Generating PM-FlexTire files using provided STPtoOBJ executable.

Chris_DE
Chris_DE Altair Community Member

I'm having issues generating all the files required to perform a coupled FlexTire analysis with MotionSolve/EDEM. I'm currently running version 2024.1 of both MotionView/MotionSolve and EDEM. I've got the PME_FlexTire.dll and STPtoOBJ.exe installed in my EDEM\bin location as described in the FlexTire installation instructions.

When I run the "generate files" step of the "single tire test rig" tutorial outlined in the FlexTire 2024 user manual (attached), only a BDF file is generated, but the OBJ and OFF files are not. I get a warning after running the generate files in MotionView that says "one or more files were not generated" (see attached snapshot). Has anyone had similar issues, or have any ideas how to fix it?

Grateful for any help.

Chris

Best Answers

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hi @Chris_DE ,

    could you please tell me which version of STPtoOBJ are you using? I suspect that you got the files from v24 (STPtoOBJ will be around 7000KB). Your fxt uses a v23 format. I would suggest to use PM FlexTire v23 as well (STPtoOBJ will be around 5000KB) and of course relative PME_FlexTire.dll should be used. Hope this helps!

    Best regards,
    Orestes

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hello @Chris_DE,

    latest fxt features one more material which is the sidewall. As for now there are some known issues when using v24 of flextire file generation within MotionView and that's why I would suggest to use PM FlexTire v23. I am attaching a fxt file (txt format is used to make it possible to attach) as a reference, keeping in mind that for now only the manual set up way is available within EDEM. . To continue with MotionSolve/EDEM/FlexTire tutorial please use v23 of Flextire. If you have any specific model that you want to work with fell free to contact your account manager.

    Best regards,
    Orestes

Answers

  • GTT Adam
    GTT Adam
    Altair Employee

    Hi @Chris_DE,

    When you select the Generate Files button, does the Generare PM-FlexTire Files dialog appear? Or does it immediately display that error message? Is there any .ERR or .OUT files created in the displayed directory after the error?

    Hope this helps!

    Adam Reid

  • Chris_DE
    Chris_DE Altair Community Member
    edited January 22

    Hey @GTT Adam,

    When I select the Generate Files button, I get the expected pop up window (see below). After I fill in the required info and hit OK, it generates the BDF file, but fails to generate the other files. There are no ERR or OUT files in the displayed directory afterward.

  • GTT Adam
    GTT Adam
    Altair Employee

    Hi @Chris_DE,

    In Step 4, I see that there is a note:

    The MTR37x125R165.fxt has a reference to the handling tire file sample_fiala_with_single_contact.tpf

    Is the TPF file located in the same working directory? Or does the FXT point to a TPF in the installation directory?

    Hope this helps!

    Adam Reid

  • Chris_DE
    Chris_DE Altair Community Member

    Hi @GTT Adam ,

    The TPF file is located in the same working directory and is also referenced in the MotionView FlexTire dialog. I'll attach the working directory files here too if that'll provide more insight, see zip file.

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hi @Chris_DE ,

    could you please tell me which version of STPtoOBJ are you using? I suspect that you got the files from v24 (STPtoOBJ will be around 7000KB). Your fxt uses a v23 format. I would suggest to use PM FlexTire v23 as well (STPtoOBJ will be around 5000KB) and of course relative PME_FlexTire.dll should be used. Hope this helps!

    Best regards,
    Orestes

  • Chris_DE
    Chris_DE Altair Community Member

    Hi @Orestis_YB ,

    I'm using the v24 version of STPtoOBJ, it is about 7000KB in size. The example files for the tutorial are from 2022, I figured they would be forward compatible, but I guess not. How can you tell the fxt is v23 format? What would I need to modify in the fxt to work with v24? Just curious, I'll want to modify this fxt in the future anyways for my applications.

    Thank you for the reply,

    Chris

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hello @Chris_DE,

    latest fxt features one more material which is the sidewall. As for now there are some known issues when using v24 of flextire file generation within MotionView and that's why I would suggest to use PM FlexTire v23. I am attaching a fxt file (txt format is used to make it possible to attach) as a reference, keeping in mind that for now only the manual set up way is available within EDEM. . To continue with MotionSolve/EDEM/FlexTire tutorial please use v23 of Flextire. If you have any specific model that you want to work with fell free to contact your account manager.

    Best regards,
    Orestes

  • Chris_DE
    Chris_DE Altair Community Member

    Ok good to know, I'll try installing v23 to see if that fixes my issue then.

    Thanks @Orestis_YB

    Best Regards,

    Chris

  • Chris_DE
    Chris_DE Altair Community Member

    Hi @Orestis_YB ,

    I installed the v23 versions of STPtoOBJ.exe and PME_FlexTire.dll and everything seems to be working as it should now. All files are generated and no errors. Thank you for your input!

    Best Regards,

    Chris