Simulation software allows engineers to evaluate, optimize, and compare product designs by modeling real world events in a computer generated environment. It is a facet of computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. Simulation software can create any model that is governed by equations or mathematical data and place it in a pre-defined system. By analyzing these constructs, engineers can observe how the model and system interact, thereby predicting performance, defects, stresses, and product lifespan.
Examples of commonly modeled products are mechanics, electrical systems, chemical reactions, heat, and weather. Vendors may offer libraries that simulate industry specific scenarios, such as construction, aviation, road and pedestrian traffic, electrical circuitry, fluid dynamics, and many more.
Simulation and CAE software are highly related to computer-aided design (CAD) software. CAD software is mostly concerned with the design of products where CAE software is focused on the testing and simulation of products. Leading vendors may offer CAD modeling and CAE simulation engines that are tightly integrated, under the same product line. Alternately, simulation software may offer integrations with many popular third-party CAD applications.
Simulation software designed for computer-aided engineering (CAE) provides the following features:
Predefined library of features, shapes and objects for modeling
Predefined modeling scenarios (e.g. weather stress), including industry-specific toolsets
Pre-processing tools allow the user to define various materials, conditions, and other simulation variables
Tools to import product model data from CAD application
Integrated environment with CAD modeling studio to edit product geometry without leaving app
Virtual validation testing, such as fault tolerance
Test multiple product designs against each other for superior performance or resilience
Post-processing tools include simulation results, charts and other data analyzation tools
Dassault Systemes offers SOLIDWORKS, a computer-aided design (CAD) system for education and manufacturing supporting 2D or 3D design, electrical design, simulations, and product development with collaboration tools.
Siemens PLM Software (formerly UGS) is a computer software company specializing in 3D & 2D Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. The company is a business unit of Siemens Industry Automation division, and is headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Autodesk Fusion 360 is a cloud-based 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tool which integrates design, modeling, and simulation capabilities.
Autodesk's Navisworks is a construction project review and simulation software to improve BIM (Building Information Modeling) coordination, allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.
Siemens PLM (formerly UGS), a division of Siemens AG, offers Solid Edge. Solid Edge is a 2D/3D CAD modeling, simulation, CAM, and 3D printing suite offered free to students, hobbyists, and learners or at relatively low cost to mid-tier companies. It's capabilities are limited relative to Siemens ...
PTC offers Creo, the company's line of computer-aided design (CAD) products that support the product lifecycle management (PLM) process with 2D and 3D design kits (Creo Elements and Creo Direct), an augmented reality module, Creo Illustrate for technical illustrations, Creo Sketch, Creo Schematic...
SimScale is an engineering simulation platform that aims to revolutionize the way engineers, designers, scientists, and students design products. The SimScale platform is fully cloud-based and is accessible completely via a standard web browser. The easy-to-use interface supports numerous simulat...
MathWorks offers the Simulink product family including the Simscape physical modeling suite, simulation, validation, and testing tool set, a 3D animation module, signal processing toolbox for wireless communication, control systems, and event-based monitoring, to aid in the design of complex syst...
SIMULIA from Dassault Systemes is a simulation application for 3d objects.
ANSYS Discovery is a design and modeling simulation suite, supporting electromagnets, thermal, structures, fluids, and many combinations of different materials in a single-window 3D design interface for concept exploration, repair, or other purposes. ANSYS Discovery is available in an Essentials...
Mentor Graphics, a Siemens business, offers Tanner AMS and MEMS Design Flow. The Tanner tools suite of simulation management tools and applications support system design, testing and validation.
MSC Software, now part of Hexagon, offers MSC One, a product token subscription system that allows the user access to the MSC suite of engineering design and modeling tools as needed.
MSC Software, now a Hexagon company, offers MSC Apex, the company's engineering design application for simulation, modeling, and virtual product development.
Certara, headquartered in Princeton, offers Phoenix, a modeling and simulation application supporting PK/PD data analysis.
National Instruments offers Multisim, a simulation application for engineers, designers, and educators.
ESRD (Engineering Software Research and Development, Inc) headquartered in St. Louis offers StressCheck, a simulation governance application for aviation, aerospace and defense.
ETAP, headquartered in Irvine, offers ETAP PS, their suite of power system modeling. simulation and optimization software, supporting power management, grid transmission analysis, and other electrical systems.
SIMUL8 headquartered in Glasgow offers their simulation software for product design and validation, and testing.
Mentor Graphics, a Siemens company, offers the Mentor CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation suite, including the FloTHERM suite, the FloEFD product applications, and FloMaster.
The Siemens PSS (Power System Simulator) portfolio is a simulation suite acquired with PTI (Power Technologies International) in 2005.
Certara offers the Simcyp Simulator software application supporting pharmaceutical research and testing.
The Anylogic Company headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace offers their eponymous flagship simulation software, offering flexible modeling via a multitude of libraries such as fluids, rail modeling, road and pedestrian traffic modeling, and libraries for other types of scenarios.
Honeywell offers the UniSim suite of simulation and product optimization tools and applications.
Operational Technology Inc (ETAP) offers eTrax, a train power simulation and railway modeling application.
Leidos offers EMTOOLS, a design, electromagnetic measurement and simulation suite which can be deployed for a variety of signal detection, radar, wireless propogation, and other purposes.