VIII. Release Notes

VIII. Release Notes#

Release 2026.09: Major changes#

2026/09 Release

  1. Extended frequency-domain quasi-electrostatic analysis in 2. Analysis Type to support complex relative permittivity and complex conductivity.

  2. Added FSAI PCG and FSAI PCR methods for OpenMP parallel computation to SOLVER in 5. Convergence Conditions.

  3. Added the GAP_B output format for air-gap magnetic flux density in two-dimensional motor analysis to 11. Output Options.

  4. Added CHECK_PERMEANCE output for the demagnetized volume ratio using permanent-magnet permeance to 11. Output Options.

  5. Added complex relative permittivity input EPS_COMPLEX to 16.1 3D Element Properties.

  6. Added one-dimensional post-processing analysis IRON_LOSS = -1 to 16.1 3D Element Properties.

  7. Added the CHECK_PERMEANCE setting to 17.7 Magnetization Vector Sources. It is used by CHECK_PERMEANCE in 11. Output Options.

Release 2025.11: Major changes#

2025/11 Release

  1. Added text input as an option for INPUT_MESH_FILE in 10.1 Input Files and OUTPUT_DATA_FILE in 10.2 Output Files.

  2. Added GMSH (.msh) to INPUT_MESH_FILE in 10.1 Input Files.

  3. Added GMSH (.msh), HDF5 (.h5) and XDMF (.xmf), and GiD post (case.post.msh, case.post.res) to OUTPUT_DATA_FILE in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  4. Added the EXMAG input parameter to COIL in FIELD_SOURCE under 17. Source Terms.

  5. Added support for reading encrypted data for 20. B-H Curves. Encrypted B-H curves are from the material library maintained by SSIL.

Release 2025.05: Major changes#

2025/05 Release

  1. Converted the handbook to Sphinx.

  2. Released the production version of the pyemsol module, which can be called from Python.

  3. Newly documented the input.json format.

  4. Newly documented the output.json format.

  5. Revised parameter descriptions to match the input.json format.

    Changed the conventional text format to use collapsible sections.

Release 2024.11: Major changes#

2024/11 Release

  1. Added JSON format in addition to text-based input files.

  2. Released the beta version of the pyemsol module, which can be called from Python.

  3. Added MAX_NO_CORRECTION to configure the number of corrections for the TP-EEC method in 8. Calculation Steps.

  4. Added output_realtime output for monitoring current, voltage, and coil linkage flux during analysis.

  5. Changed error and warning output. See VII Error Messages.

  6. Changed the output.json format

Release 2023.11: Major changes#

2023/11 Release

  1. Changed EMSolution license management to FlexNet.

  2. Added the OUTPUT_STEP_NO setting to 7. Initial Conditions.

  3. Added settings for Bn = 0 and Ht = 0 planes defined by specified elements in a boundary surface to 13. Boundary Conditions.

  4. Changed release numbers to the year.month format from 2023.11.

  5. Changed the output.json format to improve readability.

Release 12.0.19: Major changes#

2022/07 Release

  1. Added the dq-TP-EEC method to TP_EEC_OPTION in 8. Calculation Steps and Frequency.

  2. Added dq-TP-EEC method settings to 8.1 Multi-Phase AC Simplified TP-EEC and dq-TP-EEC Method Setting Region.

  3. Added a Nastran BDF file for QVOL card output to 10.2 Output Files. Used for coupled thermal-fluid analysis.

  4. Documented electromagnetic-force output to post_geom when 11.2 NODAL_FORCE = 3 in 10.2 Output Files.

  5. Documented permeability output for magnetic materials and residual magnetic flux density and magnetization-ratio output to initial_magnetization.dat during magnetization analysis in MAGNETIZATION under 10.2 Output Files.

  6. Documented output of electromagnetic force for surface elements together with surface-element mesh data to surface_force in NODAL_FORCE under 11.1 Output Options.

  7. Added electric field source POT NODE, which applies nodal potential, to 17.11 Nodal Potential Sources.

  8. Documented magnetization curves, input data for magnetization analysis, in 20.6 Permanent-Magnet Magnetization Curves.

  9. Documented initial_magnetization.dat, used for element-wise magnetization input for MAGNET (17.7.2), in 23. initial_magnetization.dat File.

Release 12.0.18: Major changes#

2021/04 Release

  1. Added ICCR, IC QMR-COCG, and IC QMR-COCR methods to SOLVER in 5. Convergence Conditions. Removed the symmetric Gauss-Seidel CG method and replaced it with ICCR.

  2. Tightened the recommended values for ICCG_CONV and NON_LINEAR_CONV in 5. Convergence Conditions, and recommended CHECK_B when stricter nonlinear convergence criteria are needed.

