Create Size Inputs

Use the Size tool to create size design variables based on the attributes of selected entities.

Attributes can be selected from properties, materials, or constraints.
  1. Do one of the following:
    • From the Design Explorer ribbon, Inputs tools, click the Size tool.


      Figure 1.
    • Click the Size tool satellite icon . In the Inputs dialog, Details tab, click .
  2. Use the drop-down menu on the left side of the guide bar to choose an entity type.
    Note: When choosing an entity type of Constraints, the guide bar selector displays Loads.
  3. Select entities of that type from the graphics area or by using the Advanced Selection dialog.
    A size input's values can be defined in the following ways:
    • As a continuous range of values, where the lower and upper bounds are specified as a percentage plus or minus its nominal value.
    • As a continuous range of values, where the lower and upper bounds are specified.
    • As a list of discrete values.
  4. In the microdialog,
    1. Select which entity attribute will become a design variable from the drop-down menu.
      The numbers to the right of each attribute signify how many of the selected entities contain that attribute.
    2. Enter a lower and upper bound percentage.
      These are the percentage over and under the nominal value and define the variable range to be studied. The nominal value is determined from the current attribute value.
    3. Click Create.
      The input is added to the Design Explorer Browser.