About the Abaqus Python development environment

The Abaqus PDE is a separate application that you can access from within Abaqus/CAE or launch independently to work on Python scripts.

It is intended primarily for use with scripts that use the Abaqus/CAE graphical user interface (GUI) or kernel commands, including plug-ins, but you can also use it to work on scripts that are unrelated to Abaqus. The Abaqus PDE also enables you to set breakpoints to pause script execution at a particular line in any Python script, including an Abaqus plug-in.

Figure 1 shows a .guiLog file in the Abaqus PDE. The script creates an extruded solid rectangular part named box1 and was recorded by logging the actions to complete the task in the Abaqus/CAE user interface.

Figure 1. The Abaqus PDE.

The PDE controls allow you to complete the following tasks:

  • Open .guiLog, .py, and other Python scripts

  • Designate an open file or open another file as the main file for testing

  • Open recently used files, including modules called by the main file

  • Edit scripts

  • Reload modules after editing a plug-in

  • Record .guiLog files from Abaqus/CAE

  • Run scripts that use the Abaqus/CAE user interface, the Abaqus scripting commands, or general Python commands

  • Add (or ignore) breakpoints in a script

  • Add a breakpoint in any Python code executed in Abaqus/CAE, such as plug-ins

  • Add a delay between executing steps

  • Step through scripts (trace the execution), including plug-in modules and custom startup modules

  • Change options for recording .guiLog scripts and animating (highlighting) traced files

The following sections contain detailed information about each of the functions in the PDE: