FE geometry is topology on top of mesh, meaning CAD and mesh exist as a single entity. The purpose of FE geometry
is to add vertices, edges, surfaces, and solids on FE models which have no CAD geometry.
Many of the methods to check and edit mesh are based around determining mesh quality, but others check for mesh penetration,
detect holes, and locate edges or features.
Use the Normals tool to display and reverse the normals of elements or surfaces. The orientation of element normals can also be adjusted.
The normal of an element is determined by following the order of nodes of the element using the right-hand rule.
Use the Replicate tool to replicate a mesh from one location to another, with options to keep the original mesh, as
well as to replicate into multiple copies. The replicated elements replace the original elements, maintaining relevant
information like properties, thicknesses, and other solver attributes.
Locally refine 2D elements and attached 1D elements using either the Auto Quads tool, the Box tool, or the Manual tool. These are most useful for aerospace and marine applications, where specific transition patterns are required
from the refined mesh to the existing mesh.
Use the Refine: Auto Quads tool to refine elements as quads based on a given refinement size. Transition elements may be automatically
defined or manually selected.
Use the Detach tool to detach elements from the surrounding structure. You can detach elements from a portion of your model so that
it can be translated or moved, or you can offset the new nodes by a specified value. You can also use this panel
to detach and remove elements from your model.
Use the Imprint/Extend tool to extend a mesh to meet another mesh and form a good connection between them, or to imprint overlapping meshes
so that they match one another.
The Solid Mesh Optimization tool can be used to improve the quality of a tetra, hexas, and second order meshes with
respect to several element criteria.
Associate nodes to a point, line, or surface/solid face; move nodes along a surface; place a node at a point on a
surface; remap a list of nodes to a line; or project nodes to an imaginary line passing through two nodes.
Use the Split panel to split plates or solid elements. In addition, hexa elements can also be split using a technique
that moves progressively through a row of elements in the model
Stitch two unconnected meshes by adding elements between them, split elements at weld locations, and combine and split
elements to fix connectivity in the transitional area between fine and coarse mesh areas.
Perform a model-based CAD-CAD, CAD-FE or FE-FE comparison between two models, or two selections of entities, and find
and report geometrical/shape differences.
Many of the methods to check and edit mesh are based around determining mesh quality, but others check for mesh penetration,
detect holes, and locate edges or features.
Locally refine 2D elements and attached 1D elements using either the Auto Quads tool, the Box tool, or the Manual tool. These are most useful for aerospace and marine applications, where specific transition patterns are required
from the refined mesh to the existing mesh.
Use the Refine: Auto Quads tool to refine elements as quads based on a given refinement size. Transition elements may be automatically
defined or manually selected.
Use the Refine: Auto Quads tool to
refine elements as quads based on a given refinement size. Transition elements may be
automatically defined or manually selected.
Before you begin, make sure the initial mesh is a regular mapped quad mesh, and not a
free quad mesh.
From the Elements ribbon, click the Refine > Auto Quads tool.
Optional: On the guide bar, click to define refinement
options.
Choose Elements or Nodes using
the Refine selector on the guide bar.
Select entities.
If Type is set to Use adjacent layers, the
transition elements are previewed on each side of the selected entities.
If Type is set to Select transition elements, click
Transition on the guide bar
then manually select transition elements.
Input a refinement value in the microdialog then click
Refine.