Discretize

The Discretize option will discretize all model boundaries, according to the settings in the Mesh Setup dialog. The discretization of the model boundaries, forms the framework for the finite element mesh, and is indicated by small red crosses subdividing the boundary line segments. Each cross indicates the position of a finite element node on the boundary.

To Discretize:

1. Select Discretize from the toolbar or the Mesh menu. (The Discretize option is also available as a button in the Mesh Setup dialog.)
2. All boundaries will be discretized, and the Status Bar will indicate the number of discretizations created for each boundary type.

NOTE: selecting Discretize will also re-apply any Custom Discretization, if you had previously applied Custom Discretization to the boundaries and then reset the mesh.

You must always Discretize before you can generate the mesh. After discretizing, the finite element mesh is generated by selecting the Mesh option.

Customizing the Discretization

If you need to improve the discretization, there are several different ways of doing this:

1. Change the settings in the Mesh Setup dialog (e.g. Number of Nodes, Gradation Factor, or use the Advanced Mesh Regions option), and then re-select Discretize.
2. Use the Custom Discretize option.
3. Use the Increase Discretization Density option.

Discretize and Mesh

A shortcut to discretize the boundaries and generate the mesh with a single mouse click, is to select the Discretize and Mesh option.

Remove Discretization

The Remove Mesh option can be used at any time to remove the mesh and / or discretization.