Download - Getting Started with MSC SimXpert 2010

Getting StartedIntroduction

Getting StartedOverview of SimXpert

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Overview of SimXpertSimXpert is an integral component of the enterprise simulation environment. It incorporates direct integration with SimManager and SimDesigner. SimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment for the analyst including workspaces between which one common model can be shared. The workspaces provide different tools appropriate to the discipline:

• Structures: Linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using MD Nastran

• Thermal: Linear FEA using MD Nastran

• Motion: Multi-body dynamics of rigid and flexible bodies using the Adams C++ solver

• Crash: Nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using LS-Dyna

• MD Explicit: Nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using MD Nastran

• Template Builder: Captures Simulation Procedures Consisting Of SimXpert Commands And Macros

• Systems and Controls: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, gas dynamics, powertrain, vehicle dynamics analysis using Easy5

All solvers are included in SimXpert. Workspaces filter the simulation model and only the parts of the model that have relevance to a workspace are visible.

The simulation process allows knowledge capture and re-use through the use of templates.The template builder allows you to:

• Define a sequence of tasks and sub-tasks.

• Drag-and-drop existing scripts in a visual editing environment.

• Publish the finished template to SimManager for re-use across an organization.

3 IntroductionStarting SimXpert

Starting SimXpertYou can start SimXpert just as you would any software application. To start SimXpert do one of the following:

• Choose Start Programs MSC.Software SimXpert 2010

• You may start SimXpert by double clicking a desktop icon similar to the one depicted below

Startup ScreenWhen you first enter SimXpert you will see the following startup screen.

Select an existing database to open

Create a new database

Select a workspace in which to open a database

Access online help

Getting StartedStarting SimXpert

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SimXpert Interface

Getting StartedSimXpert Graphical User Interface (GUI)

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SimXpert Graphical User Interface (GUI)The following figure shows the screen layout for SimXpert. All windows can be moved and resized. The regions that are common to all workspaces are shown and described in this section of document..

Main menu bar

Toolbars Workspace managementWorkspace Tool Ribbon

Model Browser Message region Graphics Window

7 SimXpert InterfaceCommon Workspace Menus

Common Workspace Menus

Main Menu Bar

This section covers menus from the main menu bar that are common to every workspace.

File

The File menu allows you to manipulate databases:

• Create a new database.

• Open an existing database.

• Save an open database, or save under a different name.

• Enables you to print or save images of your graphics window or exit SimXpert.

Database manipulation

Print or save image files of graphics window

Exit SimXpert

Getting StartedCommon Workspace Menus

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File Import

Using the Geometry as Parasolid option, you can directly open a model or part file generated by the CAD codes as shown in Figure 1. SimXpert will convert the CAD information ‘on the fly’ to parasolid format. No local licenses for the CAD software are required for this option.

SimXpert can also directly access CATIA, Pro/Engineer, and Unigraphics files with no geometry translation involved. CAD features, parameters, and geometry can be modified within SimXpert with updates then added back to the original file. This option uses the local CAD installation directly and therefore a license is required.

Figure 1 Supported Geometry Interfaces

Edit

The Edit menu allows you to:

• Delete and graphically hide or show entities.

• Modify properties of entities in your model.

• Update SimXpert entities to reflect changes in the associated CAD file.

• Undo and Redo commands.

CAD geometry translated to parasolidNo CAD license required

Direct CAD access CAD license required


View

The View menu allows you to control:

• The appearance of your screen.

• The appearance of your model in the graphics window.

• Which toolbars and regions are displayed.

Allows you to select Finite Element objects to delete

Graphically hide or display entities

Modify properties (Pre-select an item first)

Update SimXpert entities from CAD

Allows you to select Geometry objects to delete


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The View menu is used to control the appearance of your screen. There are options that control the appearance of your model in the graphics window which will be discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs. You can also use this menu to control which toolbars and regions are displayed.

View Model Views

There are some pre-defined orientations that you can access from this menu. The same options are also available from the Model Views toolbar.

Options affecting graphics window display.

Turn toolbars on or off

Turn regions of the SimXpert display on or off

Control entity display


More pre-defined views are available using the View Region which can be activated by selecting View Regions View.

View Display

You can fine-tune the above orientations using the Display submenu. After selecting any of the rotate, pan, or zoom options, drag the mouse in the window to perform the action. Notice that there are also keyboard shortcuts that can be pressed to activate Rotate, Zoom, and Pan. The same options are also available from the View Manipulation toolbar.

