Adding 3D Datasets

HFSS, Maxwell, and Icepak designs support 3D datasets (representing a spatial or volumetric profile). Depending on which of these three design types you are using, you will be able to create only design-level 3D datasets, only project-level 3D datasets, or both.

In Maxwell designs, you can define both project-level and design-level 3D datasets. Use a project-level 3D dataset to define material properties that vary according to the spatial coordinates. Use a design-level 3D dataset to define temperatures that vary according to the spatial coordinates.

To define a 3D dataset, specify a list of X, Y, and Z coordinates and the corresponding Values in the Add Dataset window. For example, the first line in the image below specifies a temperature of 30° C at (0.25, 0.25, 1). The data specifies a variation of temperature on the plane 0.25 ≤ X ≤ 0.75, 0.25 ≤ Y ≤ 0.75, Z = 1. In this example, the values in the Values column are temperature, but can be set to a different unit depending on the property you wish to assign. To change the unit, click the X, Y, Z, or Value header row.

1. Depending on whether you are defining a project-level or design-level 3D dataset, choose the appropriate one of the following two options:
   • For project-level datasets (material properties):

     Using the menu bar, click Project > Datasets or, on the Desktop ribbon tab, click  Datasets.

   • For design-level datasets (temperatures):

     Using the menu bar, click Maxwell > Design Datasets.

   The Datasets dialog box appears. This lists any existing datasets.

2. Click Add > Add 3D Dataset.

   

   The Add Dataset window appears.

   

   The window contains fields for the dataset name and a table for X, Y, and Z coordinates and corresponding values. It can be resized to display additional rows and columns, and includes buttons for the following functions:

   • Add Row Above – adds a new row to the table above the selected row.
   • Add Row Below – adds a new row to the table below the selected row.
   • Append Row – opens a dialog box that lets you specify a number of rows to add to the table.
   • Delete Row – deletes the selected row or rows.
   • Import Dataset – this provides a way to import data sets from an external source. The format is a tab separated points file. Clicking the button opens a file browser window.
   • Export Dataset – this provides a way to export the current dataset to a tab separated points file. Clicking the button opens a file browser window.
3. Optionally, type a name other than the default for the dataset in the Name field.
4. Click the X, Y, Z and Value column headers to select a unit category. The default is No Unit.

   

   Click the header again to select a unit in that category. You can select No unit.

   

   Selected units are displayed for each column in the header cell.

5. Enter the X, Y, and Z coordinates and the corresponding values by one of the following methods:
   • Import Dataset
   • Type coordinates and associated value in the X, Y, Z, and Value columns.
6. When you are finished entering the data point coordinates and values, click OK.