1. Performs preliminary error checking to make sure that all analyses, design studies, and model data are valid.

2. Converts surface pairs to midsurfaces if you defined surface pairs for shell modeling and you selected AutoGEM > Midsurface or AutoGEM > Solid / Midsurface on the Refine Model tab. See Defining Solid and Shell Models for more information.

3. Merges the geometry, material properties, loads, constraints, design variable data, analysis definitions, and design study definitions into the .mdb file. Creo Simulate stores this file, along with the .prt file, in the study directory. See Database Considerations for more information.

4. Checks the geometry and associated entities for errors. If there are any errors, Creo Simulate writes an error message to the summary file.

5. Creates elements using AutoGEM. Elements are the entities that Creo Simulate uses to analyze your model. They are the mathematical approximation of your model's geometry that Creo Simulate uses to simulate the behavior of your design. The elements created by AutoGEM comply with all element creation rules. As elements are created, Creo Simulate saves the element data.