ABAQUS 2018

SOLIDWORKS ASSOCIATIVE INTERFACE

USER’S GUIDE
 SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface User’s Guide

Version 2.1

Updated August 2017

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 Trademarks and Legal Notices
Abaqus, the 3DS logo, SOLIDWORKS, and SIMULIA are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the
United States and/or other countries. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.
Abaqus, SOLIDWORKS, and this documentation may be used or reproduced only in accordance with the terms of the software license agreement signed
by the customer, or, absent such an agreement, the then current software license agreement to which the documentation relates.
This documentation and the software described in this documentation are subject to change without prior notice.
Dassault Systèmes and its subsidiaries shall not be responsible for the consequences of any errors or omissions that may appear in this documentation.
© Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp., 2017.
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. For additional information concerning
trademarks, copyrights, and licenses, see the Legal Notices in the Abaqus 2018 documentation.

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 OVERVIEW

1. SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface: overview

1.1 About this manual

This manual provides information for end-users on how to use the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface
to transfer models from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE. The manual also includes information about
installing the components of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.

1.2 About the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface allows you to transfer the geometry of a SOLIDWORKS
model to Abaqus/CAE. The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface consists of the following two
components:
• The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in. The add-in is a plug-in for SOLIDWORKS that
allows you to save a model in SOLIDWORKS as an assembly (.eaf) file. The SOLIDWORKS
Associative Interface add-in can be downloaded from “How to obtain the SOLIDWORKS
Associative Interface installation files, user guide, and status reports,” which can be found
by entering the title in the Search our Knowledge field at Support - Dassault Systèmes
(www.3ds.com/support).
• The Abaqus/CAE CAD Connection toolset. The CAD Connection toolset, which is enabled with
a SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface license, allows you to import an assembly file that is
generated by the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in. The SOLIDWORKS Associative
Interface license is available as an add-on product from your local SIMULIA office.

1.3 What is associative import?

Associative import allows you to easily transfer a part or assembly from SOLIDWORKS to
Abaqus/CAE; you can subsequently modify the model in SOLIDWORKS and propagate these
modifications to Abaqus/CAE without losing any analysis features assigned to the model in
Abaqus/CAE. The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface is useful when you are iterating on the design
of a model in SOLIDWORKS based on the results of analyses conducted in Abaqus. Figure 1–1 shows
the connection between SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus/CAE using associative import.
When you use associative import to transfer a model from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE, the
model appears in the current Abaqus/CAE viewport. The parts and assembly from SOLIDWORKS are
stored in the Abaqus/CAE model database and appear in the Model Tree. You can use SOLIDWORKS
to modify the parts or to change the position of components in the assembly; when the modifications are
complete and the model is ready to be analyzed, perform another associative import. Every time you

1–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
OVERVIEW

Figure 1–1 Using associative import to export a model from SOLIDWORKS (left) to Abaqus/CAE (right).

import the model into Abaqus/CAE, Abaqus/CAE updates the current viewport and the Model Tree to
reflect the changes.
In addition, associative import retains any features that you added to the model with Abaqus/CAE.
Any of the features that you created in Abaqus/CAE—such as partitions, loads, boundary conditions,
sets, and surfaces—are regenerated each time you import the modified model from SOLIDWORKS to
Abaqus/CAE. For example, if you partitioned a cell with Abaqus/CAE, the partition is regenerated
each time you import the model from SOLIDWORKS into Abaqus/CAE. However, the regeneration of
features may fail if the changes that you made with SOLIDWORKS change the topology of the model
in ways that fail to fully support the creation of those features.
When you import an assembly, Abaqus/CAE creates parts that correspond to the imported part
instances and maintains the relationship between the parts and their instances. Abaqus/CAE does not
support subassemblies; if the SOLIDWORKS model includes subassemblies, Abaqus/CAE imports
the complete model as a single assembly. In addition, features defined at the assembly level in
SOLIDWORKS (such as merges or splits) are not imported into the Abaqus/CAE model.
In most cases Abaqus/CAE retains the names of the parts from the SOLIDWORKS model.

