Automatically generate a mesh on a 3D solid shape. The mesh shape can be selected between a tetrahedral and a hexahedron centered hybrid (tetrahedral + hexahedron combination shape).

Define the mesh size directly or input the number of divisions on the solid forming edges to set the mesh size. Also, the mesh density can determine the mesh size by the “More” or “Less” option in [Automatic].  

Mesh generator

The default tetrahedron element and hexahedral centered hybrid element are both supported. Like the 2D mesh, quadrilateral-based meshes provide more stable analysis than triangle-based meshes. Hybrid elements are formed by combining a pyramid and tetrahedron on the hexahedron base.

<Hybrid mesh shape>

Match Adjacent Faces

The most important part in mesh generation is the node connection between adjacent elements. If the nodes are not connected, errors can occur during analysis and if the “Fit adjacent mesh” option is checked off, the nodes may not be connected even though an interface forms between the 2 solids. Unless the node is removed separately, always keep this option checked when generating a mesh.

Advanced Option ()

The mesh shape and mesh density options can be set additionally depending on the mesh generation method. The detailed settings are as follows.

Interior Edge/Point

Generate a solid mesh considering the position and size of the interior edges inside a solid. If the whole edge is within the solid, just selecting the edge creates a solid mesh that considers the interior edge. However, if the edge is touching or penetrating the exterior boundary surface, the intersecting point needs to be imprinted on the surface of the solid and the mesh division point needs to be set to generate a solid mesh. Selecting an interior point creates a mesh node at the point when the mesh is created.

The additionally selected interior edges can be assigned a 1D structural property during mesh generation.

Merge Nodes

Merge 2 or more nodes within the tolerance during mesh generation. Nodes separated by tiny gaps are main sources of error during analysis and small gaps within the tolerance can be automatically joined for mesh creation.

Refinement Factor

Set the interior mesh density in addition to the mesh size to create a better quality mesh.

Higher-Order Element

Generate another node between mesh nodes for a more detailed analysis, but the analysis time becomes longer per additional node.

Other options are available, such as [Geometry Proximity], which divides meshes that have a size difference during the mesh generation process, and {Pattern mesh}, which makes the mesh sizes as uniform as possible.