What kinds of files can be imported and exported from Abaqus/CAE?

Abaqus/CAE reads and writes geometry data stored in the following Abaqus file formats:

Abaqus output database (output_database_name.odb)

An output database contains the data generated during an Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit analysis. You can import parts from an output database in the form of meshes. A mesh part contains no feature information and is extracted from the output database as a collection of nodes, elements, surfaces, and sets. If the output database contains multiple part instances, you can select the part instances to import. Abaqus/CAE imports each part instance as a separate part. You can import either the undeformed or the deformed shape. If you import the deformed shape, you can specify the step and the frame from which to import.

To verify the quality of the mesh, you can display the part in the Mesh module and select MeshVerify from the main menu bar. In addition, you can use the Mesh module to change the element type assigned to the mesh and to edit the original mesh definition. For more information, see Importing a part from an output database; What can I do with the Edit Mesh toolset?; and Assigning Abaqus element types.

You can also import a model from an output database. The model that is imported will contain parts representing each of the undeformed part instances in the output database along with a mesh representation of the undeformed assembly. The model will also contain any sets, surfaces, materials, section definitions, and beam profiles that were defined in the output database. For more information, see Importing a model from an output database.

Abaqus/CAE model database (model_database_name.cae)

Abaqus/CAE can import a model into the current model database from a different Abaqus/CAE model database. For more information on importing model data from another model database, see Importing a model from an Abaqus/CAE model database.

Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit input files

Abaqus/CAE generates an input file when you submit a job for analysis. You can import input files into Abaqus/CAE. Abaqus/CAE translates the keywords and data lines in the imported input file into a new model; however, a limited set of Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Explicit keywords is supported, as described in Importing a model from an Abaqus input file. For more information on creating and submitting jobs, see Basic steps for analyzing a model.

Abaqus substructure files (substructure_name.sim)

Abaqus/CAE can import a substructure definition from a SIM database as a new part definition. The .sim file you import must reside in the same directory as the supporting Abaqus files to which the SIM database refers; these supporting files may include data in the formats .prt, .mdl, .stt, or .sup. For step-by-step instructions, see Importing a substructure into a model database as a part.

Abaqus/CAE reads and writes geometry data stored in the following non-Abaqus file formats:

3D XML (file_name.3dxml)

3D XML is an XML-based format developed by Dassault Systèmes for encoding three-dimensional images and data. The format is open and extendable, allowing three-dimensional graphics to be easily shared and integrated into existing applications and processes. 3D XML files can be many times smaller than typical model database files. The 3D XML Player from Dassault Systèmes is required to view 3D XML files or to integrate them into business applications. You can also view 3D XML files in CATIA V5. This export capability cannot be used to transfer geometry or models to 3DEXPERIENCE Platform apps.

You can export viewport data from Abaqus/CAE in 3D XML or compressed 3D XML format. For more information, see Exporting viewport data to a 3D XML-format file. You cannot import 3D XML into Abaqus/CAE.

ACIS (file_name.sat)

ACIS is a library of solid modeling functions developed by Spatial, and most CAD products can generate ACIS-format parts. You can import ACIS-format parts, and you can export parts or the assembly in ACIS format. In addition, you can import and export sketches in ACIS format. For more information, see Importing parts from an ACIS-format file, Importing sketches, and Exporting geometry, model, and mesh data.

ANSYS input files (file_name.cdb)

ANSYS Mechanical and ANSYS Multiphysics software are computer-aided engineering products that allow you to perform finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics. You can import models from files in ANSYS input file format into Abaqus/CAE. For more information, see Importing a model from an ANSYS input file, and Importing a model.

Assembly files (file_name.eaf)

Assembly files are created by the associative interface applications, which are plug-ins for third-party CAD systems that allow you to transfer models from the CAD system to Abaqus/CAE using a technique called associative import (see What can I do with the associative interfaces?). The associative interface plug-ins save model information in the assembly file, and you can use the assembly file to associatively import the model from the third-party CAD system into Abaqus/CAE. For more information, see Importing an assembly from an assembly file. You cannot export assemblies from Abaqus/CAE in assembly file format.

