OUTPUT

I/O Options EntryThe OUTPUT command can be used to control the format of results output and the creation of certain results files.

Format

OUTPUT, keyword, frequency, option1, option2, option3

Definitions

Argument Options Description
keyword See below See below
frequency FIRST, LAST, FL, ALL, NONE, N, CONV, CURRENT, or blank
FIRST
Output first iteration only.
LAST
Output last iteration only.
FL
Output first and last iterations.
ALL
Output all iterations.
NONE
No output.
N
Outputs the first and last iterations and every Nth iteration.
If N=5, output occurs at iterations 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and so on, and the final iteration.
CONV
Outputs the first and all subsequent converged iterations during Topology Optimization.
CURRENT
A separate <filename>_cur.h3d file is generated for optimization runs. This file consists of analysis run output for the current optimization iteration. This file is overwritten for each subsequent optimization iteration.
Note: This option only applies to optimization runs with H3D keyword and BYITER option. OptiStruct will error out if CURRENT frequency is used with BYSUB/blank option.
blank
The default listed below for the given keyword.
option See below See below

Standard Result Outputs

If a result OUTPUT not defined, the default result output is both HM and H3D. If any result OUTPUT commands exist, there is no default OUTPUT type.

Keyword Description Default Frequency Affected Files Options Details
HM Output results in HyperMesh binary format. FL *.res <NODMIG, DMIGALL, DMIGSET> Determines whether or not to output results for interior points of external superelements. 16
NODMIG
Recovery is deactivated
DMIGALL
Recovery is activated for all grids/elements
DMIGSET (Default)
Recovery is activated for grids/elements in the SET defined on the corresponding output request.
H3D, HV Output results in Hyper3D format. FL *.h3d <BYSUB, BYITER>
Default = BYSUB
Note: Applicable to optimization runs only.
Determines the way the output files are arranged in an optimization run. 15
<NODMIG, DMIGALL, DMIGSET> Determines whether or not to output results for interior points of external superelements. 16
NODMIG
Recovery is deactivated
DMIGALL
Recovery is activated for all grids/elements
DMIGSET (Default)
Recovery is activated for grids/elements in the SET defined on the corresponding output request.
OP2, OUT2, OUTPUT2 Output analysis results in Nastran output2 format. FL *.op2 <MODEL, NOMODEL>

Default = MODEL

Turns on/off the output of the model data to the file. 11 12
<NODMIG, DMIGALL, DMIGSET> Determines whether or not to output results for interior points of external superelements. 16
NODMIG
Recovery is deactivated
DMIGALL
Recovery is activated for all grids/elements
DMIGSET (Default)
Recovery is activated for grids/elements in the SET defined on the corresponding output request.
NASTRAN, PUNCH, PCH Output analysis results in Nastran punch format. FL *.pch <NODMIG, DMIGALL, DMIGSET> Determines whether or not to output results for interior points of external superelements. 16
NODMIG
Recovery is deactivated
DMIGALL
Recovery is activated for all grids/elements
DMIGSET (Default)
Recovery is activated for grids/elements in the SET defined on the corresponding output request.
OPTI, ASCII, OS Output results in OptiStruct ASCII format. FL *.cstr, *.dens, *.disp, *.force, *.gpf, *.load, *.mpcf, *.spcf, *.strs - -
PATRAN, APATRAN Output analysis results in Patran ASCII format.

(APATRAN uses an alternate file naming convention, with the iteration number after the file extension).

