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.
Tip: Models with complex geometries can fail when using the Faster setting. If your optimization is not successful, try using More Accurate.

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.

Casting Initial Stress (OptiStruct)

When you're using Inspire with Inspire Cast, Casting Initial Stress allows you to use Inspire Cast stress results to create additional nodes for structural analysis.
Note: To ensure all nodal results from Inspire Cast are mapped to a prestressed model during Inspire structural analysis, use a fine Element Size setting or use the More Accurate option.
Before you begin analysis, press F3 to display the Property Editor, select the cast entities for which you want to calculate casting stress, and select the Use Casting Stress Results checkbox.

In the Run Analysis window, select Results File and browse to the Inspire Cast trimming stress file. This is typically the last-created file in the Cast run folder:

The values from the .h3d file will be applied to the entities for which the Use Casting Stress Results checkbox is selected.