The computation of mechanical properties in ElastoDict usually follows these steps:

1. Import 3D image data in the form of a stack of (µ)CT scan or FIB-SEM images of an existing material or generate a new structure model in GeoDict.
2. Start ElastoDict and
   1. select the ElastoDict module,
   2. set material parameters using the GeoDict material database,
   3. run the mechanical properties computations
   4. analyze the results.

Solid and porous structures can be used as input for computations with ElastoDict. The mechanical properties of all constituent materials must be given. Including the pore/matrix material, GeoDict handles structures with up to 256 different constituent materials.

As a useful convention, for solid materials, the background (Material ID0) contributes to the computation and is referred to as matrix material. For porous media, Material ID0 is used for the pore space (void space).