OpenVSP (also Open Vehicle Sketch Pad) — is an open-source parametric aircraft geometry tool originally developed by NASA. It can be used to create 3D models of aircraft and to support engineering analysis of those models.
History
Predecessors to OpenVSP including VSP[1] and Rapid Aircraft Modeler (RAM) were developed by J.R. Gloudemans and others[2] for NASA beginning in the early 1990s.[3] OpenVSP v2.0 was released as open source under the NOSA license in January 2012. Development has been led by Rob McDonald since around 2012 and has been supported by NASA and AFRL among other contributions.
OpenVSP allows the user to quickly generate computer models from ideas, which can then be analyzed. As such, it is especially powerful in generating and evaluating unconventional design concepts.[4]
Features
User interface
OpenVSP displays a graphical user interface upon launch, built witho FLTK. A workspace window and a "Geometry Browser" window open. The workspace is where the model is displayed while the Geometry Browser lists individual components in the workspace, such as fuselage and wings. These components can be selected, added or deleted, somewhat like a feature tree in CAD software such as Solidworks. When a component is selected in the Geometry Browser window, a component geometry window opens. This window is used to modify the component.
OpenVSP offers a multitude of basic geometries, common to aircraft modelling, which users modify and assemble to create models. Wing, pod, fuselage, and propeller are a few available geometries. Advanced components like body of revolution, duct, conformal geometry and such are also available.
Analysis tools
Besides the geometry modeller, OpenVSP contains multiple tools that help with aerodynamic or structural analysis of models. The tools available are:
CompGeom - mesh generation tool that can handle model intersection and trimming
An OpenVSP HL-20 model alongside its unstructured mesh generated using the CompGeom tool
Results from a panel method simulation in VSPAERO on a generic transport aircraft
Wave Drag Analysis - for estimating wave drag of geometries
Parasite Drag Analysis - for estimating parasite drag of geometries based on parameters like wetted area and skin friction coefficient
Surface fitting - for fitting a parametric surface to a point cloud
Texture Manager - for applying image textures to geometry for aiding visualization
FEA Structure - for creating internal structures such as ribs and spars
Compatibility with other software
OpenVSP permits import of multiple geometry formats like STL, CART3D (.tri) and PLOT3D.
Point clouds may also be imported and used to fit a parametric surface.
Geometry created in OpenVSP may be exported as STL, CART3D (.tri), PLOT3D, STEP and IGES, OBJ, SVG, DXF and X3D file formats. These file formats allow geometries to be used for mesh generation and in CFD or FEA software.
Community repository
A NASA X-57 Maxwell OpenVSP model on VSP HangarA NASA X-57 Maxwell OpenVSP model on VSP Airshow
OpenVSP Hangar
OpenVSP Hangar (also VSP Hangar) provides users a place to upload models and promotes sharing of geometry created in OpenVSP. Each model is allowed revisions with accompanying details on source quality.[6]
Since end of 2023, OpenVSP Hangar has been closed and no backup downloads has been provided.
OpenVSP Airshow
On 22 August 2024, OpenVSP Airshow (also VSP Airshow),[7] a successor to OpenVSP Hangar, has been launched.[8]
All of the v3 models on the Hangar have been ported over to the Airshow.
OpenVSP Workshop — is a yearly organized, since 2012, offline event in a form of open meeting on the OpenVSP development discussion and showcasing, usually hosted by project developers at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.[9]
Papers, slides and other workshops materials published on OpenVSP wiki site in a few days after workshops ends.[10]
OpenVSP Ground School
OpenVSP Ground School is a set of comprehensive tutorials under development by Brandon Litherland at NASA. Ground school tutorials provide details on OpenVSP features and techniques, along with tutorials for beginner and advanced users, and are hosted on the Langley Research Center website.[11]
^Gloudemans, James; Davis, Paul; Gelhausen, Paul (1996-01-15), "A rapid geometry modeler for conceptual aircraft", 34th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Aerospace Sciences Meetings, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, doi:10.2514/6.1996-52, retrieved 2022-01-13
