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COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS 5.2a RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS

LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® Updates

For users of LiveLink™ for AutoCAD®, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 5.2a makes it possible to connect to COMSOL Server™ from within AutoCAD®. In the updated version of LiveLink™ for AutoCAD®, material assignments are automatically transferred between the programs, and it is now easier to keep track of synchronized documents. Review all of the LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® updates in further detail below.

Connecting to COMSOL Server™ from Within the AutoCAD® Interface

When you have installed COMSOL Client, a button will be made available for connecting to COMSOL Server™ from within AutoCAD®. This means that you can browse and run apps together with AutoCAD®, including apps that use geometry that is synchronized with AutoCAD®.

The COMSOL Multiphysics® tab in the AutoCAD® user interface (left) and the COMSOL Server™ interface, which is launched in a separate browser (right). The COMSOL Multiphysics® tab in the AutoCAD® user interface (left) and the COMSOL Server™ interface, which is launched in a separate browser (right).
The COMSOL Multiphysics® tab in the AutoCAD® user interface (left) and the COMSOL Server™ interface, which is launched in a separate browser (right).
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Material Selections

A major feature has been added to the LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® interface to transfer material assignments automatically between the programs. During synchronization, the LiveLink™ interface automatically generates COMSOL® selections generated from your material assignments in the AutoCAD® file. The LiveLink™ interface detects materials assigned to layers, solid and surface objects, and the faces of an object. In the COMSOL Multiphysics® model, domain or face selections are generated based on whether the material is assigned to solid objects or faces and surface objects, respectively.

The material textures applied to the objects in this surface mount IC package drawing in AutoCAD® become selections in your COMSOL Multiphysics® model after synchronization. The material textures applied to the objects in this surface mount IC package drawing in AutoCAD® become selections in your COMSOL Multiphysics® model after synchronization.
The material textures you apply in AutoCAD® become selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics® model after synchronization, with distinctions between the solid and surface objects. The material textures you apply in AutoCAD® become selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics® model after synchronization, with distinctions between the solid and surface objects.
The material textures applied to the objects in this surface mount IC package drawing in AutoCAD® (left) become selections in the COMSOL Multiphysics® model (right) after synchronization with distinctions between the solid and surface objects.

Keeping Track of Synchronized Documents

In order to prevent synchronization with an incorrect AutoCAD® document, the LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® interface now keeps track of the file name and path of the synchronized CAD document. During the first synchronization, the file name is retrieved and documented. For all subsequent synchronizations, the interface automatically selects the same file, as long as the file is open in AutoCAD®, even if it is not the active document.
The Settings window for the Synchronize with Specified document feature for LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® indicates that it has been synchronized with the file C:\My projects\SO-8.dwg. The LiveLink™ interface will automatically switch to this file in AutoCAD® during future synchronizations. The Settings window for the Synchronize with Specified document feature for LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® indicates that it has been synchronized with the file C:\My projects\SO-8.dwg. The LiveLink™ interface will automatically switch to this file in AutoCAD® during future synchronizations.
The Settings window for the Synchronize with Specified document feature for LiveLink™ for AutoCAD® indicates that it has been synchronized with the file C:\My projects\SO-8.dwg. The LiveLink™ interface will automatically switch to this file in AutoCAD® during future synchronizations.

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

  • Parasolid® (.x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin) up to V28.1
  • ACIS® (.sat, .sab, .asat, .asab) up to R25, 2016 1.0
  • CATIA® V5 (.CATPart, .CATProduct) R8-R25, 2016
  • Inventor® assemblies (.iam) versions 11, 2008-2016
  • Inventor® parts (.ipt) versions 6-11, 2008-2016
  • SOLIDWORKS® (.sldprt, .sldasm) versions 98-2016
  • AutoCAD® (.dwg) versions 2.5-2016
  • AutoCAD® DXF (.dxf, 3D) versions 2.5-2016

Write to File

  • ACIS® (.sat, .sab) R4, R7, and 2016 1.0
  • Parasolid® (.x_t, x_b) V28.1

A complete list of supported CAD file formats is found in the CAD Specification Chart under the "Read from File, CAD" and "Write to File" sections.

ACIS is a registered trademark of Spatial Corporation. Autodesk, 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. SOLIDWORKS and CATIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. All trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners, and COMSOL AB and its subsidiaries and products are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or supported by those trademark owners. For a list of such trademark owners, see http://www.comsol.com/tm.