Release Notes 2020

The following issues were resolved for Inspire version 2020.0.1.

• Fixed an issue with EDU licenses. They can now be used to run all Inspire-based solvers.
• Fixed an issue importing material values for model assemblies from Siemens NX. [IN-20827]
• Fixed an issue opening .stmod files that were created in Inspire Studio and saved in Inspire. [IN-21907]
• Fixed an issue where the contact type was changing to bonded upon file save or when the part was pushed-pulled or moved. [IN-21640, IN-21517]
• Fixed an issue where changing the contact resolution was not properly updating the contact. [IN-21586]
• Fixed an issue with the visibility of contacts stored in a saved file. [IN-21487]
• Fixed an issue applying a boundary condition to a split cylindrical face. [IN-21470, IN-21467, IN-21446]
• Fixed a crash when using undo in the Reaction Forces table. [IN- 21458]
• Fixed MDL export to correct a syntax error in the global reference frame used by some output requests. [IM-3254]
• Restored missing animation toolbar that should be present when reviewing motion loads inside the Analysis Explorer and viewing the Results Envelope. [IM-3266]
• Fixed an issue where invoking the Plot Manager would cause the Delete key to stop working properly. [IM-3295]
• Updated the naming of the plant signals used by motors and actuators to be more descriptive when exporting MDL files for plant models. [IM-3296, IM-3312]
• Fixed a problem in MDL export that was causing Jacobian evaluation to be inconsistent with the default used in motion analysis. [IM-3318]

Altair Inspire version 2020 includes the following new features and enhancements.

New Features: Structures

• PolyMesh Ribbon: Inspire has a new PolyMesh ribbon featuring tools for lattice fill, lattice convert, and shrinkwrap. The Smooth tool from the PolyNURBS ribbon has also been moved to the PolyMesh ribbon for 2020.
• Boolean Enhancements: You can now perform Boolean operations between surfaces, triangular mesh parts, shrinkwrap parts, or lattice fills.
• Improved PolyNURBS Performance: Inspire now features instantaneous PolyNURBS manipulation even with large models and high numbers of cage faces.
• SimSolid Reaction Forces: A new Reaction Forces tool has been added for SimSolid analysis to visualize the resultant forces and moments between parts, or at supports or grounded fasteners.
• SimSolid Custom Solution Settings and Face Faceting Parameters: A new Custom option has been added to the Run SimSolid Analysis window for Solution Adaption, as well as face faceting parameters in the Preferences.
• Mass and Mesh Size Calculations: To improve overall performance, when a CAD file is imported in version 2020 the mass and mesh sizes are not calculated. Mass values are shown as ** and mesh sizes as Auto. They can be calculated on demand.

New Features: Motion

• Velocity Initial Conditions Tool: You can now specify the velocity initial conditions for parts in a motion model. The new Velocity ICs tool allows you to set translational velocity and/or angular velocity for one or more parts.
• Power Plots for Motors and Actuators: Power plot components are now available in the plot context menu for actuator and motor, respectively. They can be used to measure the power during transient motion analysis.
• Undo/Redo for Plot Manager: The Plot Manager now has buttons to Undo and Redo operations when plotting or editing pages, plots, and curves.
• Quick Coil Spring-to-Ground Connection: For coil springs, you can quickly create a connection to ground by clicking a feature on a part twice. This also works when clicking on pin joints and bolt fasteners while creating coil springs.
• On-the-Fly Naming of Rigid Groups: You can now specify the names of rigid groups as you create them in the microdialog. If the parts selected comprise the complete set of parts within an assembly, the default rigid group name offered will be that of the assembly itself.
• New Open Run Folder Icon: The Analyze Motion tool now has an Open Run Folder satellite icon. It can be used to easily access motion run files such as the animation file (.h3d) or MotionSolve run.log files.
• Updated Quick Run Behavior: Now when you click the Quick Run icon or press the F9 shortcut key, Inspire takes you directly into review mode if you already have motion results and have not changed the model or run settings.

New Features: Print3D

• Improved Solver Performance: Inspire Print3D's solver has been upgraded, resulting in greatly improved performance and reliability.

Additional Changes and Enhancements

• User Interface Updates: The Inspire user interface has been updated for 2020 and features several new themes, as well as changes to selection and pre-highlighting colors. If you prefer the old background theme, just select Blue Twilight in the Preferences under Workspace > Theme.
• Show Angles for Free Move: A new option has been added under Preferences > Move Tool to show angles when editing the tool position during free move.
• Break Instance: For parts that have been instanced, you can now break the connection between the part and the instance. This option appears in the part context menu as Break Instance.
• Analysis Explorer Enhancements: You can now flip the masking of results in the Analysis Explorer, and you can select the arrow on the results slider to enter a specific value. Also, a scale factor has been added to the Animation Settings.