Getting Started

Introduction
2 Getting Started
Overview of SimXpert

Overview of SimXpert
SimXpert is an integral component of the enterprise simulation environment. It incorporates direct
integration with SimManager and SimDesigner. SimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment
for the analyst including workspaces between which one common model can be shared. The workspaces
provide different tools appropriate to the discipline:
• Structures: Linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using MD
Nastran
• Thermal: Linear FEA using MD Nastran
• Motion: Multi-body dynamics of rigid and flexible bodies using the Adams C++ solver
• Crash: Nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using LS-Dyna
• MD Explicit: Nonlinear explicit dynamic FEA using MD Nastran
• Template Builder: Captures Simulation Procedures Consisting Of SimXpert Commands And
Macros
• Systems and Controls: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, gas dynamics,
powertrain, vehicle dynamics analysis using Easy5
All solvers are included in SimXpert. Workspaces filter the simulation model and only the parts of the
model that have relevance to a workspace are visible.
The simulation process allows knowledge capture and re-use through the use of templates.The template
builder allows you to:
• Define a sequence of tasks and sub-tasks.
• Drag-and-drop existing scripts in a visual editing environment.
• Publish the finished template to SimManager for re-use across an organization.
 Introduction 3
Starting SimXpert

Starting SimXpert
You can start SimXpert just as you would any software application. To start SimXpert do one of the
following:
• Choose Start  Programs  MSC.Software  SimXpert 2010
• You may start SimXpert by double clicking a desktop icon similar to the one depicted below

Startup Screen
When you first enter SimXpert you will see the following startup screen.

Create a new database

Select an existing database to open

Select a workspace in which to open a database

Access online help

4 Getting Started
Starting SimXpert
SimXpert Interface
6 Getting Started
SimXpert Graphical User Interface (GUI)

SimXpert Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The following figure shows the screen layout for SimXpert. All windows can be moved and resized. The
regions that are common to all workspaces are shown and described in this section of document..

Main menu bar

Workspace Tool Ribbon Workspace management
Toolbars

Model Browser Message region Graphics Window

 SimXpert Interface 7
Common Workspace Menus

Common Workspace Menus

Main Menu Bar

This section covers menus from the main menu bar that are common to every workspace.

File

The File menu allows you to manipulate databases:

• Create a new database.
• Open an existing database.
• Save an open database, or save under a different name.
• Enables you to print or save images of your graphics window or exit SimXpert.

Database manipulation

Print or save image files of graphics window

Exit SimXpert
8 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

File  Import
Using the Geometry as Parasolid option, you can directly open a model or part file generated by the
CAD codes as shown in Figure 1. SimXpert will convert the CAD information ‘on the fly’ to parasolid
format. No local licenses for the CAD software are required for this option.
SimXpert can also directly access CATIA, Pro/Engineer, and Unigraphics files with no geometry
translation involved. CAD features, parameters, and geometry can be modified within SimXpert with
updates then added back to the original file. This option uses the local CAD installation directly and
therefore a license is required.

CAD geometry
translated to
parasolid
No CAD license
required

Direct CAD access

CAD license required

Figure 1 Supported Geometry Interfaces

Edit

The Edit menu allows you to:

• Delete and graphically hide or show entities.
• Modify properties of entities in your model.
• Update SimXpert entities to reflect changes in the associated CAD file.
• Undo and Redo commands.
 SimXpert Interface 9
Common Workspace Menus

Allows you to select Finite Element objects to delete

Allows you to select Geometry objects to delete

Graphically hide or display entities

Modify properties (Pre-select an item first)

Update SimXpert entities from CAD

View

The View menu allows you to control:

• The appearance of your screen.
• The appearance of your model in the graphics window.
• Which toolbars and regions are displayed.
10 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

Options affecting graphics window display.

Turn toolbars on or off

Turn regions of the SimXpert display on or off
Control entity display

The View menu is used to control the appearance of your screen. There are options that control the
appearance of your model in the graphics window which will be discussed in more detail in the following
paragraphs. You can also use this menu to control which toolbars and regions are displayed.

View Model Views

There are some pre-defined orientations that you can access from this menu. The same options are also
available from the Model Views toolbar.
 SimXpert Interface 11
Common Workspace Menus

Model Views toolbar

More pre-defined views are available using the View Region which can be activated by selecting View
 Regions  View.

