<p>Fusion 360 will do finite element analysis (simulation), although I haven't used it. Whether it will perform the type of analysis that you are looking for, I do not know. Check Autodesk's tutorials.</p>

<p>One problem that you will encounter is that items printed using FDM technology are highly anisotropic. In other words, they have a grain, and are stronger/weaker in some directions than in others. I do not think that Fusion 360 can take account of that in its analysis.</p>

<p><a href="http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Autodesk: Fusion 360</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T16:30:00.910Z
I couldn't find it while I was on the site, but, how much is fusion 360?
Ljk2000
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T17:55:03.873Z
It is free for educators, students, enthusiasts and start-ups. Just install the free trial and register as an enthusiast once the free-trial period expires.
Mick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T18:34:07.023Z
I am liking the idea, but will I be limited of features? And I will stop asking questions, thanks for the help!
Ljk2000
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T19:37:10.877Z
No. It's a fully-working version. Autodesk have said that they will keep it free for enthusiasts "for the foreseeable future". The only drawback that I can see is that your work is stored in the cloud. I would much prefer the option to only store my files on my hard drive, but that is not a option.
Mick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T19:39:07.677Z
Ask as many questions as you like, but not as comments. New questions are preferred,
Mick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T19:42:06.450Z
The cloud? I am no expert but I would think you can download it from the cloud then. That is all I needed to know about think program. I will give it a try. I am looking forward to seeing what this program has to offer me. Thank you!
Ljk2000
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-30T14:57:17.207Z
2017-10-30T15:16:32.953Z
2017-10-30T15:16:32.953Z
Mick
<p>With some of the items I am designing I would love to put them through a simulation. Like crushing, for example. I want to know how well my object can handle any situation I put it through so I can make changes before I print out the object, only to find out there was a weak spot.</p>
<p>I have been trying to learn ParaView but it is a little complicated off the bat, I would like something easy to use.</p>
<p>If anybody knows of a program that would be fantastic!</p>

<3d-design>
A free simulation program
Ljk2000
# A free simulation program

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-30)

With some of the items I am designing I would love to put them through a simulation. Like crushing, for example. I want to know how well my object can handle any situation I put it through so I can make changes before I print out the object, only to find out there was a weak spot.

I have been trying to learn ParaView but it is a little complicated off the bat, I would like something easy to use.

If anybody knows of a program that would be fantastic!

**Tags:** 3d-design


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-10-30. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Fusion 360 will do finite element analysis (simulation), although I haven't used it. Whether it will perform the type of analysis that you are looking for, I do not know. Check Autodesk's tutorials.

One problem that you will encounter is that items printed using FDM technology are highly anisotropic. In other words, they have a grain, and are stronger/weaker in some directions than in others. I do not think that Fusion 360 can take account of that in its analysis.

[Autodesk: Fusion 360](http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I couldn't find it while I was on the site, but, how much is fusion 360?  
> **username_1**: It is free for educators, students, enthusiasts and start-ups. Just install the free trial and register as an enthusiast once the free-trial period expires.  
> **username_0**: I am liking the idea, but will I be limited of features? And I will stop asking questions, thanks for the help!  
> **username_1**: No. It's a fully-working version. Autodesk have said that they will keep it free for enthusiasts "for the foreseeable future". The only drawback that I can see is that your work is stored in the cloud. I would much prefer the option to only store my files on my hard drive, but that is not a option.  
> **username_1**: Ask as many questions as you like, but not as comments. New questions are preferred,  
> **username_0**: The cloud? I am no expert but I would think you can download it from the cloud then. That is all I needed to know about think program. I will give it a try. I am looking forward to seeing what this program has to offer me. Thank you!  

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