About Using SolidWorks Associative Interface

You can configure the Abaqus component to export SolidWorks files to Abaqus/CAE at runtime using SolidWors Associative Interface.

This page discusses:

Steps to use SolidWorks Associative Interface

The following figure illustrates how you use SolidWorks Associative Interface to export SolidWorks geometry to the Abaqus/CAE model database and into Isight:



  1. You create a part(.sldprt) or a assembly(.sldasm) in SolidWorks.
  2. Use Tools > Add-Ins... > Other Add-ins to enable the Abaqus/CAE plug-in in SolidWorks software.
  3. Use Tools > CAD Interfaces > SolidWorks... in Abaqus/CAE to enable a port that can be used by associative import to connect with SolidWorks. You can specify a port number or allow Abaqus/CAE to assign a port number on its own.
  4. You use the Abaqus > Export to Abaqus/CAE in SolidWorks software to export the SolidWorks geometry to Abaqus/CAE. (If you changed the port number in Abaqus/CAE software, then you must use the same port in SolidWorks software as well.)
  5. When you use Export to Abaqus/CAE plug-in to export SolidWorks geometry to Abaqus/CAE, the plug-in creates the following files in the provided Working Directory once you click the green check mark in the SolidWorks PropertyManager:
    • (Abq2SwExportInfo.xml) file
    • Assembly/Part (.eaf) file
    • Part (.sat) file
    • If you export an assembly, then (.eaf) for Assembly and (.sat) files for each of the included Part(s) will be created

  6. You use SolidWorks Associative Interface to transfer a model from SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE, the model appears in the current Abaqus/CAE viewport. The parts and assembly from SolidWorks are stored in the Abaqus/CAE model database and appear in the Model Tree. For more information, see the SolidWorks Associative Interface Users’ Guide.

Isight Abaqus component does the following at design time

  1. It provides a utility described in Configuring Abaqus component to use SolidWorks Associative Interface so that you can select SolidWorks geometry file(s) to be exported to the chosen .cae file.
  2. It creates input file parameter(s) for the selected file(s).

Isight Abaqus component does the following at runtime:

  1. Launches a session of SolidWorks.
  2. Loads the geometry selected by you in SolidWorks software.
  3. Launches a background session of Abaqus/CAE without the graphical user interface (noGUI mode).
  4. Loads the chosen .cae file from runtime directory into Abaqus/CAE.
  5. Exports geometry from SolidWorks to Abaqus/CAE using SolidWorks Associative Interface.
  6. Repeats steps 2-5 for each of the SolidWorks geometry files selected by you.
  7. Closes the SolidWorks session.
  8. Imports the updated .eaf file into Abaqus/CAE model database file.
  9. Simulates the model using the imported geometry.
  10. Saves the Abaqus/CAE model into runtime directory.
  11. Closes the Abaqus session.
  12. Updates parameter values into Isight