Restarting an optimization cycle
 

Hi,

If I stop an optimization cycle after i get some designs, say, after the third design DSN003, and want to change some parameter like scale , how do I make the solver to start from the last known solution.

I gave the restart_sol = yes, but the when SU2 runs, it deletes all the previous designs and starts a fresh cycle.

Also, I would like to know, when would the optimization cycle stop? Should I stop it after some particular number of iterations, or would SU2 stop by itself?

Regards,
Sreekanth

Hi Sreekanth,

When you launch a design in SU2, the python scripting creates subdirectories within your current working directory for each of the designs (DSN00X). If you want to restart the design process from a particular design, simply copy the restart file from the desired design directory (DSN00X) back to your top-level working directory and set RESTART_SOL to 'YES'. When you re-run the design script, it will delete the other directories unless you move them to another renamed directory.

Hope that helps, good luck
-Sean

Hi,
But what about the mesh file? How do I get the mesh file for the latest design. What I do now is to copy the actual mesh to the DESIGNS/DSN0XX/DECOMP/ directory, run "SU2_MDC config_MDC.cfg " and get a new file. Is this the right way?

Also, in one of the presentations it was mentioned that it is possible to export the final design as ".stl" file. How can I do this

Regards,
Sreekanth

Hi Sreekanth,

If you have the value of the design variables at the latest design iteration, you can always start from your baseline mesh and re-run the mesh deformation tools to re-generate the appropriate volumetric mesh from the last design iteration.

If you want an .stl file of the final design, just run SU2_MDC with the "VISUALIZE_DEFORMATION=YES" in the configuration file. You can do this without specifying any deformation of the surface as well if you already have a design you like.


-Sean

Sreekanth,

There should be a project file that stores the optimizer's progress, called "project.pkl" in the folder you called SU2. use the extra command line option that will read this file to restart --

shape_optimization.py ... -n project.pkl

for more info, check the help --
shape_optimization.py -h

- Trent