Intro1 M03 Getting Started

Chapter 3
Getting Started
Chapter 3 – Getting Started
A. Interactive vs Batch
Two ways of working with ANSYS: Interactive and Batch Modes
• Interactive mode allows you to interact “live” with ANSYS, reviewing

each operation as you go.
– Of the three main phases of an analysis — preprocessing, solution,
postprocessing — the preprocessing and postprocessing phases are best
suited for interactive mode.
• Batch mode allows you to submit a batch file of commands which

ANSYS runs in the background.
• We will mainly cover interactive mode in this course.

B. Starting ANSYS
Command Line Start-up
• Allows you to start ANSYS by entering a command at the system

level.
• Not discussed in this course, details can be found in the Operations

Guide.
Product Launcher
• Allows you to select and start ANSYS products and utilities.
• On Unix systems, issue launcher100 to bring up the launcher.
• On Windows systems, press:

– Start > Programs > ANSYS 10.0 > ANSYS Product Launcher
C. Product Launcher
• Launcher has four tabs: File Management,
Customization/Preferences, Distributed Solver Setup, and MFX-
ANSYS/CFX Setup.
• Launcher is used to select
the Simulation
Environment (i.e.: ANSYS,
ANSYS Batch, ANSYS
Workbench*, MFX -
ANSYS/CFX, LS-DYNA
Solver.)
• Available license and Add-

on Modules are selected
here.
*To be discussed later

…Product Launcher
• File Management Tab is

used to specify the
Working Directory (where
all of your files will
reside) and a Job Name
of your choosing. The
default Job Name is
“file”.
…Product Launcher
• Customization/Preferences
tab allows you to set
memory options, run a
custom version of ANSYS,
define parameters, set the
language to be used by the
Graphical User Interface
(GUI), and specify a
Graphics Device (2D or 3D).
• A customizable file called

start100.ans can also be
read at start-up.
…Product Launcher
• Distributed Solver Setup

tab is used to set up
Parallel Performance
solving options.
• Other, more advanced

options such as
Distributed Processing
are also selected here..
…Product Launcher
• MFX - ANSYS/CFX
Setup tab is used to
set up ANSYS Multi-
field solving options
for ANSYS and CFX.
D. ANSYS Workbench
• Quick note about the
ANSYS Workbench...
...ANSYS Workbench
ANSYS Workbench has been developed to make the following Workbench
technology strengths available to traditional ANSYS users:
• CAD Associativity
– Plug-In architecture used to maintain associativity with the CAD systems for solid and surface
models, allowing you to make design changes to your CAD model without having to reapply
any of the loads and or supports.
• Bi-Directional Associativity
– Provides control of your key CAD model parameter in the Workbench parameter manager.
• Parameter management driving DOE optimization
– Ability to control both simulation parameters - such as material properties, force direction, and
temperature - as well as CAD parameters.
• Web-Based Engineering Report
– Automatically captures engineering info and publishes it in a web based HTML document.
• Robust automatic meshing capabilities
• Automatic contact recognition
• True Engineering Wizard
...ANSYS Workbench
• Supported Analyses include:
– Static Structural Analysis
• Linear, Nonlinear Contact, Nonlinear Geometry, Nonlinear Material
– Steady-State and Transient Thermal Analysis
– Harmonic Analysis
– Modal Analysis
• ANSYS commands can be used within Workbench.
• The Finite Element Model can be transferred to the ANSYS

Environment.
• ANSYS Workbench is covered in detail in a separate training

course (Workbench – Simulation Introduction).
E. Memory Overview
• ANSYS Executable memory is the memory required for the ANSYS
program.
• ANSYS Workspace is the memory ANSYS requires to run in addition

to the ANSYS Executable memory.
• Real memory is the amount of actual, physical memory (RAM)

available through memory chips on your machine.
• System virtual memory is simply a portion of the computer's hard

disk used by the system to supplement physical memory.
…Memory Definitions
• Workspace space (i.e –m ) is the memory ANSYS needs to run.
Default is 512 MB on Windows and UNIX machines.
• Database space (i.e. –db) is used to work with the ANSYS database.
For example, model geometry, material properties, loads, etc.
Defaults to 256MB on Windows and UNIX machines.
• Scratch space is where all internal calculations are done. For

example, element matrix formulation, frontal solution, Boolean
calculations, and so on.
Scratch space = Workspace - Database

