Home
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Structural Analysis
Set up and run a linear static analysis using the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver. You can also analyze normal modes and buckling modes.
Run Analysis and Export a Solver Model
Define and run a linear static, normal modes, or buckling modes analysis, and then optionally export a solver model.
Run Options: SimSolid vs OptiStruct
Use the options on the Run Analysis window to define your analysis. Options vary based on whether the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver has been selected.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Variables
Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
- Model Setup
  Create connections and apply loads, constraints, materials, and manufacturing controls to your model.
- Structural Analysis
  Set up and run a linear static analysis using the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver. You can also analyze normal modes and buckling modes.
  - SimSolid vs. OptiStruct Analysis
    You can choose whether to use SimSolid or OptiStruct as the solver when running a structural analysis.
  - Run Options: Local vs. Remote
    Choose whether to run jobs locally or on a remote job server.
  - Run Analysis and Export a Solver Model
    Define and run a linear static, normal modes, or buckling modes analysis, and then optionally export a solver model.
    - Run a Structural Analysis
      Select a solver, run options, and run settings to run an analysis.
    - Run Options: SimSolid vs OptiStruct
      Use the options on the Run Analysis window to define your analysis. Options vary based on whether the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver has been selected.
    - Export a Solver Model
      Export a solver model (.fem or .ssp) file using the Export button on the Run Analysis window. Exporting the analysis allows you to perform advanced analysis in SimSolid or HyperMesh with OptiStruct or run .fem jobs remotely.
    - Run Status
      View the status of the current run, as well runs for the current model that have not yet been viewed. To see all past runs, you need to view the run history.
    - Run History
      View, sort, open, and delete past runs for the current and previous models.
  - View Structures Analysis Results
    Use the Show Analysis Results tool to view the results of a linear static, normal modes, or buckling modes analysis in the Analysis Explorer. View and animate results, add callouts, and compare results from different runs.
  - Analysis Result Types for Structures
    Inspire provides several types of linear static analysis results, as well as normal modes and buckling modes analysis.
  - Animate and Record Results
    Use the Animation Toolbar that appears at the bottom of the modeling window to animate and record results.
- Structural Optimization
  Set up and run a topology, topography, or gauge optimization.
- Report
  Generate PPT or PDF reports from analysis results. The Report tools are available after you have run an analysis.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Run Options: SimSolid vs OptiStruct

Use the options on the Run Analysis window to define your analysis. Options vary based on whether the SimSolid or OptiStruct solver has been selected.


Run SimSolid Analysis	Run OptiStruct Analysis

Name

When you run an analysis, the name of the run defaults to the name of the model. However, you can assign your own name to the run in the Run Analysis window.

Solver

Select SimSolid or OptiStruct to choose the solver you want to use for analysis.

Parts

Select All to include all parts in analysis, select Displayed to analyze all visible parts, or click Selected and use the Parts collector to select the parts you want to analyze.

Element Size (OptiStruct)

The element size dictates the quality of your optimization results. In general, the smaller the element size, the more accurate the result, but the slower it will run.

Note: To improve overall performance, when a CAD file is imported the mesh sizes are not calculated and are shown as Auto. Click the

icon to display the Element Size.

The element size is calculated from the smallest features in the CAD. Cleaning up the CAD so there are fewer features will help jobs to run faster.

Speed (OptiStruct)

Select Faster or More Accurate to prioritize speed or accuracy when running an optimization.

Select Faster when stresses are not a major concern and testing your model to ensure that the kinematics of your loads and supports are correct. If you need more accurate results, select More Accurate and rerun the analysis to achieve more precise stress and displacement results. This will also increase the run time. More Accurate generates second-order elements.

Load Cases

A load case is a set of loads and supports that act on a model at one time. You can assign loads and supports to specific load cases using the Model Browser or context menu. Then when you run an analysis, you choose which load cases to include in the Run Analysis window.