Abaqus/CAE Workflows with SolidWorks

Abaqus/CAE Workflows with SolidWorks

Overview

SolidWorks geometry can be transferred to Abaqus/CAE using the SolidWorks Associative Interface.

In this workflow, SolidWorks remains the source of the CAD geometry. The model is transferred to Abaqus/CAE for simulation setup, and later design changes made in SolidWorks can be propagated to the existing Abaqus/CAE model.

This article covers the associative connection, export procedure, geometry updates, practical considerations, compatibility, and requirements for the SolidWorks-Abaqus/CAE workflow.

1. Abaqus/CAE and SolidWorks

1.1 Associative Interface

The SolidWorks Associative Interface provides a direct connection between SolidWorks and Abaqus/CAE.

In this workflow, SolidWorks remains the source of the CAD geometry. The model is transferred into Abaqus/CAE, where the simulation model is prepared. If the CAD design changes later, the geometry can be updated in Abaqus/CAE without starting the simulation model again from scratch. 

The workflow is:

SolidWorks → Associative Interface → Abaqus/CAE

The connection uses two main components:

    • SolidWorks Associative Interface add-in: installed in SolidWorks and used to export the active part or assembly.

    • Abaqus/CAE CAD Connection: Receives the SolidWorks geometry and updates the existing Abaqus/CAE model when changes are made in the CAD model. This functionality is enabled through the SolidWorks Associative Interface license. 

The associativity is unidirectional. Design changes are made in SolidWorks and propagated to Abaqus/CAE. Geometry changes made directly in Abaqus/CAE are not sent back to the SolidWorks model.

One of the main advantages of this workflow is that Abaqus/CAE can keep analysis features already defined in the model, such as partitions, loads, boundary conditions, sets, and surfaces, and regenerate them after the CAD update when the geometry references remain valid.


Figure 1  Direct associative workflow between SolidWorks and Abaqus/CAE. SolidWorks remains the CAD source, while design changes are propagated to the existing Abaqus/CAE model

1.2 Connection and Export Procedure

The associative connection is established from Abaqus/CAE first, and then the SolidWorks model is sent through the Associative Interface. 

A typical workflow is:

    1. 1. In Abaqus/CAE, enter the Assembly module and select:  
       Tools → CAD Interfaces → SolidWorks.

    1. 2. Enable the connection using Auto-assign port or specify a port manually if required. Abaqus/CAE displays the port number that will be used

    2. for communication with SolidWorks.

    1. 3. Open the part or assembly in SolidWorks. The Abaqus Associative Interface add-in must be active.

    1. 4. From SolidWorks, select: 
       Tools → Abaqus → Export to Abaqus/CAE

    1. 5. In the Export to Abaqus/CAE “PropertyManager”:

        • enable Open in Abaqus/CAE;

        • verify that the port number matches the one enabled in Abaqus/CAE;

        • define the Working Directory;

    1. 6. Confirm the export. The part or assembly is transferred directly into the current Abaqus/CAE model.

The same connection can be used to send design updates to the existing Abaqus/CAE model later.

Figure 2 Accessing the SolidWorks associative connection tools.

Figure 3 Communication setup between SolidWorks and Abaqus/CAE. In Abaqus/CAE, the SolidWorks connection port can be assigned automatically or specified manually. The port number must match.

1.3 Geometry Updates

Once the SolidWorks model has been transferred to Abaqus/CAE, the CAD design can still be modified in SolidWorks.

When the model is exported again through the Associative Interface, Abaqus/CAE updates the existing geometry instead of creating a completely new model. In this way, the workflow supports design changes without rebuilding the simulation model from the beginning. Only the modified geometry needs to be transferred again. 

Analysis features already created in Abaqus/CAE, such as partitions, sets, surfaces, loads, and boundary conditions, are regenerated when their geometric references remain valid. If the CAD modification changes the topology significantly, some features may no longer be regenerated correctly and may need to be reviewed.


Figure 4 Geometry update through the SolidWorks Associative Interface.

1.4 Considerations and Compatibility

A few points should be considered when using the SolidWorks Associative Interface.

    • Geometry changes: major topology changes can break references used by partitions, sets, loads, or boundary conditions, so the Abaqus/CAE model should be reviewed after significant CAD modifications.

    • Assemblies: SolidWorks subassemblies are imported as a single Abaqus/CAE assembly. Assembly-level features such as merges or splits are not transferred. 

    • Units: Abaqus/CAE has no built-in unit system, so the displayed SolidWorks units should remain consistent during the workflow.

    • Compatibility: the SolidWorks Associative Interface, and Abaqus/CAE versions should be checked as a supported combination before using the workflow. SW Associative Interface


1.5 Requirements

For the direct SolidWorks-Abaqus/CAE associative workflow, the main licensing components are: 

    • Abaqus/CAE Extended: provides access to the Abaqus/CAE environment for model setup, preprocessing, and postprocessing. 

    • Abaqus Extended Tokens: used for Abaqus solver execution under traditional licensing, or SimUnit Tokens under Unified License Model.

    • Abaqus/CAE Associative Interface: required for the direct associative connection between SolidWorks and Abaqus/CAE. 

    • A supported SolidWorks installation.