ANSYS Files

Introduction

A large number of files are created when you run ANSYS. If you started ANSYS without specifying a jobname, the name of all the files created will be FILE.* where the * represents various extensions described below. If you specified a jobname, say Frame, then the created files will all have the file prefix, Frame again with various extensions:

frame.db

Database file (binary). This file stores the geometry, boundary conditions and any solutions.

frame.dbb

Backup of the database file (binary).

frame.err

Error file (text). Listing of all error and warning messages.

frame.out

Output of all ANSYS operations (text). This is what normally scrolls in the output window during an ANSYS session.

frame.log

Logfile or listing of ANSYS commands (text). Listing of all equivalent ANSYS command line commands used during the current session.

etc...

Depending on the operations carried out, other files may have been written. These files may contain results, etc.

What to save?

When you want to clean up your directory, or move things from the /scratch directory, what files do you need to save?

• If you will always be using the GUI, then you only require the .db file. This file stores the geometry, boundary conditions and any solutions. Once the ANSYS has started, and the jobname has been specified, you need only activate the resume command to proceed from where you last left off (see Saving and Restoring Jobs).
• If you plan on using ANSYS command files, then you need only store your command file and/or the log file. This file contains a complete listing of the ANSYS commands used to get you model to its current point. That file may be rerun as is, or edited and rerun as desired (Command File Creation and Execution).If you plan to use the command mode of operation, starting with an existing log file, rename it first so that it does not get over-written or added to, from another ANSYS run.