The formats you can open with Autodesk Simulation, without having the corresponding CAD application installed, are as follows. The most recent tested version or the recommended version is indicated in the parentheses:
- ACIS Files (.SAT – version 7 recommended) Note: The program will attempt to open models prior to version 7, but success is not guaranteed.
- AutoCAD Files (.DWG and .DXF, version 2014) Note: AutoCAD DXF/DWG files containing solids, regions, or surfaces can be imported into Simulation Mechqanical as CAD data when the option to Import as: 3-D Surface/Solid is selected from the Options button in the
Open dialog box. DXF/DWG files consisting primarily of lines should be imported using the Wireframe option. - Autodesk Inventor (version 2014)
- Autodesk Inventor Fusion (version 2013 R1)
- Autodesk Moldflow Insight Study Files (*.SDY, version 2014)
- CATIA (R5V22)
- Creo Parametric (version 2)
- IGES Files (.IGS, .IGE, .IGES) Note: Solids and wireframes are supported. See IGES Entities Supported for information on the IGES entities that can be imported.
- JT Files
- NX Unigraphics Files (version 8.5)
- Parasolic Binary and Text Files (.X_B and .X_T)
- Pro/ENGINEER (*.prt*, *.asm*, *.g, and *.neu)
- SolidWorks (version 2013)
- STEP Files (.STP, .STE, .STEP)
- Stereolithography Files (.STL)
The disadvantage of opening a model without having the CAD application installed on the same computer is that the CAD model and the FEA files do not remain associative. The loads, boundary conditions, material properties, and other setup parameters will need to be re-entered if the CAD model is changed and re-opened with Autodesk Simulation. (See Import CAD Solid Models with CAD Application for details on Associativity.)
Opening Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Mechanical Desktop files in Autodesk Simulation when those applications are not installed on the same computer may update the original files to a newer version. For example, when an Inventor 2009 part is opened with Autodesk Simulation 2011, the original Inventor file is updated to Inventor 2011 standards. This may prevent the part from opening in the original CAD application. Likewise, Autodesk Simulation will not open an Inventor model created in a newer version of Inventor than the version of Autodesk Simulation. If Inventor is installed on the same computer, open the model with Inventor and transfer it to Autodesk Simulation.
Import files
- In the CAD package, save the model as one of the above supported types.
- In Autodesk Simulation, select the
Open
command.
- Set the Files of type: drop-down box to display the proper file type (IGES Files, ACIS Files, and so on).
- Use the Options button to set any available options to use when opening the file.
- If you did not save your changes in the model that you were working on prior to the Open command, you will be asked whether or not you wish to do so. You may respond Yes or No or you may Cancel the operation
- After the file imports correctly, the Model Mesh Settings dialog will appear.
Drag-and-drop technology is also supported, so you can simply drag the file onto the Autodesk Simulation icon on the Windows Desktop, or into an open Autodesk Simulation window, and the software will take care of the rest.
When importing the file, you may be prompted with the Surface Splitting dialog. See the page Surface Splitting for details.