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Getting Started with NavPack Design for Alias

NavPack Design is a plug-in for Autodesk Alias that introduces AI-powered wind tunnel simulation into the early creative design process. It enables designers to predict and optimize the drag coefficient and aerodynamics of automotive exteriors, reducing the likelihood of redesigns during engineering. This integration enhances the accuracy and efficiency of design workflows, helping meet sustainability goals.

Installation

First time users can follow the installation instructions to access and use the NavPack Design for Alias plug-in.

What's covered in this topic

This topic provides a quick overview of the NavPack Design plug-in, including:

  • Setup and mesh preparation

    • Connecting using an environment variable

  • Access the NavPack Design plug-in

    • Visualizing
    • Locating and opening the plug-in

  • Using the NavPack Design plug-in

    • Loading and adjusting prediction models
    • Making predictions

  • Evaluating the prediction output

    • Checking the Confidence
    • Computing Frontal Area
    • Toggling Field Predictions
    • Customizing color maps and resetting limits

Setup and Mesh Preparation

  • Start your NavPack Design Server.

  • Connect to the NavPack Design server.

    You can use an environment variable to connect the Alias NavPack Design plug-in with a specific NavPack Design server:

    • Set the environment variable ALIAS_NAVDESIGN_SERVER=hostname:port
    • If not set, or if the format isn't right (e.g., missing colon, port not only numbers), the default will be used, which is localhost:3141

  • Shape Variation:

    You can use the Alias native Subdivision modeling tools to modify the shape, then predict with NavPack Design after you make changes.

Access the NavPack Design plug-in

  1. Open the NavPack Design plug-in from the Evaluate tool palette.

    open navDesign plug-in

Note: If the plug-in does not appear in the Evaluate palette, ensure that it has been loaded in the Alias Plug-in Manager. See Activate the plug-in in Alias.

Use the NavPack Design plug-in

navDesign Load

  1. Ensure that the NavPack Design server is running and connected (check Server Status in the plug-in window).
  2. Beside AI Model click the browse icon: , then select the .container file to load the model. You can also set the AI Model Units to use from the list.
  3. Box select the mesh object to analyze in the Alias viewport.
  4. Select Predict to calculate the prediction.

Evaluating the prediction output

After making a prediction, the output values will be displayed in the NavPack Design window.

Note: You can use either the Alias Renderer or VRED Renderer to see the prediction colors on the car mesh.

navDesign Load

Global Inputs

Global Inputs are attributes that can be included in the AI model .container file. They are not required, but when added they populate these fields in the control window.

Results

  • Confidence - Indicates the quality of the prediction. This attribute can be included in the AI model .container file, but is not required.
  • Select Compute Frontal Area to get the value for the frontal area of the selected mesh.
  • Global - Shows all global output variables that are included in the AI model. The number of the global variables can vary.
  • Field - Select from the Attribute list to view each available prediction. Depending on the training of the .container file, there can be additional options to select for Dimensions, such as X, Y, Z, and Magnitude.
  • Map Type - Lets you change the color ramp from the default Jet to Rainbow, for example. Use the Minimum and Maximum values to remap the color ramp limits.
  • Reset Limits - Resets the custom values for the color ramp limits back to the original prediction min and max values.

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