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, 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 Simulation Flex product package, which also includes Simulation CFD 360.
- The Simulation Mechanical 360 license also includes a local solve option. This provides for running both cloud-based and local desktop simulations from the same product.
- Autodesk 360 products are based on a pay-as-you-go system, whether solutions are solved locally or in the cloud. The terms of your 360 product license agreement will dictate any initial solving allowance (or credits) you receive and the ongoing usage and support costs.
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. Set the Target Computer to Cloud in the Solver Manager to perform the analysis on the cloud. Set this field to Computer to solve the model locally.
The supported analysis types for an Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 360 installation function in the same way as their counterparts in the desktop product.
Notes:
- 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.
- 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 Autodesk Simulation 360 products. Please go to the Installation Overview page of the Simulation Flex website for additional information.
Email Notifications Option:
There is an option available for Simulation Mechanical 360 that is not available for the desktop version of the product. Specifically, you have the option to receive email notifications at various times during the solution process when solving on the cloud. See the Notifications page for more details.
Tutorials:
A common set of tutorials is applicable to both the desktop and the 360 version of Simulation Mechanical. To perform the online 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.