Discussion Forum

Hello Yu,
Since your geometry is in SolidWorks, STL is the last format you want to use to import the geometry into COMSOL. Assuming your license includes the CAD Import Module, LiveLink for SolidWorks or the Design Module, you can pick from several more appropriate formats, including the native SolidWorks file formats, etc, see www.comsol.com/products/specifications/cad/ .
Best,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

What steps and/or products do you recommend to someone who has defined/created a complicated 3D geometry entirely within the Comsol Multiphysics environment, and now wants to export that geometry into a file that can be opened using SolidWorks?

Thanks

Hi

I use Parasolid type *.x_t or *.x_b as this is the basic graphic core used both by COMSOL and SolidWorks, STL is no true 3D graphic standard in a topological understanding way.

When importing, one must adjust the units select either COMSOL or import geometry, and then ALWAYS CHECK AGAIN the imported dimensions, as COMSOL does not give us a reminder of the graphics units in their graphic view (that is a missing item in my understanding)

Anyhow, one of the standard checks one should ALWAYS perform on any model before looking at the results are :
1) is the total mass correct CAD / FEM ? (minimum check the VOLUM if you haven't used materials in the CAD)
2) is the total inertia tensor correct CAD / FEM (set FEM density to "1" if you have no materials in the CAD)
3) is the moment of inertia axis coherent CAD/FEM (use rho=1 as above, if applicable)

case 1) check the dimensions, case 2+3) the extent, scaling and orientation of the imported part

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Good luck
Ivar

The CAD Specification chart webpage (www.comsol.com/products/specifications/cad/) lists the formats that each program can write to, under the "Write to File" section.

The length unit used to display the geometry in the Graphics window is shown in the Settings window for the top node of the Geometry branch, usually named "Geometry 1".

Jeff