Topology Optimization for Designers Help

Topology optimization applied to multiple bodies in a single optimization

Manage Bodies
Use Manage Bodies to accomplish the following:

● Add Bodies and define them as a Design Spaces

● Add Bodies and use them to transfer loads and constraints into Design Spaces. A Body used in
this way is referred to as Scenery Body.
● Apply Design Constraints to Design Spaces
● Add features to Design Spaces using Manage Optimization Features
● Manage Connections between Design Spaces

The entire workflow can be reset by opening the Reset Workflow group and clicking Reset Topology
Optimization Workflow. This will do the following:

● Remove all bodies from Manage Bodies

● Remove all Design Constraints
● Remove all features manually added to Manage Optimization Features
● Remove all Load Cases created in Manage Load Cases
● Remove any Connections specified between Design Spaces
● Remove any global loads specified in Manage Global Loads
● Reset all input parameters in all dialogs to their default values

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies
The first step when setting up any new optimization is to specify which Bodies to include in the optimization.
Bodies in the optimization context are those that should be simulated and can be either Design Spaces or
Scenery Bodies that connect Design Spaces together. A Feature is associated with only a single Body and is
used to apply loads and boundary conditions to the Body. Features are considered rigid and may be added to a
body using Manage Optimization Features.

Scenery Body used to connect Design

Spaces together

Body used as a Design Space

Feature associated with a single Design

Space

Adding Bodies
To add a Body to the optimization select a Body and click Add to List.

Selected Body

To remove a Body from the list select a Body and click Remove From List. Any Body not included in the list will
be ignored by the optimization engine.

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies
Defining Design Spaces
When a body is added to the list it can be specified as a Design Space. To specify a body as as Design Space
select the body in the list and in Body Setup check Design Space. This indicates that the body will be optimized.
Bodies not marked as Design Space will not change during the optimization.

After Design Space is checked the

selected body’s Design Space field will be
marked Yes.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints
Design Constraints can be used to change the design of the topological results. When designing parts for a
specific manufacturing method or parts that need to be symmetrical Design Constraints can be very useful.
Design Constraints are applied to Design Spaces individually and can only be applied to Bodies specified as
Design Spaces. The currently available Design Constraints are:
● Planar Symmetry
● Rotational Symmetry
● Extrude Along a Vector
● Draft
● Void Fill
● Material Spreading
● Overhang Prevention
● Self-Supporting

Add a Design Constraint

To add any Design Constraint to a Design Space first select the desired Design Space in the Body list and then
click Manage Design Constraints.

Selected
Design Space

In the Manage Design Constraints dialog select the desired Type from the dropdown and click Add Constraint.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints
Remove a Design Constraint
To remove a Design Constraint from the optimization select the constraint to be removed and click the X button
to the right of the constraint list.

Design Constraint Order

The list of constraints can be reordered by selecting a constraint and using the arrow buttons to the right of the
list. Constraints will be applied in the order they are arranges in this list. In the example below, the object will
have Planar Symmetry applied, then Extrude Along a Vector. In some cases, the order of design constraints will
change the resulting topology.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Planar Symmetry
Planar Symmetry
When Planar Symmetry is applied, the Optimization Engine will produce a symmetrical result about the defined
plane. Up to two orthogonal Planar Symmetry constraints are allowed per Design Space.

Add a Planar Symmetry Constraint

Select the Planar Symmetry added to the Design Constraint list and click Plane Dialog.

Use the Plane Dialog to define a plane.

If you have only modeled a portion of the Design Space, ie up to the symmetry plane, and would like the
optimization engine to automatically mirror the design space about the specified symmetry plane then enable
Needs Global Symmetry. If Needs Global Symmetry is enabled the Symmetry Plane must be on the a planar
boundary of the design space with all enclosed volume and other defined features on one side or the other.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Planar Symmetry
Planar Symmetry Example

Symmetry
Plane

10N

Optimization setup that uses a Planar Symmetry constraint with Needs

Global Symmetry enabled.

