Universal Files > Importing and exporting Universal Files
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
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 } });
Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/id625821_v2 · retrieved 2026-07-17