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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.
Goals
Goals comprise objectives and constraints.
Objectives
Objectives are metrics to be minimized or maximized in an optimization exploration. Common examples are minimizing displacement to find the stiffest design for a system or minimizing mass to find a lightweight design.

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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
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Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
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Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
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Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
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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.
  - Objectives
    Objectives are metrics to be minimized or maximized in an optimization exploration. Common examples are minimizing displacement to find the stiffest design for a system or minimizing mass to find a lightweight design.
  - Constraints
    Constraints can be added to an optimization and need to be satisfied for a feasible exploration.
- 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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Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Objectives

Objectives are metrics to be minimized or maximized in an optimization exploration. Common examples are minimizing displacement to find the stiffest design for a system or minimizing mass to find a lightweight design.

Create Objectives

Create optimization objectives from existing responses.

Objectives can only be applied to an Optimization exploration.

Do one of the following:


Method	Steps	Notes
(A) Use the microdialog of an existing response	From the Design Explorer ribbon, select the Responses tool. Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools. Double-click the callout of an existing response. In the microdialog, click Response, and then select Objective. Choose a Goal: Minimize or Maximize.
(B) Use the Responses tab in the Design Explorer	From the Design Explorer ribbon, select the Design Variables tool. Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools. Select the Responses tab. Next to the desired response, select the Component. For Request Type, choose between Minimize or Maximize.
(C) Use the Goals tab in the Design Explorer	From the Design Explorer ribbon, select the Design Variables tool. Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools. Select the Goals tab. Click + Create a goal, and then select Objective. Next to the objective, choose a Response and Expression.	To rename the objective, double-click the corresponding Name field. To apply/unapply an objective to the Active Exploration, turn on/off the corresponding Active check box.