Simulation and Generative Design#

This section covers Fusion's Simulation workspace and Generative Design workspace. The simulation pages follow the setup-solve-review workflow: study types, contacts, loads and constraints, mesh controls and results interpretation. Study pages cover static stress, modal frequencies, thermal, buckling, nonlinear static stress, event simulation and shape optimization.

The generative pages cover setting up a study with preserve and obstacle geometry, objectives and manufacturing methods, then exploring and validating the outcomes. A cloud solve page explains how Flex tokens and the Simulation Extension pay for solves. A recommended reading order starts with the workspace overview.

Pages in this section#

1. Simulation Workspace Overview (beginner): Tour of the Simulation workspace: study types, the browser tree.
2. Static Stress Study (beginner): Set up and solve a linear static stress study.
3. Loads and Constraints (intermediate): How to model supports and forces realistically in Fusion simulation.
4. Contacts (intermediate): Model how bodies in an assembly touch: automatic contacts.
5. Mesh Controls (intermediate): Control element size, local refinement and adaptive meshing in Fusion simulation.
6. Results Interpretation (intermediate): Read Fusion simulation results correctly: von Mises, principal stress.
7. Modal Frequencies Study (intermediate): Find natural frequencies and mode shapes of a part or assembly to avoid resonance.
8. Thermal and Thermal Stress Studies (intermediate): Compute steady-state temperature distribution and the stresses caused by thermal expansion.
9. Structural Buckling Study (advanced): Predict the critical load at which slender or thin parts lose stability.
10. Nonlinear Static Stress (advanced): Handle plasticity, large deformation and changing contact with the Nonlinear Static Stress study.
11. Event Simulation (advanced): Simulate time-dependent mechanical events such as impacts, drops.
12. Shape Optimization (advanced): Use the Shape Optimization study to remove unneeded material from an existing design while meeting stiffness or stress targets.
13. Cloud Solve and Credits (intermediate): How cloud solves work, how Flex tokens and the Simulation Extension pay for them.
14. Generative Design Workspace (advanced): Set up a generative study: design space (preserve.
15. Generative Design Studies and Results (advanced): Run generative studies economically, explore and filter outcomes.

Before you start#

Cloud solves are paid for with Flex tokens and the Simulation Extension. The options shown in the Purchase Manager depend on your type of Fusion access.

Confirmed vs not confirmed#

Not confirmed in Autodesk's documentation: whether Personal-use licenses can buy tokens or start extension trials, and which simulation studies or cloud solves they include. Check the Purchase Manager and Autodesk's plan comparison.