Copying a mesh pattern

Enter the Mesh module, and do one of the following:

• From the Object field in the context bar, select Assembly.

• From the Object field in the context bar, select Part, and select a part from the list.

From the main menu bar, select MeshEdit.

Abaqus/CAE displays the Edit Mesh dialog box.

Tip: You can also display the Edit Mesh dialog box using the tool, located at the bottom of the Mesh module toolbox.

From the Category field, choose Mesh.

From the Method list, select Copy mesh pattern.

Select the source mesh. You can use any of the following methods:

• Select elements from the viewport. You can select elements individually, by face angle, or by face curvature (for more information, see Selecting objects within the current viewport). Click mouse button 2 when you have finished making selections.

• Select an existing surface. Click Surfaces on the right side of the prompt area to display the Region Selection dialog box containing a list of available surfaces. Select a surface from the list, and click Continue.

The selected elements must form a single connected two-dimensional face.

Note:

The default selection method is based on the selection method you most recently employed. To revert to the other method, click Select in Viewport or Surfaces on the right side of the prompt area.

Select the target face.

The target face must be part of the same assembly or part as the source, and the face must contain at least as many loops as the source.

In the Copy mesh pattern dialog box, associate node positions on the source mesh with points on the target face.

You should associate at least three nodes from the outer edge (primary loop) of the source mesh with points on the target geometry.

1. Click in the Copy mesh pattern dialog box to add nodes and points to the table.
2. Select the desired nodes from the source mesh, and click Done in the prompt area.
3. Select the corresponding points on the target face.

   Abaqus/CAE highlights the current node in pink as you make selections. When you have selected a point for each node, the Copy mesh pattern dialog box appears with the selections displayed in the table.

4. Highlight a position in the table, and click to edit the position.

   Tip: You cannot edit nodes. To change a node selection use to delete the highlighted row, then add a new node and position to replace it.

5. Click OK in the dialog box

   Abaqus/CAE maps the remaining nodes onto the target face and displays the copied mesh pattern. If there are problems mapping the remaining nodes to the target, Abaqus/CAE displays error messages to help you resolve them.