Hello All,
I’ve been reading this forum for some time now, but finally need some help.
Is there a way to export the mesh created in Simulation as an STL?
The standard export option from the File->Export menu within ZW3D itself does not give you the advanced features needed to create a tighter mesh made available in Simulation.
As you’ll see in the attached images, the Simulation mesh is much tighter and connected vertexes compared to just exporting from the model view.
HI
Dude, that’s an interesting part you got there. It reminds me of something that goes off in bursts.
For anyone in the future who may be looking for an answer, I’ve contacted ZW support and there is no way (as of 2025) to export the simulation mesh created in ZW3D as an STL file.
You can, however, export a simulation mesh as an STL with their other software called ZWSIM Structural.
It would have been nice to have a plugin for ZW3D, but as of right now, I have to buy another separate program.
Last update here. Leaving this tutorial for future reference in hopes to help someone else.
After digging into this further, I found a solution using programs that are available for free.
The quick answer is below if you do not want to read the full tutorial:
Gmsh (https://gmsh.info/) will convert BDF files to STL
PrePoMax (https://prepomax.fs.um.si/) will convert INP files to STL
Now, onto the Tutorial:
1: In your 3d Software of choice (in my case, Rhino), separate your surfaces that you only wish to mesh and export as IGES
2: Open the exported IGES into ZW3D, click on the Simulation tab at the top of the screen, click New Structure, then click the green checkmark.
Click on “Create Mesh”.
Under Parameters Tab on the left side, click on the cube with the plus sign “Advanced” and change your Minimum/Maximum numbers to
desired sizes. For a tight mesh, I usually use .3 min and 3 for max.
Click the green checkmark to create the mesh.
OPTION 1 - Convert mesh with Gmsh (PREFERRED METHOD)
After creating your mesh in ZW3D, in the Solver section, click Export.
Under Mesh Filter, make sure you select All on both Display and Property.
Click on the Folder with the arrow, choose your save location and export the mesh as BDF.
Start Gmsh.
Click File->Open
Open your exported BDF from ZW3D
After BDF mesh opens, click on File- >Export.
Change Save as Type to STL.
Under “File name” be sure to add .stl to the file name otherwise it will just save it as a file with no extension.
You could also add .stl the file name in windows explorer afterwards if you forget.
OPTION 2 - Convert mesh with PrePoMax
After creating your mesh in ZW3D, in the Solver section, click Export.
Under Mesh Filter, make sure you select All on both Display and Property.
Click on the Folder with the arrow, choose your save location and export the mesh as INP
Open PrePoMax.
Click File- >New
A window will popup labeled as Model Properties. It should already be set to MM. Just click OK
Click on File-Import
Choose the INP mesh you exported from ZW3D.
Click OK
You will receive an error. This is normal, click OK to proceed.
Click on File->Export
Choose “Stereolithography *.stl”
Save your file where you wish.
Note that after exporting from either program, at least in my instance, when importing the STL into Rhino I had to change the import size to Meters in order to hold position and size.
I did have PrePoMax crash on me during a conversion, hence why Gmsh is my preferred method.
ZW3D does make very beautiful meshes that really helped my workflow. Hope others can take advantage of it as well.