You can define the element size along selected edges by entering the approximate element size. You can also define curvature control parameters that Abaqus/CAE uses to adjust the element size in regions of high curvature. Abaqus/CAE allows you to select edges, faces, or cells to seed. However, seeds are positioned only along edges—the edges that you select or the edges of faces and cells that you select.
All the edge seeding tools generate edge seeds, which are displayed in magenta. Edge seeds override any part or instance seeds you have specified. You should apply seeds to all edges.
To seed an edge by prescribing the element size:
From the main menu bar, select Seed
Edges.
Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.
Tip:
You can also seed an edge by element size using the 
tool, located with the seed tools in the Mesh module toolbox. (For more information, see “Using the Mesh module toolbox,” Section 17.15.)
Select the edges, faces, or cells you want to seed.
By default, Abaqus/CAE allows you to select only edges to seed. To select faces or cells to seed, use the Selection toolbar to change the type of object that you can select to Face, Cells, or All. For more information, see “Filtering your selection based on the type of object,” Section 6.3.2.
When you have finished selecting edges, faces, or cells, click Done in the prompt area. For more information on selecting objects, see Chapter 6, “Selecting objects within the viewport.”
From the Local Seeds dialog box that appears, choose By size.
Note: If you selected edges that you previously seeded using a combination of seeding methods, Abaqus/CAE provides an As Is option that allows you to retain the seeding method on the selected edges.
Enter the approximate element size to be used along the selected edges.
Choose a bias control of None.
By default, Abaqus/CAE applies curvature control to the seeding of your part or part instance to allow for small holes or regions of high curvature that you wish to model. Curvature control allows Abaqus/CAE to calculate the seed distribution based on the curvature of the edge along with the target element size. To control the effect of curvature on seeding, do the following:
Enter a value for the deviation factor. The deviation factor is a measure of how much the element edges deviate from the original geometry. To help you visualize the influence of the deviation factor, Abaqus/CAE displays the number of elements it would create around a circle corresponding to the setting that you enter.
If desired, specify a minimum size factor as a fraction of the global element size. Specifying a minimum size factor prevents Abaqus/CAE from creating very fine meshes in areas of high curvature that you have no interest in modeling.
If desired, change the default seed constraints by clicking the Constraints button in the prompt area and responding to the dialog box that appears. See “Applying constraints to edge seeds,” Section 17.16.5, for further information on setting seed constraints.
If desired, toggle on Create set with name to create a set containing the edges, faces, and cells you selected and enter the name of the set. If you subsequently want to change the seeding, you can select the set in Step 2 without having to reselect the edges, faces, and cells.
Click Apply to view the seeding that Abaqus/CAE will use.
Magenta seeds appear on the selected edges.
If necessary, adjust the values that you entered in the Local Seeds dialog box.
Click OK to commit the element seeding and to close the dialog box.
