1.1.2 Starting ANSYS FLUENT Using FLUENT Launcher

Whether you start ANSYS FLUENT either from the Linux/UNIX or Windows command line with no arguments, from the Windows Programs menu, or from the Windows desktop, FLUENT Launcher will appear, where you can specify the dimensionality of the problem (2D or 3D), as well as other options (e.g., whether you want a single-precision or double-precision calculation):

Figure 1.1.1: FLUENT Launcher

Under Dimension, select 3D for the three-dimensional solver, or select 2D for the two-dimensional solver.

The Display Options allow you to make decisions related to the graphics windows:

• You can choose to have ANSYS FLUENT automatically display the mesh immediately after reading a mesh or case file by using the Display Mesh After Reading option (enabled by default). All of the boundary zones will be displayed, except for the interior zones of 3D geometries. Note that your decision regarding this option can be overridden after you have launched ANSYS FLUENT: simply change the status of the Display Mesh After Reading option in the Select File dialog box that opens when you are reading in the mesh or case file.

• You can choose to have the graphics windows embedded within the ANSYS FLUENT application window by using the Embed Graphics Windows option (enabled by default), rather than having floating graphics windows.

• You can choose to use the default Workbench Color Scheme in the graphics windows (i.e., a blue background), rather than the classic black background.

Under Options, you can choose to run ANSYS FLUENT in double-precision mode by selecting the Double-Precision check box (by default, you start ANSYS FLUENT in single-precision mode). You can also choose to use various job schedulers (e.g., the Microsoft Job Scheduler for Windows using the Use Microsoft Job Scheduler option, or LSF and SGE on Linux/UNIX using the Use Job Scheduler option). For more information about using FLUENT Launcher with job schedulers, see Section  1.1.2 and Section  32.2.1.

Under Processing Options, select Serial for the serial solver, or select Parallel to run the solver in parallel (see Chapter  32).

If you select the Show More >> button, FLUENT Launcher expands to reveal more options for you to choose from. Note that once FLUENT Launcher expands, the Show More >> button becomes the << Show Less button, allowing you to hide the additional options.

FLUENT Launcher also appears when you start ANSYS FLUENT within ANSYS Workbench. For more information, see the separate FLUENT in Workbench User's Guide.

Setting General Options in FLUENT Launcher

The General Options tab allows you to specify generic settings for running ANSYS FLUENT.

Figure 1.1.2: The General Options Tab of FLUENT Launcher

• Specify the version of ANSYS FLUENT by selecting the appropriate option in the Version drop-down list. The drop-down list contains all of the available versions of ANSYS FLUENT that exist in your ANSYS FLUENT installation.

  In addition, you start ANSYS FLUENT in full simulation mode. You can choose to run ANSYS FLUENT where only the set up or postprocessing capabilities are available by selecting the Pre/Post Only check box. The full ANSYS FLUENT simulation allows you to set up, solve and postprocess a problem, while Pre/Post Only allows you to set up or postprocess a problem, but will not allow you to perform calculations.

• Specify the path of your current working folder using the Working Directory field or click to browse through your directory structure. Note that a UNC path cannot be set as a working folder, and a you need to map a drive to the UNC path (Windows only). The button automatically converts a local path to a UNC path if any matching shared directory is found (Windows only).

• Specify the location of where ANSYS FLUENT is installed on your system using the FLUENT Root Path field, or click to browse through your directory structure to locate the installation folder (trying to use the UNC path if applicable - Windows only). Once set, various fields in FLUENT Launcher (e.g., parallel settings, etc.) are automatically populated with the available options, depending on the ANSYS FLUENT installations that are available.

• Specify the path and name of a journal file by selecting the Use Journal File check box and entering the journal file location and name, or click to browse through your directory structure to locate the file. Using the journal file, you can automatically load the case, compile any user-defined functions, iterate until the solution converges, and write results to a output file.

Setting Parallel Options in FLUENT Launcher

The Parallel Settings tab allows you to specify settings for running ANSYS FLUENT in parallel. This tab is only available if you have selected Parallel under Processing Options. Once you select Parallel, you can specify the number of processes using the Number of Processes field.

Figure 1.1.3: The Parallel Settings Tab of FLUENT Launcher

For additional information about this tab, see Section  32.2.

Setting Scheduler Options in FLUENT Launcher

The Scheduler tab allows you to specify settings for running ANSYS FLUENT with various job schedulers (e.g., the Microsoft Job Scheduler for Windows, or LSF and SGE on Linux/UNIX). This tab is available if you have selected Use Microsoft Job Scheduler (Windows) or Use Job Scheduler Linux/UNIX under Options.

Figure 1.1.4: The Scheduler Tab of FLUENT Launcher (Windows Version)

For additional information about this tab, see Section  32.2.1.

Setting UDF Options in FLUENT Launcher (Windows Only)

For Windows, the UDF tab allows you to specify compiler settings for compiling user-defined functions (UDFs) with ANSYS FLUENT.

Figure 1.1.5: The UDF Tab of FLUENT Launcher

Specify a batch file that contains UDF compilation environment settings by selecting the Setup Compilation Environment for UDF check box (enabled by default). Once selected, you can then enter a batch file name in the text field. By default, FLUENT Launcher uses the udf.bat file that is located in the folder where ANSYS FLUENT is installed. It is recommended that you keep the default batch file, which is tested with the latest MS Visual Studio C++ compilers at the time of the ANSYS FLUENT release date.

For more information about compiling UDFs, see the separate ANSYS FLUENT UDF Manual.

Setting Environment Options in FLUENT Launcher

The Environment tab allows you to specify environment variable settings for running ANSYS FLUENT.

Figure 1.1.6: The Environment Tab of FLUENT Launcher

Enter or edit license file or environment variable information in the text field. Using the Default button resets the default value(s).