You can also dynamically rotate your model by dragging the middle mouse button in the graphics window. You can dynamically zoom the model using Ctrl+middle mouse or by turning the middle mouse wheel. Shift+middle mouse dynamically pans the model.

Model Views toolbar


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View Manipulation toolbar

Zoom around the point where the mouse is clicked.

Zoom with respect to windowcenter

Drag a rectangular region forzoom

Rotate around model axes

Fit the model in the window

Screen select a center of rotation/zoom

Rotate around screen axes: X is horizontal, Y is vertical, and Z is pointing out of the screen

Rotate the model by dragging the mouse

Rotate/zoom about the centerof the graphics window

Translate the model by dragging the mouse


View Custom Views

If you create an orientation that you would like to recall at a future time, you can save the view using Custom Views > Create Custom View and enter a view name under which to store the view.

The view can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Custom Views menu or the Model Views toolbar.

Custom views will be saved with the database. They can be exported using File Export User Views for import into other databases.

Model Views toolbar

Select your custom view from either the Custom Views menu or the Model Views toolbar


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View Render

The appearance of your model is controlled from the Render option of the View menu. The same commands are also available from the Render toolbar.

Geometry shading is also controlled from the Geometry Graphics toolbar.

View Scenes

A scene consists of the current contents of the window including parts, connections, and boundary conditions. Current view, graphics and visibility state are also saved with the scene by default.

If you isolate subsets of your model that you would like to recall as a group at a future time, you can save them as a scene using Scenes Create Scene and entering a scene name.

Render toolbar

Apply to geometry model only

Apply to Finite Element model only

Toggles shaded images between smooth and flat shading

Toggles geometry face shading

Toggles display of hatch lines on geometry


The scene can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Scenes menu or from the list in the Scenes tab of the Model Browser.

The built in scene All holds the entire contents of your model with no entities hidden. You can recall your entire model to the display by selecting the Action Show scene and clicking All from the list of scenes.

Tools

Select your scene name either from the Scenes menu or the Scenes tab of the Model Browser


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The Tools menu is used to:

1. Report model information and statistics

2. Provide options to move entities.

3. Perform calculations (also available on the Tools toolbar).

4. Record and run Macros

5. Change appearance or default functionality, establish a system of units for the model. (Options).

6. Access scripts and templates.

Tools Options

The Options Editor provides a single dialog to set options for all applications in SimXpert. Options are presented in a tree view branched by category.

Scripts and templates

Tools toolbar

Model information and statistics

Menu to move/copy entities

Options Editor


Mouse Options

The following form shows the default mouse settings. Notice that you can drag the middle mouse button to dynamically rotate the model. To dynamically zoom and pan, press the Ctrl or Shift keys while dragging the middle mouse button


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Units Manager

SimXpert interprets all dimensions and input data with respect to a system of units. It is important to set the appropriate units prior to importing any unitless analysis files (such as a Nastran Bulk Data file) or creating materials, properties, or loads. You can control the system of units from the Options editor of the Tools menu. If you import a file that contains units, SimXpert will convert them into those specified in the Units Manager.


Tools Customize

Shortcut (Hot) Keys

The following figure shows a tab of default keyboard shortcuts. You can assign frequently used commands to function or keyboard keys in conjunction with modifier keys. Click in a key/modifier cell to make it current then simply select the desired action from any menu, toolbar, or tool ribbon.


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Window

The Window menu creates new windows or arranges existing windows on the screen.

Help

The Help menu provides access to:

1. Application online help.

2. Product tutorials.

3. Product support website SimCompanion.

• Product news and updates

• Documentation

• Technical Articles

• Technical Support Requests

• Multi-media content

• Recorded Webinars + PodCasts

http://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com


• Known Issues

4. Product version information.

SimXpert Assistant links to:

• a Search function which allows you to search on specific keywords or topics

• Guides and Example Problems

• External web pages.

Quick Reference links to menu/command specific help.

• You can search or drill down to get help on specific menu items.

Links to web pages


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Context-Sensitive Help

Remember that you can get context sensitive help directly for displayed forms and pick panels by clicking on the question mark icon in the upper right or by placing the focus on the form and pressing the F1 function key.

