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[modules/smesh.git] / doc / salome / gui / SMESH / input / constructing_meshes.doc

/*!

\page constructing_meshes_page Constructing meshes

\n Construction of a mesh on some geometry consists of:
<ul>
  <li> \ref create_mesh_anchor "Creating of a mesh object"</li>
  <li> \ref evaluate_anchor "Evaluating mesh size" (optional)</li>
  <li> \ref preview_anchor "Previewing the mesh" (optional)</li>
  <li> \ref submesh_order_anchor "Changing sub-mesh priority" (optional)</li>
  <li> \ref compute_anchor "Computing the mesh"</li>
  <li> \ref edit_anchor "Editing the mesh" (optional)</li>
</ul>

\anchor create_mesh_anchor
<h2>Creation of a mesh object</h2>
<em>To construct a mesh:</em>
<ol>
  <li>Select a geometrical object for meshing.</li>
  <li>In the \b Mesh menu select <b>Create Mesh</b> or click <em>"Create
      Mesh"</em> button in the toolbar. 

    <center>
    \image html image32.png
    <em>"Create Mesh" button</em>
    </center>

    The following dialog box will appear: 

    \image html createmesh-inv.png
    <br>
  </li>
  <li> To filter off irrelevant meshing algorithms, you can
    select <b>Mesh Type</b> in the corresponding list from <b>Any,
      Hexahedral, Tetrahedral, Triangular </b> and \b Quadrilateral (there
    can be less items for the geometry of lower dimensions).

    Selection of a mesh type hides all meshing algorithms that can not
    generate elements of this type.</li>

  <li>Apply \subpage basic_meshing_algos_page "meshing algorithms" and
    \subpage about_hypo_page "hypotheses" which will be used to compute
    this mesh.

    "Create mesh" dialog box contains several tab pages titled \b 3D,
    \b 2D, \b 1D and \b 0D. The title of each page reflects the
    dimension of the CAD model (geometry) the algorithms listed on
    this page affect and the maximal dimension of elements the algorithms
    generate. For example, \b 3D page lists the algorithms that affect
    3D geometrical objects (solids) and generate 3D mesh elements
    (tetrahedra, hexahedra etc.)

    \note
    - Some page(s) can be disabled if the source geometrical
    object does not include shapes (sub-shapes) of the corresponding
    dimension(s). For example, if the input object is a geometrical face,
    \b 3D page is disabled.
    - Some algorithms affect the geometry of several dimensions,
    i.e. "1D-2D" or "1D-2D-3D". If such an algorithm is selected by the
    user, the dialog box pages related to the corresponding lower level
    dimensions are disabled.
    - \b 0D page does not refer to the 0D elements, but to 0D
    geometry (vertices). Mesh module does not provide algorithms that
    produce 0D elements. Currently \b 0D page provides only one
    algorithm "Segments around vertex" that allows specyfying the required
    size of mesh edges about the selected vertex (or vertices).

    For example, you need to mesh a 3D object.

    First, type the name of your mesh in the \b Name box, by default,
    it is "Mesh_1". Then select the geometrical object you wish to
    mesh in the Object Browser and click "Select" button near \b Geometry
    field (if the name of the object has not yet appeared in \b Geometry field).
    <center>
    \image html image120.png
    <em>"Select" button</em>
    </center>

    Now you can define 3D Algorithm and 3D Hypotheses, which will be
    applied to the solids of your geometrical object. Click the <em>"Add
      Hypothesis"</em>  button to add a hypothesis.
    <center>
    \image html image121.png
    <em>"Add Hypothesis" button</em>
    </center>
    Click the <em>"Plus"</em> button to enable adding more additional hypotheses.