1–2

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 OVERVIEW

1.4 Using the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface offers two associative import methods: automatic associative
import and manual associative import.
Automatic associative import
Automatic associative import transfers the geometry of a SOLIDWORKS model to Abaqus/CAE
in a single step. Sessions of SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus/CAE must be running simultaneously on
the same computer. Using the CAD Connection toolset, you establish a link between Abaqus/CAE
and SOLIDWORKS. As soon as an assembly file is created by the SOLIDWORKS Associative
Interface add-in, the assembly is imported automatically into Abaqus/CAE. After the model
has been transferred, you can continue to make design modifications in SOLIDWORKS and
propagate these modifications to the Abaqus/CAE model with a single mouse click. For detailed
instructions on performing an automatic associative import, see “Using automatic associative
import,” Section 5.1.

Manual associative import

Manual associative import is a multistep procedure that can be used to perform an associative
import when SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus/CAE are running on different computers or on different
platforms. Using the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in, you can save an assembly
(.eaf) file to a specified location. Using the CAD Connection toolset, you can import the
geometry into Abaqus/CAE or use the assembly file to update an existing model in Abaqus/CAE
at a later time. For detailed instructions on performing a manual associative import, see “Using
manual associative import,” Section 5.2.

1–3

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

2. System requirements for the SOLIDWORKS Associative

Interface
The components of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface are supported on the platforms indicated
in Table 2–1.

Table 2–1 Supported platforms for the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.

SOLIDWORKS
Abaqus/CAE CAD
Platform Associative Interface
Connection toolset
add-in
Windows/x86-64
Linux/x86-64*
*
The manual associative import method must be used when Abaqus/CAE is
running on a Linux platform.

Release 2.0 of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in can be installed with all
SOLIDWORKS releases beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2008. For more information about installing
the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in in SOLIDWORKS, see Chapter 4, “Installing the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.”
The CAD Connection toolset for Abaqus/CAE supports the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface
in Abaqus 6.8 or later.
For the latest information about which versions of SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus/CAE are supported
by the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface, refer to the Support page at www.3ds.com/simulia.

2–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 UNITS

3. Units
SOLIDWORKS allows you to change the displayed units of measure in a model; if you change the
displayed units, all measurements and parameters in the model are converted and updated to reflect the
new units. Abaqus/CAE has no units built into it. When you use associative import to transfer a model
from SOLIDWORKS, Abaqus/CAE imports the displayed numerical measurements without regard for
the displayed units.
For example, consider a model created in SOLIDWORKS of a cube that measures 30 millimeters
on a side (see Figure 3–1). If the displayed units system in SOLIDWORKS is MMGS (millimeter,
gram, second), Abaqus/CAE imports a cube with a side length of 30. If the displayed units system in
SOLIDWORKS is CGS (centimeter, gram, second), Abaqus/CAE imports a cube with a side length of
3.

Figure 3–1 Abaqus/CAE ignores the displayed units when importing models from SOLIDWORKS.

The individual parts in an assembly should use the same units system. When you import an assembly
with mixed units into Abaqus/CAE, all of the parts are scaled to a consistent set of units before the import.
However, if you subsequently update the Abaqus/CAE assembly by importing an individual part, the
units for that part are not scaled and may be inconsistent with the existing dimensions in Abaqus/CAE.

3–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
UNITS

Note: Some model assemblies that are imported using Release 1.1 of the SOLIDWORKS Associative
Interface may employ inconsistent units when positioning the assembly components in Abaqus/CAE.
To resolve this problem, rewrite the assembly (.eaf) file for the model from SOLIDWORKS using
Release 1.2 or higher of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in, and import the new assembly
file into Abaqus/CAE.

3–2

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 INSTALLATION

4. Installing the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in

The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in is an plug-in component for SOLIDWORKS. The add-
in must be enabled after it is installed.

4.1 Installing the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in

The following procedure describes how to install the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface plug-in
on Windows systems. You need administrative privileges to install the plug-in. SOLIDWORKS
must be installed and licensed on your system before installing the plug-in. If you are installing the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface on an operating system that uses User Access Control (UAC),
such as Windows Vista or Windows 7, you must turn off UAC or select the least secure setting.

