Step 3: Fitting the Blocking to the Geometry

Blocking > Associate   > Associate Edge to Curve  

  1. Disable Surfaces.

     Geometry > Surfaces

    When associating edges to curves, you need to display only curves and edges. Hence, you can disable unwanted entities to avoid confusion.

  2. Associate the three edges at the top (A) with the three curves forming the small semicircle (A' ). See Figure 53: Edges Associated to Curves.

    Figure 53: Edges Associated to Curves

    Edges Associated to Curves

    1. Click   (Select edge(s)) and select the edges denoted by A. Click the middle-mouse button to accept the selection.

    2. Click   (Select compcurve(s)) and select the curves denoted by A'. Click the middle-mouse button to accept the selection.

      When selecting multiple curves, the first curve selected determines the curve color of the final grouped curve. To avoid confusion with green edges, experts try to avoid selecting the green curve segments first.

    3. Click Apply in the Associate Edge -> Curve DEZ.

  3. Similarly, associate the three edges in the front of the large cylinder (B) with the three curves forming the large semicircle (B').

  4. Associate the three edges on the Y-plane near the cylinder intersections (C) with the semicircle curve forming the intersection (C').

  5. Associate the side rear edges of the large cylinder (D, E) to the curves forming the rear ends (D', E’), respectively.

  6. Verify that the correct associations have been set (Figure 54: Projection of Edges to the Associated Curves)

     Blocking > Edges > Show association

    The display of Surfaces has been enabled in Figure 54: Projection of Edges to the Associated Curves.

    Figure 54: Projection of Edges to the Associated Curves

    Projection of Edges to the Associated Curves

    Disable Show association when you are satisfied.

  7. Move all the vertices onto the geometry.

    Blocking > Associate   > Snap Project Vertices  

    1. Retain the selection of All Visible for Vertex Select.

    2. Click Apply.

  8. Manually adjust the vertices at the INL and OUT parts.

    Blocking > Move Vertex   > Move Vertex  

    1. Click   (Select vert(s)) and select one of the vertices on the curved edge of the part OUT (top of vertical, small cylinder).

    2. Move the vertex along the associated curve such that the edges along the smaller cylinder are nearly equidistant.

      Drag the vertex along the curve, keeping the left-mouse button pressed.

    3. Similarly, move the vertices at the junction of CYL1 and CYL2 to appropriate locations.

      Also, move vertices on the curved INL geometry. See (Figure 55: Moved Vertices).

      Figure 55: Moved Vertices

      Moved Vertices

      Note:  To optimize mesh quality, the vertices should be spaced to minimize the average deviation of the edges from the curve. To achieve the most even distribution with this half cylinder case, place the vertices approximately 60 degrees apart (180° half circle/3 edges = 60° per edge).

  9. Save the blocking (3D-pipe-geometry.blk).

    File > Blocking > Save Blocking As...

    The blocking file can be reloaded at a later time, using the File > Blocking > Open Blocking... menu item.