Chapter 1

ANSYS DesignModeler

Introduction to Workbench

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ANSYS Workbench Overview
Training Manual

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• ANSYS Workbench comprises the following modules:
– Simulation for performing structural and thermal analyses using the ANSYS solver

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– Meshing for generating a mesh for Mechanical, Electromagnetic or CFD application

– DesignModeler for creating and modifying CAD geometry to prepare the solid model for use
in Simulation or Meshing

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– DesignXplorer and DesignXplorer VT for investigating the effect of variations input to the
response of the system

– FE Modeler for translating a Nastran mesh for use in ANSYS

– Advanced CFD for performing CFD analyses using the CFX Solver

– Advanced Meshing for generating complex CFD grids and sophisticated structural FEA
meshes using full ICEM CFD version

– AUTODYN for modeling nonlinear dynamics of solids, fluids, gas and their interaction

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ANSYS Workbench Overview
Training Manual

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Advanced CFD
Advanced Meshing

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ANSYS Workbench

Simulation DesignXplorer (VT)

DesignModeler FE Modeler
Meshing/CFX-Mesh

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The ANSYS Start Page
Training Manual

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• Launching ANSYS DesignModeler:
– Workbench modules are all

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launched
h d ffrom one iicon, “ANSYS
Workbench,” under “Start Menu >
Programs > ANSYS 11.0”

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– Users can launch Workbench from
within a supported CAD system

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The ANSYS Start Page
Training Manual

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• After launching ANSYS Workbench, the StartPage displays what options are
available to the user:

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Launch a new,
new empty DesignModeler session

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Select
“DesignModeler
Geometry” to
browse for an
existing *.agdb file

Change default settings Alternatively

Alt ti l you can choose
h to
t start
t t an
“Empty Project” to set up a wbdb file.

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Options Page
Training Manual

• Before entering DesignModeler, the current and default options may be

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chosen through the “Options …” button

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– This is useful for setting the default working units, modifying the graphics style etc.
– Preferences for all Workbench modules can be controlled through this dialog box

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 Workbench Databases
Training Manual

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• There are various types of files used by Workbench, each differentiated by the file
extension:

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– .wbdb: Workbench Project database, which keeps track of all of the different types of Workbench
databases in a “Project”
– .agdb: DesignModeler database, containing geometry data for use with Simulation or CFX-Mesh
– .cmdb:
cmdb: Meshing database
database, containing the mesh settings and mesh information

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– .dxdb: DesignXplorer/DesignXplorer VT database, which investigate relationships between input
and output parameters
– .dsdb: Simulation database, which has all the information necessary to perform a structural or
thermal analysis in Simulation
– .fedb: FE Modeler database, which has mesh information from a Nastran or Simulation model,
used to convert to ANSYS
– .eddb:
eddb: Engineering Data database file.
file Containing all material,
material convection
convection, load history and other
pertinent project information. This file is saved automatically whenever .wbdb file is saved.
(Simulation and DX databases utilize engineering data)

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Workbench Databases
Training Manual

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• The Workbench database is simply a ‘directory’ of a “Project.” A “Project” can
be thought of as a collection of different CAD or Workbench files, which are

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associated together.
• Whenever a DesignModeler database (.agdb) or a Meshing database
((*.cmdb)) is created,, there will be an associated Workbench database (.wbdb)
( )

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generated as well.
• Saving the Workbench database is not required, but it is helpful in keeping
track of various analyses,
analyses especially if multiple geometries are analyzed
analyzed. Also
.eddb and .param files will be saved automatically while saving Workbench
databases.

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The ANSYS Project Page
Training Manual

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• If the Workbench “Project” tab is selected, the various Workbench databases
and CAD geometries will be listed

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– The menu on right is context-sensitive. Depending on the file selected, options
available will differ

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Once a new DM
session is started
the Project page
offers various
geometry tasks
and options (see
next page)

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Project Page Geometry Options
Training Manual

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• Default options:
– CAD body type import filter

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– Parameter and attribute import from CAD
– Named selection and material property import
(from supported CAD)

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• Advanced options:
– CAD associativity
– Reader mode save . . . (Unigraphics specific)
– Smart CAD update allows fast update from CAD
when some parts in a CAD assembly remain
unmodified during refresh
– Temporary file for large CAD model import

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Interoperability
Training Manual

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• Take DesignModeler database directly to Meshing, Simulation or Advanced
Meshing.

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 Navigating Between Modules
Training Manual

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• The topmost tabs allow users to navigate between opened Workbench modules

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 Exiting Workbench
Training Manual

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• When exiting Workbench, the user will be prompted to save any files that have
changed since the last save

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In this example on the left, the highlighted
Workbench database, DesignXplorer study,
and DesignModeler geometry have changed
since the last save, so the user is prompted
to save all or none of the highlighted items.
items
If individual files are to be saved, this can be
done within the appropriate Workbench
module.
Changes to CAD geometry are not controlled
within Workbench but through g the CAD
software.

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