Leveraging Sets for Group Isolation

Introduction

In addition to isolating components for various analyses in OpenVSP, Sets are a great way to quickly switch between configurations or assembly groups.  For example, you can have multiple different versions of a vehicle in the same model and only include particular configurations in a Set.  One configuration may have a highly swept wing and V-tail while another may have a low aspect ratio wing with no sweep and a cruciform tail.  This is different than leveraging Variable Presets to alter the overall parametric shape of a component for a design change and intended more for significant configurations changes. Similarly, Sets may be used to show only specific groups or assemblies so the user can focus on a particular element or region of the model. Hiding everything in a model except for the engines or propellers is one such use case. Your modeling efficiency and speed are greatly improved by leveraging Sets for group isolation in these ways.

Leveraging Sets for Analyses

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to use Sets for analyses in OpenVSP. In each case, the analysis menu will show a dropdown selection for the set you wish to operate on. Once a set is chosen, you can execute the analysis as usual and only those components included in the set will be considered. Note that OpenVSP has three named sets that are always present and represent all components in the model (All), the visible components (Shown), or the hidden components (Not Shown).

Sets Introduction and the Set Editor

Introduction

This topic will introduce Sets to the user and illustrate how to leverage the Set Editor to select which components will belong to any given Set. Sets are a great way to choose which components or features to include in an analysis, file export, assembly group, or configuration. For example, users can choose to include only the lifting surfaces in the model for a VSPAERO Vortex-Lattice analysis without having to hide all other components in the model.

Component Sets

Introduction

Components may each be grouped into collections known as Sets in OpenVSP by choosing the individual components relevant to an analysis, assembly, configuration, or for export. Sets are intended to make it quick and easy to switch between pre-selected groups rather than individually showing or hiding components in the model tree under the geometry browser window. The Set Editor enables users to quickly add or remove components from a set, copy and paste components from one set to another, and rename sets. Individual components may also be added or removed from sets under the Set Export/Analysis box in the component window.

Topics:

Sets Introduction and the Set Editor
Leveraging Sets for Analyses
Leveraging Sets for Group Isolation
Exporting Sets

Chapter 2 Subjects

Component Sets
Design Variables
Variable Presets
User Parameters
Snap-To
Linear Parameter Linking
Subsurfaces

Chapter 2: Modeling and Designing Intent

Component Sets

Sets Introduction and the Set Editor
Leveraging Sets for Analyses
Leveraging Sets for Group Isolation
Exporting Sets

Design Variables

Design Variable Introduction
Adding, Removing, and Adjusting Design Variables
Saving or Loading a Design Variable File
Modifying and Executing a Design Variable File
Finding Parameters Using the Design Variable Explorer
Design Variable Conflicts and How to Avoid Them

Variable Presets

Variable Preset Introduction
Preset Groups, Settings, and Adding Variables
Adjusting Parameters and Updating a Setting
Variable Preset Example: NASA X-57

User Parameters

User Parameter Introduction
Creating and Adjusting a User Parameter
User Parm Wing Loading Example
User Parm Linked Hinge Example

Snap-To

Snap-To Introduction
Interactive Collision Detection
Manual Collision Detection
Rotor Collision Example

Linear Parameter Linking

Parameter Link Introduction
Creating or Modifying a Link
Creating a Parametric Clone
Parameter Link Best Practices (In Progress…)

Subsurfaces

Introduction to Subsurfaces
Subsurface Lines
Subsurface Finite Lines
Subsurface Rectangle
Subsurface Ellipse
Control Surfaces Introduction
Control Surface Refinement