AutoCAD (file_name.dxf)

Two-dimensional profiles stored in AutoCAD (.dxf) files can be imported as stand-alone sketches. However, Abaqus/CAE supports only a limited number of AutoCAD entities, and you should use this format only if no other formats are available. For more information and details on the AutoCAD entities supported by Abaqus/CAE, see Importing sketches.

CATIA V4 (file_name.model, file_name.catdata, or file_name.exp)

You can import CATIA-format parts. You can also import an entire CATIA V4 assembly into the Abaqus/CAE assembly, or you can choose to import only selected part instances. For more information, see Importing a part from a CATIA V4- or V5-format file and Importing an assembly from a CATIA V4-format file. You cannot export parts from Abaqus/CAE in CATIA format.

CATIA V5 Elysium Neutral File (file_name.enf_abq)

Abaqus provides a translator plug-in for CATIA V5 that will generate a geometry file using the Elysium Neutral File (.enf) format. You can use Elysium Neutral Files to import CATIA V5 parts. In addition, you can use Elysium Neutral Files to import an entire CATIA V5 assembly into the Abaqus/CAE assembly, or you can choose to import only selected part instances. For more information, see Importing a part from an Elysium Neutral file and Importing an assembly from an Elysium Neutral file. You cannot export parts or assemblies from Abaqus/CAE in Elysium Neutral File format.

CATIA V5 parts and assemblies (file_name.CATPart or .CATProduct)

With the optional CATIA V5 Associative Interface add-on feature for Abaqus/CAE, you can import CATIA V5-format parts and assemblies. For more information, see Importing a part from a CATIA V4- or V5-format file. You cannot export parts from Abaqus/CAE in CATIA V5 format.

CATIA V6 parts and assemblies (file_name.CATPart or .CATProduct)

You use the CATIA V6 Associative Interface to import CATIA V6-format parts and assemblies. The CATIA V6 parts and assemblies are first converted to CATIA V5 format, and Abaqus/CAE imports the resulting CATIA V5 CATPart or CATProduct files. For more information, see Importing a part from a CATIA V4- or V5-format file. You cannot export parts from Abaqus/CAE to CATIA V6.

IGES (file_name.igs or .iges)

The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a neutral data format designed for graphics exchange between computer-aided design (CAD) systems.

You can import IGES-format parts, and you can export parts in IGES format. In addition, you can import and export sketches in IGES format. For more information, see Importing a part from an IGES-format file; Importing sketches; and Exporting geometry, model, and mesh data.

The IGES-format allows for many interpretations, and most of the parts that you import into Abaqus/CAE using IGES-format will need to be repaired before you can use them. Thus, it is recommended that you try to use another format, if possible.

Nastran input files (file_name.bdf, file_name.dat, file_name.nas, file_name.nastran, file_name.blk, or file_name.bulk)

You can import Nastran model data from a Nastran input file into Abaqus/CAE, and you can export data from an Abaqus/CAE model and job into Nastran bulk data file format. Imported and exported models include many common entities in the Nastran bulk data. For more information on supported entities for import of Nastran input files into Abaqus/CAE, see Translating Nastran bulk data files to Abaqus input files. For more information on supported entities for export of Abaqus/CAE jobs and models to Nastran, see Translating Abaqus files to Nastran bulk data files.

NX Elysium Neutral File (file_name.enf_abq)

Abaqus provides a translator plug-in for NX that will generate a geometry file using the Elysium Neutral File (.enf) format. You can use Elysium Neutral Files to import NX parts. In addition, you can use Elysium Neutral Files to import an entire NX assembly into the Abaqus/CAE assembly, or you can choose to import only selected part instances from the assembly. For more information, see Importing a part from an Elysium Neutral file, and Importing an assembly from an Elysium Neutral file. You cannot export parts or assemblies from Abaqus/CAE in Elysium Neutral File format.

