Maximizing the Symmetry

This task shows you how to organize the sequences according to orientations order, while maximizing real symmetry zones and decreasing the cell coverage from the neutral zone boundaries to the center (top and bottom).
Either work on the part where you have defined cells or open the VirtualStackingGA01.CATPart document.

  1. In the Virtual Stacking dialog box, make sure Entity level is set to Sequence.
    The initial virtual stacking is as follows:
     
    with only one material and the following orientation color code:
    • red: 45
    • magenta: -45
    • blue: 90
    • green: 0


  2. Click Maximize Symmetry in the Tools Palette.
    The Maximize Symmetry dialog box appears with the ordered list of orientations that will be used, e.g.

    and the number of sequences that will be processed.
    • At the first start, this list is the same as the one defined by Composites Parameters in the Directions tab. It is saved in your local options for future use.
    • When you start Maximize Symmetry again, the orientations saved in your local options are compared to the current ones of Composites Parameters (number, values):
      • If a difference is found (different numbers, orientation not found in Composites Parameters), the orientations of Composites Parameters are used (reverting to re-initializing the list of Maximize Symmetry).
      • If the contents in the same, with only a different order, the orientations of Maximize Symmetry are used.

  3. Click OK in the Maximize Symmetry dialog box
    • The sequences shown by the arrows have been added to exact symmetry zones (we have temporarily locked the symmetry on the result to highlight the exact symmetry zones with yellow and grey filters).
    • The orientations alternate according to the order you have defined, e.g.
      • green: 0
      • red: 45
      • magenta: -45
      • blue: 90
    • instead of that defined in Composites Parameters
      • green: 0
      • red: 45
      • blue: 90
      • magenta: -45
    • Regarding the cell coverage criteria, layers are ordered by cell coverage,
      from layers covering the greatest number on outer boundaries of the virtual stacking
      (top and bottom) to layers covering the smallest number of cells at the center of the virtual stacking.
    • The symmetry of layers is maximized on thicker cells or stacking areas.

  4. Let's consider the same virtual stacking, but with several materials, e.g.:
    • U174_T800 in orange below
    • GLASS in green below

  5. Click OK in the Maximize Symmetry dialog box.
    Maximize Symmetry uses the same material order as the one defined by Composites Parameters, here:
    • U174_T800 (shown in orange below)
    • GLASS (shown in green).

    You can change that order in Composites Parameters. Maximize Symmetry orders:

    • layers of the first material, then of the second material in the exact symmetry zone,
      (we have temporarily locked the symmetry on the result to highlight the exact
      symmetry zones with yellow and grey filters),
    • then does the same in the non-symmetric zone.

      If you invert the order of materials in Composites Parameters:
      • GLASS (shown in green)
      • U174_T800 (shown in orange below).

  6. You can filter the selection of sequences to be processed.
    All sequences are selected to be processed.
    • Press Ctrl key and select one row in the virtual stacking, or press Shift to select several rows.
      They are removed from the selection to be processed.
      • The information is updated in the dialog box.
      • The selected rows are not moved when you click OK.
    • Select Lock Symmetry.
      • Only the virtual sequences belonging to the neutral zone are selected to be processed.
      • You cannot select row in the real symmetry top and bottom zones.
      • You can filter virtual sequences only in the neutral zone.

        resulting in
      • The new found real symmetrical virtual sequences are automatically included
        in the top and bottom real symmetry zones.
      • Rows that were not selected are not moved when you click OK.
      • The information is updated in the dialog box.