Importing IDF Files

This section describes how to use the IDF Import Wizard.

The IDF Import Wizard is hidden by default from the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface.

To import IDF files:

  1. Add the Import IDF File tool to the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ user interface. See Customizing a Toolbar.
  2. Click the Import IDF File icon.

    The Import IDF Options dialog appears.



  3. Set the desired import options. See Import IDF Options Panel.

    1. Filter out specific components:

      To omit specific components, use Exclude filters. Any selected components in the Available Reference Designator Filter Components list are excluded from the import. By default, all components are selected.

    2. Filter out components based on size:

      To omit all components that are smaller than a specified size, add a Property Size filter. The size that you specify corresponds to the maximum size of a bounding box that fully encloses the 2D profile of the component.

    3. Filter out holes on the circuit board:

      To omit holes from the circuit board, add a Hole Radius filter. Any holes which are smaller than the specified value are filtered out.

  4. Click OK.

The specified components are read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and are subsequently built in 3D-CAD. Each component is built using CAD operations. The benefit of building all components is that you can then modify the circuit board design in 3D-CAD in response to analysis results and re-run the simulation.

When the import completes, a 3D-CAD model named IDF Import 3D-CAD 1 is added to the Geometry > 3D-CAD Models node. Edit this 3D-CAD model to enter the 3D-CAD environment.