Mapping Methods for Generating Three-Dimensional Meshes

Computers In Mechanical Engineering, CIME Research Supplement, pp.67-72, August 1982

MESHING
RESEARCH
CORNER

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Abstract
Two transformations are derived in this paper. One is a mapping of a unit square onto a surface and the other is a mapping of a unit cube onto a three dimensional region. Two meshing computer programs are then discussed that use these mappings. The first is Ingen, which has been used to calculate three dimensional meshes for approximately 15 years. This meshing program uses an index scheme to number boundaries, surfaces, and regions. The second is Escher, a meshing program now being developed. Two primary considerations governing development of Escher are that meshes graded using quadrilaterals are required and that edge-line geometry defined by CAD/CAM systems will be a major source of geometry definition.