def getElements(self, zero_based=True, pared=False):
        """
        Get the elements of the mesh as a list of point index list.
        :param zero_based: use zero based index of points if true otherwise use 1-based index of points.
        :param pared: use the pared down list of points
        :return: A list of point index lists
        """
        points = self._points[:]
        elements = self._elements[:]
        offset = 0
        if not zero_based:
            offset = 1

        np = None
        if pared:
            np = NodePare()
            np.addPoints(points)
            np.parePoints()

        if pared or not zero_based:
            modified_elements = []
            for element in elements:
                modified_element = [index + offset if np is None else np.getParedIndex(index) + offset
                                    for index in element]
                modified_elements.append(modified_element)

            elements = modified_elements

        return elements