How to convert mesh into separete surfaces


I understand that there is a post talking about changing the mesh to surface and then export them out. However, it seems this is not what I want. For example, I have a rectangular plate with 9x9 quadmesh. I would like to convert the mesh into 9x9 surface but not just a combined surface. Can anyone tell me how this can be done?


Can you please give more details?
1. form the mesh
2. Create surface from FE
3. Click F11 > Toggle Edges
4. Choose Surface > Detach
Is this what you mean? It seems that I still cannot do it,,,,


I can only select the outer line but seems cannot right-click on mesh lines on 'toggle edges'....


Hi
Please explain the requirement with respect to image displayed


Hi,
Let me further explain what I would like to do in Hypermesh. As shown in the above figure, the plate is meshed into different pieces. Normally, if I convert the mesh to surface using 'From FE', a surface will be created. However, I would like to see if it is possible to split that surface into different mesh pieces such that when I export out to IGES or STEP file, the mesh can still be seen. Is that possible?
Or simply, possible to export the mesh in IGES or STEP? I want the mesh could be visualized in other CAD software.

Or simply, possible to export the mesh in IGES or STEP? I want the mesh could be visualized in other CAD software.
FE entities (nodes, elements,...) are NOT CAD entities, so you can not export into CAD output format (like STEP or IGES).
You have to convert FE entities into CAD entities (lines, surfaces,...) for IGES/STEP exportation.

Hi
Goto 2d >> detach elements(check detachall).
Now create surface from FE.

Hi Isaac,
try the following procedure:
1. create a surface from FE mesh with geom>surface>from FE
2. create a dummy component and copy (shift+F11 organize panel) the mesh into it.
3. use edges panel (F3) to equivalence original and dummy component. Switch the find to T-connections, select both components and find t-connection edges.
4. use 2D>drag>drag elems to drag t-connection edge elements to 2D shells
5. create a surface from these 2D shell elements created by drag with geom>surface>from FE
6. use geom>surface edit>trim with surfs/planes>self intersecting surfs and select all surfaces
This procedure should work on flat surfaces, but may fail with curved surfaces.
You can use panel f11 >toggle edges
to detach surfs