  3. Corrected the output condition on line 5 of POST_FFT settings in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  4. Documented output option = 3 for the magnetic file in 10.2 Output Files (continued), and changed option = 11 to output magnetic energy.

  5. Documented that MESH_INPUT = 1 in 11.4 Spatial Magnetic Field by Magnetization and Current Integration can be used even when MESHLESS is not 1.

  6. Documented complex relative permeability settings for AC steady-state analysis with ANISOTROPY = 1 in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties.

  7. Documented default values of LOOP- and ARC- for NDIV in 17.1.10 COIL Integration Elements.

  8. Reorganized 20. B-H Curves into numbered subsections because of its many settings.

Release 12.0.17: Major changes#

2020/04 Release

  1. Corrected the order of lines 4 and 5 in POST_FFT settings under 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  2. Corrected the descriptions for READ_OPTION = 1 and 2 in 11.2 Linking-Flux Calculation Loops.

Release 12.0.16: Major changes#

2020/03 Release

  1. Documented convergence criteria for the IC COCR method in 5. Convergence Conditions.

  2. Added the ALL_STEP_OUTPUT option to 7. Initial Conditions.

  3. Added electric flux density distribution output to the electric file for electric-field analysis in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  4. Added an electrostatic energy item to the electric file for electric-field analysis in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  5. Added polyline input to the LINE_INPUT definition method in 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces.

  6. Added CAL_Je functionality to 17.2 Internal Current Field Sources, 17.3 Surface-Defined Current Sources, 17.4 Potential Current Sources, and 17.5 Multi-Conductor Potential Current Sources.

  7. Updated supported formats for = 5: FEMAP neutral format in Chapter V. Mesh file.

  8. Updated = 5: FEMAP neutral format support and property-data output in Chapter V. Mesh file.

Release 12.0.10: Major changes#

2019/01 Release

  1. Added post-processing frequency decomposition POST_FFT to 10.2 Output Files.

  2. Added nonlinear analysis using temperature-dependent demagnetization curves to 17.7 Magnetization Vector Sources.

  3. Added 20. Temperature-Dependent Demagnetization Curves for Permanent Magnets.

Release 12.0.6: Major changes#

2018/02 Release

  1. Enabled TEMP_DEPEND in 2. Analysis Type and added temperature-dependent analysis of magnetization properties and conductivity.

  2. Added = 2: μm to UNIT in 10.1 Input Files.

  3. Enabled ANISOTROPY = 2 in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties and added temperature-dependent analysis of magnetization properties.

  4. Added SIGMA_DEPEND_ID to 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties and added temperature-dependent conductivity analysis.

  5. Renamed 17.10 Equipotential-Surface Electric Field Sources to potential-surface electric field sources and added a feature to apply charge to dielectric surfaces.

  6. Added a charge unit parameter (UNIT) to 17.10 Potential-Surface Electric Field Sources.

  7. Added COS-function phase (PHASE4) to 18.1 Analysis Formula.

  8. Enabled NO_T_DEPEND_CURVES in 20. B-H Curves and added temperature-dependent magnetization properties.

  9. Added 21. Temperature-Dependent Conductivity Curves, together with 21.1 temperature_dat File.

Release 12.0.3: Major changes#

2017/05 Release

  1. Added initial-value setup using steady periodicity (the TP_STEP and TP_STEP_OPTION options) to 8. Calculation Steps and Frequency.

  2. Corrected input-field issues in 8.1 Multi-Phase AC Simplified EEC Method Setting Region.

  3. Added a helical-mesh setting option for two-dimensional analysis to 12.1 Analysis Dimension.

  4. Changed the LINE_INPUT definition method in 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces from a line to a line segment.

  5. Added nonlinear permanent-magnet analysis (the INPUT_TYPE = 4 option) to 17.7 Magnetization Vector Sources.

  6. Added nonlinear analysis using 17.7.5 Permanent-Magnet Demagnetization Curves.

  7. Added permanent-magnet demagnetization curves to 20. B-H Curves.

  8. Added twisted-pitch extension to Chapter IV 2D_to_3D.

Release 11.3.1: Major changes#

2016/11 Release

  1. Corrected output values in the electric file (output by CURENT(10)) for STATIC = 3, steady-current analysis, in 2. Analysis Type.

  2. Changed AC analysis in 2. Analysis Type so that complex relative permeability can be set with AC(2) = 2. Set ANISOTROPY(16.1) = 1 and enter the real and imaginary parts of relative permeability on the next line. Set IRON_LOSS(10.2) = 1 to output magnetic loss.

