The ABAQUS input file contains a complete description of the analysis model. It is the means of communication between the preprocessor (ABAQUS/CAE) and the analysis code (ABAQUS/Explicit). If you are using ABAQUS/CAE, you will not need to edit the input file since everything can be done within ABAQUS/CAE.

The input file contains two sections: the model data, which define the structure, and the history data, which define the loading.

Each section of the input file comprises a number of option blocks, each consisting of a keyword line that may be followed by data lines.

You can perform a datacheck analysis once you have created the input file. Along with descriptions of how ABAQUS/Explicit has interpreted your model, error and warning messages are printed in the data (.dat) and status (.sta) files.

Use ABAQUS/Viewer to verify the model geometry and boundary conditions graphically, using the output database file generated during the datacheck phase.

It is often easiest to check the data file for mistakes in the material definition, section properties, etc. Use *PREPRINT, MODEL=YES, HISTORY=YES to check the model.

To run the analysis after a successful datacheck analysis without repeating the datacheck phase, use the following command: abaqus job=<jobname> continue.

The output database file contains results for graphical postprocessing with ABAQUS/Viewer.

ABAQUS/Viewer allows you to visualize analysis results graphically in a variety of ways.