…ANSYS Memory Manager
• ANSYS Memory Manager will be used when ‘Use custom memory
settings’ is unchecked on the Customization/Preferences tab of
the Product Launcher.
– When the ANSYS Memory Manager is specified, ANSYS will allocate
more memory from the system when it is needed.
– When custom memory settings are specified, no more memory can be
accessed and the specified memory can not be released for other
tasks.
• In general, you shouldn’t worry about memory management in

ANSYS. The ANSYS Memory Manager will do the job for you.
However, there are exceptions when you will need set the Total
Workspace.
• See Chapter 19 of the Basic Analysis Guide for more details on

Memory Management and Configuration.
F. GUI - Layout Utility Menu
Icon Toolbar Menu Input Line Raise/Hidden Icon
Output Contact Manager Icon

Window
Command Window Icon
Abbreviation Toolbar Menu

Model Control
Toolbar
Main Menu
Graphics Area
User Prompt Info

Current Settings
…GUI - Layout
• Fonts of the layout can be customized:
– Windows System
• Utility Menu > Menu Ctrls > Font Selection...
– Unix system:
• Common Desktop Environment (CDE) uses the system settings
• Otherwise (e.g. a telnet to a Unix Machine) uses the ~/.Xdefaults settings
– *EUIDL*Font: Times 12 normal
– *EUIDL*Background: purple
• The GUI has been modularized using the Tcl/Tk language which allows
for dialog boxes, ANSYS messages, etc. to be easily changed to a
country’s native language.
…GUI - Graphics Window
• Display location of model entities, postprocessing contours, and

postprocessing graphs.
Graphics Area
…GUI - Main Menu
• Tree structure format.
• Contains the main functions required for an

analysis.
• Use scroll bar to gain access to long tree

structures.
• Colors used to show tree level.
scroll bar
…GUI - Main Menu
• Tree structure behavior – sub branch preserved
Before collapsing Preprocessor Branch After expanding Preprocessor Branch
Select to collapse
Preprocessor Branch
The tree structure is the same before

and after the Preprocessor branch of
Main Menu is collapsed
…GUI - Main Menu
• Expand all option
Position mouse cursor on branch of Main
Menu – then select right mouse button
The option to expand the

branch is displayed
Selecting “Expand All” expands

the branch contents
…GUI - Main Menu
Right Click in Main Menu

and select “Preferences”.
Level color, filtering and

expansion of Main Menu
can be changed.
…GUI - Main Menu
With “Expand headings” and
“Collapse siblings” behavior active …
Creating a Volume branch open
When the Delete branch is opened, the

Create branch is closed
Note, inactivate “Collapse siblings” to

keep open the Create branch
…GUI - Main Menu Filtered Branches
Main Menu with structural and Main Menu with only thermal
thermal element type defined element type defined
Only “Apply” branches shown are those

for defined element types
…GUI - Abbreviation Toolbar Menu
• Contains abbreviations -- short-cuts to commonly used
commands and functions.
• A few predefined abbreviations are available, but you can add

your own. Requires knowledge of ANSYS commands.
• A powerful feature which you can use to create your own “button
menu” system!
…GUI - Icon Toolbar Menu
• Contains icons of commonly used functions.
• Can be customized by the user (i.e adding icons, additional

toolbars)
Save Analysis Pan-Zoom-Rotate
Image Capture
Open ANSYS File
Report Generator
New Analysis ANSYS Help

