CAD Connections

The Autodesk® Simulation CFD process always begins with geometry, so it is essential to have a wide range of geometry import options. Simulation CFD 2014 contains significant enhancements to geometry accessibility. From support for new CAD versions to direct import of many CAD and geometry formats, the Simulation CFD 2014 provides you with considerably more CAD connection options.

New CAD Versions Supported

Simulation CFD 2014 supports the following new CAD versions:

Direct Import of CAD Neutral File Formats

You can create a new design study by directly opening a geometry or CAD file. This capability supports the following CAD and geometry file types:

  • Autodesk Inventor (.iam and .ipt)
  • Autodesk Shape Manager (.smt)
  • Parasolid (.x_t)
  • Acis (.sat) (Version 7 and earlier.) *See Note below.
  • Pro/Engineer assembly and part files (.asm and .prt) (The Granite kernel is used to directly open these files.)
  • SolidWorks (.sldasm, .sldprt)
  • UGNX (.prt)
  • CAD Doctor (.sdy)
Note: Simulation CFD 2014 supports Acis files that are version 7.0 and earlier. Design studies created in previous versions of Simulation CFD that use Acis files greater than version 7.0 will not open in Simulation CFD 2014.

To create a new design study from a CAD or geometry file

  1. Start Simulation CFD either from the Desktop or Start menu.
  2. Click Start & Learn > New.
  3. On the New Design Study dialog, click Browse...
  4. On the Create New Design Study dialog, browse for and select the file, and click Open.
  5. Enter a Design study name.
  6. Click Create a new design study.

To learn more about using launching from a geometry file, click here.

Autodesk® Inventor Fusion as a CAD reader

While available for all supported CAD systems, Inventor Fusion is the designated workflow path for the following systems:

  • Pro/Engineer Wildfire 3 and previous versions
  • CATIA v5

To use Autodesk® Inventor Fusion as a CAD Reader:

  1. Open the CAD model directly into Autodesk® Inventor Fusion (which is included in the Autodesk Simulation CFD installation).
  2. Use the extensive collection of Autodesk® Inventor Fusion geometry tools to prepare the model for simulation.
  3. To launch the model, click Autodesk® Simulation CFD from the Simulation tab.

Note: To use Autodesk® Inventor Fusion with models from the following CAD systems, you should first save the model from the CAD system to the indicated geometry format, and then open that file into Autodesk® Inventor Fusion:

  • One Space Designer (CoCreate Modeling) (Acis, v7.0 or earlier)
  • SpaceClaim (Parasolid)
  • Solid Edge (Acis, v7.0 or earlier)

The visible model is launched, and the Design Study Manager opens.

To learn more about launching from Autodesk® Inventor Fusion, click here.