If you try to create a regular regularly spaced lattice in 3-dimensions , such as $\mathbb{R}^3$, a starting point would be the regions of $\mathbb{Z}^3$ which are enclosed by the object in question. That would be the lattice contain which contains a point at every integer value of $x, y,$ and $z$. z$within the object's boundaries. If you connect an edge between every two lattice points that are Euclidean distance$1$apart,$(\Delta x)^2+(\Delta y)^2+(\Delta z)^2 = 1$, then each vertex will have six edges from it leading to the six lattice points at the relative positions$\Delta x=-1$,$\Delta x=+1$,$\Delta y=-1$,$\Delta y=+1$,$\Delta z=-1$,$\Delta z=+1$. Notice that the boundaries of such a mesh would be clipped and would not match the boundaries of the object. Such a mesh could be extended by having the outermost lattice-points moved from co-inciding with$(x,y,z) \in \mathbb{Z}^3$to a position in$\mathbb{R}^3$which is on the boundary of the object. Now, the lattice is no longer regular, but the vertex connectivity is still regular. (Alternatively, additional lattice points could be added on the object boundary in$\mathbb{R}^3$and connected with the underlying regular lattice, leading to irregular vertex connectivity.) This sort of connectivity 6-connectivity at vertices in 3-dimensions for lattice simulations allows for simulations such as 3-d lattice Boltzman numerical simulations. This type of connectivity 6-connectivity is also known as the Von Neumann neighborhood in cellular automata simulations, and in the 2-dimensional case the analogous 4-connectivity Von Neumann neighborhood for a point at$(a,b)$are the lattice points$(a-1,b), (a+1,b), (a,b-1),$and$(a,b+1)$. If you take a solid object modeled as represented by a 3-d lattice and model applying a physical pressure to it, then the regular object modeled by a regular lattice with regular geometry will become deformed. The lattice points, originally defined as being located at integer values, can be allowed to move in$\mathbb{R}^3$, associating a real value for each of its 3-dimensional coordinates. Thus, deformation modeling can be carried out, such as when an automobile's fender changes its shape in response to a collision with another object. What In response to your comment about which is better, 2 added comments about trade offs and tetrahedra What is better has to be defined in terms of the end goal to be reached: numerical precision, model fidelity to the underlying physical objects, speed of computation. If the numerical precision of the simulator will blow up with slim triangles (for example, triangles with one angle of less than 5 degrees), then it's better to accept irregular vertices. If the simulation would perform better (faster, fewer errors, etc.) with regular and similar vertex connectivity, then allow the irregular triangles and banish irregular nonconforming vertices. There is always a trade-off to make: precision vs. computational time; computational complexity vs.fidelity to the physical object, etc. It is easier to calculate "subdivision surfaces" for regular meshes. It is easier to speed up calculations at homogeneous regions by using larger triangulations and to have more accuracy at inhomogeneous regions and irregular boundaries by using smaller triangulations. Tetrahedral meshing has to use non-identical tetraheda, because it is impossible to completely fill space with identical regular tetrahedra. It is possible to fill space with regular cubes or regular rectangles. That is one reason that 6-connectivity at vertices is frequently used in 3-d meshes. 1 Nima, geometry processing is used in meshes for 3-dimensional modeling of real world structures or physical items. If you try to create a regular lattice in 3-dimensions,$\mathbb{Z}^3$would be the lattice contain a point at every integer value of$x, y, $and$z$. If you connect an edge between every two lattice points that are Euclidean distance$1$apart,$(\Delta x)^2+(\Delta y)^2+(\Delta z)^2 = 1$, then each vertex will have six edges from it leading to the six lattice points at the relative positions$\Delta x=-1$,$\Delta x=+1$,$\Delta y=-1$,$\Delta y=+1$,$\Delta z=-1$,$\Delta z=+1$. This sort of connectivity for lattice simulations allows for simulations such as 3-d lattice Boltzman numerical simulations. This type of connectivity is also known as the Von Neumann neighborhood in cellular automata simulations, and in the 2-dimensional case the Von Neumann neighborhood for a point at$(a,b)$are the lattice points$(a-1,b), (a+1,b), (a,b-1),$and$(a,b+1)$. It is possible to associate a value at every point of the lattice and allow that value to represent a particular material property. If you take a solid object modeled as a 3-d lattice and model applying a physical pressure to it, then the regular object modeled by a regular lattice with regular geometry will become deformed. The lattice points, originally defined as being located at integer values, can be allowed to move in$\mathbb{R}^3$, associating a real value for each of its 3-dimensional coordinates. Thus, deformation modeling can be carried out, such as when an automobile's fender changes its shape in response to a collision with another object. In the realm of hydrodynamics and computational fluid dynamics, there are two ways to use lattice models with 6-connectivity at each vertex. In Eulerian models, the lattice points stay fixed while the values associated with the lattice points are recalculated and changed during each step of the numerical simulation. In Lagrangian models, the lattice points are defined at particular positions (not necessarily coinciding with integer lattice points in$\mathbb{Z}^3\$), and the vertices in the mesh are moved in space during steps of the simulation.