Transition Mesh V1.0

Abaqus/CAE plug-in for parametric transition meshing in 2D and 3D. It supports 2:1 and 3:1 transitions, five geometry modes, multi-layer cascades, hybrid transitions and full-domain meshing.

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This project was built with the assistance of AI-assisted programming (vibecoding).

Non-commercial use is free. Contact the author before any commercial use.

Feedback: open a GitHub Issue or email Z25150070@s.upc.edu.cn.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Dialog and parameters
4. Mode-by-mode guide
5. Troubleshooting
6. Scope and limitations
7. Contact and support

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

Transition Mesh is a pre-processing plug-in for Abaqus/CAE. It builds the transition between a fine-mesh region and a coarse-mesh region automatically. By hand, this usually means repeated geometry partitions, seeding every edge, and checking that the nodes on both sides match. The plug-in turns the process into fixed templates: it lays 2:1 or 3:1 quadrilateral or hexahedral elements in the transition band, maps N fine-side segments to N/2 or N/3 coarse-side segments, keeps one-to-one node correspondence on the interface, and produces no hanging nodes or triangles inside the band.

The plug-in works on 2D faces and 3D solids. In 3D, the transition band must sit on a solid cell you have already partitioned, and that cell must have usable sweep or structured meshing capability.

Plug-ins menu entry and parameter dialog

Single-period 2:1 and 3:1 templates (schematic)

1.2 Five transition modes

Mode	Geometry	Ratios	Direction	Multi-layer
PLANAR	Straight-edge band, 2D face or source face of a 3D plate	2:1, 3:1, hybrid	Orientation up, down, left, right	Yes; hybrid is single-layer only
PLANAR_ANNULAR	Planar concentric annulus	2:1, 3:1	Fine inside or outside	Yes
PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR	Rectangular inner frame expanding outwards	2:1, 3:1	Fine inside, coarse outside	2:1 multi-layer; 3:1 single-layer recommended
ANNULAR_RADIAL	Cylinder end-face band along the radius	2:1, 3:1	Fine inside or outside	Yes; the wall must be pre-partitioned at intermediate radii
AXIAL_SURFACE	Cylinder barrel along the axis	2:1, 3:1	Fine loop to coarse loop	Yes; intermediate sections are cut automatically

Choose the mode from the geometry of the transition region:

• Straight-edge band: PLANAR;
• Planar concentric annulus: PLANAR_ANNULAR;
• Full ring around a rectangular inner frame: PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR;
• Cylinder end face along the radius: ANNULAR_RADIAL;
• Cylinder barrel along the axis: AXIAL_SURFACE.

If more than one mode fits, for example around a hole in a plate, choose the annulus or the four-side mode according to the hole shape and the existing partitions.

1.3 Workflow

The plug-in follows a pick, validate, trial-mesh, execute workflow:

1. Pick geometry: choose the mode, pick the target faces and reference edges in the viewport, and confirm each pick with Done;
2. Set parameters: enter the fine-side segment count Seeds, the number of transition layers Layers, and the transition ratio Ratio;
3. Check: run a read-only validation of the input, divisibility and geometric plan. A FAIL blocks execution;
4. Pre-mesh: run a real trial partition, seed and mesh inside a model transaction, audit the mesh, then roll back automatically. The original model is unchanged;
5. Apply: choose the execution level under Action and execute.

A passing Check means the plan is valid. A passing Pre-mesh means the combination can be delivered. Changing any input makes the previous verdict stale; the status line shows Check is stale, and you need to run Check again.

Execution is protected by a model transaction. Any hard failure rolls the model back completely, leaving no partial partitions or seeds.

Action has two levels:

• Partition + seed only (no mesh): partitions and local seeds only, for manual mesh-control adjustments or a second meshing pass;
• Partition + seed + mesh: partitions, seeds and generates the mesh in one step.

In 2D modes you can also pick Full domain to mesh the transition band and the connected regular regions in one pass.

2 Installation

2.1 Requirements

• Abaqus/CAE 2024 or later, verified on Abaqus/CAE 2025;
• Windows;
• Pure Python, loaded by the Abaqus built-in interpreter. No third-party libraries are needed.

