Convert Elements and Update FE Geometry

Convert elements that aren't associated with geometry into FE geometry, or update existing FE geometry.

1. From the Discrete ribbon, click the arrow next to the Edit tool set, then select either Create Topography or Update Topography.

   
   
   Figure 1.

2. If using the Create Topology tool, select elements not associated to geometry. If updating, select existing FE surfaces or elements.
3. Click on the guide bar to define:

   Remove existing features

   Before creating FE geometry, existing features can be removed.

   (Update only)

   Create at features

   Simple - Fast method of identifying features based solely on the angle between normals of adjacent elements. Based on this, the surface is created.

   Connected - Seeks to avoid any "orphan" or non-closed feature lines. It includes a more rigorous check to combine small areas and avoid creating features that end abruptly or do not connect to any other features while creating surfaces. Example shown below:

   
   
   Figure 2.

   Edge feature angle

   Feature angle based on angle between normals of adjacent element normals. Based on the settings, features are created on the surfaces.

   Vertex feature angle

   Maintain connectivity of the input surfaces to any attached surfaces.

   Allow open features

   Orphan feature edges can be created with this option, as shown in Figure 2 by the Simple example.

   Create at component boundaries

   Feature edge separating the component boundary is created while creating different surfaces.

   Create solids

   Orphan elements forming an enclosed volume are converted into a solid.

   (Create only)

   Create at 1D elements

   Feature edges are created at 1D elements.

   (Create only)

   Create at selection boundaries

   Feature edges are created considering element selection.

   (Update only)

4. Click Convert/Update.