Chapter 3: Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel;
the water exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid
into and out of a mixer using ANSYS Workbench.
This tutorial includes:
3.1.Tutorial Features
3.2. Overview of the Problem to Solve
3.3. Before You Begin
3.4. Setting Up the Project
3.5. Defining the Case Using CFX-Pre
3.6. Obtaining the Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager
3.7. Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post
For introductory information about ANSYS Workbench, see ANSYS CFX in ANSYS Workbench in the CFX
Introduction.

3.1. Tutorial Features

In this tutorial you will learn about:
Using ANSYS Workbench to set up a project.
Using Quick Setup mode in CFX-Pre to set up a problem.
Using ANSYS CFX-Solver Manager to obtain a solution.
Modifying the outline plot in CFD-Post.
Using streamlines in CFD-Post to trace the flow field from a point.
Viewing temperature using colored planes and contours in CFD-Post.
Creating an animation and saving it as a movie file.
Component

Feature

Details

CFX-Pre

User Mode

Quick Setup mode

Analysis Type

Steady State

Fluid Type

General Fluid

Domain Type

Single Domain

Turbulence Model

k-Epsilon

Heat Transfer

Thermal Energy

Boundary Conditions

Inlet (Subsonic)
Outlet (Subsonic)

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

Component

Feature

Details
Wall: No-Slip
Wall: Adiabatic

Timestep
Animation

Keyframe

Plots

CFD-Post

Physical Time Scale

Contour
Outline Plot (Wireframe)
Point
Slice Plane
Streamline

3.2. Overview of the Problem to Solve

This tutorial simulates a static mixer consisting of two inlet pipes delivering water into a mixing vessel;
the water exits through an outlet pipe. A general workflow is established for analyzing the flow of fluid
into and out of a mixer.
Water enters through both pipes at the same rate but at different temperatures. The first entry is at a
rate of 2 m/s and a temperature of 315 K and the second entry is at a rate of 2 m/s at a temperature
of 285 K. The radius of the mixer is 2 m.
Your goal in this tutorial is to understand how to use CFX in Workbench to determine the speed and
temperature of the water when it exits the static mixer.
Figure 3.1: Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe

3.3. Before You Begin

It is important to do the following before beginning the tutorial:

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Defining the Case Using CFX-Pre

1.

Use your operating system's tools to create a directory for your project's files.
The directory you create will be referred to as the working directory.

2.

Copy StaticMixerMesh.gtm from the <CFXROOT>/examples directory to the working directory,

where <CFXROOT> is the installation directory for ANSYS CFX.

3.4. Setting Up the Project

1.

Start ANSYS Workbench.

To launch ANSYS Workbench on Windows, click the Start menu, then select All Programs > ANSYS
14.5 > Workbench 14.5. To launch ANSYS Workbench on Linux, open a command line interface,
type the path to runwb2 (for example, ~/ansys_inc/v145/Framework/bin/Linux64/runwb2), then
press Enter.

2.

. In the dialog box that appears, browse to the working directory,

From the tool bar, click Save As
give the File name as StaticMixer, and click Save.

3.5. Defining the Case Using CFX-Pre

Because you are starting with an existing mesh, you can immediately use CFX-Pre to define the simulation.
To launch CFX-Pre:
1.

In the Toolbox pane, open Component Systems and double-click CFX.

A CFX system opens in the Project Schematic.

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

Note
You use a CFX component system because you are starting with a mesh. If you wanted
to create the geometry and mesh, you would start with a Fluid Flow (CFX) analysis
system.

2.

Right-click on the blue CFX cell (A1) and select Rename. Change the name of the system to Static
Mixer.

3.

In ANSYS Workbench, enable View > Files and View > Progress so that you can see the files that are
written and the time remaining to complete operations.

4.

In the Workbench Project Schematic, double-click the Setup cell of the CFX component system. CFXPre opens.

5.

Optionally, change the background color of the viewer in CFX-Pre for improved viewing:
a.
b.

Adjust the color settings under CFX-Pre > Graphics Style. For example, you could set the Background > Color Type to Solid and the Color to white.

c.

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Select Edit > Options. The Options dialog box appears.

Click OK.

