It is hard to track a dynamic behavior as compared to a static one. 3DX licensing has been one such dynamic event. If we look at roles pattern in last few releases, quite a few roles have been changed to controlled availability and replaced by new ones. Hence it makes sense to release a blog article annually to discuss the details of roles offerings in current 3DX release. I would like to start this recurrent blog series from 2020x.

In 3DX 2020x release, there are primarily five major roles that contain more than 90 percent of simulation functionalities on the platform. My discussion is limited to these five roles. In each of these roles, I would like to provide answer to the following questions that may be of interest to the user as well as the roles administrator.

• Is given role suitable for designers, design engineers or experienced analysts.
• What are the different apps available in given role?
• Is the embedded compute capacity available in given role?
• Is there any migration path to the given role?
• Does given role has any non-linear functionality?

I will move up in hierarchy i.e. discussion goes from simplest role to the most advanced role.

SRD Role: I would call it a gateway simulation role into the platform. Its well known for its “ease of use” because it is the basic designer role. The functionality is strictly linear with 4 cores embedded compute option. The role can model both parts and assemblies with linear contact.

SLL Role: One step above SRD, the SLL role offers lot more pre-processing functionalities such as shell meshing, beam meshing and rule based meshing. For assembly level simulation, SLL offers many additional options such as fasteners, welds and gaskets modeling. There is a dedicated pre-processing app called as structural model creation. Embedded compute capacity similar to SRD exists in SLL role.

DRD Role: This is the most versatile role in 3DX environment because it is meant for both designers as well as the analysts. This role is also the entry point for non linear simulation in 3DX as it can model non linear static as well as implicit dynamics steps. This role also captures multi step non linear simulation: one classic functionality of Abaqus. In terms of Physics, DRD goes further to address thermal stress, buckling, modal transient and modal dynamics. SFO will replace DRD in 2021x.

SSU Role: In terms of hierarchy, this is the first role meant only for analysts. This role also introduces the explicit dynamics functionality for crash analysis. Further offerings on dynamics side include random response, complex frequency and vibro acoustics. SSU’s ability to model very complex physics is the reason it is kept in category of an analyst role. However, it is true that SSU role includes some CATIA design apps as well such as assembly design and model preparation.

SMU Role: This role is very similar to SSU in terms of design and simulation functionalities. One noticeable difference is that embedded compute is not available in SMU role. This role primarily requires external SET tokens for solving the job. Analysts who mostly do crash simulation should prefer SMU over SSU because most often 4 core embedded compute is not enough for crash simulations. SMU has a major migration path. In 2021x SMU will be replaced by SYE which includes  Fe-Safe durability functionality.

MDO Role: Since the inception of 3DExperience platform, SPI or SEI have been a pre-requisite for all simulation roles. But everyone wondered why! That is because in standalone power of portfolio configurations, ISight has never been a pre-requisite for Abaqus. Users who do not need process automation and optimization functionalities on 3DX do not need an SPI. Accordingly, SPI is no longer a pre-requisite for any simulation role. While core simulation roles still do carry some SPI functionality with them but that is at no additional cost. Users who do need a dedicated process composer authoring and execution tools can now have it through the MDO role that includes all of SPI and beyond.

For many other smaller simulation roles available on the 3D Experience platform, please contact us for more information.