Simulation model

Modeling changes in the Simplify contextual environment are saved as Simulation Models.

It is important to note that changes made to Simulation Models are not changes to the production geometry (work done in the Design workspace). This phenomenon can easily be observed by removing a part and generating a new Simulation Model (the removed part appears again). Geometry best practices, like removing nuts and bolts, need to be done in the Simplify contextual environment. Keeping Simulation Models separate from the original geometry allows simulation specific modifications to not affect others who are interested in the full production model.

What you can do with your model

As discussed in the Simulation help, many parts should be omitted from a simulation (typically referred to as suppressing parts). Do so to improve solution speed and to minimize meshing and solving problems. When you remove parts from the simulation model, they are not affected in the other workspaces (only the Simulation workspace). New simulation models that you create revert to the production geometry. To keep the most recent changes, Clone a simulation model using the context menu instead of creating a new one.

Defeaturing parts may also be necessary if geometry is at a production level. (Removing threaded holes or serial numbers is always a good practice.)

Note: Adding a split face can be beneficial for applying loads and constraints in a specific manner. For example, split faces to apply a load to only a portion of a larger face. Split faces also provide more edges or vertices to apply loads or constraints. These types of edits should always be done in simulation models.

There are some familiar tools from the Design workspace to allow you to make simple changes and simulate again. Simulation allows you to validate geometric changes and still meet design criteria (such as required safety factor, stress, and displacement limits). So, the changes you make using Simplify are not limited to simplifications for facilitating simulation. The changes may need to be incorporated into the production model to overcome design deficiencies you discover through simulation.

For cases where you need to incorporate your Simulation Model changes into the production model, you have two choices:

In the Design workspace, repeat the modifications needed for a successful design. You may prefer this method if the modifications are simple and easy to repeat, or if you only want some of the modifications, performed using Simplify, incorporated into the production model.
Export the Simulation Model, producing a new Fusion base model (.f3d). You will likely prefer this method if the changes are complicated or extensive, and if all of them are applicable to the production model. In addition, a simplified or modified base model can facilitate future simulation scenarios in a manner similar to cloning simulation models. To export a simulation model as a new base model, right-click the *Simulation Model** node in the browser and choose Export. Specify the desired filename and saving location.

Simulation Browser

Simulation Models organize the browser in the Simulation workspace. You can create multiple studies under each simulation model. Look at the Simulation Browser page for more information.

Tip: Create Simulation models to compare models with different geometry in the COMPARE environment. You must setup and run a simulation for each model variant before you can compare the results.

Clone vs. New Simulation Model

When the majority of the changes made in a simulation model are useful for more simulations, cloning is appropriate. Also, if you have defined studies that are applicable to other simulation models, cloning is appropriate. Duplicate studies are created in cloned simulation models, saving you the trouble of defining them again.

If a full design is being brought into the Simulation workspace, and the intent is to investigate several different parts in separate studies, it is best to create new simulation models. (Remove all the components and bodies that are irrelevant to each particular study). Also, if a new simulation model is easier to derive from the production geometry than from a previously created simulation model, create a new simulation model.

Switching between the simulation models in the Simulation workspace is similar to activating components or bodies in the Design workspace. Toggle the radio button to the right of the Simulation Model node in the browser to change the active simulation model. Each simulation model has its own studies. Therefore, changing the active simulation model also changes which study is active and displayed.

Deleting Simulation Models

Simulation models can be deleted by right clicking the simulation model in the browser and selecting delete. Deleting simulation models also deletes the studies done on that model. Deleting a simulation model is the fastest way to remove all of the studies and data that may get large.