Context:
You can open multiple output databases and display the combined contents of the output databases in an overlay plot in a single viewport by using the Append to layers option. For details about working with overlay plots, see Overlaying multiple plots.”
By default, output database files are opened as read-only. You can choose to open an output database file with write privileges; you must do so if you want to copy any X–Y data objects to the output database (see Copying a session X–Y data object to an output database file, for more information). Output database files that reside on remote machines can be opened only as read-only; you cannot write to a remote output database file.
Output and model database files from previous releases of Abaqus must be upgraded to the current release when they are opened (for more information, see Upgrading a model database or an output database). When you open multiple output database files, all the files must be upgraded already to the current release; otherwise, Abaqus/CAE will print a warning in the message area, and the files requiring upgrade will not be opened.
If you are using an earlier release of Abaqus/CAE, you cannot open a model or output database file created from a later release.
From the main menu bar, select .
Abaqus/CAE displays the Open Database dialog box.
From the File Filter menu at the bottom of the Open Database dialog box, select one of the following:
- Model Database (*.cae)
Abaqus/CAE lists all the files in the selected directory with the file extension .cae.
- Output Database (*.odb*)
Abaqus/CAE lists all the files in the selected directory with the file extension .odb.
- Model & Output Databases (*.cae, *.odb*)
Abaqus/CAE lists all the files in the selected directory with file extension .cae or .odb.
If you selected Output Database (*.odb*) in Step 2, use the following options to filter the list of files further or to change the file opening behavior:
- Network connectors
If you previously created and started a network ODB connector, the Directory field includes a Network connectors item that allows you to access a remote directory and open a remote output database. For more information, see Creating a network ODB connector.
- Read-only
By default, output database files are opened as read-only. To open an output database file with write privileges, toggle off Read-only near the bottom of the Open Database dialog box before clicking OK. You must open an output database file with write privileges if you want to copy X–Y data objects from your session to the file or permanently upgrade an old file to the current release of Abaqus/CAE. You can open a remote output database file only as read-only.
- Append to layers
Toggle on Append to layers and select multiple files if you want to open more than one output database and display the combined contents in an overlay plot in a single viewport. You can use any of the following methods to select multiple output database files:
-
Select files using ShiftClick or CtrlClick.
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Type a comma-separated list of file names in the File Name field, such as
lug.odb,hinge.odb
-
Type a list of file names surrounded by double quotes in the File Name field, such as
“lug.odb” “hinge.odb”
Note:
If you open an output database file while the analysis that creates it is running but before output results are written, you may have to close the file and reopen it after the results are available.
Click OK to open the selected file or files.
Abaqus/CAE saves the selected filter type for use as the default the next time you open a file and closes the Open Database dialog box.
If you opened a model database, Abaqus/CAE displays its name in the title bar of the main window. All operations now refer to the new model database. If you have modified the current model database, Abaqus/CAE asks if you want to save it before opening the selected model database.
If you opened one or more output databases, Abaqus/CAE starts the Visualization module in the current viewport and displays the model that is last, alphabetically, in the undeformed plot state. Any other selected output databases are opened but not displayed unless you toggled on Append to layers, in which case the selected output databases are all plotted in the same viewport.
in the File toolbar to open a model database or an output database.