for all words containing "fr*."
Replace	searches for all occurrences of the text search string in the currently-displayed text file and replaces them with the text replacement string.

4.1.7 Clean Journal

When you select Clean Journal from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the Clean Journal form. The Clean Journal form allows you to remove extraneous commands and messages from a journal file. (NOTE: For a description of GAMBIT journal files and their use, see Section 4.1.6, above.) The removal operations can be grouped into two general categories:

• Automatic—performed whenever GAMBIT executes the Clean Journal operation
• Optional—performed at user discretion

The following subsections describe both types of operations.

Automatic Removal Operations

The Clean Journal operation automatically removes the following types of commands and messages from the journal file:

• Commands associated with undo operations
• Error messages
• Signals

The following sections describe the manner in which the Clean Journal operation removes the types of commands and messages listed above.

Commands Associated with Undo Operations

When you clean up a journal file by means of the Clean Journal operation, GAMBIT removes from the journal file all commands associated with undo operations. GAMBIT undo operations can involve two types of commands:

• Undo commands
• Undo-group commands

An undo command undoes the most recently executed GAMBIT operation. Undo-group commands allow you to specify a sequence of one or more GAMBIT commands that can be undone by means of a single undo command.

The following subsections describe these two types of commands with respect to their handling by the Clean Journal operation.

Undo Commands

A GAMBIT undo command undoes the most recently executed operation. When you clean up a journal file that includes undo commands, GAMBIT removes the undo commands themselves as well as the commands that are undone by their execution. For example, if the specified journal file contains the following sequence of commands:

volume create brick width 5.3
volume create sphere radius 4
undo

volume create brick width 5.3

GAMBIT undo-group commands allow you to specify a sequence of commands that can be undone by the execution of a single undo command. The undo-group commands include the following two commands:

• undo begingroup
• undo endgroup

undo begingroup
volume create frustum height 10 radius 5
volume create brick width 3
undo endgroup
undo

NOTE: The undo begingroup and undo endgroup commands can be explicitly executed only from the GAMBIT Command line. Some GUI operations (for example, the Copy operation) result in the automatic creation of undo begingroup and undo endgroup commands in the active journal file, but the commands themselves are not directly available by means of the GUI. To explicitly specify a sequence of GUI operations as part of an undo group: Enter undo begingroup on the Command line. Execute the sequence of operations to be included in the undo group-either by means of Command line commands or by means of the GUI. Enter undo endgroup from the Command line.

If a journal file contains a sequence of commands that is preceded by an undo begingroup command and followed by both an undo endgroup command and an undo command, the Clean Journal operation removes the entire command sequence, including the undo command and the undo-group commands that bracket the sequence. For example, if a journal file contains the following sequence of five commands:

undo begingroup
volume create brick width 5.3
volume create sphere radius 4
undo endgroup
undo

Error Messages

If you attempt to perform a procedure that violates GAMBIT operation or syntax rules, GAMBIT displays an error message in the Transcript window and records the error event in the active journal file. In the journal file, all such event records begin with the character sequence "/ERR". When you clean up a journal file by means of the Clean Journal operation, GAMBIT removes from the journal file all lines that begin with the characters "/ERR".

Signals

Signals are system-generated reports of exceptional system-level events such as program errors (for example, division by zero) or user requests to terminate the current process. In the journal file, all such reports are recorded as a single line in the file beginning with the character sequence "/SIG". When you clean up a journal file by means of the Clean Journal operation, GAMBIT removes from the journal file all lines that begin with the characters "/SIG".

Optional Removal Operations

In addition to the automatically-removed commands and messages listed above, the Clean Journal form provides options that allow you to remove the following types of entries from the journal file:

• Comments
• Errored commands
• save commands
• Parameter commands

Comments

The Remove comments option removes all comment lines contained in the journal file.

Errored Commands

The Remove errored commands option removes from the journal file all commands that produced error messages and were not executed during the program run that produced the journal file to be cleaned.

Save Commands

The Remove save commands option removes all save commands from the journal file. For a description of the GAMBIT save command, see Section 6.3.7 of the GAMBIT Command Reference Guide.

Parameter Commands

The Remove parameter commands option removes from the journal file all commands that define or declare GAMBIT parameters.

Using the Clean Journal Form

The Clean Journal form (see below) allows you to clean up an existing journal file. To open the Clean Journal form, select Clean Journal from the File menu on the main menu bar.

The Clean Journal form includes the following specifications.