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Defining the Case Using CFX-Pre

3.5.1. Creating the Simulation Definition

Before importing and working with the mesh, you need to create a simulation; in this example, you will
use Quick Setup mode. Quick Setup mode provides a simple wizard-like interface for setting up simple
cases. This is useful for getting familiar with the basic elements of a CFD problem setup.
1.

In CFX-Pre, select Tools > Quick Setup Mode. The Quick Setup Wizard opens, enabling you to define
this single-phase simulation.

2.

Under Working Fluid > Fluid select Water. This is a fluid already defined in the library of materials as
water at 25C.

3.

Under Mesh Data > Mesh File, click Browse

The Import Mesh dialog box appears.

4.

Under Files of type, select CFX Mesh (*gtm *cfx).

5.

From your working directory, select StaticMixerMesh.gtm.

6.

Click Open.
The mesh loads, which enables you to apply physics.

7.

Click Next.

3.5.2. Setting the Physics Definition

You need to define the type of flow and the physical models to use in the fluid domain.
The flow is steady state and you will specify the turbulence and heat transfer. Turbulence is modeled
using the - turbulence model and heat transfer using the thermal energy model. The - turbulence
model is a commonly used model and is suitable for a wide range of applications. The thermal energy
model neglects high speed energy effects and is therefore suitable for low speed flow applications.

1.

Under Model Data, note that the Reference Pressure is set to 1 [atm].
All other pressure settings are relative to this reference pressure.

2.

Set Heat Transfer to Thermal Energy.

3.

Leave Turbulence at its default setting, k-Epsilon.

4.

Click Next.

3.5.3. Defining Boundaries

The CFD model requires the definition of conditions on the boundaries of the domain.
1.

Delete Inlet and Outlet from the list by right-clicking each and selecting Delete Boundary.

2.

Right-click in the blank area where Inlet and Outlet were listed, then select Add Boundary.

3.

Set Name to in1.

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

4.

Click OK.
The boundary is created and, when selected, properties related to the boundary are displayed.

3.5.4. Setting Boundary Data

Once boundaries are created, you need to create associated data. Based on Figure 3.1: Static Mixer with
2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 42), you will define the velocity and temperature for the first inlet.
1.

Set in1 > Boundary Type to Inlet.

2.

Set Location to in1.

3.

Set the Flow Specification > Option to Normal Speed and set Normal Speed to: 2 [m s^-1]

4.

Set the Temperature Specification > Static Temperature to 315 [K] (note the units).

3.5.5. Creating the Second Inlet Boundary Definition

Based on Figure 3.1: Static Mixer with 2 Inlet Pipes and 1 Outlet Pipe (p. 42), you know the second inlet
boundary condition consists of a velocity of 2 m/s and a temperature of 285 K at one of the side inlets.
You will define that now.
1.

Under the Boundary Definition panel, right-click in the selector area and select Add Boundary.

2.

Create a new boundary named in2 with these settings:

Setting

Value

in2 > Boundary Type

Inlet

in2 > Location

in2

Flow Specification > Option

Normal Speed

Flow Specification > Normal Speed

2 [m s^-1]

Temperature Specification > Static

Temperature

285 [K]

3.5.6. Creating the Outlet Boundary Definition

Now that the second inlet boundary has been created, the same concepts can be applied to building
the outlet boundary.
1.

Create a new boundary named out with these settings:

Setting
out > Boundary Type

Outlet

out > Location

out

Flow Specification > Option

Average Static Pressure

Flow Specification > Relative Pressure

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Value

0 [Pa]

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Defining the Case Using CFX-Pre

2.

Click Next.

3.5.7. Moving to General Mode

There are no further boundary conditions that need to be set. All 2D exterior regions that have not
been assigned to a boundary condition are automatically assigned to the default boundary condition.
1.

Set Operation to Enter General Mode.

2.

Click Finish.
The three boundary conditions are displayed in the viewer as sets of arrows at the boundary surfaces.
Inlet boundary arrows are directed into the domain. Outlet boundary arrows are directed out of
the domain.

3.5.8. Using the Viewer

Now that the simulation is loaded, take a moment to explore how you can use the viewer toolbar to
zoom in or out and to rotate the object in the viewer.

