External Aerodynamics Simulation of an eVTOL Using the Flow360 Python API

In this comprehensive tutorial, learn how to perform external aerodynamics computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft using the Flexcompute Flow360 Python API. This video provides a detailed walkthrough of the complete simulation workflow, from geometry import to solution, all driven programmatically through Python. Throughout the demo, we also show how every step executed through the API is mirrored in the Flow360 WebUI, allowing you to visually inspect geometry, meshing, solver progress, and results in real time. Why Use the Flow360 Python API: The Python API enables reproducible workflows, parameter sweeps, and integration into automated design and analysis pipelines, while maintaining full visibility through the WebUI. Chapters 00:06 – Introduction 00:22 – Python API Workflow Overview 00:43 – Importing Flow360 00:56 – Creating a Project from Geometry 01:23 – Referencing the Geometry 01:39 – Specifying the Surface and Volume Outputs 02:00 – Grouping the Geometry Faces by ID 02:23 – Specifying the Units 02:45 – Creating the Farfield 03:12 – Meshing Setup and Refinements 04:30 – Specifying Reference Geometry Values 04:41 – Defining the Operating Conditions 05:00 – Time Stepping 05:13 – Defining the Physics Models 05:46 – Define the Outputs 06:04 – Launching the Simulation 06:24 – Viewing the Simulation in the WebUI 07:00 – Summary and Next Steps By the end of this tutorial, you will have a clear understanding of how to use the Flow360 Python API to build, automate, and scale external aerodynamics simulations for eVTOL aircraft, while maintaining full transparency through the WebUI. For additional examples, advanced workflows, and full API references, visit the Flow360 Python API documentation on our website.