Extended modules > Creo Elements/Direct Finite Element Analysis > Using a study
  
Using a study
Modeling is the process of creating an accurate representation of the physical object and is the first step in performing a finite element analysis. Once a solid model is created or imported into Creo Elements/Direct Modeling, the next step is to create an analysis model, or study.
The study is the fundamental entity that contains all the information pertaining to the analysis of your solid model.
At the start of an analysis project, you first create a study which becomes automatically attached to the design.
The role of a study in Creo Elements/Direct Finite Element Analysis is to:
Collect and interpret the design information
Assemble all parameters for the analysis
Deliver the analysis output information for post-processing.
When all input information has been gathered, the analysis process begins. Following analysis, the study will deliver the result data. The results you obtain from the analysis will then help you evaluate your design.
Generally, the procedure is:
1. Load the model or assembly that you want to analyze. The design must contain solid geometry.
2. Define a new study with a unique name.
3. Assign a material to the objects you want to analyze.
4. Specify the loads and boundary conditions for the analysis you want to perform.
5. Generate the mesh.
6. Run the analysis.
The study will be owned by the open design and will utilize the solid geometry the model represents. You can attach any number of studies to a single design model. This enables you to analyze the same part under different conditions.
The program must be able to reference individual studies and their components, therefore they must be identified by a unique name. Names can contain any number of alphanumeric characters without restrictions or limitations.
Names are case sensitive. For example, STUDY1 and study1 refer to two different studies.