Importing Abaqus Files

The command to import a mesh from an Abaqus format file is:

Import Abaqus [Mesh Geometry] '<input_filename>' [Feature Angle <angle>] [Nobcs]

Including the keyword Mesh Geometry will instruct CUBIT to create mesh-based geometry. This will provide the user with the ability to remesh geometric entities. If the user does not import with the Mesh Geometry flag, he will have to tell CUBIT to draw the mesh after the import is done in order to view it.

The Feature Angle is used when building the surface topology to determine when to split a surface into two surfaces. If the angle between two neighboring element normals is less than Feature Angle, then the two elements will be placed on separate surfaces. If the keyword Feature Angle is not supplied, the default 135 degrees is used. For a description of importing mesh geometry see Importing Exodus II Files.

The Abaqus importer can import the following Abaqus file formats: flat file, part-independent, and part-dependent.

It should be noted that CUBIT sometimes cannot successfully generate mesh-based geometry for complex models.  If this occurs, import the mesh without the Mesh Geometry flag, and draw the mesh to view it.

To list Abaqus cards supported by Cubit:

List Abaqus Import Cards

This command will list out all supported Abaqus cards that CUBIT can interpret.

Table 1. Supported Element Types

See http://www.simulia.com/ for more information on the ABAQUS file format.