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
• Common Patterns
• Troubleshooting Guide