how to convert the stl file to soild mesh

Altair Forum User

I have a stl file that I used solver deck to import into hypermesh. I created surfaces using Geometry -> Create ->Surfaces -> from FE. However, I am not able to create solid mesh after that. please see my attached image.

 

Thanks,

Louis

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

Altair Forum User

After importing your STL, if you have a closed volume, you can make volume mesh directly with 3D => tetramesh.

Rahul_P1

when you need to convert an .stl representation of a model into a tria/quad mesh; using shrink wrap provides a quick and efficient way of achieving this

 

 

HyperWorks Desktop Applications > HyperMesh > User's Guide > Meshing > Surface Meshing:

Shrink Wrap Meshing

Altair Forum User

Hi, 

 

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried shrink wrap meshing. It works but it seems like the internal cavity disappeared. 

 

The first attached image is the surfaces created from FE. The surfaces do not look uniform (after create automesh) but the method is able to catch the internal cavity (black arrow). 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

When I used shrink wrap meshing, the element size has to be small (<1) and then the mesh will look better (uniform) and keep the shape. (the second attached image) but the internal cavity disappeared. This method seems fill the internal hole automatically

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

Is there any way that I am able to mesh my sample with 'uniform' meshing (shrink wrap) but keep the internal cavity (surface created from FE)?

 

Thanks, 

Louis

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Altair Forum User

Hi Louis,

 

Can you try patch holes in Shrink Wrap panel?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

Rahul_P1

Louis,

 

Try with the tight wrap option, loose wrap may not wrap around all the features as necessary. 

 

In your particular case however, the only other option if shrink wrap does not give the required result, is to use Tetramesh. 

 

To tetramesh, you can try to tetramesh directly as suggested by Q above, or you may have to tria mesh the surface carefully, making sure you have a closed volume and then proceed to tetramesh. 

Altair Forum User

I just tried shrink wrap with patch hole and tight wrap. It does not retain the inner cavity. 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

I also tried 3D->tetra mesh. It works but the mesh seems like just based on the original import stl file. The meshes include too many elements. 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

I use coarse function to decrease the nodes and elements. however, the result meshing does not look good compared to shrink wrap function. Is there any ways that I can try?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

Thanks, 

Louis

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