Abaqus ODB Version Handling

The application supports Abaqus .odb files up to and including version 2026. By default, if a file is from an earlier version, it is automatically upgraded to the latest supported version (2026) during translation.

Specifying the Abaqus Version

You can override the default upgrade behavior by explicitly specifying the Abaqus version using:

  • The --odb-version=VERSION command-line argument, or

  • The environment variable VCE_ABAQUS_VERSION=VERSION

This ensures that the appropriate ODB libraries for the specified version are used directly, without automatic upgrading.

Example Usage

--odb-version=2019 (Windows or Linux)

or

set VCE_ABAQUS_VERSION=2019

Note

If both are provided, the command-line argument --odb-version takes precedence.

If neither is provided, the application defaults to version 2026.

This flexible version handling ensures compatibility with a wide range of Abaqus ODB files while allowing fine-grained control over the translation process.

A new option --odb-version=AUTO has now been introduced, which is explained at the end of this document.

Usage

1. VMoveCAEBatch

To run VMoveCAEBatch with a specific version:

VMoveCAEBatch.bat odb_filepath.odb cax_filepath.cax --odb-version=2019

This command loads 2019 dependencies and translates the file without upgrading if the file belongs to 2019 version.

2. VMoveCAESubmit

To run VMoveCAESubmit with a specific version:

VMoveCAESubmit.bat argument_filepath.txt --odb-version=2019

This ensures the file(s) inside the argument file are loaded using 2019 libraries (if applicable).

3. VMoveCAE GUI

To launch the VMoveCAE GUI with a specific version:

VMoveCAE.bat input_filepath.odb --odb-version=2019

This opens the GUI and loads the ODB file using version 2019 dependencies (if applicable). If the file requires upgrading, the ODB upgradation window is displayed, where the user can save the file to the desired location.

Automatic Version Detection (AUTO)

Instead of specifying a version number manually, users can provide:

--odb-version=AUTO

In this mode, the application automatically detects the ODB version and loads the correct dependencies.

Batch Mode:

VMoveCAEBatch.bat odb_filepath.odb cax_filepath.cax --odb-version=AUTO

Submit Mode:

VMoveCAESubmit.bat argument_filepath.txt --odb-version=AUTO

GUI Mode:

VMoveCAE.bat input_filepath.odb --odb-version=AUTO

This ensures ODB files are loaded without upgrading, as long as their version is supported.

  • Use --odb-version=VERSION_NUMBER if you already know the ODB version and want to load it directly.

  • Use --odb-version=AUTO to let the application detect and handle ODB versions automatically.

  • If no argument is provided, the application relies on the VCE_ABAQUS_VERSION environment variable. If that is not set, the latest supported version is used.