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Manage Files and Data
Create, open, import, and save models.
Import Files
Import an existing file to the current session.
CAD Import
Learn about the supported CAD readers and the options available for importing CAD geometry data.
Supported CAD Readers
CAD readers supported by the application.
SolidWorks Reader

Welcome
What's New
View new features for HyperMesh CFD 2024.1.
Get Started
Learn the basics and discover the workspace.
Onboarding Resources
Discover HyperMesh CFD functionality with interactive tutorials and community resources.
Solution Layers
Solution-centric workflows allow you to traverse through modeling environments using a dedicated UI layer.
Manage Files and Data
Create, open, import, and save models.
- Supported File Formats
  File formats supported.
- Create New Files
  Create a new file.
- Open Files
  Open a file.
- Import Files
  Import an existing file to the current session.
  - CAD Import
    Learn about the supported CAD readers and the options available for importing CAD geometry data.
    - Supported CAD Readers
      CAD readers supported by the application.
      - ACIS Reader
      - AVEVA Marine Reader
      - CATIA Reader
      - Creo Reader
      - FORAN Reader
      - IGES Reader
      - Inspire Reader
      - Inventor Reader
      - JT Reader
      - NX Reader
        NX import is available through two different readers: UGOpen native reader and a third-party non-native reader.
      - OCX Reader
      - Parasolid Reader
      - Rhino Reader
      - SolidWorks Reader
      - STEP Reader
    - CAD Import Options
      CAD readers provide options for processing data during import.
    - CAD Import Message Files
      Each reader reads the CAD file and stores the geometry information. When a CAD file is read, a .msg file is created (or appended to) in the current working directory.
    - CAD Import Difficulties
      Learn about possible difficulties you may encounter during CAD import.
    - CAD Metadata Naming
      The metadata names generated by the CAD readers are composed of a general prefix followed by a metadata specific name. The prefix is specified using the @MetadataPrefix option in each _reader.ini file.
  - Solver Deck Import
    Import FE models for supported solver interfaces.
  - Results Import
    Use reader options to control the behavior of the code when reading results from disk.
- Save Files
  Save all of the data in your current session.
- Export Files
  Export FE data in your current session.
- Take a Screen Capture
  Record a video or take a snapshot of the screen.
- Import and Export Templates
  Quickly import and export templates containing full simulation settings, part definitions, or mesh controls.
- Extensions
  Extensions are programs integrated with the application to enhance or extend the user experience.
Convert
Use the Convert tool to convert entire models between data types.
Geometry Modeling
Manage CAD, FE, and 2D parametric sketch geometry.
Meshing
Generate surface/volume mesh by defining mesh controls, or interactively create and edit 2D surface mesh.
Setup
Prepare your model and run the simulation.
Post-Processing
Post-process the simulation results by creating visualizations and measurements.
Automation
Automate simulation processes with templates and utility scripts.
Design Exploration
Once the baseline model is prepared, you can define morph volumes, morph geometry, create design shapes and run DOE studies. These tool work for both AcuSolve and ultraFluidX-based workflows.
Solver Help
More resources for AcuSolve and ultraFluidX solvers.

View All Altair HyperWorks Help

SolidWorks Reader

Supported Entities

Entities supported by the SolidWorks reader.

Free points
Free curves
Surfaces
Solid bodies
Assemblies

Entities with non-latin characters in their names are supported.

Import Options

The SolidWorks reader uses the ct_reader.ini file.

`@AttributesAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Import all generic attributes (global and related to single entities) as metadata.
`off`	Do not import attributes related to single entities. Only import global attributes.
`%attribute1%attribute2%attribute3`	Import specified generic attributes as metadata. The attribute names are listed, separated by a character that you choose, and inserted as the first element of the string. The example uses '%' as a separator. You can choose another character as a separator, in case one of the listed attribute names contains '%'. HyperMesh CFD will recognize it as it is the first character of the string.

`@AvoidThirdPartyConversion`
Value	Description
`on`	Avoid using the conversion functions provided by third-party (default).
`off`	Use the conversion functions provided by third-party.

`@BodyIdAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Assign body identifier as metadata. `BODY_ID`
`off`	Do not assign body identifier as metadata (default).

`@CleanupTol`
Value	Description
`double`	A negative value (default) indicates to use the auto cleanup tolerance. A value greater than the calculated auto cleanup tolerance indicates to use that specific tolerance. Refer to the CAD Import Options.

`@ColorsAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`integer`	Read color attributes of geometric entities as metadata with integer values. `COLOR_RGB`
`on`	Same as integer.
`off`	Do not read color attributes (default).

`@CreationType`
Value	Description
`Parts`	Generate a full part-based hierarchy.
`BOMOnly`	Generate an empty part-based hierarchy.
`TreeOfComponents`	Generate an assemblies/components based hierarchy.
`PackIntoSinglePart`	Consolidate hierarchy into a single part.

`@DensityAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Read density value as metadata (default). `DENSITY`
`off`	Do not read density value.

`@DoNotMergeEdges`
Value	Description
`on`	Preserve the original geometry edges, instead of merging them together during the import cleanup phase.
`off`	Merge edges together during the import cleanup phase (default).

`@ImportBlanked`
Value	Description
`on`	Import entities that are hidden, blanked, or no show.
`off`	Do not import entities that are hidden, blanked, or no show (default).

`@ImportCoordinateSystems`
Value	Description
`on`	Import CAD coordinate systems as system collectors (default).
`off`	Do not import CAD coordinate systems.

