Creating a Shape Control

You can create a planar symmetry shape control that forces the optimized model to be symmetric about a selected planar face, or a cyclic symmetry shape control that forces the optimized model to replicate a region about a selected axis. .

Before you begin: Open the Shape Optimization assistant. See Performing an Optimization Using the Shape Optimization Assistant.
See Also
About Controls
About Constraints
  1. From the Optimization section, click Optimization constraints, and select Shape control.
  2. From the New list, select one of the following shape controls:
    OptionDescription
    Symmetry Select a planar face.
    Cyclic Symmetry In the Axis of symmetry box, select an edge, and enter the number of times the region is replicated.
    Penetration Check
    1. Select the limiting shape for the optimized shape. You can select solids or surfaces that represent regions of interference between the part being optimized and surrounding objects.
    2. Select a blocking direction.
      Option Description
      Both Prevents optimized nodes from crossing the limiting shape in either direction.
      Normal (Outward) Prevents optimized nodes from crossing the limiting shape in the positive direction. (The arrows indicate the direction that is not allowed.)
      Opposite (Inward) Prevents optimized nodes from crossing the limiting shape in the negative direction. (The arrows indicate the direction that is not allowed.)