Create 3D Mesh Using Solid Map

The Solid Map panel can be used to create a solid mesh on multiple solids in a single step. First the 3 solids created when the part was split are meshed. To access the Solid Map panel, Mesh > Create > Solid Map Mesh is selected from the menu bar.

The three solids at the end of the model are selected:

The elem size and source shells are set to 1 and mixed, respectively. The elems to solid/surf comp is selected to keep the mesh elements in the same component collectors as the solid or surface components. Also, interactive is selected to allow some user control over the mesh to be created. Once mesh is selected, the order in which the solids will be meshed is shown in the graphics window. Notice how the middle surface is meshed first and will be extruded from the shell mesh that solid map mesher created. Next the top solid and then the botto solid will be extruded from the 2D shell mesh created in the previous step.

At this point your can edit the edge density, similar to the Automesh panel. Simply left click on a number to increase the density or right click to decrease the density. You can also use the panel to set to the edge densities by an element size or density. Clicking mesh again creates the solid elements and clicking return accepts the solid mesh.

This process is repeated to create the following solid mesh. Notice that all solids have been meshed except for one.