3.1.1. Data Input

To crate a new project, click on the New Project icon ; the Work Flow tab is now active and we can create the logic for the optimization process.
As we can see, if we start a new project from scratch the canvas is empty and we have two tool bar (left and top) with all the object which we need to build the logic to evaluate a design as well as define the optimization algorithm (see Fig.1).

Note: to get an hint about the use of a certain item, leave the pointer on the icon in the tool barand a label will pop-up.

Fig. 1: Process Flow window

First of all we have to define the input variables (d.o.f. of the optimization).
Click on the and place in the Work Flow window as many Input Variables as we need, in this case five (see Fig.2).

Note: keep the Ctrl button pressed if we want to put more than one Input Variable without reselecting it again from the tool bar.

Fig. 2: Work Flow - Input Variables inserted

Looking at the Input Variables tab in the Summary Panel we see a table whose each row is an Input Variable.

Note: When we put a new object into the Work Flow it has a generic definition so we have to initialize it.

Fig. 3: Summary Panel

We can define each variable properties either changing the values in the Summary Pannel (see Fig.4) or opening its own properties window (Fig.5) and changing the values (Fig.6).

Fig. 4: Summary Panel

Fig. 5: Input variable properties

Fig. 6: Input variable properties

After having correctly set all Input Variables, the Work Flow window will look like in (Fig.7)

Fig. 7: Work Flow - Input Variables Inserted

After setting the Input Variables, we need to introduce two Transfer Variables and put them into the canvas. Twice click on the icon and drag them to the Work Flow. To set the Transfer Variables properties, select the first variable and a panel like Fig.8 appears. Use the Expression Editor to set the desired function for the Transfer Variable (Fig.9). Do the same with the other variable until we obtain the Transfer Variables shown in Fig.10.

Fig. 8: Work Flow - Transfer Variables Expression Editor

Fig. 9: Work Flow - Transfer Variables

Fig. 10: Work Flow - Transfer Variables

The just defined Input Variables have to be inserted into the Template Input File, thus the next step is to introduce an Input File object into the canvas.
Select the icon from the tool bar on the left and put it into the Work Flow canvas (Fig.11).

Fig. 11: Work Flow - Input File Inserted

To create a Template Input File double click on the Input File icon in the Work Flow: the Input File node is not initialized . Now mark checked all the Input Variables as Possible Input node because all of them are going to be inserted in this Input File. Click on the Ok to make all changes take effect (see Fig.12).

Fig. 12: Input File Properties

Now click on the Open button in the Input File Properties window.
A new window will appear and we have to select a Template Input File that define the model (the file where the variable will be inserted). Browse through the file system and search the proper PATRAN session file patran_pre.ses (see Fig.13).

Fig. 13: Import the Template Input File

After having selected the proper file, the Template Input Editor will show the file that define the model and a table with the linked Input Variable (Fig.14).
This window helps us to insert the Input Variables into the Template Input File.

Fig. 14: Template Input File Editor

To include a variable into the file follow this procedure:

1. click on the proper table row to select the variable to be included
2. highlight with the mouse pointer the corresponding value on the file editor
3. RMB click to show a pop-up menu and select Insert Variable (see Fig.15)
4. specify the correct format (see Fig.16)

Fig. 15: Insert Input Variables into the Template Input File

Fig. 16: Select the format

After we have inserted the first variable, the template window editor appears like in Fig.17.
Repeat the same steps for remaining three Input Variables and finally the Template Input File should look like in Fig.18.
Click Ok to accept all changes.

Fig. 17: One Input Variables inserted

Fig. 18: All Input Variables inserted

Once the input part of the Work Flow has been completed, we can go on with the definition of the Output File and Output Variables, where we store results for using them as objectives or constraints.