--- title: Strut Lattice slug: software/strut-lattice description: Learn how to create a customizable strut lattice structure in Carbon Design Engine with workflow examples and a list of all advanced options. docTags: createdAt: 2024-06-06T00:05:50.163Z --- Strut Lattice creates the structure of a lattice, derived from your specified parameters. At its core, this is a structure of unprintable lines and nodes. # Strut Lattice Workflow There are two workflow paths for creating a strut lattice: ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem ***Tet Strut Lattice Steps*** The strut lattice operation implicitly creates a tet mesh while creating the tet strut lattice. 1. [Strut Lattice](docId\:IDhmaxmVU97UzzIHV0Pdk) 2. [Solidify](docId\:pCwFrPen5GnTNB9INmFIB) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ***Hex Strut Lattice Steps*** Hex strut lattices require a separate operation to create a hex mesh scaffold first. 1. [Hex Mesh](docId:2s1MLNX3Yfvzt6F5Rge5h) 2. [Strut Lattice](docId\:IDhmaxmVU97UzzIHV0Pdk) 3. [Solidify](docId\:pCwFrPen5GnTNB9INmFIB) ::: :::: ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem ![Tet Strut Lattice](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/tvPyOoDfj9mR2Eqe2KVvE_tet-mesh-creation-ab-v2.png) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![Hex Strut Lattice](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/ljEbG4OcGktV101Cx3Mxx_hex-mesh-creation-ab-v2.png) ::: :::: :::hint{type="warning"} All strut lattices need to use the Solidify operation to be converted into a printable mesh file. ::: ### Tet Strut Lattice ::embed[]{url="https://player.vimeo.com/video/671768270"} :::ExpandableHeading Video Text 1. **Strut Lattice** 1. Select input mesh (design space) 2. Select population type (Uniform most common) 3. Click lattice type 1. Use Lattice search 2. Or manually select unit cell parameters 1. Lattice type 2. Cell size 3. Strut diameter 4. Optionallly add Zones or Advanced options 2. **Solidify** 1. Select strut lattice 2. Select options 3. **Generate** 1. Processing takes approx 1 minute (or up to 5 minutes with advanced options) ::: ### Hex Strut Lattice ::embed[]{url="https://player.vimeo.com/video/916841365"} :::ExpandableHeading Video Text 1. **Hex Mesh** 1. Select input mesh (design space) 2. Select preview to visualize 3. Select population type - Choose Gridded or Loft 4. Define and adjust cells 5. Preview regenerates after a few seconds of inactivity 2. **Strut Lattice** 1. Select the hex mesh 2. Select lattice type 3. Select strut diameter 3. **Solidify** 1. Select strut lattice 4. **Generate** Reference [Hex Mesh](docId:2s1MLNX3Yfvzt6F5Rge5h) training for more details on gridded and loft hex mesh options. ::: # Lattice Population Type ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem ## Uniform Uniform population type applies the same unit cell parameters throughout the specified input mesh (design space). ## Point Cloud [Point Cloud](docId\:uvxYrt8Rzi2lqv6s-OuGc) applies unit cell parameters to the design space via pressure map data. ![Pressure Map](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/pxM_8nYIJo5HaIVM1GX9c_pressure-data-gathering.png) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![Lattice Population Type](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/2hPzi1V4NMOCAW0KBlw_l_population-type.png) ::: :::: :::hint{type="info"} Both population types will apply specified unit cell parameters throughout the input mesh by default, but both types can still utilize [Zones](docId\:eFk8RIevt0JGCmQHe2IFV) for variation within that design space as needed. ::: # Strut Lattice Menus ## Unit Cell ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem A strut lattice is comprised of unit cells, which are defined by three parameters: - Lattice type - Main cell size - Strut diameter You can select these parameters via two methods: - [Lattice Search](docId\:LlWKO8SuVfs2j3cEjz6YR) - **Manually**, referencing [parameter guidelines](docId\:f-f8ROxDabcRrBEUDh6Q1) ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![Unit Cell](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/_c14FOqkeZtoMl8jcrEuJ_unit-cell.png) ::: :::: ## Zones ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem Zones allow you to have ultimate **control over the performance of your lattice**. If you require varied performance across your design space, you can utilize zones to vary lattice parameters by lattice type, cell size, strut diameter, or all of the above. Reference [multi-zone file preparation](docId\:iA0qX01VB-VsxJGbK0lE5) and [zones](docId\:eFk8RIevt0JGCmQHe2IFV) to get the most out of this feature. ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![Zones](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/7kmiDmyB37mbNanDzfJ9E_zones.png) ::: :::: ## Advanced The advanced options provide additional control over how the strut lattice populates the design space. ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem ### Lattice Population Lattice conformity in the design space can be adjusted via [Cell Size Adaptivity](docId\:UpBQxWWLjaafbScteZwEd), by allowing smaller cell sizes on the surface in smaller features. ### Surface Controls The aesthetics of your lattice can be just as important as the performance. You can fine tune the surface appearance with - [Surface Tolerance](docId\:Q4i9ZSwazXVE-WDQxkKP9) - [Symmetry](docId\:xGFWSu4xHaMedcbyPuFnf) - [Surface Isotropy](docId\:KmFVMEZlPFajUcdya-etQ) ### Boundary Struts Additional control is available for struts on the boundary of the design space. You can adjust [Boundary Strut Diameter](docId\:LSZNA83JoRyttKyWgHkce) and/or apply additional struts on [Feature Edges](docId\:efUJ_MzbAimttVmCsb7V9). ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![Advanced](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/yU-zl8httojnHGJ3cmBZI_advanced.png) ::: :::: # Strut Lattice and Solidify **Strut Lattice and Solidify are a Team** Both tools must be used to create a printable strut lattice. ::::VerticalSplit{layout="right"} :::VerticalSplitItem **Strut Lattice** Strut Lattice is the foundational structure, derived from your specified parameters. At its core, this is a structure of unprintable lines and nodes. **Solidify** Solidified lattices are derived from Strut Lattices but have been converted into a triangulated mesh, or STL file, for printing. ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1721438481/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Quick-Start-Guide/Strut_Lattice_and_Solidify.png" size="80" width="1340" height="1469" position="center" showCaption="false"} ::: :::: **Strut Lattice and Solidify Visibility** - **Strut Lattice **can be viewed volumetrically (Preview or Diameter) or as lines (Paths & Nodes). - **Solidify **accurately depicts the printable STL file, with all utilized features in play. *If you are not seeing a feature depicted in a volumetric strut lattice view, you may need to view the solidified lattice.* ::::VerticalSplit{layout="left"} :::VerticalSplitItem ![Strut Lattice Polylines > Strut Lattice Volumetrically > Solidified lattice ](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1721438501/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Quick-Start-Guide/Strut-lattice-vs-Solidify_400.gif "Strut Lattice Polylines > Strut Lattice Volumetrically > Solidified lattice ") ::: :::VerticalSplitItem **Strut Lattice** The strut lattice lines are polylines, not splines, made up of line segments. The default view for Strut Lattices is to display them volumetrically with the specified strut diameter, helping you visualize the lattice in 3D. This view expands each line segment with a circular cross section of the specified diameter. Line segments along a curved strut may appear not fully connected on the outside of the curve. However, this is only a temporary visual representation and does not affect the integrity of your struts. **Solidify** In the mesh conversion, all seemingly disconnected line segments are fully connected in the printable lattice. ::: ::::