23 SimXpert InterfaceParts

PartsPart creation and manipulation is available using the Model Browser which provides a centralized control panel from which you can access component of your models. Parts are used by all SimXpert workspaces so we will discuss them briefly here.

1. A part is a collection of entities

2. Entities can be members of only one part

3. Deleting a part deletes its members also.

4. Newly created parts are made current. The current part is indicated in a bold, underlined font in the Model Browser.

5. You can make a part current by right-clicking on the part either in the Model Browser or the graphics window and selecting Set Current from the context menu.

Current part

Parts

Context Menu

Getting StartedSwitching Workspaces

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Switching WorkspacesTo open a different workspace simply pull down the menu in the upper right listing the current workspace then select the desired workspace.

Available workspaces

25 SimXpert InterfaceToolbars

ToolbarsAs seen in previous sections, toolbars provide a quick way to access commonly used commands. The available toolbars will vary depending on the current workspace. To see the function of toolbox icons, you can pass your cursor over them for rollover help. Toolbars can be turned on and off from the View Toolbars menu or from a context menu that can be displayed by right-clicking in any blank part of the toolbar region. Uncheck the box next to the toolbar name to turn off its display.

Workspace Tool RibbonThe following illustration shows tool ribbons for the Motion and the Structures workspaces. The tool ribbons provide you with commands and options that are relevant only to the current workspace.

Model BrowserThe Model Browser has four tabs: Model, List, Enterprise, and Scenes. The Model Browser lists all the components of the model. When you are using a command that requires picking, items can be selected

Toolbars

Motion workspace tool ribbon

Structures workspace tool ribbon

Getting StartedToolbars

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either from the graphics window or the Model Browser. The current part is shown in bold, underlined font. The Model Browser can be displayed in tree or list view by clicking the appropriate tab.

Message RegionThe Message Region is displayed below the graphics window. It displays information and error messages. The display of the Message Region can be turned on and off from the View Regions menu or from a context menu that can be displayed by right-clicking in any blank part of the toolbar region. Check the box next to Messages to turn on its display. The displayed messages follow a color code

• Black: information

• Blue: instructions

• Green: warnings

• Red: errors

Current part

27 SimXpert InterfaceToolbars

You can view a complete history of all SimXpert messages for the current session by clicking the

icon in the lower right corner of the display...

Context Menu

Getting StartedToolbars

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Graphical Picking

Getting StartedPick Filters

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Pick FiltersPick Filters allow you to choose specific entity types for picking. The toolbar is organized with the types of entities. Forms that require entity selection will activate picking icons. The available picking options are dependent on the type of object being selected. You can control which entities to select by choosing only the relevant icons.

The above example shows the Point selection Filters with only the Specify XYZ coordinates icon selected. To select multiple filters, click the desired icons. The function of the icon can be displayed by hovering the cursor over it. A tool tip will be displayed. The icons are toggles, hence to deselect an active filter, click its icon.

The icons to the right of the separator are available for all picking types.

Pick Filters

Click in the Entity Selection box to activate Pick Filters.

Tool tip for selected icon

Reject Last: ‘Undoes’ the last selection

Reverse Selection: Drops selected entities and picks up unselected entities (not including hidden) of the specified type in the current scene

Select All: Picks all entities of selected type in the current scene

Clear Selection List: Removes all entities from the selection box.

Remove Entities: Changes picking mode to Deselect

33 Graphical PickingPick Filters

Pick PanelSome commands will display a pick panel that allows you to control which entities to select. The pick panel will list only entities that exist in your model and apply to the current command. Following is a representative pick panel.

Advanced PickingIn addition to the Pick Filters that appear on the input forms there is also a Pick Filters toolbar that contains some additional features. You can fine tune selections using the Advanced Pick Dialog button on the Pick Filters toolbar or the Advanced button on a pick panel. In the following figure Parts are selected using the form’s Pick Filters. By clicking the Advanced Pick Dialog you can choose to select only parts that satisfy a certain condition, for instance: contain a specific element type (as shown in the following figure) or are associated with a certain material or property type.

Command buttons

Valid entities to pick

Picks all entities of selected type in the current scene

Picks all entities of selected type displayed in the window

‘Undoes’ the last selection

Finalizes the selection

Drops selected entities and picks up unselected entities of the specified type in the current scene

Brings up a form that allows you to select picking filters

Getting StartedPick Filters

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When picking elements you can specify to select only a specific element type, only those associated with a particular surface or node, or other filters that are relevant to your particular procedure.