FL *.#.#.#.dis, *.#.#.dis, *.#.#.els, *.#.dis, *.#.els,

*.#.#.dis.#, *.#.dis.#, *.#.els.#, *.dis.#, *.els.#

- -
HDF5 Results are output in the Hierarchical Data Format, Version 5 (.h5 file). 22 FL *.h5 <YES, NO, COMP, NOCOMP>
YES
Activates HDF5 output.
NO (Default)
Deactivates HDF5 output.
COMP
Activates HDF5 output with compression, to reduce the size of the .h5 file.
Note: Enabling compression could lead to a tradeoff in the run time.
NOCOMP
Activates HDF5 output without compression. This is same as OUTPUT, HDF5, YES.
NONE Results are not output in any of the formats listed above. - - - -

Optimization Output

Keyword Description Default Frequency Affected Files Options Details
DESIGN Controls the frequency of output for design results such as DENSITY, SHAPE, and THICKNESS. ALL All files that design results are written to. - CONV is supported as one of the Frequency Options for this output request. CONV is used to output results for the first and all subsequent converged iterations during Topology Optimization.
SHRES Controls the frequency of output of the shape files. L *.sh,*.grid - -
GRID Requests the output of the state file (.grid file) for topography or shape optimization. L *.grid <BASIC , LOCAL, DESIGN>
BASIC (Default)
Grid definitions are output to the .grid file, referencing the basic coordinate system.
LOCAL
Grid definitions are output to the .grid file, referencing local coordinate systems as defined by the CP field on the GRID definitions.
DESIGN
Grid definitions are output to the .grid file, for the design space only.
FSTOSZ Automatic generation of a sizing model after free-sizing optimization. This is applicable to both composite and non-composite (PSHELL) optimization. 18 L *_sizing.fem
  1. Bundles

    Integer > 0

    Default = 4

  2. Method <ADVFREE, ADVMAN, SIMFREE, SIMMAN>

    Default = ADVFREE

  3. Ignore <IGNORE>
 
SZTOSH Automatic generation of a shuffling model after ply-based sizing optimization. L *_shuffling.fem - -
FSTHICK Controls output of free-sizing results to .fsthick file. 13 L *.fsthick <YES, NO>

Default = NO

 
DESVAR Requests the output of updated design variable values. L *.desvar, *.out <FILE, OUT, BOTH, NONE>
FILE (Default)
Updated property design variable values are output to the .desvar file.
OUT
Updated design variable values are output to the .out file.
BOTH
Updated design variable values are output to both the .out file and the .desvar file.
NONE
Updated design variable values are not output.
PROPERTY Requests the output of the updated property definitions.
Note: In the Description and Details columns of the PROPERTY keyword: "Property" stands for "Properties, Materials and Elements".
L *.prop,*.out <ANY, DESIGN, FILE, OUT, BOTH, NONE>
ANY
All properties are output.
DESIGN (Default)
Only designable properties are output.
FILE
Updated property definitions and non-design properties are output to the .prop file.
OUT
Updated property definitions and non-design properties are output to the .out file.
BOTH
Updated property definitions and non-design properties are output to both the .out file and the .prop file.
NONE
Updated property definitions are not output.
HGSENS Sensitivity output presentation for HyperGraph. 4 FL *_sens.#.mvw, *.#.sens <ALL, NOSTRESS, STRESS>

Default = NOSTRESS

 
MSSENS Sensitivity output in Microsoft Excel SYLK format. 4 FL *.#.slk <ALL, NOSTRESS, STRESS>

Default = NOSTRESS

 
ASCSENS Topology and free-sizing sensitivity (response with respect to design element density) output in ASCII format. FL *.#.asens <ALL, NOSTRESS, STRESS>

Default = NOSTRESS

See Comment 4
H3DSENS Sensitivity output in H3D format.19 FL *_dsa.h3d

or

*_dsa.#.h3d

<USER, NOUSER, COMB, BYITER>

Default = NOUSER, BYITER

H3DSENS is not supported for Free-Shape Optimization.
H3DTOPOL Sensitivity output in H3D format for contouring of topology and free-sizing sensitivity. 4 FL *_topol.h3d <ALL, NOSTRESS, STRESS, MASS, N, NOMASS>

Default = NOSTRESS, NOMASS

 
H3DGAUGE Sensitivity output in H3D format for contouring of shell thickness sensitivity. 4 FL *_gauge.h3d <ALL, NOSTRESS, STRESS, MASS, NNOMASS>

