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04.6 / CDS User Guide

Use the interface
deliberately and efficiently.

A practical operating pattern for compact navigation, model checks, result comparison, and portable data.

06.1 Manuals · read online, preview or download →

Current Workbench, reference editions and downloads

Use the online User Guide for current controls, the released model directory for selectable models and compatibility, and the Training Manual for connected exercises. Wider theory references do not mean every formulation is enabled in Workbench.

Screenshots and download editions carry revision dates; consult the current chapter for updated Workbench instructions. Find the overview PDF, guides and exercise databases in Your CDS library.

138 exercises, examples and case studies → · Your CDS library: overview, manuals and database downloads →

01

Right-click help throughout the Workbench

Right-click a record, input, workflow block, result plot or workspace area and choose its Help link. Existing edit, export and plotting actions remain in their menus; Help opens the embedded assistance panel. Read the manual chapter opens the related website chapter in a separate tab.

Step-by-step instructions · 5 steps
  1. Use the help item on the area you are working in: Inputs and Outputs have separate context, and workflow blocks use their own module. Search the assistance panel for related controls and guidance.
  2. Press F1 for help on the focused control, or Shift+F10 to open its context menu using the keyboard.
  3. Use Shift+right-click when you need the browser's native menu, including text editing and link actions.
  4. Enable Floating help in the assistance controls for hover previews. The preference is saved on this browser; turn it off when you do not want hover assistance.
  5. Open the Exercise manual for the complete searchable curriculum, then use the user portal Database library to download current exercise copies.
02

Use Project Manager consistently

Project Manager mirrors record right-click operations. Use whichever access point is faster, but always verify the selected item and action scope first.

The record context menu exposes Open, Create, Duplicate, Move, Save and Delete actions for the selected record.
The record context menu exposes Open, Create, Duplicate, Move, Save and Delete actions for the selected record. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
03

Right-click and keyboard operations

Right-click opens actions for the item beneath the pointer. Record menus can open, rename, duplicate, move, favorite, save/export or delete; folder menus apply only the actions shown for that folder and can favorite or unfavorite its children. Plot and table menus expose their own display and export actions.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Use Ctrl/Command-click or Shift-click before opening a record menu when an action should apply to several visible records.
  2. Filtered selections remain valid: favorite or unfavorite the selected filtered records without clearing the filter.
  3. Press Shift+F10 for the same context menu from the keyboard. Press Shift while right-clicking for the browser menu.
  4. Read delete warnings. If a deleted source supports reusable report snapshots, the named dependent snapshots are deleted with it.
04

Adjust and retain interface settings

Open Settings: Visual for font size and appearance. Settings: General is available from the top menu and the pop-up settings panel. Preferences are stored on the user’s local system, including optional automatic simulation on opening when the connected model is complete. Choose a density that keeps descriptors readable without hiding the connection summary.

05

Use the lower-left Settings panel

Settings remains at the lower left of the Workbench. Visual contains application font size, theme, density, grid and input tint controls. General contains navigation response, dropdown scope, startup behavior, record identifiers, workflow display and database preferences.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. A−, percentage and A+ change the Workbench font scale; they do not change exported numerical values.
  2. Inputs and Outputs response controls decide whether each pane follows a tree selection.
  3. Dropdown selections can show only compatible records added to the current SIMULATE workflow or all relevant allowed records. Favorites remain promoted where they are valid.
  4. Restore defaults only when you intend to reset locally stored interface preferences.
06

Filter without losing context

Prefer the compact All records dropdown and virtual-folder filters over collapsing the entire tree manually. Filters retain the menu structure, highlight the active state, and change the heading to Workspace filtered result. Single-click selects; use the chevron or double-click to open child items.

Search and filter controls sit above the project tree.
Search and filter controls sit above the project tree. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 10, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
07

Use locks, bounds, and increments

Keep trusted properties locked. Unlock only the values being changed, use physically meaningful bounds, select an increment appropriate to the property scale, and relock after review.

Row locks sit beside the units; the group lock is in the table header.
Row locks sit beside the units; the group lock is in the table header. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 10, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
08

Choose the result view that fits the task

Materials, Micromechanics, Laminates and saved optimizations share Table, Ashby, Bar, and Line views. Use the clearly highlighted active tab for one-record inspection or multi-record comparison. Run leaves that selected tab in place. Wide and tall tables scroll inside the application rather than extending beyond the window.