Brings up a form that allows you to select additional picking filters

35 Graphical PickingPick Filters

Getting StartedDynamic Highlight

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Dynamic HighlightIf you hover the mouse in the graphics window, entities of the selected type will be highlighted as the mouse passes over them. In the following images, we have selected to pick parts so as the cursor passes over each part it is highlighted on the screen.

You can also pick parts by name from the Model Browser.

37 Graphical PickingPick Types

Pick Types

Default / Polygon / Sketch / CircleYou can pick multiple entities by changing the pick tool. The pick tool menu can be found on the Pick Filters toolbar or the context menu which is brought up by right-clicking in the background of the graphics window.

Default

A single entity will be selected when you click anywhere on it. To pick all entities entirely enclosed in a rectangular region: click the left mouse button at a screen point corresponding to one corner of the rectangle, drag the mouse to the diagonally opposite corner, then release the button.

Polygon

Draw a series of piecewise linear lines which completely enclose all desired entities, clicking wherever you would like a vertex. Double-click to complete the polygon.

Pick Filters toolbar

Context Menu

Pick Region Selected Elements

Getting StartedPick Types

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Sketch

The enclosure is arbitrary in shape. Drag the mouse to draw the outline of your selection region. Release the mouse when your sketched outline of the region is complete.

Circle

Drag the mouse to draw the outline of your selection region.

Pick Region Selected Elements

Selected ElementsPick Region

39 Graphical PickingPick Types

Note: You can modify the SimXpert’s picking behavior using Tools > Options, General / Navigation and Selection. You can choose to include only those entities entirely contained in the pick region, or those that are partially contained.

Selected ElementsPick Region

Getting StartedPick Types

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Solutions and Workflow

Getting StartedSolutions

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SolutionsSimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment for the analyst. Different types of simulations can be performed in each of the four workspaces.

In the Structures Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran analysis solutions are available:

• Linear Static Analysis (SOL 101)

• Modal Analysis (SOL 103)

• Linear Buckling Analysis (SOL 105)

• Direct Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 107)

• Direct Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 108)

• Direct Transient Response Analysis (SOL 109)

• Modal Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 110)

• Modal Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 111)

• Modal Transient Response Analysis (SOL 112)

• General Nonlinear Analysis (SOL400)

• Implicit Nonlinear Analysis (SOL 600)

In the Thermal Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran analysis solutions are available:

• Steady State Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 153, SOL 600)

• Transient Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 159, SOL 600)

In the Motion Workspace, the ADAMS C++ solver is used. The user can perform the following types of motion analysis:

• Dynamic Analysis

• Quasi-Static Analysis

• Static Analysis

In the Crash Workspace, LS-Dyna is used as the solver. The user can perform crash analysis for crash worthiness and safety applications.

In the MD Explicit Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. Explicit nonlinear analysis (SOL 700) can be performed.

The Template Builder Workspace in SimXpert is a graphical authoring environment for creating and executing SimXpert Templates. Templates are processes that can automate repetitive tasks, define CAE methods, and perform simulations.

In the Systems and Controls Workspace, Easy5 is used as the solver. The user can perform mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, gas dynamics, powertrain, and vehicle dynamics analysis.

41 Solutions and WorkflowWorkflow

WorkflowThe following procedure shows the general recommended workflow for the Structures, Thermal , Crash, and Explicit workspaces.

Click here to see a video showing basic required steps to create and execute a finite element model from SimXpert.

1. Designate a system of units. You can open the Units Manager from the Tools menu OR by clicking on the designated system of units in the lower right corner of the SimXpert window.

Or

http://www.mscsoftware.com/training_videos/SimXpert/getting_started/R3p2/workflow_steps.swf

Getting StartedWorkflow

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2. Import/create geometry

3. Create material and element properties

4. Create the finite element mesh

5. Apply loads and boundary conditions

Or


6. Set up analysis

Getting StartedWorkflow

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7. Submit model to solver


8. Attach results

9. Post-process

Getting StartedLet’s Get Started

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Let’s Get StartedYou can find a list of sample problems that you can build in SimXpert by clicking here. A good example for your first time is the Plate With Symmetry Example. It will walk you through a simple start-to-finish model. Enjoy!

http://www.mscsoftware.com/training_videos/simxpert/example_problems/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm?tab=contents

Download - Getting Started with MSC SimXpert 2010

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