LiveLink™ for SOLIDWORKS® Updates

For users of LiveLink™ for SOLIDWORKS®, COMSOL Multiphysics® software version 5.4 brings support for synchronizing read-only parameters, object selections generated for material selections, and assembly-level pattern features in selections. See the LiveLink™ for SOLIDWORKS® updates in more detail below.

Support for Synchronizing Read-Only Parameters

Dimensional parameters that are controlled by an equation in the CAD model can now be transferred during synchronization. These parameters are treated as read-only parameters and are available for use in a COMSOL Multiphysics® model. The values of these parameters cannot be changed inside the model, but they are updated with each synchronization based on the changes in the CAD model.

An example of read-only parameters in the SOLIDWORKS software.

The D1@Sketch1 parameter is controlled by an equation in this SOLIDWORKS® part file.

The D1@Sketch1 parameter is controlled by an equation in this SOLIDWORKS® part file.

Object Selections Generated for Material Selections

Material selections, which are generated from the material assignments in the CAD model, are now available as general object selections. These selections are available in the lists of input objects for the geometry feature nodes, below the LiveLink™ node in a geometry sequence.

An example of object selections generated for material selections in LiveLink for SOLIDWORKS.

After synchronization, the Copper material selection appears in the Object Selections section.

After synchronization, the Copper material selection appears in the Object Selections section.
An example of accessing a material selection in LiveLink for SOLIDWORKS.

The synchronized Copper material selection can be accessed as input to the Union 1 operation to form the union of all objects that have been assigned the Copper material in the SOLIDWORKS® file.

The synchronized Copper material selection can be accessed as input to the Union 1 operation to form the union of all objects that have been assigned the Copper material in the SOLIDWORKS® file.

Support for Assembly-Level Pattern Features in Selections

Assembly-level pattern features can now be added to user-defined selections in a SOLIDWORKS® assembly. This means that you can easily generate selections that contain all instances of a part in an assembly, and their contents are updated when the pattern feature is updated, after a parameter changes.

An example of assembly-level pattern features in selections in the SOLIDWORKS software.

The Turbine Blades selection is created by selecting the LocalCirPattern1 feature in this SOLIDWORKS® assembly; it is not necessary to click each instance of the blade.

The Turbine Blades selection is created by selecting the LocalCirPattern1 feature in this SOLIDWORKS® assembly; it is not necessary to click each instance of the blade.
An example of a selection appearing in LiveLink for SOLIDWORKS.

After synchronization with COMSOL Multiphysics®, the selection appears in the Object Selections section.

After synchronization with COMSOL Multiphysics®, the selection appears in the Object Selections section.

Updated Support for New CAD File Format Versions

The CAD file import and export functionality has been extended to support new versions for the following file formats:

Read from File

  • AutoCAD® (.dxf, .dwg): 2018 and 2019
  • Inventor® (.iam, .ipt): 2018 and 2019
  • NX™ (.prt): 12
  • Parasolid® (.x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin): V31.0
  • PTC Creo Parametric™ (.prt, .asm): 5.0
  • SOLIDWORKS® (.sldprt, .sldasm): 2018

Write to File

  • Parasolid® (.x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin): V31.0

Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, AutoCAD, and Inventor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Parasolid and NX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. PTC, Creo, and Creo Parametric are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and in other countries. SOLIDWORKS is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Corp. COMSOL AB and its subsidiaries and products are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or supported by these trademark owners.