Define and reuse lattices

Define and reuse lattices#

Integrated lattices such as Cubic and SchwarzDiamond are already available in lattice-name selectors. Create a definition when you need your own unit cell, a lattice based on a mesh, or a conformal lattice.

ArtGUI groups definitions in two sections of the Project panel: Mesh / Conformal lattices and Custom unit cells. Definitions are stored as Define_Lattice steps in the workflow JSON.

Create a custom unit cell#

  1. Choose + Add beside Custom unit cells.

  2. Choose a definition type and a unique lattice name. Use a name without a path or .txt / .mld extension; do not reuse an integrated name.

  3. Choose Create definition.

  4. Fill in the definition’s properties and choose Apply definition.

  5. Choose Add lattice step to insert an Add_Lattice operation directly after the definition.

  6. Edit the consuming operation’s size, thickness, rotation, translation and Fill settings. Save the project.

Custom unit-cell types#

Type

Inputs and checks

Strut

Normalized node coordinates and pairs of zero-based node indices. Each connection refers to two entries in the node list.

TPMS

X, Y and Z periods and an implicit expression.

Field-driven TPMS

Periods and an expression using grid fields. Create those fields earlier in the workflow with OP_Fit_GridField.

Geometry

A closed, watertight geometry file defining the unit cell.

Surface / plate

A surface mesh defining a plate unit cell.

Choose the reference domain to match how the cell will be used. Hex uses the unit cube. Tet uses the standard tetrahedron: coordinates are non-negative and X + Y + Z must not exceed 1. Quad is for an appropriate surface-cell workflow. A domain selection does not convert an incompatible mesh into a compatible one.

Create a mesh or conformal lattice#

  1. Choose + Add beside Mesh / Conformal lattices.

  2. Choose Mesh lattice or Conformal lattice, supply a unique name, and create the definition.

  3. Enter a mesh file or a mesh variable produced by an earlier workflow step.

  4. For a conformal lattice, select its unit lattice: an integrated name, a project custom unit cell, or a .txt definition.

  5. Set Joint smoothing (k). Zero disables smoothing; larger values blend joints and add material.

  6. Choose Apply definition, then Add lattice step.

Match a conformal unit cell’s reference domain to its mesh: Hex and Tet cells require the corresponding volume-mesh arrangement; surface workflows may use Quad cells. A conformal definition refers to a separate unit cell, not to itself or another mesh/conformal lattice definition.

Important

For mesh and conformal lattices, the consuming operation’s size is a computational search scale. Start near the mesh element size and check the intended workflow. It should not be interpreted as freely rescaling the underlying mesh. ArtGUI initially disables Fill for these operations.

Import existing definitions#

Use Import .mld… for mesh/conformal definitions and Import .txt… for custom unit cells. The imported definition becomes a workflow step that can be edited in the Project panel.

When an opened workflow refers to external definition files, those references appear in the corresponding Project section. Selecting one imports the definition before its first consumer and replaces matching file references with the new project definition name.

Paths inside imported definitions keep their original values. They do not automatically become relative to the definition file’s former folder. Check them against the selected Artisan working directory; see Projects, geometry and file paths.

Apply, rename and export#

Choose Apply definition before leaving a definition form. Save, JSON, Generate, Add lattice step and Export also attempt to apply the displayed definition, and stop if its entries are invalid.

Renaming an applied definition updates matching lattice-name references. ArtGUI prevents removing a definition that is still used; first change or remove its consuming operations. Keep mesh creation, grid fields and required unit cells before the steps that need them.

Choose Export definition… to write a standalone .mld or .txt file for reuse. The project keeps its inline definition too. Saving a workflow does not automatically rewrite an external definition file.

Form checks help catch structural mistakes. Artisan still evaluates expressions, checks input availability and mesh compatibility, and generates the actual geometry. Review the result after any definition change.

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