# Expert Mode

In addition to Standard identification mode, the advanced **Expert mode** offers the possibility to set the relative importance for each alloying element individually, thus obtaining matching alloys that may be more appropriate for the specific problem.

<figure><img src="/files/ojNbr9prejpQTCowZKed" alt=""><figcaption><p>Move slider to right or left to increase or decrease importance</p></figcaption></figure>

The sliders next to each element allow different weightings to be applied depending on the importance of each specific element. For example, if it is very important that the carbon percentage is precise in terms of its match to the analysis result, then the slider should be moved towards x10.

## Threshold sensitivity

This option defines how the selected threshold sensitivity affects the final search results. This setting impacts thresholds for elements that have been predetermined by the **SmartComp** algorithm.

<figure><img src="/files/ZnJycHSQgwlNoBV9eb5e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Threshold sensitivity selection</p></figcaption></figure>

Only values above these thresholds are used in calculation of similarity for a specific material and so it maybe advantageous to increase or decrease the sensitivity to attain different search results.

* High - thresholds are as they are in the database
* Medium - thresholds values multiplied by 2
* Low - thresholds values multiplied by 3
* Off - all thresholds values are set to 0

## Use virtual limits

Virtual limits for minimum and maximum can be used if one of these values does not exist in the material's chemical composition.

<figure><img src="/files/IizRUzrrMZCVrnc9CsX7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Virtual limits switch</p></figcaption></figure>

Virtual limits are automatically employed and created through the SmartComp algorithm by calculating the average minimum or maximum for that specific element based on other materials in the database.&#x20;

If the option to exclude virtual limits is selected, 0 will be employed when the minimum does not exist, and 100 will be used if the maximum in the range is not available.

## Ignore missing elements

If Ignore missing elements is checked, the search engine will ignore elements that are not present in the material composition when calculating the final similarity between the original inserted composition and the materials in Total Materia.

<figure><img src="/files/VE1D4shgyIpAvL5Oec88" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ignore missing elements switch</p></figcaption></figure>

If this option is unchecked, missing elements will generally impact final similarity by lowering it.


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