# Refine quad elements
The Refine quad elements dialog box is used to refine Quad4 and Quad8 elements at a specified corner by splitting the elements in the following manner:
New elements of the same type are created and the original element releases and offsets are maintained.
The original elements are deemed to be of a shape as defined by the shape function of the elements. So refining a non-planar Quad8 element, which is a quadratic element, will result in a mesh fitting a paraboloid surface.
The quad elements that are to be refined must be selected prior to opening this dialog box. Non-quad elements will be ignored.
Open this dialog box by giving the Sculpt > 2D element operations > Refine quad elements menu command when the current view is a Graphic view.
# Refined corner
Select the corner at which the refinement is to occur.
# Coincident nodes: Use existing nodes where present
When checked, wherever a new node is required during the execution of this operation the program searches existing nodes for one that lies within the Coincidence tolerance of the required position, and uses the first node found instead of creating a new node. Otherwise new nodes are always created.
# Replace references to old elements with references to new
When checked, references to the original elements in element lists are replaced by references to the original elements in element lists are replaced by references to the new elements so, for example, a loading record that applied to the original element will apply to each of the new elements after the split.
Note: This will have a bizarre effect if, say, a variable face load is applied to the original element: the same variable face load will be applied to each new element to produce a rasp-like load pattern.
# Preview
Display the consequences of this operation in the current Graphic view without committing to applying the operation. Exiting this dialog box by Cancel will undo the preview.