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Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Explorations
An exploration is a DOE or optimization simulation. Each exploration must include design variables and responses. Optimizations must also include an objective and optionally constraints.

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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
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Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
- Variables
  Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
- Open the Design Explorer Browser
  The Design Explorer Browser displays a hierarchical view of your design setup and can be used to enable and disable exploration parameters.
- Explorations
  An exploration is a DOE or optimization simulation. Each exploration must include design variables and responses. Optimizations must also include an objective and optionally constraints.
- Design Variables
  Design variables are changes of the geometric variables that influence the performance of certain analyses. Geometric variables may be sketch dimensions, lengths, angles, or push/pulls. Geometric constraints are minimum and maximum values for the defined variables. These constraints are specified in the Design Variable tab and the variable's value will vary within the exploration.
- Responses
  An output response is a measurement of system performances, such as mass, volume, displacement, or stress.
- Goals
  Goals comprise objectives and constraints.
- Evaluate
  Use the Evaluate tools to run the exploration and review reports.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
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Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Explorations

An exploration is a DOE or optimization simulation. Each exploration must include design variables and responses. Optimizations must also include an objective and optionally constraints.

Create Explorations

Create DOE or optimization explorations.

From the Design Explorer ribbon, select the Explorations tool.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.

Now that you have entered the Explorations step of the Design Explorer workflow, you can create, review, and modify explorations.

On the Explorations tab, click + Add Exploration, and then select an exploration type.


Option	Description
DOE	A DOE is a series of tests in which purposeful changes are made to the variables to investigate their effect upon the output responses and to get an understanding of the global behavior of a design problem. By running a DOE, you can determine which factors are most influential on an output response.
Optimization	An optimization is a mathematical procedure used to determine the best values for given design variables with a specific objective in mind. An objective is something measured in the model through a response. A typical objective may be something like minimizing displacement, stress, or mass.

By default, the exploration is named DOE_[Number] or Optimization_[Number], and it is saved in C:/Users/[username]/Documents/Altair/[version]/Inspire.


To	Do this	Note
Rename the exploration	Right-click the exploration name, and then select Rename Exploration.	A single exploration name and study path will be used for each Inspire session. All explorations will be stored under the same study path. When the first exploration is evaluated, a <explorationname>.stmod file will be saved to the study path.
Change the file path	Next to Design Explorer Options, click . Browse to the Study Path.
Activate a different exploration	Right-click the exploration name, and then select Make Active.