Planar Symmetry constraint results.

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Planar Symmetry
Two Planar Symmetry Constraint Result Example

Symmetry
Plane
Symmetry
Plane

Up to two Planar Symmetry constraints can be used on a single design space.

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Rotational Symmetry
Rotational Symmetry
When Rotational Symmetry is used the optimization engine will produce a rotationally symmetric result about a
point and vector.

Add a Rotational Symmetry Constraint

Select the Rotational Symmetry added to the Design Constraint list and click Vector Dialog. Use the Vector
Dialog to define a vector..

If only a portion of larger object has been modeled, Figure 1, Needs Global Pattern must be enabled to tell the
optimization engine to create the additional geometry. The desired number of Instances must also be entered.
If an entire object has been modeled, Figure 2, but the topology result must be rotationally symmetrical Needs
Global Pattern should be disabled. The desired number of Instances must still be entered.

Figure 1. Needs Global Pattern Enabled Figure 2. Needs Global Pattern Disabled
Instances set to 4 Instances set to 4
Where do I find it?
Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Rotational Symmetry
Rotational Symmetry Example

Rotational
1N/mm2 Symmetry Vector

Optimization setup that uses a Rotational Symmetry constraint. Number of Instances

was set to 4. Needs Global Pattern enabled.

Rotational Symmetry constraint topology results.

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Extrude Along a Vector
Extrude Along a Vector
When Extrude Along a Vector is used, the optimization engine will produce a topology result that has been
extruded (or swept) to the design space extent in the specified direction. This is useful for parts that are
primarily 2.5 dimensional.

Add a Extrude Along a Vector Constraint

Select Extrude Along a Vector from the constraint list and click Vector Dialog. Use the Vector Dialog to define a
vector.

With Bi-Directional enabled the topology result will be extruded in both the positive and negative directions
relative to the defined vector. If Bi-Directional is disabled the topology result will be extruded only in the
direction of the defined vector.

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Extrude Along a Vector
Extrude Along a Vector Example

Extrude Along
a Vector

Symmetry
Plane

1000N
Keep Out

Optimization setup that uses a Extrude Along a Vector and Planar Symmetry.

Optimization result with Extrude Along

a Vector disabled.

Constant Cross Section

Optimization result with Extrude Along

a Vector enabled with Bi-Directional
enabled.
Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Draft
Draft
When a Draft constraint is used the optimization engine will produce a topology suitable for molding, casting, or
forging. All surfaces will be accessible from a straight pull-apart tool at or above the specified draft angle
without any undercuts.

Draw Direction indicates the axis that the molding tool opens on.

Draft Angle indicates the minimum allowable draft for the resulting topology.

The parting line can be determined according to three different strategies for a Parting Surface Type:
Auto: The optimal parting line will be calculated to minimize total weight
Plane: The parting line will be constrained to lie on the specified parting plane.
Surface: The parting line will be constrained to lie on the specified parting surface

Draft Examples

Parting Line Specified Plane

Parting Surface Type set to Auto

Parting Surface Type set to Plane

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Draft
Draft Examples

Specified Surface
Surface Type = Surface

Parting Surface Type set to Surface

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Void Fill
Void Fill
With a Void Fill constraint no internal empty voids (holes) or other surfaces not directly accessible from outside
the part will be created. This is important for parts built using a powder bed additive manufacturing method or
that need surface post-processing. This constraint may also be useful for 3-axis machined parts. Void fill can be
thought of as Overhang Prevention applied in all directions simultaneously.

Add a Void Fill Constraint

Select Void FIll from the constraint list.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Material Spreading
Material Spreading
When Material Spreading is used the optimization engine will produce a topology result with material ‘spread’
apart. As the input value is increased the amount material is pushed apart will increase.

