Usage

This section describes the usage of Paraqus, both with and without Abaqus. The functionality is demonstrated by the examples provided with the code.

Usage with Python alone

The general workflow for the usage of Paraqus always includes the following steps:

Create one or more paraqus.ParaqusModel instances, representing the geometry and data that will be exported to VTK.
Create a writer for the desired file format (paraqus.AsciiWriter or paraqus.BinaryWriter).
Optional: create a paraqus.CollectionWriter to connect VTK files based on multiple paraqus.ParaqusModel instances, e.g. when they represent different time steps for the same model.
Write the VTK files to disk.

Have a look at the pure Python examples (located in the subdirectory examples of Paraqus) to learn how to create a paraqus.ParaqusModel from scratch and how to write a VTK file based on it.

Example	Contents
example_model_creation_01.py	Creating a simple model Exporting the model as a `.vtu` file
example_model_creation_02.py	Adding field data to a model
example_model_creation_03.py	Adding node and element groups to a model
example_model_creation_04.py	Using a `paraqus.CollectionWriter` to group multiple `.vtu` files for different parts of the same model
example_model_creation_05.py	Using a `paraqus.CollectionWriter` to group multiple `.vtu` files for different time steps

Usage with Abaqus

When used to export models from Abaqus, the creation of the paraqus.ParaqusModel instances is handled by the paraqus.abaqus.OdbReader class. Subsequently, the steps described in Usage with Python alone are executed (writer creation and export). The following examples demonstrate how to use Paraqus with Abaqus, and need a working Abaqus installation to run.

In general, the Abaqus input files must be downloaded and an Abaqus analysis must be performed for each example. Detailed instructions can be found in the individual Python files. It is recommended to run the Abaqus analysis for each example, and then look at the output database to get a feel for the model. Only then, you should go through the Python code and try to understand what each line does, being able to reference e.g. part names with the output database.

At the end of each of the Abaqus tutorial descriptions within the example files, an exemplary pipeline for ParaView is described to visualize the results.

Example	Contents
example_abaqus_cylindrical_billet.py	Using an `paraqus.abaqus.OdbReader` to export results from an Abaqus ODB Exporting field outputs Exporting node and element groups
example_abaqus_cylindrical_billet_adaptive.py	Using a `paraqus.CollectionWriter` to combine exports from multiple output databases Specifying time offsets to store correct time values for each result
example_abaqus_aluminum_bending.py	Export of results for shell elements Fields that are not defined at all nodes/elements
example_abaqus_rivet_forming.py	CEL elements Large models, parallel VTK files
example_abaqus_extrusion.py	User materials Exporting large numbers of frames for video animations
run_example_abaqus_extrusion.py	Abaqus Python script to run the simulation for `example_abaqus_extrusion.py`
example_abaqus_extrusion_umat.f	UMAT file required for `run_example_abaqus_extrusion.py`