RTM-Worx Overview - Requirements

Necessary skills and learning time

Using RTM-Worx is very easy. Anyone who has some experience with a graphical environment like Windows will be able to use the simulation within one day: build a model, run a calculation and view the results. Before you will be able to fully exploit the potential of RTM simulation, you will need to acquire experience. Typically this requires the analysis and optimisation of several parts with RTM-Worx and to combine the knowledge obtained from experiments or production of the part with the interpretation of results from the calculations. This is a process in which not only the analyst is involved, but everyone who works on the design and production of the part.
Some knowledge of the Finite Element Method and experience with CAD and/or FEM applications is useful but not a real requirement. You will benefit much more from knowledge of (and hands-on experience with) the RTM process.

Equipment needed to run RTM-Worx

RTM-Worx is a native Windows™ 32-bit application, which uses multithreading and interface extensions of Windows XP, 2000 and NT 4.0. The graphical display of the model is implemented using the OpenGL library. Sound is used to provide (positive) audible feedback and is an important part of the interface.
RTM-Worx dynamically allocates memory for data storage, depending upon the size of your model the program normally needs 7-15 MB RAM. However, there is no maximum limit. If you really want to, you can use all available RAM, including the space provided by the swap file. The installation of RTM-Worx requires about 10 MB free space on your hard disk, and 2 MB temporary disk space when the program runs. Add about 1 MB for each project file and archived project file.

The configuration we recommend is:

Intel Pentium 4 1.8 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1600+;
Display with resolution of 1280x1024 pixels, 24(32)-bit colour; 19" monitor;
Graphics adapter with 3D OpenGL acceleration (minimum is any graphics card that runs under Windows and is able to drive the monitor above).
Microsoft Windows XP or 2000 (NT 4.0 is supported too);
256 MB RAM (with Windows NT 4.0 128 MB RAM is ok);
50 MB free space on your harddisk;
16-bit soundcard; optional but strongly recommended.

On a machine like this you can work comfortably with RTM-Worx and a full simulation calculation with about 1500 elements will need about 10 seconds CPU time. If you need to decide where to invest your money: fast graphics and a lot of RAM are more important than raw CPU speed.
Note that we no longer support Windows 95, 98 and ME. Although RTM-Worx will very likely run on these Windows versions, we can not give any guarantees.
If you are on a budget (or your boss does not allow you to upgrade and you are thinking about getting a license for RTM-Worx in order to get a more decent machine), the minimum configuration is:

400 MHz Intel Celeron or similar.
Display with resolution of 800x600 pixels, 16-bit colour, 15" monitor
Any graphics adapter that is able to drive the monitor above.
Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 or NT 4.0.
Minimum of RAM as specified by the OS (absolute minimum is 64 MB).

This means that installing and running RTM-Worx on a portable computer is a very good and viable alternative (and with the potential to get real close to the production process).