How to Save or Export an Implicit Model in desired CAD extension such as STP file?

DGK
DGK Altair Community Member
in Community Q&A

Description: Referring this tutorial:
https://community.altair.com/discussion/37119/inspire-workflow-structural-analysis-topology-optimization-implicit-modeling?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=Inspire+Workflow%3A+Structural+Analysis+%2B+Topology+Optimization+%2B+Implicit+Modeling

It is Nice video.
But Audio is missing.

My question is: How to Save or Export an Implicit Model in desired CAD extension such as STP file?

It has been mentioned as last line, but it is not demonstrated. Kindly share the steps to save /export the generated implicit model (with triangular mesh) as CAD file.

Product/Topic Name : @Altair_Inspire version 2025

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Best Answer

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hello @DGK ,

    in order to export as STEP or Parasolid it must be expressed with NURBS. We don't recommend that for a lattice structure. Even for a simple structure you'll need a significant amount of NURBS which will eventually make the model unworkable. Compared to geometry formats of meshes and traditional CAD, Implicit is relatively new, there is no official/standard file format for storing Implicit functions. At the moment, Implicit geometry is typically shared in a mesh format (STL, 3MF, OBJ).

    Hope this helps!

    Best regards,
    Orestes

Answers

  • GTT Adam
    GTT Adam
    Altair Employee

    Hi @DGK,

    To save an Inspire STMOD model as a STP, simply go to File » Save As, then change the file type to STEP (*.step *.stp)

    Hope this helps!

    Adam Reid

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee

    Hello @DGK,

    after fitting the polynurb to the solution from the analyze part and after any combine geometry needed (as shown in the video) you have to options to save the geometry.

    Option 1: Use Save As and change the me type to step or parasolid. This method will export the whole assembly.

    image.png


    Option 2: Use save selected. Upon selecting the part in model window go to file→ Save Selected. This will export only the selected part in a geometry format.

    image.png

    Hope this helps!

    Best regards,
    Orestes

  • DGK
    DGK Altair Community Member

    Hello,Thanks for the response.But when I Save As the generated Lattice as step file, it is only saving the rest of the geometries.

    The generated lattice can be exported as triangular mesh via stl file format.

    My objective is to save the generated lattice as CAD format (stp).

    So can you help me with how I can convert a stl (triangular mesh) to a CAD (stp) format?I need to share this generated lattice CAD to Manufacturing teams.

  • Orestis_YB
    Orestis_YB
    Altair Employee
    Answer ✓

    Hello @DGK ,

    in order to export as STEP or Parasolid it must be expressed with NURBS. We don't recommend that for a lattice structure. Even for a simple structure you'll need a significant amount of NURBS which will eventually make the model unworkable. Compared to geometry formats of meshes and traditional CAD, Implicit is relatively new, there is no official/standard file format for storing Implicit functions. At the moment, Implicit geometry is typically shared in a mesh format (STL, 3MF, OBJ).

    Hope this helps!

    Best regards,
    Orestes

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