Default = NOSTRESS, NOMASS

 
HGHIST Design history output for HyperGraph. 5 - *_hist.mvw, *.hist, *.hgdata Integer ≤ 32

Default = 31

 
DVGRID Output of shape variable definitions to .dvgrid file. 6 - *.dvgrid -  
MSLAGM Lagrange Multiplier output in Microsoft Excel SYLK format. 21 L *.#_lagm.slk -  
BORED Output for bore distortion results in ASCII file format, FL *_d.#.bdst, *_bdst.#.mvw

(# is the iteration number).

- See Comments 26 and 27

Specialized Result Outputs

Keyword Description Default Frequency Affected Files Options Details
ADAMSMNF Output of flexible body to a modal neutral file for MSC.ADAMS. 17 - *.mnf <YES, NO>

Default = YES

-
HGFREQ Frequency Analysis output presentation for HyperGraph. 3 FL *_freq.mvw,

*_s#_a.frf,

*_s#_d.frf,

*_s#_v.frf

- -
HGTRANS Transient Analysis output presentation for HyperGraph. 2 3 28 - *_tran.mvw,

*_s#_a.trn,

*_s#_d.trn,

*_s#_s.trn,

*_s#_v.trn

- -
HGMBD

Multibody Dynamics output presentation for HyperGraph. 2 3

- *_mbd.mvw,

*_s#_a.mbd,

*_s#_d.mbd,

*_s#_v.mbd

- -
HGEFFMASS Effective mass is output as a HyperGraph bar chart via the BAR option (default), or as a HyperGraph XY plot via XY option. - *.mass,

*_mass.mvw

- -
HGMODFAC Modal participation factor output presentation for HyperGraph 3D. 14 FL *_modal.mvw,

*_modal.#.mvw

<REGULAR, NORM>

Default = REGULAR

 
MASSPROP Controls the output of Center of Gravity and Mass Moments of Inertia tables based on properties to .out file. 20 FL *.out - The center of gravity is specified in the basic coordinate system. The Mass Properties are with respect to the center of gravity of the item.
MASSCOMP Controls the output of mass based on HyperMesh components to the .out file. FL *.out - -
MODES Controls the printing of modes to the .out file from normal modes or modal dynamic optimization runs. ALL *.out - The default is ALL, that is modes extracted are printed to the .out file for all optimization iterations.

All frequency options except CONV and CURRENT are applicable to OUTPUT,MODES.

REGCOMPL Controls the output of regional compliance table to .out file.   *.out <YES, NO>

Default = YES

24
KPI Controls the output of Key Performance Indicators to .kpi file (ASCII). FL *.kpi - 24
MATRIX Controls the output of Stiffness, Mass, and Grid-to-DOF mapping matrices to .full.mat and .reduced.mat files (ASCII). - *.reduced.mat,

*.full.mat

Option 1:

<FULL, REDUCED>

No default

Option 2:

<DENSE, SPARSE>

Default = DENSE

Option 3:

<'format'>

Default = Blank
The FULL and REDUCED options control whether the full or reduced stiffness/mass matrices are output to the .full.mat and .reduced.mat ASCII files.

An additional optional control, DENSE and SPARSE allows control over whether to output the fully dense matrices or to only output the sparse matrices (without zeros).

The third option allows you to control the precision and format of the output. The format is defined using the Fortran syntax, which provides the number of entries per line, followed by the precision.
Note: The format should be enclosed in single quotes.
A couple of examples:
  • OUTPUT,MATRIX,FULL,SPARSE,'5f16.5' Implies 5 entries per line with fixed point notation of field width 16 and 5 decimal places.
  • OUTPUT,MATRIX,REDUCED,DENSE,'6e12.3' Implies 6 entries per line with exponent notation of field width 12 and 3 decimal places.
PCOMP Output equivalent PCOMPG from the ply-based modeling (STACK/PCOMPP) input. - *.pcomp - This is supported for analysis and optimization. The Frequency option is not supported for this keyword.

