Simcenter HEEDS — Design Exploration and Optimization Software
Automate your simulation workflows, explore the design space intelligently and discover better product designs — without needing to be an optimization expert.
What is Simcenter HEEDS?
Simcenter HEEDS is Siemens’ software for design space exploration and multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO). The software automates simulation workflows, makes maximum use of available computing resources and efficiently explores the design space to find innovative solutions that meet performance requirements.
Unlike traditional optimization tools that require specialist knowledge and model simplification, HEEDS lets any engineer or designer drive innovation. No expertise in optimization algorithms is needed — that intelligence is built into HEEDS’ proprietary search engine SHERPA.
HEEDS connects all your tools in a unified workflow: CAD modifications on your local workstation, structural analysis on a Linux server and CFD simulations running in parallel on a cluster. HEEDS orchestrates the entire process and consolidates the results automatically.
SHERPA — Intelligent Search Without Optimization Expertise
SHERPA (Simultaneous Hybrid Exploration that is Robust, Progressive and Adaptive) is the proprietary search algorithm that makes Simcenter HEEDS unique. Instead of requiring the user to choose the best optimization algorithm — genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, gradient-based methods — SHERPA automatically combines multiple global and local search strategies simultaneously.
The algorithm adapts its strategy as it learns more about the characteristics of the design space. In benchmark studies, SHERPA consistently finds better solutions with fewer simulations compared to individual algorithms such as GA, NLPQL and simulated annealing.
What Makes SHERPA Special?
Imagine you need to climb an unknown mountain range. Traditional optimization tools force you to choose one climbing strategy and one set of equipment upfront — without knowing what terrain to expect. SHERPA works like an experienced guide who knows all the strategies, carries all the equipment and adapts the approach to the terrain. It combines the strengths of multiple methods and weights them dynamically depending on what works best for your specific problem.
In the latest version, HEEDS 2510, SHERPA received significantly improved handling of multi-objective optimization with constraints. Benchmark tests show 50% more feasible design variants discovered early in the process and significantly better Pareto fronts compared to previous versions.
AI Simulation Predictor — Faster Optimization with Artificial Intelligence
The Simcenter HEEDS AI Simulation Predictor is a next-generation accelerator built on machine learning to predict simulation outcomes. By intelligently identifying which design points are most promising, it can reduce computational time by up to 40% for complex CAE analyses.
No AI expertise is required from the user — the technology integrates seamlessly into the existing SHERPA framework. You can either complete tasks faster or run more simulations within the same time frame. Additionally, the AI Simulation Predictor can re-use data from previous studies, providing valuable insights when designing new products and systems.
Simcenter HEEDS vs Manual Design Iteration
Aspect | Manual Iteration / DOE | Simcenter HEEDS |
|---|---|---|
Number of designs evaluated | Limited by time and budget — typically 5–20 variants | Hundreds to thousands of variants, automatically evaluated |
Algorithm selection | Requires specialist expertise to choose the right method | SHERPA selects and adapts automatically |
Multidisciplinary coupling | Manual data sharing between tools, risk of errors | Automated data sharing between all tools |
Hardware utilization | Typically one machine at a time | Distributed execution on local, cluster and cloud |
AI acceleration | Not available | AI Simulation Predictor — up to 40% faster |
Design space insight | Limited to evaluated designs | Complete picture of trade-offs, Pareto fronts, correlations |
Time to optimal design | Weeks or months | Hours to days depending on problem size |
Simcenter HEEDS Connect — Collaboration in the Browser
Simcenter HEEDS Connect is the web-based platform that enables distributed teams to collaborate on design optimization regardless of location. With HEEDS Connect, you can share, monitor and review optimization studies directly in the browser.
The latest version (HEEDS Connect 2510) includes VCollab 3D Visualization for interactive review of CAD and CAE results, direct editing of analysis parameters for STAR-CCM+, NX CAD and Excel, and a new “Open in Desktop” feature that bridges web and desktop workflows seamlessly.
HEEDS Connect also supports Systems MDO (Multidisciplinary Design Optimization) for distributed optimization of complex systems with interacting subsystems — particularly valuable in aerospace, automotive and energy where different design teams are responsible for separate disciplines.
Features and Capabilities
Efficiently create superior designs with speed!
HEEDS is a powerful design space exploration software package that interfaces with all CAD and commercial CAE tools to drive product innovation across all industries. HEEDS accelerates the engineering design process by automating analysis workflows (Process Automation), maximizing the utilization of existing investments in computational hardware and software resources (Distributed Execution), efficiently exploring solutions (Efficient Search), and assessing the performance to ensure real-world goals are met (Insight & Discovery).