2.2 Install steps

1. Close every Abaqus/CAE window;
2. Download the latest package from Releases and extract it;
3. Copy the entire TransitionMesh folder into the Abaqus plug-in search directory. All 13 scripts go directly inside that folder; do not split them into the parent directory and do not add another TransitionMesh subfolder. The usual location is %USERPROFILE%\abaqus_plugins; if you configured another directory with plugin_path or a shortcut argument, use that directory;
4. Start Abaqus/CAE and confirm that Transition Mesh appears in the Plug-ins menu;
5. Open the dialog once and confirm that the status line and parameter sections display correctly.

The installed layout should be:

<Abaqus plug-in search directory>/
└─ TransitionMesh/
   ├─ transitionMesh_plugin.py
   ├─ transitionMeshDB.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_gui_kernel.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_plan.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_rules.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_runtime.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_regions.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_corner_templates.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_plugin.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_quad2.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_quad2_cae.py
   ├─ transition_mesh_plugin_planar2d.py
   └─ transition_mesh_plugin_cylinder_kernel.py

Keep exactly one complete copy in the plug-in search directory. The folder name must stay TransitionMesh, and all 13 scripts must sit directly inside it. Do not keep old versions, backups, or renamed copies beside it. If the menu entry is missing or a version conflict appears during loading, remove the duplicate copies and restart CAE.

2.3 Package layout

The plug-in consists of 13 Python modules, organised into interface, dispatch, rule, kernel and runtime-support layers:

Layer	Module	Responsibility
Interface	TransitionMesh/transitionMesh_plugin.py	Registers the menu and form, collects keywords, runs pre-execution validation
Interface	TransitionMesh/transitionMeshDB.py	Parameter dialog and pick handlers, Check polling, field linkage
Dispatch	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_gui_kernel.py	Mode routing, Check and Pre-mesh dispatch, execution audit
Rules	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_rules.py	Mode capability table, hybrid split, divisibility checks, angular fit
Rules	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_plan.py	Count-chain planning, stage-width allocation, value search
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_plugin.py	Classic planar templates, sketch drawing, partition and seed primitives
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_plugin_planar2d.py	Planar annulus and four-side planning, partitioning, seeding and meshing
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_quad2.py	Four-side 2:1 reference topology and count chain
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_quad2_cae.py	Four-side 2:1 planning, partitioning, seeding, meshing and checks
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_corner_templates.py	Corner templates and multi-level rectangular-ring audits
Kernel	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_plugin_cylinder_kernel.py	Cylinder radial and axial frames, template imprint, seeding and blockwise meshing
Runtime	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_runtime.py	Model transactions, process log, result publication
Runtime	TransitionMesh/transition_mesh_regions.py	Region signatures, validation and batch relocation

3 Dialog and parameters

3.1 Dialog layout

The dialog is divided into five areas, top to bottom:

1. Mode: the Type combo box switches between the five modes;
2. Selections: shows the faces, edges, cells and paths required by the current mode;
3. Common parameters: Seeds, Layers, Ratio; the four-side mode also shows Ny;
4. Mode-specific parameters: classic planar shows Orientation, Depth and Hybrid; cylinder modes show Auto-adapt;
5. Execution area: Check, Suggest values, Pre-mesh, Action, Apply, Cancel, plus the status line.

Switching Type hides the unrelated picks and parameters. Confirm each pick with Done; the pick row shows how many entities are currently selected.

3.2 Common parameters

Parameter	Meaning	Notes
Seeds	Fine-side segment count	Edge count in planar modes; loop count in annulus and cylinder modes; main-direction count Nx in the four-side mode; per-section circumference count in the axial mode
Layers	Number of transition layers	1 for a single layer; greater than 1 for a cascade
Ratio	Transition ratio	2:1 or 3:1
Orientation	Transition direction	Classic planar only: HU, HD, VR, VL
Depth	Transition-band width	Used when no coarse edge is picked; the measured distance overrides it when a coarse edge is picked
Ny	Orthogonal fine count	Four-side mode only; 0 means the same as Nx
Hybrid	Mixed transition switch	Classic planar only, single layer, 2:1 and 3:1 mixed
2:1 blocks b	Number of 2:1 groups	Hybrid only; b must be even
Auto-adapt	Adapt adjacent regular regions	Cylinder modes only; seeds and meshes adjacent regular regions automatically
Action	Execution level	Partition and seed only, or partition, seed and mesh

3.3 Ratio and divisibility

Let the fine-side segment count be N, the ratio be r, and the number of layers be L. The coarse-side count is:

coarse count = N / (r ^ L)

Therefore:

• For 2:1, N must be divisible by 2^L;
• For 3:1, N must be divisible by 3^L.

