Automatic Surface Mesh

The Automatic Surface Mesh command provides tools for the automated creation of unstructured domains on watertight database models based on user-defined surface meshing resolution goals and grid quality constraints. Additionally, this command also provides tools for the visualization of local target edge lengths prior to the generation of the surface grid. All of these tools are discussed in detail below.

Create, Automatic Surface Mesh submenu
Use the Automatic Surface Mesh command to access the tools that will enable you to automatically create unstructured domains on a watertight database model based on specified meshing resolution goals and grid quality constraints.

In the solid modeling approach, Fidelity Pointwise creates database models and quilts while importing the initial CAD data (File, Import, Database). Models are topological CAD entities that allow for watertight meshing over gaps and cracks existent in the underlying geometry. Quilts, on the other hand, are meshing regions defined at the CAD level.

The recommended starting point to use the Automatic Surface Mesh command is a watertight database model with the meshing regions properly defined (i.e. a quilted watertight model). Once these initial conditions are met, the command is designed to create an unstructured surface grid constrained to the underlying database model in an automated manner. The objective of this command is to create the desired surface grid with minimum and intuitive input in the form of meshing goals. Furthermore, these goals fall into two main categories: mesh resolution (i.e. target sizing) and mesh quality constraints.

Upon invoking this command, you will be presented with the Automatic Surface Mesh panel shown above. The panel is split into three tabs: Global, Surfaces, and Boundaries.

 

Note: All the settings in the Automatic Surface Mesh functionality are stored in the Fidelity Pointwise project file as part of the Fidelity Pointwise environment. Additionally, these settings can also be stored in a separate environment file using the Save Environment As command available in the File menu. This capability enables you to reuse the same Automatic Surface Mesh settings with different geometries without the need to re-define them.

For more on Automatic Surface Mesh, choose a topic below:

Demonstration

Fidelity Pointwise 2023.2 Updates: ASM, AQA, T-Rex

New in Fidelity Pointwise 2022.2: ASM Updates

Automatic Surface Mesh: An Introduction (Version 18.5)

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