Deleting the Mesh from CAD-Based Parts

There is a Delete CAD Mesh command in the Mesh panel of the Mesh tab of the ribbon. This command is also available from the context menu that appears when you right-click on one or more selected Part headings. Specifically, the command appears within the CAD Mesh Options pull-out menu of the Part context menu. Use this command to delete automatically generated meshes on CAD parts any time you wish to revert to the unmeshed condition.

Tip: There are times when it is advantageous to partially set up your CAD-based FEA model before a surface mesh has been generated. For example, when adding a number of bolts to a meshed assembly, the line elements will be generated each time a bolt is applied. The model will then have to be remeshed so that nodes will be placed on the CAD surfaces at each endpoint of the line elements representing the bolt heads or nuts. These nodes are necessary for a connection to be made between the parts. The line elements are regenerated for each bolt upon remeshing of the model. Therefore, it is more expeditious to wait until all bolts have been added before meshing the model. You may also wish to delete the mesh from suppressed parts, just to minimize the model storage space on your computer.

Using the Delete CAD Mesh Command

Prior to choosing the Delete CAD Mesh command you may want to select one or more of your model parts. You may also want to suppress certain parts. Depending upon whether model parts are selected or suppressed, several different prompts may appear, as detailed in the following table. The behavior is the same whether you access the command from the ribbon or context menu. In some cases you must use the ribbon command (as noted in the table).

Condition	Prompt	Action when you click OK
No parts are selected and none are suppressed (ribbon command only)	{No prompt}	Delete mesh from all CAD parts
All parts are selected or all are suppressed	{No prompt}	Delete mesh from all CAD parts
One or more parts are selected, but not all	❑ Delete mesh on selected parts ❑ Delete mesh on unselected parts	Delete the mesh from selected parts, unselected parts, or both – depending upon which prompt option or options you activated
One or more parts are suppressed, but not all. None are selected. (ribbon command only)	❑ Delete mesh on active parts ❑ Delete mesh on suppressed parts	Delete the mesh from active parts, suppressed parts, or both – depending upon which prompt option or options you activated
Combination of selected and suppressed parts	❑ Delete mesh on selected parts ❑ Delete mesh on unselected parts	Delete the mesh from selected parts, unselected parts, or both – depending upon which prompt option or options you activated – whether or not the parts are active

Click the OK button to execute the command or click Cancel to abort the command.

Note: The Delete CAD Mesh ribbon command will be grayed-out (unavailable) if the model does not contain at least one CAD-based part that is currently meshed. Additionally, the CAD Mesh Options pull-out menu will not appear in the Part context menu for parts that are not CAD-based.