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In this week’s QUICK TIP, I want to show you some important things I’ve learned about shape optimization studies since they were added to Fusion 360. For those of you who haven’t had a chance to try one, a shape optimization will provide powerful –and sometimes aggressive- ways to lightweight parts from the simulation workspace. No longer do you need to guess and check with static studies; now you can run one shape optimization and use the results as guidance for removing non-critical material.

In the following video, I’ll run 4 of these studies on the same model, while highlighting the effects of different options, limitations, and give insight to how it works. This will include commentary on why you shouldn’t waste time with a parabolic mesh, how the loads are used, and in the end, I’ll show you some different ways you can use the results and verify the new shape.

Hope this information help the next time you want to lightweight a design!

~Aaron