Mesh Controls

Mesh controls are used to automate and streamline the meshing process. You can define one model mesh control, as well as an unlimited number of local mesh controls. Meshing is supported for BatchMesher, surface meshing, adaptive wrap meshing, and volume meshing.

Model mesh controls define mesh settings for all of the entities which need to be meshed in one meshing job. In general, model mesh controls reflect the mesh settings on a majority of the model. In order to run a meshing job, at least one model mesh control must be defined. Multiple model mesh controls can be defined, but only one can be active and used to run a meshing job.

Local mesh controls define mesh settings for specific areas of a model, and take precedence over model mesh controls. Local mesh controls are not mandatory, but are useful when local mesh settings need to be defined for a meshing job. An unlimited number of local mesh controls can be defined and used to run a meshing job. Local mesh controls have an on/off state which can be enabled and disabled. When a meshing job is submitted, enabled mesh controls are considered and used to automate the meshing process.

Mesh controls are HyperMesh entities that are stored in the database. Mesh controls can also be saved to an external .xml template file for re-use in other models.

Import and export mesh controls, create and modify mesh controls, and generate mesh in the Mesh Controls tab. Open the Mesh Controls tab by clicking Mesh > Mesh Controls from the menu bar.

Mesh controls can be saved and reused across different models by exporting them to a template file (*.xml) and then importing them into a new HyperMesh session from the Mesh Controls tab. All defined mesh controls are exported to a single .xml file, which can be utilized as a template. The mesh control parameters are saved to the file, while any entity selection is not.

Import/export mesh controls in the Mesh Controls tab by right-clicking on the Mesh Controls folder and selecting Import or Export from the context menu.

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Mesh controls can be created for batch meshing, surface meshing, adaptive wrap meshing, volume meshing, and refinement zones.

Create mesh controls by right-clicking in the Mesh Controls tab and selecting Create from the context menu. The mesh control is created, and its corresponding parameters are displayed in the Entity Editor. Define mesh control parameters accordingly. To create mesh controls specific to the different meshing types and refinement zones, right-click on a corresponding folder in the Mesh Controls tab.

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Modify mesh controls by selecting them in the Mesh Controls tab and modifying them in the Entity Editor.

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Model and local mesh control entity selection behaves as follows:

•	If entities are selected in the model control, they will be directly used and you will not be prompted for any additional selection.

•	If no entities are selected in the model control, you will be prompted for an “on-the-fly” entity selection:

o	The entity type set for the model control is the type of entity you will be prompted to select.

For example, a size and bias control for surfaces can refer to surfaces, components, and regions. Whatever is set as the current type in the active model control is what you will be promoted to select on-the-fly.

•	Entities must be defined for local controls. Entities that are part of the local control selection must also be part of the model/on-the-fly selection. Any local entities that are not part of the model/on-the-fly selection are ignored.

•	The use of regions for selection is recommended wherever possible for ease of use and best compatibility with future workflows.

Mesh controls can be duplicated in the following ways:

•	Right-click on a mesh control and select Duplicate from the context menu.

•	Select a mesh control and press CTRL + D.

You can only duplicate one mesh control at a time.

In the Mesh Controls tab, Enabled column, mesh controls can be enabled and disabled.

Model Mesh Controls

Multiple instances of model mesh controls can be defined, but only one can be enabled. Enable a model mesh control by selecting its corresponding radio button in the Enabled column.

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Local Mesh Controls

An unlimited number of local mesh controls can be defined and enabled. Enable a local mesh control by selecting its corresponding checkbox in the Enabled column. Disable a local mesh control by clearing its corresponding checkbox.

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Refinement Zone Controls

An unlimited number of refinement zone mesh controls can be defined and enabled. Each refinement zone can be independently enabled or disabled for surface meshing (surface deviation only), adaptive wrap meshing, and volume meshing as required.

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Enable a refinement zone for all meshers by selecting its corresponding checkbox in the Enabled column. Disable a refinement zone for all meshers by clearing its corresponding checkbox in the Enabled column. If a refinement zone is disabled for any mesher but enabled for others, a tristate checkbox is displayed.

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Once you are finished creating mesh controls, generate the mesh from the Mesh Controls tab.

Create a mesh in the Mesh Controls tab by right-clicking on the BatchMesher, Surface Mesh, Adaptive Mesh, or Volume Mesh folders and selecting Mesh from the context menu. A mesh cannot be independently created for Refinement Zone controls.

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