Template:SMS Generate Mesh Workflow

1. Set vertex spacing on arcs to define mesh element size.
Using the Select Feature Arc tool, select arc(s) and use the Redistribute right-click command. Use the Redistribute Vertices dialog to set the vertex distribution.

2. Stamp new features (channel, roadway embankment, or other).

To construct geometric features, such as channels or embankments, that are not represented in the existing geometric surface. 1. Create a stamping coverage. Create a new coverage with the "Stamping" type. 1. Create new coverage from scratch. Select Map Data in the Project Explorer and use the New Coverage right-click command. Use the New Coverage dialog to create a new coverage by selecting the desired coverage type, and naming the coverage. 2. Create new coverage from an existing coverage. Use the Duplicate command on an existing coverage. This will copy any feature objects on the coverage. Use the Rename command to give the coverage a new name. Change the coverage type. 2. Create a centerline arc in the stamping coverage. Select the Create Feature Arc tool and create a centerline arc in the Graphics Window. 3. Assign attributes to the centerline arc. Right-click on the centerline arc with the Select Feature Arc tool and select the Attributes command. In the Stamping Arc Attributes dialog, assign attributes to the centerline arc including: The elevation along the centerline. The cross sections along the centerline 4. Stamp the feature. Use the Convert → Stamp Features ... right-click command.

3. Create polygons in the Mesh Generator coverage.
Polygons are not created automatically when arcs are enclosed. To create polygons: Use the Feature Objects | Build Polygons command.

4. Specify mesh type for each polygon (pave / patch / none).

1. Select a polygon and open the 2D Mesh Polygon Properties dialog. Use the Select Poylgon tool to select a polygon. Double-click on the selected polygon or use the Feature Objects | Attributes menu command. 2. Set the Mesh Type, Bathymetry Type, and Material Type for the polygon. Mesh types include Patch, Paving, Scalar Paving Density, and Constant Paving Density. Bathymetry type describes the elevation/topography source for the mesh nodes. Bathymetry types include a constant elevation value, interpolated elevation values from a scatter set, or interpolated elevation values from an existing mesh. Material types can be assigned to a polygon using materials previously created in Materials Data dialog. 3. Preview and edit the polygon mesh. Select the Preview Mesh button. Use the preview tools to edit the mesh. Set Arc Options to adjust distribution of vertices. Use Node Options to change how arcs are treated when using a patch mesh type.

5. Assign scatter data to the Mesh Generator coverage.

6. Generate mesh.
Select the Mesh Generator coverage and use the Map → 2D Mesh right-click command. Review the mesh quality.