Examples:

2:1, N=40, L=1  ->  coarse 20 segments
2:1, N=40, L=2  ->  coarse 10 segments
3:1, N=36, L=1  ->  coarse 12 segments
3:1, N=36, L=2  ->  coarse 4 segments

Choose N as the fine-edge length divided by the target fine element size. For example, a 40 mm fine edge with a target size of about 1 mm needs N=40.

The four-side mode adds the two corner contributions to the coarse count; see section 4.3.

3.4 Orientation

Orientation in the classic planar mode is interpreted in the model's global coordinates, not in the rotated viewport:

Option	Meaning
HU	Fine edge on top, band grows downwards
HD	Fine edge at the bottom, band grows upwards
VL	Fine edge on the left, band grows to the right
VR	Fine edge on the right, band grows to the left

If the fine edge is an internal partition edge, the direction must point into the selected face. For example, when the upper half-face and the middle partition edge are selected, use HD to grow upwards; when the lower half-face and the middle edge are selected, use HU to grow downwards. If the direction points out of the face, the plug-in stops with an error instead of switching to the other side.

3.5 Check, Suggest values and Pre-mesh

• Check: read-only validation. It checks that the picks are complete, the segment counts divide, the template period is valid and the geometry is compatible. A pass shows Check PASS; a failure shows the reason and a correction hint.
• Suggest values: runs Check first. If the current parameters are invalid, it fills in a nearby legal set; if they are already legal, it says no change is needed.
• Pre-mesh: runs a real partition, seed and mesh in an isolated model transaction, checks element counts, hanging nodes, triangles and Jacobians, then rolls back automatically. A pass shows Pre-mesh PASS; a failure reports the reason and leaves the model unchanged.
• Apply: executes for real. Pass Check and Pre-mesh first; the final result matches the trial.

4 Mode-by-mode guide

4.1 PLANAR

Use for straight-edge transition bands, on a 2D face or the source face of a 3D plate.

Picks

Pick	Required	Meaning
Partition Face	Yes, single	The face that receives the transition mesh
Finer Edge	Yes, single	The edge on the fine-mesh side
Coarse Edge	Optional, single	The edge on the coarse-mesh side; if omitted, Depth sets the band width
Full domain	Optional, single	Regular region to mesh together in 2D; if omitted, only the transition band is processed

A 3D plate still uses PLANAR. The transition block must be a sweepable solid cell. Partition the geometry beforehand, assign Sweep and the sweep direction to the transition block in the Mesh module, then run the transition partition on the source face.

Steps

1. Open the part, go to the Mesh module and set the global seed for the regular region. The global seed should represent the coarse size you want in the main body, not the minimum fine size;
2. Open Plug-ins -> Transition Mesh and select PLANAR under Type;
3. Pick Partition Face and confirm with Done;
4. Pick Finer Edge and confirm with Done;
5. Pick Coarse Edge if needed. If omitted, the plug-in computes the band width from Depth;
6. Pick Full domain if needed. If omitted, only the transition band is meshed;
7. Enter the fine-edge segment count in Seeds, the number of layers in Layers, and choose 2:1 or 3:1 in Ratio;
8. Choose the direction in Orientation and enter the band width in Depth. If a coarse edge was picked, Depth can be arbitrary because the measured distance is used;
9. Click Check, and Suggest values if needed;
10. Click Pre-mesh to trial-mesh and audit the quality;
11. Choose the execution level under Action and click Apply or OK.

PLANAR mode dialog	Pick the transition face
Pick the fine edge	Pick the coarse edge (optional)
Pick the full domain (optional)	Set Seeds, Layers and Ratio
Set Orientation, Depth and Hybrid	Status line after a passing Check

Results

2:1 full-domain automatic mesh	Transition band only
Action set to partition and seed only	3D plate, 3:1 transition

If you do not want the plug-in to generate the final mesh, switch Action to Partition + seed only (no mesh). The plug-in keeps your global seeds and fixes only the short edges inside the transition band, so the main body is not dragged to the fine size.

Multi-layer

When Layers is greater than 1, the plug-in allocates the band width to each stage. Multi-layer transitions work best with a larger Depth. If the band is too narrow for the number of layers, the elements become very flat and meshing may fail.

The workflow is the same as the single-layer case. You can leave the coarse edge unpicked and specify only the fine edge, direction and Depth; the plug-in grows the stages outwards.

Two-layer transition: picks and parameters before Apply

Two-layer 2:1 result

Hybrid

A hybrid transition mixes 2:1 and 3:1 in one band. It is available only in PLANAR, and Layers must be 1.