Add a Material Spreading Constraint

Select Material Spreading from the constraint list. Use the Percentage slider to select the desired value.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Material Spreading
Material Spreading Example

Material Spreading set to 0%

Material Spreading set to 30%

Material Spreading set to 100%

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Overhang Prevention
Overhang Prevention
When Overhang Prevention is used, the optimization engine will produce a topology result without overhangs in
the direction specified. This can be useful for additive manufacturing.

Add an Overhang Prevention Constraint

Select Overhang Prevention from the constraint list and click Vector Dialog. Use the Vector Dialog to define a
vector. Overhangs will prevented perpendicular to this vector. This can useful for defining the build direction for
additively manufactured parts.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Overhang Prevention
Overhang Prevention Example

Overhang
Prevention Vector

Symmetry
Plane

1000N
Keep Out

Optimization setup that uses Overhang Prevention and Planar Symmetry.

Overhang

Optimization result with Overhang

Prevention disabled.

Overhang Prevented

Optimization result with Overhang

Prevention enabled.
Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Design Constraints | Self-Supporting
Self-Supporting
A part designed for additive manufacturing that is Self Supporting is one that does not have overhangs greater
than those that are supported by the machine used to create the part. When Self-Supporting is used the
optimization engine will produce a topology result that attempts to minimize surfaces that exceed the Minimum
Overhang Angle relative to the build direction.

Part
Build
Direction
Not Self Supporting
Base Plane

Self Supporting
Build Part
Direction
45° Minimum Overhang Angle

Base Plane

Add a Self Supporting Constraint

Select Self Supporting from the constraint list. Use the Vector Dialog to specify the build direction for the part.
Finally enter a value for Minimum Overhang Angle.

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features
After selecting which bodies to include in the optimization and specifying which are Design Spaces the features
associated with each Design Space can be defined. Primitive objects (blocks, cylinders, spheres), functional
features (counterbores, simple holes), and Copy Faces can be automatically added to the Feature List by
clicking Add All Auto Recognized Features. Use the Copy Face feature to add a surface or set of surfaces to the
Feature List. Solid bodies modeled using any NX modelling operations, or imported geometry, can also be used
as optimization features, but they have to be added manually.

TIP: The optimization engine will produce results significantly faster if primitive objects (blocks, cylinders,
spheres) and functional features (counterbores, simple holes) are and left un-subtracted from the Design
Space. The boolean operations (like subtract) are faster within the Frustum Geometry Core. Keep this in mind
when designing the setup of your optimization.

Features outside the Design Space volume will have no geometric effect:

Design Space Design Space

Orange body will be ignored Orange body intersections with

Design Space will be included

The Design Space heavily influences the topology result. To change the topology result change the Design
Space. After you have an initial topology result you can see how adding or removing features from the Design
Space can push material in a different direction.

Design Space Design Space

Topology Result Topology Result

Orange bodies set as Keep Out

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features
Add Features to a Design Space
To add or modify a feature select its respective Design Space body from the list and click Manage Optimization
Features.

To automatically add features to the Feature List click Add All Auto Recognized Features. All primitives (blocks,
cylinders, spheres), functional features(counterbores, simple holes), and Copy Faces found in the model history
tree will be added to the Feature List.

Copy Face objects should be used to add a surface or a set of surfaces.

Solid bodies will need to be added manually. This can be done by clicking the Add button to the right of the
feature list and selecting a body to add.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features
Feature Order
Optimization Features can be re-ordered Up or Down. The order of the Optimization Features list can be
important if features overlap. Re-ordering the Optimization Features enables control over which feature will cut
through others. If the Optimization Features don’t intersect, the user can organize as desired.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features | Keep In / Keep Out
Keep In / Keep Out
In the Geometry group of Manage Optimization Features is a pulldown menu for Keep In / Keep Out. By
selecting features in the list and changing the value of this drop down material can be kept out of the volume of
a feature or guaranteed to exist within the volume of a feature. Note that the Shell option are more suitable than
Keep Out if the Keep Out region represents a mating object.

Simple Hole

No Keep In or Keep Out regions defined. Simple holes

are always defined as Keep Out.

L-Shaped feature set to Keep Out.