3.5.8.1. Using the Zoom Tools

There are several icons available for controlling the level of zoom in the viewer.
1.

Click Zoom Box

2.

Click and drag a rectangular box over the geometry.

3.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

The geometry zoom changes to display the selection at a greater resolution.

4.

Click Fit View

to re-center and re-scale the geometry.

3.5.8.2. Rotating the Geometry

If you need to rotate an object or to view it from a new angle, you can use the viewer toolbar.
on the viewer toolbar.

1.

Click Rotate

2.

Click and drag within the geometry repeatedly to test the rotation of the geometry.
The geometry rotates based on the direction of movement.
Notice how the mouse cursor changes depending on where you are in the viewer:

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

3.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View From -X.

4.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z Up).
A clearer view of the mesh is displayed.

3.5.9. Setting Solver Control

Solver Control parameters control aspects of the numerical solution generation process.
While an upwind advection scheme is less accurate than other advection schemes, it is also more robust.
This advection scheme is suitable for obtaining an initial set of results, but in general should not be
used to obtain final accurate results.
The time scale can be calculated automatically by the solver or set manually. The Automatic option
tends to be conservative, leading to reliable, but often slow, convergence. It is often possible to accelerate convergence by applying a time scale factor or by choosing a manual value that is more aggressive
than the Automatic option. In this tutorial, you will select a physical time scale, leading to convergence
that is twice as fast as the Automatic option.
.

1.

In the CFX-Pre tool bar, click Solver Control

2.

On the Basic Settings tab, set Advection Scheme > Option to Upwind.

3.

Set Convergence Control > Fluid Timescale Control > Timescale Control to Physical Timescale
and set the physical timescale value to 2 [s].

4.

Click OK.

3.6. Obtaining the Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

To obtain a solution, you need to launch the CFX-Solver Manager and subsequently use it to start the
solver:
1.

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Double-click on the ANSYS Workbench Solution cell. The CFX-Solver Manager appears with the Define
Run dialog box displayed.

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Obtaining the Solution Using CFX-Solver Manager

The Define Run dialog box enables configuration of a run for processing by CFX-Solver. In this
case, all of the information required to perform a new serial run (on a single processor) is entered
automatically. You do not need to alter the information in the Define Run dialog box.
2.

Click Start Run.

CFX-Solver launches and a split screen appears and displays the results of the run graphically and
as text. The panes continue to build as CFX-Solver Manager operates.
One window shows the convergence history plots and the other displays text output from CFXSolver. The text lists physical properties, boundary conditions, and various other parameters used
or calculated in creating the model. All the text is written to the output file automatically (in this
case, StaticMixer_001.out).

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

Note
Once the second iteration appears, data begins to plot. Plotting may take a long time
depending on the amount of data to process. Let the process run.

When CFX-Solver is finished, a message is displayed and the final line in the .out file (which you can
see in the CFX-Solver Manager) is:

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

This run of the ANSYS CFX Solver has finished.

3.7. Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

Once CFX-Solver has finished, you can use CFD-Post to review the finished results:
1.

In ANSYS Workbench, right-click on the Results cell and select Refresh.

2.

When the refresh is complete, double-click on the Results cell. CFD-Post appears.

When CFD-Post starts, the viewer and Outline workspace are displayed. Optionally, change the background color of the viewer for improved viewing:
1.

In CFD-Post, select Edit > Options. The Options dialog box appears.

2.

Adjust the color settings under CFD-Post > Viewer. For example, you could set the Background >
Color Type to Solid and the Color to white.

3.

Click OK.

The viewer displays an outline of the geometry and other graphic objects. You can use the mouse or
the toolbar icons to manipulate the view, exactly as in CFX-Pre.
The tutorial follows this general workflow for viewing results in CFD-Post:
3.7.1. Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object
3.7.2. Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline
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3.7.3. Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point
3.7.4. Rearranging the Point
3.7.5. Configuring a Default Legend
3.7.6. Creating a Slice Plane
3.7.7. Defining Slice Plane Geometry
3.7.8. Configuring Slice Plane Views
3.7.9. Rendering Slice Planes
3.7.10. Coloring the Slice Plane
3.7.11. Moving the Slice Plane
3.7.12. Adding Contours
3.7.13. Working with Animations
3.7.14. Closing the Applications

