Apply a local mesh control

  1. From the Setup tab, select Manage > Local Mesh Control local mesh control icon. If you have already meshed the model, the Mesh View appears. Also, green dots appear at nodes along each edge, indicating the existing divisions along the edges.

  2. Select the faces and edges where you want to apply a Local Mesh Control. You can mix both entity types in a single selection.

    Note: If you want to apply different local element sizes to different entities, you have to apply more than one Local Mesh Control. You can only define one mesh size per control.

  3. If you want to apply a Local Mesh Control to an entire body (or bodies), click the Select button to the right of Body Selection. Then, select the desired bodies. Your selection can include a combination of faces, edges, and bodies.

  4. Drag the Mesh size slider to the desired position between Fine and Coarse. Alternatively, you can specify the Length numerically. This input field is prepopulated with the average global element size, which gives you a ballpark idea about what might be an appropriate refined element size.

    The number of green dots along selected edges and edges around selected faces increases as you decrease the mesh size setting.

    Tip: You can use the known thickness of a part and the desired number of elements through the thickness to calculate a good element size. Similarly, divide the circumference of a hole by the number of elements you want around its perimeter. Use the Measure tool measure icon to determine the dimensions of the model in areas of interest, if the dimensions are unknown.

  5. Click OK to apply the Local Mesh Control and close the dialog.

  6. Generate (or regenerate) the mesh to see the effects of the local refinement:

    • From the Setup tab, select Solve > Generate Mesh generate mesh icon, or
    • Right-click the Mesh browser node and select Generate Mesh generate mesh icon from the context menu.
Parent page: Local mesh control