Convert STL file to Ansys file

[mmart261]

Hello all,

I am a PhD Student trying to conduct Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on fish skulls. However, I need to convert a STL file to an Ansys file (see attached image) to conduct FEA, and apply a mesh and edit the STL files; therefore, is AutoCAD applicable for the task and if so, can you please inform me of the conversion of an STL file to Ansys file? 

Thank you

[S.Faris]

Ansys export is not available in Autocad. Did you try importing the .STL file to your Analysis software?

Refer : .stl to ansys 

[pendean]

https://forum.ansys.com/discussion/193/how-to-work-with-stl-file#:~:text=The%20best%20way%20to%20wor....
and
https://www.google.com/search?q=convert+a+STL+file+to+an+Ansys+file

[leeminardi]

I am unaware of a direct stl importer to AutoCAD.  You could import the stl file into 3ds Max and then export the file as a dxf file which ANSYS will accept.

It's been awhile since I've used AutoCAD as input to ANSYS but I believe there are specific layer names you can use to define geometry, loads, and constraints in AutoCAD before exporting to dxf.  If you want to take advantage of AutoCAD to prepare your ANSYS FEA model I would still consider using 3ds Max as the file format converter to create either a dxf or dwg file that you could use in AutoCAD and then save to dxf in AutoCAD to create the file you can import into ANSYS. 

[mmart261]

Does 3DS Max have a feature to refine the mesh and geometry? Thanks!