The Criteria tab enables access to Checks which represent different element criteria to be taken into account when editing the criteria file. Each check can be modified and turned on/off.

The Target element size defines the desired element size for meshing and optimization. The element size set should match the ideal element length criteria set in the criteria file. Modifying this value may generate errors in the Min Size and Max Size, which will show up as red text.

Specific calculation methods can be selected for individual checks. In order to use more than one solver’s method, the Individual Methods option must be selected from the first pull-down menu in the last column. The different solver calculation methods are described in How Element Quality is Calculated. The Chordal Deviation check is currently ignored when performing batch meshing or QI meshing. It is only used to calculate the QI value from the Quality Index panel in HyperMesh.

Select Advanced Criteria Table to display the Weight, Good, Warn and Worse columns. The Advanced Criteria Table allows precise control over element quality throughout the entire input range. The Good, Warn and Worst fields are interpolated or extrapolated automatically.

A minimum length calculator, based on time step is displayed under the criteria table. This can be used to calculate the suggested minimum length, based on a Material, a Time step, and a Scale factor. A pre-defined material can be selected, or a custom material can be defined. The calculated minimum length can then be applied using the Use min length from timestep calculator checkbox.

In the Criteria3D tab edit the current 3D element criteria in the criteria file.