1.2 The Workbench Graphical User Interface

The Workbench graphical user interface (Figure  1.2.1) consists of the Toolbox, the Project Schematic, the Toolbar, and the Menu bar. The most common way to begin work in Workbench is to drag an item, such as a component system (application) or an analysis system, from the Toolbox to the Project Schematic, or to double-click on an item to initiate the default action. You will view your component and/or analysis systems - the pieces that make up your analysis - in the Project Schematic, including all connections between the systems. The individual applications in which you work will display separately from the Workbench graphical interface, but the actions you take in the applications will be reflected in the Project Schematic.

Note that FLUENT can be accessed in Workbench as either a component system or as an analysis system. Details for using both are described throughout this document.

Figure 1.2.1: The Workbench Graphical User Interface

Note that FLUENT in Workbench uses informational and warning dialog boxes that are designed to guide you in various ways as you work through your CFD analysis. Informational dialog boxes display messages that assist you in a specific task, or provide additional information relating to the task at hand. Warning dialog boxes display cautionary information concerning a task that is about to be performed. Warning dialog boxes that display an OK and a Cancel button allow you to choose from one of two options (to proceed or not to proceed), whereas, warning dialog boxes that contain only an OK button are designed to display a cautionary message indicating that you need to be aware that the application is about to change something.