User Interface

MachUpX is a Python module and so can be used in one of two ways, either through the command line or the Python interpreter. Examples of the interface can be found in the examples/ directory of the source code.

Command Line

MachUpX is run from the command line using the “-m” option. For example

python -m machupX example_input.json

will run the analyses listed under “run” in the file example_input.json. The various results are saved as files to be accessed by the user. For creating the input file, see Input Files.

Python Interpreter

MachUpX can also be imported through the Python interpreter and its functionality can then be accessed through the Scene class. For example

import machupX as MX

input_file = "traditional_input.json"

# Initialize scene
my_scene = MX.Scene(input_file)

# Display wireframe of the scene
my_scene.display_wireframe(show_legend=True)

# Solve aerodynamic forces and moments
FM_results = my_scene.solve_forces(dimensional=True, non_dimensional=False, verbose=True)
print(json.dumps(FM_results["traditional_airplane"]["total"], indent=4))

# Trim the aircraft in pitch
trim_state = my_scene.aircraft_pitch_trim(set_trim_state=True, verbose=True)
print(json.dumps(trim_state["traditional_airplane"]))

# Calculate aerodynamic derivatives
derivs = my_scene.aerodynamic_derivatives()
print(json.dumps(derivs["traditional_plane"]))

For more information on using the Scene class, see Scene Class.