The power of fusion360

[waltertulin]

How does fusion 360 compare with other CAE software like Ansys and Solidworks

[I_Forge_KC]

The CAE solver inside of Fusion is an implementation of the Autodesk Nastran engine.

I've attached a copy of an older (slightly) verification manual for the standard version of Nastran (now referred to as Nastran In-CAD). Here, you can see a variety of standardized tests and how Autodesk Nastran measures up.

Spoiler: It's a great general solver and on par with the rest of the industry.

The real accuracy of any mainstream CAE package boils down to the simple maxim: Garbage in, Garbage out.

[TrippyLighting]

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@I_Forge_KC wrote:

The real accuracy of any mainstream CAE package boils down to the simple maxim: Garbage in, Garbage out.

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Yeah, that can really not be overstated 😉

[waltertulin]

Thanks Mate

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

This depends on a lot of factors. Primarily your application and what specific license you're talking about. But here's a breakdown.

Fusion 360 ultimate is much better than the closest priced solidworks simulation package. The premium version of solidworks simulation has a few capabilities that f360 doesnt but the overall package is still pretty poor. Those capabilities are:

-shell meshing (this is actually the biggest weakness of F360 and the only thing I would consider a true shortcoming).

-design studies (sometimes useful but not used as much as expected)

-harmonic and vibration analyses (this is useful but I would always default to ansys for these simulations anyways)

When it comes to ansys...f360 really only competes on the price point of discovery live which is a toy similar to flow design.

Ansys AIM is close, and probably a better overall solver... but it doesnt have event simulations or any dynamic analysis offerings. It does have CFD and electronics so it will certainly be a better choice if you're doing a lot of fluids or thermal work.

If you're comparing it to workbench, which is between 100 to 200 times as expensive (that is not a type-o)...then ANSYS blows f360 out of the water. It's not even in the same ballpark and shouldn't be compared. You only use ansys when you need it and are willing to pay. Most people can get by with the offerings of f360.

If you are doing a lot of sheet metal work...the lack of shell elements will be the main thing that I can see putting solidworks simulation ahead. Otherwise I put solidworks way behind both f360 and ANSYS.