View  Display
You can fine-tune the above orientations using the Display submenu. After selecting any of the rotate,
pan, or zoom options, drag the mouse in the window to perform the action. Notice that there are also
keyboard shortcuts that can be pressed to activate Rotate, Zoom, and Pan. The same options are also
available from the View Manipulation toolbar.
You can also dynamically rotate your model by dragging the middle mouse button in the graphics
window. You can dynamically zoom the model using Ctrl+middle mouse or by turning the middle mouse
wheel. Shift+middle mouse dynamically pans the model.
12 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

Fit the model in the window

Drag a rectangular region for

zoom
Zoom with respect to window
center
Zoom around the point
where the mouse is clicked.
Translate the model by
dragging the mouse
Rotate the model by
dragging the mouse
Screen select a center of
rotation/zoom
Rotate/zoom about the center
of the graphics window
Rotate around model axes
View Manipulation toolbar
Rotate around screen axes:
X is horizontal, Y is vertical,
and Z is pointing out of the
screen
 SimXpert Interface 13
Common Workspace Menus

View Custom Views

If you create an orientation that you would like to recall at a future time, you can save the view using
Custom Views > Create Custom View and enter a view name under which to store the view.

The view can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Custom Views menu or the Model Views
toolbar.

Model Views toolbar

Select your custom view from

either the Custom Views menu
or the Model Views toolbar
Custom views will be saved with the database. They can be exported using File Export  User Views
for import into other databases.
14 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

View  Render
The appearance of your model is controlled from the Render option of the View menu. The same
commands are also available from the Render toolbar.

Apply to
geometry
model Render toolbar
only

Apply to
Finite
Element
model
only

Toggles shaded images between smooth and flat

shading

Geometry shading is also controlled from the Geometry Graphics toolbar.

Toggles display of hatch lines

on geometry

Toggles geometry face

shading

View  Scenes
A scene consists of the current contents of the window including parts, connections, and boundary
conditions. Current view, graphics and visibility state are also saved with the scene by default.
If you isolate subsets of your model that you would like to recall as a group at a future time, you can save
them as a scene using Scenes  Create Scene and entering a scene name.
 SimXpert Interface 15
Common Workspace Menus

The scene can be recalled at any time by selecting it from the Scenes menu or from the list in the Scenes
tab of the Model Browser.

Select your scene name either

from the Scenes menu or the
Scenes tab of the Model Browser

The built in scene All holds the entire contents of your model with no entities hidden. You can recall your
entire model to the display by selecting the Action Show scene and clicking All from the list of scenes.

Tools
16 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

The Tools menu is used to:

1. Report model information and statistics
2. Provide options to move entities.
3. Perform calculations (also available on the Tools toolbar).
4. Record and run Macros
5. Change appearance or default functionality, establish a system of units for the model. (Options).
6. Access scripts and templates.

Tools toolbar

Model information and statistics

Menu to
move/copy
entities

Options
Editor

Scripts and
templates

Tools  Options
The Options Editor provides a single dialog to set options for all applications in SimXpert. Options are
presented in a tree view branched by category.
 SimXpert Interface 17
Common Workspace Menus

Mouse Options
The following form shows the default mouse settings. Notice that you can drag the middle mouse button
to dynamically rotate the model. To dynamically zoom and pan, press the Ctrl or Shift keys while
dragging the middle mouse button
18 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

Units Manager
SimXpert interprets all dimensions and input data with respect to a system of units. It is important to set
the appropriate units prior to importing any unitless analysis files (such as a Nastran Bulk Data file) or
creating materials, properties, or loads. You can control the system of units from the Options editor of the
Tools menu. If you import a file that contains units, SimXpert will convert them into those specified in
the Units Manager.
 SimXpert Interface 19
Common Workspace Menus

Tools  Customize
Shortcut (Hot) Keys
The following figure shows a tab of default keyboard shortcuts. You can assign frequently used
commands to function or keyboard keys in conjunction with modifier keys. Click in a key/modifier cell
to make it current then simply select the desired action from any menu, toolbar, or tool ribbon.
20 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

Window

The Window menu creates new windows or arranges existing windows on the screen.

Help

The Help menu provides access to:

1. Application online help.
2. Product tutorials.
3. Product support website SimCompanion.
• Product news and updates
• Documentation
• Technical Articles
• Technical Support Requests
• Multi-media content
• Recorded Webinars + PodCasts
 SimXpert Interface 21
Common Workspace Menus

• Known Issues
4. Product version information.
SimXpert Assistant links to:
• a Search function which allows you to search on specific keywords or topics
• Guides and Example Problems
• External web pages.

Links to
web
pages

Quick Reference links to menu/command specific help.

