Browsers provide a structured view of model data, which you can use to review, modify, create, and manage
the contents of a model. In addition to visualization, browsers offer features like search, filtering, and sorting,
which enhance your ability to navigate and interact with the model data.
FE geometry is topology on top of mesh, meaning CAD and mesh exist as a single entity. The purpose of FE geometry
is to add vertices, edges, surfaces, and solids on FE models which have no CAD geometry.
Use the Edit Elements: Split tool to split quad elements and edges, combine tria elements, and swap element edges. Second order 2D elements
are also supported.
Use the Normals tool to reverse the normals of shell elements or surfaces. The orientation of unassociated shell elements or FE geometry
can also be adjusted. The normal of an element is determined by following the order of nodes of the element
using the right-hand rule.
Locally refine 2D elements and attached 1D elements using either the Auto Quads tool, the Box tool, or the Manual tool. These are most useful for aerospace and marine applications, where specific transition patterns are required
from the refined mesh to the existing mesh.
Use the Imprint/Extend tool to extend a mesh to meet another mesh and form a good connection between them, or to imprint overlapping meshes
so that they match one another.
Use the Split tool to split plates or solid elements. In addition, hexa elements can also be split using a technique
that moves progressively through a row of elements in the model
Tools and workflows that are dedicated to rapidly creating new parts for specific use cases, or amending existing
parts. The current capabilities are focused on stiffening parts.
Use PhysicsAI to build fast predictive models from CAE data. PhysicsAI can be trained on data with any physics or
remeshing and without design variables.
Explore, organize and manage your personal data, collaborate in teams, and connect to other data sources, such as
corporate PLM systems to access CAD data or publish simulation data.
Use the Edit Elements: Associate tool to find non-associated
nodes, review them, and associate to target geometry.
This is useful in cases where you load CAD and FE separately.
From the 2D ribbon, click the Edit Elements > Associate tool.
Make sure Associate is selected on the guide bar drop-down.
Optional: Click Find.
A scan is done for associated and non-associated nodes. By default, the
non-asssociated nodes are added to the node selector on the guide bar. A legend indicates which nodes are associated and
to which geometry entities.
To reset the preview, click
next to the Find button or uncheck all the boxes in the
legend.
Associate nodes in one of two ways:
Option
Description
Automatic
Keep all non-associated nodes that were found or clear the
selector pick a sub-set.
Provide an associate tolerance either in the microdialog or the options menu.
The tool will automatically identify the underlying target geometry
and associate selected source nodes.
Note: In
the case of dirty geometry, such as distorted surfaces or
oversimplified geometry, automatic association might fail for
local regions. In such scenarios, it is recommended to select
source and target to accomplish association.
Manually
Keep all non-associated nodes that were found or clear the
selector and pick a smaller sub-set.
Check the Choose target option on the
guide bar.
Choose a single target entity (solid/surface/line/point).
Click on the guide bar to define the associate and snap tolerances.
Associate tolerance
In the case of manual association, you must
provide an appropriate associate tolerance. Nodes
which are out of tolerance are excluded from
association. Auto-association works on the logic
of matching topology, nodes/mesh, and its
underneath CAD.
Snap tolerance
Distance between nodes and closest vertices. In
case of manual association, you need to provide
the node snapping tolerance. However, in case of
auto-association, the snap tolerance is
automatically derived.
Global “tolerance” is not used here, meaning selected
nodes are always associated/re-associated to selected
geometry entities.
Check the Move nodes option to project source nodes onto
the target entity along with the association.
On the guide bar, click one of the following:
- Apply and stay in the tool
- Apply and close the tool
- Exit the tool without applying
Disassociate Nodes
Change the drop-down on the guide bar to
Disassociate.
Select the surfaces or solids on which nodes and elements should be
disassociated.