Specify Custom Visualization Parameters

Custom visualization parameters are defined by an equation (basic mathematical functions) with the specified parameters as variables. They can be visualized in cut plots, surface plots, isosurfaces, XY-plots and in the point, surface and volume parameters tables.

Procedure

In the Database tree expand the Custom Visualization Parameters item, right-click the User Defined item and select New Item.
Under the Item Properties tab type the parameter’s Name and, optional, Comment.
In the Parameter type list, select the custom parameter type:
- Local Scalar is a scalar parameter that is locally defined in an individual cell or cell face.
  
  Depending on its exact formula, you can use it in plots and also output its numerical values, including min, max and average, in Point Parameters, Surface Parameters and Volume Parameters.
- Local Vector is a vector parameter that is locally defined in an individual cell or cell face.
  
  Depending on its exact formula, you can use it in plots and also output its numerical values, including min, max and average, in Point Parameters, Surface Parameters and Volume Parameters.
- Integral Scalar is a scalar parameter that returns a value integrated over a surface or volume.
  
  Depending on its exact formula, you can use it in Surface Parameters and Volume Parameters.
- Integral Vector is a vector parameter that returns a value integrated over a surface or volume.
  
  Depending on its exact formula, you can use it in Surface Parameters and Volume Parameters.
For vector parameters, select the Parameter subtype:
- Integral. The parameter is integrated over an area and/or volume.
- Flow Rate (for Integral Scalar only). Flow rate of a quantity through a surface.
  
  The flow rate of a quantity through a surface is computed by summing the product of density (ρ) and the selected field variable (ϕ) with the dot product of the cell face area vector (A) and the cell face velocity vector (v):
  
  (1)
  
  For example, for the pre-defined custom visualization parameters the Total Pressure (P0) or the Total Temperature (T0) is pre-selected as the field variable (ϕ).
In the Formula row click and specify the parameter definition through the Visualization parameter to add and using the calculator-style buttons, complete the definition of the equation. For vector parameters, specify formulas for the X, Y and Z components of the parameter vector.
See “Formula Definition” for more information on using standard functions and operators.

In addition to standard functions the following operators are available:
- NA is a missing value indicator. For example, IF({Velocity (X)}<0; -1; NA) returns -1 when the “X” component of velocity is below 0 and sets the value to non-defined if it is equal to or above 0.
Note:
In case of Flow Rate subtype, only the selected field variable is displayed in the Formula row.
Go back to the Item Properties and select the appropriate Unit or Non-dimensional if no appropriate unit is listed.
Click File > Save and close the database.

	(1)

Results

After specifying a custom visualization parameter in the Engineering Database, it is not automatically added to the list of visualization parameters. You can make the custom visualization parameter available for visualization in the Customize Parameter List dialog (see “Customize Parameter List”).