Simulation Mechanical 360 Notes

Autodesk® Simulation Mechanical 360 provides enhanced capacity through the use of a cloud computing platform. This platform provides a scalable, powerful set of computing nodes for your analyses, freeing you from restrictions associated with solution processing on your local machine.

The 360 product provides an alternative to traditional desktop analysis, in which the solution is pre-processed, solved, and post-processed locally. In Simulation Mechanical 360, pre- and post-processing is still performed locally, but the model is submitted to the cloud computing platform for analysis, with the results then being transmitted back to the local computer. Through cloud computing services, you can simultaneously execute multiple analyses without the associated costs of high-end workstations or clusters, which would be required to do so efficiently using the traditional desktop application.

Surface meshing – for solid, plate/shell, and midplane meshes – is always performed locally, as part of model pre-processing steps. Solid meshing (that is, generation of interior lines) is typically postponed until the analysis is run. If the model has not been solid meshed at the time the simulation is run, solid meshing will occur on the cloud. Solid meshing can also be performed locally, if desired.

Notes:	Simulation Mechanical 360 comes as part of the Sim 360 Pro product, which also includes Simulation CFD 360.
	An alternative 360 license is also available in which there is a local solve option. This provides for running both cloud-based and local desktop simulations from the same product.

Common Help Content

The model setup process, navigation, application of loads and constraints, results evaluation, and reporting functions are identical between the desktop and 360 products. They therefore share a common User's Guide. Refer to this guide for information regarding analysis types, element types, modeling, meshing, model setup, results evaluation, and more. Differences between the desktop and 360 products, are indicated where appropriate.

360-Specific Help Content

When submitting an analysis task to the cloud, the workflow is essentially identical to that used for local solutions using the desktop simulation product. The analysis screen will show Cloud as the Target Computer when performing the analysis. The supported analysis types for an Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 360 installation function in the same way as their counterparts in the desktop product.

Note: You must log-in to the cloud computing service before a solution task can be submitted successfully. If you do not yet have an account, you can register a new account from the login screen that appears when you first launch Simulation Mechanical 360.

Note: Installation of a floating license manager is not applicable to the 360 product. Therefore, this option will not appear during the software installation process.

Supported Analysis Types:

All analysis types supported by the desktop version of Simulation Mechanical are also supported by Simulation Mechanical 360. Refer to the introductory page of the User's Guide for the list of supported analysis types.

Software Installation:

There is a unified software installation process for all Simulation 360 products. Please go to the Autodesk Simulation 360 Installation Help page for additional information.

Automate Analysis:

Within the Analysis tab of the Options dialog box (Tools Options Application Options), there is an Automate Analysis checkbox, which can be deactivated for the desktop product. However, this option is locked on (activated) for Mechanical 360 and cannot be altered.

Email Notifications Option:

There is one application option unique to the Simulation Mechanical 360 product. Click Tools Options Application Options. You can also reach this dialog box by clicking the Application Menu icon in the upper left corner of the screen and then clicking the Options button.

Go to the Analysis tab. There is an input field where you can specify a Cloud notification email address. If you wish to receive email notifications when cloud computing tasks have completed, specify your email address within this field. If you do not wish to receive such email notifications, leave this field blank.

Tutorials:

To perform the online Simulation Mechanical tutorials, click Start & Learn Learn Tutorials within the program. The tutorials are divided into two sets:

• Meshing and Modeling Tutorials
• Analyzing and Evaluating Results Tutorials

There are also a couple of Quick Start Tutorials within the New User Quick Start section of the help. These tutorials provide additional guidance and are specifically designed for the new user. However, they are applicable to more experienced users as well.

You can download the tutorial model files from our online Data & Downloads page. If you prefer to access the Meshing and Modeling Tutorials and the Analyzing and Evaluating Results Tutorials locally, rather than online, you can download them from our online Documentation page.