Assigning surfaces to a 3D mesh structural model

With the Assign Data step of the workflow (model > 3D Mesh > Assign Data) you assign the surfaces to be included in the 3D mesh structural model. You can choose from any of the structural models or surface sets in your solution. Note that all the surfaces contained in the structural model or surface set will be included in the 3D mesh structural model (if you do not want that, remove surfaces after they have been assigned by right-clicking on the individual surface in the JewelExplorer and selecting 'Delete').

The input surfaces to your 3D mesh structural model must be watertight, i.e. no gaps between surface intersections should exist. In case of gaps, most probably you run into issues at later stages of the workflow, during surface meshing. Preferably you use a structural model that has been generated with the 'watertight' option checked on the Construct Surfaces form (model > 3D Structure > Structural Modeling) as input.

Once you have assigned the data, it is important that you run the Diagnostic Tool to perform various surface data quality checks. Of these diagnostic checks, Internal boundaries and Intersection quality are of primary importance, since no internal boundaries should exist and intersections should be watertight for surface meshing to be successful.

  1. Open the Assign Data form in the Surface meshing section of the 3D Mesh strip (model > 3D Mesh > Assign Data).

  2. In the Model drop-down list, select the model you want to add surfaces to. Then select a structural model or surface set that contains the surfaces to include in the 3D mesh from the Surfaces from drop-down list. You can choose from any of the structural models or surface sets in your solution. All the surfaces contained in the structural model or surface set will be included in the 3D mesh structural model.

    Important   Your structural model must be watertight. You can generate a watertight structural model by using the option on the Construct Surfaces form (modeling > 3D Structure > Structural Modeling).
  3. Click OK to assign the surfaces and proceed to the next step in the meshing workflow, Create Boundary (or click Apply to assign the surfaces and keep the form open).

Once the surfaces are assigned, use the Diagnostic Tool as mentioned above, i.e. minimum checks should be Internal boundaries and Intersection quality.