Default Options - Results

You set the folder for storing analysis data.

To display the dialog box, click Simulation > Options. On the Default Options tab, click Results.

Default solver

Sets the default solver, Automatic, Direct sparse, or FFEPlus.

The Automatic option for the solver selection is applied to Static, Frequency, Buckling, and Thermal studies.

Results folder

SOLIDWORKS document folder Sets the results folder in the same directory of the model folder.

Under sub folder

Sets a sub-folder of the model folder as the destination folder of the analysis results.

User defined Specify the location of the results folder of new studies. To change the default location, click Browse (...) and select a different directory.

Keep temporary database files

If checked, the software saves temporary analysis files.

In the course of solving a problem, the software creates temporary files. For large problems, these files can be large. To save disk space, the software deletes all temporary files on completing the solution. If this check box is selected, the software will save all temporary files.

Report folder

Specify the location of the report for new studies. To change this default, click Browse (...) and select a different directory.

Results folder If selected, the study report is saved in the same location as the results folder.
User defined Specify the location of the report folder for new studies. To change the default location, click Browse (...) and select a different folder.

Trend Tracker

Backup models for Restore to Iteration Select to save backup copies of parts and assemblies when you add an iteration using Trend Tracker. When this option is cleared, the software adds information to the gallery, Trend Journal, and graphs, but does not save a backup file.
User defined Specify the location of the report folder for new studies. To change the default location, click Browse (...) and select a different folder.

Additional options

Show bodies which are excluded from analysis Select to include the geometry of bodies excluded from simulation in the results plots.
To exclude a body from analysis, right-click its icon in the Simulation study tree and select Exclude from Analysis. The excluded body will be hidden.

Intermediate Results (Nonlinear Analysis only)

Show intermediate result up to the current iteration (while running the nonlinear study)

Select to visualize updated (up to the current iteration) result plots while running a nonlinear study.

When the first iteration step completes, the results for the active plot are shown on the graphics area. As the solution progresses to the next iteration step, the active plot gets dynamically updated.

By getting visual feedback of the results as the solution progresses, you can make decisions to either stop the simulation and make adjustments to the input, or let the solver proceed with the current settings.

  • If you have not activated a result plot, the first plot under Results is dynamically updated in the graphics area.

  • To toggle the visibility between the plots under Results, right-click the active plot and click Show or Hide.

  • For a new Simulation study, first you need to define the default result plots in Default Options > Plot > Nonlinear Study Results.

Average stresses at mid-nodes (high-quality solid mesh only)

Select this option to get better stress results when irregular high stresses occur at mid-side nodes of high-quality solid elements that are located at areas with steep curvatures.

For a high-quality solid element, the stresses at the mid-side nodes are calculated by averaging the stress values of the nearest corner nodes. This stress averaging method improves the calculation of stresses at mid-side notes for tetrahedral elements located at areas with steep curvatures. An example of the stress-averaging scheme is shown.

  • Stresses at corner nodes (1, 2, 3, and 4) globally averaged over the shared elements.
  • Stresses at mid-side nodes (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) averaged over the nearest corner nodes. For example, stress (node 5) = (stress (node 1) + stress (node 2)) / 2
The stress-averaging algorithm at mid-side nodes is available for all stress-based results across all studies, except for Linear Dynamic studies.

The improved stress averaging algorithm does not modify the stress results calculated at the corner nodes of tetrahedral elements.