You can import legacy mesh files using the following methods. The method that is best for you depends on the type of file that you want to import and how you intend to use it:
Choose from the Ansys Workbench Menu bar or click the button on the Ansys Workbench Toolbar to read legacy Ansys Workbench mesh data
Right-click the Mesh cell and choose to import a read-only mesh for downstream use
Use the External Model system to read third-party mesh formats for other Ansys Workbench systems. You can use the External Model system for importing the following file formats:
NASTRAN Bulk Data (.bdf, .dat, .nas)
Abaqus Input (.inp)
Fluent Input (.msh, .cas)
ICEM CFD Input (.uns)
LS-DYNA Input (.k)
Importing Using File> Import or the Import Button
If you choose or click the button from Ansys Workbench, you can import mesh files that have an extension of .cmdb or .meshdat. Doing so creates a Mesh system in the Ansys Workbench Project Schematic. When the Mesh cell is edited, the mesh will open in the Meshing application where you can edit it.
For more information about reading a simulation/mesh database (.dsdb/.cmdb) from previous ANSYS versions, refer to the discussion of importing legacy databases in the Ansys Workbench help.
Importing Read-only Meshes for Downstream Application Use
You can right-click a Mesh cell and choose to browse to a mesh file that you want to import, provided the file is of one of the following types:
Ansys CFX mesh file with extension .gtm or .cfx
Ansys ICEM CFD mesh file with extension .cfx, cfx5, or .msh
Ansys Fluent mesh file with extension .cas, .msh, or .gz
Ansys Polyflow mesh file with extension .poly, .neu, or .msh
Note: When you use this method, in the strictest sense you are not "importing" the mesh file. That is, you will not be able to edit the file in the Meshing application using this method. Rather, you are making the mesh available for downstream systems.
To be able to edit these types of files in the Meshing application, you must import the mesh into the External Model application, and then into another system.
The method is enabled when:
No geometry is associated with the Geometry cell.
No generated mesh is associated with the Mesh cell. (Imported meshes do not disable the menu item.)
No incoming connections are associated with the Geometry cell or Mesh cell.
No outgoing connections are associated with the Geometry cell.
No outgoing connections from the Mesh cell are connected to the Mechanical APDL or Ansys Autodyn applications.
When you import the mesh to the Mesh cell:
The Geometry cell is deleted.
The title of the cell changes from "Mesh" to "Imported Mesh."
The state of the Mesh cell is "Up to Date."
No incoming connections are allowed.
Outgoing connections can be established with a Mechanical APDL, Ansys Autodyn, Ansys CFX, Ansys Fluent, or Ansys Polyflow system.
The Geometry cell in the target system is deleted.
Using the reset command (right-clicking on the Imported Mesh cell and choosing ) deletes the imported mesh.