Importing CAE Models

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import CAE models that have been prepared in other CAE products. You can use imported CAE models for coupling Simcenter STAR-CCM+ with external CAE codes using the file-based coupling technique.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ supports the import of CAE models containing shells, surfaces, beams, and volumes from the following codes:

It is also possible to import a CAE model in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ boundary format (.sbd). These files are used in the same way as CAE models imported from the codes that are listed above, but you cannot import them as regions. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also supports the import of Ensight input files, which can be used to visualize and compare multiple solutions in one simulation. For more information, see Working with the STAR-CCM+ Boundary Data (.sbd) Format and Working with Ensight.

For Nastran models, you can import data that was defined in local coordinate systems. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ transforms the data into a global coordinate system during the import process. All other formats are imported in a global coordinate system, as importing from local coordinate systems is not supported.

When you import CAE models, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ create geometry parts for each volume that is defined in the input file.

To import a CAE model:

  1. Select File > Import > Import CAE Model...
  2. In the Open dialog, select the file to import and click Open.
  3. In the Import Options dialog, set the Import Mode to one of the following options:
    • Create New Region(s)—this option allows you to import the CAE model as a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ region. The imported region can then be used in the same way as any other region in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
    • Create New Region(s) and Imported Model(s)—this option imports the CAE model as a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ region and, additionally, adds the Imported Models node to the simulation tree, for file-based coupling. From this node, you can export solution data from Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to a file format that can be read into the third-party CAE code. Similarly, you can import solution data from the CAE code into Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and use the data to define boundary conditions in the simulation. See File-Based Coupling.


    You can use the Units menu to specify the units of the CAE model.
  4. Click OK.
    The progress is shown in the Output window. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ recognizes geometrical elements that are defined in the imported file, and adds a geometry part for each volume that is defined in the CAE model. All geometry parts are automatically assigned to a single region. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also adds corresponding boundaries and part surfaces for any surface that is defined in the CAE model. If the CAE model contains vertex specifications, including single feature vertices or groups of vertices, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates associated part points (which can be used for stress analysis with the Solid Stress model. See Solid Stress: Preparing the Geometry).
    NoteWhen you import a CAE model, do not delete or modify the association between the region and the parts that represent the imported CAE model. For imported CAE models, part-region associations cannot be restored once they are deleted.
    If you set Import Mode to Create New Region(s) and Imported Model(s), Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also adds the imported model under the Imported Models node, for file-based coupling with the corresponding CAE code.

    The imported CAE model node typically contains two subnodes, Imported surfaces and Imported elements. These nodes show the imported surfaces and elements that are defined in the CAE model file.
    Note When you import a CAE model containing a volume, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automatically extracts the free surface of the imported body and creates a corresponding boundary. When you import a model containing shells, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automatically locates the positive and negative side of each shell.

    An imported CAE model can be visualized in a scene, in the same way as regions, boundaries, and parts. For more information, see Visualizing an Imported CAE Model.

Note The import procedure is different when importing a CAE model from pro-STAR or es-ice.