Description

Product Overview

MSC Actran 2025.2 is the latest release of the high-performance acoustic, vibro-acoustic and aero-acoustic simulation software suite from MSC Software (now part of Hexagon AB). Built for engineers working on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), aero-acoustics, acoustic radiation problems and coupled structural/flow/acoustics workflows, this version elevates both solver capabilities and usability for next-generation acoustic simulation demands.

What’s New & Key Highlights

1. Breakthrough “Radiosity” Acoustic Solution

The 2025.2 release introduces the new Radiosity acoustic mode: a solver designed for efficient high-frequency noise propagation in large spaces — vehicle cabins, aircraft cabins, large open enclosures — delivering faster turnaround and high-fidelity results.
This capability allows engineers to handle acoustic radiation and interior sound fields in large domains with improved computational efficiency.

2. Enhanced e-Powertrain Noise Workflow

Addressing the rising demand in electrified mobility, this version enhances workflows for e-drivetrain and electric motor noise simulation. It includes better encapsulation/cover modelling, improved excitation definitions and streamlined setup to support electrification NVH efforts.

3. Advanced Excitations and Acoustic Indicators

Actran 2025.2 upgrades its “Acoustic Indicators” and excitation tools, enabling richer definition of sound source excitations, detailed metrics like Sound Pressure Level (SPL), directivity, radiated power and better post-processing outputs for decision making.

4. Solver Performance, Workflow & Integration Improvements

General solver robustness has been improved — including enhancements to large model memory handling, better parallelisation, and more seamless imports from structural and CFD solvers for vibro-acoustic and aero-acoustic workflows. The GUI (Actran VI) and mesh/data exchange have also been refined for faster model setup and post-processing.

5. Bug Fixes, Stability & Productivity Gains

This release includes a wide range of bug fixes and stability improvements: e.g., improved memory management in large domain runs, corrected modal coupling behaviour in vibro-acoustics, improved porous-material library import, and better logging/tracing for solver failures. (Detailed release notes available via MSC’s portal.)
Additionally, productivity gains have been documented via improved solver turnaround and better default settings for typical industrial workflows.

6. Interesting Fact

One standout detail: With the new Radiosity solution, some case studies indicate that a large-cabin acoustic scenario that previously took a full finite-element acoustic approach (hundreds of CPU-hours) can now be completed in a fraction of the time with high accuracy — emphasising that Actran 2025.2 is engineered for speed and fidelity.

System Requirements & Technical Specifications:

To ensure optimal performance of Actran 2025.2, the following environment is recommended:

Operating System: 64-bit Windows (e.g., Windows 10/11) or supported Linux distribution (check Hexagon’s platform support guide).
Processor (CPU): Multi-core workstation or cluster; the solver benefits from high core counts and strong memory bandwidth.
RAM: Minimum 8 GB for small models; for large acoustic domains or high-frequency setups we recommend 32 GB or more.
Disk Space: At least 50 GB free for installation, sample projects and solver output.
Graphics / GPU: A capable GPU (preferably NVIDIA Tesla series) is beneficial for high-resolution post-processing (Actran VI) and visualisation. On Linux, OpenGL and required X-window packages must be installed.
Licensing: Compatible with MSC ONE token-based licensing; ensure correct modules (e.g., Radiosity, DGM, TM) are selected.
Mesh / Pre-processor Compatibility: Supports common mesh and solver formats (Nastran BDF, ANSYS CDB/RST, UNV, etc) and integrates with structural/FEA and CFD results for coupled workflows.

Note: For optimal high-performance parallel runs (MPI, cluster use), verify supported interconnects (e.g., InfiniBand) and MPI libraries on Linux as indicated in the installation documentation.

Typical Use-Cases & Industry Applications

Automotive: Simulate vehicle-interior noise, exterior pass-by acoustic radiation, intake/exhaust system acoustic performance, trim/vibration coupling.
Aerospace: Engine nacelle/duct acoustics, fuselage interior cabin noise, aero-acoustic propagation in large domains, eVTOL/hybrid-aircraft noise modelling.
Industrial / Building: Large-volume acoustic propagation in halls, factory spaces, HVAC ducts, silencers, mufflers.
Consumer Electronics & Loudspeakers: Acoustic radiation modelling of enclosures, transducers, design optimisation via simulation instead of physical prototyping.

Why Choose MSC Actran 2025.2?

Dedicated acoustic solver suite: Unlike general-purpose FEA or CFD tools, Actran is purpose-built for acoustic and vibro-acoustic simulation, with deep libraries of acoustic elements, infinite/radiation boundary conditions, coupled vibro-acoustics, and aero-acoustics.
Modular & Scalable: Choose only the modules you need — e.g., Acoustic, Vibro-Acoustic, Aero-Acoustic, Turbomachinery (TM), Radiosity — enabling cost-effective deployment aligned with project scope.
Faster insight, fewer prototypes: By simulating acoustic behaviour earlier in design, companies save on physical prototypes, test setups and redesign cycles — making simulation a strategic asset.
Future-proof for emerging challenges: With enhanced e-powertrain noise workflows and the new Radiosity solution for large-space acoustic propagation, this release is well positioned for the future of NVH, EV/HEV, aero-acoustics and large-volume systems.
Strong ecosystem & user community: Backed by MSC Software / Hexagon’s support network, documentation, example libraries and the Nexus user community for sharing best practices.

Final Thoughts

MSC Actran 2025.2 represents a major leap forward for acoustic and vibro-acoustic simulation. With the introduction of the Radiosity acoustic solution, enhanced workflows for electrified noise scenarios, and strong performance and usability upgrades, it’s tailored for modern engineering challenges in automotive, aerospace, industrial and consumer applications.

If acoustic performance, noise-control, structural-acoustic coupling or large-space sound propagation matter to your work, this release gives you the tools to simulate with greater speed, accuracy and confidence.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 – Exceptional Acoustic Simulation Performance with Actran 2025.2

As a senior CAE developer specializing in acoustic and vibro-acoustic simulation, I’ve worked with several platforms over the years, and MSC Actran 2025.2 is by far the most advanced and stable release yet. The new Radiosity solver is a real game-changer for high-frequency acoustic propagation and large-space noise prediction — it dramatically reduces computation time while maintaining accuracy that rivals full FE acoustic models.

The integration between Actran VI, Nastran, and CFD data is smoother than ever, making it easier to couple structural vibration with acoustic radiation in one consistent workflow. I’ve also noticed measurable improvements in solver stability, parallel performance, and memory efficiency when running large NVH models on multi-core clusters.

From a development perspective, I appreciate how Actran 2025.2 continues to refine its scripting and automation features — model setup, post-processing, and batch runs can now be streamlined efficiently, which is a big plus for production simulation pipelines. The enhanced e-powertrain noise workflow is also perfectly timed, supporting new projects in EV and hybrid acoustic design.

Overall, Actran 2025.2 is a top-tier choice for anyone serious about acoustic modeling, aero-acoustic analysis, and vibro-acoustic engineering. It’s clear that MSC Software and Hexagon are investing heavily in innovation, solver performance, and user experience. Highly recommended for professionals who demand precision, scalability, and verified acoustic results.

✔ Reliable | ✔ Fast | ✔ Accurate | ✔ Industry-proven
— A. Martens, Acoustic Simulation Engineer