Query: What are the important file types that I should keep in my computer storage

[Tinni1]

Hi,

After we run a CAE file, many files are generated. I am facing a storage problem with my laptop. I know that an external hard disk could be a solution.

I am also aware that: the ODB, FIL, DAT, INP, STA are important file types. that I should keep

Apart from that what are the other file types that I should keep?

Could I delete all the other files to get additional storage space?

It would be great if anyone could provide any directions around this?

Many thanks!

 

[FEA way]

It depends. If you run a lot of simulations for different projects then it might be a good idea to delete the odb files (those are usually among the largest ones) once the project is finished and it’s unlikely that you will need access to the results soon. Restart files can also get quite big and similar rules apply to them.

The log files (msg, dat, sta) are usually small and there’s rarely a need to delete them. Of course, you should always keep the inp files so that you can rerun the analyses.

 

[Tinni1]

Great! Many thanks for this.

 

[NRP99]

You can delete all files except inp file since you can rerun the file once there's requirement of some information. But if you are uploading files in SAP/PLM software to be used later then inp file can be also deleted.

Besides to reduce CAE file storage space, you can compress the CAE file using File=>Compress MDB option.

 

[Tinni1]

Great! Many thanks for the information