Aerodynamics simulation?

[machineman9]

I'm looking to find software which might be able to simulate airflow (show me where the air is travelling, how much lift is occuring on each part of a wing, etc). This is for 3D design but not likely to make Flight Simulator.

Some people thought that Blender might have addons such as these, but I could not find any. Are there any free (or cheap) alternatives where I can use my 3D computer models to see how effective the airflow and lift is on the object?



Also, GMax is limited to a fairly useless output which I don't think is really compatible with anything used for the sort of software which might give me aerodynamic readings, so what else could I try? I love the ease of use from Anim8or and Blender just confuses me. I'd rather not have to export each object individually using a plugin to get it out of GMax, so are there any reccomendations for design software?


Cheers

[ShaneG_old]

Check this out, sounds like what you are looking for.

http://www.gylesaero.com/aeronerds/index.shtml


Another link that may help:

http://www.freebyte.com/cad/misc.htm

[machineman9]

I was hoping for a reccomendation, but I am giving both lists a good read through. I can't seem to be able to get any of the software from the first link though; I do not see a download button anywhere.

My brother in law suggested Solidworks (a student edition, he said, may be quite cheap) so I have emailed them about that, but 'free' is what I would like to look for. No point investing if I am not very good at it.


I would use GMax to model but it exports to useless filetypes and I can't find a way to export the objects without locking them all together.



Edit: I am giving Delcam's PowerShape and T-FLEX CAD a go to see what is best for my needs so far. I may have to look into something else for the simulation side.

[Felix/FFDS]

You may want to consider X-plane.

The simulation engine takes the modeled design with which to calculate the flight performance of the aircraft. 

The caveat, however, is that you must model the "dynamic"  aircraft using X-Plane's own Planemaker program.  At least you can create a working visual model.

(Sidebars:  With Xplane, you CAN use an external modelling program to create the visual model and Xplane;s Planemaker to make the dynamic model used to calculate the performance...  This dynamic model can be made visible or invisible, and if invisible, you can use the external visuals.)

This is, of course, a simple explanation , but it may be a viable approximation of what you want to do.

Modelling programs with Xplane visual object exporter support include AC3D (payware) and Blender.

I am not aware of a simulation engine (freeware or low-cost for the hobbyist) that will support dynamic flight performance calculations).

[machineman9]

Yes, I do remember X Plane having a few of the features I was looking for. I remember a screenshot a while back where you could see the lift on the wings in game. I was hoping for a more snazzy version Such as seen here but the chances of getting anything close to that for little money, is very unlikely.

Thank you for all your input. I may just have to stick with good ol' crashing Anim8or or X Plane as PowerSHAPE and I don't quite get along and GMax is fairly useless.