Mesh Export¶

Once your mesh is generated and quality-checked, export it in your solver’s format from the Export tab.

Supported Export Formats¶

Format	Extension	Solver Compatibility
OpenFOAM	polyMesh directory	OpenFOAM, foam-extend
ANSYS Fluent	.msh	ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS CFX
CGNS	.cgns	Many commercial and open-source solvers
VTU	.vtu	ParaView, VTK-based tools
VTK Legacy	.vtk	ParaView, legacy VTK tools
Gmsh	.msh	Gmsh, ElmerFEM, Code_Saturne
Nastran	.bdf	NASTRAN, structural analysis tools

Note

The Free tier is limited to VTU export only. All other formats require a Starter tier or higher subscription.

Format Details¶

OpenFOAM¶

Exports a complete polyMesh directory structure:

polyMesh/
├── points        # Node coordinates
├── faces         # Face definitions
├── owner         # Face-to-cell ownership
├── neighbour     # Face neighbor cells
├── boundary      # Boundary patch definitions
└── cellZones     # Region zone definitions (multi-region)

Boundary patches are named according to your surface names
Multi-region meshes include cellZones and regionProperties files
Ready to drop into an OpenFOAM case directory

ANSYS Fluent¶

Exports a .msh file with:

Proper zone type assignment (Fluid = type 1, Solid = type 17)
Named boundary patches matching your surface names
Wall, inlet, outlet zone types automatically set

CGNS¶

Cross-platform CFD format using HDF5:

Supports multi-zone meshes
Used as the default for CFD projects within Gradient Dynamics
Compatible with a wide range of solvers

VTU (VTK XML)¶

Modern VTK format for visualization and post-processing:

Full polyhedral cell support
Compact XML format
Directly openable in ParaView

Gmsh¶

Gmsh mesh format for further mesh editing:

Useful if you need to modify the mesh topology
Compatible with Gmsh’s mesh editing and refinement tools

Nastran¶

Bulk Data File (.bdf) format for structural analysis:

Used with NASTRAN, MSC Patran, and similar FEA tools
Appropriate for structural/thermal meshes (Solid Body domain type)

Export Options¶

Depending on the format, you may have additional options:

Option	Description	Formats
Binary	Compress output for smaller file size	VTU, Fluent
Include patches	Export boundary patches as separate files	VTU (VTP), OpenFOAM
Include zones	Include cell zone information	Fluent, OpenFOAM, CGNS

Downloading¶

After selecting your format and options:

Click Export
The export is prepared (may take a moment for large meshes)
A download link appears — click to download the mesh files

For OpenFOAM format, the files are bundled into a ZIP archive.

Using Exported Meshes¶

In OpenFOAM¶

myCase/
├── 0/           # Initial conditions
├── constant/
│   └── polyMesh/  ← Extract here
├── system/
│   ├── controlDict
│   ├── fvSchemes
│   └── fvSolution

In ANSYS Fluent¶

Open Fluent
File → Read → Mesh → Select the .msh file
Check mesh quality and zones in the console
Proceed with case setup

In ParaView¶

Open ParaView
File → Open → Select the .vtu file
Click Apply to load
Use filters for visualization