Issue importing obj/stl mesh into CFD
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Hello everyone,
My name is Andres, and I am trying to run a CFD analysis of a 2021 Formula 1 car. This isn't my first time using Autodesk CFD, as I have previously been able to run simulations on my own vehicle designs. Typically, my workflow is as follows:
- Create NURBS model using Autodesk Alias.
- Import said model into Fusion360 as .stp file.
- Create solid bodies from input NURBS surfaces (stitched).
- Export solid bodies as .step file.
- Import .step file from Fusion360 into Autodesk CFD, and proceed with the simulation.
This time however, I have had to change my workflow quite a bit, since the model I am currently trying to use for the simulation is only available as a mesh, so I did the following:
- Import original mesh as an .fbx file into Autodesk Alias.
- Use Autodesk Alias' mesh tools to clean up the mesh, reduce details, and close everything up (The boundary tool says there are no boundaries to extract, hinting that the meshes are watertight).
And then the following happens:
- If I export the geometry (The car AND the external volume box) from Alias as an .stl file and import that into CFD, it will immediately give me an error: "The STL file could not be read. The facets are not well-connected" (See screenshot 1).
- If I export the geometry (The car WITHOUT the external volume box) from Alias as an .stl file and import that into CFD, it will take me to Surface Wrap. There, I click on the “Transfer Model to Setup” button, it will load for a bit and give me the error: "The STL file could not be read. The facets are not well-connected" (See screenshot 2).
- If I export the geometry from Alias (Just the car WITHOUT the external volume box) as an .obj file and import that into CFD, it will load up the geometry and take me to the Surface Wrap. I generate the External Volume using proper dimensions, and then click on the "Generate Wrap" button. It then says "Generating Wrap" alongside a loading bar, and just loads and loads and loads forever. It has actually been loading for the past 9 hours (See screenshot 3).
- If I export the geometry from Alias (The car AND the external volume box) as an .obj file and import that into CFD, it will load up the geometry for the external volume only, and take me to the Surface Wrap. I click on the "Generate Wrap" button and it generates a rough mesh for the external volume only, but not the car (See screenshot 4).
Any suggestions on what might be causing these issues, and how to solve it so that I can run the simulation? I have attached the screenshots and files used in case they're needed.
Thank you very much in advance!
Side note: The PC I'm using is specced with an Intel Core i7-8850H, 32GB RAM, and an NVIDIA Quadro P2000.