# Submodel and CAD model import error

**URL:** <https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546>\
**Category:** General Questions\
**Tags:** results, animation\
**Created:** [June 25, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546 "2026-06-25T12:26:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MisiaKu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@MisiaKu](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/MisiaKu)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546/1 "2026-06-25T12:26:45Z")

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Dear Sir or Madam,

I created a model to test the SUBMODEL option. The deformation of the detail doesn’t match the deformation direction of the global model. Is this a mesh problem? What did I do wrong?

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/a/a724ec54821e326a69edb70d02aa14ff1dbdfb1b.jpeg)

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/4/484518703e00e6367364d68c80e601f1317c68cf.jpeg)

Why is the axis system different? Import error from FreeCAD?

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**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546/2 "2026-06-25T12:32:19Z")

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Did you make the submodel as a new part or as a cutout from the global model ? Do you have “Export single object placement” enabled in FreeCAD?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MisiaKu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@MisiaKu](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/MisiaKu)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546/3 "2026-06-25T15:00:45Z")

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![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/2/253fade902e222b6ea7d26ffd37eab75c8a0cd41.png)

Model number 2 was cut from file number 1. The PrePoMax file was copied, the contents were thrown away and model number 2 was imported. I see that sometimes export changes the coordinate system.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MisiaKu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@MisiaKu](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/MisiaKu)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546/4 "2026-06-25T15:16:41Z")

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I managed to fix it. It’s OK. I had to refine the shape before exporting. FreeCAD was changing the orientation.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/submodel-and-cad-model-import-error/3546/5 "2026-06-25T15:42:57Z")

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Ok, I see. Maybe it’s a FreeCAD bug, you can ask on their forum. I was suspecting the aforementioned export setting.