Finite element pre- and post-processing
Simcenter Femap
Femap is Siemens’ CAD- and solver-independent pre- and post-processor for finite element analysis. Build models from multi-CAD geometry for Simcenter Nastran or another solver.
30+ years
Simcenter Femap in use
Built on the Parasolid kernel.
Smart Expert
Support from engineers
Siemens-certified expertise, and a Top European Partner award for customer support.
What is Simcenter Femap?
Simcenter Femap is a pre- and post-processor from Siemens Digital Industries Software for finite element analysis (FEA). Analysts use it to build and edit models of components, assemblies or whole structures, then review and report the results.
Femap works with Simcenter Nastran, MSC Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, LS-DYNA, Marc and other solvers, and with its own Femap Thermal, Advanced Thermal and Flow solvers.
Keep one pre- and post-processor when projects need different solvers
Solve large models with no size limit in the Simcenter Nastran bundles
Clean up imported CAD for meshing and copy results into your reports
Femap with Simcenter Nastran: the three bundles
Siemens sells Femap on its own or bundled with Simcenter Nastran, formerly NX Nastran. The solver in these bundles is the same as standalone Simcenter Nastran. The three bundles (base, Dynamic Response and Advanced) differ in the analysis types and solver options they include, listed under Analyses by bundle.
Play video · 1:17
A 2023 Siemens tutorial: Mesh Region on stamped panels.
Book a demo with an engineerDeveloper
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Analyses by bundle
Base bundle includes linear statics, normal modes, buckling, heat transfer and basic nonlinear.
Dynamic Response adds transient and frequency response, complex eigenvalues, response spectrum and random vibration.
Advanced adds aeroelasticity, superelements, DMAP for customising the solution sequence, and parallel solving (DMP).
Used in
Aerospace, automotive and many other industries
Related tools
Simcenter 3D and Simcenter HyperMesh
Platform
Windows
Capabilities
From CAD geometry to results and reports in Femap
CAD clean-up
Solar Impulse · shell and beam model · Simcenter Femap
Pre-processing
Idealise imported CAD for analysis
Femap’s CAE geometry editing cleans up and idealises imported CAD for meshing, removing details the analysis does not need. Midsurface extraction turns thin-walled solids into surfaces for 2D shell meshes. For models built from many parts, Femap provides FE assembly management.
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Meshing
Solar Impulse · wing skin and nacelle mesh · Simcenter Femap
Pre-processing
Beam, shell and solid meshes, sized interactively
Femap builds 1D beam models, thin-walled shell meshes and 3D solid meshes, tet-dominant or hex-dominant. The Meshing Toolbox keeps geometry editing and mesh sizing in one interactive panel. Mesh Region fills a ruled mesh between patterns of nodes, for example to join separate parts of a model.
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Analysis set-up
Solar Impulse · cockpit pod and truss boom · Simcenter Femap
Solver set-up
Solver settings stored for every run
The Analysis Set Manager stores the solver settings for each run. For Simcenter Nastran, Femap supports multistep nonlinear analysis (SOL 401) and rotor dynamics (SOL 414). Since version 2512, Femap also sets up Simcenter ZAERO aeroelastic trim analysis. Ask us what your licence covers.
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Results and reports
Solar Impulse wing · displacement contour · Simcenter Femap
Post-processing
From contour plots to a Word report
Contour plots show stresses and partial results such as contact forces. Free body tools with section cuts reveal interface loads and load paths. Output tables can be charted, plots and listings can be copied into Word reports, and the Femap API automates repeated steps in VBA or Python.
Book a demo with an engineerLearn Simcenter Femap
Questions about Simcenter Femap
Answers reviewed by
Viktor Hultgren
Application Specialist, M.Sc.
What is Simcenter Femap used for?
Engineers use Simcenter Femap to mesh CAD geometry, set up analyses for Simcenter Nastran or another supported solver, and post-process the results. It is used for components, assemblies and whole structures in aerospace, automotive and many other industries.
What does Simcenter Femap cost, and how is it licensed?
We don’t publish fixed prices: the quote depends on whether you need Simcenter Femap alone or with Simcenter Nastran, which analyses you run, and how many engineers need access. Siemens offers Femap with Simcenter Nastran in three bundles: the base bundle, Dynamic Response and Advanced. Ask us whether Simcenter X licensing suits your team. Tell us which solvers and CAD data you work with, then request a licence quote or book a meeting. Already using Simcenter Femap? Tell us your current bundle and number of seats when you ask.
Can I see a demo of Simcenter Femap?
Yes: book a demo with one of our engineers and tell us what you model and which solvers you use. We reply within one day.
Simcenter Femap or Simcenter 3D: which do I need?
It depends on the physics you need: Femap is a Windows-native, mesh-centric pre- and post-processor for finite element models, while Simcenter 3D brings more disciplines into one environment.
Both prepare models for Simcenter Nastran and third-party solvers. Femap is sold alone or in bundles with Simcenter Nastran that cover structural, dynamic and thermal analysis. Simcenter 3D covers structural, NVH, acoustic, thermal and motion simulation. Built on the NX platform, it runs standalone with any CAD geometry. Since version 2022.1, Femap can have Simcenter Nastran write results for Simcenter 3D. Not sure which fits your work? Ask our engineers.
Which solvers and CAD data does Simcenter Femap work with?
Simcenter Femap prepares models and post-processes results for Simcenter Nastran, MSC Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, LS-DYNA, Marc and other solvers, and has its own Femap Thermal, Advanced Thermal and Flow solvers. It reads Parasolid data directly and handles geometry from multiple CAD systems. Siemens’ release notes name added or updated interfaces for NX, Solid Edge, Creo, SolidWorks, ACIS, Inventor and Rhino, plus CATIA V6 through an add-in module. For a format or version not named here, check with our engineers.
Is Simcenter Femap the same as Femap with NX Nastran?
It is the same product line under newer names: with the 2019.1 release, Femap became Simcenter Femap and NX Nastran became Simcenter Nastran. The pair is now sold as Simcenter Femap with Simcenter Nastran, and the solver is also licensed separately for whichever pre- and post-processor you choose. Siemens’ June 2026 release includes Simcenter Femap 2606.
Why buy Simcenter Femap through Volupe?
We sell and support Simcenter Femap in 28 European countries: the Nordic and Baltic countries, Benelux, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland and ten more countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Find your regional contact.
Support questions go to simulation engineers, and the same team supports the rest of the Simcenter portfolio, including Simcenter 3D and former Altair tools such as HyperMesh and OptiStruct. We are a Siemens Platinum Partner at Smart Expert level, with a Top European Partner award for customer support.
How it works
From first question to running Simcenter Femap
Scoping meeting
With one of our engineers
We talk through your needs, then demonstrate the software that fits.
A look at your case
When it helps
We can show how Simcenter Femap could handle a problem you are working on, before you decide.
Order and set-up
A quote for your set-up
After your order, we help with any installation until everything is in place.
Support and training
Your own support engineer
A dedicated application support engineer is your first point of contact. Training for your team is available on request.
Talk to an engineer in your region
Every Volupe business developer holds an engineering degree. Find your regional contact below, or send us a message.
Ask us about Simcenter Femap
Use this form for licence quotes, demos, training and technical questions.
What happens next
- A reply within one day.
- A scoping call with one of our engineers.
- A quote, demo or other next step that fits your enquiry.
After purchase: support from Volupe simulation engineers.