3.7.1. Setting the Edge Angle for a Wireframe Object

The outline of the geometry is called the wireframe or outline plot.
By default, CFD-Post displays only some of the surface mesh. This sometimes means that when you first
load your results file, the geometry outline is not displayed clearly. You can control the amount of the
surface mesh shown by editing the Wireframe object listed in the Outline.
The check boxes next to each object name in the Outline tree view control the visibility of each object.
Currently only the Wireframe and Default Legend objects have visibility turned on.
The edge angle determines how much of the surface mesh is visible. If the angle between two adjacent
faces is greater than the edge angle, then that edge is drawn. If the edge angle is set to 0, the entire
surface mesh is drawn. If the edge angle is large, then only the most significant corner edges of the
geometry are drawn.
For this geometry, a setting of approximately 15 lets you view the model location without displaying
an excessive amount of the surface mesh.
In this module you can also modify the zoom settings and view of the wireframe.
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Wireframe.

2.

Right-click a blank area anywhere in the viewer, select Predefined Camera from the shortcut menu,
and select Isometric View (Z up).

Tip
While it is not necessary to change the view to set the edge angle for the wireframe,
doing so enables you to explore the practical uses of this feature.

3.

In the Wireframe details view, under Definition, click in the Edge Angle box.
An embedded slider is displayed.

4.

Type a value of 10 [degree].

5.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Notice that more surface mesh is displayed.

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

6.

Drag the embedded slider to set the Edge Angle value to approximately 45 [degree].

7.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

Less of the outline of the geometry is displayed.

8.

Type a value of 15 [degree].

9.

Click Apply to update the object with the new setting.

3.7.2. Creating a Point for the Origin of the Streamline

A streamline is the path that a particle of zero mass would follow through the domain.
1.

Select Insert > Location > Point from the main menu.
You can also use the toolbars to create a variety of objects. Later modules and tutorials will explore
this further.

2.

Click OK.
This accepts the default name.
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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

3.

Set Definition > Method to XYZ.

4.

Under Point, enter the following coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

This is a point near the first inlet.

5.

Click Apply.
The point appears as a symbol in the viewer as a crosshair symbol.

3.7.3. Creating a Streamline Originating from a Point

Where applicable, streamlines can trace the flow direction forwards (downstream) and/or backwards
(upstream).
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Streamline.

2.

Click OK.

3.

Set Definition > Start From to Point 1.

Tip
To create streamlines originating from more than one location, click the Ellipsis
icon
to the right of the Start From box. This displays the Location Selector dialog box,
where you can use the Ctrl and Shift keys to pick multiple locators.

4.

Click the Color tab.

5.

Set Mode to Variable.

6.

Set Variable to Total Temperature.

7.

Set Range to Local.

8.

Click Apply.
The streamline shows the path of a zero mass particle from Point 1. The temperature is initially
high near the hot inlet, but as the fluid mixes the temperature drops.

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

3.7.4. Rearranging the Point

Once created, a point can be rearranged manually or by setting specific coordinates.

Tip
In this module, you may choose to display various views and zooms from the Predefined
Camera option in the shortcut menu (such as Isometric View (Z up) or View From -X) and
by using Zoom Box
1.

if you prefer to change the display.

In Outline, under User Locations and Plots double-click Point 1.

Properties for the selected user location are displayed.

2.

Under Point, set these coordinates: -1, -2.9, 1.

3.

Click Apply.
The point is moved and the streamline redrawn.

4.

In the viewer toolbar, click Select

and ensure that the adjacent toolbar icon is set to Single Select

.
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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

While in select mode, you cannot use the left mouse button to re-orient the object in the viewer.
5.

In the viewer, drag Point 1 (appears as a yellow addition sign) to a new location within the mixer.
The point position is updated in the details view and the streamline is redrawn at the new location.
The point moves normal in relation to the viewing direction.

6.

Click Rotate

Tip
You can also click in the viewer area, and press the space bar to toggle between Select
and Viewing Mode. A way to pick objects from Viewing Mode is to hold down Ctrl +
Shift while clicking on an object with the left mouse button.

7.

Under Point, reset these coordinates: -1, -1, 1.

