Comparing Similar Materials
Now you set the baseline material and compare it with other materials, to try to minimize the environmental impact, using the Environmental Impact dashboard.
- Click Set Baseline
at the bottom of the Task Pane.The Baseline bar for each environmental impact adjusts to show the values for the selected material, PC High Viscosity.
Next you try to find a similar material that is a better environmental choice.
- Under Material, click Find Similar.
The dialog box displays the current material with values for multiple parameters.
- Set these values:
| Property |
Condition |
|---|
| Density |
~ (Approximately) |
| Tensile Strength |
> (Greater than) |
- Click Find Similar next to the list in the dialog box.
A list of similar materials appears. You select materials from this list to compare them to the original material. The Environmental Impact dashboard at the bottom of the dialog box gives you intermediate feedback on your selections.
To filter the list, select the checkbox
next to the materials to list and click
Show selected only 
.
- Under the Materials column, select Acrylic (Medium-high impact).
In the dialog box's Environmental Impact dashboard, a green bar for Selected appears above the black bar for Original for all four impact areas. The pie charts are updated.
The bar's green color and shorter length indicate that the selected material, Acrylic (Medium-high impact), is a better environmental choice than the original material, PC High Viscosity.
- Now select Nylon 101 from the list to see how it compares to the original material.
The bars and pie charts are updated. The visual cues indicate that this material is an even better choice than Acrylic (Medium-high impact). You decide to accept this material.
You can modify the Manufacturing Process using the menu next to the pie charts.
- Click Accept.
The dialog box closes. In the Task Pane, under Material, Plastics Nylon 101 is the current material. The pie charts in the Environmental Impact dashboard are updated.