Custom Tools

There are different Custom Tools available which are specialised for Generative Design. Here is a short overview of the tools and how to use them.

How to get access to the Custom Tools

To include Custom Tools in MSC Apex Generative Design open the Application Settings → Custom Tools and point to the appropriate folder of Custom Tools e.g. from MSC Apex. The Generative Design Tools are placed inside of the Interoperability Tools. If you don’t have access to these, please contact the support.

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Import (Adams Loads)

With the import tool the process of importing a huge amount of loads that were calculated using Adams gets easier. Following a short introduction how to use it:

1. Start the tool and click on the “choose file” button

2. In the now open window navigate to the load file you want to import. (Note: the file has to be exported in the Abaqus format, choosable during the export in Adams) An example of a load file in the Abaqus format is attached.

3. Click Apply: A dummy surface with the name “Load Collector” will be created and every load will be created as a remote load with the correct point of application and the surface as the target (since you can’t create a force without assigning it to a geometry)

4. Now you can go through the loads and simply assign them to the associated geometries

The video shows the execution of the tool:

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Example files:

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GD Optimisation Queue

The Queue Tool can be used to simulate multiple optimisations sequentially, instead of starting every single simulation manually. Therefore, different Scenarios can be prepare and simulated with one click. Following, a short description on how to use the tool:

1. Start the tool.

2. The first field defines the Study which includes the to be calculated Scenarios. Per default it is filled with “GD Study 1”, if another Study hosts the Scenarios, simply change the name in the field. Be sure to type in the exact name of the Study.

3. Choose if the simulation is to be started in the Apex Generative Design GUI or if the Scenarios are to be exported and simulated in the Command Line.
   Keep in mind that the Post-Processing window will be empty until the optimisation is finished.

4. If the Scenarios are exported and simulated in the Command Line, the option to reimport the results can be chosen.

5. The simulation in the Command Line is set to use the standard installation folder of the GD-Engine (Program Files/MSC.Software/MSC Apex Generative Design/…). If it is installed at another place the box “use own GD_Engine path“ needs to be checked and a path in the corresponding window needs to be defined.

Automatic Mesh to CAD

This tool automates the process of the NURBS creation and the following intersection with the Design Space to get back the functional surfaces. Therefore, three steps are necessary:

1. Select the result of your optimisation (faceted solid)

2. Select the Design Space

3. Define a NURBS Face Density between 1 and 10