Merging edges

You can merge selected edges from a part into a single edge. Merging edges also removes redundant vertices and edges. When you select an edge to merge, Abaqus/CAE searches for all connected edges until it encounters a branch and appends the connected edges to your selection. The operation to merge edges is stored as a feature of the part; therefore, you can use the Model Tree to delete or suppress the operation.

Related Topics
Valid parts, precise parts, and tolerance
Methods for editing edges

  1. From the main menu bar, select ToolsGeometry Edit.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Geometry Edit dialog box.

    Tip: You can also merge edges using the tool, located with the edit tools in the Part module toolbox. For a diagram of the edit tools in the toolbox, see Editing techniques.

  2. From the dialog box, select the Edge category and the Merge method.

  3. Select the edges that you want to merge. Abaqus/CAE searches for all connected edges until it encounters a branch and selects all of the connected edges.

    You can select the edges from the viewport or select an existing set containing the edges.

    Note:

    The default selection method is based on the selection method you most recently employed. To revert to the other method, click Select in Viewport or Sets on the right side of the prompt area.

    You can use a combination of drag select, ShiftClick, CtrlClick, and the angle method to select more than one edge to merge. For more information, see Selecting objects within the current viewport.

    Tip: If you are unable to select the desired edges, you can use the Selection toolbar to change the selection behavior. For more information, see Using the selection options.

  4. Click mouse button 2 to indicate that you have finished selecting edges.

    Where possible, Abaqus/CAE merges selected edges into single edges. Abaqus/CAE displays an error message if no edges can be merged; otherwise, Abaqus/CAE prompts you to update the validity of the part.

  5. Do one of the following:

    • Click Yes to update the validity of the part. (You should update the validity of the part whenever you merge edges.)

    • Click No to skip the update and continue your repairs.

    • Click Cancel to cancel the changes in the current repair operation.

    You can also update the validity of a part at any time by clicking mouse button 3 on the part in the Model Tree and selecting Update validity from the menu that appears.