File Output Controls

Keyword Description Default Frequency Affected Files Options Details
TCL Controls output of .tcl files. - *.HM.comp.tcl, *.HM.ent.tcl, *.HM.conn.tcl <YES, NO>

Default = YES

 
OSS Controls output of .oss file. - *.oss <YES, NO>

Default = YES

 
HTML Controls output of .html file. - *.html <YES, NO>

Default = NO

 
SPCD Controls output of the .spcd file. - *_spcd <YES, NO>

Default = see Comment 25

 
STAT Controls output of .stat file. - *.stat <YES, NO>

Default = YES

See Comment 9
MVW Controls output of .mvw file. - *.mvw <YES, NO>

Default = YES

 

Comments

  1. Frequency does not apply for any of the keywords where a dash (-) is given as the default frequency in the keywords table above.
  2. HGTRANS and HGMBD are currently available for analysis only.
  3. HGFREQ, HGTRANS, and HGMBD will only use output requests where a Set ID is specified. For example, if DISPLACEMENT=ALL or DISPLACEMENT(HG)=ALL is given, displacement information will not be present in the presentation, whereas if DISPLACEMENT=1 or DISPLACEMENT(HG)=1 is given, displacement information will be present in the presentation for the constituent nodes of Set 1.
  4. For HGSENS, H3DTOPOL, H3DGAUGE, ASCSENS, or MSSENS options:
    • If NOSTRESS or blank: results are printed, but stress, strain, and force responses are ignored.
    • If ALL or STRESS: results are printed, including stress, strain, and force responses.
    • If MASS: Mass-normalized sensitivities are output to the corresponding H3D file. This is labeled as “Sensitivity (Mass)” in HyperView.
  5. For HGHIST options:
    The integer value given is equal to the sum of the desired options:
    1
    Design variable.
    2
    Objective function and maximum % constraint violation.
    4
    All non-stress responses.
    8
    All DRESP2 responses.
    16
    All DRESP3 responses
    32
    Normalized constraint violation plots. Value 32 outputs the plot for responses divided by their corresponding constraint bounds to the *_hist.mvw file. The response over constraint bound (Y-Axis) versus Response ID (X-Axis) plots are only output for the final optimization iteration. The responses ID’s are not equivalent to the user-defined Response IDs in the model. To identify any response, hover the mouse pointer over red vertical curve in HyperGraph, this will display the user-defined Response Label. The Y-Axis value of 1.0 is displayed as a red horizontal line.
    blank
    All of the above, except 32 are output. So, the default value is 31.

    For example: If design variables and all DRESP2 responses are wanted, you would enter 9.

  6. The DVGRID option creates shape variable definitions for displacement or eigenvector results of Linear Static, Normal Modes, or Linear Buckling Analyses. These shape variable definitions can then be used in subsequent optimizations. This process facilitates the use of "natural" shape functions.
  7. For the keywords HM, H3D, HV, ASCII, OPTI, OS, NASTRAN, PUNCH, OP2, OUT2, OUTPUT2, PATRAN and APATRAN, the information provided by the OUTPUT I/O Option Entry takes precedence over information provided on the older FORMAT and RESULTS I/O Option Entries.
  8. OUTPUT entries are read sequentially; therefore, where multiple OUTPUT entries exist with the same keyword, the last instance is used.
  9. If OUTPUT,STAT,NO is defined, the *.stat file is deleted at the end of the run (as long as the run was successful), but the file always exists during the run.
  10. OUTPUT,DESIGN takes precedence over the information provided on the older DENSRES I/O Options Entry. OUTPUT,DESIGN will write design results, at the frequency defined, to all active output formats (HM, H3D, or OPTI), regardless of the frequency chosen for that output format. By default, HM is the only active output format.
  11. When CMSMETH is used, or when a full multibody dynamics run is performed, the CMS stress modes can be written to OP2 format. This only happens when OUTPUT,OP2 is defined. One file for each is generated. Stresses are written for shells and solids, while forces are written for bars/beams and welds. Each mode is written as a static load case with ID equal to the mode index. This output is compatible with FEMFAT by MAGNA.
  12. The MODEL/NOMODEL option for OUTPUT,OP2 may be overridden by the PARAM, OGEOM Bulk Data Entry.
  13. The FSTHICK keyword generates a file with the .fsthick extension. The file contains Bulk Data Entries for elements (CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CTRIA3, and CTRIA6) contained in free-size design spaces. The element definitions have the optimized thickness defined as nodal thicknesses (Ti) for each element.
  14. The HGMODFAC keyword generates a HyperGraph 3D presentation providing 3D plots of modal participation factors. The plots display the mode number on the x-axis, the frequency (for Frequency Response Analysis) or time (for Transient Analysis) on the y-axis and the modal participation factor on the z-axis.

