Design Spaces for Optimization

A design space is the initial geometry that forms the boundary of the optimized shape. It is typically a simplified representation of the existing part, with holes and pockets removed. Increasing the material available in the design space will yield a more optimized result.

You can create a design space by using the modeling tools in Inspire or by importing parts from other solid modelers, and then designating the relevant parts as a design space using the right-click context menu or the Property Editor

Any part that is designated as a design space will be reshaped during optimization, while any part that is not a design space will remain as it is. You can have any number of design spaces in your model. Parts designated as design spaces are displayed with a reddish-brown color, as shown below:
Figure 1. Design Space


The design space is displayed as reddish brown. Non-design spaces are shown as gray.

A design space can be defined by any solid or surface. A part that is used as a design space should not be very detailed. To ensure the most freedom to generate a shape, you should use the simplest design space possible. The more fine details you have in the design space, the longer it will take to run the optimization.

Designate Design Space

Designate a part as a design space using the right-click context menu.

  1. Right-click on a part. (You can select multiple parts by left-clicking while holding down the Ctrl key, and then right-click one of the selected parts.)
  2. Select Design Space from the context menu.
    The selected parts are now designated as design spaces and are displayed as reddish brown in the modeling window.

Design Space Examples

Examples of design spaces for topology and topography optimization.

Design Spaces for Topology Optimization

In topology optimization, a design space is the initial part from which material is removed until a final shape is reached during optimization.

A shape generated by optimization is contained entirely within the volume of the original design space, since material is only removed and not added. You specify the amount of material to keep either as a percentage of the design space or by entering a target weight. In the figure below, the transparent outer volume is the initial part (the design space) and the internal bridge-like structure is the shape generated using optimization.

Figure 2. Bridge Design Space

Design Spaces for Topography Optimization

In topography optimization, a design space is the initial part from which the shapes can be formed until a final shape is reached during optimization. The design space must be a surface.
Figure 3. Oil Pan Design Space


Design and Non-Design Spaces

An important part of preparing your model for optimization is creating both design and non-design spaces.

In general, it is best not to apply loads and supports directly to design spaces, as this often leads to incorrect results. Instead, you should split the part into design and non-design spaces and apply loads and supports to the non-design spaces. When using the Push/Pull and Revolve tools, you can quickly extrude a new part to use as a non-design space by holding down the Ctrl key as you click and drag. The Partition and Boolean tools are also useful for creating non-design spaces.

Figure 4. Forces Applied to Non-Design Spaces