8.

Click Apply.
The point appears at its original location.

9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View From -X.

3.7.5. Configuring a Default Legend

You can modify the appearance of the default legend.
The default legend appears whenever a plot is created that is colored by a variable. The streamline
color is based on temperature; therefore, the legend shows the temperature range. The color pattern
on the legends color bar is banded in accordance with the bands in the plot1.
The default legend displays values for the last eligible plot that was opened in the details view. To
maintain a legend definition during a CFD-Post session, you can create a new legend by clicking Legend
.

An exception occurs when one or more bands in a contour plot represent values beyond the legends range. In this case, such bands
are colored using a color that is extrapolated slightly past the range of colors shown in the legend. This can happen only when a
user-specified range is used for the legend.

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Because there are many settings that can be customized for the legend, this module allows you the
freedom to experiment with them. In the last steps you will set up a legend, based on the default legend,
with a minor modification to the position.

Tip
When editing values, you can restore the values that were present when you began editing
by clicking Reset. To restore the factory-default values, click Default.
1.

Double-click Default Legend View 1.

The Definition tab of the default legend is displayed.

2.

Configure the following setting(s):

Tab

Value

Definition

Title Mode

User Specified

Title

Streamline Temp.

Horizontal

(Selected)

Location > Y Justification

3.

Setting

Bottom

Click Apply.
The appearance and position of the legend changes based on the settings specified.

4.

Modify various settings in Definition and click Apply after each change.

5.

Select Appearance.

6.

Modify a variety of settings in the Appearance and click Apply after each change.

7.

Click Defaults.

8.

Click Apply.

9.

Under Outline, in User Locations and Plots, clear the check boxes for Point 1 and
Streamline 1.
Since both are no longer visible, the associated legend no longer appears.

3.7.6. Creating a Slice Plane

Defining a slice plane allows you to obtain a cross-section of the geometry.
In CFD-Post you often view results by coloring a graphic object. The graphic object could be an
isosurface, a vector plot, or in this case, a plane. The object can be a fixed color or it can vary based on
the value of a variable.
You already have some objects defined by default (listed in the Outline). You can view results on the
boundaries of the static mixer by coloring each boundary object by a variable. To view results within
the geometry (that is, on non-default locators), you will create new objects.
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You can use the following methods to define a plane:
Three Points: creates a plane from three specified points.
Point and Normal: defines a plane from one point on the plane and a normal vector to the plane.
YZ Plane, ZX Plane, and XY Plane: similar to Point and Normal, except that the normal is
defined to be normal to the indicated plane.
1.

From the main menu, select Insert > Location > Plane or click Location > Plane.

2.

In the Insert Plane window, type: Slice

3.

Click OK.
The details view for the plane appears; the Geometry, Color, Render, and View tabs enable you
to configure the characteristics of the plane.

3.7.7. Defining Slice Plane Geometry

You need to choose the vector normal to the plane. You want the plane to lie in the x-y plane, hence
its normal vector points along the z-axis. You can specify any vector that points in the z-direction, but
you will choose the most obvious (0,0,1).
1.

On the Geometry tab, expand Definition.

2.

Under Method select Point and Normal.

3.

Under Point enter 0,0,1.

4.

Under Normal enter 0,0,1.

5.

Click Apply.
Slice appears under User Locations and Plots. Rotate the view to see the plane.

3.7.8. Configuring Slice Plane Views

Depending on the view of the geometry, various objects may not appear because they fall in a 2D space
that cannot be seen.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).
The slice is now visible in the viewer.

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

2.

Click Zoom Box

3.

Click and drag a rectangular selection over the geometry.

4.

Release the mouse button to zoom in on the selection.

5.

Click Rotate

6.

Click and drag the mouse pointer down slightly to rotate the geometry towards you.

7.

Select Isometric View (Z up) as described earlier.

3.7.9. Rendering Slice Planes

Render settings determine how the plane is drawn.
1.

In the details view for Slice, select the Render tab.

2.

Clear Show Faces.

3.

Select Show Mesh Lines.

4.

Under Show Mesh Lines change Color Mode to User Specified.

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Simulating Flow in a Static Mixer Using Workbench

5.

Click the current color in Line Color to change to a different color.

