orcawave-mesh-generation

name	orcawave-mesh-generation
description	Panel mesh generation for OrcaWave diffraction analysis. Use when converting CAD/STL to panel mesh, validating mesh quality, running convergence studies, or generating GDF files for hydrodynamic computations.
type	reference
version	1.0.0
updated	"2026-01-17T00:00:00.000Z"
category	engineering
triggers	["panel mesh generation","OrcaWave mesh","GDF file creation","mesh convergence study","waterline refinement","mesh quality validation","CAD to panel mesh","STL to GDF conversion","mesh aspect ratio","watertight mesh"]
capabilities	[]
requires	[]
tags	[]
scripts_exempt	true

Orcawave Mesh Generation

When to Use

• Converting CAD geometry (STL, OBJ, STEP) to OrcaWave panel mesh
• Generating GDF (Geometry Definition File) for OrcaWave
• Running mesh convergence studies
• Validating mesh quality (watertight, normals, aspect ratio)
• Optimizing waterline panel refinement
• Checking symmetry and enforcing port/starboard symmetry
• Preparing multi-body meshes with proper separation

Python API

Basic Mesh Generation

from digitalmodel.orcawave.mesh import OrcaWaveMeshGenerator

# Initialize generator
generator = OrcaWaveMeshGenerator()

# Load CAD geometry
generator.load_geometry("geometry/hull.stl")

# Generate panel mesh

*See sub-skills for full details.*
### Mesh Convergence Study

```python
from digitalmodel.orcawave.mesh_study import MeshConvergenceStudy

# Initialize study
study = MeshConvergenceStudy()

# Define mesh sizes to test
mesh_configs = [
    {"target_panels": 500, "label": "coarse"},
    {"target_panels": 1000, "label": "medium"},

*See sub-skills for full details.*
### STL to GDF Conversion

```python
from digitalmodel.orcawave.converters import STLtoGDFConverter

# Initialize converter
converter = STLtoGDFConverter()

# Convert with options
converter.convert(
    input_file="geometry/hull.stl",
    output_file="geometry/hull.gdf",

*See sub-skills for full details.*
### Waterline Refinement

```python
from digitalmodel.orcawave.mesh import WaterlineRefiner


refiner = WaterlineRefiner()


refiner.load_mesh()



*See sub-skills  full details.*



- [orcawave-analysis](../orcawave-analysis/SKILL.md) - Main diffraction analysis
- [gmsh-meshing](../gmsh-meshing/SKILL.md) - Advanced mesh generation
- [freecad-automation](../freecad-automation/SKILL.md) - CAD geometry preparation
- [cad-engineering](../cad-engineering/SKILL.md) - CAD file  handling



- OrcaWave GDF File Format Specification
- Orcina Panel Method Documentation
- WAMIT Manual (GDF  compatibility)
- Lee, C.H.: WAMIT Theory Manual

---

**Version History**

- **** (-01-): Initial release  mesh generation, validation,  convergence study capabilities



- [Geometry Import (+)](geometry-/SKILL.md)
- [Best Practices](best-practices/SKILL.md)



- [Error Handling](error-handling/SKILL.md)



- [Version Metadata](version-metadata/SKILL.md)
- [Standard Mesh Generation (+)](standard-mesh-generation/SKILL.md)
- [Panel Quality Thresholds (+)](panel-quality-thresholds/SKILL.md)
- [CLI Usage](cli-usage/SKILL.md)
- [Integration  gmsh-meshing Skill](integration--gmsh-meshing-skill/SKILL.md)




OrcaWave topics (`data/llm-wiki/orcawave/`):
- `Data,Meshfileformats.md` -- supported mesh file formats (GDF, etc.)
- `Data,Meshdetails.md` -- panel mesh detail parameters
- `Data,Bodies.md` -- body-to-mesh assignment
- `Meshview.md` -- mesh visualization  inspection
- `Meshview,Viewcontrol.md` -- mesh view navigation
- `Data,Validation.md` -- mesh validation checks

Papers (`data/llm-wiki/papers/`):
- `OrcaWave-working--meshes.md` -- comprehensive mesh guidance (panel sizing, waterline, symmetry)
- `Buoy-Discretisation.md` -- panel discretization  buoy geometries