# 3D model skp to fbd exporter

**URL:** <https://calculix.discourse.group/t/3d-model-skp-to-fbd-exporter/1746>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [August 2, 2023, 12:05am UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/3d-model-skp-to-fbd-exporter/1746 "2023-08-02T00:05:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 4

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**Author:** ![xyont](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/calculix.discourse.group/xyont/32/3553_2.png) [@xyont](https://calculix.discourse.group/u/xyont)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/3d-model-skp-to-fbd-exporter/1746/4 "2023-08-03T16:33:51Z")

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thank you for interesting.

> [@rsmith](#):
>
> I’ve also been thinking about a way to e.g. translate STEP files to FBD.

actually it was available as cgxCadTools, but my experiences shown not run out of the box. it’s dependency [problem](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/cgxcadtools-windows-executable/171) on Windows. so, i can not testing is the tool deal with partition properly.

> [@rsmith](#):
>
> I’ve tried creating hex meshes in arbitrary geometry in FreeCAD (which uses `gmsh`) but more often than not I run into problems even for simple geometry.

it seems to be better when partition and meshing are done inside GMSH, also hex-dominant meshing algorithm can be use as alternative.

 ![2023-03-05 04_18_17-Gmsh - C__Users_user_Documents_hexdom.geo](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/calculix/original/2X/d/d9a5bcb9d199a1b1e827e40178bf2eb8bdb43d4a.png)

> [@rsmith](#):
>
> Would the geometry that you show work with `cgx`’s hex mesher as-is?  
> I would probably divide it up in parts that can be handled with the built-in hex mesher. Something like this:

SketchUp is intituitive 3D modeler, any partiotion as you shown can be easely drawn.

 ![2023-08-04 00_10_53-3rx - SketchUp](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/calculix/original/2X/0/0064db5501e3ae5919247dc01149b605a08e475b.png)

> [@rsmith](#):
>
> But what would happen if for example the geometry had a hole drilled trough it? Or if the parts had more than five edges? That would make the conversion much more tricky.

even five edges definition for structured quad/hex is capable in CGX, still prefer to keep using four edges only. this make result mesh less distorted.

the exporter seems capable for these case, user still need to trace if the problem occurs. but the CGX is a pre-processor itself, many command can be costumized or modified by the user.

the reason why, i starting makes this exporter. the capabilities and feature of CGX can be use further.

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