Launch directly from a CAD or Geometry File

In addition to launching directly from CAD or a CAD reader, you can transfer geometry into Simulation by directly opening a geometry or CAD file. Use this method if the CAD system is not available or if you are using geometry from Vault. This method is often faster than launching from CAD. It is not, however, as well suited for studying geometry variations because settings assigned cannot always be reliably transferred from existing designs to new ones. If you need geometry associativity, it is better to launch from the CAD system.

To create a new design study

1. Start Autodesk® CFD either from the Desktop or Start menu.
2. Click Start & Learn > New.
3. On the New Design Study dialog, click Browse...
4. On the Create New Design Study dialog, browse for and select the file, and click Open.
5. Enter a Design study name.
6. Click Create a new design study.

To add a design or change an existing design

Running a single scenario is often just the first step in the simulation process. In many cases, you will want to study design alternatives and compare the results. Use this procedure to simulate the effects of changing your geometry model to assess design variations. Each geometric variation is a unique "Design" within the design study, and this procedure provides a way to create, manage, and update your designs.

1. Click Setup (tab) > Design Study Tools (panel) > Add/Update Design.

2. On the Add Geometry File dialog, click Browse.

3. On the Add Geometry dialog, browse for and select the geometry file, and click Open.

4. Choose to add a design or change an existing design:

   1. To add a new design using the selected geometry file, click Create new design.
   2. To change an existing design, select it from the list, and click Update selected design. Use this process after copying an existing design with the clone command. As you update the new design with the modified geometry, Autodesk® CFD attempts to assign settings from the original design. You should check your settings carefully to ensure that the setup is correct.

Supported File Types

• Autodesk Inventor (.iam and .ipt)
• Autodesk Shape Manager (.smt)
• Parasolid (.x_t)
• Acis (.sat) (No higher than version 7.)
• Pro/Engineer assembly and part files (.asm and .prt) (The Granite kernel is used to directly open these files.)
• SolidWorks (.sldasm, .sldprt)
• UGNX (.prt)
• CAD Doctor (.sdy)
• Step (.stp, .step)
• CATIA v5 (.CatProduct and .CatPart)
• IGES (.igs)
• Rhino (.3dm)
• Siemens PLM Files (.jt)
• CAD Mesh Files (*.unv, *.nas, *.dat)