OpenFOAM for aerodynamic evaluations

[Emery]

I'm intrigued by the use of OpenFOAM as used by the https://www.youtube.com/@PremierAerodynamics/videos channel.

But, ugh, digging into the documentation shows it is not as simple as importing an fbx or obj file... instead you're expected to use linux mesh tools of some sort.

 

[Chris Lesperance]

I have been wanting to learn how to do this. The learning curve has been too much for me to overcome. I'm hoping as the technology progresses, some kind of free ware will come around that will be easier to use. It's been a while since the last time I was researching this, but I think AirShaper and SimScale have a free trial. I haven't dedicated a lot of time in order to attempt to learn it.

With more and more accurate and detailed 3d models out there, it would be great to get a base for the aero figures.

 

[Emery]

With more and more accurate and detailed 3d models out there, it would be great to get a base for the aero figures.

I was thinking more of just correlating results with known drag/lift values to extrapolate for cars without known values. That and being able to turn the model so there are results for different angles. I'm thinking more of historic cars rather than modern race cars with complex aero.