Editing mesh and element properties

The Mesh Properties command lets you specify all mesh and element properties for a selected mesh. This command is an alternative to the standard workflow of defining these properties using individual commands such as Physical Properties, Edit Mesh Collector, and Mesh Associated Data.

Note:

Changes that you make using this command affect only the properties for the nodes and elements associated with the selected mesh, and not for any other meshes or elements. This is different than the standard workflow, in which you can share and inherit properties across many meshes. This command may create new physical property tables and mesh collectors, which may result in the reorganization of the mesh-to-collector relationships in your model.

The Mesh Properties command works only when the Simulation Navigator is set to Mesh View. For more information about Mesh View, see Simulation Navigator views.

The Mesh Properties dialog box has three tabs:

• Element Properties — Lets you define element properties such as material orientation, the thickness source for the elements, and shell offset. This tab corresponds to the Mesh Associated Data dialog box.

• Collector Properties — Lets you change the type of mesh collector in which this mesh is stored. This tab corresponds to the Mesh Collector properties dialog box.

• Physical Properties — Lets you define physical properties such as default thickness, nonstructural mass, and material properties. This tab corresponds to the Physical Property Table dialog box.

Editing properties for multiple meshes

You can select multiple meshes and edit the mesh properties for the selected meshes in a single action. To do this, select the meshes and then open the Mesh Properties dialog box. For information about how to use the dialog box in this mode, see Edit the attributes for multiple selected entities.

You can select multiple meshes of the same or different element families.

• If you select meshes from the same element family, the software displays all properties for the meshes.

• If you select meshes from different element families, the software displays only the properties that are common to all the selected meshes. For example, you can only modify options on the Element Properties tab that apply to all selected meshes.

You can use the Turn All On button to select all properties on all tabs in the dialog box. Use this option when you want to copy mesh properties, mesh collector properties, and physical properties from one selected mesh to another.

Modifying the element type

Use the Type option to change the element type in one or more selected meshes. When you select a different element type, the software reloads the dialog box to display the appropriate properties for the new element type. You can only change the element type to a type with the same topology (same dimensionality and element order) as the current element type.

• The software tries to preserve existing mesh properties, mesh collector properties, and physical properties when you change element types. This helps ensure that data such as materials and element thickness values are preserved.

• If you change the type of multiple meshes with different original element types, such as plane stress and plane strain meshes, the software displays only the properties that those elements have in common.

Viewing and editing boundary conditions for 2D meshes

When the Simulation file is the Work part, you can select a face that is meshed with a 2D mesh and choose Explore Mesh Properties to view the loads, constraints, and simulation objects that are associated with the face. The Mesh Properties Explorer dialog box lists the loads and constraints that are defined on the selected face. To edit a load or constraint, click in the same row as the boundary condition.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	You must:Set the Simulation Navigator to Mesh View.Make a FEM the Work part to use the Mesh Properties command.Make a Simulation file the Work part to use the Explore Mesh Properties command.
Command Finder	Mesh Properties Explore Mesh Properties
Graphics window	Right-click one or more 2D or 3D meshes → Mesh PropertiesRight-click one or more 2D meshed faces → Explore Mesh Properties
Simulation Navigator	Right-click one or more 2D or 3D meshes → Edit Mesh Properties

Learn more

Physical properties and element attributes

Shell thickness

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

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Editing mesh and element properties, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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