Enable Hybrid; the dialog shows 2:1 blocks b. Let the fine-side count be N and the number of 2:1 groups be b:

fine segments left for 3:1 = N - 2b
number of 3:1 groups       = (N - 2b) / 3
total coarse segments      = (N + b) / 3

Constraints:

• b must be even, because the 2:1 template tiles in pairs;
• N - 2b must be divisible by 3;
• the total coarse count must lie between N/3 and N/2.

For example, N=80 and b=10:

fine segments left for 3:1 = 80 - 2 x 10 = 60
number of 3:1 groups       = 60 / 3 = 20
total coarse segments      = 10 + 20 = 30

If the parameters do not satisfy the rules, click Suggest values and let the plug-in adjust them.

Hybrid 2:1 + 3:1: parameters before Apply

Hybrid result

4.2 PLANAR_ANNULAR

Use for planar concentric annular bands. The fine side can be inside or outside.

Pre-partitioned geometry

Use two concentric circles to split the disk into three independent face regions:

fine regular ring  |  transition band  |  coarse regular ring

An uncut disk face is not accepted. If the fine side is outside, pick the inner and outer loops as they are; the plug-in identifies the direction from the measured arc radii.

Picks

Pick	Required	Meaning
Transition region	Yes, single	Target annular face
Fine loop	Yes, multiple	All edge segments of the fine loop
Coarse loop	Yes, multiple	All edge segments of the coarse loop
Full domain	Optional, multiple	Regular rings on both sides, for full-domain meshing

Parameters and rules

• Seeds is the count around the whole loop, not the count on one arc segment;
• the fine count must pass the divisibility check, and the full ring must contain at least 3 template periods;
• if the model is divided into equal sectors, the coarse count must also be divisible by the sector count;
• the native vertices of the fine and coarse loops must lie on the angular grid. If the angular deviation exceeds 0.001 degrees, the plug-in asks you to adjust N or the radial partition lines;
• with Full domain selected, the plug-in classifies each face by radius into the fine regular ring, the transition band and the coarse regular ring. The regular rings are seeded by arc length so the nodes on the shared circles match one-to-one.

Steps and results

1. Partition the concentric circles and make sure the transition band can be structured;
2. Select PLANAR_ANNULAR under Type;
3. Pick Transition region, Fine loop and Coarse loop; pick Full domain if needed;
4. Enter Seeds, Layers and Ratio;
5. Run Check, then Pre-mesh, then Apply.

PLANAR_ANNULAR dialog	Pick the transition ring
Pick the fine loop	Pick the coarse loop
Annulus 3:1 result	Other cases: single-layer, multi-layer, fine inside or outside, sectors, full domain

4.3 PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR

Use to build a closed ring around a rectangular inner frame. The topology is fixed: fine mesh inside, coarse mesh outside.

Picks

Pick	Required	Meaning
Transition region	Yes, single	The ring face from the inner frame to the outer frame
Fine loop	Yes, multiple	Four connected edges of the inner frame, forming a closed rectangle
Coarse loop	Optional, multiple	Outer frame loop; if omitted, the plug-in computes it
Full domain	Optional, multiple	Central region and outer regular faces, for full-domain meshing

Fine loop checks that opposite sides are equal and the four corners are right angles. Rotated rectangles are supported. If the fine mesh is picked on the outside, the plug-in stops and asks you to swap the loops.

Parameters and topology

• Nx is the main-direction fine count, Ny is the orthogonal fine count; Ny=0 uses the same count as Nx;
• Nx and Ny are validated independently. A legal value in one direction does not make the other direction legal;
• 2:1 single layer: coarse count is Nx/2 + 2, where the +2 comes from the two corner contributions, and the outer frame extends by two coarse elements per side;
• 3:1 single layer: coarse count is Nx/3 + 2;
• 2:1 supports multi-layer cascades. Before a non-first stage, the plug-in inserts a regular orthogonal ring outside the previous stage so the next fine count is a multiple of 4. The inserted ring does not change the existing fine seeds;
• 3:1 is constructible, but the transition row has an element aspect ratio of about 3, so the quality is lower than 2:1. Prefer 2:1 when a regular mesh matters. When 3:1 is used with multiple layers, Check reports the quality caveat.

Leaving Coarse loop empty is recommended. The plug-in computes the outer frame from the ratio and reports it in the summary, so you do not have to calculate the expansion by hand.