File to Process:	specifies the name of the journal file to be processed in the cleaning operation.
Current Journal	specifies the name of the current, temporary journal file as the file to be processed in the cleaning operation..
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
New File Name:	specifies the name of the cleaned file.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Remove comments	removes comments from the journal file.
Remove errored commands	removes from the journal file any commands that produced errors during program execution.
Remove save commands	removes save commands from the cleaned journal file.
Remove parameter commands	removes from the journal file any commands that are related to parameter definition or declaration.

4.1.8 View File

When you select View File from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens the View File form. The View File form allows you to view any text file and to copy information from the text file to the GAMBIT Command line or to any open window.

When you first open the View File form, GAMBIT automatically loads the current transcript (trn) file. The transcript file contains information identical to that displayed in the Transcript window.

To copy information from a text file displayed in the View File form to the Command line or an open window, you must perform the following operations:

• Highlight the text to be copied
• Locate the cursor at the text insertion point
• Click the middle mouse button

Using the View File Form

The View File form (see below) allows you to view and, optionally, highlight information in any text file. To open the View File form, select View File from the File menu on the main menu bar.

The View File form includes the following specifications.

File Name	specifies the name of the file to be loaded into the View File form.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form," in Section 4.1.2.)
Load	loads the text file specified in the File Name text box into the View File form.

4.1.9 Import

The Import command allows you to import geometry and mesh information using programs other than GAMBIT. The command operates by means of Import forms, the layouts of which differ according to import operation type.

When you select Import from the File command menu, GAMBIT opens a submenu of allowable import file types. The submenu includes the following file types:

• ACIS
• Parasolid
• IGES
• STEP
• ICEM Input
• Vertex Data
• CAD
• Mesh
• Turbo
• Results

ACIS, Parasolid, IGES, STEP, and CAD files describe model geometry. ACIS and Parasolid files are associated with the ACIS and Parasolid geometric modelers, respectively. IGES and STEP are industry standard specifications. CAD files contain geometry (or faceted representations of geometry) generated by CAD programs. Turbo files contain data that describe turbomachinery configurations, and Results files contain solution results for use in postprocessing operations.

NOTE (1): GAMBIT does not support all IGES entities.

NOTE (2): The Import/CAD option allows you to either import CAD geometry by means of a data file or import geometry directly from the Pro/ENGINEER software package (a feature that requires a special GAMBIT license).

ICEM Input and Vertex Data information consists of points that can be used to describe geometric surfaces. Mesh files include information concerning numbers and coordinates of mesh nodes, element connectivity, and groupings of the exterior sides of the mesh elements that define geometric boundaries to which boundary types, such as INFLOW or WALL, can be attached (see "Importing Mesh Files," below).

The following sections describe the procedures required to import files of the types listed above.

Importing ACIS Files

To import an ACIS file, you must specify the following information:

• File Name
• Import Options

The File Name specifies the name of the ACIS file from which geometry information is to be imported. The Import Options specify the form of the ACIS file data (ASCII or binary) and whether or not to attempt to heal geometry during import. (For a description of GAMBIT healing operations, see Sections 2.4.8 and 2.5.8 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide.)

Using the Import ACIS File Form

The Import ACIS File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from ACIS files. To open the Import ACIS File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select ACIS from the Import submenu.

The Import ACIS File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the ACIS file.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Import Options:	--------------------------------------------------------
Format:	--------------------------------------------------------
ASCII	specifies an ASCII format.
Binary	specifies a binary format.
Heal Geometry	attempts to heal geometry during import.

Importing Parasolid Files

To import a Parasolid file, you must specify the following information:

• File Name
• Import Options

Specifying the File Name

The file name specifies the Parasolid file that contains the information to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to input the file name directly in the File Name text box or to select the file from directories and file lists by means of the Browse command button.

Specifying the Import Options

The Import Options allow you to customize the procedure by which the Parasolid file data are translated to become GAMBIT geometry. The Import Options are as follows:

• Model Scale Factor
• Stand-alone Geometry
• Heal Geometry

Specifying the Model Scale Factor

The Model Scale Factor specification allows you to apply a constant scale factor to all dimensions in the imported geometry. Its default value is equal to unity (1.0).

Specifying the Stand-alone Geometry Options

The Stand-alone Geometry options allow you to specify whether or not to retain or delete imported vertices, edges, and/or faces that are not connected to higher topology entities. There are three Stand-alone Geometry options:

• No stand-alone vertices
• No stand-alone edges
• No stand-alone faces

NOTE: The No stand-alone faces option is available because GAMBIT is capable of importing Parasolid volumes. In practice, however, the option is rarely used.