…GUI - Icon Toolbar Menu
• Jobname definition when using Open ANSYS File Icon:
– the ANSYS jobname will be changed to the prefix of the database file being resumed.
Open ANSYS File
When opening the “blades.db” database

(using the Open ANSYS File Icon), the
jobname will be changed to “blades”.
The Open ANSYS File Icon can be used to open either ANSYS
Database or ANSYS Command file types
…GUI - Raise/Hidden Icon
• The Raise/Hidden Icon can be used to “bring to the front” any
hidden ANSYS created windows (except the output window).
Select Raise/ Hidden Icon
Pan/Zoom/Rotate
Widget Hidden
Pan/Zoom/Rotate
Widget Shown
…GUI - Input Window
• Allows you to enter commands. (Most GUI functions actually
“send” commands to ANSYS. If you know these commands, you
can type them in the Input Window).
• As a command is typed, the format of the command is

dynamically displayed.
Click on the
X to return
Clicking on the ANSYS the input to
Command Window Icon the toolbar.
moves the input line to a
separate command
window, which can be
moved around the screen.
…GUI - Input Window
• Reissuing commands: List of issued commands
Use scroll bar to gain access

to all commands issued
Commands can be reissued by double-

Select down arrow to see
clicking on the listed command
list of issued commands
The up and down arrows on the keyboard can be

used to select different listed commands
…GUI - Utility Menu
• Contains utilities that are generally available throughout the
ANSYS session: graphics, on-line help, select logic, file controls,
etc.
• Conventions used in Utility Menu:

– “…” indicates a dialog box
– “ +” indicates graphical picking
– “ >” indicates a submenu
– “ ” (blank) indicates an action
…GUI - Current Settings
• The current element attributes settings, and currently active
coordinate system are displayed at the bottom on the GUI.
Element Attributes Active Coordinate System

…GUI - User prompt info
• Instructions to the user are displayed in the lower left hand area of
the GUI. The user will be given user prompt info for operations
such as picking operations.
User Prompt Info

…GUI - Output Window
• The output window gives the user feedback on how ANSYS
interpreted the user’s input.
• The Output Window is independent of the ANSYS menus.

Caution: Closing the output window closes the entire ANSYS
session!
Note: The output can
be sent to a file using
the /OUTPUT command.
Able to verify the ANSYS version

…GUI - Preferences
• The Preferences dialog (Main Menu >
Preferences) allows you to filter out menu
choices that are not applicable to the
current analysis.
• For example, if you are doing a thermal

analysis, you can choose to filter out
other disciplines, thereby reducing the
number of menu items available in the
GUI:
– Only thermal element types will be shown
in the element type selection dialog.
– Only thermal loads will be shown.
– Etc.
…GUI – Other Notes
Other GUI Notes
• Some dialog boxes have both Apply and OK buttons.

– Apply applies the dialog settings, but retains (does not close) the
dialog box for repeated use.
– OK applies the dialog settings and closes the dialog box.
• Remember that you are not restricted to using the menus. If you
know the command, feel free to enter it in the Input Window!
• The output window is not affected by the Raise/Hidden Button.

For convenience, the user may want to resize the GUI, so part of
the output window is displayed to allow easy access.
…GUI - Demo
• Demo:
– Start ANSYS using the ANSYS Product Launcher
– Show the various parts of the GUI
– Bring up “Keypoints in Active CS” dialog box and show the difference
between OK and Apply
– Show the Preferences dialog
– Explain the Output window
– Show the use of the Raise/Hidden Icon
– Explain the Main Menu behavior
G. The Database and Files
• The term ANSYS database refers to the data ANSYS maintains in
memory as you build, solve, and postprocess your model.
• The database stores both your input data and some results data:
– Input data -- information you must enter, such as model dimensions,
material properties, and load data.
– Results data -- a set of quantities that ANSYS calculates, such as
displacements, stresses, strains, and reaction forces.
…The Database and Files
Save and Resume
• Since the database is stored in the computer’s memory (RAM), it