• You can search or drill down to get help on specific menu items.
22 Getting Started
Common Workspace Menus

Context-Sensitive Help
Remember that you can get context sensitive help directly for displayed forms and pick panels by
clicking on the question mark icon in the upper right or by placing the focus on the form and pressing the
F1 function key.
 SimXpert Interface 23
Parts

Parts
Part creation and manipulation is available using the Model Browser which provides a centralized
control panel from which you can access component of your models. Parts are used by all SimXpert
workspaces so we will discuss them briefly here.
1. A part is a collection of entities
2. Entities can be members of only one part
3. Deleting a part deletes its members also.
4. Newly created parts are made current. The current part is indicated in a bold, underlined font in
the Model Browser.
5. You can make a part current by right-clicking on the part either in the Model Browser or the
graphics window and selecting Set Current from the context menu.

Context Menu

Current part

Parts
24 Getting Started
Switching Workspaces

Switching Workspaces
To open a different workspace simply pull down the menu in the upper right listing the current workspace
then select the desired workspace.

Available
workspaces
 SimXpert Interface 25
Toolbars

Toolbars
As seen in previous sections, toolbars provide a quick way to access commonly used commands. The
available toolbars will vary depending on the current workspace. To see the function of toolbox icons,
you can pass your cursor over them for rollover help. Toolbars can be turned on and off from the View
 Toolbars menu or from a context menu that can be displayed by right-clicking in any blank part of the
toolbar region. Uncheck the box next to the toolbar name to turn off its display.

Toolbars

Workspace Tool Ribbon

The following illustration shows tool ribbons for the Motion and the Structures workspaces. The tool
ribbons provide you with commands and options that are relevant only to the current workspace.

Motion workspace tool ribbon

Structures workspace tool ribbon

Model Browser
The Model Browser has four tabs: Model, List, Enterprise, and Scenes. The Model Browser lists all the
components of the model. When you are using a command that requires picking, items can be selected
26 Getting Started
Toolbars

either from the graphics window or the Model Browser. The current part is shown in bold, underlined
font. The Model Browser can be displayed in tree or list view by clicking the appropriate tab.

Current part

Message Region
The Message Region is displayed below the graphics window. It displays information and error
messages. The display of the Message Region can be turned on and off from the View  Regions menu
or from a context menu that can be displayed by right-clicking in any blank part of the toolbar region.
Check the box next to Messages to turn on its display. The displayed messages follow a color code
• Black: information
• Blue: instructions
• Green: warnings
• Red: errors
 SimXpert Interface 27
Toolbars

You can view a complete history of all SimXpert messages for the current session by clicking the
icon in the lower right corner of the display...

Context
Menu
28 Getting Started
Toolbars
Graphical Picking
32 Getting Started
Pick Filters

Pick Filters
Pick Filters allow you to choose specific entity types for picking. The toolbar is organized with the types
of entities. Forms that require entity selection will activate picking icons. The available picking options
are dependent on the type of object being selected. You can control which entities to select by choosing
only the relevant icons.

Pick Filters

Click in the
Entity
Selection
box to
Tool tip for selected icon activate
Pick
Filters.

The above example shows the Point selection Filters with only the Specify XYZ coordinates icon
selected. To select multiple filters, click the desired icons. The function of the icon can be displayed by
hovering the cursor over it. A tool tip will be displayed. The icons are toggles, hence to deselect an active
filter, click its icon.
The icons to the right of the separator are available for all picking types.

Reverse Selection: Drops selected

entities and picks up unselected
entities (not including hidden) of the
specified type in the current scene

Clear Selection Remove Entities:

List: Removes all Changes picking
entities from the mode to
selection box. Deselect

Select All: Picks

all entities of
selected type in Reject Last:
the current ‘Undoes’ the last
scene selection
 Graphical Picking 33
Pick Filters

Pick Panel
Some commands will display a pick panel that allows you to control which entities to select. The pick
panel will list only entities that exist in your model and apply to the current command. Following is a
representative pick panel.

Command
buttons

Valid entities to
pick

Picks all entities Brings up a form

of selected type that allows you
in the current to select picking
scene filters

Picks all entities Drops selected entities

of selected type and picks up unselected
displayed in the entities of the specified
window type in the current scene
‘Undoes’ the last Finalizes the
selection selection

Advanced Picking
In addition to the Pick Filters that appear on the input forms there is also a Pick Filters toolbar that
contains some additional features. You can fine tune selections using the Advanced Pick Dialog button
on the Pick Filters toolbar or the Advanced button on a pick panel. In the following figure Parts are
selected using the form’s Pick Filters. By clicking the Advanced Pick Dialog you can choose to select
only parts that satisfy a certain condition, for instance: contain a specific element type (as shown in the
following figure) or are associated with a certain material or property type.
34 Getting Started
Pick Filters

Brings up a form
that allows you
to select
additional
picking filters

When picking elements you can specify to select only a specific element type, only those associated with
a particular surface or node, or other filters that are relevant to your particular procedure.
Graphical Picking 35
Pick Filters
36 Getting Started
Dynamic Highlight

Dynamic Highlight
If you hover the mouse in the graphics window, entities of the selected type will be highlighted as the
mouse passes over them. In the following images, we have selected to pick parts so as the cursor passes
over each part it is highlighted on the screen.

