SimLab v2021.
2
Installation and Administration Guide
SimLab v2021.2
Installation and Administration Guide
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SimLab v2021.2
Installation and Administration Guide
Table of Content
1. Recommended System and Software requirement..............................................................3
2. Installing SimLab on Windows............................................................................................. 3
2.1 Installing SimLab using installer executable file…………………………………………………..4
2.2 License Agreement………………………………………………………………………………................4
2.3 Introduction Panel……………………………………………………………………………….................5
2.4 Choose Install Type …………………………………………………………………………………………….6
2.5 Choose Install Folder …………………………………………………………………………………….……7
2.5.1 Local Install ………………………………………………………………………….…7
2.5.2 Server Install……………………………………………………………………….….8
2.5.3 Application install check …………………………………………………………9
2.6 Change Shortcut Folder ………………………………………………………………………………….….10
2.7 Choose Install Set………………………………………………………………………………………….……11
2.8 Choose Solver…………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
2.9 Choose license …………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
2.10 Choose Creo Version……………………………………………………………………………………..…..14
2.11 Choose CATIA Installation folder...……………………………………………………………………..15
2.12 Choose NX Version……………………………………………………………………………………….…..17
2.13 Choose Solvers………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
2.14 Choose Temp and Project File Folder ……………………………………………………………….19
2.15 Pre-Installation Summary Panel ……………………………………………………………………….21
2.16 Installation Progress…………………………………………………………………………………………22
2.17 Installation Completed……………………………………………………………………………………..23
2.18 Copying SimLab additional files over SimLab installation folder………………………..23
3 Installing SimLab: Client Installation……………………………………………………………………………………...24
4 Installing SimLab via HyperWorks Master Installer……………………………………………………………..…25
5 Uninstalling SimLab…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….25
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SimLab v2021.2
Installation and Administration Guide
1. Recommended System and Software Requirement
Hardware\Software Requirement
Operating System Windows 7 x64,
Windows 8 x64,
Windows 10
Processor 2 GHz Pentium processor
RAM 8 GB RAM
HDD Free Space 12 GB Free Space
Graphics Card 512 MB Graphics Card
2. Installing SimLab on Windows.
This chapter guides you through the installation and configuration of SimLab 2021.2 on the
Windows platform. SimLab installation package contains the following two files
1. AltairSimLab2021.2_win64.exe
2. SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip
Note: SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip file is required only for solving Flux
problems. SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip file must be present along with
AltairSimLab2021.2_win64.exe in the same folder when installing SimLab. SimLab installer
will install the SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip file automatically. If the file is not
present while installing SimLab, Flux solving in SimLab cannot be performed.
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SimLab v2021.2
Installation and Administration Guide
2.1 Installing SimLab using installer executable file.
This chapter guides you through installing SimLab using the installer executable file. The
executable file enables you to choose various options in SimLab installation.
2.2. License Agreement
Double-click the installer executable file to start the installer. The License Agreement panel
is displayed for viewing. Click Next to continue.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.3. Introduction Panel
The Introduction panel is displayed for viewing. Click Next to continue.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.4. Choose Install Type
The Choose Installation Type panel is displayed. Choose install type, Local install, or Server
install and click next.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.5 Choose Install Folder
Install folder is the location where setup will place all its files. The install folder can be
changed. By default, the install folder location will be C:\Program Files\Altair\2021.2. If you
prefer a different install folder, browse a folder of your choice.
2.5.1 Local Install
If the Local install type is selected in Choose Installation Type panel, the following Choose
install folder panel is displayed. Choose a local folder and click next to continue.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.5.2 Server Install
If the Server install type is selected in Choose Installation Type panel, the following Choose
install folder panel is displayed. Choose a network share folder for SimLab and click Next to
continue.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.5.3 Application Install Check
If the chosen install folder already contains SimLab installation, the following window will be
present to allow the user to overwrite the existing installation. Click “Continue” to overwrite
the existing installation.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.6 Change Shortcut Folder
If the Local install type is selected in Choose Installation Type panel, the following Change
Shortcut Folder (Local) panel is displayed. Choose a Start Menu name for the SimLab install
and select whether desktop shortcuts are created. Click Next to continue.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.7. Choose Install Set
The Choose Install Set panel is displayed. Choose the features you wish to install.