is good practice to save it to disk frequently so that you can
restore the information in the event of a computer crash or power
failure.
• The SAVE operation copies the database from memory to a file

called the database file (or db file for short).
– The easiest way to do a save is to click on Toolbar > SAVE_DB
– Or use:
• Utility Menu > File > Save as Jobname.db
• Utility Menu > File > Save as…
• SAVE command
• To restore the database from the db file back into memory, use the
RESUME operation.
– Toolbar > RESUME_DB
– Or use:
• Utility Menu > File > Resume Jobname.db
• Utility Menu > File > Resume from…
• RESUME command
• The default file name for SAVE and RESUME is jobname.db, but
you can choose a different name by using the “Save as” or
“Resume from” functions.
• Notes on SAVE and RESUME:
– Choosing the “Save as” or “Resume from” function does NOT change
the current jobname.
– If you save to the default file name and a jobname.db already exists,
ANSYS will first copy the “old” file to jobname.dbb as a back-up. Note,
ANSYS only supports one backup file (i.e. jobname.dbb).
– The db file is simply a “snapshot” of what is in memory at the time the
save is done.
• Tips on SAVE and RESUME:
– Periodically save the database as you progress through an analysis.
ANSYS does NOT do automatic saves.
– You should SAVE the database before attempting an unfamiliar
operation (such as a Boolean or meshing) or an operation that may
cause major changes (such as a delete).
• RESUME can then be used as an “undo” if you don’t like the
results of that operation.
– SAVE is also recommended before doing a solve.
Clearing the Database
• The Clear Database operation allows

you to “zero out” the database and
start fresh. It is similar to exiting and
re-entering ANSYS.
– Utility Menu > File > Clear & Start New
– Or use the /CLEAR command.
Files
• ANSYS writes and reads several files during an analysis. File names
are of the format jobname.ext.
• Jobname
– A name you choose while starting ANSYS, up to 32 characters. Defaults to
file.
– Can be changed within ANSYS with the /FILNAME command (Utility Menu >
File > Change Jobname).
• Extension
– Identifies the contents of the file, such as .db for database.
– Usually assigned by ANSYS but can be defined by user (/ASSIGN).
• Typical files:
jobname.log: Log file, ASCII.
• Contains a log of every command issued during the session.
• If you start a second session with the same jobname in the same
working directory, ANSYS will append to the previous log file (with
a time stamp).
jobname.err: Error file, ASCII.
• Contains all errors and warnings encountered during the session.
ANSYS will also append to an existing error file.
jobname.db, .dbb: Database file, binary.
• Compatible across all supported platforms.
jobname.rst, .rth, .rmg, .rfl: Results files, binary.
• Contains results data calculated by ANSYS during solution.
• Compatible across all supported platforms.
File Management Tips
• Run each analysis project in a separate working directory.
• Use different jobnames to differentiate various analysis runs.
• You should keep the following files after any ANSYS analysis:
– log file ( .log)
– database file ( .db)
– results files (.rst, .rth, …)
– load step files, if any (.s01, .s02, ...)
– physics files (.ph1, .ph2, ...)
• Use /FDELETE or Utility Menu > File > ANSYS File Options to automatically
delete files no longer needed by ANSYS during that session.
• A note on ANSYS File sizes:

– The maximum size of an ANSYS file depends on the system limit and on the
ability of ANSYS to handle large files on that system. Most computer systems
now handle very large files without any need for the automatic file splitting
option that is provided in ANSYS. See the Operations Guide for system
specifics.
H. Exiting ANSYS
• Three ways to exit ANSYS:
– Toolbar > QUIT
– Utility Menu > File > Exit
– Use the /EXIT command in the Input Window
I. On-Line Help
• ANSYS uses an on-line documentation system to provide
extensive help.
• You can get help on:

– ANSYS commands
– element types
– analysis procedures
– special GUI “widgets” such as Pan-Zoom-Rotate
• You can also access:

– Tutorials
– Verification models
– The ANSYS web site
…On-Line Help
• There are several ways to start the help system:
– Launcher > Product Help
– Utility Menu > Help > Help Topics
– Any dialog box > Help
– Type HELP,name in the Input Window. Name is a command or element
name.
– On a PC, Start > Programs > ANSYS 10.0 > Help > ANSYS Help
…On-Line Help
• Pressing the Product Help button on the launcher brings up a help browser
with:
– a navigational window containing Table of Contents, Index, and a Search Utility
– a document window containing the help information.
…On-Line Help
• Use the Contents tab to browse to

the item of interest.
• Use the Index tab to quickly

locate specific commands,
terminology, concepts, etc.
• Use the Search tab to query the

entire help system for specific
words or phrases.
…On-Line Help
• ANSYS also provides an

HTML-based on-line
tutorial.
• The tutorial consists of

detailed instructions for
a set of problems solved
in ANSYS.
• To access the tutorial,

click on Utility Menu >
Help > ANSYS Tutorials.
…On-Line Help
• Demo:
– Launch the help system from the launcher
– Bring up an Analysis Guide
– Type “help,kplot” in the Input window
– Search for the string “harmonic response”
J. Workshop
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
W3 Getting Started Workshop

Intro1 M03 Getting Started

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Intro1 M03 Getting Started

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 3

• Interactive mode allows you to interact “live” with ANSYS, reviewing

• Batch mode allows you to submit a batch file of commands which

• We will mainly cover interactive mode in this course.

• Allows you to start ANSYS by entering a command at the system

• Not discussed in this course, details can be found in the Operations

• Allows you to select and start ANSYS products and utilities.

• On Unix systems, issue launcher100 to bring up the launcher.

• On Windows systems, press:

• Available license and Add-

*To be discussed later

• File Management Tab is

• A customizable file called

• Distributed Solver Setup

• Other, more advanced

• ANSYS commands can be used within Workbench.

• The Finite Element Model can be transferred to the ANSYS

• ANSYS Workbench is covered in detail in a separate training

• ANSYS Workspace is the memory ANSYS requires to run in addition

• Real memory is the amount of actual, physical memory (RAM)

• System virtual memory is simply a portion of the computer's hard

• Scratch space is where all internal calculations are done. For

Scratch space = Workspace - Database

• In general, you shouldn’t worry about memory management in

• See Chapter 19 of the Basic Analysis Guide for more details on

Icon Toolbar Menu Input Line Raise/Hidden Icon

Output Contact Manager Icon

Abbreviation Toolbar Menu

User Prompt Info

• Display location of model entities, postprocessing contours, and

• Contains the main functions required for an

• Use scroll bar to gain access to long tree

• Colors used to show tree level.

The tree structure is the same before

The option to expand the

Selecting “Expand All” expands

Right Click in Main Menu

Level color, filtering and

Creating a Volume branch open

When the Delete branch is opened, the

Note, inactivate “Collapse siblings” to

Only “Apply” branches shown are those

• A few predefined abbreviations are available, but you can add

• Can be customized by the user (i.e adding icons, additional

Save Analysis Pan-Zoom-Rotate

New Analysis ANSYS Help

Open ANSYS File

When opening the “blades.db” database

Select Raise/ Hidden Icon

• As a command is typed, the format of the command is

Use scroll bar to gain access

Commands can be reissued by double-

The up and down arrows on the keyboard can be

• Conventions used in Utility Menu:

Element Attributes Active Coordinate System

User Prompt Info

• The Output Window is independent of the ANSYS menus.

Able to verify the ANSYS version

• For example, if you are doing a thermal

• Some dialog boxes have both Apply and OK buttons.

• The output window is not affected by the Raise/Hidden Button.

• Since the database is stored in the computer’s memory (RAM), it

• The SAVE operation copies the database from memory to a file