# Unable to export the FE Mesh into different file format (.mesh, .step)

**URL:** <https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431>\
**Category:** General Questions\
**Created:** [January 19, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431 "2024-01-19T05:52:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Susmitha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Susmitha](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Susmitha)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431/1 "2024-01-19T05:52:40Z")

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Hi, I have converted STL to FE mesh of a lattice structure. Now when I am trying to export it as .mesh or .step file it says export is failed or when I import that file type in another software then I am getting an error “The export has failed and no information is loaded”. Can anyone please tell me why the export is being failed and also is there any way to convert FE mesh into step file type?

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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:** [January 19, 2024, 8:05am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431/2 "2024-01-19T08:05:23Z")

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Mesh can’t be directly converted to STEP, you would have to use CAD software (like FreeCAD) for that. The typical format for mesh export from PrePoMax is .inp but .mesh works for me too. Make sure that your software supports this format for import.

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**Author:** ![Matej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Matej](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Matej)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2024, 8:11am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431/3 "2024-01-19T08:11:05Z")

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STEP is a geometry file format, and the finite element mesh cannot be saved into it. The mesh must be exported in one of the mesh formats. You can also try the Abaqus .inp export but create an empty step first since some programs require it while importing.

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**Author:** ![Susmitha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Susmitha](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Susmitha)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431/4 "2024-01-23T05:52:40Z")

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Okay I will check again as I am facing error while exporting .mesh file.

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**Author:** ![Susmitha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Susmitha](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Susmitha)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2024, 5:54am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/unable-to-export-the-fe-mesh-into-different-file-format-mesh-step/1431/5 "2024-01-23T05:54:37Z")

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Okay sure. I just confused, I cant directly convert from FE mesh to CAD file.