ANSYS - Importing a Surface from Solidworks to Design Modeler

To import a surface to ANSYS in the Design Modeler, you will first need to create just the surface using a CAD program, such as Solidworks. Note that these instructions also apply to importing any part or assembly from Solidworks to ANSYS; you just need to skip the step  in Solidworks on adding Surfaces.

Method I

In Solidworks:

• Right-click on the Features toolbar and add Surfaces if it is not already shown
  
  
  
  
• Choose the type of surface you would like to create (extruded, revolved etc.)
• Create your desired surface
• Save the surface as a .STP file

In ANSYS:

• Create your project
• Right-click Geometry
• Select Import Geometry
  
  
• Locate your file and select it
• Go into Design Modeler and Generate

Now you should be able to see your surface in Design Modeler.

Method II

After you have created the geometry in Solidworks and saved it:

In ANSYS

• Create your project
• Open Design Modeler
• Go to File>Attach Active CAD Geometry
  
• Click Generate

Now you can edit your Geometry in Solidworks and refresh it in Design Modeler after you have changed it.

To refresh the geometry in Design Modeler:

• In the Details window, click Refresh>Use Geometry Parameter Values
  
  
• Click Generate

Now your Geometry in Design Modeler will reflect the changes you made in Solidworks. 

Method III

In Solidworks you can connect the geometry to Workbench:

• Go to Tools>ANSYS 
  
  
  
  

ANSYS Workbench will then open with the Solidworks file attached: 

• Drag the Geometry onto the Geometry of your project 

• You can then update the geometry from your CAD file directly
  
  
  
  

Now you should be able to update your geometry in Solidworks and refresh it in ANSYS