You can also pick parts by name from the Model Browser.
 Graphical Picking 37
Pick Types

Pick Types

Default / Polygon / Sketch / Circle

You can pick multiple entities by changing the pick tool. The pick tool menu can be found on the Pick
Filters toolbar or the context menu which is brought up by right-clicking in the background of the
graphics window.

Pick Filters toolbar

Context Menu

Default
A single entity will be selected when you click anywhere on it. To pick all entities entirely enclosed in a
rectangular region: click the left mouse button at a screen point corresponding to one corner of the
rectangle, drag the mouse to the diagonally opposite corner, then release the button.

Pick Region Selected Elements

Polygon
Draw a series of piecewise linear lines which completely enclose all desired entities, clicking wherever
you would like a vertex. Double-click to complete the polygon.
38 Getting Started
Pick Types

Pick Region Selected Elements

Sketch
The enclosure is arbitrary in shape. Drag the mouse to draw the outline of your selection region. Release
the mouse when your sketched outline of the region is complete.

Pick Region Selected Elements

Circle
Drag the mouse to draw the outline of your selection region.
 Graphical Picking 39
Pick Types

Pick Region Selected Elements

Note: You can modify the SimXpert’s picking behavior using Tools > Options,
General / Navigation and Selection. You can choose to include only those
entities entirely contained in the pick region, or those that are partially
contained.
40 Getting Started
Pick Types
Solutions and Workflow
40 Getting Started
Solutions

Solutions
SimXpert is a multi-disciplinary simulation environment for the analyst. Different types of simulations
can be performed in each of the four workspaces.
In the Structures Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran
analysis solutions are available:
• Linear Static Analysis (SOL 101)
• Modal Analysis (SOL 103)
• Linear Buckling Analysis (SOL 105)
• Direct Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 107)
• Direct Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 108)
• Direct Transient Response Analysis (SOL 109)
• Modal Complex Eigenvalue Analysis (SOL 110)
• Modal Frequency Response Analysis (SOL 111)
• Modal Transient Response Analysis (SOL 112)
• General Nonlinear Analysis (SOL400)
• Implicit Nonlinear Analysis (SOL 600)

In the Thermal Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. The following types of MD Nastran
analysis solutions are available:
• Steady State Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 153, SOL 600)
• Transient Heat Transfer Analysis (SOL 159, SOL 600)

In the Motion Workspace, the ADAMS C++ solver is used. The user can perform the following types of
motion analysis:
• Dynamic Analysis
• Quasi-Static Analysis
• Static Analysis

In the Crash Workspace, LS-Dyna is used as the solver. The user can perform crash analysis for crash
worthiness and safety applications.
In the MD Explicit Workspace, MD Nastran is used as the solver. Explicit nonlinear analysis (SOL 700)
can be performed.
The Template Builder Workspace in SimXpert is a graphical authoring environment for creating and
executing SimXpert Templates. Templates are processes that can automate repetitive tasks, define CAE
methods, and perform simulations.
In the Systems and Controls Workspace, Easy5 is used as the solver. The user can perform mechanical,
electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, gas dynamics, powertrain, and vehicle dynamics analysis.
 Solutions and Workflow 41
Workflow

Workflow
The following procedure shows the general recommended workflow for the Structures, Thermal , Crash,
and Explicit workspaces.
Click here to see a video showing basic required steps to create and execute a finite element model from
SimXpert.
1. Designate a system of units. You can open the Units Manager from the Tools menu OR by
clicking on the designated system of units in the lower right corner of the SimXpert window.

Or
42 Getting Started
Workflow

2. Import/create geometry

Or

3. Create material and element properties

4. Create the finite element mesh

5. Apply loads and boundary conditions

 Solutions and Workflow 43
Workflow

6. Set up analysis
44 Getting Started
Workflow

7. Submit model to solver

 Solutions and Workflow 45
Workflow

8. Attach results

9. Post-process
46 Getting Started
Let’s Get Started

Let’s Get Started

You can find a list of sample problems that you can build in SimXpert by clicking here. A good example
for your first time is the Plate With Symmetry Example. It will walk you through a simple start-to-finish
model. Enjoy!