Buy Ansys Discovery software for sale

What Is Ansys Discovery?

Ansys Discovery is a 3D simulation platform that combines interactive geometry modeling with real-time and high-fidelity physics analysis in a single desktop environment. It evaluates structural, fluid, thermal, and modal performance without requiring file transfers between separate tools.

The software targets design engineers and product developers who need rapid concept validation and multi-physics insight during early design stages. Discovery runs topology optimization, parameter sweeps, and coupled physics studies — all from the same geometry the engineer is actively modifying.

Explore Mode vs. Refine Mode: What Is the Difference?

Discovery operates in two distinct simulation modes that serve different stages of the engineering workflow:

• Explore Mode uses GPU-accelerated solvers to deliver instant visual feedback as geometry changes. Results update in real time during modeling, enabling rapid design iteration without meshing delays. Requires a dedicated NVIDIA GPU.
• Refine Mode accesses the Ansys Mechanical APDL and Fluent flagship solvers for detailed, high-fidelity validation with advanced controls: non-linear contacts, local mesh sizing, and precise boundary condition definitions. Supports NVIDIA and AMD dedicated GPUs.

Both modes share the same geometry environment, so switching from rapid exploration to detailed validation requires no file conversion or re-setup.

What Is Ansys Discovery Suite?

Ansys Discovery Suite is a product bundle that includes the full Ansys Discovery simulation platform. The version available in this store — Ansys Discovery Suite 2025 R1 — provides access to all built-in physics modules, geometry tools, and solver integrations described on this page.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems

• Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Windows 11 (64-bit, version 23H2 or later recommended for 2025 R1)

macOS and Linux are not supported.

Hardware Requirements

GPU Requirements for Explore Mode

Explore Mode (real-time GPU simulation) has specific graphics card requirements that differ from the rest of the application:

• Explore Mode minimum: Dedicated NVIDIA GPU, Maxwell series or newer, 4 GB VRAM
• Explore Mode recommended: Dedicated NVIDIA GPU, Pascal series or newer, 8 GB VRAM
• Refine Mode and geometry modeling: Dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU, OpenGL 4.6, minimum 4 GB VRAM
• Integrated graphics (Intel HD/Iris): Not supported for simulation stages

AMD GPUs are supported in Refine Mode with an OpenGL 4.6 compatible driver but cannot run Explore Mode GPU acceleration.

Does Ansys Discovery Work Without Ansys Workbench?

Yes. Ansys Discovery installs and runs as a standalone desktop application on Windows. Ansys Workbench, Ansys Mechanical, Fluent, or any other Ansys product are not required. Discovery includes its own geometry environment and built-in connections to APDL and Fluent solvers — all contained within the single installation.

What's Included in the Purchase

• Full offline installer for Ansys Discovery Suite 2025 R1
• Runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit)
• All built-in modules: Explore Mode, Refine Mode, SpaceClaim geometry, topology optimization, parameter studies, CHT, porous media modeling, multi-physics simulation
• No internet connection required after installation
• No Ansys account required to run the software
• Installation instructions included

Ansys Discovery Key Features

GPU-Accelerated Real-Time Simulation (Explore Mode)

Explore Mode uses GPU-accelerated solvers to instantly visualize structural, fluid, and thermal results as geometry changes. Results update continuously during modeling without waiting for meshing or solving steps, allowing engineers to test dozens of design variants in the time a traditional solver would complete a single run.

High-Fidelity Solver Integration (Refine Mode)

Refine Mode connects to the Ansys Mechanical APDL and Fluent flagship solvers for detailed validation. Available controls include non-linear contact definitions, local mesh sizing, precise boundary conditions, and advanced material models — delivering production-grade results from the same geometry workspace used for rapid exploration.

Integrated SpaceClaim Geometry Modeling

Discovery includes a full implementation of Ansys SpaceClaim direct modeling tools within the simulation environment. Engineers modify features, simplify geometry, remove small details that complicate meshing, and create fluid domains — all without exporting to an external CAD application. Changes feed directly into the active simulation without re-importing the model.

Multi-Physics Simulation

Discovery solves coupled physics within a single environment: structural mechanics, fluid flow, thermal conduction, and modal analysis. Multi-physics coupling evaluates real-world interactions — such as thermally induced stress or fluid-driven deformation — that single-physics tools cannot capture without manual data transfer between solvers.

Parameter Studies and Design Exploration

Parameter Studies automate sweeps across geometric dimensions and simulation inputs to generate Pareto frontiers and evaluate design trade-offs. Engineers define ranges for multiple variables simultaneously, and Discovery populates results across the design space — identifying optimal configurations across competing performance targets without manual iteration.

Topology Optimization

Topology Optimization removes unnecessary material from a design volume while maintaining user-defined strength and stiffness targets. The result is a structurally efficient geometry that minimizes weight — widely applied in aerospace structural components, automotive chassis design, and industrial equipment where mass reduction directly affects performance or manufacturing cost.

Conjugate Heat Transfer Modeling

CHT simulation couples fluid flow and solid heat conduction to predict temperature distribution across components and cooling systems. Applications include electronics enclosure cooling, heat exchanger performance, and PCB thermal management — where both the fluid path and solid material temperatures must be evaluated together for accurate predictions.

Porous Media Modeling

Porous Media Modeling represents flow-resistant regions — filters, screens, perforated plates, packed beds — as distributed resistance zones within a fluid simulation. This avoids resolving individual pore geometry while accurately capturing pressure drop and flow distribution behavior across complex internal structures.

Advanced Meshing Controls

Sharp Edge Capture Meshing uses sharp edge detection and body-of-influence sizing to improve mesh quality at inlets, outlets, and critical geometry transitions. Local mesh refinement concentrates resolution where it is needed while keeping element counts manageable within GPU memory constraints for Explore Mode simulations.

Remote Boundary Conditions and Coordinate Systems

Remote Boundary Conditions apply displacement, force, and thermal loads at locations offset from the actual geometry — simulating real-world mounting points, fastener loads, and operating conditions without modifying the CAD model. Local Cartesian and cylindrical coordinate systems enable results evaluation in specific orientations, essential for pressure vessel analysis and directional stress assessment.

Supported File Formats

Ansys Discovery Applications by Industry

Ansys Discovery and SpaceClaim: What Is the Relationship?

Ansys Discovery was built on the foundation of Ansys SpaceClaim, incorporating its direct modeling engine as the geometry layer within a unified simulation environment. Where SpaceClaim is a geometry-only tool focused on CAD preparation and repair, Discovery adds live and high-fidelity physics simulation on top of the same modeling interface.

Versions of both products are available in this store. Engineers who need geometry preparation and CAD cleanup without simulation functionality can use SpaceClaim. Engineers who need simulation alongside geometry work use Discovery. The geometry workflow in both products is identical — the same tools, the same file compatibility, the same direct modeling approach.