Setup the quality index (QI) mesh criteria in the Criteria File
Editor.
This criteria is used in QI and batch meshing, and in QI-based element checks.
Criteria definitions can be saved to a file, and loaded for subsequent editing.
The editor is laid out in a table format, with each check displayed in the first
column, and the controls and values associated with each check in subsequent columns
to the right.Figure 1.
Target element size
Desired element size for the mesh.
CAUTION: Modifying this
value may generate errors in the Min Size and Max Size, which will
show up as red text.
Turn checks on/off
In the On column, use the checkbox to turn each individual check
on/off.
Fail value
In the Fail column, edit the fail value for each specific check.
Good, warn, worst, and weight value
The Good, Warn, and Worse fields are interpolated or extrapolated
automatically.
Select the Advanced Criteria Table checkbox to
access the Weight, Good, Warn and Worst columns and edit each check's
corresponding value.
Such changes modify how the quality index value is calculated, but do
not significantly impact the final mesh. Weight factors are also
adjustable, but they also do not make a large difference in the final
mesh, unless they are set to an order of magnitude higher than the
others. Default values for the weight factors are recommended.
Calculation methods
In the last column, select a calculation method to apply for certain
checks. Available methods may vary for each check.
To use more than one solver’s method, select the Individual
Methods option from the first list box in the last
column. The different solver calculation methods are described in How Element Quality is Calculated. The Chordal
Deviation check is currently ignored when performing batch meshing or QI
meshing. It is only used to calculate the QI value from the Quality
Index panel.
Minimum length calculator
Below the table is a minimum length calculator, based on time step,
which can be used to calculate the suggested minimum length, based on a
material, time step, and a scale factor.
A pre-defined material can be selected, or a custom material can be
defined.
Apply the calculated minimum length by selecting the Use min
length from timestep calculator checkbox.
Click the Criteria3D tab to edit the current 3D
element criteria.
