> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How can I set up a simulation?

## Question:

What are the steps involved in running a simulation (or analysis) in nTop?

## Answer:

Simulations are a powerful tool, enabling you to use the results directly in your design by utilizing fields. From simple to complex, simulations follow a basic format. The image below represents the minimum setup for a simulation to run.

![A flowchart showing the necessary components for building an analysis setup](https://files.learn.ntop.com/help-articles/structures/41632671433235.png)

The **Finite Element (FE) Mesh** is a volume mesh that adds integration points to each element within the mesh (either linearly or quadratically). A simulation needs at least one FE Mesh.

* [How to Create an FE Mesh](/help-articles/knowledge-base/meshing-workflows/how-to-create-an-fe-volume-mesh)

The **Simulation Model** adds Material information by adding Domains and Connectors. The most simple Simulation Model will have a Domain that has an FE Mesh or Implicit Body, a Material Attribute, and has no Connectors.

* [How to Create a Simulation Model](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-create-a-simulation-model)

**Boundary Conditions (BCs)** can be thought of as the environment your part is in. They include Forces, Displacement Restraints, Heat Generation, Pressure, and more. You will typically need a minimum of two BCs to run a simulation. To use a BC, you need to be able to select the area it is acting upon by using the boundary selection tools.

* [How to Select Boundaries of an FE Mesh - FE Boundary by Body](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-select-boundaries-using-boundary-by-body)
* [How to Select Boundaries of an FE Mesh - FE Boundary by Flood Fill](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-select-boundaries-of-an-fe-mesh-fe-boundary-by-flood-fill)
* [How to use Boundary Conditions](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-use-boundary-conditions)
* [How to use a CAD Face in a boundary condition](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-use-a-cad-face-in-a-boundary-condition)

After setting up these elements, you can run an Analysis. There is a choice of **Static**, **Buckling**, **Modal**, **Flow,** **Thermal,** and **Nonlinear Thermal Analysis**. Each analysis type utilizes these basic parts, with slight differences in addition.

* * [How to Run a Static Analysis](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-run-a-static-analysis)
    * [How to run a buckling analysis](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-run-a-buckling-analysis)
    * [How to run a Flow Analysis](/help-articles/knowledge-base/fluids/how-to-run-a-flow-analysis)
    * [Thermal and Thermal Stress Analysis](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-run-a-thermal-analysis)
    * [How to run a nonlinear thermal analysis](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-run-a-nonlinear-thermal-analysis)

Once a simulation has run, the results can be utilized in a variety of ways. The results can be extracted as Point Maps and then converted into a Field to be fed back into the model. The results can also be exported to another program for further analysis.

* [How to use Simulation Results to Create a Point Map or Field](/help-articles/knowledge-base/structures/how-to-use-simulation-results-to-create-a-point-map-or-field)
* [How can I Export the Displacement Results from a Simulation?](/help-articles/knowledge-base/interop/how-can-i-export-the-displacement-results-from-a-simulation)

## Keywords:

*analysis mesh simulation static boundary design fe model finite element condition thermal modal buckling bc analyze*