Improved Overset Grid and Leap Motion Control for Pointwise CFD Meshing

Win a Leap Motion controller with Pointwise 17.3

A Pointwise user uses a Leap Motion controller when configuring his mesh.

A Pointwise user uses a Leap Motion controller when configuring his mesh.

The latest release of Pointwise, version 17.3, will include improvements to their overset meshing technology. Additionally, the release will support the hand motion capturing controller, Leap Motion.

“Building on the integration of overset grid assembly in our previous release, we have enhanced Pointwise’s ability to generate structured overset grids,” said John Steinbrenner, Pointwise‘s vice president of research and development.

The extrusion of the mesh is based on the solution of hyperbolic partial differential equations. Steinbrenner added that the release will offer more options for boundary conditions and topologies to control the extrusion of these hexahedral meshes.

The release will also focuses on the adoption of the Leap Motion sensor. For those not in the know, the Leap Motion sensor will allow users to pan, zoom and rotate their mesh using hand gestures alone.

Though the hand motion tool does seem cool (à la Ironman movies), it will be interesting to see if the sensor can offer the pinpoint accuracy and functionality already offered by a mouse. For those interested, Pointwise is offering a chance to win a Leap Motion if you follow this link. In the meantime, if you use one and can think of a use case for the Leap Motion, please comment below.

Other improvements to Pointwise 17.3 include:

  • Support for AERO-F from CMSoft
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • Exodus II
  • Thermal Desktop from C&R Technologies
  • User enhancements

Version 17.3 Bug Fix Release

Two high priority bugs forced Pointwise to make a quick new release of version 17.3. The first bug prevents “non-positive volume” errors when exporting to ANSYS Fluent. The second fix eliminates regions of large tetrahedral elements in certain isotropic tetrahedral meshes.

To download the bug-fix release follow this link.

Other fixes include:

  • Coordinate queries of circle centers
  • Boundary condition for adjacent T-Rex grids
  • Crash fixes for editing Bezier segments
  • Typos

Article modified on 06/18/15

Written by

Shawn Wasserman

For over 10 years, Shawn Wasserman has informed, inspired and engaged the engineering community through online content. As a senior writer at WTWH media, he produces branded content to help engineers streamline their operations via new tools, technologies and software. While a senior editor at Engineering.com, Shawn wrote stories about CAE, simulation, PLM, CAD, IoT, AI and more. During his time as the blog manager at Ansys, Shawn produced content featuring stories, tips, tricks and interesting use cases for CAE technologies. Shawn holds a master’s degree in Bioengineering from the University of Guelph and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.