Steps and results

1. Draw the rectangular inner frame and, if needed, pre-partition the full transition ring;
2. Select PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR under Type;
3. Pick Transition region and Fine loop; pick Coarse loop and Full domain if needed;
4. Enter Nx, Ny, Layers and Ratio;
5. Run Check, then Pre-mesh, then Apply.

PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR dialog	Pick the inner frame and transition face
Square inner frame, 2:1 result	Rectangular inner frame, 2:1 result with separate Ny
Pick the rectangular inner frame	Other cases: 2:1 three and four layers, 3:1 single layer, rectangular 3:1

4.4 ANNULAR_RADIAL

Use on the annular end face of a thick-walled cylinder to transition through the wall thickness. The fine and coarse loops must lie on the same end face and be concentric.

Picks

Pick	Required	Meaning
Region Faces	Yes, multiple	Transition band faces on the end face
Fine Edge Loop	Yes, multiple	Fine circular edges; the fine side can be inside or outside
Coarse Edge Loop	Yes, multiple	Coarse circular edges; coplanarity and concentricity are checked
Target Cells	Yes, multiple	Solid cell that receives the transition mesh
Sweep Path Edges	Optional, multiple	3D sweep path edges belonging to the target cell; derived automatically if omitted

Preconditions

• Partition an independent solid cell for the transition band;
• Assign a sweep technique to that cell in the Mesh module, preferably with an explicit sweep path;
• the end face must contain a radial straight edge that crosses the band, usually from a sector partition of the wall, for angular phase alignment. Without it, the plug-in asks you to complete the sector partition first;
• multi-layer radial transitions require pre-partitioning the solid at the intermediate radii so each cell covers exactly one stage.

Parameters and rules

• Seeds is the total count around the fine loop;
• the template is aligned on a 90-degree quadrant, so the template period must divide 90 degrees;
• for 2:1, N should be a multiple of 16;
• for 3:1, N should be a multiple of 12;
• if the value does not fit, the status line shows nearby legal counts, or click Suggest values.

With Auto-adapt regular regions (seed + mesh) enabled, the plug-in also seeds and meshes the adjacent inner and outer regular regions. Disable it to process only the transition band.

Steps and results

1. Partition the transition cell on the cylinder end face and assign the sweep;
2. Select ANNULAR_RADIAL under Type;
3. Pick Region Faces, Fine Edge Loop, Coarse Edge Loop and Target Cells; pick Sweep Path Edges if needed;
4. Enter Seeds, Layers and Ratio; enable Auto-adapt if needed;
5. Run Check, then Pre-mesh, then Apply.

ANNULAR_RADIAL dialog	Cylinder radial 3:1 result
Cylinder radial 2:1 cases: two layers, fine loop outside

4.5 AXIAL_SURFACE

Use on the barrel of a cylindrical solid or shell to transition along the axis from a fine loop to a coarse loop.

Picks

Pick	Required	Meaning
Region Faces	Yes, multiple	Transition band faces on the barrel
Fine Edge Loop	Yes, multiple	Circular edges at the fine end section
Coarse Edge Loop	Yes, multiple	Circular edges at the coarse end section
Target Cells	Yes, multiple	Solid cell that receives the transition mesh
Sweep Path Edges	Optional, multiple	Generatrix edges along the axis, belonging to the target cell; derived automatically if omitted

Geometry requirements

• the fine and coarse loops lie on different cross sections of the same cylindrical surface;
• the plug-in determines the axis from the line joining the two circle centers and checks that both sections are perpendicular to it;
• partition the cylinder along the axis into a fine region, the transition band and a coarse region, keeping the through-thickness sweep topology;
• the number of axial slices is computed by the plug-in from the ratio; no manual input is needed;
• the plug-in checks the angular fit between the axial slices and the existing radial seams. If the slices coincide with all existing seams, it fails and suggests nearby legal counts. An uneven distribution produces a warning.

Parameters and rules

• Seeds N (per section) is the circumference count at the fine end section;
• for 2:1, N must be divisible by 4, because each sector uses a pair of 4-fine to 2-coarse templates;
• for 3:1, N must be divisible by 3;
• axial multi-layer does not require manual pre-partitioning at each stage. The stage interfaces are planes perpendicular to the axis, and the plug-in cuts the intermediate sections automatically;
• with Auto-adapt regular regions (seed + mesh) enabled, the adjacent regular solid regions are also seeded and meshed.

