XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX''"> 2.6 Native 64 Bit Port
A production version of the native port to 64 bit Windows and Linux machines is now available. The native 64 bit version of Patran can be installed from the installation disk. The 32 bit production version is still available for both 64 and 32 bit machines as well as all other supported platforms.
Advantages of a native 64 bit Patran mainly include access to all available memory. On 32 bit machines, the memory limitation is 2 gigabytes. The only limitation on 64 bit is the available memory of the machine. This allows you to work with larger models in many aspects of the finite element modeling process such as meshing and other modeling aspects.
It is possible to work with existing databases. An existing database created from a 32 bit version of Patran will go through a porting process to enable it to be opened from the 64 bit version of Patran. A 64 bit database can also be taken back to 32 bit via the porting process. Databases from other platforms should first be converted up to the 2010 level on the original platform and then ported to the 32 bit version of Patran and finally ported to 64 bit.
The following functionality is available on the Windows and Linux 64 bit port. Anything not listed here is not yet available.
• Patran (core application)
• MSC Nastran Preference
• MD Nastran Preference
• MSC Marc Preference
• MSC Dytran Preference
• ABAQUS Preference
• ANSYS Preference
• LS-Dyna Preference
• Laminate Modeler
• Patran Thermal (P/Thermal)
• UG NX Access
• CAD Interfaces (Spatial InterOP access only)
• CATIA V4 / V5
• ACIS
• STEP AP203/209
• IGES
• I-DEAS
Tips and Tricks for Manipulating Large Models in Patran
• Set pdb_c_cache_size to amount (in bytes) of ram you want Patran to use (normally to get maximum model size set this = total physical ram minus what OS needs).
• Make sure you have adequate swap space in case it is needed (often systems with large amounts of ram assume that no swap space will be needed).
• If on a 32 bit windows system set 3 GB ram switch ON.
• Turn Free Face Only (
Figure 2‑1) Display mode under Display – Finite Elements to ON for graphics display manipulation.
• Turn Entity and Highlight Labeling under Picking Preferences (
Figure 2‑2) OFF.
Figure 2‑1 Turn Free Face Display ON
Figure 2‑2 Turn Entity Highlighting OFF
