Simulation > Creo Simulate > Creating Design Studies > Creating Design Studies > Defining Variables in a Design Study
Defining Variables in a Design Study
For your model, you can define the design variables at which you want Creo Simulate to solve the design study. You use the Variables table to define the variables for the design study. The model dimensions or predefined Creo Parametric parameters that you select are included as variables in the design study. Each variable is assigned to a unique row in the Variables table. The computation time increases substantially for each additional variable that you define.
The Variables table consist of the following columns:
Variable—Displays the name of the variable, that is, model dimensions, beam section dimensions and Creo Parametric parameters.
Note that for parts in an assembly, Creo Simulate displays the dimensions with the part name separated by a colon (d0:prt0001 and d0:prt0002). If you want to change the name of the model dimension, click on the Variable name and enter a new name. Clicking on the name of the model dimension in the variables table also highlights the selected dimension in the model.
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Once defined, you cannot change a Creo Parametric parameter name.
Current—Displays the current value of a variable in the model.
Units—Displays the associated unit of the variable.
The Setting column appears in the Standard Study Definition dialog box. And also when you set the study Type to Local Sensitivity in Sensitivity Study Definition dialog box.
Setting—Type a value in the Settings column to determine each variables position at the start of the study. If you select multiple design variables, Creo Simulate varies each design variable independently about the Settings value and calculates a single set of values for your model's measures for each design variable.
The following columns appear in the variables table only when you set the study Type to Global Sensitivity in the Sensitivity Study Definition dialog box.
Start—Allows you to select the current value, or change the start value for a variable.
End—Allows you to select the current value, or change the end value for a variable. The End value must be greater than the Start value.
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If you define multiple design variables, Creo Simulate varies the variables in sync, calculating a single set of values for your model's measures at each interval. To get results for individual design variables, you should create a separate study for each design variable.
The following columns appear only in the Optimization Study Definition dialog box.
Minimum—Allows you to select the current value, or change the minimum value for a variable.
Maximum—Allows you to select the current value, or change the maximum value for a variable. The Minimum and Maximum values define a range across which you want Creo Simulate to vary each selected design variable during the study.
Initial—Allows you to select the current value, or change the initial value for a variable. The Initial value defines the position of the design variable at the start of the optimization study. The default initial value is the current value.
The following buttons are used to add or delete a variable in the Variables table.
—Click this button to select and add available dimensions from the model.
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If sketched beam sections are present in your model, clicking opens the Dimension Selection dialog box.
—Click this button to select and add a predefined Creo Parametric parameter from the Select Parameter dialog box.
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When you select a Creo Parametric parameter that has a negative or zero value, be sure that the value is valid. If you specify a negative value where you should not, the software will be unable to regenerate the part during design studies, or shape animation.
—Deletes the row that you select.