How to run the demo
Open the file "CUBE_TETDEMO.m3d" supplied with download package. The model shown below should be displayed.
IMPORTANT always save the model before invoking the TET generator as the surface boundary will be deleted as the front progresses.
From the menus in M3d select "Create->Mesh->TET from Shell Boundary". You will then be prompted to pick the shell elements forming the boundary. Drag a box over all the elements on the screen and select "Done" from the right mouse menu or press enter. You then need to specify the growth rate, select the default of 0.5 and press return.
The tet mesher should start.
The mesh shown below should have been generated.
From the menus in M3d select "Create->Mesh->TET from Shell Boundary". You will then be prompted to pick the shell elements forming the boundary. Drag a box over all the elements on the screen and select "Done" from the right mouse menu or press enter. You then need to specify the growth rate, select the default of 0.5 and press return.
The tet mesher should start.
The mesh shown below should have been generated.
Now check the quality of the generated elements. Select menu item "Tools->Checks->Check TET Collapse" select all the elements and enter 0.5 for the threshold. ELements failing the criteria will be reported to the list window and a group of the failing elements will automatically be created. Display the group as illustrated below. Note 0.5 is a good quality value. 0.1 would be badish and 1 is ideal (perfect tetrahedron).
For the tet mesher to work it requires a totally enclosed boundary with no cracks. The shell normal's must all be pointing in to the volume.
I will explain the tools provided to achieve this, the basic steps are
1) Form a shell boundary model, all Tri elements
2) Merge coincident nodes
3) Free edge checks
4) Orient noramls
5) Check shell quality
Note- the tet mesher is not quite finished, I have some enhancements to make. This release only runs for 3000 cycles. If this does not fill the volume from the groups menu select group from type. Display the shell elements group and rerun the mesher on these elements.
I will explain the tools provided to achieve this, the basic steps are
1) Form a shell boundary model, all Tri elements
2) Merge coincident nodes
3) Free edge checks
4) Orient noramls
5) Check shell quality
Note- the tet mesher is not quite finished, I have some enhancements to make. This release only runs for 3000 cycles. If this does not fill the volume from the groups menu select group from type. Display the shell elements group and rerun the mesher on these elements.