Convert Elements and Update FE Geometry

Convert elements that aren't associated with geometry into FE geometry, or update existing FE geometry.

  1. From the Discrete ribbon, click the arrow next to the Edit tool set, then select either Create Topology or Update Topology.
    Figure 1.


  2. If using the Create Topology tool, select elements not associated to geometry. If updating, select existing FE surfaces or elements.
  3. Click on the guide bar to define:
    Remove existing features
    Before creating FE geometry, existing features can be removed.
    (Update only)
    Create at features
    Simple - Fast method of identifying features based solely on the angle between normals of adjacent elements. Based on this, the surface is created.
    Connected - Seeks to avoid any "orphan" or non-closed feature lines. It includes a more rigorous check to combine small areas and avoid creating features that end abruptly or do not connect to any other features while creating surfaces. Example shown below:
    Figure 2.


    Edge feature angle
    Feature angle based on angle between normals of adjacent element normals. Based on the settings, features are created on the surfaces.
    Vertex feature angle
    Maintain connectivity of the input surfaces to any attached surfaces.
    Allow open features
    Orphan feature edges can be created with this option, as shown in Figure 2 by the Simple example.
    Create at component boundaries
    Feature edge separating the component boundary is created while creating different surfaces.
    Create solids
    Orphan elements forming an enclosed volume are converted into a solid.
    (Create only)
    Create at 1D elements
    Feature edges are created at 1D elements.
    (Create only)
    Create at selection boundaries
    Feature edges are created considering element selection.
    (Update only)
  4. Click Convert/Update.