3D Mesh Nodes can be converted to 3D Scatter Points bye using the following command in the Mesh Menu:
The Mesh -> Scatter Points command in the Mesh menu is used to create a new scatter point set using the nodes in a mesh. A copy is made of each of the data sets associated with the mesh and the data sets are associated with the new scatter point set.
This command is useful for comparing the solutions from two separate simulations from different meshes. For example, if two simulations have been performed with slightly different meshes (base vs. plan) it may be useful to generate iso-surfaces or a fringe plot showing the difference between the solutions. It is possible to generate a data set representing the difference between two data sets using the data calculator. However, the two data sets must be associated with the same mesh before the data calculator can be used. The data sets from one of the meshes can be transferred to the other mesh as follows:
Load the first mesh and its data set into memory.
Convert the mesh to a scatter point set using the Mesh -> Scatter Points command.
Delete the first mesh by selecting the Delete All command from the Edit menu.
Load the second mesh and its data set into memory.
Switch to the 3D Scatter Point module and select an interpolation scheme using the Interpolation Options command in the Interpolation menu.
Interpolate the data set to the second mesh by selecting the to 3D Mesh command from the Interpolation menu.
At this point, both data sets will be associated with the second mesh and the Data Calculator can be used to compute the difference between the two data sets. This same sequence of steps can be used to interpolate a data set from a 3D grid to a 3D mesh, or vice versa.
This command creates a 2D mesh from the upward facing elements of the 3D mesh. The materials of the 3D elements are preserved on the 2D mesh. The data sets associated with the 3D mesh are NOT transferred to the 2D mesh.
Related Links:
3D Mesh Module