New to Abaqus - What is the different between scripting (.py) and input files (.inp)

[ebdoep22]

I am new to Abaqus but have experince in Ansys. I would like to use MATLAB to generate some sort of input (.py or .inp) for Abaqus to run. I plan to use MATLAB to change parameters and optimize based on results. What I am getting lost in is I keep seeing stuff about "scripting" which references .py files and python coding and seems to have a different syntax when compared to .inp which seems like basic input files. What is what? Also is there a good reference/glossary of all the .inp commands and their syntax? Is there a good getting started guide? Every tutorial I find is either about the GUI or is three steps ahead of where I currently am.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IceBreakerSours]

Learn introductory python first. Then go through the ABAQUS documentation (scripting reference manual). There are many examples available online as well.

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=376

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1083

 

[ebdoep22]

I have found examples. But most seem to be on python scripting for .py files. The person on the project before me (who is no longer here) wrote .inp files. It seem that the two are not the same or compatible. I can't type the .inp commands into the python script box at the bottom of the CAE.

What is a .inp vs a .py?

 

[burningDiesel]

.inp is the input file, .py is a python script file. A .py file can be used to create a .inp file using abaqus scripting.
This is all pretty basic and explained in the manual. Input file keywords (not commands) can be found in the keyword manual.

 

[IceBreakerSours]

It seems you are beginner. If so, I'd recommend getting comfortable with the basics of FEA first. Then, start playing with INP files. And, only then, if needed, start playing with Python scripting. First two may be carried out in tandem also; there is an excellent tutorial (from Brown, I believe) that does just that.

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=376

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1083

 

[IceBreakerSours]

Sorry, I overlooked the fact that you have experience with ANSYS. I am not familiar with ANSYS but, as sdebock mentioned, .inp is a type of input file (another one being .pes; .cae is another one but it can't be edited in a text editor) that can be imported in to ABAQUS (File=>Import=>Model=>File Filter=*.inp,*.pes) for pre-processing. Python scripting is for automating pre-processing or post-processing; essentially, anything that can be done in CAE (the pre-processor), can be automated with a script. You may open an .rpy file from the folder in which you have an INP file (on which you are currently working in CAE), scroll down to the bottom, and notice the commands; if you observe carefully, you'll notice that whatever you've been doing in CAE is being replicated in this file.

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=376

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1083

 

[ebdoep22]

Thanks that helps. It was just confusing because it seemed like there were two different systems being discussed. It also helped to know to look for a keyword glossary and not a command glossary.

I am sure I will be back with questions, but off to a better start now.