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How to create a conformal lattice from a Quad mesh

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Cayleigh McCreight

Objective:

Learn how to create a conformal lattice from a quad mesh.

Applies to:

  • Conformal lattices
  • An alternative to Lattice from CAD face workflows

Procedure:

1. Create a mesh, import a mesh, or extract mesh faces.

2. Add a Filter Mesh by Flood Fill block and input your mesh to filter it.

3. Convert your mesh into a Quad Mesh.

    • Add a Quadrangulate Mesh block.
      • Input your Filter Mesh by Flood Fill block.
      • Edit the Quad Mesh settings until you are happy with the result (Each quad will be a lattice unit cell).

quad_mesh_1.jpg

4. Convert the Quad Mesh into a lattice.

    • Add a Periodic Lattice (beta) block. 
      • Add a Cell Map on Quad Mesh (beta) block.
        • Add a Graph Unit Cell (beta) (You can use custom, graph, or TPMS).
          • For desired results, make sure your unit cell is symmetrical.
        • Edit the Height, Layer count, and Unit cell parameter 1 until you are happy with the results.

mceclip0.png

Test out the different unit cells and settings to see what you can create.

Note: Since there are many different faces within a quad mesh, the UVW of those faces may not align perfectly. This can be an issue if you are using a unit cell that isn't the same in every direction, like the gyroid unit cell. In this case, the Lattice from CAD Face workflow may be the preferred workflow.

quad_lattices.jpg

And that’s it! You’ve successfully created a lattice from a quad mesh. 

Are you still having issues? Contact the support team, and we’ll be happy to help!

Download the Example file:

More on this topic:

Keywords:

 cad face mesh surface lattice conformal tpms remesh cell unit lattices quadrangulate quad how-to 
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4 comments
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    Fred Felten

    For some reason, this great BETA block "Lattice Body from Quad Mesh" does not appear to be available with the latest version 2.31.2
    Is it a mistake/bug? has it been replaced by something else or a custom block?

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  • Avatar
    Fred Felten

    Figured out how to do it with 2.31.2
    Periodic Lattice Body + Cell Map on Quad Mesh

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  • Avatar
    Cayleigh McCreight

    Thanks for your comment! This was recently updated in 2.30. I've gone ahead and updated the article with the new block name.

    0
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    Shahzaib Ilyas

    This option is very helpful to create a conformal lattice structure. However I have a general question which is out of this topic. How can I create spoinoidal architecture in nTopology? I am trying to find some solution but have not found any method or helping material related to create spoinoid structure here in nTopology.

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