If you select the No stand-alone option for any geometry type, GAMBIT deletes all imported entities of that type that are not connected to higher topological entities. For example, if you select the No stand-alone vertices option, GAMBIT deletes all vertices that are not connected to edges.

If you do not select the No stand-alone option for a geometry type, GAMBIT includes stand-alone entities of that type in the imported geometry.

Specifying the Heal Geometry Option

The Heal Geometry option specifies that GAMBIT attempts to heal geometry during import. For a description of GAMBIT healing operations, see Sections 2.4.8 and 2.5.8 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide.

Using the Import Parasolid File Form

The Import Parasolid File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from Parasolid files. To open the Import Parasolid File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Parasolid from the Import submenu.

The Import Parasolid File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the IGES file containing the geometry to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Import Options:	----------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Scale Factor	specifies a scaling factor for imported model geometry.
Stand-alone Geometry	specifies whether or not to retain or delete imported topological entities that are not connected to higher entities.
No stand-alone vertices	(not yet supported in GAMBIT 2.0) deletes vertices that are not connected to any edges.
No stand-alone edges	deletes edges that are not connected to any faces.
No stand-alone faces	deletes faces that are not connected to any volumes.
Heal Geometry	attempts to heal model geometry during import.

Importing IGES Files

To import an IGES file, you must specify the following information:

• File Name
• Import Options
• Virtual Cleanup specifications (optional)

Specifying the File Name

The file name specifies the name of the IGES file from which geometry is to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to input the file name directly in the File Name text box or to select the file from directories and file lists by means of the Browse command button.

When you specify the name of an existing IGES file in the File Name text box, GAMBIT displays file summary information in the middle section of the Import IGES File form. The summary information represents information available in the global section of the IGES file and includes the following items:

Specifying the Import Options

The Import Options allow you to customize the procedure by which the IGES file data is translated to become GAMBIT geometry. The Import Options are as follows:

• Translator
• Model Scale Factor
• Stand-alone Geometry
• Import Source
• Heal Geometry

The Translator options allow you to specify which translator to use when importing IGES files into GAMBIT. The Translator options are as follows:

• Native
• Spatial

The Native option specifies the use of an IGES translator specifically designed for use with GAMBIT. The Native translator is capable of producing virtual geometry in the course of the data import process.

The Spatial option specifies the use of a generic translator developed by Spatial Technology, Inc.. The Spatial translator produces only real geometry.

Specifying the Model Scale Factor

The Model Scale Factor specification allows you to apply a constant scale factor to all dimensions in the imported geometry. Its default value is equal to the reciprocal of the Model Space Scale (see above).

NOTE: GAMBIT geometry operations may fail if the model dimensions are too large or too small relative to the GAMBIT global tolerance value. The GAMBIT global tolerance value is 10-6. To insure that GAMBIT geometry operations correctly handle imported IGES geometry, specify a Model Space Scale factor that enlarges or reduces the imported geometry such that its coordinate values are in the range of 10-5 to 104. Often, the system that generates the IGES file incorrectly reports the maximum coordinate value. It is important, therefore, to read and verify geometry values before applying the Model Space Scale factor.

Specifying the Stand-alone Geometry

The Stand-alone Geometry options allow you to specify whether or not to retain or delete imported vertices, edges, and/or faces that are not connected to higher topology entities. There are three Stand-alone Geometry options:

• No stand-alone vertices
• No stand-alone edges
• No stand-alone faces

NOTE: The No stand-alone faces option is available because GAMBIT is capable of importing IGES volumes. In practice, however, the option is rarely used.

If you select the No stand-alone option for any geometry type, GAMBIT deletes all imported entities of that type that are not connected to higher topological entities. For example, if you select the No stand-alone vertices option, GAMBIT deletes all vertices that are not connected to edges.

If you do not select the No stand-alone option for a geometry type, GAMBIT includes stand-alone entities of that type in the imported geometry.

Specifying the Import Source

The Import Source options allow you to specify the program used to generate the IGES file that contains the data to be imported. The Import Source options are as follows:

• Generic
• AutoCAD
• SolidWorks

Specifying the Heal Geometry Option

The Heal Geometry option specifies that GAMBIT attempts to heal geometry during import. For a description of GAMBIT healing operations, see Sections 2.4.8 and 2.5.8 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide.

Specifying the Virtual Cleanup Specifications

When you select the Virtual Cleanup option, GAMBIT automatically cleans up geometry as it is imported. Such cleanup operations include connecting disconnected vertices and edges and merging very-short edges with longer adjacent edges in order to facilitate meshing.

