Quickstart

Initialize

./ini.png

Design space can be initialized via two modes.
SHAPE defines existing geometry (can be imported as well) as design space.
HULL forms a convexhull excluding existing objects.
Design space is then saved as a .stl file under the specified workspace_path

Define

./def.png

Specify the number of forces acting on the object.
Assign materials to face(s) corresponding to each force, fixed and non-design space.
Assign vertex groups to edges that depict the direction of each corresponding force.
Input the magnitude and click the Expand button to visualize and change direction of each applied force.
Specify the maximum element size for tetrahedral finite element mesh generation and click Define

Generate

./gen.png

Select a material for the object.
Specify optimization parameters:
- Emin
- Density change
- Volumina ratio
- Penalty exponent
Specify filter parameters:
- Number of neighbours
- Neighbourhood radius
Read more about these parameters here.
For a conceptual understanding of these parameters, read Material interpolation schemes in topology optimization.
Input the number of iterations and click Generate

Visualize

./viz.png

Specify radius and sensitivity of the metaballs.
Input the number of keyframes and instantiation points for animation.
Mention which iteration to visualize and click Visualize.
The generated metaball object can then be converted into a mesh via Object -> Covert to -> Mesh from Curve/Meta/Surf/Text
A Smooth Corrective modifier can then be applied on the mesh during export.