1. Download the appropriate SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface zip file from “How to obtain the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface installation files, user guide, and status reports,” which can
be found by entering the title in the Search our Knowledge field at Technical Knowledge Self
Support - Dassault Systèmes (www.3ds.com/support) (www.3ds.com/support).
2. Unzip the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface zip file and save the contents to a permanent
directory; the directory must be accessible to all users of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.
The zip file contains the add-in .dll file.
3. Start SOLIDWORKS as a Windows administrator in one of the following ways:
• For instructions on installing the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface from the command
line, see “Installing or removing SIMULIA Abaqus/CAE Associative Interface for SolidWorks
via command line,” which can be found by entering the title in the Search our Knowledge
field at Technical Knowledge Self Support - Dassault Systèmes (www.3ds.com/support)
(www.3ds.com/support).
• From the Start menu, Shift + right-click SOLIDWORKS and select Run as administrator
from the context menu.
• From the desktop, Shift + right-click SOLIDWORKS and select Run as administrator from
the context menu.
You must be part of the local administrator group to open SOLIDWORKS as an administrator.
4. Select File→Open from the main menu bar.
The Open dialog box appears.
5. In the Files of type field, select Add-Ins (*.dll).
6. Navigate to the directory that contains the add-in file. Select the add-in .dll file, and click Open.
SOLIDWORKS installs the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.

4–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
INSTALLATION

4.2 Enabling the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in

The following procedure describes how to enable the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in in
SOLIDWORKS after you have installed it:
1. From the SOLIDWORKS main menu, select Tools→Add-Ins.
SOLIDWORKS displays the Add-Ins dialog box.
2. In the Add-Ins dialog box, the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in is listed as
Abaqus/CAE underneath the Other Add-ins heading (see Figure 4–1).
• To enable the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in in the current SOLIDWORKS
session, toggle on the check box in the Active Add-ins column.
• To enable the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in for future SOLIDWORKS
sessions, toggle on the check box in the Start Up column.

Figure 4–1 The Add-Ins dialog box.

3. Click OK.

4–2

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 INSTALLATION

If you toggled on Active Add-ins for the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in, Abaqus

appears in the SOLIDWORKS main menu bar, and the Export to Abaqus/CAE icon appears
in the SOLIDWORKS toolbar.
4. To disable the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in, follow the above steps and toggle off
the appropriate check boxes.

4.3 Determining the release number of the SOLIDWORKS Associative

Interface add-in
Use the procedure below to determine which release of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in
you are using. This information may be necessary if you are contacting SIMULIA for troubleshooting
issues related to the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.
1. From the SOLIDWORKS main menu, select Abaqus→Export to Abaqus/CAE.
Export to Abaqus/CAE appears in the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager.

2. In the PropertyManager, click the question mark .

The dialog box that appears contains trademark information and the release number for the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.

4.4 Uninstalling the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in

To uninstall the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in, run the following command from a
command prompt:

regsvr32 /c /u full_path_to_dll_file

where full_path_to_dll_file is the location of the saved add-in .dll file on your computer. The
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in is disabled in SOLIDWORKS, and the Abaqus/CAE
item is removed from the Add-Ins dialog box.

Note: On Windows Vista, User Account Control (UAC) must be turned off for the administrator account
and the user account before uninstalling the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.

4–3

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 USING THE SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

5. Using the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface to import

a part or assembly from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE
Associative import through the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface allows you to transfer model
geometry and subsequent design changes from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE without losing any
analysis features that are defined in Abaqus/CAE. Associative import can be performed automatically
or manually; for an overview of the two import techniques, see “Using the SOLIDWORKS Associative
Interface,” Section 1.4.

