The
Zero Area Elements diagnostic is used to identify and locate elements in a model with a small or zero area.
Using this tool, you can set a minimum edge length from which the equivalent area is automatically calculated, as the tolerance for the diagnostic to identify elements with an area less than the calculated value.
In the Options section of the dialog, decide how you would like to view the results.
| Dialog element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Find edge lengths below | Specifies the minimum edge length from which an equivalent area value will be calculated. |
| Equivalent area | Elements with an area less than the value displayed in this box will be identified in the Zero Area Elements diagnostic. This value is automatically calculated based on the Find edge lengths below value entered. |
| Display mesh/model | Specifies whether to display only the diagnostic results, or to display the model along with the diagnostic results. |
| Place results in diagnostics layer | Specifies whether to store the results of the mesh/surface diagnostic in a layer, separate from other layers. If you select this option, the diagnostic command automatically creates a diagnostic layer if none existed previously. |
| Restrict to visible entities | When this option is
off, the diagnostic check is performed on all instances of the relevant entity when you display the diagnostic plot. Every time you make a change to the model, the displayed diagnostic plot is automatically updated. For large models, the automatic update of the diagnostic plot as you make each change to the model can lead to considerable delays, particularly when editing the mesh to resolve element overlaps or intersections.
When this option is on, the diagnostic check is performed only on visible entities. By hiding parts of the model and leaving only areas of interest visible, you can increase the plot update speed and work more efficiently. Select Restrict to visible entities, which is normally used in combination with Place results in diagnostics layer, and click Show. With the problem elements on the Diagnostic results layer, expand the layer. Each time Apply is clicked on a mesh editing tool while cleaning up problem elements, the diagnostic will be recalculated on only the visible elements. |