What is the right file's extension format for Solidworks/Unigraphics to ANSA?

Hypermesher · November 13, 2017, 07:41

Hi,

I usually Solidworks and Unigraphics to design my systems. We have a new mesh program whose name is ANSA. I used Hypermesh and Hypermesh is easier than ANSA, in my opinion. Because I have a lot of problem with ANSA. I would like your help in these problematic areas.

First problem is file's extension. I usually use ".step" such as sending file to Ansys. However, I have a problem with this format.

For example, when I sent file to ANSA with ".step" format, I have surface problem like that:

Original picture (I couldn't see this face in ANSA):

And the holes are not normal:

Original holes:

I have to use "Fine" command to fix these holes.

When I sent my desing to ANSYS, there is no problem. And I try different geometry I see same surface problem. Why do I have this problem, in your opinion?

Thank you,
John T.

dmirel · November 14, 2017, 02:00

Hello,

ANSA shows you a very coarse element length on the perimeters by default I think.
Try to use this function to see the shape almost as your original one in Solidworks but keep in mind that the length you enter will influence your mesh size on the perimeters.

Button : MESH>Perimeters>Length

Hope this helped.

Have a nice day!

vangelis · November 15, 2017, 06:26

Indeed ANSA displays by default all Perimeters of Faces discretized by an element length of 20. This is done for two reasons
1) It makes model rotation faster
2) It makes sense to "see" your geometry with the same level of detail that you will mesh it. The later of course implies that you should assign correct element length to the Perimeters.
Using Perimeters>Length and setting a small value (say 2mm) will fix this and you will see model detail on the whole model.
You will of course end up with many Perimeter Nodes.
A more efficient way is to you Perimeters Spacing AutoCFD or AutoSTL
specify min max lengths and ANSA will only place nodes on curved areas.

You can refer to this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n-GbgyOG4o&t=775s
around min 10:00

November 13, 2017, 07:41	What is the right file's extension format for Solidworks/Unigraphics to ANSA?	#1
Hypermesher New Member John Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Hi, I usually Solidworks and Unigraphics to design my systems. We have a new mesh program whose name is ANSA. I used Hypermesh and Hypermesh is easier than ANSA, in my opinion. Because I have a lot of problem with ANSA. I would like your help in these problematic areas. First problem is file's extension. I usually use ".step" such as sending file to Ansys. However, I have a problem with this format. For example, when I sent file to ANSA with ".step" format, I have surface problem like that: Original picture (I couldn't see this face in ANSA): And the holes are not normal: Original holes: I have to use "Fine" command to fix these holes. When I sent my desing to ANSYS, there is no problem. And I try different geometry I see same surface problem. Why do I have this problem, in your opinion? Thank you, John T.

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November 14, 2017, 02:00		#2
dmirel New Member demirel suleyman Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Turkey Posts: 28 Rep Power: 9	Hello, ANSA shows you a very coarse element length on the perimeters by default I think. Try to use this function to see the shape almost as your original one in Solidworks but keep in mind that the length you enter will influence your mesh size on the perimeters. Button : MESH>Perimeters>Length Hope this helped. Have a nice day!

November 15, 2017, 06:26		#3
vangelis Senior Member Vangelis Skaperdas Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece Posts: 287 Rep Power: 21	Indeed ANSA displays by default all Perimeters of Faces discretized by an element length of 20. This is done for two reasons 1) It makes model rotation faster 2) It makes sense to "see" your geometry with the same level of detail that you will mesh it. The later of course implies that you should assign correct element length to the Perimeters. Using Perimeters>Length and setting a small value (say 2mm) will fix this and you will see model detail on the whole model. You will of course end up with many Perimeter Nodes. A more efficient way is to you Perimeters Spacing AutoCFD or AutoSTL specify min max lengths and ANSA will only place nodes on curved areas. You can refer to this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n-GbgyOG4o&t=775s around min 10:00