Saving session objects and session options to a file

By default, many objects and options in Abaqus/CAE persist only for the current session. To retain these session objects or session options for use in a future Abaqus/CAE session, save them to the model database, to an output database, or to a settings file in XML format.

If you save settings to the model database or to an output database, Abaqus/CAE uses those settings as the new default values when you open that file; if you save to a settings file, you must load the settings from that file into your session to use them.

Related Topics
What is an X–Y data object, and what is an X–Y plot?
Creating or editing a free body cut
Understanding how to create display groups
Displaying a cut section and its resultant force and moment vectors

Context:

When you save session objects or options, you can include all the session-specific settings you specified in that session, or you can select settings from individual categories. For example, you can save all the display groups and path definitions in your session to a file while excluding all view cut definitions. The Save Session Objects & Options dialog box saves all the definitions in a particular category when you select the category; you cannot save individual display groups to a file while excluding others. If you want only a subset of display groups to be available for use in subsequent sessions, you must delete the other display groups from your session before saving the display groups to a file.

You must pay attention to object dependencies when you save session objects and options to a file. For example, a free body cut may refer to a previously defined display group, so it would make sense to save both display groups and free body cuts if you want to retain the free body cut in the future. Likewise, if you want to save the list of active view cuts and free body cuts to a file, you should also save the view cuts and free body cuts themselves.

Session objects are typically items that you define in a session, such as a display group or view cut; while session options are typically settings in a dialog box, such as the Common Plot Options dialog box. You can save the following session objects:

  • display groups

  • paths

  • X–Y data objects

  • free body definitions

  • view cuts including cut-specific options (in the Visualization module only)

  • the active status for free body cuts and view cuts

  • the currently selected view and the 11 views specified on the Views toolbar

  • spectrums

You can save the following session options:

  • ODB Display Options

  • Result Options

  • Common Plot Options

  • Contour Plot Options

  • Superimpose Plot Options

  • Material Orientation Plot Options

  • Ply Stack Plot Options

  • Symbol Plot Options

  • Free Body Plot Options

  • View Cut Options (common cut options from the Free Body and Slicing tabbed pages only)

  • Color Mapping

You can save session objects and options to an output database only when it has been opened with write privileges. For more information, see Opening a model database or an output database.

  1. Select FileSave Session Objects from the main menu bar.

    Tip: You can also click from the File toolbar.

    The Save Session Objects & Options dialog box appears.

  2. From the Destination options, select the type of file to which you want to save session objects and options and, if applicable, select the file:

    • Select File to save to a settings file in XML format, and specify the file name.

    • Select MDB (.cae) to save to the current model database.

    • Select ODB to save to an output database, and specify one of the output databases that are currently open in your session.

  3. Specify the categories of session objects or session options that you want to save:

    • If you want to save all session objects or all session options, toggle on Objects or Options, respectively.

    • If you want to select categories of session objects or session options individually, expand the Objects or Visualization Options container, and toggle on the categories that you want to save.

  4. Click OK. If you selected MDB (.cae) as the destination file, you must select FileSave or FileSave As to save the model database as well.