NOTE: You can use the Virtual Cleanup option on the Import IGES File form to automatically cleanup geometry that has already been imported into GAMBIT. To do so: Open the Import IGES File form. Select the Virtual Cleanup option and input appropriate values for the Connect Tolerance and Merge Tolerance specifications (see below). Ensure that the File Name text field is blank. Click Apply.

The Virtual Cleanup option includes two main specifications:

• Connect Tolerance
• Merge Tolerance

The Connect Tolerance specifies the maximum allowable distance between geometric entities to be connected (see Section 2.3.2 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide). You can specify the tolerance either in terms of absolute distance (Value) or as a percentage of the length of the shortest edge in the model (Shortest Edge %).

The Merge Tolerance specifies the maximum length of any edge to be considered as a candidate for merging in the cleanup process (see Section 2.3.5 of the GAMBIT Modeling guide).

Using the Import IGES File Form

The Import IGES File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from IGES files. To open the Import IGES File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select IGES from the Import submenu.

The Import IGES File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the IGES file containing the geometry to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Summary:	contains a summary of IGES global file information (see above).
Import Options:	------------------------
Translator	specifies the translator used in the import process.
Native	specifies an IGES translator specifically designed for use with GAMBIT
Spatial	specifies an IGES translator designed by Spatial Technology, Inc.
Model Scale Factor	specifies a scaling factor for imported model geometry.
Stand-alone Geometry	specifies whether or not to retain or delete imported topological entities that are not connected to higher entities.
No stand-alone vertices	deletes vertices that are not connected to any edges.
No stand-alone edges	deletes edges that are not connected to any faces.
No stand-alone faces	deletes faces that are not connected to any volumes.
Import Source:	--------------------------------------------
Generic AutoCAD SolidWorks	specifies the program used to create the IGES file.
Heal Geometry	attempts to heal geometry during import.
Virtual Cleanup	specifies the automation of GAMBIT cleanup operations for the imported geometry.
Connect Tolerance	specifies the maximum allowable distance between geometric entities to be connected. The distance must be input as either a real value (Value) or a percentage of the length of the shortest edge in the model (Shortest Edge %).
Merge Tolerance	specifies the maximum length of any edge considered a candidate for merging in the cleanup process.

Importing STEP Files

To import a STEP file, you must specify the following information:

• File Name
• Import Options

Specifying the File Name

The File Name specifies the STEP file that contains the information to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to input the file name directly in the File Name text box or to select the file from directories and file lists by means of the Browse command button.

Specifying the Import Options

The Import STEP File form provides two options:

• Stand-alone Geometry
• Heal Geometry

Specifying the Stand-alone Geometry Option

The Stand-alone Geometry options allow you to specify whether or not to retain or delete imported vertices, edges, and/or faces that are not connected to higher topology entities. There are three Stand-alone Geometry options:

• No stand-alone vertices (not yet supported in GAMBIT 1.3)
• No stand-alone edges
• No stand-alone faces

If you select the No stand-alone option for any geometry type, GAMBIT deletes all imported entities of that type that are not connected to higher topological entities. For example, if you select the No stand-alone vertices option, GAMBIT deletes all vertices that are not connected to edges.

If you do not select the No stand-alone option for a geometry type, GAMBIT includes stand-alone entities of that type in the imported geometry.

Specifying the Heal Geometry Option

The Heal Geometry option specifies that GAMBIT attempts to heal geometry during import. For a description of GAMBIT healing operations, see Sections 2.4.8 and 2.5.8 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide.

Using the Import STEP File Form

The Import STEP File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from STEP files. To open the Import STEP File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select STEP from the Import submenu.

The Import STEP File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the IGES file containing the geometry to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Import Options	----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stand-alone Geometry	specifies whether or not to retain or delete imported topological entities that are not connected to higher entities.
No stand-alone vertices	(not yet supported in GAMBIT 2.0) deletes vertices that are not connected to any edges.
No stand-alone edges	deletes edges that are not connected to any faces.
No stand-alone faces	deletes faces that are not connected to any volumes.
Heal Geometry	attempts to heal geometry during import.

Importing ICEM Input Files

ICEM data consists of sets of coordinates that define points in space. When you import an ICEM input file into GAMBIT, you can either convert the spatial points directly to vertices or allow GAMBIT to create a set of edges or a face described by the positions of the points. To import an ICEM input file, you must specify the following information:

• File Name
• Import Options

Specifying the File Name

The File Name specifies the ICEM input file that contains the information to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to input the file name directly in the File Name text box or to select the file from directories and file lists by means of the Browse command button.

