The reason I asked the questions I did is that there is one
situation where there are no self-intersections yet an
intersection error is reported and the mesh fails to process
in 3D. Answering those questions would have helped me
know what the situation was and I might have been able
to suggest a solution. Please see this thread.
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=132707&highlight=semicircular+mesh#132707
Peter Devlin

How would I know if I have a self intersection?
As for the holes intersecting boundaries, probably. I have been messing with this for a while now, and I can't remember exactly what I have done to it, but I have put holes in it, and yes they probably intersecting boundaries.

I think I am going to just redraw the whole thing.

One weird thing that does happen is even if I don't get an error message, if I change a contour or node, all of my contours disappear and I am left with just dots(nodes). Glitchy?

I actually have a million more questions on meshes.

1. I have a whole bunch of nodes at the base of my mesh the connect with lines that you can see in the 3D window to nodes at the top edge of the model.

2. I have nodes at the base of my mesh that have nodes right above them on t he top edge of my mesh with no connecting line, I keep trying to combine these nodes with other ones to get rid of them and I get error messages, or they just wont move at all.

3. sometimes when I do get them to move I am left with just a like 1 node contour line on the top of my mesh that I don't know how to get rid of.

4. sometimes when I am trying to move the end of a contour line, it just adds to the contour. So, I mean, if I have a contour line that is a straight line, and I try to move the end node of it, I will end up with a contour that is the shape of a "Y".

oh, and there is more.
I didn't really have these problems when I was just creating meshes for site plans, and then being done with them.
But now, I am trying to adjust/change an existing site to a proposed site and things are going nuts.

When you guys are doing this, do you just start the mesh all over again, or do you edit the existing site mesh?

Jesikuh123 wrote:
When you guys are doing this, do you just start the mesh all over again, or do you edit the existing site mesh?

Most of the time I find it easier to do a new mesh for the grading plan. Particularly if the changes are many and complexed.This has the added bonus of SEO potential for cut & fill raw quantities.

A while back when doing a large (30 acre) steep (600' differential) site with 2' contours I kept getting pyramid shaped divets with the point node at the bottom of the mesh. After starting over 2 or 3 times I finally started with a flat mesh and then set the four corners to elevation prior to starting on the contours and everything worked. I now do this on all site meshes.

What I have yet to figure out is when elevating a contour line,using "apply to all", how to get the nodes at the edges of the mesh to elevate too.

Dave

Hello Jess,
You wrote:
"One weird thing that does happen is even if I don't get an error message,
if I change a contour or node, all of my contours disappear and I am left
with just dots(nodes). Glitchy?". The reason this happens are many but
you must do an "undo" or your mesh is permanently destroyed.
Some of the other things you mention are the way the mesh tool works.
About your "million questions", I have written something
called "Mesh Tool Notes" that is just some of my observations about
how the mesh tool works and how to work with the mesh tool.
It is a .PDF and it might be helpful to you. Please see attached.
Peter Devlin

Hi Peter.
I am reading through your mesh notes you atached and I hve a couple of questions:

1. It tells how you can add points with out creating ridges. Do you use this option, and what would you use it for?
1a. it also says to not use surface fitting, what is surface fitting and why wouldn't I use it? I always leave it checked.