This chapter discusses features related to creating your model, such as node and element definition in Abaqus/Standard, Abaqus/Explicit, and Abaqus/CFD; part and assembly definition in Abaqus/CAE; and importing models to Abaqus/CAE. It provides an overview of the following enhancements:

• “Enhanced import of parts in STEP format,” Section 3.1

• “Enhanced control for creation of geometry from orphan elements,” Section 3.2

• “Model instances in Abaqus/CAE,” Section 3.3

• “Displaying material stacking directions,” Section 3.4

• “Support for modeling crack propagation using the virtual crack closure technique,” Section 3.5

• “Assigning sections to element sets,” Section 3.6