    The NORM option normalizes the participation factors with respect to 1.

    In HyperGraph 3D, it is possible to define cross-sections to generate 2D plots of either:
    1. Modal participation factor versus frequency or time for a given number.
    2. Modal participation factor versus mode number at a given frequency or time.

    For Frequency Response Analysis, plots are generated for the real part, the imaginary part and the magnitude of the participation factors. Magnitude plot is visible by default, while real and imaginary plots are hidden by default.

  15. The H3D output from optimization runs consists of numerous files. The BYSUB/BYITER option allows switching between two modes of H3D output. There is a no default option (BYSUB/BYITER) for analysis runs.
    • BYSUB (This is the default option for optimization runs) outputs one _des.h3d file for the animation of the optimization history. The frequency of the optimization results in this file is defined by OUTPUT, DESIGN (Default = ALL). In addition, an _si.h3d file for each subcase i is written that contains the history of the analysis results for each subcase. Frequency determines the analysis result output frequency. Optimization results can be written to the subcase files using DENSITY, SHAPE, or THICKNESS output requests.

      (Using OUTPUT, H3D, or BYSUB for analysis runs (without optimization) will output the same files as above (except for the _des.h3d file), however no design results or analysis history will be available within the files).

    • BYITER outputs one .#.h3d file per iteration that contains the optimization and analysis results for all subcases per iteration. Frequency determines at which iteration these files are created. It overwrites the default of OUTPUT, DESIGN unless an actual OUTPUT, DESIGN statement is present. In the case of a shape optimization, the GRID coordinates of the model in the respective iteration are updated to the new shape.

      (Using OUTPUT, H3D, or BYITER for analysis runs (without optimization) will output only one .h3d file since there are no multiple iterations). An additional frequency option CURRENT is available for the BYITER option. Therefore, OUTPUT,H3D,CURRENT,BYITER will output a separate H3D file named <filename>_cur.h3d file which contains analysis run output for the current optimization iteration. This file is overwritten for each subsequent optimization iteration.

  16. Results for interior points of external superelements will be output by default to HM, H3D, PUNCH, and OP2 files.
  17. To output stresses to the .mnf file, the GPSTRESS I/O Options Entry should be specified in addition to OUTPUT, ADAMSMNF. PARAM,GPSLOC can be used to control the output location of stresses for shells (top/bottom/middle).
  18. For FSTOSZ options:
    For Composite Optimization:
    Bundles
    Specifies the number of ply bundles to be generated per fiber orientation.
    Method
    Ply bundle thicknesses are determined based on the method defined.
    ADVFREE
    Advanced algorithm with free thicknesses.
    ADVMAN
    Advanced algorithm with manufacturable thicknesses.
    SIMFREE
    Simple algorithm with free thicknesses.
    SIMMAN
    Simple algorithm with manufacturable thicknesses.

