To import an external file of one of the above formats, select the menu item '''File → Import...''' Once the standard Windows Open Dialog pops up, select the desired file extension from the dropdown list labeled "Files of type:". Then, select the desired file and click the '''Open''' button of the dialog. This opens another dialog that shows the progress of loading the imported file. You can abort the import process by clicking the '''Abort Translation''' button. You can also view a report of the process. All imported objects are listed under Color_1. From this group you can move them to other groups. In some cases, the imported object might already be organized in different colors or groups. In all file formats except for STL, solid objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s generic solids and surface objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s generic surfaces. From STL files, objects are imported as [[EM.Cube]]'s native polymesh objects.
{{Note|You can import external CAD files only into [[CubeCAD]]. From here you can move objects to [[EM.Cube]]'s other modules.}}
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When the mesh is displayed in the Project Workspace, [[EM.Cube]]'s mesh view mode is enabled. In this mode, all the objects are discretized using the selected mesh generation algorithm and the meshes of all objects are displayed. In mesh view, you cannot mouse-over, select or edit any objects. The mesh view is for viewing purpose only. You can perform most of view operations such as zooming in and out using the mouse scroll wheel, rotating the view using the right mouse button '''RMB''' and panning the view using '''Shift+RMB'''. When [[EM.Cube]] is in mesh view mode, the '''Show Mesh'''[[File:mesh_tool_tn.png]] button of Simulate Toolbar remains depressed. To hide the mesh, exit the mesh view mode and return to the normal view mode, simply click the '''Show Mesh'''[[File:mesh_tool_tn.png]] button one more time to toggle its state, or press the keyboard's '''Esc Key''' (Escape), or select the menu item '''Simulate → Discretization → Show Mesh''' and remove the check mark in front of it.
You can change the mesh type and the mesh resolution from the CAD Mesh Settings Dialog. Click the '''Mesh Settings'''[[File:mesh_settings_tn.png]] button of '''Simulate Toolbar''' or select the menu item '''Simulate → Discretization → Mesh Settings...'''In the drop-down list labeled '''Mesh Type''' you can select one of the three options: '''Regular Surface''', '''Structured Surface''' or '''Tetrahedral'''. The mesh resolution is controlled by '''Edge Length''' which is expressed in project units. The default value of edge length is 10 units. This means that the default mesh features cells with a size of about 10 units. When you change the mesh type or resolution, you can see the effect using the '''Apply''' button if [[EM.Cube|EM.CUBE]] is already in mesh view mode. After [[EM.Cube|EM.CUBE]] generates a mesh, it saves its and uses it the next time you want to see the mesh. The mesh stays the same until you change its [[parameters]]. Sometimes, you may want to regenerate the mesh with the same current [[parameters]]. To do so, select the menu item '''Simulate → Discretization → Regenerate Mesh'''.
===Saving Mesh Data to a File===