Starting the Abaqus Python development environment

You can choose from several methods to start the Abaqus Python development environment. If you plan to work on scripts that use the Abaqus/CAE GUI, you should start the Abaqus PDE from within an Abaqus/CAE session or start it from the command prompt when you start Abaqus/CAE. These startup methods link the Abaqus PDE to the corresponding Abaqus/CAE session. Alternatively, you can start the Abaqus PDE independently to save system memory or avoid using an Abaqus license.

Use one of the following methods to start the Abaqus PDE. The first two methods start the Abaqus PDE with a link to an Abaqus/CAE session. The last method starts the Abaqus PDE independently from Abaqus/CAE:

  • In Abaqus/CAE, select FileAbaqus PDE from the main menu bar.

  • From a system command prompt, enter 

    abaqus cae -pde

    where abaqus is the command used to start Abaqus.

    Note:

    Using this method starts Abaqus/CAE without any local user preference settings. Ignoring user preferences allows you to record and run .guiLog tests using the consistent default startup settings.

  • From a system command prompt, enter 

    abaqus pde [filenames] [-script filename] [-pde Abaqus/CAE command line arguments]

    where abaqus is the command used to start Abaqus, and filenames are the names, including the directory paths, of scripts to be opened at startup.

    The -script option allows you to enter the name, including the directory path, of a main file to be opened at startup. The Abaqus PDE will create a new blank script if the named file does not exist in the specified directory. If the directory does not exist, the Abaqus PDE generates an error message.

    Note:

    File names and paths specified without the -script option are opened for editing—not as the main file.

    The -pde option is used to specify options for use with Abaqus/CAE if you run a script in the Abaqus PDE that requires the Abaqus/CAE kernel or user interface. You can also add command line options for Abaqus/CAE using the Settings menu. For more information, see Selecting the settings for use with a file.

The sections that follow describe how to use the menus and tools within the Abaqus PDE.