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Get Started
New to Inspire PolyFoam? Learn the basics here.
Get Started with Inspire PolyFoam
Learn the basics of the Inspire PolyFoam user interface.
The Model Browser
Use the Model Browser to organize your model, organize analysis and optomization objects, and access objects that aren't currently shown in the modeling window.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire PolyFoam? Learn the basics here.
- What Is Inspire PolyFoam?
  Inspire PolyFoam is an essential toolset to simulate and validate the part design and physical processes that are required to create a polyurethane foam part.
- 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.
  - Licensing Features
    Some ribbon tabs are associated with license features. Depending upon the tab you have invoked, additional units may be drawn. These features will be checked out for the duration of the session.
  - Workspace
    The Inspire PolyFoam workspace includes the ribbon, modeling window, legend, and status bar.
  - Find and Search for Tools
    Quickly find and open the tools that are available on the ribbons.
  - File Import and Export
    Learn how to import geometry and export results.
  - Select and Edit
    Review techniques for selecting and editing objects.
  - Adjust the View
    Change the view in the modeling window using the mouse or view controls.
  - Move and Snap
    Translate, rotate, and align parts and other objects using the Move tool and snaps.
  - Systems
    The Systems tool is useful for aligning loads to a local coordinate system rather than the global coordinate system. Keep in mind that results are only shown in the global coordinate system.
  - Screen Capture
    Record a video or take a snapshot of the screen.
  - Units and Measurement
    Change the default unit system, create custom units, and measure geometry features.
  - The Model Browser
    Use the Model Browser to organize your model, organize analysis and optomization objects, and access objects that aren't currently shown in the modeling window.
    - Parts and Assemblies
      Organize parts into assemblies and view part alternatives.
    - Search and Filter
      Search entities and automatically filter the results to only display the entities that contain the search string. You can also filter by entity type.
    - Show or Hide
      Show or hide an entity by clicking its icon in the Model Browser or using the context menu.
    - Configure a Model
      Configure a model by activating or deactivating parts so they are included or excluded from calculations like mass summaries, static weight calculations, optimization, etc.
    - Find
      Find entities in the model that contain the search string you enter. The search results are not filtered.
    - Edit
      Double-click an entity in the Model Browser to edit it.
    - Suppress or Unsuppress Entities
      Suppress or unsuppress an entity using the context menu in the Model Browser.
    - Show Model, Assembly, or Part Information
      Quickly find out how many items are in an entire model, an assembly, or a part. For example, if you select the entire model, you will see the number of forces, supports, assemblies, parts, loads, etc. If you select a part, you will see the mass, volume, bounding box, center of gravity, features, etc.
  - Help and User Assistance
    Learn about the forms of help and user assistance available from the product.
  - Preferences
    Modify the workspace display, default keyboard shortcuts, and other settings.
  - Inspire System Requirements
    A list of supported operating systems and minimum requirements for hardware and memory.
  - Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
    Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.
- 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.
- 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 2D sketches, surfaces, and solids 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!

The Model Browser

Use the Model Browser to organize your model, organize analysis and optomization objects, and access objects that aren't currently shown in the modeling window.

Press the F2 key to open the Model Browser, or use the View menu.
Use the Model Browser to:
- Find and search for objects in your model.
- Show and hide objects in your model.
- Organize parts into assemblies and alternatives.
- Organize loads, supports, and displacement constraints into load cases.
- Configure your model by activating and deactivating parts and assemblies.

Tip:

By default, the Model Browser is docked on the left side of the application window, but it can be undocked and repositioned as needed.
Each object in the Model Browser is preceded by an icon that indicates the type of object.
Some properties such as mass, element size, and thickness can be displayed in the Model Browser by right-clicking on the Object column to open the Browser Properties window.