Getting Started with Workbench

Workbench Simulations still use ANSYS features (elements, solvers, commands, analysis details, etc.).

The ANSYS Help System is still useful when you are using Workbench

Workbench Help Systems are available for Simulation, DesignModeler, and many other modules.

Workbench files:

Workbench project database file = .wbdb
DesignModeler database file = .agdb
Simulation database file = .dsdb
Engineering Data database file = .eddb
DesignXplorer database file = .dxdb
Parameter Manager data = .params

Recommended Practice: Always “Save All” from the WB Projects Page to keep your files synchronized

Workbench Graphics Controls:

Rotate
Pan
Zoom
Box Zoom
Zoom to Fit
Magnifier Window: can be toggled on and off via the toolbar button
Previous View: return to the last view displayed in the graphics window
Next View (after using Prev. View) scroll forward to the latest view
Isometric View – can set/recall a “custom” iso view
Also, NumPad can be used (click in graphics window to make it active)
0 = View Isometric
1 = +Z Front
2 = -Y Bottom
3 =+X Right
4 = Previous View
5 = Default Isometric
6 = Next View
7 = -X Left
8 = +Y Top
9 = -Z Back
. (dot) = Set “Custom” Isometric View
Figure Button: can insert figure in model tree for report – or – Image Capture
Capped Isosurfaces – in WB 11 Simulation, replaced by “Section Plane” button ?
Results Animation – in WB 11 Simulation, “Timeline” tab below graphics window

Legend: To reposition the legend within the graphics window, select the legend with your mouse, hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse.

Right click on the Simulation Results Legend to see option for legend display

Windowpanes:

The Workbench window contains a number of panes that house graphics, outlines, details and other views and controls. The window manager allows you to move, resize, tab dock and autohide panes.

Panes are either pinned or unpinned. Toggle this state by clicking the "pin" icon in the pane title bar.

A pinned pane occupies space in the Workbench window. An unpinned pane collapses to a tab on the periphery of the window when inactive.

"Restore Original Window Layout" (from the View menu) will return to the default original pane configuration

Parameter Manager:

a window that displays all parameters within WB
can view input and output parameters
change input parameter values and re-run the complete analysis
can write expressions (equations) with parameters
variables assigned as parameters in DesignModeler or Simulation become read-only (are controlled by the Parameter Manager)
In DesignModeler, if parameters are to be passed forward to Simulation, their names must start with the characters: DS_

When working with parameters, you should always open an existing project from the Workbench Project (*.wbdb) file

Using “Save As…” within Simulation (to solve on a temp drive) may lose the connection to the project’s parameter file.