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Integrations — Works with Your Existing Tools
Simcenter HEEDS has developed connectors for a wide range of commercial CAD and CAE applications:
- Simcenter portfolio: STAR-CCM+, Simcenter 3D, Amesim, FLOEFD, FloTherm XT, Nastran
- Altair tools: HyperMesh, HyperView/HyperGraph (new in HEEDS 2510)
- Third-party tools: ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, MATLAB, Simulink, Microsoft Excel
- CAD systems: NX, CATIA, Creo, Solid Edge, SolidWorks
- Generic interfaces: Batch execution, Python, script-based connection to any tool
Integration typically requires no custom script development — HEEDS handles data sharing automatically through its preconfigured portals.
Industries Using Simcenter HEEDS
Delivering Comfortable and Efficient Heating to Homes with Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and HEEDS.
Why Buy Simcenter HEEDS Through Volupe?
Volupe is a Siemens Platinum Smart Expert Solutions Partner with over 15 years of experience in simulation software. We don’t just sell licenses — we understand how HEEDS works in practice and can help you get started quickly.
Want to discuss licensing or book a demo?
Heeds FAQ
What is the difference between Simcenter HEEDS and Simcenter HEEDS Connect?
Simcenter HEEDS is the desktop application for design optimization using the SHERPA algorithm. Simcenter HEEDS Connect is the web-based platform for collaboration, sharing and review of optimization studies. Connect also enables distributed multidisciplinary optimization (Systems MDO) and offers 3D visualization directly in the browser. The two products complement each other.
Which simulation tools does HEEDS support?
HEEDS has developed connectors for Simcenter STAR-CCM+, Simcenter 3D, Simcenter Amesim, Simcenter FLOEFD, NX, ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, Nastran, MATLAB, Excel and more. Additionally, generic interfaces via batch execution and scripting make it possible to connect virtually any tool.
Do I need to be an optimization expert to use HEEDS?
No. That is the whole point of the SHERPA algorithm — it selects and adapts search strategies automatically based on what it learns about the design space. You define design variables, objectives and constraints. HEEDS takes care of the rest.
AI enhanced search
HEEDS AI Simulation Predictor is a performance booster for SHERPA that enhances its state-of-the-art search technology, such as to operate at even greater speeds. This accelerator is intended for HEEDS users seeking to expedite their search processes for time-consuming CAE analyses or when lengthy optimizations are needed.
HEEDS AI Simulation Predictor empowers users by enabling accuracy-aware AI, as part of the hybrid-adaptive search framework, to actively learn and enhance the current search as well as learning for future design processes. It offers a significant reduction in design optimization time while maintaining the same design budget when applicable. Comparable results to SHERPA are achievable, with the added potential for even faster performance. Save up to 40% on computational time for lengthy optimizations! Additionally, this new technology allows the re-utilization of prior data, providing valuable insights for designing new products and systems and ultimately saving time and costs.
You don’t need AI expertise – this cutting-edge technology seamlessly integrates into your existing workflows, accelerating computationally intensive CAE simulations around the SHERPA search framework. HEEDS AI Simulation Predictor allows you to either finish tasks faster or tackle more simulations within the same timeframe. In either case, by leveraging HEEDS, you are now able to discover better designs even faster!
What is the SHERPA algorithm?
SHERPA stands for Simultaneous Hybrid Exploration that is Robust, Progressive and Adaptive. It is a proprietary hybrid search algorithm that combines multiple global and local methods — including genetic algorithms, simulated annealing and gradient-based techniques — and weights them dynamically to find better solutions with fewer simulations.
What is the AI Simulation Predictor?
The AI Simulation Predictor uses machine learning to predict simulation outcomes and accelerate the SHERPA search process. It can reduce computational time by up to 40% without compromising solution quality. The technology can also re-use data from previous studies to speed up new optimizations.
Can I run HEEDS on an HPC cluster or in the cloud?
Yes. HEEDS Distributed Execution supports computations on local workstations, remote servers, HPC clusters and cloud resources. You can mix platforms and operating systems — for example CAD modifications on Windows and CFD on a Linux cluster — and HEEDS orchestrates the entire process.
Does Volupe offer training for Simcenter HEEDS?
Yes, Volupe offers both standard training courses and customized workshops for Simcenter HEEDS. We can also help with pilot projects and onboarding studies to get you started. See our training page or contact us for more information.
