Grasshopper to RFEM6 export Volume/Breps

API & Interfaces
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1

Hi Dlubal Community,

I'm having some trouble with the interface between Grasshopper (GH) and RFEM 6 and was hoping someone here might have experience with this.

I’m trying to export a closed Brep (volume) from Grasshopper into RFEM for a solid analysis. Ideally, I would like to send the Brep directly as an RFEM solid, but as far as I can tell, this isn’t supported.

So I’ve been testing a workaround:
GH Brep → Deconstruct Brep → export each face as a GH Surface → use those surfaces as boundary faces for an RFEM Solid → export to RFEM.
This seemed to work for simple geometries, but as soon as I try more complex shapes—curved surfaces, NURBS boundaries, etc.—the export fails or doesn’t create a valid solid in RFEM.

Does anyone know:

  • What’s the best method for exporting volumes/solids from Grasshopper to RFEM?
  • What are the available options for exporting curved surfaces?
  • Is there a reliable workflow for exporting surfaces with NURBS boundaries into RFEM?

Any insights or tips would be greatly appreciated!

3

Hi LAM358,

Currently, volumes can only be defined by the boundary surfaces. So deconstruct the Brep is a necessary step. In general, the Export of NURBS surfaces is working. There are some limitations related to trimmed curved NURBS surfaces, but I would like to check this in detail.
For some surfaces, it is possible to use the boundary lines from the surfaces as an alternative to the GH-Surface Input.

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To analyse the problem more precisely, the model file would be very helpful:
:right_arrow: Upload the file here so the community can also contribute to the solution.
:right_arrow: Prefer not to share the file publicly? Send it to me via direct message: click on my profile picture or user name → Message.

Best regards
Paul Sivolgin