When you select the Volume option, Creo Simulate asks you to select one or more volumes. It then begins to preprocess your model. Preprocessing searches your model for existing elements, evaluates your model to determine if the surfaces and topology of your model are meshable, and prepares your model to be meshed. If any preprocessing step requires more than 30 seconds, AutoGEM displays messages in the command area indicating its progress. AutoGEM also displays messages if it determines, during this phase, that it will not be able to mesh the model given the element limits or other conditions.

After preprocessing is complete, AutoGEM searches for existing elements, and creates a mesh as follows:

In either case, AutoGEM attempts to optimize elements by trying different element combinations until it finds a set that best meets its criteria. Creo Simulate regularly updates the status messages concerning how many elements AutoGEM has created. This gives you a general idea of how AutoGEM is progressing. If you think that it is taking too long, you can interrupt the process. See Interrupting AutoGEM for information on using completion status to determine if you should interrupt AutoGEM.

After AutoGEM creates a complete set of elements, it tries to reduce the number of elements where possible. While you can interrupt AutoGEM, allowing it to complete this stage usually results in a 30–70% reduction in elements.

If your model includes idealizations such as shells, beams, springs, or masses, AutoGEM first meshes any volumes, adding solid elements. It then creates the shell mesh and, finally, adds the beams, springs, and so forth. If necessary, AutoGEM shifts between solid and shell meshing to meet the mesh quality criteria.

If AutoGEM completes successfully or you interrupt it, the AutoGEM Summary dialog box appears. If AutoGEM does not complete successfully, it displays messages or message boxes explaining the problem and adds this information to the log file.

Return to Volume.