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SolidWorks Simulation VS ANSYS Mechanical

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

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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 Mechanical logo ANSYS Mechanical

Multiphysics, structural and mechanical design.
  • SolidWorks Simulation Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-27
  • ANSYS Mechanical Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03

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 Mechanical features and specs

  • Comprehensive Simulation Capabilities
    ANSYS Mechanical offers a wide range of simulation capabilities, including structural, thermal, and fluid dynamics analysis, which allows for versatile problem-solving.
  • Advanced Material Models
    The software supports diverse material models, enabling users to perform accurate simulations on complex materials such as composites and nonlinear materials.
  • High-performance Computing
    ANSYS Mechanical is optimized for parallel computing, which significantly reduces simulation time, especially for large-scale problems.
  • Integrated Multiphysics
    It allows for integrated multiphysics simulations, providing a comprehensive view of how different physical phenomena interact within a model.
  • Extensive Support and Community
    The software is backed by extensive documentation, technical support, and an active user community, helping users to resolve issues efficiently.

Possible disadvantages of ANSYS Mechanical

  • High Cost
    ANSYS Mechanical is relatively expensive, which can be a significant investment for smaller companies or individual users.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The advanced features and extensive capabilities of ANSYS Mechanical can lead to a steep learning curve, requiring considerable time and training to use effectively.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software requires substantial computational resources, which might necessitate high-performance hardware, increasing the overall operational cost.
  • Complex User Interface
    While powerful, the user interface can be overwhelming for new users, potentially impacting productivity until familiarity is achieved.
  • Overwhelming Features for Basic Users
    For users who require only basic analysis, the extensive features of ANSYS Mechanical might be unnecessarily complex and underutilized.

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.

SolidWorks Simulation videos

+ Add

What's New SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2021

More videos:

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

ANSYS Mechanical videos

+ Add

ANSYS Mechanical: What's New in 2019 R3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SolidWorks Simulation and ANSYS Mechanical)

SolidWorks Simulation

ANSYS Mechanical

3D
85 85%
3D
15% 15
Technical Computing
60 60%
Technical Computing
40% 40
CAD
100 100%
CAD
0% 0
Numerical Computation
70 70%
Numerical Computation
30% 30

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SolidWorks Simulation and ANSYS Mechanical, 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.

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

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

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

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

GNU Octave - GNU Octave is a programming language for scientific computing.

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