`@ImportForVisualizationOnly`
Value	Description
`on`	Import the model for visualization purposes only. This skips many of the import steps (cleanup, stitching, solid creation, and so on) to provide a faster import. The resulting model may not be suitable for other uses.
`off`	Import the model in the normal fashion (default).

`@ImportFreeCurves`
Value	Description
`on`	Import free curves (wireframe entities) into the model (default).
`off`	Do not import free curves.

`@ImportFreePoints`
Value	Description
`on`	Import free points into the model (default).
`off`	Do not import free points.

`@LayerAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Read layer value as metadata. `LAYER`
`off`	Do not read layer value (default).

`@LegacyHierarchyAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Generate metadata with the original CAD hierarchy within the part. `LEGACY_HIERARCHY`
`off`	Do not generate metadata with the original CAD hierarchy within the part (default).

`@MaterialName`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM material name info of the current part. Default is "Material".

`@MeshFlag`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM mesh flag name info of the current part. Default is "MeshFlag".

`@MetadataPrefix`
Value	Description
`string`	The string is prefixed to all metadata names. No prefix is used by default. See CAD Metadata Naming for more details.

`@MID`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM material ID info of the current part. Default is "MID".

`@OriginalIdAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Import original CAD entity IDs as metadata. `ORIGINAL_ID`
`off`	Do not import original CAD entity IDs as metadata (default).

`@PartNumber`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM part number info of the current part. Default is "PartNumber”.

`@PID`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing PDM property ID info of the current part. Default is "PID”.

`@Revision`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing PDM major revision info of the current part. Default is "Revision”.

`@ScaleFactor`
Value	Description
`double`	Define the model scaling factor during import. Default is 1.0.

`@SkipCreationOfSolid`
Value	Description
`on`	Read surfaces, but do not create solid entities.
`off`	Create solid entities (default).

`@SplitComponents`
Value	Description
`Body`	Generate body-based component (default if `CreationType`=`Parts`).
`Layer`	Generate layer-based component.
`Part`	Generate part-based component.
`General`	Keep component as in CAD (default if `CreationType`=`TreeOfComponents`).

`@SplitComponentsByBody`
Value	Description
`on`	Create one component per third-party body. There might be one or more third-party bodies per third-party component.
`off`	Do not consider the division of third-party components into third-party bodies while creating components (default).

`@SplitPeriodicFaces`
Value	Description
`on`	Split periodic surfaces to improve the quality and robustness of the import (default).
`off`	Import periodic surfaces as a single surface with a seam edge.

`@StitchingAcrossBodies`
Value	Description
`on`	Stitch surfaces belonging to different components.
`off`	Do not stitch surfaces belonging to different components (default).

`@TagsAsMetadata`
Value	Description
`on`	Create entity name as metadata. `TAG`
`FromBody`	Take entity from its parent body and create as metadata. `TAG`
`off`	Do not read tags (default).

`@TargetUnits`
Value	Description
`CAD units`	Keep the units of the CAD files (default for GUI).
`MKS [m kg N s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`MMKS [mm kg N s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`MPA [mm t N s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`CGS [cm g dyn s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`MMKNMS [mm kg kN ms]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`MMGNMS [mm g N ms]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`IPS Std [in pounds lbf s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`IPS Grav [in slinch lbf s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`FPS Std [ft pounds lbf s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`FPS Grav [ft slug lbf s]`	Convert to the corresponding units system.
`Scale factor`	Apply the corresponding scale factor (default for no GUI to allow supporting legacy scripts).

`@ThicknessName`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM thickness info of the current part. Default is "Thickness".

`@UID`
Value	Description
`string`	Name of the CAD attribute containing the PDM UID info of the current part. Default is "UID".

Supported Metadata

Metadata generated from the SolidWorks reader.

`BODY_ID`
Type	Entities	Description
`string`	points lines surfs	Identifier of the CAD body containing the entity. Generated when `@BodyIDAsMetadata`=`on`

`COLOR_RGB`
Type	Entities	Description
`string`	comps, assems if hierarchy as Assemblies; parts if hierarchy as Parts	Three RGB values, ranging from 0 to 255, indicating the color of the entity in the CAD model. Generated when `@ColorsAsMetadata = on`

`DENSITY`
Type	Entities	Description
`double`	solids	The value of the density of a solid. Generated when `@DensityAsMetadata = on`

`LAYER`
Type	Entities	Description
`integer`	points lines surfs solids	Value of the layer of an entity. Generated when `@LayerAsMetadata`=`on`

`LEGACY_HIERARCHY`
Type	Entities	Description
`string`	points lines surfs	Hierarchy of an entity within a part. Generated when `@LegacyHierarchyAsMetadata`=`on`

`MODELUNIT`
Type	Entities	Description
`integer`	comps if hierarchy as Assemblies; parts if hierarchy as Parts	Model units specified in the CAD file. 1 = inches 2 = millimeters 4 = feet 5 = miles 6 = meters 7 = kilometers 8 = mils 9 = microns 10 = centimeters 11 = microinches 12 = decimeters 13 = yards This is always generated.

`ORIGINAL_ID`
Type	Entities	Description
`string`	points lines surfs solids parts	The original CAD entity ID. Generated when `@OriginalIdAsMetadata = on`

`TAG`
Type	Entities	Description
`string`	points lines edges surfs solids	The tag (name) of the entity as read from the CAD model, if one exists. Generated when `@TagsAsMetadata = on`