Context:
Substructure import also requires an output database (.odb) file for mesh display.
From the main menu bar, select .
The Import Part dialog box appears.
From the File Filter menu at the bottom of the Import Part dialog box, select Substructure (*.sim*).
Abaqus/CAE lists all the files in the selected directory with a .sim* file extension.
Select the SIM database containing the substructure to import, and click OK.
The Create Substructure Part dialog box appears, displaying the substructure's name and its unique identifier (which begins with the letter Z).
If desired, customize the Part name for the substructure you are importing.
In the Use mesh from ODB file field, specify the name of the output database file containing the mesh that you want to associate with this substructure definition.
Click OK.
Abaqus/CAE imports the substructure into your model as a new part definition.