Creating Named Selections in Mesh Sequences
For mesh-based geometries and imported meshes, you can create selection nodes in the sequences under the Mesh-Based Geometry and Mesh nodes. The input is typically user-defined named selections that have been created above the selection node in the sequence. A selection can have a unique set of entities, but it can also include the same entities as another selection.
It is also possible to create selections based on mesh operations. Using selections based on mesh operations makes it possible to track boundaries throughout a parametric sweep, for example. These type of selections are documented in the corresponding documentation for each mesh operation.
For more information about meshes that define their own geometric model, see The Mesh Node.
Building Selection Nodes
To create a state in which the selection can be visualized, click the Build Selected button (). To rebuild the entire meshing sequence, click the Build All button (). Toggle the Selection List button () on the Mesh toolbar open the Selection List window and click the name of the selection in the list of named selections in the bottom section.
Creating Selections From Mesh Operations
For meshes in 3D and 2D that define their own geometric models, you can create selections based on the result of some of the supported mesh operations.
To create these selections, click the mesh operation’s node in the Model Builder and then select corresponding checkbox in the Settings window’s Selections of Resulting Entities section. The selections then become available with the label of the mesh operation node (Create Edges 1, for example) in subsequent mesh nodes. Rename the operation’s node to also rename the selection. To make the selections available in all applicable selection lists in the Settings windows for the physics nodes, material nodes, and so on, select the Show in physics option (Show in instance if in a mesh part) list. Where applicable, select on which levels the selection should be available: All levels, to make the selection available for all geometric entity levels; Domain selection (the default for most operations); Boundary selection; Edge selection (3D only); Point selection; or Off, if the selection should not be available for physics and materials. These selections do not appear as separate selection nodes in the model tree.
Hiding the Selected Geometric Entities
To hide the selected geometric entities in the named selection nodes, toggle the Selection List button () on the Mesh toolbar to open the Selection List window. Right-click the name of the selection in the bottom section and choose Hide Selection (). To show the hidden selection again, right-click the name and select Show Selection ().
Table 6-8: Mesh Named Selections by Type.
Icon
Type
Description
Adjacent Selection
To define a selection of entities that is adjacent to a specified selection. See Adjacent Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Ball Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities (in 3D) that completely or partly lie inside a ball. See Ball Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Box Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities that completely or partly lie inside a box. See Box Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Complement Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities that are not contained in the input entities. See Union Selection, Intersection Selection, Difference Selection, and Complement Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Cylinder Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities that completely or partly lie inside a cylinder. See Cylinder Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Difference Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities that are the difference between the selections to add and the selections to subtract. See Union Selection, Intersection Selection, Difference Selection, and Complement Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Disk Selection
To define a selection of geometric entities (in 2D) that completely or partly lie inside a disk. See Disk Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Explicit Selection
To create the selection using the normal selection tools for individual geometric entities on the geometric entity level chosen. See Explicit Selection (Mesh Sequences).
Intersection Selection
To create the selection as the intersection of two or more selections. See Union Selection, Intersection Selection, Difference Selection, and Complement Selection (Mesh Sequences)
Union Selection
To define a selection of entities that is the union of two or more selections. See Union Selection, Intersection Selection, Difference Selection, and Complement Selection (Mesh Sequences).