File imports

The following geometric exchange formats are available for model geometry imports:

.step
.iges
.brep
.gds

The following mesh file formats are also supported:

.msh
.nas

STEP

To import a STEP file:

Select Edit model to enable model editing.
Select + next to Geometry elements and choose Import file.
Select a STEP file.
Build the file import.

You can enable clean up of detached entities or change the offset of the imported model in the import settings.

STEP import settings

Finalize model creation by selecting Confirm model changes.

GDSII

To import a GDSII file:

Select Edit model to enable model editing.
Select + next to Geometry elements and choose Import file.
Select a GDSII file.

At this point the GDSII file content is parsed, but a 3D model is not yet created.

GDSII import settings

To create the 3D model, perform the layer stackup:

Select Units for layer thickness.
- Layer thickness units can be overridden for any layer by providing units after the thickness value, like 0.2e2 nm.
Add all layers you want to use in the model from the bottom up.
Enter thickness for each layer.
Select Save and build the import.

Finalize model creation by selecting Confirm model changes.

Layer stackup: stacked layers

By default, all layers are added as relative stacked layers starting from level 0 on the Z-axis. Each new layer is stacked on top of the previous one. Stacked layers can be moved up and down in the layers list after they are added.

Layer stackup: absolute layers

To define cut-out layers or layers that span across multiple levels, use absolute layers:

GDSII layer settings

In layer settings, select Convert to absolute.
Enter thickness and start position on the Z-axis.

NASTRAN

When exporting a NASTRAN mesh file from COMSOL, use the following export settings:

File extension	Data to export	Field format	Units
`.nas`	Domain elements	Large	Meters [m]
	Boundary elements	Export as second-order elements
	Geometric entity information