  3. Changed the default METRIC_MOD to 1 for axisymmetric two-dimensional analysis (GEOMETRY(12) = 2) in 3. Shape Function Order and Additional Features. For analyses other than axisymmetric two-dimensional analysis, METRIC_MOD = 1 is ignored as 0. For checking, set it to -1 in axisymmetric two-dimensional analysis to make METRIC_MOD = 0.

  4. Added IC COCR method = 1 as a complex-matrix solver for AC steady-state analysis (AC(2)) to SOLVER in 5. Convergence Conditions.

  5. With HEAT in 10.2 Output Files (continued) and 11.1 Output Options, heat generation is output when conductivity is set for ELMCUR(17.2), SDEFCOIL(17.3), PHICOIL(17.4), or DCCURR(17.5) in 17. Field Sources.

  6. Added support for two-dimensional translational-symmetry analysis (GEOMETRY(12) = 1) and calculations using MOTION(2) in B_INTEG under 11.1 Output Options. With MOTION(2), calculation points use the global (stationary) coordinate system.

  7. Added helical periodic-symmetry conditions to 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces.

  8. Added angle-dependent anisotropy as an evaluation-version mode for PlayModel hysteresis analysis.

  9. Added the B_MIN_LOSS_CORRECTION option for PlayModel hysteresis analysis.

  10. Added DC current-field source DCCURR as 17.5 Multi-Conductor Potential Source.

Release 11.2.3: Major changes#

2015/03 Release

  1. Parallel computation using PARALLEL_NO in 4. Shape Function Order and Additional Features previously supported only the symmetric ICCG solver used when MATRIX_ASYMMETRICITY(3) = 0. It now also supports the nonsymmetric ILUBCG STAB solver used when MATRIX_ASYMMETRICITY(3) = 1 and SOLVER(5) = 0. This can reduce computation time for two-dimensional nonlinear magnetic anisotropy (ANISTROPY(16.1.1) = 3) and PlayModel (ANISTROPY(16.1.1) = 5) hysteresis analysis. The <PARALLEL module> is required.

  2. Input meshes in formats other than ATLAS are first converted to an ATLAS intermediate file. The fixed-width ATLAS format could not handle node or element IDs exceeding eight digits through r11.0.1 and could lose precision. From r11.1.1, WIDE(10.1) = 2 enables up to 12 digits. From r11.2.3, ATLAS intermediate files are written with 12 digits regardless of WIDE(10.1).

  3. Changed 17. Field Sources so that SIGMA(16) for MAT_ID(16) specified by current field sources ELMCUR(17.2), SDEFCOIL(17.3), and PHICOIL(17.4) is forcibly set to 0.

  4. Changed POST_DATA_FILE(10.2) = 1 in 10.2 Output Files so that IDEAS Universal output also includes node and element data when nodal or element quantities are zero.

Release 11.2.1: Major changes#

2014/09 Release

  1. Documented that INIT_OPTION in 5. Convergence Conditions was revised so that sliding-surface variables also use values from the previous step when MOTION(2) = 2.

  2. Added an option to DATA_TYPE in 7. Initial Conditions to rerun analysis using old_solutions from the previous run as initial values.

  3. Extended NUMBER_OUTPUT_MATS in 10.2 Output Files to post_geom files.

  4. Added the COIL_OPTION option to 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  5. Documented the POST_COORDINATE option in 10.2 Output Files (continued). Post data from output files (10.2) and moments in the output file can be output in a local coordinate system.

  6. Added a boundary-surface output feature between total potential and reduced potential (t_r_interface file) to POTENTIAL in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties.

  7. Added an EMSolution current field-source list to Appendix 2.

Release 11.1.2: Major changes#

2014/03 Release

  1. Added demagnetization-ratio and permeance-coefficient output options for MAGNET to MAGNETIZATION in 10.2 Output Files (continued), and documented their distribution output in the magnetization file under Chapter IV. Output.

  2. Added three-dimensional hysteresis analysis to ANISOTROPY in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties.

  3. Added an option for velocity changes due to mass changes when MASS < 0 in 18.6 Equation-of-Motion Input.

  4. Added instructions for checking license information on Windows and Linux to Chapter II-c 2. How to Check the License.

Release 11.1.1: Major changes#

2013/12 Release

  1. Documented the MAX_ITERATIONS option in 5. Convergence Conditions.

  2. Documented enhanced WIDE functionality in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  3. Documented the SEPARATE_ANGLE option when rotational periodic symmetry is used in 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces.

  4. Outputs boundary surfaces recognized as 13. Boundary Conditions or 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces as surface elements to the boundary_surface file.