The lower output pane separates comparison data and chart controls with an adjustable divider.
The lower output pane separates comparison data and chart controls with an adjustable divider. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 10, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
09

Control 2D and 3D plots

Three-dimensional plots default to a filled surface at 55% opacity. Use Fill, opacity, mesh, extrema and Autoscale on/off to expose the shape without losing the sampled data. Carpet plots place their 2D/3D selector at the top and provide an adjustable divider between controls, plot and live laminate.

The 2D view keeps axes, extrema and sweep setup beside the plot.
The 2D view keeps axes, extrema and sweep setup beside the plot. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
Use View to select 3D, Height to choose the vertical quantity, and Autoscale or Reset view to frame the surface.
Use View to select 3D, Height to choose the vertical quantity, and Autoscale or Reset view to frame the surface. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
10

Export tabular validation data

Right-click supported tables to save or hand off the visible data in common formats, including CSV and XLSX, with presentation-oriented PPTX export where available. Export uses the current selection, property set and units; confirm those before distribution.

11

Read the two-layer simulation workflow

The simulation summary separates connected records from their selected models. Use Titles, Details or Table and the zoom controls to fit the overview. Select a block to focus it, then select it again to open its record.

Use the linked-record view in Simulation (shown as Solve in this capture) to check simulation dependencies.
Use the linked-record view in Simulation (shown as Solve in this capture) to check simulation dependencies. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Show data reveals the key properties passed between modules; hiding it only reduces visual detail.
  2. Show model workflow reveals the first model layer. Expand Submodels and Scope & theory to inspect formulation choices, calibration and limitations.
  3. Right-click a model block or the Models browser for that model family's theory. Nested fatigue help opens the separate fatigue assessment.
  4. Arrow animation is optional. An animated connection does not mean a calculation is running or that its result is current.
12

Make room without losing your place

Use Lite for a compact workspace and Advanced to expose additional controls. The global switch affects the workspace; local switches expand only their own area. Neither changes model permissions or disables linked physics.

Step-by-step instructions · 3 steps
  1. Use Inputs, Split and Outputs at the top, or the expand icon on either pane, to give editing or results more room. Restore Split to return to the divided layout.
  2. On narrow windows, toolbar text reduces to icons. Hover for a label, or focus the control with the keyboard.
  3. The curved Undo and Redo controls beside the input tabs restore complete Workbench actions and scenes, including record, tree and process-cycle edits. A disabled arrow means no valid state exists in that direction.
13

Keep frequently used records and folders available

Select the star or use the record/folder context menu to add favorites. Favorite records sort first in compatible material, laminate, case, simulation and add/change selectors. Favoriting a folder favorites its current child records; unfavoriting reverses that scope.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Use Show favorites to make a compact demonstration or special-analysis starting tree.
  2. Use Show simulation to retain the connected run plus favorites; use Show all for the full allowed library.
  3. Multi-select visible records before choosing Add to favorites or Remove from favorites.
  4. A favorite is still subject to model compatibility, material-family filters and license permissions.
14

Save, reopen and monitor the Workbench session

Save Data creates a dependency-complete CDS_DB for the selected record, subtree or workspace. Open/import previews records and adds required parents and references. The session notice counts down server authorization and refreshes while account activity remains valid; Reconnect to CDS reauthorizes when required.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Use Save current and start new before clearing a changed workspace.
  2. Choose a startup database only when that file should become the default on this device.
  3. Review catalog-update notices before merging library changes.
  4. Exit offers save-and-exit and exit-without-saving choices.
15

Create reports, images and reusable run snapshots

Snapshot saves the active simulation inputs, process cycles, solved result and workflow view as a reusable run. Report opens the report builder. Workflow Export/Save image creates graphics; it does not save an editable run.

Step-by-step instructions · 5 steps
  1. Use Snapshot in the main action bar to save the current run immediately. The new run is also selected for the next report.
  2. Open Report to choose high-level or detailed content, include or exclude workflow, summary, inputs, properties and physics results, and select one or more saved runs.
  3. Choose Load run to restore a snapshot’s frozen inputs and result. Undo returns to the previous workspace state.
  4. Export HTML, PDF, Word, PowerPoint, CSV or Excel. PNG/JPEG and workflow PPTX controls save the displayed workflow or Summary graphic.
  5. Save the workspace CDS_DB to retain report snapshots between sessions.
16

Start with CREATE, DISCOVER or SIMULATE

CREATE guides a starter design; DISCOVER explores the live laminate; SIMULATE opens the normal workspace. Levels in CREATE and DISCOVER introduce more detail without turning teaching defaults into qualified design data.

