### 2.3.3. Conversion of Legacy Mechanical APDL Composite Models

Composite shell models with section definitions created in Mechanical APDL can be imported to ACP. The lay-ups are converted and can be subsequently used in Workbench projects.

The steps required for a conversion are given below. Please see Special Cases and Known Limitations for further details.

To convert a Mechanical APDL model:

1. Load the model (.CDB file) as a postprocessing model in ACP-Post in Stand Alone mode.

2. Set the unit system for the model in the model properties (see Model Properties - General).

3. Export the lay-up to a HDF5 Composite CAE file (see Model).

4. Create a new composite project in Workbench.

5. Define materials in Engineering Data. Ensure that material names correspond to the material number in MAPDL. Alternatively, export the materials from ACP-Post in the Workbench XML format (see Materials Context Menu) and import them into Engineering Data.

6. Create the shell mesh by using the existing Mechanical APDL mesh (External Model) or by defining a new mesh in Mechanical.

7. Open the ACP Setup cell and import the HDF5 file that you generated in step 3.

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