Exporting a Finite Element model in ANSYS to OpenSim

[Rahmatullah Safdar]

Hi all,

I am planning to develop a Finite Element model of an object in ANSYS software, and later on combine it with an existing OpenSim model. Is there any streamlined workflow available in the OpenSim literature that can help in importing an ANSYS model to OpenSim environment? Any lead in this regard will be appreciated.

I believe that documenting the flow of data and models between OpenSim and other software like ANSYS, SOLIDWORKS and COMSOL etc can open new research pathways for biomechanics research community.

[Ayman Habib]

Hi Rahmatullah,

Best of luck with your effort to integrate your finite element model with OpenSim. As it stands I'm not aware of a streamlined workflow for this process. Similar to most modeling/simulation environments, OpenSim natively supports importing (one-way) geometry from modeling packages using common formats for meshes (e.g. .obj, .stl and .vtp files). Note however that meshes are used primarily for visualization purposes but other modeling abstractions typically are reimplemented in the target simulation environment of OpenSim.

You maybe able to export forces/moments from FE models and import to OpenSim using our own file formats as well. It's likely that there're users who tried this before on the forum so hopefully they can chime in on their experience here.

Hope this helps,
-Ayman

[Natalie Norton]

I am trying to do the same thing and I am struggling with how to do this as well. I have found little documentation on how to attach a finite element object to a preexisting opensim model.