Import issues ** Defined fields

General Questions
1

Hello! I created a pretty simple case just to explore the import/export options.

When I create a case with a Static Step, and define Temperature at some nodes, I can export this as .inp and I can see the defined nodes and temperatures with a text editor. If I then try to import the same file (without making any changes), everything under the “Defined fields” disappear and it instead appear as “User Keywords” placed under “Field Outputs”.

Can someone help me understand importing options? Maybe I am doing something wrong?

Thanks!

2

This is a known problem - the .inp file importer for now stays behind the exporter and doesn’t support several keywords. So you may have to redefine some features if you don’t want them to stay as user keywords.

3

Thanks for the reply! Could you explain more what you mean by “redefining”?

I would like to map temperature values from another solver to PreProMax just to get the static response.

I would really appreciate any help!

4

Recreating the definitions in GUI. But CalculiX keywords are very intuitive too and you could use them directly - modify the .inp file outside of PrePoMax and submit it using standalone CalculiX solver. Then just postprocess in PrePoMax.

5

Would I do this using the Calculix keyword editor?

Regardless, I will try to use the Calculix solver directly.

6

No, just directly in the model tree. Unless you want to use keywords - then you can either work with the Keyword Editor or any text file editor outside of PrePoMax.

Here’s how to use CalculiX standalone: Using standalone CalculiX

7

I can do it in the model tree, but I want to automate it so that I can map my temperature field from a different in-house CFD solver to PreProMax directly using keywords and .inp files. It seems like using Calculix directly might be a better option in this case.

8

Yes, then working with the input files makes sense. You just have to follow the CalculiX’s syntax (e.g. all prescribed conditions are defined based on the numbers of mesh entities - nodes in this case) and substitute proper data lines to the input deck.

PrePoMax can also be automated from the command line and there’s an upcoming feature for point cloud interpolations so maybe you could try that in the future but for now, keywords may suffice too.

1 Like
9

Thank you so much! I will play around with Calculix and come back to this post if I have any questions!