Nastran Quick Start Guide

Follow the steps below to run an analysis with Simulation Composite Analysis using MSC Nastran.

1. Create a material using Composite Material Manager.

   A Simulation Composite Analysis-compatible material cannot be created using a pre-processor for MSC Nastran or using an MSC Nastran command inside a bulk data file. A Simulation Composite Analysis material can only be created using Composite Material Manager. The material file must be saved in the Simulation Composite Analysis material library. By default, materials are saved to a specific materials directory in your home directory:

   %APPDATA%\Autodesk\Simulation Composite Analysis 2015.1\Materials

   where %APPDATA% is the value of the environment variable named APPDATA.

   For additional information, refer to the Composite Material Manager User's Guide.

2. Create a finite element model in Patran or other general pre-processor.

   After a model is created using Patran or another general pre-processor, the MSC Nastran bulk data file must be modified to facilitate an analysis with Simulation Composite Analysis.

   For additional information, refer to the User's Guide for MSC Nastran.

3. Submit the model to the SOL 400 solver.

   You must submit a job with Simulation Composite Analysis through a command prompt.

   For convenience, a batch file (msc-compan.bat) is installed as part of the Simulation Composite Analysis package. This file expedites the analysis submission procedure. The batch file is installed in the Simulation Composite Analysis bin directory. Access to this batch file is made simple by opening the Autodesk Simulation Composite Analysis 2015 Command Shell via the desktop or Start menu shortcut.

   For information regarding use of the Command Shell, refer to the User's Guide for MSC Nastran.