Autodesk Nastran Editor
Autodesk Simulation Mechanical provides the following two types of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) interoperability with the Autodesk Nastran Editor. This program is automatically installed along with Simulation Mechanical:
- Export models directly into the Autodesk Nastran Editor (as *.nas files) and open the models in that program. This workflow is supported for certain analysis types. Refer to the Export a Model to the Autodesk Nastran Editor page for more information.
- For models created in Simulation Mechanical but solved in the Nastran Editor, merge the results back into the original Simulation Mechanical model. This workflow is supported for certain analysis types. Refer to the Display Nastran Editor Results in Simulation Mechanical page for more information.
Note: NEi / Autodesk Nastran conventions are used for models exported to the Nastran Editor or for results merged from the Nastran Editor. This differs from the treatment of models imported to or exported from a Nastran file using the third-party FEA support, which is based on MSC Nastran conventions.
Third-Party Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Applications
Autodesk Simulation Mechanical provides the following two types interoperability with various third-party FEA applications:
- Open supported third-party FEA models using the
Open command and changing the Files of Type: drop-down box to the proper third-party FEA file type. - Export Simulation Mechanical models to any of the supported third-party FEA formats using the Export Third-party FEA command in the user interface pull-down menus.
Note: You must complete the setup of the current model before exporting it. "Complete" means that the model is ready to be checked (Analysis Analysis Check Model) or analyzed (Analysis Analysis Run Simulation). Then, use either of these steps (Check Model or Run Simulation) to create the database files that are translated to the other FEA format. If the model is not at least checked, the Third-party FEA command will not be available (grayed out).
Analysis Check Model) or analyzed (Analysis Analysis Run Simulation). Then, use either of these steps (Check Model or Run Simulation) to create the database files that are translated to the other FEA format. If the model is not at least checked, the Third-party FEA command will not be available (grayed out). Autodesk Simulation Mechanical has the ability to import and/or export the following types of models:
| File Type | Import | Export |
|---|---|---|
| ABAQUS INP Files, Version 5.3 | Yes | Yes |
| ANSYS ANS Files, Version 5.4 | Yes | Yes |
| ANSYS CDB Files, Version 5.5 | Yes | Yes |
| Autodesk Inventor Simulation | Yes | No |
| FEMAP Neutral Files (NEU), Version 6.0 | Yes | Yes |
| NASTRAN NAS, BDF and DAT Files, Version 2001 (MSC Nastran conventions are used) | Yes | Yes |
| NASTRAN OP2 files, Version 2001 (MSC Nastran conventions are used) | Yes | Yes 1 |
| RecurDyn RFlex Input File (RIF) | No | Yes 2 |
| PATRAN 2.5 Neutral Files (PAT) | Yes | Yes |
| SDRC I-DEAS Universal Files (UNV) | Yes | Yes |
| Stereolithography Files (STL) | Yes | No |
1 Note: From the Results environment, use the Export All Results command and set the Save as type to NASTRAN Results(*.op2).
2 Note: From the Results environment, use the Export RecurDyn RFI command (Modal analyses only).