VSPAEROComputeGeometry Analysis – Output Files Handling

[Gennaro Barbato]

Hi everyone, and thanks for accepting me into the OpenVSP group.

I'm working on developing an optimization procedure for a BWB. I have created a script for geometry generation and panel method simulation, but I have a question regarding the "VSPAEROComputeGeometry" analysis.

I noticed that this analysis produces five different output files. I would like to know more about them and whether it is possible to disable the creation of some of these output files, as not all of them are useful for the PM analysis.

Additionally, I would like to know if there is an efficient way to store the output file names in string variables. I noticed that the "PrintResults()" function does not provide the output file names.

I sincerely thank you in advance for your response and for your time.

[Rob McDonald]

Which of the files do you think are not needed?

At this time, there is no way to turn off some of the files or to build a list of them.  Likewise, VSPAERO dumps out a bunch of files at runtime.

Your best bet is just to ignore them.

A future version of OpenVSP / VSPAERO will write out fewer files (in particular, the degen geom file will no longer be used), but I actually think we're adding a few new ones too...

Rob

[Gennaro Barbato]

Firstly, thank you, Rob, for your quick response - I really appreciate your work.

The script generates a geometry file named "BWB_Baseline.vsp3". The five output files I mentioned in my question are:

1 - BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom.vspgeom 

2 - BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom.vkey 

3 - BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom_DegenGeom.csv

4 - BWB_Baseline_CompGeom.csv

5 - BWB_Baseline_CompGeom.txt

I noticed that "BWB_Baseline_CompGeom.txt" and "BWB_Baseline_CompGeom.csv" contain the same information about the theoretical and wetted area (similar to the output of the "CompGeom" analysis in the GUI), but in different file formats. I assume that one of them should be sufficient for PM analysis purposes - am I mistaken?.

"BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom.vkey" is a tag key file, while "BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom.vspgeom" contains the computational mesh written in an appropriate format.

However, I am unsure about the function of the "BWB_Baseline_VSPGeom_DegenGeom.csv" file. Could you provide some insights into its purpose? Also, is my understanding of the other files more or less correct?

It's just a personal curiosity - thank you again in advance!

[Rob McDonald]

VSPERO does not use the CompGeom.csv and compGeom.txt files.  It is safe to ignore them.

In Panel mode, the DegenGeom.csv is used to transfer extra data to VSPAERO -- things like actuator disks and control surfaces.  In VLM mode, it is the primary way the geometry is conveyed.

The *.vkey file provides information about the different surfaces based on their tag number (which is included for each triangle in the *.vspgeom file).

The *.vspgeom file is the main way the geometry is transferred.

In the future, the Panel and VLM methods will be consolidated.  The DegenGeom files will no longer be used.  There will be some updates to the *.vspgeom fomat.  Control surfaces will be transferred using a new set of files.

Rob