MODFEM File – What is .modfem file and how to open it?

MODFEM File Format

A MODFEM file is a proprietary file format used by Femap, a finite element analysis (FEA) software developed by Siemens PLM Software. It stores the model data created in Femap, including geometry, mesh, material properties, boundary conditions, and analysis settings. MODFEM files enable users to save and retrieve FEA models for further analysis or modification.

The MODFEM file format is a binary format, which means that it is not human-readable. It uses a proprietary data structure that is optimized for efficient storage and retrieval of FEA data. MODFEM files are typically large in size due to the complexity of the FEA models they contain. They can be compressed using the .ZIP or .7z file formats to reduce their size for storage or transmission.

Opening MODFEM Files with Femap

MODFEM files are native files created using Femap, a finite element analysis (FEA) software developed by Siemens PLM Software. To open a MODFEM file, you will need to have Femap installed on your computer. Once you have Femap installed, you can follow these steps to open a MODFEM file:

1. Launch Femap.
2. Go to the File menu.
3. Select Open.
4. In the Open File dialog box, navigate to the location of the MODFEM file.
5. Select the MODFEM file and click Open.

Femap will open the MODFEM file and display its contents. You can then view the model, make changes, and perform analysis.

Alternative Methods for Opening MODFEM Files

If you do not have Femap installed, there are a few alternative methods you can use to open MODFEM files:

• Use an online viewer. There are a number of online viewers that support MODFEM files. These viewers allow you to view the model, but you will not be able to make changes or perform analysis.
• Export the file to a different format. Femap can export MODFEM files to a variety of other formats, including STEP, IGES, and STL. Once you have exported the file to a different format, you can open it using a different software program that supports that format.

MODFEM File Format

The MODFEM file format is a binary format used by Femap, a finite element analysis (FEA) software developed by Siemens PLM Software. MODFEM files store the geometry, material properties, loads, constraints, and other data required for FEA simulations. The format is proprietary and not publicly documented. However, some unofficial documentation and reverse-engineering efforts have provided limited insights into its structure and contents.

MODFEM files typically contain a header section, followed by sections for geometry, material properties, loads, constraints, and other data. The header section contains information about the file version, the number of elements and nodes in the model, and other metadata. The geometry section contains the coordinates of the nodes and the connectivity information for the elements. The material properties section contains the material properties for the different materials used in the model. The loads section contains the applied loads, such as forces, moments, and pressures. The constraints section contains the constraints, such as fixed supports and symmetry boundary conditions. Other data sections may include information on the solver settings, the results of the simulation, and the user interface settings.

MODFEM files are an essential part of Femap’s FEA workflow. They allow users to store and share models, perform simulations, and post-process results. The proprietary nature of the format limits its accessibility to other software applications, but it also provides Siemens PLM Software with flexibility and control over the development and evolution of the format.

Other Extensions