Solid Edge Reader (*.par, *.asm, *.psm)

The interface works in a Reader mode.

  • This is a stand-alone reader which does not require that the Solid Edge system be installed.

  • No CAD associativity support.

  • No CAD Parameter support.

The interface can be configured during Ansys installation or by using the Product & CAD Configuration Manager.

See Product & CAD Configuration Manager for usage information.

For detailed installation information about the Product & CAD Configuration Manager, see:

Support

At the time of release, detailed version support information for the Windows platform is accessible via Geometry Interface Support.

For information about post-release CAD system compatibility with Ansys Workbench, see the Platform Support section of the Ansys Website.

Document import supported by interface: Part (*.par), Assembly (*.asm), and Sheet Metal (*.psm).

Versions: V18 – 2024

Table 22: Import Preference Support for Solid Edge Reader Interface

Import Solid BodiesYes
Import Surface BodiesYes
Import Line BodiesYes
Parameter Processing and prefix/suffix keyNo
Attribute Processing and prefixYes - Color
Named Selection Processing and prefixYes - Color
Material ProcessingYes
Analysis Type
3D - Yes
2D - Yes- surface and line bodies on the xy plane may be imported
AssociativityNo
Coordinate SystemsNo
Work PointsYes
Reader Save FileNo
Instancing No
Smart UpdateNo
Enclosure and Symmetry ProcessingNo
Mixed Import ResolutionNo
Decompose Disjoint GeometryYes

Notations

Selective Update  —  This interface fully supports the Selective Update feature.

Length Unit  —  The length unit specified in the part or assembly is automatically read from the geometry file and is transferred into Ansys Workbench. The Length Unit field in the Details will be read-only. If a unit system is not detected in the geometry file, the Length Unit field in the Details will be active, allowing the Length Unit to be specified.

Hidden parts  —  Parts that are hidden or suppressed in Solid Edge are skipped automatically by this interface.

Import CAD Color as an Attribute or Named Selection  —  

  • Attribute: specify the "Attributes" option and set the "Attributes Key" to "Color" or a list of specific Colors delimited by a semicolon (for example: "Color:255.0.0; Color:255.255.0").

  • Named Selection: specify the "Named Selections" option and set the "Named Selections Key" to "Color" or a list of specific Colors delimited by a semicolon (for example: "Color:255.0.0; Color:255.255.0").

Caveats and Known Issues

The Solid Edge Reader has the following limitations:

  • Coordinate Systems. Translation of coordinate systems (WCS) from Solid Edge is not supported.

  • Work Planes. Translation of work planes from Solid Edge is not supported.

  • Attributes. Translation of User Defined Attributes, both Part level as well as Assembly level, is not supported for Solid Edge Reader.

  • Material Properties. The Material Properties will always be in the MKS unit system irrespective of the Solid Edge file unit system. The Reader supports only part level material properties.

  • Layers. Reading and translation of Layer information for any of the entities is not supported.

  • Colors. Translation of assembly definition and assembly instance color is not translated.

  • Hidden Parts. Instance level visibility is not honored. Invisible instances will always be translated.

  • Limited Support. Non-Commercial, Education Edition, Alpha, Beta, and PR versions (even of supported official versions) are not supported.

Troubleshooting

See the Solid Edge Errors Related to CAD Integration section in CAD Integration Troubleshooting for detailed information.