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New to Inspire PolyFoam? Learn the basics here.
Glossary
View a list of glossary terms and definitions.
Pretension
Applying pretension to bolted and screwed connections allows a more complete understanding of the behavior of a structure.

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Get Started
New to Inspire PolyFoam? Learn the basics here.
- The Five Steps
  Five basic steps are required to define and run a foaming analysis.
- Get Started with Inspire PolyFoam
  Learn the basics of the Inspire PolyFoam user interface.
- Systems
  Use the Systems tool to create and apply user-defined coordinate systems to loads, supports, and displacements.
- 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.
- Glossary
  View a list of glossary terms and definitions.
  - Alternative
    Alternatives are a convenient way to manage design variations within your model.
  - Assembly
    An assembly is a list of parts.
  - Collision Detection
    If you want to prevent parts or assemblies from overlapping when you move them, turn on collision detection in the Property Editor.
  - Configuration (model)
    You can use the Configure toolbar on the Model Browser to activate and deactivate parts. This is called configuring your model.
  - Connection Stiffness
    Connection Stiffness allows for better approximation of axial and shear stiffness in grounded fasteners, grounded joints, and cylindrical supports.
  - Controller
    A controller is provided as a way to try and reach a desired (target) value by means of a feedback control loop.
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    Context menus contain commands that allow you to edit a selected item, and are available for parts, entities, and tools on the ribbon.
  - Demo Browser
    The Demo Browser (F7) displays a list of demo models packaged with the software.
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    A design space is the initial geometry that forms the boundary of the optimized shape.
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    The installation directory is the location where the application was installed.
  - Instance (part)
    An instance is a copy of a part that is linked to the original part.
  - Load Cases
    A load case is a set of loads and supports, displacements, accelerations, and temperatures that act on a model at one time.
  - Mass Moment of Inertia
    The mass moment of inertia is calculated at the part's center of mass with respect to the global axis orientation.
  - Model Browser
    The Model Browser shows all of the objects in your model in a tree structure.
  - Modeling Window
    The modeling window, sometimes referred to as the graphics area or window, is where you interact with your model.
  - Mouse Controls
    Mouse controls are used to pan, zoom, and rotate the model.
  - Orthographic Projection
    In Inspire, there are two basic methods of displaying 3D objects on a 2D plane: perspective projection, which takes perspective effects into account; and orthographic projection, which does not.
  - Part Properties
    All of the properties of a part can be directly accessed through the Property Editor.
  - Parts
    A part is a geometric object made up of any combination of solids, surfaces, and curves. It can also be a mesh.
  - Perspective Projection
    In Inspire, there are two basic methods of displaying 3D objects on a 2D plane: perspective projection, which takes perspective effects into account; and orthographic projection, which does not.
  - Pretension
    Applying pretension to bolted and screwed connections allows a more complete understanding of the behavior of a structure.
  - Principal Axes
    The principal axes or global axes are the x, y, and z axes in the View Rotator.
  - Profile Functions
    Motors and actuators have a profile option on the microdialog that allows you to change how the shaft moves as time elapses (or another independent variable changes).
  - Property Editor
    The Property Editor shows all the properties of a selected object and allows you to edit them.
  - Ribbon
    The ribbon allows you to quickly access tools and standard functions, and is located at the top of the Inspire workspace.
  - Screen Capture
    The Screen Capture tool saves an image or video of your model.
  - Snap Filter
    The Snaps Filter icon is located in the lower right corner of the application window. It opens the snaps menu.
  - Status Bar
    The status bar displays model status information and includes the snaps filter and unit system selector.
  - Suppress (Unsuppress) Entities
    Suppress and Unsuppress joints, fasteners, and motion entities in a model.
  - Unit System Selector
    Use the Unit System Selector to change the display units used in the user interface. (These can be the same or different as the modeling units, which are set in the Preferences.)
  - View Controls
    The view controls are located in the lower left corner of the modeling window.
  - View Normal to Grid
    When in sketch mode, the Rotate to Closest Principal Axes icon is replaced with the View Normal to Grid icon in the view controls.
  - View Rotator
    Use the View Rotator to achieve finer control of rotation than is possible by using the mouse.
  - Workflow Help
    Most tools on the ribbon include text prompts beneath the tool or guide bar that explain what to do next. These prompts are a form of user assistance called workflow help.
- Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
  Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire PolyFoam with our interactive tutorials.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Model Setup - Foaming Ribbon
Set up your foam part, nozzles, materials, tooling and process parameters prior to analysis.
Model Setup - Dispensing Ribbon
Set up your part, nozzles, materials, tooling and process parameters prior to analysis.
PolyFoam Analysis
Run an analysis to minimize defects and prevent manufacturing problems for a foam part design.
Dispensing Analysis
Run an analysis to minimize defects and prevent manufacturing problems for a fluid part design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have answers!

Pretension

Applying pretension to bolted and screwed connections allows a more complete understanding of the behavior of a structure.

Altair Inspire with OptiStruct does not support frequency response with pretension. Altair Inspire with SimSolid does not support sequential loading with pretension.

Pretension Properties

Following is a list of pretension properties and the types of objects to which they apply (indicated in parentheses).

Press F3 to open the Property Editor.
Use Enable (fasteners)
1. Select the checkbox to allow entry of a pretension force for fasteners.
Use Force (fasteners)
1. Enter a magnitude for the pretension force.