Modifying and Executing a Design Variable File

Introduction

You can load a Design file directly from the command line with OpenVSP by executing “vsp.exe -des <desfile> <filename.vsp3>” where <desfile> is the name of the Design file and <filename.vsp3> is the model with the corresponding parameter IDs.

Design files are NOT model agnostic. The parameter IDs for a particular model are saved in the file and will not work with similar parameters on a different model if the IDs are different.

Saving or Loading a Design Variable File

Introduction

Once you have the relevant design variables grouped together, you can save the current state of those variables into a design variable file (*.des) that writes the variable information and current values to a text file. Simply click “Save” under the Pick tab in the Design Variables window to open a dialog to save or overwrite a *.des file. To load a design variable file, click “Load” under the Pick tab and choose a *.des file. Once accepted, the model will update the design variable parameters to the values stored in the design file.

Adding, Removing, and Adjusting Design Variables

Introduction

Adding or removing design variables is very simple. To add a variable, you can choose the Container, Group, and Parm corresponding to the parameter you want and click “Add Variable” or, much easier, you can click on the parameter name in the component window and drag to the Design Variable List. Click on a parameter in the Variable List window to highlight and then click “Delete Variable” to remove it from the list. All stored design variables may be adjusted by slider or text entry under the Adjust tab.

Design Variable Introduction

Introduction

Design Variables are a great way of collecting all of the important parameters in your model in a single location so you can quickly alter these settings without having to switch between components and tabs within the windows. You may also save and load Design files to quickly change multiple parameters at once. This is very useful for short, relatively simple trade space explorations that can be scripted.

Subsurfaces

Introduction

Subsurfaces are lines, rectangles, or ellipses defined in the UW coordinates on an OpenVSP model surface. These features are honored by the CompGeom, CFD Mesh, and DegenGeom functions among others and may be used to model inlet/outlet boundary conditions, control surfaces, material properties, surface roughness, etc.

Topics:

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

Chapter 2 Subjects

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