cblink.007
Well-Known Member
So folks, while I have seen this application mentioned many times here within the forum, I am kind of surprised to find no dedicated forum to it. The NASA folks who have developed OpenVSP have openly stated "takes minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master", like it was some kind of tactical board game. Not being an OpenVSP expert, I figured there would be no harm in starting a thread to help capture user experiences and lessons learned. This seems to be a good application as compared to XFLR-5, so here is your opportunity to ask questions and offer your OpenVSP knowledge.
General Assumptions:
a. There are many videos on OpenVSP out there.
b. OpenVSP has a "Ground School".
c. OpenVSP has a Google Group Discussion Board.
d. OpenVSP is merely an aircraft conceptualization & analysis tool, and IS NOT a substitute for proper CAD and or CFD.
e. There are no experts; it is okay to ask questions.
What this thread will NOT be:
1. An instructional dialogue on how to design aircraft, select airfoils & powerplants, design a structure, etc. There are countless texts & media on these subjects, and possess numerous inherent complexities, the discussions of which can be found elsewhere on HBA et al and are well beyond the scope of this thread.
2. An anti-any software thread. If you dislike OpenVSP or any other software, please, kindly relocate to another thread.
3. A discussion of other design/analysis software, except when discussed in the context of working through an OpenVSP-centered question. For instance, talking about exporting a model developed on OpenVSP for further development on another application is fine, but going into detail on that other application beyond importation isn't. Take it to PMs.
What this thread WILL be:
1. Tips on how to use this application; how to set up the application, lay out an aircraft, import airfoils, run analyses, reduce data, etc.
2. User experiences, good, bad and indifferent. If there are limitations, please do state them, but where possible/appropriate, explain the ways forward you took towards a solution.
3. Lessons learned.
If giving tips or some other how-to guidance, please let everyone know what version of OpenVSP you are using, and most importantly, describe your workflow in detail. Same if you are experiencing some sort of hangup, be as descript as possible so others can assist. Additionally, it is absolutely appropriate to, for example, ask for clarification on the data an analysis produces, or if you see something unusual, as it can be anything from an application use learning curve issue all the way to a legitimate bug. This said, if you are looking at something like a spanwise lift distribution plot, but have zero clue what it means, that is okay; we were all there at one point, but all we can do is guide you to places where you can learn more or take the discussion outside of the thread.
It goes without saying, but keep it factual, respectful, professional and ON TOPIC. [Note to admins: If this thread is in the wrong place, you are more than welcome to relocate it accordingly!]
Ready kids?
Let's GOOOOOOO!
General Assumptions:
a. There are many videos on OpenVSP out there.
b. OpenVSP has a "Ground School".
c. OpenVSP has a Google Group Discussion Board.
d. OpenVSP is merely an aircraft conceptualization & analysis tool, and IS NOT a substitute for proper CAD and or CFD.
e. There are no experts; it is okay to ask questions.
What this thread will NOT be:
1. An instructional dialogue on how to design aircraft, select airfoils & powerplants, design a structure, etc. There are countless texts & media on these subjects, and possess numerous inherent complexities, the discussions of which can be found elsewhere on HBA et al and are well beyond the scope of this thread.
2. An anti-any software thread. If you dislike OpenVSP or any other software, please, kindly relocate to another thread.
3. A discussion of other design/analysis software, except when discussed in the context of working through an OpenVSP-centered question. For instance, talking about exporting a model developed on OpenVSP for further development on another application is fine, but going into detail on that other application beyond importation isn't. Take it to PMs.
What this thread WILL be:
1. Tips on how to use this application; how to set up the application, lay out an aircraft, import airfoils, run analyses, reduce data, etc.
2. User experiences, good, bad and indifferent. If there are limitations, please do state them, but where possible/appropriate, explain the ways forward you took towards a solution.
3. Lessons learned.
If giving tips or some other how-to guidance, please let everyone know what version of OpenVSP you are using, and most importantly, describe your workflow in detail. Same if you are experiencing some sort of hangup, be as descript as possible so others can assist. Additionally, it is absolutely appropriate to, for example, ask for clarification on the data an analysis produces, or if you see something unusual, as it can be anything from an application use learning curve issue all the way to a legitimate bug. This said, if you are looking at something like a spanwise lift distribution plot, but have zero clue what it means, that is okay; we were all there at one point, but all we can do is guide you to places where you can learn more or take the discussion outside of the thread.
It goes without saying, but keep it factual, respectful, professional and ON TOPIC. [Note to admins: If this thread is in the wrong place, you are more than welcome to relocate it accordingly!]
Ready kids?
Let's GOOOOOOO!
