Smooth Elements

Use the Edit: Smooth tool to optimize the quality of selected elements.

The Edit tools work for tessellated geometry. If the input is b-spline geometry, first convert to discrete geometry using the Convert tool.
A node of a shell element is free, and therefore can be moved, if none of the following statements are true:
  • It is used by an element that was not selected.
  • It is selected as an anchor node.
  • It is attached to an edge, vertex, or meshing fixed point of a surface.
  • It is used by a 1D element (whether or not that element is selected).
  • It is not attached to a surface, but is on a feature line of the mesh of the selected plate or shell elements.
  1. From the Discrete ribbon, click the Edit > Smooth tool.


    Figure 1.
    Elements are colored according to how well they adhere to the pre-set quality requirements defined in the criteria file.
  2. Optional: On the guide bar, click to to define the options used to edit elements.
  3. Select an element issue type from the guide bar.
    Quality
    Checks for quality as defined in quality criteria.
    Intersections
    Checks for intersecting elements.
    Face angles
    Checks for folded or sharp angle elements.
  4. Select the element(s) to smooth.
  5. Optional: Select anchor nodes in the following ways:
    • Hold Ctrl while left-clicking.
    • Activate the Anchors selector on the guide bar then make your selection.
  6. In the microdialog, select a smoothing method then click Smooth.
    Auto
    Calculates the lengths of all of the elements’ edges to finds the extreme values. If the ratio of smallest to largest is below a certain threshold, than the Fix Shape method will be used. If the ratio of smallest to largest is above a certain threshold, than the Fix Size method will be used.
    Fix Size
    Moderates variations in element edge size through the mesh using a modified Laplacian over-relaxation that correctly handles a mixture of quad and tria elements.
    Fix Shape
    Moderates variations in element aspect ratio through the mesh using a modified isoparametric-centroidal over-relaxation that correctly handles a mixtures of quad and tria elements.
    Fix Angle
    Globally minimizes the average deviation of element angles from their ideal values.


    Figure 2.
    Q.I. Warm, Q.I. Good, Q.I. Ideal
    Sets the quality of the optimization target to the corresponding value on the quality index.
    Note: Always set up proper Criteria before performing smoothing operations. This helps to achieve better element quality results.