For a greater selection of colors, click the Ellipsis

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Zoom Box

8.

icon to use the Color selector dialog box.

Zoom in on the geometry to view it in greater detail.

The line segments show where the slice plane intersects with mesh element faces. The end points
of each line segment are located where the plane intersects mesh element edges.
9.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View From +Z.
The image shown below can be used for comparison with Flow in a Static Mixer (Refined
Mesh) (p. 71) (in the section Creating a Slice Plane (p. 80)), where a refined mesh is used.

3.7.10. Coloring the Slice Plane

The Color panel is used to determine how the object faces are colored.
1.

Configure the following setting(s) of Slice:

Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Show Faces

(Selected)

Render

60

[1]

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

Tab

Setting

Value

Show Mesh Lines

(Cleared)

Footnote
1. You can specify the variable (in this case, temperature) used to color the graphic element.
The Constant mode allows you to color the plane with a fixed color.

2.

Click Apply.
Hot water (red) enters from one inlet and cold water (blue) from the other.

3.7.11. Moving the Slice Plane

You can move the plane to different locations:
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Click the Geometry tab.

Review the settings in Definition under Point and under Normal.
.

3.

Click Single Select

4.

Click and drag the plane to a new location that intersects the domain.
As you drag the mouse, the viewer updates automatically. Note that Point updates with new settings.

5.

Type in Point settings of 0,0,1.

6.

Click Apply.

7.

Click Rotate

8.

Turn off the visibility for Slice by clearing the check box next to Slice in the Outline tree view.

3.7.12. Adding Contours

Contours connect all points of equal value for a scalar variable (for example, Temperature) and help
to visualize variable values and gradients. Colored bands fill the spaces between contour lines. Each
band is colored by the average color of its two bounding contour lines (even if the latter are not displayed).
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up) from the
shortcut menu.

2.

Select Insert > Contour from the main menu or click Contour

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The Insert Contour dialog box is displayed.
3.

Set Name to Slice Contour.

4.

Click OK.

5.

Configure the following setting(s):

Tab

Setting

Value

Geometry

Locations

Slice

Variable

Temperature

Show Contour Lines

(Selected)

Render
6.

Click Apply.

Important
The colors of 3D graphics object faces are slightly altered when lighting is on. To view
colors with highest accuracy, go to the Render tab and, under Show Faces, clear
Lighting and click Apply.
The graphic element faces are visible, producing a contour plot as shown.

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

Note
Make sure that the visibility of Slice (in the Outline tree view) is turned off.

3.7.13. Working with Animations

Animations build transitions between views for development of video files.
The tutorial follows this general workflow for creating a keyframe animation:
3.7.13.1. Showing the Animation Dialog Box
3.7.13.2. Creating the First Keyframe
3.7.13.3. Creating the Second Keyframe
3.7.13.4. Viewing the Animation
3.7.13.5. Modifying the Animation
3.7.13.6. Saving a Movie

3.7.13.1. Showing the Animation Dialog Box

The Animation dialog box is used to define keyframes and to export to a video file.
1.

Select Tools > Animation or click Animation

2.

Select Keyframe Animation.

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3.7.13.2. Creating the First Keyframe

Keyframes are required in order to produce a keyframe animation. You need to define the first viewer
state, a second (and final) viewer state, and set the number of interpolated intermediate frames.
1.

Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View (Z up).

2.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, turn off the visibility of Slice Contour
and turn on the visibility of Slice.

3.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

A new keyframe named KeyframeNo1 is created. This represents the current image displayed in
the viewer.

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Viewing the Results Using CFD-Post

3.7.13.3. Creating the Second Keyframe

Define the second keyframe and the number of intermediate frames:
1.

In the Outline, under User Locations and Plots, double-click Slice.

2.

On the Geometry tab, set Point coordinate values to (0,0,-1.99).

3.

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the bottom of the mixer.

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4.

In the Animation dialog box, click New

KeyframeNo2 is created and represents the image displayed in the viewer.

5.

Select KeyframeNo1 so that you can set the number of frames to be interpolated between the two
keyframes.

6.

Set # of Frames (located below the list of keyframes) to 20.

