{"id":13468,"date":"2020-06-09T09:00:25","date_gmt":"2020-06-09T16:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=13468"},"modified":"2025-02-06T10:18:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T18:18:37","slug":"topology-optimization-is-not-generative-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/topology-optimization-is-not-generative-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Topology Optimization is not Generative Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"jpl-generative-design\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the generative design process takes off in many organizations, it has sent other CAD and software tool vendors scrambling. In the midst of their scramble to compete, CAD Vendors have begun rebranding and selling topology optimization as generative design. This is wrong, and do not get fooled!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we go, we explain the difference and give you a questionnaire to finally answer the question, “What is the difference between topology optimization and generative design?”.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is Topology Optimization?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"topology-optimization\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

General topology optimization begins with one complete human-designed CAD model concept (in other words, the process begins with human bias and is limited by this bias<\/em>) with loads and constraints applied based on the project requirements. Topology optimization returns only one optimized concept for evaluation based on the human-designed model. There is no automated ideation. Lastly, it returns to the user an optimized mesh-model result (optimized only from the human-designed model<\/em>) that must be rebuilt in a CAD system that is intended for downstream use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topology optimization has been around for 20 years. Every vendor, including Fusion 360<\/a>, has had this capability for many years and has been made widely available to all users.<\/p>\n\n\n

What is Generative Design?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\"generative-design-choices\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Generative design in Fusion 360 begins with hold out areas, preserved areas, loads, and constraints based on the project requirements. Artificial Intelligence, not humans, determine the topological concepts that are created for evaluation. Autodesk generative design returns many optimized concepts (automated ideation) for evaluation based on the design and manufacturing criteria. Further, Autodesk generative design leverages Apriori to suggest costing criteria for each outcome to make better decisions. Lastly, Autodesk generative design in Fusion 360 returns to the user a CAD ready geometry model that can be edited in any system.<\/p>\n\n\n

The Test (Questions to ask yourself or the competition)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
    \n
  1. How do you begin the process?<\/strong>\n