Specifying the Import Options

The Import Options options allow you to specify the type of geometry created ruing the import operation and the allowable distance between the created geometry and the original data points. There are two Import Options:

• Tolerance
• Geometry to Create

Specifying the Tolerance

The Tolerance value specifies the maximum allowable distance between the created GAMBIT geometry and the original ICEM input data points used to describe the geometry.

Specifying the Geometry to Create

The Geometry to Create optiosn allow you to specify whether GAMBIT creates vertices, edges, or a face from the imported data. If you specify the creation of a face, you must also specify the manner in which the original data is interpreted in the face creation procedure.

The Geometry to Create options are as follows:

• Vertices—converts all poitns in the ICEM input file to vertices
• Edges—converts each row of points in the ICEM file into an edge
• Face—converts the ICEM input file points into a face.

• Net surface—creates a network of edges from the rows and columns of the ICEM data and fits the face to the network
• Vertex rows—shapes the created face by fitting a surface to the imported points
• Skin surface (rows)—creates an edge from each row in the ICEM data file and fits the face to the network of created edges
• Skin surface (columns)—creates an edge from each column of the ICEM data file and fits the face to the network of created edges

The Import ICEM Input File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from ICEM input files. To open the Import ICEM Input File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select ICEM Input from the Import submenu.

The Import ICEM Input File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the file containing the data to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Import Options:	----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tolerance	specifies the maximum distance between the created GAMBIT geometry and the original data point locations.
Geometry to Create:	----------------------------------------------------------------------
Vertices	creates vertices from the ICEM data.
Edges	creates edges from the ICEM data.
Faces	creates a face from the ICEM data.
Net surface	creates a network of edges from the row and column data and fits a face to the network.
Vertex rows	shapes the face by fitting a surface to the data points.
Skin surface (rows)	creates an edge from each row in the data file and fits the face to the network of created edges.
Skin surface (columns)	creates an edge from each column in the data file and fits the face to the network of created edges.

Importing Vertex Data Files

Vertex data files contain sets of coordinates that represent vertices. To import a vertex data file, you must specify the File Name of the file to be imported.

Using the Import Vertex Data File Form

The Import Vertex Data File form (see below) allows you to import geometry from vertex data files. To open the Import Vertex Data File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Vertex Data from the Import submenu.

The Import Vertex Data File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the file containing the data to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Importing CAD Geometry

To import CAD geometry, you must specify the following information:

• CAD Option
• File Name (options other than Pro/ENGINEER (DIRECT))
• Component (Pro/ENGINEER (DIRECT) option only)

• I-DEAS
• OPTEGRA Visualizer
• Pro/ENGINEER

Importing Geometry from I-DEAS or OPTEGRA Visualizer

To import geometry from the I-DEAS or OPTEGRA Visualizer software packages, you must specify the File Name of a data file that contains information describing the geometry.

Importing Geometry from Pro/ENGINEER

GAMBIT provides two options for importing geometry from the Pro/­ENGINEER software package:

• Pro/ENGINEER (STEP)—Import by means of a STEP file
• Pro/ENGINEER (DIRECT)—Direct geometry import

Importing Geometry by Means of a STEP File

When you select the Pro/ENGINEER (STEP) option, GAMBIT starts and runs the Pro/ENGINEER software package in the background to create a STEP file, then reads the STEP file to produce the GAMBIT geometry.

Importing Geometry Directly from Pro/ENGINEER

NOTE: The direct-import option described here requires a special GAMBIT license. Without the license, GAMBIT cannot open a database that includes directly-imported CAD geometry.

The Pro/ENGINEER (DIRECT) option allows you to import geometry directly from the Pro/ENGINEER software package. The direct import of Pro/­ENGINEER geometry circumvents many potential translation problems that can exist when geometry is imported by means of STEP files—in particular, problems associated with incomplete geometry and topology translation. Geometry that is incorrectly translated may lack the mathematical descriptions associated with the original geometry, leading to problems with GAMBIT faceting and meshing operations. Direct import of Pro/ENGINEER geometry significantly improves the import process and thereby increases the probability of obtaining a complete and accurate representation of the imported geometry.

