3d structure from coordinates file and adjacency matrix

[Okki]

For the modelling of a geodesic dome-like structure I have generated about 1300 points using Matlab. These points are connected by the use of an adjacency matrix. These connections are lines, or trusses. Unfortunately, my FEM software Ansys cannot handle adjacency matrices and connecting these points manually is too time consuming (most points are connected to five other points).

 

So my next step would be to generate a geometry file in any CAD program and import that into Ansys. So far google and many fora (for both Ansys as well as CAD) haven't been able to supply me with an answer.

 

My question is the following: How can I generate lines by the use of Autocad or similair product from a coordinates file (X,Y and Z) and an adjacency matrix?

 

I hope I have been specific enough.

[steven-g]

Could you give an example of the file data, and what you mean by an adjacency matrix, and how is this data stored is it a text file? excel file?

[Okki]

Could you give an example of the file data, and what you mean by an adjacency matrix, and how is this data stored is it a text file? excel file?

 

The XYZ coordinates and adjacency matrix are stored in an csv file, or any other excel format.

The adjacency matrix can most easely be explained by this example:

 

Consider the coordinates file exists of 5 points in XYZ:

0 0 0

1.0000 0 0

1.0000 1.0000 0

0 1.0000 0

0.5000 0.5000 0.5000

 

And the adjacency Matrix:

 

0 0 0 0 1

1 0 0 0 1

0 1 0 0 1

1 0 1 0 1

0 0 0 0 0

 

The adjacency matrix tells the program (in this case Matlab and hopefully Autocad) which points to connect. In the first row, there is a 1 in the fifth column, telling the program to connect the first and fifth point. And so on for other rows.

 

Matlab then draws us a pyramid:

 

Now imagine this with a coordinates file of 1300 points and a 1300x1300 adjacency matrix. I would like to create the following structure in Autocad or similair:

[Okki]

I have created an Ansys script that imports the points and line bodies directly into Ansys. Thank you for your help anyway;)! I can hopefully do without CAD drawings or maybe I can save the structure to a cad file with Ansys.

[Abhishekk]

On 10/21/2013 at 8:18 PM, Okki said:

I have created an Ansys script that imports the points and line bodies directly into Ansys. Thank you for your help anyway;)! I can hopefully do without CAD drawings or maybe I can save the structure to a cad file with Ansys.

I am also working in this same domain, although its very old discussion but fortunately if you have that ansys script through which import the Adjacency matrix from MATLAB can you please share with me.

 

 

Thanks in advance

[BIGAL]

There are geodesic dome lisp programs out there may be useful do a Google>