Some users prefer to solve the thermal analysis first to observe how the simulation is progressing while others prefer to set up everything and run both the thermal and structural analyses at once. Either way is perfectly acceptable. To run them both at once, simply execute a solve from the static structural side and the transient thermal analysis will be run first automatically.
Since the solution can take significant time to complete, a solution status window is provided that indicates the overall progress of the solution. Other solution trackers and tools allow you to i) view the actual output from the solver, ii) graphically monitor items such as convergence criteria, and iii) view the temperature contour as the build progresses. You can also monitor some result items such as temperature at a node as the solution progresses.
Procedural Steps
To set up a plot of overall temperature that you can update throughout the solution, under Transient Thermal, Solution, Solution Information, select Insert > Temperature Plot Tracker.
To initiate the solution, under Transient Thermal, highlight the Solution object, right-click and select Solve.
Use the temperature plot tracker occasionally or continuously, as follows:
Whenever you want to see the updated temperature, right-click the Temperature plot tracker object and select Update Result. Or,
Right-click the Temperature plot tracker object and select Switch to Automatic Mode. This will show a continuous, live display as the solution progresses. The plot tracker object must be selected in order to see the live display.