CAD Access
SimLab provides geometry access capabilities to several CAD files and uses a CAD specific
toolkit to access and display geometry. The options listed under the CAD Support option will
install CAD specific software and help configure it during installation.
Result Access
This option installs the Abaqus toolkit to view Abaqus results in SimLab.
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2.8 Choose Solver
Choose an appropriate solver.
2.9 Choose License
Node-Locked License
Node-locked license means the license can only be used on one machine for which it is
issued. A node-locked license has a host id on any FEATURE line that is node-locked to a
host.
To run SimLab on node-locked license
1. Select the “Node-Locked License” option.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2. Then select the location of the node-locked license by clicking the browse button.
Server License
A server license means anyone on the network can use the license that resides on a remote
computer, up to the limit specified in the license file (also referred to as concurrent usage or
networking licensing). A server license has no host ids on the individual FEATURE lines.
To run SimLab on Server License
1. Select the “Server License” option.
2. Then enter the port number and name of the server machine. The default port number is
6200.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.10. Choose Creo Version
To import Creo geometry into SimLab using its native library, SimLab needs to know where
the Creo is installed and its version.
Specifying Creo version and its installation location
1. Select Creo version.
2. Select Creo start-up file by clicking browse button. For example, C:\Program
Files\PTC\Creo 6.0.1.0\Parametric\bin\parametric.bat
3. Select the mode, either “Synchronous or Asynchronous”.
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2.11. Choose CATIA Installation Path.
SimLab can read CATIA geometries without any special configuration. But if you need to
read design parameters and regenerate the CATIA file, do the following.
CATIA Directory option
CATIA directory option specifies the bin directory in the CATIA installation folder. The
directory can be found in the CATIA installation folder.
Example Win64: C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B30
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CATIA Environment (Env) file option
CATIA Environment file is a text file in which CATIA keeps its configuration details like CATIA
temp directory… etc. If CATIA installation is a standard installation, the environment file will
reside under all user application folder.
Example: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\DassaultSystemes\
Specifying CATIA bin directory
1. Locate the CATIA bin directory by clicking browse button.
Example: C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B30
2. Locate CATIA environment file by clicking browse button.
Example: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\DassaultSystemes\
CATIA_P3.V5-6R2012.B22.txt
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.12. Choose NX Folder
To import NX parts into SimLab, SimLab needs to know where NX is installed.
Specifying NX Startup File
1. Specify the NX journal file (run_journal.exe) by clicking the browse button.
Note :
During the process of reading NX geometries into SimLab, the NX license will be
accessed. If the NX license is unavailable during the process, Import will fail.
Please make sure the NX license is accessible and the following NX license
environmental variables are properly set either as system variable or added to
the vp_init.bat file after installation.
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SimLab v2021.2
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SPLM_LICENSE_SERVER=port@licenseserver
UGS_LICENSE_BUNDLE=NXPTNR100
2.13. Choose Solvers
SimLab enables you to invoke the solver directly from SimLab with the input file as an
argument and automatically read the resulting output file and produce the Results in SimLab
for the chosen solver. This dialog box helps you configure your solver preference for SimLab.
Specifying Solver installation directory
1. Select the solvers you wish SimLab to invoke directly.
2. Locate the solver installation directory by clicking the browse button.
3. Click “Next” to proceed with the installation.
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2.14. Choose Temp and Project File directory
SimLab needs a temporary and project file directory to perform its operation. Temporary
and project files will be generated while SimLab is being run. This dialog box helps you
designate a directory for temporary files and a directory for project files.
Temporary Directory
This option helps you designate a directory of your choice for temporary files. If a directory
is not selected for temporary files, setup defaults the temporary directory to be
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\SimLab\SimLab 2021.2\Temp.
Note: Temporary File Directory should be accessible to all user account who wishes to use
SimLab on the machine. That is to say, the directory should have Read\Write permission.