When you import a model component (part or assembly) directly from Pro/ENGINEER, GAMBIT imports the component as a CAD entity. CAD entities, which are assigned the prefix "c_", are similar to real GAMBIT entities but can take part in any GAMBIT operation that is valid for a virtual entity. They differ from real entities primarily in that the faceting information for any CAD entity is generated in Pro/ENGINEER. That is, the mathematical description of the entity is retained in Pro/ENGINEER and is not transferred to GAMBIT during the geometry import. As a result, if you directly import geometry from Pro/ENGINEER and save the GAMBIT database, then open the GAMBIT database independent of Pro/ENGINEER, the resulting GAMBIT model does not include the mathematical descriptions of the model geometry. You can perform any valid operation on such geometry, but GAMBIT employs stored faceting information, rather than mathematical descriptions, for the geometry evaluations required by the operation.

Enabling the Direct Pro/ENGINEER Import Capability

For versions of GAMBIT that are licensed for the Pro/ENGINEER (DIRECT) import option, the GAMBIT installation CD includes a text file named and located on the CD as follows:

gambit/cad_integration/proe_integration/protk.dat

• If the current Pro/ENGINEER configuration includes an existing protk.dat file in the "text" subdirectory of the Pro/ENGINEER installation directory, the information contained in the protk.dat file on the GAMBIT installation CD must be appended to the existing protk.dat file during GAMBIT installation.
• If the current Pro/ENGINEER configuration does not include a protk.dat file in the "text" subdirectory of the Pro/ENGINEER installation directory, the protk.dat file on the GAMBIT installation CD must be made available to Pro/ENGINEER either by copying it to the "text" subdirectory during GAMBIT installation or by copying it to the working directory.

To import geometry directly from the Pro/ENGINEER program, you must execute the following steps:

NOTE (1): For direct import of Pro/ENGINEER geometry to GAMBIT, you must start Pro/ENGINEER by means of the GAMBIT startup command including the -proe option. For example, gambit -id name -new -proe where name is the name of the GAMBIT session. This command starts the Pro/ENGINEER program but does not start GAMBIT itself.

NOTE (2): You cannot operate on parts or assemblies from within Pro/ENGINEER while GAMBIT is running.

NOTE (3): GAMBIT does not allow you to import Pro/ENGINEER assemblies. To import geometry that exists as a Pro/ENGINEER assembly, you must first merge the assembly to create an individual part. To merge the assembly, select the Assembly/Component/Adv Utils/Merge option from the Pro/ENGINEER Menu Manager window, select the parts to be merged, and execute the operation.

NOTE (4): It is possible to swith between Pro/ENGINEER and GAMBIT operation while GAMBIT is running. To switch from GAMBIT to Pro/ENGINEER, you must exit GAMBIT by means of the File/Exit option on the GAMBIT main menu bar. When you exit GAMBIT in this manner, the GAMBIT window is iconized, and GAMBIT continues to run until you end its execution from within Pro/ENGINEER. To switch from Pro/ENGINEER to GAMBIT, select the Gambit option on the Pro/ENGINEER main menu bar. To ensure that any GAMBIT operations are preserved when switching back and forth between GAMBIT and Pro/ENGINEER, it is advisable to save the GAMBIT database before switching from GAMBIT to Pro/ENGINEER operation.

Using the Import CAD Geometry Form

The Import CAD Geometry form (see below) allows you to import geometry created by means of CAD programs. To open the Import CAD Geometry form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select CAD from the Import submenu.

Importing Mesh Files

To import a mesh file, you must specify the following information:

• Type
• Dimension
• Feature Angle (3-D geometry only)
• Merge Tolerance
• Scale
• File Name

The Type and Dimension specifications define the format of the mesh data to be imported. The Feature Angle defines the angle criterion that determines where to create topological edges for an imported three-dimensional mesh. The Merge Tolerance (which is not available for all types of imported meshes) determines which pairs (or sets) of imported nodes are merged in the importation process. The Scale specification scales the dimensions of the model relative to its original size. The File Name constitutes the name of the file to be imported.

Specifying the Type

GAMBIT allows you to import mesh information in the following formats.

• ANSYS
• CGNS
• FIDAP
• FLUENT4
• FLUENT5
• GAMBIT
• HYPERMESH
• I-DEAS UNV
• NASTRAN
• PATRAN
• PLOT3D FORMATTED
• STL
• TGRID

NOTE: STL files constitute collections of unconnected triangular facets that describe the exterior of model geometry. When you import an STL file, GAMBIT automatically translates the STL-file facet information into topological entities, faces, and volumes. For a description of the format of the mesh information associated with each of the other options listed above, consult the appropriate user documentation.

Specifying the Dimension

If you specify the I-DEAS UNV, ANSYS, NASTRAN, or PATRAN Type options, you must also specify the imported mesh Dimension. The Dimension options are as follows.

