Refine Elements

Use the Auto Quads tool to refine elements as quads based on a given refinement size. Transition elements may be automatically defined or manually selected.

1. From the Elements ribbon, Edit tools, click Refine > Auto Quads.

   
   
   Figure 1.

2. Optional: On the guide bar, click to define refinement options.
3. Click Refinement on the guide bar and choose Elements or Nodes.
4. Select entities.
   If Type is set to Use adjacent layers, the transition elements are previewed on each side of the selected entities.
5. If Type is set to Select transition elements, click Transition on the guide bar then manually select transition elements.
6. Input a refinement value in the microdialog then click Refine.

Figure 2.

Tip: On the guide bar, click to open the Advanced Selection dialog, from which you can filter geometry further by selecting a subset of entities based on additional selection methods, such as By Component or By Assembly.

Use the Box tool to refine elements enclosed inside a box.

1. From the Elements ribbon, Edit tools, click Refine > Box.

   
   
   Figure 3.

2. Optional: On the guide bar, click to define refinement options.
3. Select the center node to start the uniform mesh refinement.
   A refinement box is created.
4. Adjust the size and shape of the refinement box by clicking on a face and dragging the slider or inputting a value in the microdialog.
   The refinement box determines the constant refinement zone. Elements inside this box should be the same size.
5. Click Transition: Elements on the guide bar.
   A transition box is created.
6. Adjust the size and shape of the transition box in a similar manner to the refinement box.
   The mesh will be transitioned to match the initial mesh.

   Note: The transition box should enclose the refinement box. The size of the transition box determines how aggressive the transition will be. It is recommended that you limit the transition to 1 element connection 3 elements (1:3).
7. Click Review on the guide bar to preview the box.
8. Click the box, enter a refinement size in the microdialog, then click Refine.
   The size should be smaller than the initial mesh.

Figure 4.