# Getting Started

Editor: tidy3d.simulation.cloud

The Tidy3D Web GUI builds, runs and analyzes simulations in your browser. Each simulation lives in a project, and each project has one project type: FDTD, Mode, EME or Heat.

# Create Your First Project

Project types at the top of My Projects, with New Project under FDTD

Project types at the top of My Projects

  1. In the left menu, open My Projects.
  2. Point at a project type at the top, for example FDTD, and click + New Project below it.
  3. In Create New Project, check the project type tab: FDTD, MODE, EME or HEAT.
  4. Click the blank project, for example Blank FDTD Project, or start from one of the examples below it. FDTD, MODE, EME and HEAT projects can also start with Import from GDS File.
  5. The editor opens the new project, named Untitled. A new FDTD project first asks for the Wavelength Range of Interest: click OK to keep 1.5–1.6 µm, or change it.

Create New Project dialog with the project type tabs

Create New Project dialog

# Build and Run It

  1. In the Model tab, add Structures and Mediums.
  2. In the Setup tab, add sources and monitors, and check the Configuration. The Setup sections differ by project type.
  3. Click Check Simulation at the top right. The editor validates the project and estimates its cost.
  4. When the check passes, the button becomes Run Simulation, next to Validation Passed and the Estimated Cost. Click Run Simulation to start.
  5. When the run ends, open the Results tab.

Run Simulation button after a passed check, with the estimated cost

After a passed check

Cloud only

On the cloud, a run spends FlexCredits (FC). The estimated cost appears after the check, before you start the run. With a vGPU license, the button says Run Simulation With FlexCredits or Run Simulation With vGPU (see Run with vGPU).

# Next Steps