2.3. Parasolid

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2.3.1. Importing a Parasolid File

Before you start ANSYS, the Parasolid file (.x_t or .xmt_txt) you wish to import must exist on your machine or on a known network location. You can use the ANSYS GUI or the ~PARAIN command to import the file.

Import with the ANSYS GUI

Select File> Import> PARA. The ANSYS Connection for Parasolid dialog box appears, as shown in the figure below.
Figure 2.3 ANSYS Connection for Parasolid Dialog
Select the desired Parasolid file. In addition to the file name, file location and file type options, modify the following values as necessary.
- Allow Defeaturing - Check this box to store the model in the solid database format so it can be defeatured after import. If this is not checked, the model is stored in neutral database format, which restricts defeaturing after import (default).
- Allow Scaling - Check this box to permit scaling of the model (if warranted by the model size). Please see the
- Geometry Type - Import the file as:
  - Solids Only - Imported as ANSYS volumes (default).
  - Surfaces Only - Imported as ANSYS areas.
  - Wireframe Only - Imported as ANSYS lines.
  - All Entities - Import all entities; use this option when the file contains multiple entity types.
Click OK once selections are performed.

Note

If your imported model contains multiple volumes, Boolean operators are available to further process your geometry (see Sculpting Your Model with Boolean Operations in the Modeling and Meshing Guide for more information).

Import with the ANSYS ~PARAIN Command

You can also use the following command line method to import your Parasolid file.

Command(s) Syntax:: ~PARAIN,Name,Extension,Path,Entity,FMT,Scale

Troubleshooting

For general troubleshooting information, please see Troubleshooting Connection Issues, or examine Problems Specific to the Connection for Parasolid for specific issues. In addition, please refer to the Parasolid Specific Attributes section for additional information about specific considerations associated with importing Parasolid files.

2.3.2. Parasolid Specific Attributes

The connection for Parasolid supports the import of multiple Parasolid files (.anf) for the creation of a single ANSYS database. You can import Parasolid files that make up an assembly, save them as .anf files then import them into one database. See Importing Multiple Files (Create ANSYS Database) for more information on working with multiple .anf files.

However, models must be saved in the text Parasolid format. The saved model files must have either the *.x_t or *.xmt_txt extension.

Scaling

When a Parasolid model is created, the measurement unit information is always represented by meters regardless of the units used to create the model. However, when the CAD package writes out the file, the measurement unit information is not included. The absolute numbers in the Parasolid file can differ from those represented in the ANSYS model.

When ANSYS reads a Parasolid file, the dimensions can be so small that ANSYS must apply a scale factor to improve the success of the transfer. ANSYS uses a scale factor of 10 or 100, depending on the original model size. ANSYS displays the scale factor used in the output window.

Assemblies

You can directly import Parasolid assemblies into ANSYS using the connection for Parasolid. After you import an assembly, you will have as many volumes in ANSYS as you had parts in the assembly. You must then do the following to build a contiguous model:

Glue volumes together using the VGLUE command.
Glue dissimilar meshes together by generating constraint equations at the interfaces using the CEINTF command. You should only use this method for models with small deflection.
Define bonded contact elements such as CONTA171 to glue dissimilar meshes together.