Course Objective

The objective of this seminar is to provide a hands-on introduction to the Python scripting language and to demonstrate how analysts can integrate it with the Abaqus product line. At the end of the seminar, the student should be comfortable in writing moderately complex scripts and should know where to look for additional information. By reviewing many examples, insight is provided on how scripting can be used to customize Abaqus in order to meet specific needs of typical engineering organizations.duction to Abaqus/CAE course.

Background

Abaqus Version 6 makes extensive use of Python; a powerful, object-oriented scripting language that is used widely by organizations throughout the world. Python has been embedded within the Abaqus software products. The language has been extended to include a rich set of commands that are well suited for the daily tasks of a finite element analyst. Technically speaking, the extensions are referred to as the Abaqus Scripting Interface (ASI). The ASI may be thought of as an application programming interface (API) to the models and data used by Abaqus.

The Abaqus Scripting Interface may be used by the finite element analyst at many different levels. Scripts can be written as stand-alone utilities, or can be written to integrate the Abaqus products with other codes. At a basic level, scripts may be used to automate repetitive tasks such as the creation of results plots from a collection of output files. With some experience, users may actually extend the functionality of the Abaqus products. Advanced users may work with SIMULIA affiliates to customize the graphical user interface of the Abaqus interactive products (Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus/Viewer).

Who Should Attend

Every Abaqus user can benefit from knowledge of the scripting interface. While this training seminar requires that the student is proficient in basic Abaqus usage, this course is applicable to new and experienced users alike. For example, the ability to quickly write an automation script can save hours of tedious postprocessing. If you are an Abaqus user and have a need or desire to be more productive on the job and/or to enhance the capabilities of the standard analysis products, this course may be ideal for you.

Prerequisites

In order for the training to be effective, all students should have some basic familiarity with the Abaqus products including Abaqus/Viewer and Abaqus/Standard or Abaqus/Explicit. Familiarity with Abaqus/CAE is very helpful. Students should also have some experience using at least one computer programming language, text editing and should be proficient with basic operating system tasks such as file copying/deleting, creating/modifying environment variables, etc.

This course covers basic syntax and the fundamentals of Python and the Abaqus Scripting Interface. Hands-on workshops are an integral component of learning about Python and the ASI. They represent a significant portion of the seminar experience. The workshops task the student to write stand-alone Python scripts, scripts for accessing Abaqus results on the output data base (.odb) file, scripts for controlling the Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus/Viewer processes and scripts for monitoring information from active Abaqus solver jobs. Students are instructed in making effective use of available documentation for the Python language and the Abaqus Scripting Interface.

Course Overview 

The overview provides details of the topics covered in each lecture. Please note that the actual course agenda may vary depending on location.

Download the course overview.