[STutexas]

Hi

I am using gmsh for creating tet meshes that i import into OpenFOAM. But the mesh is of really poor quality. (It fails almost all the tests of checkMesh). Does any one know of a better third party utility that can help me create a better mesh or help me optimize a GMSH mesh.

Thank you.

Saurabh

[opedrofunk]

Hi,
I've never had that problem with Gmsh - and I use Gmsh A LOT with OpenFOAM...

A few suggestions:
1) Make sure you optimize the mesh quality before exporting. On the command line you can use -optimize or -optimize_netgen depending on which you want to use.

2) Make sure you are either a) working with a good geometric description of your model, and/or b) you take steps to ensure that your surfaces are "good". You can use "complex" curves (splines, arcs, etc.) if you are drawing it in 3D, or if you are starting from an *.stl file or the like, you should probably be using "Compound Surfaces/Lines" to ensure a quality surface mesh - it can make a huge difference.

3) If you want to work efficiently with Gmsh (and Tetgen/Netgen), I suggest using something like the Sketchup Meshkit Extension, which is a free/opensource way to export SketchUp geometry in to Gmsh's native *.geo format (also works in the same way with tetgen and netgen - as well as with a commercial mesher frgen3d). Having your geometry in the native Gmsh format affords much more flexibility when meshing (generating hex/tet meshes, boundary layers, refinement, etc.). It's free, and the upcoming release will also support snappyHexMesh directly, as well. SketchUp Meshkit: http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/co...y-tetgen-tools
Disclaimer: I develop the Sketchup Meshkit extension.

I hope that helps!

Kind regards,
Peter