There are two ways to launch models from PTC Creo and Pro/Engineer. One uses the Granite kernel, the other uses Mechanica.
The Mechanica method does not actually use functionality in Mechanica. It uses the underlying analysis structure built into Mechanica to provide Autodesk® CFD access to the geometry.
Note: The launch method for an analysis is stored within the design study, and becomes the launch method for that particular design. When a model is launched with a certain method, the design cannot be re-launched using the other method. A new design can, however, be launched using the other method.
Note: The Mechanica method is not available with Autodesk® CFD Flex.
Guidelines for using the Mechanica-based launch method
For a new analysis, Autodesk® CFD MUST be launched from Pro/Engineer. Upon launching, Pro/Engineer minimizes, and is in a “sleep” state. When you click the Solve button on the Autodesk® CFD Solve task dialog, Pro/Engineer maximizes, but is working. The mesh is being generated by Autodesk® CFD by reading the part geometry from the Pro/Engineer database. It is accessing the part and assembly information in the same way that Pro/Mesh accesses it. For this reason, Autodesk® CFD must be launched from Pro/Engineer when the goal is to generate a mesh.
Once Autodesk® CFD returns, the analysis proceeds automatically. Pro/Engineer returns to a “sleep” state, and cannot be accessed. To access Pro/Engineer, do one of the following:
- Set the number of iterations to 0, so that after meshing and pre-processing, the analysis does not proceed. Exit out of Autodesk® CFD, and then exit out of Pro/Engineer. Start Autodesk® CFD from the Desktop, open the analysis, and run it.
- While the analysis is running, shut down the Autodesk® CFD interface. (Note that the analysis will continue to run.) Pro/Engineer can then be accessed or shut down as required.
If a mesh exists, and if the goal is to run more iterations or view results, Autodesk® CFD can be started from the Desktop or Start Menu. Open the "cfdst" file.
If a mesh exists, and if the goal is to modify boundary conditions, materials, or generate a new mesh, Autodesk® CFD must be launched from Pro/Engineer using the Granite method. On the Design Study Manager, you must click Update Design.
Note: Note that Mechanica Simulation Features will be included in the model when launched using the Mechanica method. Two dimensional geometry can be launched this way as well.
Note: The only way to launch with the Mechanica mode is to select Launch Active Model, and select Mechanica in Autoprep.
Benefits
- Mechanica Simulation Features are included in the model when launched using the Mechanica method.
- Two dimensional geometry is supported.
- Simplified Reps including Substitution of Component level rep models are supported.
- Supports quilts as surface materials in Autodesk® CFD.
- The Mechanica method supports geometry accessed through Pro/Intralink.
Limitations
- Requires a Pro/Engineer license and an active Pro/Engineer session to launch a model and to generate the mesh.
- The Autodesk® CFD Geometry tools cannot be used with a model launched with the Mechanica method.
- Does not support "multi-body" parts well.
- Mechanica-based models that are Fast Tracked must be meshed on the local machine prior to launching the solving the analysis on the Solver machine.
- CAD Entity groups are not transferred to Autodesk® CFD when launching with the Mechanica method.
- The Launch Active Model command is only available for launching the generic instance. Non-generic instances cannot be launched with Launch Active Model.
- The Launch Instances command is not available for launching multiple instances with Mechanica mode. (This command is only available with Granite mode.)
Summary
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Feature
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Mechanica
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Granite
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Pro/Engineer accessible after launching Autodesk® CFD
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**
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Pro/Mesh or Pro/Mechanica license required
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** |
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Geometry Tools can be used to modify geometry
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**
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Analyses run with Remote Solving can be meshed on the remote computer
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** |
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Pro/Engineer part and assembly files can be opened directly with Autodesk® CFD
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**
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Support for Simplified Reps
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** |
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Support for Mechanica Simulation features (simulation volumes and surfaces)
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**
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Support for Quilts (Pro/E surfaces) and 2D models
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** |
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