    Click the <em>"Edit Hypothesis"</em> button to change the values for the
    current hypothesis.
    <center>
    \image html image122.png
    <em>"Edit Hypothesis" button</em>
    </center>

    Most 2D and 3D algorithms can work without hypotheses using
    default meshing parameters. Some algorithms do not require any
    hypotheses. After selection of an algorithm "Hypothesis" field of
    the dialog can contain:
    <ul>
      <li> <em>\<Default\></em> if the algorithm can work using default
      parameters.</li>
      <li> <em>\<None\></em> if the algorithm requires a hypothesis defining
      its parameters.</li>
      <li> If the algorithm does not use hypotheses, this field is grayed.</li>
    </ul>
    After selection of an algorithm <b>Add. Hypothesis</b> field can contain:
    <ul>
      <li> <em>\<None\></em> if the algorithm can be tuned
      using an additional hypothesis.</li>
      <li> If the algorithm does not use additional hypotheses, this field is grayed.</li>
    </ul>

    Proceed in the same way with 2D and 1D Algorithms and Hypotheses that
    will be used to mesh faces and edges of your geometry. (Note
    that any object has edges, even if their existence is not
    apparent, for example, a sphere has 4 edges). Note that the
    choice of hypotheses and lower dimension algorithms depends on
    the higher dimension algorithm.

    If you wish you can select different algorithms and/or hypotheses
    for meshing some parts of your CAD model by \ref constructing_submeshes_page.

    Some algorithms generate mesh of several dimensions, while others
    produce mesh of only one dimension. In the latter case there must
    be one Algorithm and zero or several
    Hypotheses for each dimension of your object, otherwise you will
    not get any mesh at all. Of course, if you wish to mesh a face,
    which is a 2D object, you do not need to define a 3D Algorithm and
    Hypotheses.

    In the <b>Object Browser</b> the structure of the new mesh will be
    displayed as follows:

    <center>
    \image html image88.jpg
    </center>

    It contains: 
    <ul>
      <li>a mesh name (<em>Mesh_mechanic</em>);
      <li>a reference to the geometrical object on the basis of
        which the mesh has been constructed (\a mechanic);</li> 
      <li><b>Applied hypotheses</b> folder containing the references
        to the hypotheses applied at the construction of the mesh;</li>
      <li><b>Applied algorithms</b> folder containing the references
        to the algorithms applied at the construction of the mesh.</li> 
    </ul>

    There is an alternative way to assign Algorithms and Hypotheses by
    clicking <b>Assign a set of hypotheses</b> button and selecting among
    pre-defined sets of hypotheses. In addition to the standard
    sets of hypotheses, it is possible to create custom sets by editing
    CustomMeshers.xml file located in the home directory. CustomMeshers.xml
    file must describe sets of hypotheses in the
    same way as ${SMESH_ROOT_DIR}/share/salome/resources/smesh/StdMeshers.xml 
    file does (sets of hypotheses are enclosed between <hypotheses-set-group>
      tags).

      \image html hypo_sets.png
      List of sets of hypotheses. Tag <em>[custom]</em> is
      automatically added to the sets defined by the user.
      
      \note \a Automatic in the names of pre-defined sets of
      hypotheses means only that initially \ref
      automatic_length_anchor "Automatic Length" hypothesis was
      included in these sets, and not that these sets are suitable for
      meshing any geometry.
  </li>
</ol>

Consider trying a sample script for construction of a mesh from our 
\ref tui_creating_meshes_page "TUI Scripts" section.

\anchor evaluate_anchor
<h2>Evaluating mesh size</h2>

After the mesh object is created and all hypotheses are assigned and
before \ref compute_anchor "Compute" operation, it is possible to
calculate the eventual mesh size. For this, select the mesh in
the <b>Object Browser</b> and from the \b Mesh menu select \b
Evaluate. The result of evaluation will be displayed in the following
information box: 

\image html mesh_evaluation_succeed.png

\anchor preview_anchor
<h2>Previewing the mesh</h2>

Before \ref compute_anchor "the mesh computation", it is also possible
to see the mesh preview.

