Capture the Concept
COMSOL Multiphysics version 4 brings an unprecedented level of clarity to your simulation work by giving you both an organized model overview and a streamlined model-building process. The COMSOL user interface reduces clutter and redundant tasks, so your attention can be focused on the substance of your design studies resulting in increased productivity. Naturally COMSOL continues in its tradition of powerful solvers and flexibility in physics, but it is the new user interface that stands out the most.
Organize
The COMSOL Desktop helps you organize your simulation by
presenting a clear overview of your model at any point. It uses
functional form, structure, and aesthetics as the means to achieve
simplicity for modeling complex realities. For instance, task-specific
tools appear on the Desktop right when you need them; showing only the
currently possible and necessary actions removes uncertainty from model
building and brings order to your simulations. The Desktop is made up of
several windows, which may or may not be displayed depending on the
need. These windows include the Model Builder, Settings, Graphics,
Messages, Progress, Help, and others.
Customize
You can easily customize the layout of these windows on the Desktop
to suit your particular work habits: All windows can be positioned and
sized in any way. They can be detached from the Desktop and moved back
and forth between computer displays. These settings can be saved as
preferences for the next time COMSOL Multiphysics is opened.
Streamline
The version 4 user interface also streamlines the modeling workflow by introducing the new Model Builder. Containing a Model Tree, the Model Builder does much more than outline your model. It is a graphical programming environment that gives you dynamic control of your procedures and simulations. By following along the nodes within the Model Builder, you will experience a smoother, more direct, and less cumbersome way to specify your models.
Have a look at a snapshot of the Model Builder, which comes from an
example in a later section.
Notice how every step of the modeling process, from defining global variables to the final report of results, is easy to see. Moreover, when any node in the tree is right-clicked, a context menu appears to show you appropriate actions.
These actions include everything you need to build and document a model. So rather than opening separate windows for the various settings (like geometry, physics, mesh, or results) you just right-click.
If you choose an action that requires specification, the associated
Settings window appears adjacent to the Model Builder, as shown here.
You can return to any particular Settings window by simply left-clicking on the associated node. The result is a streamlined workspace, since there is no longer the need to open multiple windows.
As you create the model, each step is then recorded in the Model Builder. If, for instance, your model required a certain sequence of steps to get the right geometry, these would all be listed in the order you set. (See the geometry section of the figure above.) Even better, this series of steps can be edited and rerun without having to repeat the entire simulation. Complicated solver sequences you might need for different studies also benefit greatly from this feature.
As you work with the COMSOL Desktop with the Model Builder, you will grow to appreciate the organized and streamlined approach. But any description of a user interface is inadequate until you try it for yourself. So in the next few sections, you are invited to work through some examples to familiarize yourself with the next generation of simulation software.
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