Free Fortran for Abaqus: Windows Guide

Visual Studio 2022: Select 'Desktop development with C++' and required components

Why a Fortran Compiler is Needed for Abaqus

Abaqus provides robust built-in capabilities, but many users extend its functionality using user subroutines written in Fortran. These subroutines allow you to define custom material behavior, loads, boundary conditions, and more. To use them, however, you need a compatible Fortran compiler.

Fortunately, a free and compatible solution is now available: the Intel oneAPI HPC Toolkit. In this guide, we’ll walk through the basic steps to install and configure it on a Windows system for use with Abaqus.

If you’re a 4RealSim customer, you can also request:

• A detailed installation guide in PDF

• The equivalent Linux installation instructions

• Direct download links

• One-on-one technical support

Step-by-step installation for Windows

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure:

• The CAA components of Abaqus are installed. These must match your installed solver version, including any hotfixes.

• You have administrator rights on your system.

Step 1 – Install Microsoft Visual Studio 2019

Abaqus requires Visual Studio for compiler integration.

• Go to the Visual Studio 2019 download page.

• Download and launch the installer.

• Choose “Desktop development with C++.”

• Ensure the following components are selected:

  • Windows 10 SDK

  • MSVC build tools (latest)

  • Just-In-Time debugger

  • Complete the installation.

Visual Studio 2019: Make sure required components like MSVC, SDK, and debugger are checked

Step 2 – Install Intel oneAPI Fortran Compiler

• Visit the Intel oneAPI standalone components page.

• Navigate to: Compilers > Intel Fortran Compiler Classic and Intel Fortran Compiler.

• Download and run the installer.

• During installation, ensure it integrates with Visual Studio.

Step 3 – Update Abaqus Environment File

To ensure compatibility, edit the Abaqus environment file:

• Open the file at:C:\SIMULIA\EstProducts\2022\win_b64\SMA\site\win86_64.env

• Locate the line beginning with compile_fortran=[

• Add the flag: /names:lowercase

The updated section should begin like this:

compile_fortran=['ifort', '/names:lowercase', '/c', '/fpp', '/extend-source',

Step 4 – Test the Setup

• Open the Intel oneAPI command prompt for Intel 64, Visual Studio 2019.

• Navigate to a writable directory, for example:cd c:\temp

• Run the Abaqus verification command:abaqus verify -user_std -user_exp

• If the verification fails, check the logs inside the verify folder.

Optional – Automate Compiler Sourcing

To avoid manually opening the Intel command prompt every time:

1.      Locate the appropriate Abaqus launcher file, e.g., abq2021.bat.

2.      Edit it to include sourcing of the compiler environment. Insert the following lines near the top:

@echo offsetlocalset ABA_COMMAND=%~nx0set ABA_COMMAND_FULL=%~f0@call "C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\oneAPI\compiler\latest\env\vars.bat" intel64 vs2019"C:\SIMULIA\EstProducts\2021\win_b64\code\bin\ABQLauncher.exe" %*endlocal

1.      Save the file.

2.      Now you can run Abaqus from a normal Windows Command Prompt without extra setup.

Repeat this process for each version of Abaqus you have installed.

Having Trouble Configuring Fortran With Abaqus on Windows?

If you're a 4RealSim customer and need help during installation or setup, we are happy to assist. Use the contact form or email us at sales@4realsim.com to request support, download links, or the Linux installation guide.