Dear rb1957,
Not problem meshing a multi-sided surface, then the automatic mesher should applied. FEMAP will create a dominant QUAD mesh mixing quadrilateral & triangular elements based in the subdivision method where the user can control element type (QUAD/TRIA), mapped meshing options, subdivision options, offset options, etc...
The Mesher section allows you to choose between meshing the surfaces with quadrilateral surface elements, where possible (Quad option), or all triangular surface elements (Tri option). When using the Tri option, you may choose to use Auto, which will examine each surface one at a time and attempt to choose the Tri mesher which will create the best overall triangular mesh on each individual surface. If you want FEMAP to use a particular Tri mesher, uncheck Auto and choose one of the three triangle meshers.
When Mapped Meshing is set to Off, FEMAP will simply mesh the selected surface(s) with a "free mesh", unless a "Mapped Meshing Approach" is set. If Mapped Meshing is On, FEMAP will attempt to create a "Mapped Mesh". FEMAP uses the values set for Max Angle Deviation and Min Corner Angle to determine "corners" it can use to attempt a mapped mesh on surfaces.
The subdivision options control the size and shape of the mesh inside the boundary. The elements along the boundary edges are defined by the mesh sizes that you choose and are unaffected by these settings. Those mesh sizes also have substantial impact on the interior of the mesh, but these options give you additional control.
Etc.., the resources available in FEMAP to mesh multi-sided surfaces are many. The classical method I use is to split the geometry in regular regions, allowing to create QUAD quality mesh.
Best regards,
Blas.
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Blas Molero Hidalgo
Ingeniero Industrial
Director
IBERISA
48011 BILBAO (SPAIN)
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