All analysis systems and several component systems begin with a geometry-definition step. You can define the geometry differently depending on the type of simulation you are running. In most cases, you use the Geometry cell. With the Geometry cell, you can:
Create a geometry in DesignModeler or SpaceClaim.
Import an existing geometry:
From neutral formats such as IGES, STEP, Parasolid, and ACIS.
From CAD files.
From a CAD session running on the same machine.
From ECAD files.
For Fluid Flow simulations, you can also start with an imported mesh or case file; see Basic Fluid Flow Analysis, Starting from an Imported Mesh for details.
To specify the geometry using the context menu:
Right-click the Geometry cell.
Select or to launch those respective programs and create a new model or select and browse to an existing CAD model.
Alternatively, you can also launch Workbench directly from some CAD systems. When doing so, Workbench starts with a Geometry system in place and the CAD file already attached.
After you have attached or imported your geometry, the state appears as Up to Date, and the icon indicates the type of file imported. Geometry types include:
 | ACIS (.sat) |
 | ANSYS Neutral File (.anf) |
 | Autodesk Inventor (.ipt, .iam) |
 | BladeGen (.bgd) |
 | CATIA v4 (.model, .dlv) |
 | CATIA v5 (.CATPart, .CATProduct) |
 | Creo Elements/Direct Modeling (.pkg, .bdl, .ses, .sda, .sdp, .sdac, .sdpc) |
 | Creo Parametric (formerly Pro/ENGINEER) (.prt, .asm) |
 | DesignModeler (.agdb) |
 | IGES (.iges, .igs) |
 | JT Open (.jt) |
 | Monte Carlo N-Particle (.mcnp) |
 | NX (.prt) |
 | Parasolid (.x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin) |
 | Solid Edge (.par, .asm, .psm, .pwd) |
| | SOLIDWORKS (.SLDPRT, .SLDASM) |
 | SpaceClaim (.scdoc) |
| | STEP (.stp, .step) |
| | Stereolithography (.stl). |
 | No file imported. |
If you do not need to make any additional changes to your geometry, you can continue working through the analysis as described in the next sections.
If your geometry must be modified before continuing with your analysis, you can edit the geometry in DesignModeler or SpaceClaim. After modifying the geometry, the icon in the Geometry cell changes to the icon of the application you used to make those modifications. For a file imported and then modified in DesignModeler, you can open the file in DesignModeler, and the DesignModeler model tree indicates the original source of the geometry.
After the geometry is defined, you can share it with other systems. See Data Sharing and Data Transfer for more information on sharing geometry systems.
For detailed CAD-related information specific to the Ansys DesignModeler application and Workbench, see CAD Integration.