  5. Documented output of the PlayModel hysteresis-loss distribution in Chapter IV. Output 1.12 file iron_loss.

Release 11.0.1: Major changes#

2013/08 Release

  1. Added descriptions of the Jiles-Atherton model and PlayModel to MATRIX_ASYMMETRICITY in 3. Potential and Gauge Conditions.

  2. Added PARALLEL_NO and PARALLEL_OPTION functionality to 4. Shape Function Order and Additional Features.

  3. Documented restart analysis using coupled equation-of-motion analysis results in 7. Initial Conditions.

  4. Added output-element exclusion to NUMBER_OUTPUT_MATS in 10.2 Output Files.

  5. Documented that POST_COORDINATE in 10.2 Output Files (continued) also applies to output options (11.1). Post data from output files (10.2) can be output in a defined coordinate system (12.2).

  6. Added PlayModel hysteresis-loss calculation to IRON_LOSS in 11.1 Output Options.

  7. Corrected the descriptions on lines 4 and 5 of NO_CYCLIC in 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces.

  8. Added descriptions of DIVISION_TYPE and RATIO_TYPLE to 15. Automatic Rectangular Mesh Generation.

  9. Added the DB_FACTOR option for use with PlayModel in ANISOTROPY under 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties.

  10. Added REGION_PARALLEL functionality to 17.8 Power Supply and Wiring (CIRCUIT).

  11. Added REGION_PARALLEL functionality to 17.9 Power Supply and Wiring (NETWORK).

  12. Added relative-position-dependent mass functionality to 18.6 Equation-of-Motion Input.

  13. Added descriptions in several places.

Release 10.4.1: Major changes#

2013/04 Release

  1. Added coupled analysis with MATLAB/Simulink through the <MATLAB/Simulink Coupler module>. This supports coupled analysis with the multi-domain simulation and dynamic-system environment MATLAB/Simulink (MathWorks Inc.). Input data exchanged with MATLAB/Simulink, similar to PSIM, is required at the start of the input file and is defined in 18. Time Variation and 18.5 Definition of Motion.

  2. Added 8.1 Multi-Phase AC Simplified EEC Method Setting Region and the multi-phase AC simplified EEC method.

  3. Extended NUMBER_OUTPUT_MATS in 10.2 Output Files to the elem file.

  4. Added the POST_COORDINATE option to 10.2 Output Files (continued). Post data from output files (10.2) can be output in a defined coordinate system (12.2).

  5. Added element-average heat-generation density output in fixed file format to HEAT in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  6. Added magnetic field-strength vector output to MAGNETIZATION in 10.2 Output Files (continued).

  7. Added closed-surface loop definition to READ_OPTION in 11.2 Linking-Flux Calculation Loops.

  8. Added analysis functions to ANISOTROPY in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties for two-dimensional hysteretic magnetic anisotropy using the Jiles-Atherton model and isotropic and anisotropic two-dimensional hysteresis using PlayModel. These functions enable analysis that directly considers hysteresis.

  9. Outputs the current-density distribution defined by 17.1.9 MESHED_COIL Elements to COIL_current for checking.

Release 10.2.5: Major changes#

2010/11 Release

  1. Renamed 4. Shape Function Order to 4. Shape Function Order and Additional Features.

  2. Added the THIN_ELEMENT option to 4. Shape Function Order and Additional Features to improve convergence for flattened or elongated elements. Input data in 16.3 THIN_ELEMENT-Applied Element Properties is required.

  3. Added N_CORRECT, N_BACK, and TP-EEC_OPTION to 8. Time Steps and Frequency, enabling the TP-EEC finite-element method.

  4. Added Abaqus input files to INPUT_MESH_FILE in 10. Input and Output Files.

  5. Added HyperView ASCII files to OUTPUT_DATA_FILE in 10. Input and Output Files (continued).

  6. Added half-period iron-loss calculation to AVERAGE in 10. Input and Output Files (continued).

  7. Extended output of material IDs used by elements in ELEMENT under 10. Input and Output Files (continued).

  8. Extended to multiple periodicity through N_CYCLIC in 14. Periodic Boundary Conditions and Sliding Surfaces.

  9. Extended 17.1 External Current Field Sources (COIL) to multiple potentials, allowing multiple reduced-potential regions. Input data in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties and 17.1 External Current Field Sources (COIL) is required.

  10. Added mesh input for 17.1 External Current Field Sources (COIL). COIL can be input using hexahedral elements created in the COIL_geom file; input data in 17.1.9 MESHED_COIL Elements is required. COIL_FORCE in 10. Input and Output Files outputs electromagnetic force to COIL_force.

