To automatically create virtual topology:

1. From the Object field in the context bar, select a part or the assembly.

2. From the main menu bar, select ToolsVirtual TopologyAutomatic Create.

   Tip:  You can also automatically create virtual topology using the tool, located in the Mesh module toolbox.

3. Select the target regions to be considered for virtual topology.

   The default selection method is parts or part instances, depending on whether you selected a part or the assembly in Step 1. If desired, you can change the selection method in the prompt area to select faces.

   You can use a combination of drag-select, [Shift] + Click, and [Ctrl] + Click to select more than one part instance in an assembly or more than one face in a part or an assembly. You can also use the angle method or the face curvature method to select more than one face. For more information, see “Selecting objects within the current viewport,” Section 6.2.

   Abaqus/CAE opens the Create Virtual Topology dialog box.

4. Toggle off any criteria that you do not want Abaqus/CAE to consider for virtual topology.

5. If desired, click the tools, located next to each control that includes a size parameter, to measure entities in the viewport.

   Follow the instructions in the prompt area to make your selection. You can measure the length of multiple edges or the area of multiple faces in a single operation. When you are finished, click Done in the prompt area (if necessary).

   Abaqus/CAE displays the measured value in the message area. If you selected multiple entities, Abaqus/CAE displays the average, minimum, and maximum values. Use the measured values to verify or adjust the virtual topology controls in the dialog box.

6. Click on the highlight tools, located on the right side of the dialog box, to view entities that may be replaced by virtual topology according to the corresponding parameter. For example, the tool highlights edges within your target region that are smaller than the current short edge length setting. Highlighted entities will not be replaced if they are an integral part of the model or if merging them violates the curvature control parameters.

   Note:  The highlight tools for the curvature controls (corners and blends) indicate entities that will be retained according to the current settings.

7. When you are satisfied with the control settings, click Preview to highlight all the entities that will be replaced by virtual topology.

   Note:  For large parts or assemblies, or any selection set that contains numerous items for replacement, the preview function may take some time. Instead, you can use the highlight tools as mentioned in Step 6 to quickly view entities that meet the parameter settings.

8. Click Create to create the virtual topology according to the selected parameter settings.

   Abaqus/CAE highlights any edges or vertices in the viewport that will become redundant using your current selections and prompts you to choose whether they should also be combined. Abaqus/CAE creates an Auto virtual topology feature in the Model Tree to combine or ignore the selected entities.

9. If the target regions selected in Step 3 are still valid, you can repeat Steps 4 through 8 to create more virtual topology on the same regions or click Dismiss to close the Create Virtual Topology dialog box.

   If the selected target regions are invalidated by the virtual topology, Abaqus/CAE closes the Create Virtual Topology dialog box and returns you to Step 3 to select new target regions.