Surface spatial maps

To control surface spatial maps, use the options in the Subtype list on the Independent Domain page of the Table Field dialog box:

Cloud

The software does not create a surface spatial map. Thus, it creates a 3D interpolator that is prone to interpolation errors such as those described in the Spatial fields and maps topic.

Existing Surface

The software maps the 3D tabular data to existing surfaces that you select. From the mapped 3D tabular data, the software creates a 2D interpolator.Use this option when the 3D tabular data conforms closely to the selected surfaces. Typically, the surfaces that you select are those to which you want to apply the table field later in the analysis.

Fit Surface

The software creates a surface from the 3D tabular data and a 2D interpolator for the surface.Use this option when the 3D tabular data does not conform closely to the surfaces to which you want to apply the table field later in the analysis.

Existing Surface option

When you select Existing Surface from the Subtype list, the software maps the 3D tabular data to existing surfaces and creates a 2D interpolator as follows:

1. The software calculates the minimum distance between each 3D tabular data point and the surfaces that you select for the mapping. When the minimum distance from the tabular data point to the selected surfaces is less than the distance tolerance, the 3D tabular data point is included in the mapping. Otherwise, the 3D tabular data point is excluded from the mapping.You specify the distance tolerance in the Table Field dialog box, on the Independent Domain page, in the Tolerance box.

2. To create the 2D interpolator, the software begins by finding the parametric (u,v) coordinates for each 3D tabular data point. To do so, it projects each 3D tabular data point onto the surfaces that you select for the mapping and uses the inherent parametric definition of the surfaces to determine the corresponding parametric (u,v) coordinates. Thus, internally the software creates a set of 2D tabular data with (u,v) coordinates as the independent variables.

3. The software creates the 2D interpolator from the 2D tabular data.For example, when you select a Delaunay interpolation method, the software creates a Delaunay triangularization from the 2D tabular data.

When the software performs a table lookup, it first determines whether the lookup point is sufficiently close to the surfaces that you select for the mapping. It does this by calculating the minimum distance from the lookup point to the surfaces. When the distance is less than the distance tolerance that you specify, the table lookup continues. Otherwise, the software returns an error message for the table lookup.

Assuming the table lookup continues, the software finds the location on the surfaces that is closest in 3D physical space to the lookup point. It then uses the inherent parametric definition of the surfaces to determine the parametric (u,v) coordinates at that location. It then performs a 2D interpolation in the parametric plane to obtain the lookup value at those parametric (u,v) coordinates.

Because the software performs all of these steps internally, in the Table Field dialog box, on the Definition page, the 3D tabular data appears as you originally entered it.

Fit Surface option

When you select Fit Surface from the Subtype list, the software creates a surface from the 3D tabular data and a 2D interpolator as follows:

1. The software creates a surface that passes through the 3D tabular data points.

2. To create the 2D interpolator, the software uses the inherent parametric definition of the surface to find the parametric (u,v) coordinates for each 3D tabular data point. Thus, internally the software creates a set of 2D tabular data with (u,v) coordinates as the independent variables.

3. The software creates the 2D interpolator from the 2D tabular data.For example, when you select a Delaunay interpolation method, the software creates a Delaunay triangularization from the 2D tabular data.

When the software performs a table lookup, it first determines whether the lookup point is sufficiently close to the surface to perform the table lookup. It does this by calculating the minimum distance from the lookup point to the surface. When this distance is less than the distance tolerance that you specify, the table lookup continues. Otherwise, the software returns an error message for the table lookup.

Note:

Although you specify the distance tolerance in the same way for both the Existing Surface and Fit Surface options, the software uses the distance tolerance differently in each option. For the Existing Surface option, it uses the distance tolerance to both exclude 3D tabular data points from the mapping procedure and determine whether a lookup point is valid. For the Fit Surface option, it uses the distance tolerance only to determine whether a lookup point is valid.

Assuming the table lookup continues, the software finds the location on the surface that is closest in 3D physical space to the lookup point. It then uses the inherent parametric definition of the surface to determine the parametric (u,v) coordinates at that location. It then performs a 2D interpolation in the parametric plane to obtain the lookup value at those parametric (u,v) coordinates.

Because the software performs all of these steps internally, in the Table Field dialog box, on the Definition page, the 3D tabular data appears as you originally entered it.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	A table field with 3D tabular data
Simulation Navigator	Right-click the field node→Edit
Location in dialog box	Independent Domain page→Subtype list

How do I

Create a surface spatial map

Create a table field along a parametric line

Define a boundary condition along a parametric line using a table field

Create a table field over a parametric plane

Define a boundary condition over a parametric plane using a table field

Learn more

Spatial fields and maps

Parametric spatial maps

Axisymmetric spatial maps

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Surface spatial maps, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

© 2020 Siemens

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