Default Options - Solver and Results

You set the default options for the solver selection and the location of the simulation results folder for new studies.

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

Default solver

Sets the default solver to either Automatic, FFEPlus, Intel Direct Sparse, or Direct sparse.

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

Results folder

3DEXPERIENCE

Saves the simulation results with the associated SOLIDWORKS model on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in a storage area known as a collaborative space.

After saving SOLIDWORKS Simulation results along with the associated SOLIDWORKS model on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can search for these database objects in the collaborative space in which they are saved, and download them directly in SOLIDWORKS.

See also Saving SOLIDWORKS Simulation Results on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

The option to save simulation results (*.cwr) files on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is available only when you activate the appropriate 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS role.
SOLIDWORKS document folder Saves the simulation results (*cwr) file to the same local folder where the associated SOLIDWORKS model is stored.

Under sub folder

Sets a subfolder 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 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. Select this option to save all temporary files.

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.

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