DXF2MOD translates DXF files to COSMOS/M MOD files. The current version was designed to generate finite element shell models from DXF files. Registered users can obtain the source code and modify the output function to generate custom formats of finite element models.
Overview3Dfaces are one of the basic entities of AutoCAD drawings. They are suitable to be interpreted as SHELL finite elements for COSMOS/M. AutoCAD also provides power functions to operate with 3Dmeshes which also can be interpreted as SHELL elements. The AutoCAD layers enable the ability to separate the 3Dfaces and 3Dmeshes in different layers. This could be used to assign group of SHELL elements various REAL CONSTANTS. The AutoCAD blocks and attribution system eases the way to assign nodal forces, moments and displacements.
How does DXF2MOD work
DXF2MOD reads DXF files saved by AutoCAD and analyses all 3Dface and 3Dmesh entities to define the unique vertexes to be interpreted as finite element nodes and the unique 3Dfaces to be interpreted as shell elements. Every entry of a predefined block with the name "FE-NODE" is used to extract the nodal forces and boundary conditions from an attributes with the names: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ, FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ. The count of the used real constants equals to the count of the layers with 3Dface and 3Dmesh entities. The number after the "_" in the layer name is used to assign the thickness to all the shell elements in the layer. The block "FE-NODE" is implemented in the drawing file FE-NODE.DWG included with DXF2MOD. Use the AutoCAD "insert" command to insert the block into a drawing and let its insert point reside on an end point of a 3Dmesh or 3Dface. To edit the boundary conditions and nodal forces type the AutoCAD "ddatte" command, select the inserted FE-NODE block and type in its attribute values.
DXF2MOD runs on Windows95/NT systems. Because it reads DXF files, this translator is independent of the version of the AutoCAD system being used to create the finite element model. DXF2MOD does not require any additional or special knowledge of AutoCAD. It uses the original AutoCAD entities.
ComparisonFor creating complex shell models using AutoCAD and DXF2MOD is much more suitable than using Geostar and other such translators (such as DXF to GEOSTAR format translator == DXF_GS.EXE) or (IGES to GEOSTAR format translator == IGES_GS.EXE). You can study the time charges to create the following models on Geostar with and without using the known translators. The corresponding MOD files for these models are automatically generated by DXF2MOD!
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