Domain
The Domain panel contains the parameters defining the structure size (NX, NY) in combination with the resolution (Voxel Length), as well as the Origin parameters, the Periodicity check boxes, the Center Domain button, and the Matrix Material pull-down menu.
As indicated in the example in the topic Structure Options, when Lay Down in Current Domain is unchecked, the size of the domain in Z-direction (paper thickness) is determined by the thickness of the laid-down fiber structure.
The periodicity boxes are always checked for Lay Down Cellulose Fibers, because the objects are always laid down periodically.
NX, NY, and Voxel Length
In GeoDict, a structure is internally represented by rectangular 3D arrays of equally sized boxes, hereafter called volume elements or voxels. NX and NY are the number (N) of voxels in X and Y directions. Varying the values for NX and NY has the effect of changing the size of the laid down structure in the given direction.
The Voxel Length is the size of one voxel in the chosen units. Low values for voxel length in combination with high values for NX and NY result in a higher resolution, but also in a higher computational time. After setting the values of NX, NY, and Voxel Length, the physical structure size is automatically displayed in the chosen units.
Observe how keeping the structure size a constant 200 µm x 200 µm (grammage 15 g/m2) while decreasing the Voxel Length from 2 µm to 1 µm has the effect of refining the laid down fibers by increasing the resolution. Since the voxel length has decreased to half, the size of the structure is kept by doubling the NX and NY values from 100 to 200.
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Origin X, Origin Y, and Origin Z, Center Domain
The Origin X, Origin Y, and Origin Z parameters, together with the Center Domain button, determine the placement of the structure in the physical space. Zero values for Origin X, Origin Y, and Origin Z mean that the point with (0, 0, 0) coordinates is located at the lower left corner of the structure.
When clicking the Center Domain button, the (0, 0, 0)-point is set to the center of the structure as shown below.
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Periodicity
Structures generated by laying-down cellulose fibers are, by default, periodic in the X- and Y-directions, but cannot be made periodic for the direction from which they fall (Z-direction). More details on periodicity are explained for the Create Options Domain parameters.
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Pore/Matrix Material and Matrix Density
Choose the material of the matrix around the fibers from the material selector, as explained for the Create Options Domain.
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