  11. Added CONST_FORCE_TIME_ID as a time function that applies external force in 18.5 Equation-of-Motion Input.

  12. Added coupled analysis with PSIM through the <PSIM Coupler module>. Input data exchanged with the general-purpose circuit and control simulator PSIM is required at the start of the input file and is defined in 18. Time Variation and 18.5 Definition of Motion.

Release 10.1.2: Major changes#

2007/08 Release

  1. Extended the POTENTIAL option in 3. Potential and Gauge Conditions and added induced-current analysis under low-frequency magnetic-field variations.

  2. Added the CYCLIC option to 8. Calculation Steps and Frequency. During analysis with COIL motion, it writes one cycle of the COIL magnetic field to a file and reuses it from the second cycle onward to reduce computation time.

  3. Added the MESHLESS option to 10. Input and Output Files. Use it when no mesh data is used instead of INPUT_MESH_FILE = -1; INPUT_MESH_FILE = -1 is disabled.

  4. Extended the AVERAGE option in 10. Input and Output Files for iron-loss calculation performed during post-processing. Iron-loss calculation input data in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties is required.

  5. Extended the MAGNETIC option in 10. Input and Output Files to output magnetic flux density in laminated-core steel when calculating iron loss using PACKING in 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties.

  6. Added the IRON_LOSS option (output-unit selection) to 10. Input and Output Files. It calculates iron loss using a laminated-core approximation during post-processing and writes its distribution to iron_loss.

  7. Added the IRON_LOSS option (calculation-method selection) to 11.1 Output Options. It calculates iron loss using a laminated-core approximation during post-processing and writes it by region to the output file.

  8. Added the MESH_INPUT option to 11.4 Spatial Magnetic Field by Magnetization and Current Integration. When MESHLESS = 1 and MESH_INPUT = 1, node data in B_integ_mesh is used as calculation points for B_INTEG. Valid for COIL-only analysis.

  9. Added 11.6 Iron-Loss Calculation Input Parameters for IRON_LOSS(11.1) = 1, the calculation method based on maximum magnetic flux density.

  10. Added the IRON_LOSS option and parameters required for iron-loss calculation to 16.1.1 Volume Element Properties. These are input parameters for iron loss calculated using a laminated-core approximation during post-processing.

  11. Added LINE_APPROX, a threshold for the distance from an evaluation point to COIL for line-current approximation, to 17.1 External Current Field Sources.

  12. Added a function to set ON/OFF switching times as a time function in 17.9.14 Switch Elements.

  13. Added 17.9.15 Time-Dependent Variable Resistance Element (VR).

Release 10.0.1: Major changes#

2006/11 Release

  1. Added the METRIC_MOD option to 4. Shape Function Order to eliminate issues near the axis in axisymmetric two-dimensional calculations.

  2. Added the QUAD_TRI option to 4. Shape Function Order to join quadrilateral and triangular element faces, such as hexahedral and tetrahedral elements. Nodes must be shared on the joined face, and the quadrilateral face must be divided into two triangular faces.

  3. Added the CALC_IND option to 4. Shape Function Order to calculate inductance for COIL sources. Input for 17.1.9 COIL Integration Elements is required. The calculated values are automatically added to the self and mutual inductances of COIL specified in CIRCUIT or NETWORK, so results differ from previous versions.

  4. A negative CHECK_B value in 5. Convergence Conditions applies nonlinear convergence criteria to magnetic-field changes during iteration.

  5. Added negative values for FORCE_J_B in 10. Input and Output Files. Previous results correspond to negative values, which support nodal-force input for stress calculations.

  6. Added electromagnetic-force calculation for COIL through FORCE_J_B = 2 in 11.1 Output Options. Input for 11.4 Spatial Magnetic Field by Magnetization and Current Integration and 17.1.9 COIL Integration Elements is required.

  7. Added INTEG_OPT to 11.4 Spatial Magnetic Field by Magnetization and Current Integration to accelerate integration.

  8. Added 17.1.9 COIL Integration Elements.

  9. Added 17.7.3 Sine-Function Input, enabling magnetization distributions to be specified for MAGNET with a sine function.

  10. Added 17.7.4 Formula Input, enabling magnetization distributions to be specified for MAGNET with formulas.

  11. Added 17.9.11 Nonlinear Elements (Table Input), enabling table-input nonlinear elements for I-V characteristics in NETWORK.

  12. In 19.3 Motion of Deformable-Region Meshes, enter CONTROL_ELM_MAT_ID to automatically generate meshes during deformation. Control elements must be added to mesh data, but no material definition is required for their material IDs.

Releases before 10.0 are omitted.#