5.1 Using automatic associative import

Follow the instructions below to import an assembly from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE using
automatic associative import.
1. Start Abaqus/CAE, and enter the Assembly module.
2. From the main menu bar, select Tools→CAD Interfaces→SOLIDWORKS.
3. From the SOLIDWORKS dialog box that appears, choose Auto-assign port and click Enable.
Abaqus/CAE displays the port number that it assigned in the message area. (If desired, you can
click Specify port and enter the port number.)
4. Start SOLIDWORKS, and load the model to be exported.
Abaqus appears in the SOLIDWORKS main menu bar. If Abaqus does not appear in the main
menu bar, refer to Chapter 4, “Installing the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.”
5. If the model includes any new or modified parts, save the SOLIDWORKS model. Current
SOLIDWORKS part (.SLDPRT) files must exist for each part in the assembly before using the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.
6. Select Abaqus→Export to Abaqus/CAE from the SOLIDWORKS main menu.
The Export to Abaqus/CAE options appear in the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager.
7. In the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager, specify the following information:
a. Toggle on Open in Abaqus/CAE (see Figure 5–1).
b. If necessary, change the default number in the Open in Abaqus/CAE field so that it matches
the port number displayed by Abaqus/CAE when you enabled the CAD interface.
c. The SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface saves necessary files (the assembly file and part
geometry files) to a working directory during the import. If necessary, change the path in the
Working Directory field to save these files in a different location.
d. By default, the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface automatically saves the current version
of the SOLIDWORKS model as part of the export process. To prevent the SOLIDWORKS

5–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
USING THE SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

Figure 5–1 Use automatic associative import to transfer the model directly to Abaqus/CAE.

files from being saved automatically, toggle off Autosave files before export. If you toggle
off this option, you must manually save the SOLIDWORKS model before exporting it to
Abaqus/CAE.
8. Click the green check mark in the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager.
The model appears in the current Abaqus/CAE viewport. If an assembly is open in SOLIDWORKS,
the parts are imported into Abaqus/CAE and an assembly of part instances is created automatically.
If a single part is open in SOLIDWORKS, only the part is imported into Abaqus/CAE. You can use
the parts and the assembly in an Abaqus/CAE analysis; for example, you can apply sections to the
parts, and you can apply loads and boundary conditions to the assembly.

9. If you modify the model in SOLIDWORKS, click the Export to Abaqus/CAE icon to update
the model in Abaqus/CAE. The modified model is imported immediately into Abaqus/CAE using
the settings previously specified in the Export to Abaqus/CAE dialog box. You can also select
Abaqus→Export to Abaqus/CAE from the SOLIDWORKS main menu to change the settings
and import the updated model.
Note: If you toggled off the Autosave files before export in the Export to Abaqus/CAE
dialog box, you must manually save the modified SOLIDWORKS model before exporting it to
Abaqus/CAE.
Abaqus/CAE imports only the modified parts. Any changes that you make to the position
of components in the SOLIDWORKS assembly will also be exported to Abaqus/CAE. Any
components that you suppress or unsuppress in SOLIDWORKS are suppressed or resumed
similarly in Abaqus/CAE. If you hide a component in SOLIDWORKS, the visibility of that part
instance in Abaqus/CAE is turned off; use the Assembly Display Options in Abaqus/CAE to

5–2

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 USING THE SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

control the visibility of part instances (for more information, see “Controlling instance visibility,”
Section 76.14 of the Abaqus/CAE User’s Guide).
Features (such as loads and sets) and geometric modifications that you created in Abaqus/CAE are
updated to account for the changes to the SOLIDWORKS parts. Abaqus/CAE will be unable to
regenerate some features if the topology of the part has changed significantly.
10. From the Abaqus/CAE main menu bar, select Tools→CAD Interfaces→SOLIDWORKS to show
the port number that is being used or to disable the connection with SOLIDWORKS. For more
information, see “Creating a CAD connection,” Section 60.1 of the Abaqus/CAE User’s Guide.

5.2 Using manual associative import

Follow the instructions below to import an assembly from SOLIDWORKS to Abaqus/CAE using manual
associative import.
1. Start SOLIDWORKS, and load the model to be exported.
Abaqus appears in the SOLIDWORKS main menu bar. If Abaqus does not appear in the main
menu bar, refer to Chapter 4, “Installing the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in.”
2. If the model includes any new or modified parts, save the SOLIDWORKS model. Current
SOLIDWORKS part (.SLDPRT) files must exist for each part in the assembly before using the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.
3. Select Abaqus→Export to Abaqus/CAE from the SOLIDWORKS main menu.
The Export to Abaqus/CAE options appear in the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager.
4. In the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager, specify the following information:
a. Toggle off Open in Abaqus/CAE (see Figure 5–2).

