Preferences

General

▢ Save copy of model on export

Automatically save a backup copy of the M-Star Pre simulation file (.msb) in the output directory when exporting files. This is useful when you want to create an archive of the preprocessing file used to generate the simulation data.

▢ Warn when model contains no output planes

Toggle between receiving or not receiving a warning about a model containing no output planes.

Global Scripts Path

Enter a path to a network containing a global script or select the … button to set up a path.

Geometry Catalog Path

Enter a path to a local or network directory containing a library of geometry or select the … button to set up a path. Leave empty for default value of “Documents/M-Star Catalog.”

New Default Document

Save an already-created model as your new default starting point for subsequent new documents. With this path specified, all new models will begin with an existing .msb file. Leave empty for default empty model.

3D Rendering

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) Settings

These settings allow you to model the transmission and reflection of light in the viewing panel and modify the photorealism presented in the background. These settings only inform rendering in the viewing panel and have no bearing on simulation physics.

▢ Enable PBR

Activate physically based rendering of lighting and shading on your geometry.

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▢ Use PBR Environment Background

Show the environment background image used to generate the ambient light for the PBR.

../../_images/PBR-environment-background.gif

Lighting

These settings allow you to change the properties of light in the viewing panel.

Ambient Light Intensity

Modify the overall brightness of the model.

Directional Light Intensity

Provides more contrast for shadowing and texture.

../../_images/PBR-lighting.gif
Apply View Settings

See the effects of the lighting in the viewing panel prior to final selection.

Colors

Background Fill

Set the background fill to a solid color or various gradients between two colors.

Background Color 1

Set the default color for a solid color background.

Background Color 2

Set the secondary color displayed with a gradient option.

../../_images/background-fill.gif
Text Color

Customize the color of text in the viewing panel.

Default Static Body Color

Change the default color applied when you create a new static body.

Default Moving Body Color

Change the default color applied when you create a new moving body.

Default Particle Color

Change the default color applied when you create a new particle.

Default Scalar Color

Change the default color applied when you create a new scalar.

Mesh Preview Color

Change the mesh preview color.

▢ Default to Shaded mode

This is the default mode for the viewing panel.

Model Defaults

Up Direction

Define a model “Up Direction.” By default, the Up Direction points in the +y direction, and gravity points in the -y direction.

▢ Add 3 output planes to default model

Turn off the three default output planes. By default, three optional model planes are added to the system. See also Output Planes.

▢ Shift model to positive quadrant

Automatically shift all components of the geometry to positive (x positive, y positive, z positive) such that the bottom left-hand corner is positioned at 0, 0, 0 in the output domain. This ensures that all output positions are positive.

To change other model defaults, consider using the New Default Document setting on the General tab.

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