Set up the generative design space

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Set up the generative design space.

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After completing this video, you'll be able to

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select preserve geometry, select obstacle geometry,

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select a starting shape and modify generative design synthesis resolution

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in fusion 360.

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We want to begin with the supply data set internal

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combustion engine dash GENS design setup dot F 3D.

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We're gonna be using this throughout the generative design setup.

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So in subsequent videos, we are going to be using the same data set

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to get started. We want to talk about selecting preserve and obstacle geometry.

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This is going to create what's called the design space.

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The design space is the area in which generative design

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can build or areas that it has to avoid.

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These areas are known as preserve geometry and obstacle geometry.

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We're gonna also be taking a look at starting shapes.

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We're gonna talk about symmetry planes and the obstacle offset

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to get started. We want to use obstacle geometry.

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Any obstacle geometry that was created in edit

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model using the connector obstacle is already preselected.

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However, in this case, we're gonna be building a connecting rod for a piston.

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We wanna make sure the connecting rod doesn't build outside of the cylinder area.

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We don't want it to go above the top of the connecting rod and we

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wanna make sure that it doesn't go through the bottom portion of the crank.

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There's an obstacle on the inside as well.

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We need to make sure that we have six bodies selected.

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Once we have all six of these selected,

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we can toggle off the visibility of the obstacle geometry in the browser.

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We can also expand it and see the six bodies here and make

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edits to it at any point in time by selecting the pencil icon

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or by reelecting obstacle geometry in the toolbar.

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Once we have all our obstacles selected,

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we're going to be selecting our preserved geometry.

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Preserve geometries are the areas in which we want to keep in our design.

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These are also critical as there are the only

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places that we can apply things like loads and constraints

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for this design. We have the upper and lower portions of the connecting rod

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when we look at this and we view it from the right hand side.

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Let's note that the connecting rod width at the

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top is narrower than the width at the bottom.

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This is an important consideration because

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it will exclude some manufacturing methods.

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Downstream,

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we talk about things like two axis cutting or 2.5 axis milling.

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It needs to make sure that the preserved geometry is the same height.

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So as you begin setting up your design space.

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Make sure that you are also considering the

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manufacturing methods as well as the design intent.

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This specific design doesn't contain a starting shape,

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but we'll take a look at a design that does in just a moment.

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We also want to talk about the obstacle offset.

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The obstacle offset is an option that allows us to select obstacle geometry

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and increase its offset by a set amount.

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For example, if we use one millimeter on the cylinder,

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it's going to increase the diameter on the outside by one

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millimeter and decrease the diameter on the inside by one millimeter.

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This can be helpful if you have an obstacle for something like a tire.

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If you want to grow that obstacle size by a little bit,

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you can do that here by using the obstacle offset.

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Adding symmetry planes can be a helpful option any time

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you're working on a design that does contain symmetry.

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Once again, it's simple. We just simply use the symmetry planes option

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and select any planes that we want to use as symmetry planes.

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In this case, the connecting rod would be symmetric about two different planes,

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but we're not gonna be using symmetry planes.

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In this example,

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it is important to note that some functionality such as the previewer won't

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work for all of the options that we have in generative design currently.

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So in this case, we're gonna leave symmetry off.

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Let's go ahead and save this design and then navigate to the data panel,

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we're gonna be taking a look at the folder generative design samples

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which you can find at the bottom of your data panel.

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Inside of here, there are ready to generate examples that we can take a look at

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the ready to generate example,

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we want to take a look at is going to be generate Alcoa bracket.

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When we take a look at this example,

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we want to note that it's using this yellow starting shape geometry.

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When using starting shapes in a generative design study,

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oftentimes those are optional that help you drive

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the starting shape of the generative design.

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However, in some instances,

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a starting shape will be required in order to get a result

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in this instance, the reason that a starting shape is required

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because the preserved geometry on this side of the bracket

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doesn't have visibility or line of sight with

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the geometry on this side of the bracket.

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Because of that, as the software begins to build out the generate area,

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it's not able to connect all the preserved geometries

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together because of the large obstacle in the way

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in cases like this, we want to make sure that we do include a starting shape.

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The starting shape does need to overlap with our preserved geometry as seen here.

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It does not need to overlap the obstacle geometry. However,

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you'll note that the obstacle geometry is perfectly matched to the starting shape,

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but the preserved geometry is overlapped.

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This is a critical step in any design that has obstacle geometry

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in the way of line of sight between all the preserves.

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We're not gonna be using the Alcoa bracket so

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we can go ahead and close it without saving.

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And before we move on, we want to make sure that we address the study resolution.

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So inside of our study settings, we have a synthesis resolution option.

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This allows us to adjust the mesh element size

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that's gonna be used for the generative solve.

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Uh by default, that sits a little bit to the left of the middle of our slider.

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And this means that the mesh element sizes are going to be more coarse or larger.

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This allows us to get a quicker solve.

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But oftentimes if you're dealing with very small parts or you need a lot of detail,

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you might want to increase the synthesis resolution to the right.

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Noting that as you increase this, it will increase the mesh element count,

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reducing their size and increasing the calculation time.

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So make sure that you do play around with this when you have the chance.

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But note that the default setting is optimized for performance

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at this point,

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we are gonna make sure also that we have alternative outcomes turned on.

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We're gonna say OK, and make sure that our design is saved before moving on.