Figure 5–2 Use manual associative import to save an assembly file.

5–3

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
USING THE SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

b. In the Working Directory field, specify a path and file name to which the assembly file will
be saved.
c. By default, the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface automatically saves the current
version of the SOLIDWORKS model before it creates the assembly file. To prevent the
SOLIDWORKS files from being saved automatically, toggle off Autosave files before
export. If you toggle off this option, you must manually save the SOLIDWORKS model
before creating the assembly file.
5. Click the green check mark in the SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager.
SOLIDWORKS saves the assembly (.eaf) file and any necessary part files in ACIS (.sat)
format. You can now end your SOLIDWORKS session.
6. If necessary, copy the assembly file and all of the ACIS part files to the computer where you will
be running Abaqus/CAE.
7. Start Abaqus/CAE, and select File→Import→Assembly from the main menu bar.
The Import Assembly dialog box appears.
8. From the File Filter menu at the bottom of the Import Assembly dialog box, select Assembly
File (*.eaf*).
9. Select the assembly file that was written in Step 5, and click OK.
10. From the Import Assembly from EAF File dialog box that appears, select the assembly or
individual part instances to import, and click OK.
The selected part instances appear in the current Abaqus/CAE viewport. You can use the parts and
the assembly in an Abaqus/CAE analysis; for example, you can apply sections to the parts, and you
can apply loads and boundary conditions to the assembly.
For more information about importing assembly files, see “Importing an assembly from an assembly
file,” Section 10.7.14 of the Abaqus/CAE User’s Guide.
11. If you modify the model in SOLIDWORKS, use the following steps to propagate the changes to
the model in Abaqus/CAE:
a. Repeat Steps 1–5 to create an updated assembly file. The name of the assembly file can change
between imports; however, the names of the parts and components in the SOLIDWORKS
model must remain the same.
b. If necessary, copy the assembly file and any ACIS part files that have been modified since the
last import to the computer where you are running Abaqus/CAE.
c. Open the existing model in the current viewport of Abaqus/CAE.
d. Import the updated assembly file using the procedure in Steps 7–10.
Abaqus/CAE imports only the modified parts. Any changes that you made to the position
of components in the SOLIDWORKS assembly will also be imported to Abaqus/CAE.
Any components that you suppressed or unsuppressed in SOLIDWORKS are suppressed or

5–4

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 USING THE SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface

resumed similarly in Abaqus/CAE. If you hid a component in SOLIDWORKS, the visibility

of that part instance in Abaqus/CAE is turned off; use the Assembly Display Options in
Abaqus/CAE to control the visibility of part instances (for more information, see “Controlling
instance visibility,” Section 76.14 of the Abaqus/CAE User’s Guide).
Features (such as loads and sets) and geometric modifications that you created in Abaqus/CAE
are updated to account for the changes to the SOLIDWORKS parts. Abaqus/CAE will be
unable to regenerate some features if the topology of the part has changed significantly.

5–5

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface SCRIPTING INTERFACE

6. SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface scripting interface

You can use the scripting interface for the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface to iterate on the design of
your model. For example, you can attempt to minimize the weight of your design by running a script that
decreases the thickness of a region until Abaqus calculates that a maximum stress level is reached. The
scripting interface for the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface utilizes the SOLIDWORKS VBA macro
scripting interface to update the SOLIDWORKS model in Abaqus/CAE and to save SOLIDWORKS
parts in assembly (.eaf) file format. The scripting interface provides the following four methods:
SetPortNumber(port)
You use the SetPortNumber method to assign the port that will be used by the CAD Connection
toolset. port is a long integer specifying the port number.

