Interface	Description
Parasolid	The ADINA Modeler (ADINA-M) which is based on the Parasolid kernel provides a natural interface to all Parasolid-based CAD systems such as NX (Unigraphics), SolidWorks, and SolidEdge.
IGES	The IGES interface is primarily used for geometry from CAD systems where a direct interface is currently not available (e.g., CATIA).
STL	STL (stereolithography) files obtained from scanned 3-D images or CAD objects (e.g. from AutoCAD) can be imported into ADINA. ADINA creates the necessary points, body edges and faces that can be used to define finite element meshes and also loads and boundary conditions.
Open Cascade	The ADINA Modeler (ADINA-M) which is based on the Open Cascade (OCC) kernel provides a natural interface to all the CAD systems that support Open Cascade (e.g. FreeCAD, CAD Exchanger, and Datakit).
Point Cloud	ADINA imports the point cloud data resulting from 3-D scanning and creates solid objects that can be saved in STL format for further processing.
I-DEAS NX	I-DEAS finite element models are translated for analysis using the ADINA programs. The ADINA results are then translated back into the I-DEAS database for post-processing.

 

Femap	Direct interface working within Femap environment. ADINA Structures, CFD & FSI solvers are activated within Femap. The analysis results are also viewed directly within Femap.
NX	NX can be used as a pre- and post-processing environment for ADINA. Models generated in NX can be imported in Nastran format into ADINA and the results from ADINA can be imported into NX for post-processing in universal file format.
Nastran	Nastran input files can be imported directly into the ADINA User Interface program. In addition to reading the regular Nastran input, additional NX Nastran commands, e.g., for 3-D contact definition, are also supported. Special features are available to make the application of additional loads and boundary conditions on the model easier. The ADINA results can be output in the Nastran op2 file format for post-processing by other systems.
EnSight	From the ADINA User Interface, results obtained from ADINA structural or CFD analyses can be exported in EnSight Case format. The user can view these results in the EnSight post-processing environment by importing the Case files.

 

ADINA Pre- and Post-processing Options

Although the ADINA User Interface (AUI) provides the complete pre- and post-processing capabilities for all the ADINA solution modules, we recognize that for some users, it is more effective when they can perform certain tasks in a third-party software. In the following, we give an overview of the options available for the pre- and post-processing of ADINA models.

 

Direct Interface Using I-deas/NX

For I-deas users, a fully integrated interface program to ADINA is available. This interface allows the user to perform all the pre- and post-processing tasks within the I-deas environment while using the ADINA analysis capabilities in the background. The top figure shows a simple example of a model created in I-deas and solved with ADINA. The ADINA results are then brought back into the I-deas database for post-processing.

Nastran Input

One of the key capabilities in ADINA for interfacing to other finite element modeling software is file import to ADINA via the Nastran file format. The user can create the finite element model in another program (e.g., NX, Femap, Ansa, Hypermesh) and export the model to a Nastran file. The AUI can then import the Nastran model file with tools to automatically create regions where loads and boundary conditions are to be applied. In addition to structural analysis, Nastran models can also be imported for CFD and FSI analyses.

 

Geometry Input

The ADINA Modeler (ADINA-M) is based on the Parasolid geometric modeling kernel which is used by many CAD systems, e.g., NX, SolidEdge, SolidWorks. Geometry created in a Parasolid-based CAD system can be easily read by ADINA-M. The finite element model is then created using the Parasolid geometry in the AUI.

For CAD systems which do not output Parasolid model files, the geometry can be imported into ADINA via the IGES file. In addition, an IGES model consisting of surfaces can be used to create a solid model by 'sewing' the surfaces together in ADINA-M.

 

Results Output

ADINA structural analysis results can be output in the Nastran op2 or I-deas universal file formats. Hence, ADINA results can be post-processed in various post-processors such as NX, Femap, mETA, or FEMFAT that support either of these formats. Note that the model may have been created entirely using the AUI or been imported from another pre-processor. In the figure below, the same I-deas model shown at the top of this page is post-processed in Femap, using the results from ADINA that have been output in the Nastran op2 file format.

 

 

EnSight Output

For very large models, it is often effective to view the results in a visualization program. We have the option of viewing ADINA CFD and structural analysis results in the EnSight format  Again, the model can be created entirely using the AUI or be imported from another pre-processor.

 

To offer an open system and enable our users to use their best tools to create and post-process their models continues to be an important goal in the development of ADINA.

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