Creating Meshes Using Basic Transformations

You can create a 1D, 2D, or 3D mesh from an existing 1D, 2D, or 3D mesh using a basic transformation. Five basic transformations are available: translation, rotation, symmetry, offset, and axis to axis. You can then generate meshes without a geometric support.

Different mesh parts have different named groups created as children, made of nodes, elements, or edges. When you create a new mesh from a basic transformation, the groups within the original mesh propagate to the transformation mesh. The names and contents of the groups carry over to the new mesh as noneditable groups. The propagated groups can be updated only by invalidating the parent mesh part.

Before you begin: A finite element model representation that contains an updated mesh must exist.
See Also
Inserting Finite Element Model Representations
Meshing Geometries
  1. From the Mesh section of the action bar, click one of the following:
    • Translation Mesh to create a mesh from an existing mesh by using a translation.
    • Rotation Mesh to create a mesh from an existing mesh by using a rotation.
    • Symmetry Mesh to create a mesh from an existing mesh by using a symmetry plane.
    • Offset Mesh to create a mesh from an existing mesh by using an offset transformation.
    • Axis to Axis Mesh to create a mesh from an existing mesh by selecting two local axis systems.
      Note: You must define the required local axis systems in another app before creating this transformation mesh. For detailed information, see Defining an Axis System in the Simulation Model Preparation Guide.
    The corresponding dialog box appears.
  2. Optional: Enter a Name for the mesh.
  3. Select one or several existing meshes.
  4. Define the transformation parameters.
    • Translation: pick an edge for the direction, and specify the translation length (distance). You can also define translation by entering vector coordinates or by moving the Robot origin (enter coordinates or drag the Robot.)
    • Rotation: Specify a rotation axis and angle, or manipulate the Robot to define the rotation.
    • Symmetry: Specify the symmetry plane.
    • Offset: Specify the offset value.
    • Axis to axis: Select two local axis systems to define the translation and rotation of the mesh.
  5. Optional: To condense the nodes, select the Automatic mesh capture check box.
    1. In the Tolerance box, enter a tolerance value.
    2. Click Initialize to automatically initialize the tolerance based on model size.
  6. Optional: Enter the Number of copies (the number of transformed meshes you want to create).
  7. Click one of the following:
    • Cancel to cancel the modifications and close the dialog box.
    • Apply to save the parameters you defined and to create, update, and generate the mesh.

      The PLM Update progress bar appears. You can interrupt the update. See Updating Meshes.

      The dialog box remains open to continue modifying parameters.

    • OK to save the parameters you defined, to create the mesh, and to close the dialog box. To generate and visualize the mesh, you have to update it. See Updating Meshes.
    If you click Apply or OK, the transformed mesh is created and appears in the tree. The transformed meshes also contain mesh groups propagated from the original mesh.