How can I visualize the topology optimization convergence curve in Simlab

FranciscoRamirez

Hello Experts!

I see in this document OptiStruct Topology Optimization Result Interpretation that both the objective function and the constraints convergence curves can be visualized:

However, I can't see this option in Simlab. Therefore, the question is:

• How can I visualize the topology optimization response curves in Simlab as a function of iterations?

Thanks in advance!

 

Ioannis_Makris

Hello Francisco,

Unfortunately in SimLab there is no direct way to visualize the history of the objective function value or/and the constraint violation.

Having said this, there is a work-around for you to try and visualize this inside SimLab. The file that contains this information is the *.hist that exists in the solution folder.

Step 1: Rename the *.hist file to *.csv
Step 2: If you have Microsoft Excel, open this file with and then use the command "Text to Columns" under "Data" ribbon. (There are different choices here as well, the objective is to create separate columns).
Step 3: Keep two columns (Iteration, Objective Function Value) or (Iteration, Constraint Violation).
Step 4: Go to SimLab, Results Ribbon --> XY Plot --> Import (here you search for your newly created *.csv file.
Step 5: Plot your requested data.

Keep in mind that to have both graphs, you need to create two separate *.csv files and import them separately.

I hope this helps.

Kindly,

Ioannis Makris

Ioannis_Makris

Hello Francisco,

Unfortunately in SimLab there is no direct way to visualize the history of the objective function value or/and the constraint violation.

Having said this, there is a work-around for you to try and visualize this inside SimLab. The file that contains this information is the *.hist that exists in the solution folder.

Step 1: Rename the *.hist file to *.csv
Step 2: If you have Microsoft Excel, open this file with and then use the command "Text to Columns" under "Data" ribbon. (There are different choices here as well, the objective is to create separate columns).
Step 3: Keep two columns (Iteration, Objective Function Value) or (Iteration, Constraint Violation).
Step 4: Go to SimLab, Results Ribbon --> XY Plot --> Import (here you search for your newly created *.csv file.
Step 5: Plot your requested data.

Keep in mind that to have both graphs, you need to create two separate *.csv files and import them separately.

I hope this helps.

Kindly,

Ioannis Makris

FranciscoRamirez

Ioannis Makris_22013 said:

Hello Francisco,

Unfortunately in SimLab there is no direct way to visualize the history of the objective function value or/and the constraint violation.

Having said this, there is a work-around for you to try and visualize this inside SimLab. The file that contains this information is the *.hist that exists in the solution folder.

Step 1: Rename the *.hist file to *.csv
Step 2: If you have Microsoft Excel, open this file with and then use the command "Text to Columns" under "Data" ribbon. (There are different choices here as well, the objective is to create separate columns).
Step 3: Keep two columns (Iteration, Objective Function Value) or (Iteration, Constraint Violation).
Step 4: Go to SimLab, Results Ribbon --> XY Plot --> Import (here you search for your newly created *.csv file.
Step 5: Plot your requested data.

Keep in mind that to have both graphs, you need to create two separate *.csv files and import them separately.

I hope this helps.

Kindly,

Ioannis Makris

Hello Ioannis,

It is a creative solution to this limitation in Simlab, but following your instructions, I created the graph directly in the spreadsheet. Now, I have another question. In my case, I have five columns as shown below:

I assume that the first column refers to iterations. However, how can I know the header of the other columns? What they refer to?

Thanks for your inspiring response.

Best regards,

Francisco