Native CAD Formats

Native CAD data files are created with parametric based CAD programs and contain all the relevant solid model information for that program.

The model information can be read for each of the supported file types and converted into individual regions that can be used for surface and volume meshing using Siemens Adapter importer. For native CAD formats, except NX and Solid Edge, an additional reader license specific to each CAD program is required to read the files (see CAD Package Support). Contact your Siemens Digital Industries Software representative for more information on how to obtain the appropriate license.

Provided the correct preparation is made, the underlying CAD model can be used for CAD projection of surface vertices.

Supported Native CAD Formats

You can import the following native CAD formats into Simcenter STAR-CCM+:


Format Name	File Extension
Creo Elements/Pro 5.0	.prt, .asm
CATIA V4	.model, .exp, .session
CATIA V5	.CATPart, .CATProduct
CATIA V5-6 2012	.CATPart, .CATProduct
NX	.prt
Solid Edge	.par, .asm
Inventor	.ipt, .iam
SolidWorks	.sldprt, .sldasm

If you import NX and Solid Edge formats using the Siemens Adapter importer, you do not require additional licenses. To import any other native CAD formats, you require the CAD Exchange Reader add-on license. All the above formats support single or multiple region definitions in a single file. When importing multiple files as regions, the choice of generating either a single region per file or multiple regions is provided.

None of the native CAD formats support part curves (line cells). You can automatically create part curves that are based on an angle or all feature edges during the import process if desired. For more information on the various import options, see Importing Surface Data into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Surfaces that are imported from native CAD files are always represented as CAD parts initially.

Creo Elements/Pro 5.0 Format

Creo Elements/Pro 5.0 (formerly Pro/ENGINEER) is a parametric and fully integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software package from Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). Solid models that are produced using the CAD modeler are saved using files with the extensions .prt (for parts) and .asm (for assemblies). These files can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+ while still retaining individual part and assembly names, as well as the association between each. If your geometry models contain accelerator (.xpr/.xas) files, then these files are required to import the geometry into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

CATIA Formats

Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA) is a multi-platform 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software from Dassault Systemes.

CATIA V4 is principally based on piece wise polynomial surfaces. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .model, .exp and .session can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

CATIA V5 features a parametric NURBS-based modeler. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .CATPart and .CATProduct can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

CATIA V5-6 2012 features a parametric NURBS-based modeler and offers enhanced compatibility between CATIA V5 and CATIA V6 files. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .CATPart and .CATProduct can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Siemens NX Format

NX is a 3D CAD/CAM/CAE PLM software from Siemens PLM Software. NX was originally called UniGraphics. NX is a parametric solid/surface feature based software that utilizes the Parasolid modeling kernel. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .prt can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Solid Edge Format

Solid Edge is a 3D CAD software from Siemens PLM Software. Solid Edge is a parametric solid/surface feature based software that utilizes the Parasolid modeling kernel. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .par and .asm can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

Autodesk Inventor Format

Inventor is a 3D CAD software from Autodesk Inc. Inventor is a parametric solid/surface feature based software that utilizes the proprietary ShapeManager modeling kernel. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .ipt and .iam can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

SolidWorks Format

SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program from the SolidWorks Corporation, a subsidiary of Dassault Systemes. SolidWorks is a parametric feature-based software that utilizes the Parasolid modeling kernel. CAD models that are saved using files with extensions .sldprt and .sldasm can be read into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.