• Before using an initial condition in an analysis, always check its validity. Make sure that the initial conditions you create are physically possible and do not conflict with each other. For example, if you set initial conditions on the orientation of two parts that are connected with a joint, be sure that the required body positions are possible with the DOF allowed by the joint.

• In an analysis, exceptions to the start position occur if you add activated servo motors to your model. The initial position defined by the servo motor overrides the start position when the analysis begins.

• When defining initial conditions for angular velocity, select a vector that does not conflict with any rotational motion axis connections. The axis of rotation is parallel to the specified vector, depending on the degree of freedom and how it is connected to the assembly.

• Initial conditions for angular velocity are most useful for packaged components rather than for components with motion axis connections. Applying these initial conditions to components with motion axis connections increases the likelihood of inconsistency of the initial conditions set and the possibility of failure due to conflicts with other constraints.

• You specify initial positions for position, kinematic, static, and force balance analyses using the initial configuration snapshot in the analysis definition.