abaqus-export

# Abaqus Export Skill Export geometry and results from Abaqus to external formats for 3D printing, CAD exchange, data analysis, or archival. ## When to Use This Skill **Route here when user mentions:** - "Export to STL" / "Convert to STL" / "3D printing" - "Save as STEP" / "Export to CAD" - "Generate input file" / "Write INP" - "Export results to CSV" / "Export to Excel" - "Save the mesh" / "Extract mesh data" - "Export deformed shape" / "Export topology result" **Route elsewhere:** - Reading ODB results → `/abaqus-odb` - Importing CAD files → `/abaqus-geometry` - Running analysis → `/abaqus-job` ## Key Decisions ### What Format to Use? | Need | Format | Requires | |------|--------|----------| | 3D printing | STL (double precision) | Meshed part | | CAD exchange | STEP | Part geometry | | Legacy CAD | IGES | Part geometry | | Data analysis | CSV | ODB file | | Archive/HPC | INP | Complete model | | Reports/images | PNG/SVG | GUI session | ### What to Export? | Source | Available Formats | |--------|------------------| | Part geometry | STL, STEP, IGES, SAT | | Assembly | STL, SAT | | Mesh data | CSV (nodes, elements) | | Results (U, S, RF) | CSV | | Time history | CSV | | Model definition | INP | | Topology result | STL (with density threshold) | ## What to Ask User If unclear, ask: 1. **What format?** STL, STEP, CSV, INP? 2. **What to export?** Geometry, mesh, or results? 3. **Which parts/steps?** Specific part name, all parts, specific time step? 4. **For TO results:** What density threshold? (0.3-0.5 typical) ## Workflow ### Exporting Geometry (STL/STEP/IGES) 1. **Identify the part** - Get part name from model 2. **Check if meshed** - STL requires mesh; STEP works on geometry 3. **Call export method** - Use appropriate API call 4. **Verify output** - Check file was created ### Exporting Results to CSV 1. **Open the ODB** - Use `openOdb()` with `readOnly=True` 2. **Navigate to frame** - Find correct step and frame (typically last) 3. **Extract field output** - U (displacement), S (stress), etc. 4. **Write CSV** - Loop through values, write rows 5. **Close ODB** - Always close when done ### Generating Input File 1. **Create job object** - Job needs model name 2. **Call writeInput()** - Creates `JobName.inp` 3. **Verify INP created** - Check file exists ### Exporting TO Result 1. **Locate TO ODB** - Usually `Optimization/TOSCA_POST/Optimization.odb` 2. **Set density threshold** - 0.3-0.5 typical (lower = more material) 3. **Export STL** - Use session method or GUI ## Troubleshooting | Problem | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | "Cannot write STL - no mesh" | Part not meshed | Mesh part first | | "STEP export failed" | Invalid geometry | Try IGES or SAT | | Large STL file | Fine mesh | Coarsen mesh for viz | | Permission denied | File open elsewhere | Close file first | | Image export fails | noGUI mode | Run with GUI | ## Code Patterns For API syntax and code examples, see: - [API Quick Reference](references/api-quick-ref.md) - [Common Patterns](references/common-patterns.md) - [Troubleshooting Guide](references/troubleshooting.md)