• 2 D—planar surface mesh
• 3 D—volume mesh
• Surface—surface mesh in 3-D space

Specifying the Feature Angle

When you import a mesh file, GAMBIT automatically creates geometry based on the mesh information in the file. If you import a two-dimensional mesh, GAMBIT creates model edges at the outer boundaries of the mesh. If you import a three-dimensional mesh, GAMBIT creates faces at the outer boundaries of the mesh and creates edges, as necessary, based, in part, on the angle between adjacent mesh element faces.

The Feature Angle specification on the Import Mesh form constitutes the criterion that GAMBIT employs to determine which mesh edges to convert to topological edges. Specifically, the Feature Angle represents a minimum value of the parameter in the expression

where is the angle (in degrees) between adjacent mesh element faces along a common mesh element edge (see Figure 4-1).

If is greater than the Feature Angle, GAMBIT creates a topological edge at the mesh edge that is common to the two mesh element faces. If is less than the Feature Angle, GAMBIT does not include the common mesh element edge as part of a geometric edge based on the angle criterion. (NOTE: Other geometry edges and faces are created based on element connectivity and element group information that is contained in the mesh file.)

NOTE (1): If you specify a Feature Angle value of zero, GAMBIT creates faces and volumes based only on boundary and continuum zones information that exists in the imported mesh file.

NOTE (2): You can create and modify geometry based on an imported mesh by means of the Modify Meshed Geometry form (see "Using the Modify Meshed Geometry Form" in the GAMBIT Modeling Guide, Sections 3.3.7 and 3.4.5)

Specifying the Merge Tolerance

The Merge Tolerance value specifies the maximum distance between merge-able nodes in the imported mesh. For example, if two nodes are separated by a distance of 5.0(10^-7) and the Merge Tolerance is set at 10^-6, then the nodes are merged to become a single node in the imported mesh.

Specifying the Scale Factor

The Scale enlarges or reduces the imported mesh by a factor x , where x is the specified Scale value on the Import Mesh form.

Using the Import Mesh Form

The Import Mesh form (see below) allows you to import mesh information from mesh files. To open the Import Mesh form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Mesh from the Import submenu.

The Import Mesh form includes the following specifications.

Type:	-------------------------
ANSYS CGNS FIDAP FLUENT4 FLUENT 5/6 GAMBIT HYPERMESH I-DEAS UNV NASTRAN PATRAN PLOT3D FORMATTED STL TGRID	specifies the format for the mesh information to be imported.
Dimension:	-------------------------
2 D 3 D Surface	specifies the dimension for I-DEAS UNV, ANSYS, NASTRAN and PATRAN files.
Feature Angle	specifies the minimum value of that GAMBIT employs to determine which mesh edges are converted to model edges.
Merge Tolerance	specifies the maximum distance between nodes that are to be merged in the mesh import process.
Scale	specifies the factor by which the mesh is enlarged or reduced in the mesh import process.
File Name:	specifies the name of the file containing the mesh and boundary attribute information to be imported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Importing Turbo Files

Turbo files contain data that describe turbomachinery configurations, such as edges that describe the blade cross-sections, hub, casing, and shroud. To import a turbo file, you must specify the following information:

• Type
• File Name

Specifying the Type

The Type specification determines the form of the file to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to import two types of turbo files:

• Native
• Pro/ENGINEER (IBL)

Specifying the File Name

The File Name specifies the turbo input file that contains the data to be imported. GAMBIT allows you to input the file name directly in the File Name text box or to select the file from directories and file lists by means of the Browse command button.

Using the Import Turbo File Form

The Import Turbo File form (see below) allows you to import turbo data files. To open the Import Turbo File form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Turbo from the Import sub­menu.

The Import Turbo File form includes the following specifications.

Type:	-------------------------
Native Pro/ENGINEER (IBL)	specifies the format of the data file to be imported.
File Name:	specifies the name of the turbo file.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Importing Results

Results files are databases that contain the results of numerical simulations. They are used primarily for postprocessing operations (see Chapter 6 of the GAMBIT Modeling Guide). To import a results file, you must specify the File Name of the file to be imported.

Using the Import Results Form

The Import Results form (see below) allows you to import solution results for use in postprocessing operations. To open the Import Results form, select Import from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Results from the Import submenu.

