Hello!
I would like to suggest that the User Manual be updated. In particular, there are no sample problems (and no ".nas" files for linear prestress transient, linear prestress frequency response, linear prestress complex eigenvalue, or prestress random response (which is really just calling a random post processing of the prestress freq response run).
Without some guidance on how to set up these very useful solution types, they may as well not be there. The FEMAP translator doesn't support them, so there's no opportunity to study the data deck (".nas") that it's exporting.
For example, I've learned that it's necessary to import a prestress modal to get these solutions to run. That's ok, but there's no clue in the User Manual that this is what has to be done. It sure would be helpful - and a huge time saver - to have a couple of sample problems presented along with the .nas file and the correct results. I'm sure that the development team has run many sample problems - let's get them in the book!!
The utility of the program would be significantly enhanced in general if more example problems for all solution types could be added to the User Manual. Perhaps I'm behind the power curve compared to most users, but I spend way too much time getting a .nas to run for some of the options and solution types...and then more time to verify that the results the file are producing are correct. More example problems that represent common cases would cut the time dramatically.
A related point is that FEMAP hasn't added to the translator for Autodesk Nastran solution types since long before Autodesk acquired the program. For some of us that consult, InCAD is just not a viable solution. May I request that Autodesk consider getting with the FEMAP team at Siemens to add support to the translator for the solution types that are currently not supported? FEMAP provides support for their NX Nastran solutions that aren't covered in the translator but they don't support Autodesk Nastran.
HELP! As a consultant, I'm not profitable/competitive when I have to work out stuff that should be documented. We're competing with MSC Nastran and NX Nastran as well as Ansys and Abaqus... and all of them seem to have stronger documentation.
It's all about getting the job done correctly AND - critically - timely!
Thanks for considering this request.
Best,
Andrew
