The ExodusII finite element data model is based on the Unidata Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) library for self-describing, machine-independent data formats that support the creation, access, and sharing of array-oriented scientific data. ExodusII was developed by Sandia National Laboratories as an API to access this data format for the storage of models and data generated by their in-house developed tools (such as Cubit, SEACAS, Sierra, CTH, and Plato). The basic concept behind the development of ExodusII is that a single common database should be available for multiple application codes (mesh generators, analysis codes, visualization software, etc.) rather than code-specific utilities, affording flexibility and robustness for both the application code developer and application code user.

Analysis codes utilizing ExodusII for their model/results data storage purposes inherit the flexibility of using a large array of application codes (including vendor-supplied codes) which access this common data file directly or via translators. As such, ExodusII has found broad acceptance within the US defense community outside of Sandia and is rather widely used. The ExodusII library is licensed under BSD open source license, copyright to the Sandia Corporation.

Because of the wide usage of ExodusII throughout the US defense community, there is interest in providing access to this format within Abaqus, either through the interactive Abaqus/CAE product or directly through the Abaqus solvers. As a result of multiple requests from customers over several years to provide support for the ExodusII format within CAE, we have developed Exo2Abq. plugin designed to allow for the import of model data directly into CAE. The simple plugin has been verified to work with Abaqus 2018 on the Windows platform (it will not work on Linux).

The Exo2Abq plugin presents a simple interface, where the user is asked only to either enter the name of the ExodusII file with the model to be imported, or to search for the file using the search button. The plugin code generates a flat Abaqus input file that is then imported into the open MDB. By default, the intermediate input file is deleted once imported, however the user has the option of saving this file.

The plugin supports the following mapping of ExodusII element into these Abaqus equivalents:

One example use of saving the intermediate file would be to change this default element mapping to different Abaqus elements (such as C3D8 or C3D8I). Node and element sets stored in the ExodusII file are also imported. Once the import is complete, the plugin closes and the imported model is displayed in the current viewport.

If you have any questions about the usage of this plugin, or if you have found it to be useful, please let us know in the Comment section, below.

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