The parameter update capability allows a bidirectional associative import, in which you modify the dimensions of geometric features in a model that has been imported into Abaqus/CAE, then propagate the new dimensions back to the model files from the original CAD system. This bidirectional import feature is currently available only with the Pro/ENGINEER Associative Interface.
To use the parameter update capability, you must first use Pro/ENGINEER to indicate which model dimensions can be modified within Abaqus/CAE. The modifiable dimensions must be defined in terms of feature-level parameters, which are imported into Abaqus/CAE along with the model. For example, a parameter may be associated with the radius of a hole in the model; modifying the value of that parameter also modifies the radius of the hole. Each parameter name must begin with the string ABQ_ to be imported into Abaqus/CAE. The Pro/ENGINEER Associative Interface uses a special parameters (.par_abq) file to pass parameters from Pro/ENGINEER to Abaqus/CAE. For more information about defining modifiable parameters in an imported Pro/ENGINEER model, refer to the Pro/ENGINEER Associative Interface User's Guide, which is available from the SIMULIA Online Support System (the SIMULIA Online Support System is accessible through the My Support page at www.simulia.com).
You can use the CAD Parameters dialog box in Abaqus/CAE to assign new values to the imported parameters. When you change a parameter value, the associated geometry feature is regenerated both in the Abaqus/CAE model and in the saved Pro/ENGINEER model.
To update geometry parameters in an imported model:
After importing a model from Pro/ENGINEER using the Pro/ENGINEER Associative Interface, open the CAD Parameters dialog box:
In the Part module, select Tools
CAD Parameters.
In the Assembly module, select ToolsCAD InterfacesCAD Parameters.
Click on a parameter name to highlight the portion of the model that is impacted by that parameter in the viewport.
To modify a parameter value, click the appropriate cell in the Value column, and enter a new value.
When you have changed all of the necessary parameter values, do one of the following:
Click Update to regenerate the model in Abaqus/CAE based on the new parameter values. The geometry in the saved Pro/ENGINEER part (.prt) files is updated as well. The original model must not be open in Pro/ENGINEER when you perform the update.
Click mouse button 3, and select Write to File to create an updated parameters file without updating the model geometry. This file can be used to manually update parameters using the Abaqus Scripting Interface. For more information about the parameters file, refer to the Pro/ENGINEER Associative Interface User's Guide.
Click Defaults to reset all of the parameters in the CAD Parameters table to the values in the current Abaqus/CAE model.
