Types of Interfacing

HyperMesh uses three types of external interfacing.

These include:
  • Importing CAD-generated geometry or finite element model information
  • Exporting CAD geometry or finite element information for specific analysis codes
  • Translating analysis results information to HyperMesh binary results format

CAD-generated geometry and finite element model information are input using the Import tab. HyperMesh internally supports PDGS and DXF formats. External interfaces are supplied for finite element analysis codes Abaqus, ANSYS, EXODUS, LS-DYNA KEY, LS-DYNA SEQUENTIAL, MADYMO, Marc, MoldFlow, Nastran, OptiStruct, PAM-CRASH, Radioss, Radioss {Fixed Format}, and Samcef) and for crash codes (LS-DYNA3D, PAM-CRASH, and Radioss), as well as for CAD codes, (CATIA, DXF, IGES, PDGS, PRO/E, STEP and UG). There is an external interface for the universal IGES format, as well. You can also create your own translation package.

The Export tab allows you to write information from a HyperMesh database to many finite element formats. Geometry data can be written in IGES format.

HyperMesh uses templates to create the analysis input decks for finite element solvers. You can modify the existing templates to support a desired feature or create a new template to support another analysis code. The HyperMesh templates can be used to create model summaries and perform some analysis calculations, such as center of gravity. You can also use the templates to perform complex editing or data manipulation tasks.

HyperMesh provides external translators that convert analysis-specific results into the HyperMesh results format. The results subpanel allows you to specify the results files for use in post-processing.
Note: For more information, refer to the individual translators on the Results Translation page.

HyperMesh uses both internal and external translators. You can write new external translators to support CAD or FEA formats by using the functions provided in hminlib.

Note: The HyperMesh Programmer’s Guide provides information about working with:

When you open the Export tab, HyperMesh sets the Template: field to the default analysis template directory and the first template selected is designated the global template.

Export Options

There are several options available for exporting model data. For example, the Export: option allows you to export files based on a subset of the existing HyperMesh database. If you select All, the entire model is written, regardless of the current display settings. When you select Displayed, only a portion of the model displayed on the screen is exported. Select Custom then click Select Entities to select individual entities to export using the Entity State Browser.

Additional information about export options for geometry and solvers is included in the section that pertains to the specific format.