This is the second in a series. You can start the series here. Building on the previous episode of 3D airflow over a wing section, this episode calculates the lift and drag.

This is the second in a series.  You can start the series here.   The series follows my journey figuring out how to use OpenFOAM for something more than repeating tutorials that already exist!    Sometimes that journey gets a little rocky!   :)

This is Episode 1 in this series using FreeCAD and the CfdOF Workbench  to work through various OpenFOAM cases.  This is a 2D, inviscid, transient run.

Out of a nerdy curiosity, I have been interested in visualizations made possible by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for some time.  It seems that OpenFOAM is a very capable, open-source option.  However, much of the setup and operation is through individual text files and command-line invocations.  For the 'recreational CFD-er', a Graphical User Interface (GUI) seems to be more productive.

 I have been experimenting with the SwiftBlock addons that simplify the process of taking a mesh in Blender and defining that mesh in OpenFOAM.  There are two versions and both are about at the same level of development.  While they both work as advertised, I have come to the conclusion that neither will be appropriate for complex models.  It was at this point, the little voice in the back of my head said, 'Of course, dummy!  A wise man once said, "Always use the right tool for the job!"' (That little voice loves to quote himself!)  While Blender is great for visualizing the results of numerical analysis, it was not made for creating the meshes used in said numerical analysis.  Luckily, I found something that is the right tool for the job...

Quick Update 

 I thought I was going to delve into SwiftBlock and understand the mysteries of setting curved edges.........not so much.  Those mysteries still elude me.  But, I got edge grading to work, so it wasn't a complete loss! :)

The Short Version... 

I've attempted to get started with OpenFOAM before.  I generally get bored with the building-block approach to learning it, jump in too deep and quickly get discouraged.  I added an OpenFOAM category to this blog in an attempt to motivate me to take smaller steps and to remain committed for a bit longer.