### 10.5.1. Loading a Neutral Data File (*.xml)

An NDF file defines one or more blades. It can be written by BladeEditor and by BladeGen.

To load an NDF file into BladeEditor:

1. In BladeEditor, click Load NDF .

   The Open dialog box appears.

2. Ensure that Files of type is set to `NDF (*.xml)`.

3. Select an NDF file and click Open.

#### 10.5.1.1. NDF File Import Details and Limitations

- The angle curve and thickness curve can have only one segment each. If several segments are provided by an NDF file, a conversion is applied to create one spline segment that approximates the multiple segments, and a warning message is issued. For the special case that the angle definition type is `Theta with LE/TE Beta`, a curve with multiple segments is converted to a single Bezier segment and then the LE/TE Beta angles are applied to that single Bezier curve. In either of these cases, a warning message is issued when attempting to load the NDF file.

- The cambersurface construction (<surface-construction>) type, “Axial Element”, is not supported by BladeEditor and triggers an error.

- The <shroud-gap-definition> for shroud tip clearance is not supported by BladeEditor and triggers an error.

- The supported thickness type is “NormalToCamberlineOnLayerSurface”. Any other type triggers an error.

- The supported <thickness-construction> type is “General”. Any other type triggers an error.

- When loading a cloned splitter, any specified LE or TE contour is ignored.

Release 18.2 - © ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved.