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:
- What format? STL, STEP, CSV, INP?
- What to export? Geometry, mesh, or results?
- Which parts/steps? Specific part name, all parts, specific time step?
- For TO results: What density threshold? (0.3-0.5 typical)
Workflow
Exporting Geometry (STL/STEP/IGES)
- Identify the part - Get part name from model
- Check if meshed - STL requires mesh; STEP works on geometry
- Call export method - Use appropriate API call
- Verify output - Check file was created
Exporting Results to CSV
- Open the ODB - Use
openOdb()withreadOnly=True - Navigate to frame - Find correct step and frame (typically last)
- Extract field output - U (displacement), S (stress), etc.
- Write CSV - Loop through values, write rows
- Close ODB - Always close when done
Generating Input File
- Create job object - Job needs model name
- Call writeInput() - Creates
JobName.inp - Verify INP created - Check file exists
Exporting TO Result
- Locate TO ODB - Usually
Optimization/TOSCA_POST/Optimization.odb - Set density threshold - 0.3-0.5 typical (lower = more material)
- 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: