RCAIDE.Library.Plots.Geometry.plot_3d_vehicle_vlm_panelization

plot_3d_vehicle_vlm_panelization#

plot_3d_vehicle_vlm_panelization(vortex_distribution, alpha=1.0, plot_axis=False, save_figure=False, show_wing_control_points=True, save_filename='VLM_Panelization', axis_limit=100, panel_color='grey', show_figure=True)[source]#

Creates a 3D visualization of vehicle vortex lattice method (VLM) panelization.

Parameters:

  • vortex_distribution (Data) – RCAIDE vortex distribution data structure containing panel corner coordinates

  • alpha (float, optional) – Transparency value between 0 and 1 (default: 1.0)

  • plot_axis (bool, optional) – Flag to show coordinate axes (default: False)

  • save_figure (bool, optional) – Flag for saving the figure (default: False)

  • show_wing_control_points (bool, optional) – Flag to display VLM control points (default: True)

  • save_filename (str, optional) – Name of file for saved figure (default: “VLM_Panelization”)

  • axis_limit (float, optional) – Axis plot limit (default: 100)

  • panel_color (str, optional) – Color of VLM panels (default: ‘grey’)

  • show_figure (bool, optional) – Flag to display the figure (default: True)

Returns:

plotter – Plotter handle containing the generated plot

Return type:

pyvista.Plotter

Notes

Creates an interactive 3D visualization showing:

  • VLM panels on lifting surfaces

  • Control points (optional)

Major Assumptions

  • Lifting surfaces are represented by flat panels

  • Control points are at 3/4 chord of each panel

  • Vortex lines are at 1/4 chord of each panel

Definitions

‘Control Point’

Location where boundary condition is enforced

‘Vortex Line’

Line of bound vorticity representing lift

‘Panel’

Discrete element of lifting surface