Analysis software Abaqus CAD Associative Interface

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Overview
The Abaqus CAD Associative Interface provides add-ons and translators to transfer geometry, materials and publication information from supported CAD systems into Abaqus/CAE. It enables automatic or manual associative import to keep Abaqus/CAE models synchronized with CAD edits and also offers direct (non‑associative) translators for cross‑platform exchanges.

Key capabilities

• Associative import transfers geometry, material assignments and publication metadata from CAD to Abaqus/CAE and maps them to material definitions and sets.
• Automatic associative import synchronizes models between concurrent CAD and Abaqus/CAE sessions on the same machine for one‑click updates.
• Parameter modification lets users edit CAD feature parameters (e.g. hole radius, extrusion length) from within Abaqus/CAE with updates propagated to the CAD model.
• Manual associative import uses assembly or intermediate files (.eaf, .enf_abq) for later import or updates when sessions are not concurrent or run on different machines.
• Direct (non‑associative) import and direct translators enable single‑file geometry transfers (Elysium Neutral, Parasolid, native CAD readers) when associative updates are not required.

Associative Interface for CATIA

• Supports 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA and CATIA V5 with associative import of Parts and Products into Abaqus/CAE.
• Materials and publications assigned in CAD transfer as material and set definitions in Abaqus/CAE.
• Import modes: automatic associative import, parameter modification from Abaqus/CAE, manual associative import via assembly files (.eaf), and direct import of .CATPart/.CATProduct.

Associative Interface for NX

• Enables associative transfer of NX parts and assemblies into Abaqus/CAE and supports parameter propagation of NX geometry.
• Includes a direct translator to write NX parts/assemblies in Elysium Neutral (.enf_abq) for later non‑associative import.

Abaqus Associative Interface for Creo Parametric

• Supports associative import of Creo parts and assemblies into Abaqus/CAE and parameter modification from Abaqus/CAE.
• Provides a direct translator to generate Elysium Neutral (.enf_abq) and assembly (.eaf) files for cross‑platform or non‑concurrent workflows.

Associative Interface for SolidWorks

• Transfers SolidWorks parts and assemblies to Abaqus/CAE while preserving analysis features; supports automatic and manual associative import.

Geometry Translators
CAD geometry translators allow importing native CAD formats directly into Abaqus/CAE. Supported direct readers include Parasolid formats and other native readers; Parasolid files (.x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin) are supported by the Parasolid translator.

Parasolid Geometry Translator (versions 10.0 to 28.0)
Platform | Parasolid 10.0 to 28.0
Windows/x86-32 | x
Windows/x86-64 | x
Linux/x86-64 | x

Licensing
Abaqus/CAE requires an appropriate license to use certain translators and to import parts and assemblies in Parasolid format.

Technical specifications

• Product: Abaqus CAD Associative Interface
• Brand: SIMULIA
• Supported CAD systems: 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA, CATIA V5, NX, Creo Parametric, SolidWorks
• Import modes: automatic associative import, manual associative import (.eaf), direct (non‑associative) import, direct translators (.enf_abq)
• File formats: .eaf, .enf_abq, .CATPart, .CATProduct, Parasolid (.x_t, .x_b, .xmt_txt, .xmt_bin)
• Parasolid translator supported versions: 10.0–28.0
• Platforms for Parasolid readers: Windows x86-32, Windows x86-64, Linux x86-64
• Features propagation: partitions, loads, boundary conditions, sets, surfaces and other Abaqus/CAE features regenerate on import of modified CAD models