Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SolidWorks Simulation VS ANSYS Fluent

Compare SolidWorks Simulation VS ANSYS Fluent and see what are their differences

SolidWorks Simulation logo SolidWorks Simulation

Simulation solutions for SOLIDWORKS® provide an easy-to-use portfolio of analysis tools for predicting a product’s real-world physical behavior by virtually testing CAD models.

ANSYS Fluent logo ANSYS Fluent

ANSYS engineering simulation and 3D design software delivers product modeling solutions with unmatched scalability and a comprehensive multiphysics foundation.
  • SolidWorks Simulation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-27
  • ANSYS Fluent Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26

SolidWorks Simulation features and specs

  • Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with SOLIDWORKS CAD, allowing for easy transition from design to simulation without requiring data translation or additional file handling.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    SolidWorks Simulation features an intuitive interface with comprehensive help documentation and tutorials, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
  • Wide Range of Analysis Types
    Supports various analysis types including static, dynamic, thermal, fatigue, and fluid flow, among others, providing versatility for different engineering needs.
  • Parametric Optimization
    Allows users to perform parametric optimization studies, facilitating design improvements and innovation by evaluating multiple design scenarios efficiently.
  • Robust Validation Tools
    Equipped with tools to validate and verify simulations against empirical data, aiding in the credibility and accuracy of the simulations.

Possible disadvantages of SolidWorks Simulation

  • Cost
    SolidWorks Simulation can be expensive, with high licensing fees that might not be affordable for small businesses or individual users.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Requires high-performance hardware to run complex simulations efficiently, potentially necessitating additional investment in computing resources.
  • Learning Curve
    Although user-friendly, mastering the full suite of tools and capabilities requires time and effort, especially for those new to simulation software.
  • Complex Simulations Limitations
    Some users report limitations when dealing with extremely complex simulations or very large assemblies, which may require supplementary specialized software.
  • Limited Mac Compatibility
    SolidWorks Simulation is primarily designed for Windows-based systems, resulting in limited compatibility and support for macOS users.

ANSYS Fluent features and specs

  • Comprehensive Physics Modeling
    ANSYS Fluent offers extensive modeling capabilities encompassing fluid dynamics, heat transfer, turbulence, and various multiphase flows, enabling accurate simulations across a wide range of applications.
  • High Accuracy
    With advanced numerical algorithms, Fluent provides highly accurate results, which are validated across numerous industries and academic studies.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software features a user-friendly graphical interface, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users to set up and analyze simulations.
  • Extensive Post-Processing Tools
    Fluent includes a suite of post-processing tools that allow users to visualize and analyze simulation results in detail through contour plots, vector plots, and animations.
  • Strong Technical Support and Community
    ANSYS offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support, as well as an active user community that can help with troubleshooting and learning.
  • Scalability
    Fluent is highly scalable and can run on a wide range of platforms, from personal workstations to high-performance computing clusters, making it suitable for different project sizes.

Possible disadvantages of ANSYS Fluent

  • Cost
    ANSYS Fluent is a high-end software, often accompanied by significant licensing fees, which may not be affordable for smaller companies or individual users.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the comprehensive features and advanced functionalities of Fluent can result in a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex simulations in Fluent can be computationally demanding, requiring significant processing power and memory, which might necessitate high-performance computing resources.
  • Dependency on Accurate Input
    The accuracy of Fluent simulations is heavily dependent on the quality of input data and initial conditions, which means that inaccurate or insufficient input can lead to unreliable results.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users sometimes report stability issues or crashes during large, complex simulations, which can disrupt workflow and require troubleshooting.

Analysis of SolidWorks Simulation

Overall verdict

  • SolidWorks Simulation is considered a highly effective simulation tool, especially for those who are already using SolidWorks for CAD design. Its integration, ease of use, and comprehensive features make it a reliable choice in the field of engineering simulations. However, for highly specialized simulations, other dedicated tools might be more appropriate.

Why this product is good

  • SolidWorks Simulation is a powerful tool used for validating and optimizing designs through advanced simulation capabilities. It offers finite element analysis (FEA) that allows engineers to test static, dynamic, and thermal behaviors of models. The integration within the SolidWorks environment makes it easy to perform simulations without needing to transfer files between software. Additionally, its user-friendly interface and robust features like design optimization, fatigue analysis, and drop test analysis make it accessible for both novice and experienced engineers. The availability of comprehensive tutorials and support further enhance its usability.

Recommended for

  • Mechanical engineers looking to integrate simulation within their design process.
  • Designers requiring accessible but powerful simulation tools.
  • Companies already utilizing SolidWorks for CAD, seeking a seamless simulation solution.
  • Educators and students in engineering programs for learning and teaching purposes.

Analysis of ANSYS Fluent

Overall verdict

  • ANSYS Fluent is highly regarded as a powerful CFD tool and is generally considered a good choice for professionals and organizations seeking detailed and accurate fluid simulation results. Its comprehensive features and strong support infrastructure make it a valuable asset for complex engineering applications.

Why this product is good

  • ANSYS Fluent is considered a leading computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software due to its advanced physics modeling capabilities and high precision in simulating fluid flow, heat transfer, turbulence, and reactions. It is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing for its robust solver and extensive range of features that allow for accurate and reliable simulation outcomes.

Recommended for

  • Aerospace engineers
  • Automotive engineers
  • Energy sector professionals
  • Researchers in fluid dynamics
  • Manufacturing process analysts
  • Anyone needing precise fluid flow simulations

SolidWorks Simulation videos

What's New SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2021

More videos:

  • Review - SOLIDWORKS Simulation Step-Up Series: Accuracy and Convergence

ANSYS Fluent videos

ANSYS Fluent: Overview of the Mapped Interface Technique for CHT Simulations

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SolidWorks Simulation and ANSYS Fluent)
3D
100 100%
0% 0
Numerical Computation
14 14%
86% 86
CAD
100 100%
0% 0
Technical Computing
17 17%
83% 83

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ANSYS Fluent seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SolidWorks Simulation mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SolidWorks Simulation yet. Tracking of SolidWorks Simulation recommendations started around Mar 2021.

ANSYS Fluent mentions (1)

  • Cannot access the ansys.com website (Access denied)
    I live in Iraq and whenever I try to access "ansys.com", I get the error. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SolidWorks Simulation and ANSYS Fluent, you can also consider the following products

Inventor - Inventor is a 3D CAD software that lets you quickly create 3D models with embedded intelligence, intuitive workflows, and optimized performance.

OpenFOAM - OpenFOAM® - Official home of The Open Source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Toolbox.

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

SimScale - SimScale makes high-fidelity engineering simulation truly accessible. From anywhere. At any scale. In the cloud.

Solid Edge - Solid Edge is an industry-leading mechanical design system with exceptional tools for creating and...