Section 4: The User Interface

1: Analysis Sub-Tree

The Analysis sub-tree contains the active analysis objects. It is the primary location for defining the analysis type. To modify, create, or duplicate settings, right-click on the analysis entity. You can also manage Subcases from the Analysis sub-tree. Specific notes include:

• Right-click the top level Analysis branch to change and edit analysis settings.
• Mesh Model: Define mesh settings.
• Mesh Control: Add or edit mesh control options.
• Surface Contacts: Add or edit contact relations between surfaces.
• Physical Properties: Add or edit property settings.
• Subcases: Manage separate analyses that are run sequentially. You can add and edit settings from this branch. Note that in a nonlinear analysis, the results of one subcase are the initial conditions for the subsequent subcase.

2: Model Sub-Tree

All FEA entities are stored in the Model sub-tree for later use, but not all entities in the Model sub-tree have to be used in a given analysis. You can drag settings from the Model sub-tree into subcases as needed. If an entity is removed from a subcase, it is still available in the Model sub-tree unless you delete it from here as well.

• Concentrated Masses: Lump mass elements that can represent more complex 3D bodies.
• Connectors: Specialized elements for connecting parts.
• Tables: Many tables can be created where needed on the fly, but this section stores them and can be used to create tables in advance of use.
• Surface Contacts: Contact must be initiated here.
• Plot Templates: Results views can be created and stored here.
• Groups: Node/Element groups are used in Contact definition and XY Plotting.
• Parameters: Autodesk Nastran solver Parameters provide high level control. See the Autodesk Nastran Reference Manual.
• Coordinate Systems: New analysis-specific CSs must be created here.

Output View

When the analysis is running, the Tree displays the Output View to show Autodesk Nastran Solver Log messages. Warnings and errors appear in red.

1. To stop the analysis, click the Stop button.
2. To pause the analysis, click the Pause button.
3. To resume a paused analysis, click the Resume button.

System

• Default Settings: Used to define initial settings for new analyses. The Default Settings dialog contains controls for General product settings, Display, Post-Processing, Report Generation, and for the Tree.

Analysis

• New: Create a new analysis and define the analysis settings. Note that this is the same as right-clicking on the Analysis branch of the Analysis sub-tree.
• Edit: Open the analysis settings of the currently active analysis.

Properties

• Material: Create a new material from scratch or using a library.
• Import from Model: Bring a material created in the CAD system on the active part or assembly into the Model Sub-Tree Materials folder. These need to be reassigned to the appropriate part or body.
• Physical: Create a new physical property.

Setup

• Constraints: Define new constraints.
• Loads: Define new loads.

Contacts

• Automatic: Define contact conditions by locating all contact pairs. Note that you can modify the contact type by right-clicking on the contact condition in the Model Tree and selecting an alternative.
• Manual: Define contact conditions by selecting specific contact pairs.

Mesh

• Global: Modify the mesh settings affecting the entire model.
• Show/Hide: Toggle the visibility of the mesh. Note that if the mesh is hidden, no results data can be shown.
• Table: Activate the Mesh Table for additional control of the individual mesh on parts and bodies.
• Update All: Regenerate the mesh throughout the model using the current settings.

Solve

• Run: Perform the calculations on the active analysis using the current settings.

Results

• Load: Open saved results and load them from an existing "FNO" file. This command maps the results to the current mesh. It is best used for comparing different subcases on the same model. If the mesh is different from the model that created the FNO file, the display may not make sense.
• Contour: Toggle the display of contoured results based on the current settings.
• Deformed: Toggles the display of the deformed model.
• Previous/Next: Increments subcases or results cases for nonlinear or dynamic analyses.
• Options: Opens the Plot Settings dialog. This provides detailed control over most aspects of results visualization.
• Animate: Toggles animation of results based on current settings.

Display

• All Bodies: Makes hidden CAD bodies visible.

Nastran Support

• Help: Opens the homepage of the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD Help.
• Tutorials: Opens the Tutorials topic within the Help.
• About: Opens a windows with information about the Autodesk Nastran In-CAD version and License.
• ReadMe: Opens the online ReadMe webpage.
• Forum: Opens the online Forum webpage.
• Verification Manual: Launches the verification manual pdf file, which has all the benchmark and NAFEMS cases.
• Unload Results: Unloads all the results from your model.

Exit

• Finish Autodesk Nastran: When you are finished with your Autodesk Nastran In-CAD session, click Exit to return to the general working environment of Autodesk® Inventor.