Detecting Errors

Errors in the model can be detected by the following methods:

1. Perform a validation check (Maxwell 3D > Validation check). This returns the following types of errors – api_check_entity() errors, non-manifold errors, and intersection errors – and works on all the bodies present in the model.
2. Run an object analysis (Modeler > Model Analysis > Analyze Objects) on a subset of bodies in the model. This returns api_check_entity() errors and non-manifold edge/vertex errors, and, optionally small edge, small face and sliver face detection errors.
3. Run an interobject misalignment analysis (Modeler > Model Analysis > Analyze Interobject Misalignment). This yields face pairs from different bodies that are slightly misaligned with respect to each other. This misalignment causes the faces to intersect each other or to create small volumetric portion between the bodies that might cause mesh to fail. If these faces are aligned – that is, the faces are made to share the same surface definition – then the gap between the faces is eliminated and there is a higher likelihood that the mesh will succeed.
4. Run a surface mesh analysis (Modeler > Model Analysis > Analyze Surface Mesh). For the selected bodies, a mesh is invoked on each individual body and, optionally, on body pairs. Errors from running the mesh analysis are displayed, helping you focus on bodies/body pairs that fail meshing. If these are fixed, there is a higher probability that the mesh will succeed.
5. Mesh errors from the last simulation run are displayed.

Errors for 2, 3, 4 and 5 are displayed in the Model Analysis dialog box. Using the menu items for 2, 3 and 4 displays the dialog box. This dialog box can also be opened by clicking Modeler > Model Analysis > Show Analysis Dialog.