Exporting and Importing 3D-CAD Model as a Parametric Model

3D-CAD allows you to export an entire 3D-CAD model from a simulation file into a macro script and associated binary part files for any imported CAD. The macro script contains all 3D-CAD features such as design parameters, reference geometry, filters, and global options. You can then use the macro file to re-import the 3D-CAD model to an existing or a new Simcenter STAR-CCM+ session.

This feature provides a robust method for exporting and importing geometry into Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Once you have exported a 3D-CAD model, you can import it into a separate simulation file where you can interact, edit, and use 3D-CAD features to prepare the model for simulation.

To export a 3D-CAD model:

  1. In the object tree, right-click the Geometry > 3D-CAD Models > [3D-CAD Model] node and select Export Parametric CAD.


  2. Navigate to the directory where you want to save the file and give it a name (the .java extension is automatically added to the file name).
  3. Click Save.
To import the macro script into Simcenter STAR-CCM+:
  1. From the Macro toolbar, click (Play Macro).
  2. In the Open dialog, select the file and click Open.
    For each import feature, there is an additional partition data file created with an extension .P_b. While running the macro, this file is read to create the import feature data. If you move the macro to a different folder, make sure to move these files and change the file path in the macro.
Some of the limitations for this feature are:
  • Failed features and features such as Suppress, Roll Back, Show and Hide are not exported.
  • For large 3D-CAD models, you may get the following error code: Too many constants or Code large error. In such cases, you must manually split the file into partitions and run each macro separately.
  • If you have vertices and planes in the parent file, then those are visible when you re-import the macro file and open the geometry in the 3D-CAD modeler.