Can you import native CAD geometry files into pymapdl

[sid-bhargav]

My team wants to be able to import .SLDPRT files into mapdl so that we can parametrically edit the geometry within SOLIDWORKS, while preserving named selections made using the Ansys add-in.

We have been able to mesh within Workbench, but would now like to be able to automate meshing using pyMAPDL. Is there any way we can import these files instead of an .IGES so that we can preserve named selections?

If this isn't possible, could anyone recommend any other methods to do the same thing, or something similar?

[mikerife]

Hi @sid-bhargav
No - that was one of the "killer applications" of Workbench Mechanical when it was first released (way back when there was no Workbench, and Mechanical was DesignSpace!). MAPDL can import certain CAD formats, but not parameters and their values like WB Mechanical can. Named Selections fall into the same category.

Please see the Ansys MAPDL Help -> Connection User Guide -> Chapter 1 Introduction to the Connection Functionality. ACIS, Parasolid, NX, Creo Parametric, Catia 4 & 5 files are supported along with IGES.

Can I ask what it the point in meshing in PyMAPDL? Is PyMAPDL the end of the line i.e. will be doing an analysis also? Or are you looking to automate meshing and move on to something else? PyPrimeMesh is still in Beta but is available (search GitHub for it). If you are some time away from needing a mesh (i.e. say designing an internal webapp for analysis at your company) you may want to look into it and keep it in mind. And/or maybe start investigating it now.

Depending on the geometry that needs to be parameterized we can often use MAPDLs native geometry functions to change the geometry as needed. Can you describe or show what is needed?

Mike

[sid-bhargav]

Hi @mikerife

Thanks for the clarification! We had wanted to use MAPDL to mesh geometry that we could then plug into pyFluent and run CFD on some aero setups for our Formula SAE team. Our goal was to be able to give a script a bunch of aero-setups with automatically assigned named selections, and then have it run meshing, simulation, and analysis. That's why we would need to be able to use .SLDPRTs

However, from my quick read through the repo and the documentation it does seem like PyPrimeMeshing will hopefully do the trick.

Thanks again for your quick response!

Sid

[mikerife]

Hey @sid-bhargav Sid - check out PyFluent - it can import geometry and there is access to the Fluent meshing as well. Mike