# Preferences

*The Preferences screen lets you configure account-level defaults that control how projects load, which mesher is preselected when you create a new mesh, and whether project actions open in the current browser tab or a new one.*

---

## Accessing the Preferences Screen

The Preferences screen is part of your personal account settings in the Flow360 web UI.

To open it:

1. Click your **account avatar** (top-right corner of the Flow360 web UI).
2. Select **Account** from the dropdown menu.
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click **Preference**.

The page is available at `https://flow360.simulation.cloud/account`.

---

## Settings Overview

| *Setting* | *Options* | *Description* |
|-----------|-----------|---------------|
| **Load project** | Low resolution first · High resolution first · High resolution only · Low resolution only | Controls the order in which graphics data is loaded when opening a project |
| **Default mesher** | Legacy mesher · Beta mesher · GeometryAI mesher | Sets the mesher that is preselected by default when you create a new mesh |
| **Project navigation** | Current tab · New tab | Controls whether opening a project, starting a new run, or forking opens in the current browser tab or a new browser tab |

---

## Load Project

*Controls how Flow360 loads graphics data when you open a project.*

The **Load project** setting determines the resolution order for streaming 3-D graphics. Choosing a lower-resolution-first strategy lets you interact with the model sooner, while high-resolution-first strategies deliver the highest fidelity data immediately.

**Options:**

- **Low resolution first** *(default)* — Low-resolution graphics load first, then high-resolution data streams in automatically. Recommended for most users: you can start working with the model immediately while full detail loads in the background.
- **High resolution first** — High-resolution data loads first. Useful when you need full detail before beginning analysis and your connection can support it.
- **High resolution only** — Only high-resolution data is loaded. Skips the low-resolution stage entirely; best for high-bandwidth connections where waiting for full detail is acceptable.
- **Low resolution only** — Only low-resolution data is loaded. Fastest initial load; suitable for quick visual checks when full detail is not required. Recommended for users who want to minimise internet bandwidth usage and are comfortable working with low-resolution graphics.

---

## Default Mesher

*Sets the mesher that is preselected when you create a new mesh in any project.*

The **Default mesher** preference controls which meshing workflow is automatically selected when you start a new meshing job. You can still override this selection on a per-project basis inside the meshing setup screen.

**Options:**

- **Legacy mesher** *(default)* — The original Flow360 surface and volume meshing workflow. Stable and well-validated across a wide range of geometries and use cases.
- **Beta mesher** — The next-generation in-house volume mesher (beta). Offers improved boundary layer generation, multi-zone support, and advanced refinement capabilities. Recommended for users who want to evaluate the latest meshing technology.
- **GeometryAI mesher** — A surface meshing workflow powered by Flow360's next-generation GeometryAI processing technology. Provides unique automated geometry handling capabilities not available in other workflows.

```{note}
The default mesher preference applies account-wide. Individual projects can override this preference from within the meshing setup panel.
```

---

## Project Navigation

*Controls whether project actions open in the current browser tab or a new one.*

The **Project navigation** setting determines how Flow360 opens an item when you trigger a navigation action from your workspace (for example from the project tree context menu). Choosing **Current tab** keeps your work in a single tab, so you no longer accumulate browser tabs as you move between projects and runs.

```{image} ./Figures/project_navigation.png
:alt: Project navigation preference showing the Current tab and New tab options and the modifier-key tip
:align: center
```

**Options:**

- **Current tab** *(default)*: Opens projects and assets in the current browser tab.
- **New tab**: Opens projects and assets in a new browser tab.

The setting applies to the following actions:

- **View in workbench**: opening a project or asset in the workbench.
- **New run**: creating and opening a new run from an item.
- **Fork**: creating and opening a forked copy of a case.

```{tip}
Hold **Ctrl** while clicking (or **⌘** on macOS) to use the opposite behavior.
```