Learning PyMAPDL#

Introduction#

PyMAPDL provides Pythonic access to MAPDL, an Ansys finite element solver.

PyMAPDL touches on different technologies such as Python and finite elements, to bring them together and offer you a better user experience by seamlessly connecting this Ansys solver and the Python ecosystem. To learn how to use this library, you have many resources available:

  • Complete the Getting started with PyMAPDL course, which guides you through PyMAPDL’s main functionalities.

  • Visit the Examples gallery to learn from practical examples. The Static analysis of a corner bracket example is a very good starting point.

  • Become familiar with the Python programming language. There are many online courses and websites for learning Python. Additionally, Ansys provides a Intro to Python course.

  • Understand finite element methods (FEMs). Because physical models are solved using FEMs, you need to know how these methods work to get accurate and adequate solutions. The Introduction to Finite Element Methods course on the Ansys Learning Resources website offers tracks to help you to get familiar with these methods.

  • Take the Ansys Intro to Ansys Mechanical APDL scripting course. Because PyMAPDL interface with MAPDL through APDL commands, you should become familiar with MAPDL commands and workflows.

Downloads#

  • You can try the Student Version of Ansys products. For more information, see Ansys Student Versions. These are versions valid during a year and with limited capabilities regarding number of nodes, elements, etc.

  • Visit Examples to learn how PyMAPDL can be used to solve different real problems.

Courses#

Ansys has prepared high quality courses to guide you through the learning process.

Intro to Python#

The Intro to Python course teaches you the basis of the Python programming language.

Course content#

  • Prerequisites - Installation of Python

  • Fundamentals of Python - Lesson 1

  • Analyzing Radiance Data - Lesson 2

  • Repeating Actions with Loops - Lesson 3

  • Storing Multiple Values in Lists - Lesson 4

  • Making Choices - Lesson 5

  • Analyzing Data from Multiple Files - Lesson 6

  • Creating Functions - Lesson 7

  • Defensive Programming - Lesson 8

  • Debugging - Lesson 9

  • Command Line Programs - Lesson 10

  • Post Completion Survey

  • Meet the Instructor

Getting started with PyMAPDL#

The Getting started with PyMAPDL course teaches you about PyMAPDL, the Pythonic way to access Ansys MAPDL.

Course content#

  • Overview of PyMAPDL - Lesson 1

  • PyMAPDL Language and Usage - Lesson 2

  • PyMAPDL Categories - Lesson 3

  • Getting Help - Lesson 4

  • Post Completion Survey

  • Meet the Instructors

Intro to Ansys Mechanical APDL scripting#

The Intro to Ansys Mechanical APDL scripting course teaches you how APDL, the Mechanical solver syntax language, works.

Course content#

  • Overview of MAPDL (Lesson 1)

  • Basics of APDL Language (Lesson 2)

  • Solid Modeling & Meshing (Lesson 3)

  • Defining Loads, BCs, and Solver Controls (Lesson 4)

  • General Postprocessing (Lesson 5)

  • Selection Logic (Lesson 6)

  • More on Parameters (Arrays, *GET) (Lesson 7)

  • Post Completion Survey

  • Meet the Instructors

Ansys Innovation Space#

You can find more courses for different Ansys product organized in different categories such as structures, fluids, materials or 3D design.

You can find all the categories in https://courses.ansys.com.

NOTE: You might need to create a free Ansys account to access these resources.

Ansys help#

Ansys Help is the official Ansys website for documentation, tutorials and videos.

An MAPDL introductory tutorials guide which cover different topics such as Structural tutorial Thermal tutorial Electromagnetics tutorial Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) tutorial Contact tutorial or Modal tutorial

You can find documentation such as the Command reference guide, Verification manual guide or Technology showcase guide.

The Technology showcase guide is a comprehensive guide with real-world example problems which present the broad simulation capabilities of Ansys Mechanical APDL. The problems demonstrate how to use Mechanical APDL to effectively and accurately solve interdisciplinary problems from a variety of industries and engineering fields. The problems are more substantive and complex than examples found in the standard documentation set. The documentation thoroughly examines the physics involved with each problem and the considerations necessary for translating problems into numerical models. You can find some of the technology showcase examples in PyMAPDL documentation Technology Showcases <pymapdl_ex_ts_>. For a more comprehensive list of showcases, visit Technology showcase guide.

NOTE: You might need to create a free Ansys account to access these resources.

Additional resources#

Ansys has prepared multiple resources to help you to learn and use PyMAPDL. You can access them from the Ansys Learning Resources website. In this website, you can find a summary of the available resources for MAPDL and PyMAPDL.