About Meshing

A set of meshing parameters is provided by default, using linear elements and a pre-computed mesh element size. You can modify the parameters to better control the duration of the computation or the outcome quality. For example, Functional Generative Design creates linear, tetrahedron elements. The mesh breaks down the model geometry into small chunks—a finite element model—to allow computer simulation.

Assemblies are meshed as follows:

• For parts containing the design space: the selected body is meshed.
• For the other parts in the assembly: only the PartBody is meshed. If you want to mesh another body, you need to change the PartBody: click the body and then select Change Part Body in the context menu.

When you use points, edges, or surfaces as supports for restraints, loads, and connections in a general analysis or for displacement constraints in an optimization analysis, local mesh specifications are created to constrain the mesh features to the model features. Mesh nodes are matched to geometry points and mesh element edges are matched to geometry edges. For surfaces, the boundary edges are constrained to the corresponding edges on the model. These constraints ensure that the mesh matches the geometry.