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Project Directory
This option helps you designate a directory of your choice for project files. If a directory is
not selected for project files, setup defaults the project director to be
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\SimLab\SimLab 2021.2\ProjectDir
Note: Project File Directory should be accessible to all user account who wishes to use
SimLab on the machine. That is to say, the directory should have Read\Write permission.
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SimLab v2021.2
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2.15. Pre-Install Summary
The Pre-Installation Summary panel is displayed which includes the SimLab Feature list,
Install Folder and disk space requirement. Review panel information and click install to
continue.
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2.16. Progress Panel
The progress dialog shows the status of the installation. Click Cancel to stop the installation.
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2.17. Installation Completed
Once the installation completes, click Done to exit the installer.
2.18. Copying SimLab Additional files manually.
Along with the SimLab installer, you can find a zip file named,
SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip. This zip file contains Flux binaries.
The following steps needs to be performed only if SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip is
not present in the installer location while installing SimLab.
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SimLab v2021.2
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1. Extract the zip file, SimLab2021.2_Additionals_Windows.zip. By default, the “Program
files” folder is write protected. Therefore, make sure the folder under which, you are
extracting the zip file, has write-access.
(Extracting this zip file will create a folder named, “bin” and “LICENSE.txt” file.
2. Copy the folder, “bin” and “LICENSE.txt” file and paste it under <Installed
Path>\SimLab2021.2.
3.0. Installing SimLab: Client Installation
On Windows machines, the SimLab installation type can be either a server/client installation, or
local installation. This section describes how to set up the client machine if a server type installation
is chosen.
1. Go to the SimLab server install the NETSETUP directory location and run the
NETSETUP.bat file. (Note: a UNC path must be used when accessing the NETSETUP
installer).
a. Go to Networks.
b. Click on the machine and install the location of the SimLab Server install.
c. Go to the NETSETUP folder.
d. Go to the win64 folder.
e. Click on the NETSETUP.bat file
2. A command prompt terminal window will be displayed showing that the installer is
unpacking on the client machines. The locale language selection prompt will then be
displayed. Select the locate language and click Ok to continue.
3. The HyperWorks Install Desktop Shortcuts options panel is displayed. Make changes if
needed and click Next to continue.
4. The HyperWorks Pre-Installation Summary panel is displayed. Review the summary and
click Install to complete the HyperWorks NETSETUP client install. This will create the
appropriate Start Menu and Desktop Shortcuts on the client machine.
5. Once it completes, click Done to exit the installation wizard.
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4.0. Installing SimLab via HyperWorks Master Installer
1. Please refer to the HyperWorks installation document for installing SimLab via Master
installer.
2. Master installer installation is batch-like mode installation and it would not present
SimLab configuration options, for example, Pro/E, CATIA, UG…etc. If you would like to
configure SimLab options after installing SimLab via Master installer, you can use
configure.exe which is present in the SimLab install folder.
5.0. Uninstalling SimLab.
This chapter guides you through uninstallation of SimLab 2021.2 on Windows platform.
1. SimLab uninstallation can be started in the two following ways. Start SimLab
uninstallation by using one of the below ways.
a) Open Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features. Select “Altair
SimLab 2021.2 or Altair SimLab 2021.2 (Server)” in the listed programs
and then Click “Uninstall\Change”.
b) Open the folder, "C:\Program
Files\Altair\2021\uninstalls\Uninstall_AltairSimLab2021.1” and then start
“Uninstall_SimLab_2021.2_win64.exe".
2. Once SimLab uninstallation is started, the following screen will appear and then
Click “Next“to continue with uninstallation.
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SimLab v2021.2
Installation and Administration Guide
3. Click “Uninstall” to start the uninstallation process.
4. Once SimLab uninstallation is completed, the below screen will appear. If there
are any errors or warnings in uninstallation of SimLab, the below screen will
provide you more information about the errors and warnings.
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Note: if any of SimLab files or folders could not be removed during uninstallation,
the location of the files or folders are listed as shown in the above image. The
warning message does not mean any fatal error and this message can be ignored.
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