When preparing for a pure topology, topometry, or topography optimization analysis run, select Toptomize as the Action on the Analysis application form. This allows setup and submission of SOL 200 jobs.

Use the Optimize action for sizing optimization and combined sizing and topology optimization as explained in Optimize, 453.

This form is used to define the optimization type and select the objective and constraints of the optimization run. All widgets on this form are explained in the table below.

Use this form to set various controls used during the optimization run. They are briefly described here but the user is referred to the MSC Nastran Quick Reference Guide for further information. Leaving a field blank will trigger usage of the default in most cases. Some parameters must be provided or the analysis cannot proceed. Setting the Maximum Design Cycles is the most common usage of this form to limit the analysis to something reasonable. Each optimization type has different settings:

The property sets that define the intended design domain are set on this form as well as manufacturing constraints. The form works by clicking on a valid property set (row) in the top spread sheet. This action adds the selected row to the bottom spread sheet, which are the active domains during the optimization run. To remove domains, click on the rows of interest in the bottom spread sheet and press the Remove Selected Rows button.

From this form you can also define manufacturing constraints to impose on the topology optimization. Each property set is written to a TOPVAR, TOMVAR, or BEADVAR entry in the input file depending on the optimization Type set in the Objectives & Constraints form. The values of various parameters on these entries can be different for each property set. It is recommended that you review the settings for each property set defined in the design domain before submitting the job. When a property set is added to the selected design domain properties spreadsheet, some of the values are set in the various columns from the settings on the Optimization Control form. To change these settings for an individual property set, simply click on the cell to be changed. A widget will appear above the spreadsheet allowing you to change the value. Use the Enter key to accept the new value into the spreadsheet. The same can be done when opening the Manufacturing Constraints form. The values set in the Manufacturing Constraint forms will correspond only to the property sets that are selected from the Design Domain spreadsheet. If you do not select any rows in the Design Domain spreadsheet, then any change made on the Manufacturing Constraints form will be applied to all property sets in this spreadsheet. For this reason, care should be taken to verify all changes are what is intended.

The tables below indicate the parameters that can be set for each property set of the design domain. Any parameter set on this form overrides any global setting of that parameter that may be defined under the Objective & Constraints form or the Optimization Control form. For more information on each parameter, the user is directed to the MSC Nastran Quick Reference Guide.

Postprocessing topology optimization results requires that you read element density values (the new mesh from optimization) using the Nastran results .xdb file (e.g. jobname.xdb) or .des file (e.g. jobname.des) through the Tools | Design Study | Postprocessing menu and use that application to view the results rather than through the Patran Results application. See Tools>Design Studies>Post-Process (p. 554) in the Patran Reference Manual.