    The advanced algorithm is available for 2, 4 and 8 ply bundles. The thickness distribution is considered when generating the ply bundles, which results in a more accurate representation of the original free-sized thickness profile.

    Ply bundle thickness can also be multiples of the manufacturable ply thickness.

    Ignore: Elements may be ignored in a given ply orientation when their thickness is less than 5% of the maximum thickness. This option is inactive by default.

    For Non-Composite (PSHELL) optimization:
    Bundles
    Specifies the number of PSHELL groups to be generated per PSHELL definition depending on the thickness.
    Method
    Bundle thicknesses are determined based on the method defined.
    ADVFREE
    Advanced algorithm with free thicknesses.
    ADVMAN
    Advanced algorithm with manufacturable thicknesses.
    SIMFREE
    Simple algorithm with free thicknesses.
    SIMMAN
    Simple algorithm with manufacturable thicknesses.
    The advanced algorithm is available for 2, 4 and 8 PSHELL groups (bundles). The thickness distribution is considered when generating the bundles, which results in a more accurate representation of the original free-sized thickness profile.
    Ignore
    Elements may be ignored in a given bundle when their thickness is less than 5% of the maximum thickness.
    This option is inactive by default.
  19. H3DSENS, USER indicates that the user-defined responses should be included in the DSA output. NOUSER indicates that user-defined responses should not be included. In both cases, responses defined through the DSA output request are included in the DSA output. Table 1 lists the sensitivities that are output for each option.
    H3DSENS only matters when DSA is used. DSA is supported only for Frequency Response Analysis currently.
    Table 1.
    Output Sensitivities Requested via the DSA Output Request

    (responses are automatically defined)

    Sensitivities Output from a Complete Optimization Setup

    (User-defined/specified responses via DRESP1, DRESP2, DRESP3)

    OUTPUT, H3DSENS, USER Yes Yes
    OUTPUT, H3DSENS, NOUSER Yes No

    H3DSENS, BYITER (default) indicates that multiple *_dsa.#.h3d files are output for multiple iterations (#). H3DSENS, COMB indicates that a single combined *_dsa.h3d file is output for all iterations.

  20. The values of PARAM,GRDPNT and PARAM,UCORD do not affect the output of Center of Gravity and Mass Moment of Inertia output via OUTPUT,MASSPROP. This output is also supported for a check run, which allows checking the center of gravity and mass moment of inertia output before launching a full run.
  21. Multiple Objective runs, Stress/Strain norm, and BIGOPT optimizer are not currently supported in conjunction with MSLAGM.
  22. The HDF5 output is printed to a .h5 binary results file. For details of the supported analysis types and elements when the .h5 output format is requested, refer to the .h5 file.

    For details about the old HDF5 format (.hdf5), refer to PARAM, HDF5 and .hdf5 file.

  23. The FREQUENCY options (except CURRENT) are supported for TCL file output. FAST option is the default.
  24. KPI output includes maximum value for Displacement, Stress, Strain, and Plastic Strain with respect to the corresponding property. It is supported for linear and nonlinear static analysis only. Stresses and Strains are supported only for shells and solids. This output can also be activated from the corresponding I/O Options Entry ( DISPLACEMENT, etc).
  25. If OUTPUT,SPCD is present in the input file, it is equivalent to OUTPUT,SPCD,YES and the corresponding *.spcd file(s) are output.

    If OUTPUT,SPCD is not in the input file, or if OUTPUT,SPCD,NO is explicitly specified, then the corresponding *.spcd file(s) are not output.

  26. The output of bore distortion results can be turned off using OUTPUT, MVW, NO.
  27. OUTPUT, BORED is not supported with the CURRENT option.
  28. The HGTRANS output request is supported for linear (direct and modal) transient analysis only, in general. Only in case of section force/moment results, it is supported with both linear and nonlinear transient analysis types. The plots are available for magnitude, as well as X, Y and Z components.