Suggested Reading - Tips and Trick

[John_Holtz]

I presented a class at Autodesk University (AU) last week: 60 tips and tricks with Inventor Nastran. The video and handout will eventually be located on the AU website (https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/au-online), but I wanted to make it available now. See the attached.

• If you are new to Inventor Nastran, I highly recommend reviewing the tips to help get your computer setup, know some important things to do and how, and many other ideas for using the Nastran environment more efficiently.
• If you are already familiar with Inventor Nastran, there may still be a few new tricks for you.

Here is the table of contents for your convenience:

• 1) Modeling in Inventor
  • Tip 1. Use Model State
  • Tip 2. Combine parts of assembly
  • Tip 3. Create surface model for shell elements
• 2) Setting up the environments
  • Tip 4. Display surfaces as opaque
  • Tip 5. Change parameters for analysis
  • Tip 6. Change parameters for current model
  • Tip 7. Change parameters for all new models
  • Tip 8. Prompt for solution with warnings
  • Tip 9. Optimize load/constraint graphics
• 3) Idealizations
  • Tip 10. Use proper idealization for different geometry
• 4) Meshing
  • Tip 11. Mesh settings versus Mesh table
  • Tip 12. Which mesh was used?
• 5) Connectors
  • Tip 13. Multiple connectors in one dialog
  • Tip 14. Rigid vs Interpolation Connector
  • Tip 15. Springs
• 6) Contact
  • Tip 16. Solver instead of manual contact
  • Tip 17. Hide parts to select “covered” faces
  • Tip 18. Max activation distance (manual contact)
  • Tip 19. Max. activation distance (solver contact)
  • Tip 20. Unsymmetric versus Symmetric contact
  • Tip 21. Friction in contact
  • Tip 22. Deleting contacts
• 7) Loads & Constraints
  • Tip 23. Face Chain
  • Tip 24. Use Pressure where possible
  • Tip 25. Loads & Constraints in multiple subcases
  • Tip 26. New load or constraint
  • Tip 27. Duplicate load or constraint
• 8 ) Ribbon & Model Tree
  • Tip 28. How to hide ALL CAD parts
  • Tip 29. How to hide mesh using Mesh Table
  • Tip 30. Hide parts and mesh using Model Tree
  • Tip 31. How to display beam cross-section
  • Tip 32. Show direction or orientation of beams
  • Tip 33. Keep Model branch collapsed
  • Tip 34. How to add a concentrated mass
  • Tip 35. How to copy loads, constraints, and so on
  • Tip 36. What NOT to change from Model branch
• 9) Running Analysis
  • Tip 37. Activate results output for nonlinear analysis
  • Tip 38. Improve convergence in nonlinear analysis
  • Tip 39. Queue multiple analyses using Nastran Editor
  • Tip 40. Queue multiple analyses using batch file
  • Tip 41. View the warning/errors from analysis
  • Tip 42. E5000, E5001, E5004 errors
  • Tip 43. E5118 warning
  • Tip 44. G3051 warning
  • Tip 45. Add UCS to locate specific nodes
• 10) Viewing Results
  • Tip 46. Load results for current analysis
  • Tip 47. Review ALL the results!
  • Tip 48. View reaction forces
  • Tip 49. Meaning of moment SPC Summation
  • Tip 50. Fringe and 6 color contour
  • Tip 51. Nodal Probe versus Probe
  • Tip 52. Make XY Plot for results
  • Tip 53. How to hide parts
  • Tip 54. Turn off automatic updating (performance)
  • Tip 55. Turn off undeformed model (performance)
  • Tip 56. FNO Reader to extract results
  • Tip 57. FNO Reader to combine output steps           
  • Tip 58. FNO Reader to create new results
• 11) Help & Other Topics
  • Tip 59. Search Help (or AKN) > Technical Support
  • Tip 60. “List of changes” on Inventor Nastran forum

Edit 2024 Aug 30: uploaded rev 1 of pdf with some enhancements and changes through Inventor Nastran version 2025.1.

John

[Roelof.Feijen]

Hi @John_Holtz ,

Great handout. Definitely recommended for new and experienced users of Inventor Nastran. Looking forward to the video on AU.

[admaiora]

Thank you @John_Holtz !!!

[vanderson.mapdata]

Dear @John_Holtz 

Really interesting class and handout!! Thanks so much for sharing with us.

There are many tips that will help me in my models and I will share some of them in my Nastran training.

Regards

[trung.pham2AHCC]

Thanks for great tips!

[Alberto_Pérez_Parra]

Hi @John_Holtz,  I would like to grow in my knowledge in Inventor Nastran, Do you have a book/publication? or any kind of information you could provide me to develop my skills, level of expertise. I'm planning to promote the use of Autodesk Nastran in my community developing courses/workshops to my engineering students and local sugar cane mill engineers. Thanks for your advice.

[John_Holtz]

Hi @Alberto_Pérez_Parra 

The latest book that I am aware of is "Up and Running with Inventor Nastran" by Wasim Younis. There are a number of volumes depending on the year (maybe only 2023 is available?) and nonlinear or static analysis. There may be other books available.

John

[Alberto_Pérez_Parra]

Yes, the  "Up and Running with Inventor Nastran" by Wasim Younis books are good source. I have both, even the spanish translation. I hope to find different/new information, thanks for your advice @John_Holtz .

[dainalthomas01]

Thank you! This summary is very helpful, especially the detailed insights on the 60 tips and tricks. I appreciate the focus on assisting new users. I look forward to the video and handout on the AU website for more learning.