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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!

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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

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  • $\begingroup$ I couldn't find it while I was on the site, but, how much is fusion 360? $\endgroup$
    – Ljk2000
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 16:30
  • $\begingroup$ 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. $\endgroup$
    – Mick
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 17:55
  • $\begingroup$ I am liking the idea, but will I be limited of features? And I will stop asking questions, thanks for the help! $\endgroup$
    – Ljk2000
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 18:34
  • $\begingroup$ 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. $\endgroup$
    – Mick
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 19:37
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    $\begingroup$ Ask as many questions as you like, but not as comments. New questions are preferred, $\endgroup$
    – Mick
    Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 19:39

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