Self-Paced Fundamentals Training

Welcome to Autodesk Simulation CFD Fundamentals Training! The topics in this section cover the basic material everyone needs to know to use Autodesk Simulation CFD, including best practices and explanations of the fundamental concepts.

This material is designed for self-paced learning as well as an instructor-led class environment. In both methods, you will be exposed to concepts grouped in Chapters, followed by a demonstration of the use of those concepts (videos are available for self-paced training), then a step-by-step exercise to reinforce those concepts.

What do I need to get started?

• Autodesk Simulation CFD installed and licensed on your computer
• Download the training files using this link.
• After downloading the file, extract the folder to a convenient drive on your computer. Model sets are included for several different CAD systems. If no model is supplied for your specific CAD system, use the Fusion version of the model with Autodesk® Inventor Fusion.

Recommended Screen Setup

The Fundamentals training material is presented in this browser. It is very helpful to view Autodesk Simulation CFD and this browser simultaneously. To do this, we recommend that you resize the Autodesk Simulation CFD interface to approximately 2/3 of the screen and resize the browser to fill the remaining third.

Note: When working on the CAD sections of the exercises, divide the screen between the CAD tool and the browser in the same manner.

Training Plan

The Fundamentals Training is divided into four units. Each unit is divided into several chapters. To get the most from this Training, we recommend that you work sequentially through each chapter and unit:

UNIT 1: The Basics: How do I get started using ?

	Description	Approximate Time
Chapter 1	At the end of this unit, you will be able to answer these questions: What is CFD? What is Autodesk Simulation CFD?	1 minute
Chapter 2	Recommended Strategy	2 minutes
Chapter 3	Important Resources	3 minutes
Chapter 4	CAD Modeling	5 minutes
Chapter 5	CAD Connection and Basic Model Interactions	6 minutes
Chapter 6	The Autodesk Simulation CFD Interface	25 minutes
Exercise 1	Launch the Car Model into Autodesk Simulation CFD	10 minutes

UNIT 2: Setup: Describing the Problem and Solving

	Description	Approximate Time
Chapter 7	Geometry Branch and Tools	20 minutes
Chapter 8	Assigning Materials and Devices	15 minutes
Exercise 2	Assign Materials to the car model	7 minutes
Chapter 9	Assigning Boundary Conditions	11 minutes
Exercise 3	Assigning Boundary Conditions to the car model	11 minutes
Chapter 10	Defining the Mesh	10 minutes
Exercise 4	Assign the mesh definition to the car model	11 minutes
Chapter 11	Solving	3 minutes
Exercise 5	Run the Simulation	20 minutes (includes solve time)

UNIT 3: Results: Gathering Data and Making Conclusions

	Description	Approximate Time
Chapter 12	Can I Trust My Results?	5 minutes
Exercise 6	Assess Convergence	5 minutes
Chapter 13	Controlling Global Results	10 minutes
Chapter 14	Measuring Part Temperatures	5 minutes
Exercise 7	Modify the Legend Range and Assess Results on Parts	8 minutes
Chapter 15	Using Planes to Understand the Results	15 minutes
Exercise 8	Explore Results with Planes and XY Plots	20 minutes
Exercise 9	Explore Results with Planes, Particle Traces, and the Bulk Calculator	20 minutes
Chapter 16	Results Points	4 minutes
Exercise 10	Explore Results at Specific Points	8 minutes
Chapter 17	Iso Surfaces	5 minutes
Exercise 11	Explore the Results with Iso Surfaces	8 minutes
Chapter 18	Wall Results	7 minutes
Exercise 12	Assess Forces and Temperatures on Walls	6 minutes
Chapter 19	Part Visibility Controls in Results Mode	5 minutes
Exercise 13	Modify part appearances	9 minutes
Chapter 20	Using the Decision Center to Make Conclusions	6 minutes
Exercise 14	Use the Decision Center to Assess Results	12 minutes

UNIT 4: Design Exploration: Comparing Multiple Designs in one Environment

	Description	Approximate Time
Chapter 21	Cloning Designs and Scenarios	5 minutes
Exercise 15	Create a Second Design Iteration (Clone the Design and Modify the CAD Model)	25 minutes (includes solve time)
Exercise 16	Use the Decision Center to Compare Results from both Design Iterations	15 minutes
Chapter 22	Conclusion	5 minutes

Note: Commands found in the User Interface (such as button names) are shown in bold. Some steps are followed by a series of simple actions, listed as "A.", "B.", etc

After finishing the Fundamentals Training, what do I do next?

After you complete the Fundamentals training, you will be ready to expand your knowledge of Autodesk Simulation CFD with Application-specific and Advanced topics. These topics deal specifically with the types of problems you will be solving, from electronics to pumps, from lighting to architecture, and advanced topics including motion, transient analysis, radiation, mixing, and more.

These topics are discussed in the Analysis Guidelines, Advanced Training, and Examples sections. Additionally, to learn more about customized training to suite your particular needs, please contact your local Autodesk Simulation CFD representative.

Ready to get started?

Next: Chapter 1