L-Shaped feature set to Keep-In.

L-Shaped feature set to Keep-Out with an

Offset-Thickness.
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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features | Keep In / Keep Out
Shell
Shell will create material around the feature with the amount of material defined by Offset Thickness.

Shell

L-Shaped feature set to Shell with an Offset-Thickness.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features | Blending
Blending Distance & Auto Blending
Blending Distance controls the blending between features and the optimized geometry to ensure a smooth
topology result. Auto Blending (default) should be used in most cases, but it could be used to reduce the risk of
a high stress location.

Auto Blending disabled for center hole feature. Blending Distance

for center hole feature set to 0.

Auto Blending enabled for center hole feature.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features | Constraint to Ground
No Constraint
When a feature is set to No Constraint rotation and translation in all three axis are allowed.

Pin
When a feature is set to Pin rotation about the specified vector is allowed. All translational degrees of freedom
are fixed. With Allow Axial Slide enabled the feature is allowed to translate +/- along the specified vector.

Fixed
When a feature is set to Fixed all rotational and translational degrees of freedom are fixed.

Linear Slider
When a feature is set to Linear Slider translation is allowed +/- along the specified vector. All rotational degrees
of freedom are fixed.

Planar Slider
When a feature is set to Planar Slider translation and in-plane-rotation are allowed in the two dimensional plane
specified.

No Constraint
Force

Pin Constraint

Linear Slider
Constraint

Example optimization setup using several Constraint to Ground types

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Optimization Features | Maximum Displacement
Maximum Displacement (Check)
Enable Maximum Displacement to track whether or not a feature in a Design Space or Scenery Body exceeds a
displacement limit. This option currently does not affect the optimization itself.

Enable Maximum Displacement

To enable Maximum Displacement open the Maximum Displacement group in Manage Optimization Features.
Select the desired feature and check Enable. Next enter a Displacement Limit threshold value. If the limit should
only be applied in a single direction check Enable Direction and specify a vector.

For each feature Maximum Displacement is enabled for a flag will appear in the Results tab of Setup
Optimization.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Loadcases
After specifying parameters for features and Design Spaces the loads on each feature can be entered using
Manage Loadcases.

Working with Load Cases

To add or modify a load case select Design Space Body from the Body list and click Manage Loadcases.

By default Global Load Cases is populated with a single load case, Load Case 1. To add a load case click the
Add button to the right of the load case list. To delete a load case click the Delete button below the Add button.

Any features added to a Design Space in Manage Optimization Features will appear in the features list of
Manage Load Cases. Any Constraints added to a feature will appear next to the feature name in parenthesis.
For example SIMPLE HOLE(4:1A) was set to Fixed in Manage Optimization Features and appears as SIMPLE
HOLE(4:1A) - (Fixed) in Manage Load Cases.

View All Load Cases will bring up a table of all load cases.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Loadcases
Applying a Load to a Feature
To apply a load to a feature first select the desired load case, next select the feature from the Features list,
finally select the Type of load from the dropdown in the Loads group.

Loads can only be applied to features. Loads cannot be applied to Connections.

Input varies according

to selected Load Type

After selecting a load Type enter a value for the load and satisfy any of the required parameters. See the Load
Type section of this document for further explanation of what each load’s parameters do.

Applying a load to a feature set as Keep Out may not create proper boundary conditions (because there is
nothing there) and cause the simulation to fail.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Loadcases | Load Type
Force
Force is distributed to the bearing surface parallel to the specified vector. In the diagram below a force in the +Y
direction is applied as shown.

Pressure
Pressure is evenly distributed normal to the applied surface.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Manage Loadcases | Load Type
Torque
Torque is applied according to the right-hand rule and the specified vector. The center of rotation is
auto-calculated such that a pure moment is imparted with no resultant force.

Specified Vector

Direction of
Rotation

Bearing Load
A bearing load is a distributed force that is applied over a cylindrical face or a circular edge. A bearing load
approximates the force distribution that arises when a radial force is transmitted between mating cylindrical
surfaces or circular edges. For example, a bearing load can be used to approximate the force distribution that
arises when a shaft exerts a radial force on a plain bearing.