SetWorkingDirectory(directory)
You use the SetWorkingDirectory method to specify where the SOLIDWORKS Associative
Interface saves files (the part geometry files) during the import. directory is a string specifying the
path to the working directory.

SetAutoSave(save)
You use the SetAutoSave method to automatically save the current version of the
SOLIDWORKS model in assembly (.eaf) file format as part of the export process. save
is a long integer specifying whether to save the current version of the SOLIDWORKS model. If
save=0, the model is not saved; if save=1, the model is saved.

ExportToCAE(export)
You use the ExportToCAE method to update the model in Abaqus/CAE. export is a long integer
specifying whether to update the model. If export=0, the model is not updated; if auto=1, the model
is updated.

Before you run a SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface script for the first time, you must do the
following:
1. Start SOLIDWORKS, and select Tools→Macro→Edit from the main menu bar.
2. Open a file containing a script (.swp file).
3. From the main menu bar, select Tools→References.

6–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface SCRIPTING INTERFACE

4. Verify that the following libraries (.tlb file) are registered:

• Visual Basic For Applications
• SOLIDWORKS Extensibility Type Library
• OLE Automation
• SOLIDWORKS version Constant Type Library
• SwAddinTolAnalyst 1.0 Type Library
• Sw2AbqPlugin 1.0 Type Library
• SOLIDWORKS version Commands Type Library
• SOLIDWORKS version Exposed Type Libraries for add-in use
The following example illustrates the four methods that are provided in the SOLIDWORKS
Associative Interface scripting interface. The example updates a SOLIDWORKS part in Abaqus/CAE.

Dim mySAIPlugin As ISw2AbqPlugin

Set mySAIPlugin = swApp.GetAddInObject("Sw2AbqPlugin.Sw2AbqPlugin")
Dim port As Long
port = 45001
mySAIPlugin.SetPortNumber(port)
Dim workDir As String
workDir = "C:\wdir\SAI_TMP\"
mySAIPlugin.SetWorkingDirectory(workDir)
Dim auto As Long
auto = 1
mySAIPlugin.SetAutoSave(auto)
mySAIPlugin.ExportToCAE(auto)

6–2

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 APPENDIX A: WHAT’S NEW?

Appendix A: What’s new?

This guide is intended for use with Release 2.1 of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface add-in. To check
the release number of the add-in you are using, see “Determining the release number of the SOLIDWORKS
Associative Interface add-in,” Section 4.3. The following new capabilities are available with these releases
of the add-in:
Support for SOLIDWORKS 2017
Release 2.1 of the SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface supports SOLIDWORKS 2017 and supports
Abaqus/CAE 2018 or later releases. For more information, see Chapter 2, “System requirements for the
SOLIDWORKS Associative Interface.”

A–1

Abaqus ID:sai
Printed on: Mon August 7 -- 15:46:22 2017
 trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a French “société européenne” (Versailles Commercial Register # B 322 306 440), or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes
©2017 Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE®, the Compass icon, the 3DS logo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, 3D VIA, 3DSWYM, BIOVIA, NETVIBES, IFWE and 3DEXCITE are commercial trademarks or registered
About SIMULIA
Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA applications, including Abaqus, Isight, Tosca, and
Simulation Lifecycle Management, enable users to leverage physics-based simulation
and high-performance computing to explore real-world behavior of products,
nature, and life. As an integral part of Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE®
platform, SIMULIA applications accelerate the process of making highly
informed, mission-critical design and engineering decisions before committing
to costly and time-consuming physical prototypes. www.3ds.com/simulia

or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.

Our 3DEXPERIENCE® platform powers our brand
applications, serving 12 industries, and provides a rich
portfolio of industry solution experiences.
Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE® Company, provides business and people
with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions
transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’
collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world
to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 210,000 customers of all sizes
in all industries in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

Europe/Middle East/Africa Asia-Pacific Americas

Dassault Systèmes Dassault Systèmes K.K. Dassault Systèmes
10, rue Marcel Dassault ThinkPark Tower 175 Wyman Street
CS 40501 2-1-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Waltham, Massachusetts
78946 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex Tokyo 141-6020 02451-1223
France Japan USA