For this, select the mesh in the Object Browser. From the \b Mesh menu
select \b Preview or click "Preview" button in the toolbar or activate
"Preview" item from the pop-up menu.

<center>
\image html mesh_precompute.png
<em>"Preview" button</em>
</center>

Select <b>1D mesh</b> or <b>2D mesh</b> preview mode in the Preview dialog. 

\image html preview_mesh_1D.png "1D mesh preview shows nodes computed on geometry edges"
<br>
\image html preview_mesh_2D.png "2D mesh preview shows edge mesh elements, computed on geometry faces"

<b>Compute</b> button computes the whole mesh.

When the Preview dialog is closed, the question about the storage of temporarily
created mesh elements appears:

\image html preview_tmp_data.png

These elements can be kept in the mesh.


\anchor submesh_order_anchor
<h2>Changing sub-mesh priority</h2>

If the mesh contains concurrent \ref constructing_submeshes_page "sub-meshes", 
it is possible to change the priority of their computation, i.e. to
change the priority of applying algorithms to the shared sub-shapes of
the Mesh shape.

<em>To change submesh priority:</em>

Choose "Change submesh priority" from the Mesh menu or a pop-up
menu. The opened dialog shows a list of submeshes in the order of
their priority. 

There is an example of submesh order modifications taking a Mesh created on a Box
shape. The main Mesh object:
<ul>
  <li><i>1D</i> <b>Wire discretisation</b> with <b>Number of Segments</b>=20</li>
  <li><i>2D</i> <b>Triangle (Mefisto)</b> with Hypothesis<b>Max Element Area</b>
  </li>
</ul>
The first submesh object <b>Submesh_1</b> created on <b>Face_1</b> is:
<ul>
  <li><i>1D</i> <b>Wire discretisation</b> with <b>Number of Segments</b>=4</li>
  <li><i>2D</i> <b>Triangle (Mefisto)</b> with Hypothesis <b>MaxElementArea</b>=1200</li>
</ul>
The second submesh object <b>Submesh_2</b> created on <b>Face_2</b> is:
<ul>
  <li><i>1D</i> <b>Wire discretisation</b> with <b>Number of Segments</b>=8</li>
  <li><i>2D</i> <b>Triangle (Mefisto)</b> with Hypothesis <b>MaxElementArea</b>=1200</li>
</ul>

And the last submesh object <b>Submesh_3</b> created on <b>Face_3</b> is:
<ul>
  <li><i>1D</i> <b>Wire discretisation</b> with <b>Number of Segments</b>=12</li>
  <li><i>2D</i> <b>Triangle (Mefisto)</b> with Hypothesis <b>MaxElementArea</b>=1200</li>
</ul>

The sub-meshes become concurrent if they share sub-shapes that can be
meshed with different algorithms (or different hypotheses). In the
example, we have three submeshes with concurrent algorithms, because
they have different hypotheses.

The first mesh computation is made with:
<center>
\image html mesh_order_123.png
<em>"Mesh order SubMesh_1, SubMesh_2, SubMesh_3"</em></center>
<center>
\image html mesh_order_123_res.png
<em>"Result mesh with order SubMesh_1, SubMesh_2, SubMesh_3 "</em></center>

The next mesh computation is made with:
<center>
\image html mesh_order_213.png
<em>"Mesh order SubMesh_2, SubMesh_1, SubMesh_3"</em></center>
<center>
\image html mesh_order_213_res.png
<em>"Result mesh with order SubMesh_2, SubMesh_1, SubMesh_3 "</em></center>

And the last mesh computation is made with:
<center>
\image html mesh_order_321.png
<em>"Mesh order SubMesh_3, SubMesh_2, SubMesh_1"</em></center>
<center>\image html mesh_order_321_res.png
<em>"Result mesh with order SubMesh_3, SubMesh_2, SubMesh_1 "</em></center>

