To read ODB files from Abaqus, Fem Builder uses the Abaqus ODB libraries.  These libraries are distributed with a standard installation of Abaqus.  However, these libraries change from time to time and vary based on the Abaqus version and distribution.  Abaqus developers try to keep the ODB file readers backwards compatible, but this cannot always be achieved.  For example, Abaqus version 6.14-1 can be used for ODB files from versions 6.13 and 6.12 as well.  However, Abaqus version R2017+ is not compatible with earlier versions.  If the version is not backwards compatible, an error box in FEM Builder will ask you to update the ODB file to the compatible version using Abaqus. 


For FEM Builder to read an ODB file two conditions must be met:

  1. The path to the version of choice of Abaqus' bin directory is in the FEMEXTERNAL environment variable. (ex. C:\Apps\abaqus\6.14-1\code\bin)
  2. The path to the FEM Builder DLL directory is in the PATH environment variable. (ex. C:\Program Files\NGC\FemBuilder 5\DLL)


There may be multiple bin directories in the Abaqus installation.  The correct bin directory should contain the library "ABQSMAOdbApi.dll."  The version of Abaqus used to open the ODB file will be determined from the first bin directory pointed to by the FEMEXTERNAL environment variable.


The bin directory in a standard Abaqus installation should be found here:

Abaqus VersionPath
6.*C:\Apps\abaqus\(abaqus version)\code\bin
R2017C:\Apps\abaqus\R2017\win_b64\code\bin
R2018 C:\Apps\abaqus\R2018\CAE\win_b64\code\bin
R2019C:\Apps\ABAQUS\R2019\CAE\win_b64\code\bin
R2020C:\SIMULIA\EstProducts\2020\win_b64\code\bin
2024C:\SIMULIA\EstProducts\2024\win_b64\code\bin


The Abaqus dll's must be pointed to in the FEMEXTERNAL environment variable.  You can update this environment variable by:

  1. Right clicking This PC->Properties->Advanced system settings (on the right side of the page)->Environment variables.
  2. If the FEMEXTERNAL environment variable does not exist, click the New... button in the bottom of the dialog and create the environment variable.
  3. If the FEMEXTERNAL environment variable already exists, click on it in the bottom scroll section and press Edit... to change the path to the Abaqus bin folder.


Known Issues:

ABAQUS version R2017 has additional dependencies that sometimes do not get loaded correctly.  One common issue is that it cannot find the MSMPI dll for multithreading.  This usually leads to one of three issues:

  • Abaqus ODB DLL has a complete crash.
  • Error Message: "Unable to load ABAQUSODBInterface DLL, the target DLL was identified, but the required DLLs of the DLL cannot be found!" 
  • Error Message: "Error <File> is from a more recent release of Abaqus.  The current Abaqus installation must be upgraded before this output database can be opened."

To fix this issue, copy the "msmpi.dll" file from the version R2017 bin\SMAExternal (C:\Apps\abaqus\R2017\win_b64\code\bin\SMAExternal) and paste it to the version R2017 bin directory (C:\Apps\abaqus\R2017\win_b64\code\bin).