Export a Model to the Autodesk Nastran Editor

Using the Export Autodesk Nastran Editor command in the Application Menu (), you can transfer supported models from Simulation Mechanical directly into the Nastran Editor. You can use this export function when the following conditions are satisfied:

• The analysis type must be one of the seven in the following list:
  • Static Stress with Linear Material Models
  • Natural Frequency (Modal)
  • Natural Frequency (Modal) with Load Stiffening
  • Critical Buckling Load
  • Static Stress with Nonlinear Material Models
  • Steady-State Heat Transfer
  • Dynamic Design Analysis Method
• Mesh and setup the model so that it is ready to solve. Define the element types, element definitions, materials, loads, constraints, contact options, and analysis parameters.
• Do not include element types or material models that are unsupported for models exported to Nastran. Refer to the Nastran page for details regarding Nastran translation capabilities (that is, supported element types, material models, loads, and constraints).

Important: When exporting a nonlinear structural analysis model to the Autodesk Nastran Editor, multiple event intervals with differing capture rates are not supported. Also, custom load curves are not supported. Only the specified Number of time steps is used from the Event tab of the Analysis Parameters dialog box, so you can change the number of requested steps. The default load curve is always used for transferred models. The load multiplier ramps up from 0 to 1 in 1 time unit.

The Output results of all time steps option in the Output tab of the Analysis Parameters dialog box is supported for nonlinear models exported to the Nastran Editor. This option is mapped to an equivalent Nastran option.

Procedure

1. After satisfying the requirements detailed above, click (Application Menu) Export Autodesk Nastran Editor.
2. Specify a name for the Nastran file. If you do not include an extension, the .nas filename extension is applied by default. The file location is in the same folder as the Simulation Mechanical model, but you can browse to a different folder if desired.
3. Click Save and the model will be solid meshed (if required), checked, and will appear within the Autodesk Nastran Editor.
4. You may wish to adjust the model setup or adjust advanced, Nastran-specific options.
   Important: If you wish to merge the model results into the original Simulation Mechanical model after running the solution in the Nastran Editor, do not change the model geometry. Make no changes that affect the element count, node numbering, or nodal coordinates. (See the Display Nastran Editor Results in Simulation Mechanical page for more information.)
5. Click Analysis Run or press the F5 key to run the analysis in the Nastran Editor.

Note: When you export a model to the Autodesk Nastran Editor, the RSLFILETYPE Output Control Directive is automatically set to FEMAPBINARY. This option produces an FNO output file, which is suitable for post-processing either in the Nastran Editor or in Simulation Mechanical.

For more information, consult the Autodesk Nastran Editor Help.