Figure 1 depicts a bearing load that is specified to act in the +Y direction over an angle of 180 degrees. The
intensity of the force distribution is peak at the centre of the Angular Range and is zero at the ends of the
Angular Range. For this case, the centre of the Angular Range corresponds to the +Y axis and the ends of the
Angular Range are +/- 90 degrees from the +Y axis. The resultant of the force distribution acts in the +Y
direction and is equal in magnitude to the force specified.

Figure 2 depicts a bearing load applied using an Angular Range less than +/- 90 degrees from the +Y axis.
X X

Y Y

Figure 1. Figure 2.

Enforced Displacement
Enforced Displacement can be used to prescribe a known displacement to a feature.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Connections
Connections are used to specify where and how Bodies are connected.

Scenery Body
Design Space

Scenery Design
Body Space

Scenery Body

In the above images the Scenery Bodies intersect the volume of the Design Space and are set to subtract from
the Design Space. An optimization setup in this way will result in the following topology:

Offset around
Scenery Body Scenery Body
subtracted from
Design Space

Where do I find it?

Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Connections
Create a New Connection
All of the Design Spaces and Scenery Bodies have been previously added to Manage Bodies. A Connection is
created by selecting a Design Space and a Scenery Body from the list of Bodies and then clicking Add (Select
Two Bodies) in the Connections group.

A new Connection will appear in the connections list. This Connection can now be modified by selecting it and
clicking Manage Connection.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Connections
Manage Assembly Connections
The Manage Connection dialog contains options for the Type of Connection and the Behavior or relationship
between overlapping Bodies.

Type of Connection
Currently Glue is the only supported connection type.
All adjacent surfaces of the two bodies will be glued
by default. A Connection Region may be used to limit
the effect of the glue connection to a smaller region.

Manage Overlaps
When a Design Space and Scenery Body overlap a
subtraction can be specified:
None - no subtraction
Subtract A from B - A subtracted from B
Subtract B from A - B subtracted from A

See A & B section below for further details.

A&B
Subtraction operations in overlapping Design Spaces and Scenery Bodies are carried out as boolean operations
between body A and body B. Which body is considered ‘A’ and which is considered ‘B’ is defined as follows:

A B

The body on the LEFT of the colon ( : ) is considered A

The body on the RIGHT of the colon ( : ) is considered B

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Connections
Connections Properties
New Connections will now appear in Manage Optimization Features for any Design Spaces that are connected
to Scenery Bodies:
ds-top

strut-1

strut-3

The top design space (ds-top) has connections with two struts (strut-1 & strut-3). These connections can be
seen in Manage Optimization Features for ds-top as strut-3:ds-top and strut-1:ds-top.

Connections can have offsets applied to them similar to features:

Offset around
Scenery Body

The available Feature Properties for a connection are Blending and

Offset Thickness. All other properties are disabled.

Connections can also have Maximum Displacement enabled.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Bodies | Connections
Connection Regions
Connection Regions are used when Design Spaces and Scenery Bodies do not overlap but have adjacent
faces. Connections Regions can have volume or they can be surfaces (use Copy Faces).

Scenery Design The orange regions are Bodies specified as

Body Space Connection Regions.

Add a Connection Region

To add a Connection Region, open Manage Assembly Connections and click the Add button. Bodies and Copy
Faces can be selected and should exist on the boundary between adjacent Design Spaces.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Manage Bodies

Manage Bodies | Assign Material
Different materials can be assigned to Design Spaces and Scenery Bodies. Currently only Isotropic materials
can be used. Each Design Space and Scenery Body can have different materials applied.
Isotropic
- Material properties are the same in all directions.

Assign a Material
To assign a material open the Assign Material dialog, select a Body, and select the desired material from the
list. Multiple bodies can be selected at the same time. Custom and orthotropic materials can also be assigned.

