Altair MotionSolve

Content

Altair MotionSolve is a high-performance multibody dynamics (MBD) solver designed to simulate the motion and interaction of complex mechanical systems. Developed by Altair, it serves as the core physics engine behind Altair's motion simulation ecosystem, including MotionView and HyperWorks.

At its core, MotionSolve focuses on accurate prediction of kinematics, dynamics, and system-level forces in mechanisms ranging from simple linkages to full vehicle systems. Engineers can simulate rigid and flexible bodies, joints, contacts, constraints, and force elements within a unified physics-based environment.

Unlike purely CAD-based motion tools, MotionSolve is built for solver-level accuracy and scalability, making it suitable for demanding engineering applications such as automotive suspension systems, robotics, aerospace mechanisms, and heavy machinery.

The solver supports flexible body dynamics through finite element integration, enabling engineers to capture real-world deformation effects in components like bushings, beams, and structural parts. This integration with finite element models from OptiStruct allows system dynamics to account for component deformation without running full transient FEA at system scale.

MotionSolve also connects with controls and co-simulation tools, enabling mechatronic system simulation where mechanical motion interacts with control logic, granular material loads via Altair EDEM, and fluid dynamics via Altair AcuSolve. This architecture makes it possible to model complex, multi-physics systems in a single connected simulation environment.

Because of these capabilities, MotionSolve is widely used in industries where system-level motion behavior directly impacts performance, durability, and safety, particularly in automotive ride and handling, durability analysis, and mechanism optimization workflows.

Key Features

• Rigid and flexible multibody dynamics simulation in both time and frequency domains
• Flexible body support via modal condensation of FE models from OptiStruct and HyperWorks, capturing deformation effects on system dynamics
• Contact modeling covering both analytical contact and CAD geometry-based contact between parts
• Co-simulation with Altair Twin Activate for mechatronic system-of-systems simulation with controls, electrical, and hydraulic subsystems
• FMI 2.0 support for FMU import and export, connecting to MATLAB Simulink, Fluidon DSH Plus, and other compatible tools
• Co-simulation with Altair EDEM for bulk and granular material interaction with multibody equipment
• Co-simulation with Altair AcuSolve for CFD-coupled fluid-structure-motion problems
• Vehicle dynamics tools including parametric vehicle assembly wizards, leaf spring builder, road graphics, and dedicated automotive entities such as dampers, stabilizer bars, and air springs
• Load extraction for downstream FE-based strength and fatigue calculations
• Linear analysis for frequency-domain behavior, modal analysis, and controller development support
• Integration with Altair HyperStudy for design of experiments, parameter studies, and multidisciplinary optimization
• Python and MATLAB scripted user subroutines with no compilation required for customization
• ADAMS .adm and .acf file import for model migration from existing multibody model libraries
• MotionView graphical pre- and post-processor with hierarchical parametric modeling and workflow automation

Best For

Mechanical and systems engineers in automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, and robotics who need to simulate the dynamic behavior of mechanisms and assemblies, extract realistic component loads for structural and fatigue analysis, and model systems where mechanical motion couples with control systems, granular materials, or fluid loads.

Particularly well suited to organizations already using the Altair HyperWorks ecosystem, including OptiStruct, HyperStudy, Twin Activate, and EDEM, where MotionSolve integrates into a connected multiphysics simulation environment rather than operating as a standalone tool.

Who It's Not For

Engineers whose simulation requirements are limited to static structural analysis, linear dynamics within FEA, or thermal and fluid problems where multibody kinematics and mechanism loads are not relevant.

MotionSolve is also not the right starting point for teams that need a simple kinematic mechanism checker without the investment in a full multibody dynamics solver. Altair Inspire's embedded motion module covers simpler early-stage mechanism analysis within the CAD environment and provides a natural on-ramp before escalating to MotionSolve for advanced work.

Platform

Windows and Linux. Available as part of Altair HyperWorks through Altair's value-based unit licensing model, where the same Altair Units pool can be applied to any Altair solver and tool across the portfolio. Cloud deployment is available through Altair One. ADAMS file import is supported for model migration. Python and MATLAB scripting are available for both pre-processor and solver customization. Academic licensing is available through Altair's academic program.

Pricing

Enterprise pricing through Altair's value-based unit licensing model, with no standard per-product tiers published publicly. Altair Units are consumed on demand from a shared organizational pool, allowing organizations to run MotionSolve without dedicated per-seat or per-product licenses. Organizations with existing Altair HyperWorks access may be able to run MotionSolve from their current unit allocation without additional purchase.

Contact Altair or a regional Altair sales partner for current unit pricing and consumption rates. Free trials are available through the Altair website. Academic institutions can access MotionSolve through Altair's academic program.

Pros

• Flexible body capability integrating FE models from OptiStruct allows system dynamics to account for component deformation without running full transient FEA at system scale
• Co-simulation architecture covers controls via Twin Activate, granular materials via EDEM, and CFD via AcuSolve, enabling simulation of complex mechatronic and multi-physics systems in one environment
• ADAMS file compatibility provides a practical migration path for teams with existing multibody model libraries
• Altair's value-based unit licensing allows MotionSolve access from a shared pool without dedicated per-solver licenses, which is organizationally efficient for companies already in the Altair ecosystem
• MotionView provides a purpose-built modeling environment with vehicle assembly wizards and parametric model structures that reduce manual setup time for common application categories
• Python API at both the pre-processor and solver level enables automation of large batch studies and custom workflow integration without requiring compiled user subroutine development

Cons

• Depth of advantage depends heavily on using complementary Altair tools; organizations not already using HyperWorks, OptiStruct, Twin Activate, and EDEM gain less from the integration architecture than Altair-native teams
• Siemens acquisition creates portfolio consolidation uncertainty for new customers evaluating MotionSolve against Simpack within the combined Siemens simulation offering
• Steeper learning curve than simpler kinematic analysis tools; full multibody dynamics modeling with flexible bodies, co-simulation, and contact requires significant analyst expertise to set up and interpret correctly
• Enterprise pricing model requires direct engagement before cost evaluation is possible
• Less established than MSC Adams in certain sectors where Adams has historically dominated, particularly in automotive full-vehicle dynamics, which can affect benchmark comparisons and customer reference availability

Rating

⭐ 4.4 / 5

Editorial Take

MotionSolve is a serious multibody dynamics solver for engineers who need accurate system-level motion simulation. For automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery teams working on problems where mechanism behavior, component loads, and coupled physics actually drive design decisions, it delivers the solver accuracy and co-simulation breadth that simpler motion tools cannot match.

The investment in learning and ecosystem integration is real, but for organizations already working within the Altair HyperWorks environment, MotionSolve slots in as a natural and powerful extension of an existing simulation workflow.

Alternatives

MSC Adams, Simpack, Siemens Simcenter 3D Motion, MBDyn, RecurDyn, LMS Virtual.Lab Motion

Used In

• Automotive suspension, steering, and full-vehicle dynamics simulation
• Aerospace landing gear and flight control mechanism analysis
• Heavy equipment and construction machinery dynamics
• Agricultural and mining equipment bulk material interaction simulation
• Industrial robot kinematics and dynamics
• Rail vehicle dynamics and track interaction
• Wind turbine drivetrain and blade dynamics
• Mechatronic system-of-systems simulation with active control integration

Founded

1985 (Altair Engineering; acquired by Siemens 2025)