Understanding wind tunnel results

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of wind tunnel simulations to evaluate the aerodynamic properties of a spaceship model designed for a sci-fi game. Participants explore the implications of these simulations for understanding lift and aerodynamics, as well as the limitations of the tools used.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in learning about aerodynamics through visual experimentation with wind tunnel simulations.
  • Another participant questions the adequacy of the information provided about the spaceship model to assess its lift capabilities.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of the simulations, suggesting they may not accurately model fluid dynamics and therefore lack quantitative data.
  • A participant mentions the existence of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as a more accurate but expensive alternative for wind tunnel simulations.
  • There is acknowledgment that high-quality CFD simulations are resource-intensive and may require advanced computing resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effectiveness of the wind tunnel simulations discussed. There is a general agreement on the limitations of the current approach, but no clear resolution on how to proceed with accurate aerodynamic analysis.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the challenges of obtaining reliable aerodynamic data from basic simulations and the potential need for more sophisticated tools like CFD, which may not be readily accessible.

Wrongfire
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Hello! I am new and recently figured out how to make wind tunnels in 3ds max and Maya.

Im helping to develop a sci-fi game and just out of curiosity took one of our spaceship models meant for space to planet travel into the wind tunnel to see if it would really be able fly, and if not, find out what changes I can make to make it aerodynamic.

So this isn't overly important, but I would like to discuss and learn about aerodynamics, now that I can visually experiment with it, I've gained an interest in learning as much as I can.
First off, I need to understand what good and bad results are when running wind tunnel tests.

Anyway, Here is the video with a few quick runs in wind tunnel.



Im curious if the ship is capable of lift, I am also wondering what to look for in these simulations to tell me if is or not.
 
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You haven't given nearly enough info on the ship to determine if it can create lift. Furthermore, the simulations look like they are just ordinary particle effects, which don't actually model fluids as well as they appear. You can't get any quantitative or even likely qualitative data from this. If you could, people wouldn't be making 6 figures to grid up and run CFD simulations.
 
Ahh, was afraid of that. I looked around for a wind tunnel simulator but, and I guess that's why they make the big bucks, they aren't very public.
 
They are public, just expensive. It is called computational fluid dynamics and it is very resource intensive for th big jobs. Depending on the level of detail required, it may even require a supercomputer.
 

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