Selected Body

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Assign Material

Manage Bodies | Manage Global Loads
Global Loads are loads applied to the entire optimization. The available Global Loads is Acceleration.

Acceleration
To apply an Acceleration open the Manage Global Loads dialog and check Enable under the Acceleration group.
Specify a Magnitude and Vector. Gravity for example is specified as 9.81 m/s2 with a vector pointing in the -Z
direction.

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Application Topology Opt

Manage Global
Command Finder
Loads
Manage Bodies | Setup Optimization
Setup Optimization is the final step in setting up and finally running an optimization. Before running the
Optimization Type for the optimization needs to be set, the Global Resolution selected, and Optimization
Constraints per Design Space entered.

Estimate Optimization Parameters must be clicked once prior to running the optimization. It will provide an
estimate for the values shown in the Optimization Parameters group. It should be clicked after the Global
Resolution is set as the estimation relies on the value of Global Resolution. Estimate Optimization Parameters
can be clicked again if you would like to update Optimization Parameters but is not required.

Optimization Constraints can be applied to each Design Space individually by selecting the a Design Space
from the list and entering the desired constraint value.

Top Design Space

Mass Target = 0.15kg

Btm Lft Design Space Btm Rgt Design Space

Mass Target = 0.10kg Mass Target = 0.12kg

After all desired values in Setup Optimization have been entered the optimization can be run by clicking Run
Optimization. The view will then switch to the Results tab of Setup Optimization where the progress of the
optimization can be viewed.

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Application Topology Opt

Setup
Command Finder
Optimization
Manage Bodies | Setup Optimization | Optimization Type
Optimization Types
Minimize strain energy subject to volume fraction
This optimization type attempts to create the stiffest part for a given weight. This is accomplished by
minimizing strain energy subject to the appropriate volume constraint.

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Application Topology Opt

Setup
Command Finder
Optimization
Manage Bodies | Setup Optimization | Global Resolution
Global Resolution
The Resolution slider can be used to increase or decrease the size of the details present in the topology result.
Increasing the Resolution (decreasing the minimum feature size) will generate finer details while increasing the
optimization time. Resolution is applied globally to all Design Spaces.

TIP: Starting with a coarse resolution is a good way to check your optimization is set up correctly. After
verifying the results look promising the resolution can be increased.

Coarse
~15mm minimum feature size

Medium
~10mm minimum feature size

Fine
~6mm minimum feature size

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Application Topology Opt

Setup
Command Finder
Optimization
Manage Bodies | Setup Optimization | Results
Diagram of Convergence
The Diagram of Convergence represents the optimization progress. Each vertical bar represents an iteration in
the design process. The height of a bar represents convergence towards the optimal design based on the
change in shape from the previous iterations. Two stages progressively increase the sharpness of the topology
result, creating finer details and more accurate FEA over time.

Stage 1 Stage 2
Log
The Log will display the following:
● Licensing Validation
● Errors found in the optimization setup
● If Maximum Displacement is enabled it will be displayed here as Feature Criteria
● Optimization Status

The Diagram of Convergence and Log will not persist their data after the optimization has finished and Setup
Optimization has been closed.

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Application Topology Opt

Setup
Command Finder
Optimization
Manage Bodies | Results
The Results group commands can be used to display the topology result (Topology), maximum displacement
(Max Disp) and maximum stress (Max Stress). The maximum value across all Load Cases and all Bodies for
displacement or stress is displayed for each FEA result. The results displayed are for a linear finite element
analysis. Legend will display a dialog containing a legend for the currently displayed FEA result.

NOTE: The maximum value across all load cases for displacement or stress is displayed for each FEA result.
These FEA Results should be treated as indicative and not absolute. For more a detailed study of the optimized
shape, please convert the body to a Convergent Body and use Simcenter and NX Nastran.

Clicking between different FEA results will automatically update the FEA legend to
correspond with the displayed FEA result.

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Application Topology Opt

Command Finder Results Group