Check it Out: Using Autodesk Simulation to Enhance Your Workflow On-Demand Webinar

By Anthony J. Lockwood

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

When Autodesk acquired analysis software developer Plassotech, Buzz Kross, the honcho at Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions, promised in his matter of fact way that “our goal is to provide the most comprehensive and easy-to-use digital prototyping solution on the market.” Autodesk then acquired Algor and recently Blue Ridge Numerics -- big news meaning AutoCAD and Inventor were going to have a truly integrated set of top-notch tools to predict, validate, and optimize designs. Today's Check It Out, sponsored by EMA Design Automation, a leading Autodesk VAR, introduces you to Autodesk's next level of digital prototyping. The bonus is that you can get a complimentary trial copy of Autodesk Simulation for watching.

Background: The intent of Autodesk Simulation Mechanical 2012 and Autodesk Simulation 2012 Multiphysics is to create a finite element analysis (FEA) toolset for accurate and efficient simulation and collaboration in multi-CAD environments. Yes, multi-CAD -- direct geometry exchange and associativity with, say, SolidWorks. Linear dynamic analysis, static stress, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), fatigue, heat transfer, mechanical event, and non-linear contact analyses are some the types offered. You use a single interface, and Autodesk Simulation is fully interoperable with such Autodesk products as Inventor, Fusion, Vault, and Moldflow.

EMA Design Automation's 45-minute “Using Autodesk Simulation to Enhance Your Workflow” on-demand webinar provides a straightforward and comprehensive overview of Autodesk Simulation 2012. Your presenter is Rajesh Radhakrishnan, an engineer from Autodesk, and he does a fine, engineer's job of it: No gushing or hype.

First, Rajesh does a quick run through of the digital prototyping concept, carefully augmenting assertions with real-world user examples. He then highlights some of the types of analysis Autodesk Simulation provides -- some nice animations by the way. Then, at about the 21-minute mark, you get into the demos.

What struck me about the demos is that Autodesk Simulation seems very CAD-like, which should make it easy to learn, use, and meld with your workflow. For example, you see Autodesk Multiphysics with some geometry and a clean “what analysis do you want to run?” box with pull downs of analysis types to choose. Meshing, results, and producing reports seems easy enough as well.

I don't want to make people nervous in the future, but you how when some guy gives you a demo and your eyes spin trying to follow the cursor, clicks, and actions and really can't follow along? Not Rajesh. His is the model for marketing to analyze.

So, hit the link and check out the webinar. At the end there is a link to a complimentary trial version of Autodesk Simulation 2012 that is good until October 14. Give yourself that demo. It seems like Buzz has made good on his promise.

Thanks, pal. -- Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood
Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering