What’s New in Autodesk® Nastran® 2017

1. Summary

In a continuing effort to provide high quality products, Autodesk has released Autodesk® Nastran®
2017. This document highlights new features included in Autodesk ® Nastran® 2017 and provides
information that is useful while using this software.

2. New Features

2.1 List of features in Autodesk® Nastran® 2017

1. Topology optimization enhancements to support manufacturing

constraints such as extrusion or minimum member size.
2. Added compliance, displacement, stress, and reaction force
constraints for topology optimization.
3. Updated View Factor (VF) by integrating CFD library for view
factor computations in cavity radiation with Nastran.
4. Added cloud based license support for Subscriptions.
5. Improved the logic on the best solver to use (PSS vs PCGLSS)
for a given model
6. Many specific performance improvements
7. Implementation of CNR.
 What’s New in Autodesk Nastran 2017

2.1.1 Topology optimization implementation to include various manufacturing constraints

Topology optimization is a mathematical approach that optimizes material layout within a given
design space. Topology Optimization has been enhanced to include various manufacturing
constraints such as minimum member size and/or extrusion. Included implementation of
displacement, compliance, reaction force, and stress constraints.

2.1.2 Updated View Factor (VF) by integrating CFD library for view factor computations with
Nastran

View Factor enhanced by using the CFD library for computations with Nastran. It improves
performance for enclosure radiation models.

2.1.3 Improved performance

Improved performance for models that referenced SET output, models containing shell elements
with material orientation run up to 10x faster. Parallel processor support for cavity radiation.

Better memory usage by allowing more phases of the solution to use above 16GB of memory.
Improved parallelization by taking advantage of the latest CPU architecture.

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 What’s New in Autodesk Nastran 2017

2.1.14 Added cloud based license support for Subscriptions

A new cloud based license was implemented to allow licensing for Subscriptions packages.

2.1.5 Updated solver choice logic

Improved the logic on the best solver to use (PSS vs PCGLSS) for a given model. The logic is
based on the model size, solution type, and available memory.

2.1.6 Implementation of CNR

Conditional Numerical Reproducibility, or CNR, allows for obtaining reproducible floating-point

results in the solver. This can help reproducibility for numerically sensitive models. A New directive
CNRMETHOD located in [Program Control Options] with values of AUTO, OFF, ON has been
added. Default of AUTO, which means it only switches on for Topology Optimization and
NLSTATIC solutions, otherwise OFF. If it switches ON, then it will write “CNRMETHOD ENABLED”
in the LOG file directly after reporting the number of processor threads used.

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3. Legal Notice

Trademarks

The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries
and/or affiliates in the USA and other countries: 123D, 3ds Max, Alias, ATC, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD,
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, Autodesk 123D, Autodesk Homestyler, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk
MapGuide, Autodesk Streamline, AutoLISP, AutoSketch, AutoSnap, AutoTrack, Backburner,
Backdraft, Beast, BIM 360, Burn, Buzzsaw, CADmep, CAiCE, CAMduct, Civil 3D, Combustion,
Communication Specification, Configurator 360™, Constructware, Content Explorer, Creative
Bridge, Dancing Baby (image), DesignCenter, DesignKids, DesignStudio, Discreet, DWF, DWG,
DWG (design/logo), DWG Extreme, DWG TrueConvert, DWG TrueView, DWGX, DXF, Ecotect,
ESTmep, Evolver, FABmep, Face Robot, FBX, Fempro, Fire, Flame, Flare, Flint, ForceEffect,
FormIt, Freewheel, Fusion 360, Glue, Green Building Studio, Heidi, Homestyler, HumanIK, i-drop,
ImageModeler, Incinerator, Inferno, InfraWorks, InfraWorks 360, Instructables, Instructables
(stylized robot design/logo), Inventor, Inventor HSM, Inventor LT, Lustre, Maya, Maya LT, MIMI,
Mockup 360, Moldflow Plastics Advisers, Moldflow Plastics Insight, Moldflow, Moondust,
MotionBuilder, Movimento, MPA (design/logo), MPA, MPI (design/logo), MPX (design/logo), MPX,
Mudbox, Navisworks, ObjectARX, ObjectDBX, Opticore, Pixlr, Pixlr-o-matic, Productstream,
Publisher 360, RasterDWG, RealDWG, ReCap, ReCap 360, Remote, Revit LT, Revit, RiverCAD,
Robot, Scaleform, Showcase, Showcase 360, SketchBook, Smoke, Socialcam, Softimage, Sparks,
SteeringWheels, Stitcher, Stone, StormNET, TinkerBox, ToolClip, Topobase, Toxik, TrustedDWG, T-
Splines, ViewCube, Visual LISP, Visual, VRED, Wire, Wiretap, WiretapCentral, XSI.

Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1,
Windows 10 Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office
2007, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel are either
trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.

NASTRAN® is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics Space Administration.

All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Disclaimer

THIS PUBLICATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS MADE AVAILABLE BY

AUTODESK, INC. "AS IS." AUTODESK, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE
MATERIALS.

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 What’s New in Autodesk Nastran 2017

4. Thank You

We thank all our customers who help us to identify and report issues. These reports will give us
the opportunity to improve the product and provide you with the best solution in Autodesk Nastran
simulation. We also thank you for your continued business and for the feedback regarding the
content of this release.

Respectfully,

Autodesk Nastran Team