Product: Abaqus/CAE
Benefits: You can now import a model from a file in stereolithography (STL) format into Abaqus/CAE.
Description: The Import Model from STL File plug-in enables you to import model data from an external file in STL format (*.stl) into a new Abaqus/CAE model. Stereolithography data can be used for quick prototyping and manufacturing of parts, and this enhancement enables you to perform analyses for the stereolithography parts you create.
The plug-in supports import from STL files in either ASCII or binary format.
Figure 5–1 shows the options available in the plug-in. By default, the plug-in creates a new Abaqus/CAE model and a new Abaqus input file, both with the same name as the selected STL file, but you can specify a different name for these files. You can also change the tolerance value within which nodes are merged during the translation process.
In practice, you might want to add the STL model data that you import to an existing Abaqus/CAE model. To add the STL parts or part instances to an existing Abaqus/CAE model after import, copy these objects from the newly created model to any other Abaqus/CAE model using the Copy Objects dialog box. For more information about copying model objects, see “Copying objects between models,” Section 9.8.3 of the Abaqus/CAE User's Manual.
All modules:
Plug-ins
ToolsImport Model from STL File