Welcome to Autodesk Simulation CFD Fundamentals Training! The topics in this section cover the basic material everyone needs to know to use Autodesk Simulation CFD, including best practices and explanations of the fundamental concepts.
This material is designed for self-paced learning as well as an instructor-led class environment. In both methods, you will be exposed to concepts grouped in Chapters, followed by a demonstration of the use of those concepts (videos are available for self-paced training), then a step-by-step exercise to reinforce those concepts.
What do I need to get started?
- Autodesk Simulation CFD installed and licensed on your computer
- Training files--download the appropriate files for your CAD system using these links.
- After downloading the zipped training file, extract it to your C: drive.
- To ensure Autodesk Simulation CFD is working properly:
- Double click on C:\Autodesk Simulation CFD 2013 Fundamentals\<your CAD>\test.cfz
- Right click in Autodesk Simulation CFD and click Solve.
- Click the Solve button.
- Within a minute the analysis should complete and you should see this:

- Close Autodesk Simulation CFD.
- If you have any trouble with these steps, please contact us for help.
Recommended Screen Setup
The Fundamentals training material is presented in this browser. It is very helpful to view Autodesk Simulation CFD and this browser simultaneously. To do this, we recommend that you resize the Autodesk Simulation CFD interface to approximately 2/3 of the screen and resize the browser to fill the remaining third.
NoteWhen working on the CAD sections of the exercises, divide the screen between the CAD tool and the browser in the same manner.
Training Plan
The Fundamentals Training is divided into four units. Each unit is divided into several chapters. To get the most from this Training, we recommend that you work sequentially through each chapter and unit:
UNIT 1: The Basics: How do I get started using ?
| | Description | Approximate Time |
Chapter 1 | At the end of this unit, you will be able to answer these questions: What is CFD? What is Autodesk Simulation CFD? | 1 minute |
Chapter 2 | Recommended Strategy | 2 minutes |
Chapter 3 | Important Resources | 3 minutes |
Chapter 4 | CAD Modeling | 5 minutes |
Chapter 5 | CAD Connection and Basic Model Interactions | 6 minutes |
Chapter 6 | The Autodesk Simulation CFD Interface | 25 minutes |
Exercise 1 | Launch the Car Model into Autodesk Simulation CFD | 10 minutes |
UNIT 2: Setup: Describing the Problem and Solving
| | Description | Approximate Time |
Chapter 7 | Geometry Branch and Tools | 20 minutes |
Chapter 8 | Assigning Materials and Devices | 15 minutes |
Exercise 2 | Assign Materials to the car model | 7 minutes |
Chapter 9 | Assigning Boundary Conditions | 11 minutes |
Exercise 3 | Assigning Boundary Conditions to the car model | 11 minutes |
Chapter 10 | Defining the Mesh | 10 minutes |
Exercise 4 | Assign the mesh definition to the car model | 11 minutes |
Chapter 11 | Solving | 3 minutes |
Exercise 5 | Run the Simulation | 20 minutes (includes solve time) |
UNIT 3: Results: Gathering Data and Making Conclusions
| | Description | Approximate Time |
Chapter 12 | Can I Trust My Results? | 5 minutes |
Exercise 6 | Assess Convergence | 5 minutes |
Chapter 13 | Controlling Global Results | 10 minutes |
Chapter 14 | Measuring Part Temperatures | 5 minutes |
Exercise 7 | Modify the Legend Range and Assess Results on Parts | 8 minutes |
Chapter 15 | Using Planes to Understand the Results | 15 minutes |
Exercise 8 | Explore Results with Planes and XY Plots | 20 minutes |
Exercise 9 | Explore Results with Planes, Particle Traces, and the Bulk Calculator | 20 minutes |
Chapter 16 | Results Points | 4 minutes |
Exercise 10 | Explore Results at Specific Points | 8 minutes |
Chapter 17 | Iso Surfaces | 5 minutes |
Exercise 11 | Explore the Results with Iso Surfaces | 8 minutes |
Chapter 18 | Wall Results | 7 minutes |
Exercise 12 | Assess Forces and Temperatures on Walls | 6 minutes |
Chapter 19 | Part Visibility Controls in Results Mode | 5 minutes |
Exercise 13 | Modify part appearances | 9 minutes |
Chapter 20 | Using the Decision Center to Make Conclusions | 6 minutes |
Exercise 14 | Use the Decision Center to Assess Results | 12 minutes |
UNIT 4: Design Exploration: Comparing Multiple Designs in one Environment
| | Description | Approximate Time |
Chapter 21 | Cloning Designs and Scenarios | 5 minutes |
Exercise 15 | Create a Second Design Iteration (Clone the Design and Modify the CAD Model) | 25 minutes (includes solve time) |
Exercise 16 | Use the Decision Center to Compare Results from both Design Iterations | 15 minutes |
Chapter 22 | Conclusion | 5 minutes |
NoteCommands found in the User Interface (such as button names) are shown in bold. Some steps are followed by a series of simple actions, listed as "A.", "B.", etc
After finishing the Fundamentals Training, what do I do next?
After you complete the Fundamentals training, you will be ready to expand your knowledge of Autodesk Simulation CFD with Application-specific and Advanced topics. These topics deal specifically with the types of problems you will be solving, from electronics to pumps, from lighting to architecture, and advanced topics including motion, transient analysis, radiation, mixing, and more.
These topics are discussed in the Analysis Guidelines, Advanced Training, and Examples sections. Additionally, to learn more about customized training to suite your particular needs, please contact your local Autodesk Simulation CFD representative.
Ready to get started?
Next: Chapter 1