4.5.5. Rhino Tdyn Wind Tunnel plugin

The purpose of this plugin is to make it easier for users who typically use Rhinoceros as a design application to export geometry created using this CAD application to the Tdyn Wind Tunnel application.

4.5.5.1. How to get this plugin

The Rhino Tdyn Wind Tunnel plugin is currently available on the Compass website and will soon be available on food4Rhino.

4.5.5.2. How to install this plugin

The plugin is contained in a yak file. To install it, just drag and drop the yak file into the Rhinoceros window. If the plugin has been installed correctly, a new toolbar with a button should appear in Rhinoceros interface.

4.5.5.3. How to run this plugin

The plugin includes a command called TdynWindTunnel which can be executed from the button contained in the plugin’s built-in toolbar or by entering the command in the command line.

The first time the command is run, if Tdyn Wind Tunnel is not installed, then a dialog box allows to download Tdyn Wind Tunnel from Compass website.

The second time the command is run, it is necessary to enter passwords for GID and FULL_WINDTUNNEL modules according to the Getting Started manual of Tdyn Wind Tunnel.

Afterwards, each time the TdynWindTunnel command is executed, the geometry will be exported to IGES format, the Tdyn Wind Tunnel installation will be started, and the geometry will be imported.

Tdyn Wind Tunnel requires the geometry to be expressed in metres. Otherwise, a message box will warn that the geometry will be converted to metres if the user presses the OK button. However, the user can cancel the execution of the command.

According to the Tdyn Wind Tunnel manual, the geometry must meet other criteria, besides the units, in order to be able to run a wind tunnel simulation. These criteria are not checked when executing the TdynWindTunnel command but are checked by the Tdyn Wind Tunnel application.

In case different versions of Tdyn Wind Tunnel are installed, the most recent version shall be run.

After verifying the units and exporting the geometry in IGES format, Tdyn Wind Tunnel opens with the imported geometry.

For more information on how to perform a wind tunnel simulation, please visit the Tdyn Wind Tunnel manual.