Modern approach to design of machines and mechanisms assumes creating 3D models with the help of one of the computer-aided design (CAD) software with parallel strength and dynamics analysis. To simplify importing such models from CAD software to Universal Mechanism we developed tools for direct data import from CAD software to Universal Mechanism. Such import tools are collected within the UM CAD Interfaces module. The current UM version supports data import from Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Unigraphics NX, KOMPAS and Pro/ENGINEER.

Universal Mechanism imports data directly from a kernel of CAD software. This provides possibility to read all file formats that are supported by used CAD software, but on other hand demand that Universal Mechanism and a CAD software should be installed in the same computer. To overcome such a situation some utilities that export data from CAD software and save it in intermediate text *.ucf format (UM CAD file format) that then could be loaded by Universal Mechanism.

After importing data from CAD software Universal Mechanism creates corresponding graphical objects, bodies with loaded inertia parameters and joints that correspond to mates of a loaded assembly.

Libraries for exporting data from listed CAD programs to Universal Mechanism are available on demand, please e-mail to um@umlab.ru.

Method 1

- This method is assumes that UM and CAD software are installed on the same computer.
- Run one of the supported CAD software and load a model to export to Universal Mechanism.
- Run UM Input program and select import menu command. Import data wizard appears. With the help of Import data wizard you can select the model to import (if several models are loaded in CAD software) and add imported data to the current or new UM object.

Method 2

- Run one of the supported CAD software and load model to export to Universal Mechanism.
- Export data from the CAD software to *.ucf file format (supported by export utilities that are delivered along with Universal mechanism)
- Copy exported *.ucf file to a computer with installed Universal Mechanism
- Run UM Input program and import the *.ucf file using Tools/Import from CAD/UM CAD file menu command.

Universal Mechanism supports data import from Autodesk Inventor starting with 7th version.

Universal Mechanism supports data import from SolidWorks starting with 2001 version.

Universal Mechanism supports import from Unigraphics NX v. 1.0 and higher via intermediate *.ucf format (UM CAD file format).

To export your Unigraphics NX assemblies use the following instructions:
- copy UnigraphicsToUM.dll to {Unigraphics}\UGII directory;
- run Unigraphics NX and load a model to export to UM;
- use menu command File - Run UG/Open - User function to load and execute UnigraphicsToUM.dll;
- select the *.ucf to data export;
- run UM Input program and import the *.ucf file using Tools/Import from CAD/UM CAD file menu command.

Universal Mechanism supports import from Pro/E Wildfire 2 and higher via intermediate *.ucf format (UM CAD file format).

To export your Pro/E parts and assemblies use the following instructions:
- install ProEtoUM.exe;
- run Pro/E with the help of the shortcut from folder where Pro/E -> UM converter is installed;
- load in Pro/E part or assembly to export to UM;
- use menu command File / Convert to UM to export data in UCF format;
- select the *.ucf to data export;
- run UM Input program and import the *.ucf file using Tools/Import from CAD/UM CAD file menu command.

Universal Mechanism supports data import from KOMPAS 3D starting with version 7+.

Models imported from KOMPAS 3D