Starting Abaqus/CAE (or Abaqus/Viewer)

When you create a model and analyze it, Abaqus/CAE generates a set of files containing the definition of your model, the analysis input, and the results of the analysis. In addition, Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus/Viewer generate replay files that reflect all your interactions with the application. Consequently, before you run either product, you should move to a directory where you have permission to create files.

You execute Abaqus/CAE (or Abaqus/Viewer) by running the abaqus execution procedure and specifying the cae (or viewer) parameter:

abaqus cae or viewer databasedatabase-file replayreplay-file recoverjournal-file startupstartup-file scriptscript-file noGUInoGUI-file noenvstartup noSavedOptions noSavedGuiPrefs noStartupDialog customscript-file guiTester GUI-script guiRecord guiNoRecord

You can include the following options on the command line:

database

This option specifies the name of the model database file or output database file to open. You can open either type of file in Abaqus/CAE; you can open only output database files in Abaqus/Viewer. To specify a model database file, include either the .cae file extension or no file extension in your file name. To specify an output database file when running Abaqus/CAE, include the .odb file extension in your file name. If you are running Abaqus/Viewer, you can omit the .odb file extension.

replay

This option specifies the name of the file from which Abaqus/CAE commands are to be replayed. The commands in replay-file will execute immediately upon startup of Abaqus/CAE. You cannot use the replay option to execute a script with control flow statements. For more information, see Replaying an Abaqus/CAE session.

recover

This option specifies the name of the file from which a model database is to be rebuilt; it is not available if you are running Abaqus/Viewer. The commands in journal-file (model_database_name.jnl) will execute immediately upon startup of Abaqus/CAE. For more information, see Recreating a saved model database, and Recreating an unsaved model database.

startup

This option specifies the name of the file containing Python configuration commands to be run at application startup. Commands in this file are run after any configuration commands that have been set in the environment file. Abaqus/CAE does not echo the commands to the replay file when they are executed.

script

This option specifies the name of the file containing Python configuration commands to be run at application startup. Commands in this file are run after any configuration commands that have been set in the environment file.

Arguments can be passed into the file by entering -- on the command line, followed by the arguments separated by one or more spaces. These arguments will be ignored by the Abaqus/CAE execution procedure, but they will be accessible within the script.

noGUI

This option specifies the name of a file containing Python scripts to be run without the graphical user interface (GUI). This option is useful for automating pre- or post-analysis processing tasks without the added expense of running a display. Since no interface is provided, the scripts cannot include any user interaction. Abaqus/CAE runs the commands in the file and exits upon their completion. If no file extension is given, the default extension is .py. If you use the noGUI option, Abaqus/CAE ignores any other command line options that you provide.

Arguments can be passed into the file by entering -- on the command line, followed by the arguments separated by one or more spaces. These arguments will be ignored by the Abaqus/CAE execution procedure, but they will be accessible within the Python script. If you are using the noGUI option, you can use an argument to pass in a variable that would otherwise be provided by a command line option. For example, you can pass in the name of a file that would otherwise be specified by the script option.

A sample usage of the noGUI option is available in Abaqus/CAE execution.

noenvstartup

This option specifies that all configuration commands in the environment files should not be run at application startup. This option can be used in conjunction with the startup command to suppress all configuration commands except for those in the startup file.

noSavedOptions

This option specifies that Abaqus/CAE should not apply the display options settings (for example, the render style and the display of datum planes) stored in the abaqus_2018.gpr file. For more information, see Working with abaqus_2018.gpr files, and Saving your display options settings.

noSavedGuiPrefs

This option specifies that Abaqus/CAE should not apply the GUI options settings (for example, the size and location of the Abaqus/CAE main window or its dialog boxes) stored in the abaqus_2018.gpr file.

noStartupDialog

This option specifies that the Start Session dialog box for Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer should not be displayed.

custom

This option specifies the name of the file containing Abaqus GUI Toolkit commands. This option executes an application that is a customized version of Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer. For more information, see Introduction.

guiTester

This option starts a separate user interface containing the Abaqus Python development environment along with Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer. The Abaqus Python development environment allows you to create, edit, step through, and debug Python scripts. For more information, see The Abaqus Python Development Environment.

You can specify a script as the argument for this option, which prompts Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer to run a GUI script. Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer closes when the end of the script is reached.

guiRecord

This option enables you to record your actions in the Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer user interface in a file named abaqus.guiLog. Creating a record of your actions in the GUI can help you capture and replay common activities in Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer for demonstration or training purposes. You can replicate all of the actions from a .guiLog file in Abaqus/CAE or Abaqus/Viewer by running the file in the Abaqus Python Development Environment (PDE); for more information, see Running a script.

If desired, you can set guiRecord at startup by using the environment variable ABQ_CAE_GUIRECORD. The guiRecord option cannot be used with the guiTester option.

guiNoRecord

This option enables you to disable user interface recording when the environment variable ABQ_CAE_GUIRECORD is set.

Abaqus/CAE begins. If you do not include the database, replay, recover, or noStartupDialog options, the Start Session dialog box appears. Choose one of the following session startup options:

Create Model Database: With Standard/Explicit Model

Use this option (not available if you are running Abaqus/Viewer) to begin a new Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit analysis (equivalent to choosing FileNew Model DatabaseWith Standard/Explicit Model from the main menu bar).

Create Model Database: With Electromagnetic Model

Use this option (not available if you are running Abaqus/Viewer) to begin an electromagnetic analysis (equivalent to choosing FileNew Model DatabaseWith Electromagnetic Model from the main menu bar).

Open Database

Use this option to open a previously saved model database or output database file (equivalent to choosing FileOpen from the main menu bar).

Run Script

Use this option to run a file containing Abaqus/CAE commands (equivalent to choosing FileRun Script from the main menu bar). For more information, see Creating and running your own scripts.

Start Tutorial

Use this option to begin an introductory tutorial from the online documentation (equivalent to choosing HelpGetting Started from the main menu bar).

Recent Files

Use this option to open one of the five model database files or output database files that were most recently opened in Abaqus/CAE (equivalent to choosing one of the recent files listed under the File menu).