I-deas Universal files

The Pre/Post software both imports and exports Universal files that conform to the NX I-deas 5 Universal file specification.

You can read certain datasets from an I-deas Universal (UNV) file and use those datasets to create a new FEM file.

In the FEM file, you can modify the nodes, elements, physical properties, and materials. When you complete the modifications, you can then export the modified file to a new Universal file.

The ability to work with I-deas Universal files within Pre/Post is particularly useful if you use custom applications, such as in-house solvers, which accept Universal files as their input.

I-deas UNV file solver language

When you import a Universal file into Pre/Post, the software creates a FEM file and sets the solver language to I-deas UNV.

Pre/Post uses the I-deas UNV solver language to display element names, physical properties, and other entities using I-deas terminology.

Supported datasets

Pre/Post supports some I-deas universal file datasets for import and export, and it supports some only for post-processing. The following table details how each dataset is supported:

NX I-deas Dataset	Description	Pre/Post support	Notes
Universal File Dataset 58	Dataset format used for exporting and importing records to AFUs	Import and export support
Universal File Dataset 164	Units	Import and export supportPost-processing support
Universal File Dataset 776	Beam cross section properties	Beam cross section properties that are used in both I-deas and Pre/Post are supported for import and export.	The software exports any Pre/Post General Geometry or User Defined Properties type sections to dataset 776 as I-deas key-in sections. The software imports any key-in type beam cross sections from dataset 776 as Pre/Post User Defined Properties sectionsThe software imports any I-deas General Geometry type sections into Pre/Post as User Defined Properties type sections. The software does not import the actual geometry for those sections.
Universal File Dataset 1716	Materials	Partial import and export support	Materials that are used in both I-deas and Pre/Post are supported for import and export.
Universal File Dataset 1858	Dataset 58 qualifiers	Import and export support
Universal File Dataset 2411	Nodes	Import and export supportPost-processing support	Most properties of I-deas nodes are supported in Pre/Post.
Universal File Dataset 2412	Elements	Import and export supportPost-processing support	For a list of supported elements, see I-deas universal file elements.Post-processing does not fully support dataset 2412. For more information, see Using universal files in post-processing.
Universal File Dataset 2414	Results	Post-processing support	Post-processing does not fully support dataset 2414. Currently, Post-processing supports the following FE descriptor ID’s (2414, record 9, fields 1-5).For more information, see Using universal files in post-processing.
Universal File Dataset 2470	Physical properties	Import and export support	For a list of supported physical property tables, see I-deas universal file elements.
Universal File Dataset 2477	Permanent groups	Partial import and export support	You can import and export I-deas permanent groups that contain nodes and elements.When you import a universal file that contains dataset 2477, the software imports any groups that contains node or element data and creates a corresponding group in the Simulation Navigator. Currently, only nodes and elements are supported for import. Additionally, node and element color data is not preserved during import.When you export a model that contains groups, Pre/Post exports any groups in your FEM file that contain node or element data to dataset 2477. You can then import that dataset into NX I-deas 6.1 and later releases.Note: Pre/Post only exports groups defined in your FEM file. Any groups defined in assembly FEM files (.afm) or Simulation files are not currently exported.
Universal File Dataset 2490	Symmetry group definition	Import and export support
Universal File Dataset 2491	Axi-symmetric solution coordinate system	Import and export support

Importing and exporting I-deas element associated data for linear beam elements

When you import an I-deas Universal file, the software imports any element associated data for linear beam elements (I-deas element type 21) as element associated data in Pre/Post. The following types of data are supported for import:

• Beam orientation

• Beam offsets

• Beam end releases

For linear beam elements, you can now export orientation data, offsets, and end release information to I-deas dataset 2438 as I-deas element associated data.

Note:

Currently, tapered beam elements (I-deas element type 22) are not supported for import or export.

Importing UNV files created by NX I-deas TMG or NX I-deas ESC

You can import UNV files created by NX I-deas TMG or NX I-deas ESC by selecting one of the following solvers:

• THERMAL / FLOW

• SPACE SYSTEMS THERMAL

• ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS COOLING

You select the solver from the Select solver list in the Import dialog box.

In the selected solver environment, the software creates a FEM and a Simulation file that contain meshes, mesh collectors, physical properties, boundary conditions, and solutions stored in the UNV file.

Note:

If you import the UNV file by selecting IDEAS UNV, the created FEM uses the I-deas UNV solver language instead of the THERMAL / FLOW, SPACE SYSTEMS THERMAL, or ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS COOLING solver languages. The Simulation file is not created.

Where do I find it?

• Choose File→Import→Simulation.

• Choose File→Export→Simulation.

How do I

Import a Universal file into Pre/Post

Export a Universal file from Pre/Post

Look up more details

Universal File Dataset Number 776

Universal File Dataset Number 1716

Universal File Dataset Number 2411

Universal File Dataset Number 2412

Universal File Dataset Number 2470

Universal File Dataset Number 2477

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

I-deas Universal files, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

© 2020 Siemens

window.mainLanguage="en_US"

window.delivId=""

window.projectId=""

MathJax.Hub.Config({ TeX: { extensions: ["autoload-all.js"] }, tex2jax: { displayMath: [ ] }, "SVG": { scale: 125 } });