Steps and results

1. Partition the cylinder along the axis into fine, transition and coarse regions, keeping the through-thickness sweep topology;
2. Select AXIAL_SURFACE under Type;
3. Pick Region Faces, Fine Edge Loop, Coarse Edge Loop and Target Cells; pick Sweep Path Edges if needed;
4. Enter Seeds, Layers and Ratio; enable Auto-adapt if needed;
5. Run Check, then Pre-mesh, then Apply.

AXIAL_SURFACE dialog	Axial transition band and template
Cylinder axial 3:1 result

5 Troubleshooting

Check status and errors are reported in the status line and in pop-up dialogs. Every operation runs inside a model transaction, so a failed check or a failed mesh rolls the model back to its previous state.

Condition	Message	Fix
More than one entity or no entity in a single-pick group	requires exactly one face/edge; got N	Re-pick a single face or edge and confirm with Done
Entities from different parts	Selected entities belong to multiple parts	Clear the selection and pick again within one part
Stale selection after a mode switch	Command dispatch failed... Repick active geometry	Clear the stale selection and re-pick the geometry of the active mode
Missing required loop or solid	needs fine and coarse edge loops / Select target cells	Complete the fine and coarse loops, or pick the target cells in 3D
Fine count not divisible	Need divisible by X. near A/B	Click Suggest values to fill a nearby legal value
Hybrid ratio conflict	2:1 blocks b must be even / a not integer	Make b even and adjust N so N-2b is divisible by 3
Band width outside the face	Transition depth must be positive / reaches beyond width	Reduce Depth, or pick the coarse edge and use the measured distance
Invalid planar orientation	Orientation direction is not in face plane	Choose a direction perpendicular to the fine edge and inside the face
Annular vertex off the angular grid	Vertex angle not on angular grid (dev > 0.001 deg)	Adjust N as suggested, or fix the radial partition lines
Fine side outside in the four-side mode	Inward transition not supported	Swap the inner and outer loops; use PLANAR_ANNULAR for a ring
Outer frame does not satisfy rule 4	Rule 4 not met: need half-sizes...	Leave the outer loop empty and let the plug-in compute it, or re-partition to the suggested size
Missing radial alignment edge	No radial edge found in the band for phase alignment	Pre-partition the end face into radial sectors
Missing intermediate radial partition	Stages > 1: target Cells must already be partitioned...	Pre-partition the cells at the intermediate radii, or continue from the Check dialog
Axial slices collide with existing seams	Axial slice pattern collides with the existing cuts	Use the suggested legal count and offset the existing seams
Zero elements after meshing	Generate Mesh produced 0 elements	Check the transition control and boundary seeds, then remesh
Mesh audit failed	Mesh audit failed or incomplete	The model was rolled back; increase the band width or reduce the number of layers
No sweep on the solid	Face not attached to solid / sweep path missing	Assign the sweep direction and path to the transition cell in the Mesh module
Pre-mesh blocked	Pre-mesh failed (model rolled back)	The model was rolled back; fix the cause shown in the dialog
Duplicate modules or version conflict	Deployment manifest conflict / version mismatch	Close Abaqus, remove duplicate copies from the plug-in directory and restart

6 Scope and limitations

• The 3D modes (3D plate, cylinder radial, cylinder axial) require the transition band to lie on a pre-partitioned solid cell with usable sweep or structured meshing capability;
• multi-layer radial transitions require pre-partitioning the solid at the intermediate radii; multi-layer axial transitions cut the intermediate sections automatically;
• PLANAR_QUAD_FOUR only supports fine inside and coarse outside; a reversed pick is blocked;
• the annulus mode does not accept an uncut disk face; the transition ring must be cut with concentric circles first;
• Hybrid is available only in PLANAR and only with a single layer;
• the cylinder modes are intended for regular cylinders, hollow cylinders and thick-walled end faces, not for arbitrary free-form surfaces, variable-radius surfaces or complex openings;
• run at least Check before the final execution, and preferably Pre-mesh as well;
• keep exactly one complete copy in the plug-in search directory.

7 Contact and support

7.1 Contact

• Non-commercial use is free. For commercial use, collaboration or customisation, contact Z25150070@s.upc.edu.cn;
• Feedback: open a GitHub Issue or send an email;
• This project was built with the assistance of AI-assisted programming (vibecoding).

7.2 Buy Me a Coffee

The research group does not reimburse token costs, so development and maintenance are self-funded. If this plug-in saves you time, you are welcome to buy me a coffee and support future updates.

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