Step-by-step instructions · 3 steps
  1. In SIMULATE, open Walkthrough highlights and choose an exercise. It opens an independent example with blue step-by-step callouts.
  2. Move through the steps at your own pace. Run remains a deliberate action and account permissions still apply.
  3. Stop walkthrough is always available during the guide; Escape also stops it. Exit Discovery returns to the opening page.
17

Compare designs and review what changed

Expand Compare designs to pin current single-laminate results as A and B. Compare dry weight per area, axial stiffness, available transverse deflection and failure margin.

Step-by-step instructions · 3 steps
  1. Complete a current run before pinning. Open Response → Failure first if you want its assessed margin included.
  2. Match geometry, loads, units and failure criteria. Not assessed means missing validation data, not zero.
  3. Expand What changed? to compare inputs against the last successful run. Select a changed input to return to its record; rerun when results are marked outdated.
18

Know when to press Run

Eligible quick connected calculations refresh after editing pauses. Process histories, mesh and iterative calculations require Run after upstream changes; larger workloads and calculations exceeding the live time budget also switch to Run.

19

Promote effective results to materials

The Create Material menu in lamina and laminate results converts predicted effective properties into a normal material record. Select a class, name the record, choose whether to preserve source identity, and decide whether unpredicted fields remain empty or receive class assumptions.

20

Save portable data

Use Save Data or the SQLite database actions for a selected record, subtree, or full database. A laminate export should include its dependent laminas and materials so it can be opened on another instance. Context-menu table exports create separate review artifacts; they do not replace a dependency-complete CDS database checkpoint.

Save as CDS_DB is available for the selected record. Verify export dependencies when moving a study to another instance.
Save as CDS_DB is available for the selected record. Verify export dependencies when moving a study to another instance. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
21

Recommended working sequence

Organize materials, micromechanics, laminates and geometry, then define Thermal, Moisture, Mechanical or EM cases with their own model and applicable cycle. Choose the combination in the SIMULATION block, using None for unused case types. Review the linked inputs and compatibility warnings before Run, then compare current results. Export a portable data checkpoint before substantial restructuring.

Earlier interface shown for reference. In the current SIMULATION block, select cases that reference the required laminate and geometry; each case owns its applicable cycle.
Earlier interface shown for reference. In the current SIMULATION block, select cases that reference the required laminate and geometry; each case owns its applicable cycle. Open full size ↗GUI capture · September 7, 2026. Control locations may differ in later releases; not benchmark validation data.
23

File, database and report commands

Save selected as CDS_DB exports the selected record with supported dependencies; Save workspace exports the full working database; Open CDS_DB loads a portable database; Open default database restores the configured source; Recent databases reopens a locally remembered choice; Catalog updates reviews released library changes.

Step-by-step instructions · 3 steps
  1. Choose Active simulation for a report centered on the current connected model, Selected item + related for a focused evidence package, or Entire database for broad tabular export.
  2. Save Presentation creates slides, Save Report creates the selected report format, and Save Data creates spreadsheet or data output. The report popup controls high-level or detailed content.
  3. Review every overwrite, merge or catalog-update summary before accepting changes. Demo mode disables persistent edits and database writes.
24

Tree, selection, favorites and view controls

Tree view organizes stored records; Block view presents major areas visually. Show all displays the whole library, Show simulation limits the tree to the active simulation with favorites starred, and Favorites only creates a compact starting set.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Single-click selects a row and updates only the panes configured to respond. Double-click opens the record in both Inputs and Outputs.
  2. Ctrl/Cmd-click toggles individual records in a multi-selection. Shift-click extends the range. Folder selection can represent the visible descendants for comparison or favorite actions.
  3. The chevron expands or collapses a folder. Search and filters change visibility only. Counts report contained records.
  4. A star marks a favorite. Folder favorite applies to children; multi-selection Add or Remove affects the selected records. Favorites appear first in compatible dropdowns throughout the Workbench.
25

Right-click operations and scope

Right-click the exact object to open actions for that object. Record menus include Help, Favorite, Open, Create beside, Duplicate, Rename, Move, Save as CDS_DB and Delete where permitted. Folder menus operate on the folder or its descendants; plot and table menus contain view and export commands.

Step-by-step instructions · 4 steps
  1. Read the menu scope before choosing an action. Multi-selection and filtered-tree operations may affect more than the row under the pointer.
  2. Move selected here uses the current selection. Delete empty folder is available only when no child records remain.
  3. Save subtree as CDS_DB includes that folder scope. Save as composite material promotes supported Micro or laminate results into a material record.
  4. Press Shift+F10 for the focused control menu. Press F1 for its manual section. Use Shift+right-click for the browser-native menu.