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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?
z

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.

Copyright 2001 University of Alberta