As we can see, each mesh computation has a different number of result
elements and a different mesh discretization on the shared edges (the edges 
that are shared between <b>Face_1</b>, <b>Face_2</b> and <b>Face_3</b>)

Additionally, submesh priority (the order of applied algorithms) can
be modified not only in a separate dialog box, but also in
the <b>Preview</b>. This helps to preview different mesh results,
modifying the order of submeshes. 
<center>
\image html mesh_order_preview.png
<em>"Preview with submesh priority list box"</em></center>

If there are no concurrent submeshes under the Mesh object, the user
will see the following information.
<center>
\image html mesh_order_no_concurrent.png
<em>"No concurrent submeshes detected"</em></center>


\anchor compute_anchor
<h2>Computing the mesh</h2>

It is equally possible to skip  \ref evaluate_anchor "the Evaluation"
and \ref preview_anchor "the Preview" and to \b Compute the mesh after
the hypotheses are assigned. For this, select your mesh in
the <b>Object Browser</b>. From the \b Mesh menu select \b Compute or
click "Compute" button of the toolbar.

<center>
\image html image28.png
<em>"Compute" button</em>
</center>

After the mesh computation finishes, the Mesh Computation information
box appears. In case of a success, the box shows
information on number of entities of different types in the mesh.

\image html meshcomputationsucceed.png

If the mesh computation failed, the information about the cause of the
failure is provided in \b Errors table.

\image html meshcomputationfail.png

After you select the error, <b>Show Sub-shape</b> button allows
visualizing in magenta the geometrical entity that causes the error.

\image html failed_computation.png 
<em>3D algorithm failed to compute mesh on a box shown using <b>Show
    Sub-shape</b> button</em>

<b>Publish Sub-shape</b> button publishes the sub-shape, whose meshing
has failed, in GEOM component as a child of the mesh geometry, which
allows analyzing the problem geometry and creating a submesh on it in
order to locally tune the hypotheses.

If the failure is caused by an invalid input mesh and the algorithm has
found which mesh entities are bad, <b>Show bad Mesh</b> 
button appears in the dialog. Clicked, it shows the bad mesh entities in
the Viewer in magenta. Sometimes the shown mesh entities are too small
or/and hidden by other mesh elements. They can be seen after
switching the mesh to Wireframe visualization mode or switching off
the visualization of faces and volumes (if any).

<b>Bad Mesh to Group</b> button creates groups of bad mesh entities
to facilitate their analysis.

\image html show_bad_mesh.png
<em>Edges bounding a hole in the surface are shown in magenta using <b>Show
    bad Mesh</b> button</em>

\note Mesh Computation Information box does not appear if you set
"Mesh computation/Show a computation result notification" preference 
to the "Never" value. This option gives the possibility to control mesh
computation reporting. There are the following possibilities: always
show the information box, show only if an error occurs or never. 
By default, the information box is always shown after mesh computation operation.

<p><p>
\anchor edit_anchor
<h2>Editing the mesh</h2>

It is possible to \ref modifying_meshes_page "edit the mesh" of
lower dimension before generation of mesh of higher dimension.

For example you can generate 2D mesh, modify it using e.g. 
\ref pattern_mapping_page, and then generate 3D mesh basing on the
modified 2D mesh. The workflow is following:
- Define 1D and 2D meshing algorithms.
- Compute the mesh. 2D mesh is generated.
- Apply \ref pattern_mapping_page.
- Define 3D meshing algorithms without modifying 1D and 2D algorithms
and hypotheses.
- Compute the mesh. 3D mesh is generated.

\note Nodes and elements added \ref adding_nodes_and_elements_page
"manually" can't be used in this workflow because the manually created
entities are not attached to any geometry and thus (usually) can't be
found by a mesher paving some geometry.

<b>See Also</b> a sample TUI Script demonstrates the possibility of 
\ref tui_editing_while_meshing "Intermediate edition while meshing"

*/