The Import Results form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the results file.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

4.1.10 Export

When you select Export from the File menu, GAMBIT opens a submenu of file export options. The submenu includes the following options:

• ACIS
• Parasolid
• IGES
• STEP
• Mesh

The ACIS, Parasolid, IGES, and STEP options export model geometry in the format of the ACIS or Parasolid modelers or IGES or STEP standards, respectively. The Mesh option exports mesh information in a format appropriate to the currently selected solver.

Exporting ACIS Files

To export geometry information in an ACIS format, you must specify the following parameters.

Using the Export ACIS File Form

The Export ACIS File form (see below) allows you to export model geometry information in ACIS format. To open the Export ACIS File form, select Export from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select ACIS from the Export submenu.

The Export ACIS File form includes the following specifications.

Format:	-------------------------
ASCII	specifies that the ACIS file is written in an ASCII format.
Binary	specifies that the ACIS file is written in a binary format.
Version:	contains an option button that allows you to specify the ACIS code version with which the exported geometry is compatible.
Method:	(ASCII format only)
Sequencing	specifies that sequence numbers are included in the exported ACIS file.
No Sequencing	specifies that sequence numbers are not included in the exported ACIS file.
File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the ACIS geometry information is exported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Exporting Parasolid Files

To export geometry information in a Parasolid format, you must specify the following parameters.

Using the Export Parasolid File Form

The Export Parasolid File form (see below) allows you to export model geometry information in Parasolid format. To open the Export Parasolid File form, select Export from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Parasolid from the Export submenu.

The Export Parasolid File form includes the following specifications.

Format:	-------------------------
Text	specifies that the Parasolid file is written in a text format.
Binary	specifies that the Parasolid file is written in a binary format.
Version:	contains an option button that allows you to specify the Parasolid code version with which the exported geometry is compatible.
File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the geometry information is exported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Exporting IGES Files

To export geometry information in an IGES format, you must specify the File Name and the status of the Write MSBO solids option. If you select the Write MSBO solids option, GAMBIT creates manifold solid B-rep objects (MSBOs) when exporting the IGES data.

Using the Export IGES File Form

The Export IGES File form (see below) allows you to export model geometry information in IGES format. To open the Export IGES File form, select Export from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select IGES from the Export submenu.

The Export IGES File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the geometry information is exported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Write MSBO solids	creates manifold solid B-rep objects when exporting the IGES data.

Exporting STEP Files

To export geometry information in a STEP format, you must specify the File Name for the file to which the data is to be exported.

Using the Export STEP File Form

The Export STEP File form (see below) allows you to export model geometry information in STEP format. To open the Export STEP File form, select Export from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select STEP from the Export submenu.

The Export STEP File form includes the following specifications.

File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the geometry information is exported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)

Exporting Mesh Files

When you select Export from the File menu and select Mesh from the Export submenu, GAMBIT opens the Export Mesh Files form. The Export Mesh Files form allows you to export GAMBIT mesh, boundary-type, and continuum-type information in a format appropriate to the currently selected solver.

The following table lists the available GAMBIT mesh export file formats, their associated file extensions, and the solvers to which they correspond.

Each format differs from the others with respect to two characteristics:

• Organization of its mesh information
• Types of allowable boundary attributes

Both characteristics are directly related to those of the currently active solver; therefore, to change the format of the exported file, you must first change the solver specification. For a description of the solver specifications available in GAMBIT, see Section 4.3.

NOTE (1): If you select the FLUENT/UNS, RAMPANT, FLUENT 5/6 solver, GAMBIT allows you the option of exporting a 2-D mesh.

NOTE (2): For a description of the GAMBIT neutral-file format, see Appendix C of this guide.

Using the Export Mesh File Form

The Export Mesh File form (see below) allows you to export mesh information. To open the Export Mesh File form, select Export from the File menu on the main menu bar, and select Mesh from the Export submenu.

The Export Mesh File form includes the following specifications.

File Type:	displays the export file format. To change the export file type, you must change the solver specification (see Section 4.3).
File Name:	specifies the name of the file to which the mesh and boundary attribute information is exported.
Browse…	opens the Select File form, which allows you to browse existing directories and file lists and to select a file name from the lists. (See "Using the Select File Form" in Section 4.1.2.)
Export 2d Mesh	exports 2-D mesh information (valid only for the FLUENT/UNS, RAMPANT, FLUENT 5/6 solver options).

4.1.11 Exit

The Exit command allows you to stop program execution. To exit the GAMBIT program, select Exit from the File menu on the main menu bar. If you have changed the model since the time it was last saved, GAMBIT prompts you to save the model before exiting the program (see below).

© Fluent, Inc. 12/21/01