Minimum element size in automesh

RobP

Is there a way to define a minimum element size when using automeshing-3d? I've been playing with importing some simple geometries in STL format but when I automesh it gives me a ridiculous amount of elements for the geometry I am importing. I am able to set an upper limit, but no lower limit. I want to start with a coarser mesh.

[Deleted User]

try the slider, if you move it all the way to the top it will coarsen the mesh

RobP

works for the surface mesher, but not for the solid

[Deleted User]

that's weird, i have a step file and i can access all the settings for automesh3d. i right click on the step file and select meshing paramaters. it also helps if you change 'min number of elements per edge' to 1. the default is 2. if you also have the slider all the way to the top (aggressive), this will make the coarsest mesh possible. sometimes i also have to enter a value for the max element size as the mesher will crash. that is hit and miss though. afterwards an x2 refinement can fill the mesh in more. but this all avoids netgen going crazy filling up a feature with tons of elements and leaving the rest of the model bare. i attached the mesh settings i used for a model. enter a max element size that is appropriate for your model or try 0 and see if it works. if you don't have access to some of these settings perhaps try importing a step file if possible.

Victor

For Automesh 3D, the min. elements per edge and curve, and size grading aren't available like they are for STEP files. I'm not sure why offhand - probably not supported by the meshing library.

So to prevent many tiny elements, you would need to remove those features first. If possible, it's better to use a STEP file like prop_design referred to, then as well as more options, the loads and materials can be retained between meshing and curves can be reproduced more faithfully.

RobP

Importing in step format certainly helped. Wish My CAD software went directly to Step, unfortunately only outputs STL.