Import terrain model from CAD?

srceko25 · June 4, 2010, 11:46

Hello!

I am quite new to ANSYS/FLUENT and I would like to know how can I import a terrain model from AutoCAD to ANSYS geometry? The AutoCAD .dwg file contains height contours of the site and is in a local coordinate system. Do I need to manipulate the original file in some way for it to be usable for ANSYS? When I just upload the file that I have I get the error (invalid geometry).

Thank you for your help!!

srceko25 · June 11, 2010, 02:43

Anyone????

Edu-R · June 11, 2010, 09:11

Hi!

Have you tried to export as IGES or STEP file? Ansys could read it, but I don´t know if AutoCAD can do it :S

Regards

zeitoun · June 14, 2010, 07:18

Hi,
I'm also in the same case.
There must (I guess !) be a way to just import points from the CAD file into Ansys Design modeler.
Those point should appear simply as construction points that can then be used to construct the geometry inside Design Modeler, and NOT do the whole geometry in the CAD software and export the finished solid geometry, which is more difficult..

Does anybody here around know how to export points from a DWG Autocad file into Ansys DM ?

cheers, Z

kdrbrk · June 16, 2010, 02:50

Is your terrain a 3D surface in autocad?

zeitoun · June 16, 2010, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdrbrk

Is your terrain a 3D surface in autocad?

No, it's just points. No line or surface or solid. Just points.
I have to build the solids in another tools. Why not Ansys Design modeler ?

regards

Will C · June 22, 2010, 16:09

I've been working on almost exactly the same problem.

Unfortunately, I don't think you will find AutoCAD or Design Modeler to be much help in your particular case.

Look at other software programs to help you in this endeavor. Take a look at the programs by Sycode. You can download them for free for a limited number of trials: http://www.sycode.com/products/terraincad/

We've been using a program called Vulcan to render our geometries, but it is pretty specialized and very expensive.

I've also heard that you can write a Matlab code to render your geometry, but this sounds extremely onerous.

Good luck!

sac · June 25, 2010, 04:38

It can be done in DM.

I take it you want to do it through sketches.

If so just start a new session of DM -> go to the sketching menu and make a few random points -> then go back to the modelling menu on the tree and pick the sketch -> then go to the file menu on the bar and then "write script: sketches of active plane". It should produce you a javascript file that shows you what you've done in that sketching session. You can then edit the javascript to match the points want to add.

There is a good example of what to next with these points in the DM manual -> Scripting API -> Features example.

Also the point feature in the create menu can import co-ordinates files.

zeitoun · June 26, 2010, 05:36

sac,
what you said is interesting.
I've been trying this way. The only problem is the point feature in DM needs coordinate file with a certain format, and that is not a .dwg file.
So now the point is: how can I convert a set of points in autocad to a list of coordinates into a file ?
Any idea ?

sac · June 28, 2010, 04:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeitoun

So now the point is: how can I convert a set of points in autocad to a list of coordinates into a file ?

I'm sorry I don't use autocad so I cannot tell you how you would get that information out of it.

June 4, 2010, 11:46	Import terrain model from CAD?	#1
srceko25 New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 15	Hello! I am quite new to ANSYS/FLUENT and I would like to know how can I import a terrain model from AutoCAD to ANSYS geometry? The AutoCAD .dwg file contains height contours of the site and is in a local coordinate system. Do I need to manipulate the original file in some way for it to be usable for ANSYS? When I just upload the file that I have I get the error (invalid geometry). Thank you for your help!!

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June 11, 2010, 02:43		#2
srceko25 New Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 15	Anyone????

June 11, 2010, 09:11		#3
Edu-R Member Edu Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 36 Rep Power: 16	Hi! Have you tried to export as IGES or STEP file? Ansys could read it, but I don´t know if AutoCAD can do it :S Regards

June 14, 2010, 07:18		#4
zeitoun New Member didier Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 16	Hi, I'm also in the same case. There must (I guess !) be a way to just import points from the CAD file into Ansys Design modeler. Those point should appear simply as construction points that can then be used to construct the geometry inside Design Modeler, and NOT do the whole geometry in the CAD software and export the finished solid geometry, which is more difficult.. Does anybody here around know how to export points from a DWG Autocad file into Ansys DM ? cheers, Z

June 16, 2010, 02:50		#5
kdrbrk Member Burak Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 90 Rep Power: 16	Is your terrain a 3D surface in autocad?

June 22, 2010, 16:09		#7
Will C New Member Will Collingwood Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 16	I've been working on almost exactly the same problem. Unfortunately, I don't think you will find AutoCAD or Design Modeler to be much help in your particular case. Look at other software programs to help you in this endeavor. Take a look at the programs by Sycode. You can download them for free for a limited number of trials: http://www.sycode.com/products/terraincad/ We've been using a program called Vulcan to render our geometries, but it is pretty specialized and very expensive. I've also heard that you can write a Matlab code to render your geometry, but this sounds extremely onerous. Good luck!

June 25, 2010, 04:38		#8
sac Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 44 Rep Power: 16	It can be done in DM. I take it you want to do it through sketches. If so just start a new session of DM -> go to the sketching menu and make a few random points -> then go back to the modelling menu on the tree and pick the sketch -> then go to the file menu on the bar and then "write script: sketches of active plane". It should produce you a javascript file that shows you what you've done in that sketching session. You can then edit the javascript to match the points want to add. There is a good example of what to next with these points in the DM manual -> Scripting API -> Features example. Also the point feature in the create menu can import co-ordinates files.

June 26, 2010, 05:36		#9
zeitoun New Member didier Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 16	sac, what you said is interesting. I've been trying this way. The only problem is the point feature in DM needs coordinate file with a certain format, and that is not a .dwg file. So now the point is: how can I convert a set of points in autocad to a list of coordinates into a file ? Any idea ?