This is the number of intermediate frames used when going from KeyframeNo1 to KeyframeNo2.
This number is displayed in the Frames column for KeyframeNo1.

7.

Press Enter.
The Frame # column shows the frame in which each keyframe appears. KeyframeNo1 appears
at frame 1 since it defines the start of the animation. KeyframeNo2 is at frame 22 since you have
20 intermediate frames (frames 2 to 21) in between KeyframeNo1 and KeyframeNo2.

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3.7.13.4. Viewing the Animation

More keyframes could be added, but this animation has only two keyframes (which is the minimum
possible).
The controls previously greyed-out in the Animation dialog box are now available. The number of intermediate frames between keyframes is listed beside the keyframe having the lowest number of the
pair. The number of frames listed beside the last keyframe is ignored.
1.

Click To Beginning

This ensures that the animation will begin at the first keyframe.
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2.

Click Play the animation

The animation plays from frame 1 to frame 22. It plays relatively slowly because the slice plane
must be updated for each frame.

3.7.13.5. Modifying the Animation

To make the plane sweep through the whole geometry, you will set the starting position of the plane
to be at the top of the mixer. You will also modify the Range properties of the plane so that it shows
the temperature variation better. As the animation is played, you can see the hot and cold water entering
the mixer. Near the bottom of the mixer (where the water flows out) you can see that the temperature
is quite uniform. The new temperature range lets you view the mixing process more accurately than
the global range used in the first animation.
1.

Configure the following setting(s) of Slice:

Tab

Value

Geometry

Point

0, 0, 1.99

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max
2.

Setting

305 [K]

Click Apply.
The slice plane moves to the top of the static mixer.

Note
Do not double-click in the next step.

3.

In the Animation dialog box, single click (do not double-click) KeyframeNo1 to select it.
If you had double-clicked KeyFrameNo1, the plane and viewer states would have been redefined
according to the stored settings for KeyFrameNo1. If this happens, click Undo
to select the keyframe.

4.

Click Set Keyframe

and try again

The image in the viewer replaces the one previously associated with KeyframeNo1.
5.

Double-click KeyframeNo2.
The object properties for the slice plane are updated according to the settings in KeyFrameNo2.

6.

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Configure the following setting(s) of Slice:

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Tab

Setting

Value

Color

Mode

Variable

Variable

Temperature

Range

User Specified

Min

295 [K]

Max

305 [K]

7.

Click Apply.

8.

In the Animation dialog box, single-click KeyframeNo2.

9.

Click Set Keyframe

to save the new settings to KeyframeNo2.

3.7.13.6. Saving a Movie

1.

Click More Animation Options

to view the additional options.

The Loop and Bounce radio buttons determine what happens when the animation reaches the
last keyframe. When Loop is selected, the animation repeats itself the number of times defined by
Repeat. When Bounce is selected, every other cycle is played in reverse order, starting with the
second.
2.

Select Save Movie.

3.

Set Format to MPEG1.

4.

Click Browse

5.

Under File name type: StaticMixer.mpg

6.

If required, set the path location to a different directory. You may want to set the directory to your
working directory so that the animation will be in the same location as the project files.

7.

Click Save.

next to Save Movie.

The movie file name (including path) has been set, but the animation has not yet been produced.
8.

Click To Beginning

9.

Click Play the animation

.
.

10. If prompted to overwrite an existing movie click Overwrite.

The animation plays and builds an MPEG file.
11. Click the Options button at the bottom of the Animation dialog box.
In Advanced, you can see that a Frame Rate of 24 frames per second was used to create the animation. The animation you produced contains a total of 22 frames, so it takes just under 1 second
to play in a media player.
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12. Click Cancel to close the dialog box.
13. Close the Animation dialog box.
14. View the animation using a media player.

3.7.14. Closing the Applications

Before you close the project, take a moment to look at the files listed in the Files view. You will see
the project file, StaticMixer.wbpj, and the files that ANSYS Workbench created (such as CFXSolver Input, CFX-Solver Output, CFX-Solver Results, CFX-Pre Case, CFD-Post State, and Design Point
files).
Close ANSYS Workbench (and the applications it launched) by selecting File > Exit from ANSYS Workbench. ANSYS Workbench prompts you to save all of your project files.

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