Functionality of Nastran vs In-CAD

[Anonymous]

I am not finding a comparison of "Nastran" and "Nastran IN-CAD".

Can/Will someone please contrast these two products or point me to some info that will compare the two of them?

Thank You.

[Anonymous]

I am not finding a comparison of "Nastran" and "Nastran IN-CAD".

Can/Will someone please contrast these two products or point me to some info that will compare the two of them?

Thank You.

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Autodesk Nastran is the solvers only. You need a third party pre- and post- processor to build the models and view the results. (Technically, there is a tool provided with Nastran, but you can only create simple models, and only someone from the 1970's would use it to do real work.) In other words, you cannot perform an analysis with just Nastran.

In-CAD is a plug in for Inventor or SolidWorks that provides the ability to perform the complete analysis:

• build the model (with Inventor or SW),
• create the loads, contraints, element types (In-CAD),
• perform the analysis (In-CAD),
• and view the results (In-CAD).

Because In-CAD is based off of the CAD model, everything must be related to the CAD model.

• Solid elements are created from solid parts. Solid elements are limited to tet elements. (4-node linear or 10-node parabolic)
• Shell elements are created from surface (or solid) parts. Shell elements can be triangular or quad, with a linear (3- and 4-nodes) or parabolic (6- and 8- nodes) formulation.
• Beam elements are created from sketch geometry.
• Special connectors (such as bolts and rigid elements) can be generated automatically based off of features in the CAD model.
• For example, you cannot manually add a spring that goes from "node X" to some coordinate (X, Y, Z). (You can add a springs that goes from a vertex on the CAD model to a workpoint at (X, Y, Z).)
• For example, you cannot create any solid or shell elements manually, so you cannot"redraw" an element to improve the shape created by the automatic mesher.

Although In-CAD uses the same Nastran solvers, I am sure that there are analysis limitations with In-CAD imposed by the interface. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions. It might be helpful if you can explain what you want to model, and so on.

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Autodesk Nastran is the solvers only. You need a third party pre- and post- processor to build the models and view the results. (Technically, there is a tool provided with Nastran, but you can only create simple models, and only someone from the 1970's would use it to do real work.) In other words, you cannot perform an analysis with just Nastran.

In-CAD is a plug in for Inventor or SolidWorks that provides the ability to perform the complete analysis:

• build the model (with Inventor or SW),
• create the loads, contraints, element types (In-CAD),
• perform the analysis (In-CAD),
• and view the results (In-CAD).

Because In-CAD is based off of the CAD model, everything must be related to the CAD model.

• Solid elements are created from solid parts. Solid elements are limited to tet elements. (4-node linear or 10-node parabolic)
• Shell elements are created from surface (or solid) parts. Shell elements can be triangular or quad, with a linear (3- and 4-nodes) or parabolic (6- and 8- nodes) formulation.
• Beam elements are created from sketch geometry.
• Special connectors (such as bolts and rigid elements) can be generated automatically based off of features in the CAD model.
• For example, you cannot manually add a spring that goes from "node X" to some coordinate (X, Y, Z). (You can add a springs that goes from a vertex on the CAD model to a workpoint at (X, Y, Z).)
• For example, you cannot create any solid or shell elements manually, so you cannot"redraw" an element to improve the shape created by the automatic mesher.

Although In-CAD uses the same Nastran solvers, I am sure that there are analysis limitations with In-CAD imposed by the interface. Let us know if you have any follow-up questions. It might be helpful if you can explain what you want to model, and so on.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response. It does make sense.

My situation is this: I use Inventor, I am looking for a more robust FEA package than the one Included with Inventor PRO, I have used NeiNastran/FEMap in the past, am unsure what the differences between "Nastran"and "Nastran -InCAD" are (which you have shed some light on), am looking for a solution that will give me the flexibility to manipulate meshes and boundary conditions with as little restrictions as possible, will need .OP2 output from the solver to import into DesignLife for comparison to strain results for physical testing, Vector display of stress/strain is useful to me as well.

I envision a lot of plate elements (bending load in-lane and out of plane) with focus around welded joints as a typical usage.

John, you have cleared a lot up with your response and thank you for that.

Question: are all element types of Nastran available to Nastran In-Cad?

Question: Is explicit solution available?

Thanks again 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the response. It does make sense.

My situation is this: I use Inventor, I am looking for a more robust FEA package than the one Included with Inventor PRO, I have used NeiNastran/FEMap in the past, am unsure what the differences between "Nastran"and "Nastran -InCAD" are (which you have shed some light on), am looking for a solution that will give me the flexibility to manipulate meshes and boundary conditions with as little restrictions as possible, will need .OP2 output from the solver to import into DesignLife for comparison to strain results for physical testing, Vector display of stress/strain is useful to me as well.

I envision a lot of plate elements (bending load in-lane and out of plane) with focus around welded joints as a typical usage.

John, you have cleared a lot up with your response and thank you for that.

Question: are all element types of Nastran available to Nastran In-Cad?

Question: Is explicit solution available?

Thanks again 

[John_Holtz]

Hi @Anonymous

Question: are all element types of Nastran available to Nastran In-Cad?

Question: Is explicit solution available?

The answer to both questions are no. In-CAD does not have 2D elements. You can use shell to simulate plane stress and plane strain, but there is no 2D axisymmetric analysis capability in In-CAD. I am sure that there are many other "specialty" element types beyond solid, shell, bar, beam that are available in Nastran but there is no interface to them in In-CAD.

Neither Nastran nor In-CAD have an explicit solver. That functionality is new to Fusion 360 (which is more limited in capability than In-CAD, so that does not sound like a solution for you.)

[John_Holtz]

Hi @Anonymous

Question: are all element types of Nastran available to Nastran In-Cad?

Question: Is explicit solution available?

The answer to both questions are no. In-CAD does not have 2D elements. You can use shell to simulate plane stress and plane strain, but there is no 2D axisymmetric analysis capability in In-CAD. I am sure that there are many other "specialty" element types beyond solid, shell, bar, beam that are available in Nastran but there is no interface to them in In-CAD.

Neither Nastran nor In-CAD have an explicit solver. That functionality is new to Fusion 360 (which is more limited in capability than In-CAD, so that does not sound like a solution for you.)

[Anonymous]

Ok, thanks, I do understand.

Thanks for taking time to answer, it is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Ok, thanks, I do understand.

Thanks for taking time to answer, it is appreciated.