Initialize the Simulation

Initialize a 3DEXPERIENCE structural simulation.

When you transfer a SOLIDWORKS assembly that includes simulation studies to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, certain simulation features map directly to 3DEXPERIENCE simulation features. You must recreate the simulation features that did not transfer using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform tools and apps.

In this example, you transfer a SOLIDWORKS assembly with a nonlinear simulation study to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Then, you initialize the 3DEXPERIENCE simulation in the appropriate simulation scenario app.

  1. In the MySession widget of the 3DEXPERIENCE task pane, from the Simulation section of the action bar, click Create Structural Simulation .
    Design with SOLIDWORKS transfers the active SOLIDWORKS simulation study to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. When the transfer completes, a message informs you that the simulation is available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
    Important: You can only transfer simulation studies associated with the active SOLIDWORKS configuration to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. In this example, the active SOLIDWORKS configuration has only one simulation study. In cases where the active SOLIDWORKS configuration has multiple simulation studies (static or nonlinear), you can select which simulation studies to transfer to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
  2. When prompted to open the simulation on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, click Yes.
    The 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher opens an appropriate simulation scenario app. This example illustrates the use of Structural Scenario Creation to configure the simulation; however, you can also use Mechanical Scenario Creation.
  3. In the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, initialize the simulation by doing the following:
    1. In the Simulation Initialization dialog box, select the simulation study, Ready, and click OK.
      When the SOLIDWORKS simulation study transfer completes, the Simulation Status dialog box displays information about the status of each simulation feature.

      The app creates a structural analysis case that corresponds to the transferred SOLIDWORKS simulation study. The structural analysis case uses the same name as the transferred simulation study, Ready.

      The app also creates a static step, Static.Step.1. A static step is applicable in linear or nonlinear analyses in which you neglect inertia effects. A static step ignores time-dependent material effects (such as creep and viscoelasticity) but takes into account the rate-dependent plasticity and hysteresis behavior of hyperelastic materials.

    2. From the Setup section of the action bar, click Simulation Properties .
    3. Enter Contact Analysis of an O-ring as the Title, and click OK.

      Renaming your simulation allows you to identify it easily when you search for it.