OBJ (file_name.obj)

OBJ is an open file format that describes the geometry in terms of the position of the vertices, the edges between them, and the faces that comprise each polygon in the geometry. Data in OBJ format are saved as a text file.

You can export geometry data or mesh data from Abaqus/CAE in OBJ format. For more information, see Exporting viewport data to an OBJ-format file. You cannot import OBJ-format data into Abaqus/CAE.

Parasolid (file_name.x_t, file_name.x_b, file_name.xmt_txt, or file_name.xmt_bin)

Parasolid is a library of solid modeling functions developed by UGS. A variety of CAD products can generate Parasolid-format parts, such as NX, SOLIDWORKS, Solid Edge, FEMAP, and MSC.Patran. You can import Parasolid-format parts. You can also import an entire Parasolid assembly into the Abaqus/CAE assembly, or you can choose to import only selected part instances. For more information, see Importing a part from a Parasolid-format file and Importing an assembly from a Parasolid-format file. You cannot export parts or assemblies from Abaqus/CAE in Parasolid format.

Pro/ENGINEER Elysium Neutral File (file_name.enf_abq)

Abaqus provides a translator plug-in for Pro/ENGINEER that will generate a geometry file using the Elysium Neutral File (.enf) format. You can use Elysium Neutral Files to import Pro/ENGINEER parts. In addition, you can use Elysium Neutral Files to import an entire Pro/ENGINEER assembly into the Abaqus/CAE assembly, or you can choose to import only selected part instances from the assembly. For more information, see Importing a part from an Elysium Neutral file and Importing an assembly from an Elysium Neutral file. You cannot export parts or assemblies from Abaqus/CAE in Elysium Neutral File format.

STEP (file_name.stp or .step)

The STandard for the Exchange of Product model data (STEP ISO 10303–1) is designed as a high-level replacement for IGES that attempts to overcome some of the shortcomings of IGES. The STEP AP203 standard is designed to provide a computer-interpretable representation of a mechanical product throughout its lifecycle, independent of any particular system.

You can import STEP-format parts, and you can export parts in STEP format. In addition, you can import and export sketches in STEP format. For more information, see Importing a part from a STEP-format file and Exporting geometry, model, and mesh data.

STEP-format parts are similar to IGES-format parts in that most of the parts that you import into Abaqus/CAE using STEP-format will need to be repaired before you can use them. Thus, it is recommended that you try to use another format, if possible.

VDA-FS (file_name.vda)

The Verband der Automobilindustrie Flächen Schnittstelle (VDA-FS) surface data format is a geometry standard developed by the German automotive industry. Both VDA-FS and IGES files contain a mathematical representation of the part in an ASCII format; however, the VDA-FS standard concentrates on geometry information. Additional information covered by the IGES standard, such as dimensions, text, and colors, is not stored in a VDA-FS file.

You can import VDA-FS-format parts, and you can export parts in VDA-FS format. For more information, see Importing a part from a VDA-FS-format file and Exporting geometry, model, and mesh data.

VDA-FS format parts are similar to IGES-format parts in that most of the parts that you import into Abaqus/CAE using VDA-FS format will need to be repaired before you can use them. Thus, it is recommended that you try to use another format, if possible.

VRML (file_name.wrl)

Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is the ISO standard for displaying three-dimensional images in a web browser or a stand-alone VRML client. It is an open, platform-independent, vector-based, three-dimensional modeling language that encodes computer-generated graphics to allow them to be shared easily across a network. VRML files use meters for all lengths and distances. VRML-format files can be many times smaller than typical model database files. A special plug-in viewer, such as Cortona or Cosmo, is required to view VRML files.

You can export viewport data from Abaqus/CAE in VRML format or compressed VRML format. For more information, see Exporting viewport data to a VRML-format file.