# Creating meshes

The APM Preprocessor does not have built-in meshing capabilities. As a result you have to use a 3rd party meshing software capable of creating meshes in **.stl** format. Examples of meshing software are:

* [Gmsh](https://gmsh.info/) (free)
* [OpenVSP](http://openvsp.org/) (free)
* [ANSYS ICEM CFD](https://www.ansys.com/)
* [Pointwise](https://pointwise.com/)
* [GridPro](https://www.gridpro.com/)

Although [OpenVSP](http://openvsp.org/) is not a meshing software, it has meshing capabilities and can be used to create meshes in **.stl** file format. For more information, refer to the [OpenVSP section](https://docs.aviumtechnologies.com/user-guide/the-mesh-file/creating-meshes/openvsp).

{% hint style="info" %}
Any meshing software capable of creating meshes in **.stl** file format can be used.
{% endhint %}

![](https://81269019-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MV8htLPXN-_fWc_anY_%2F-MWGMJxQ2VXoYA6cHL_d%2F-MWGz0TibIBPqHLciFqt%2Fmeshing_software.png?alt=media\&token=7498e5f6-914b-4e4c-8dbb-391c174f73ce)