To view the results of an optimization in the Visualization module, you must combine the optimization results and analysis results into a single results output database file, as described in “Postprocessing an optimization,” Section 19.5.3. The optimization results and the analysis results are appended to the output database file you specified as the base results.
To combine optimization results:
From the main menu bar, select Optimization
Combineoptimization process name. You can also combine optimization results by selecting the optimization process name in the Optimization Process Manager and clicking Combine.
The Combine Optimization Results dialog box appears.
The Optimization result directory displays the path to the directory in which the output files from the selected optimization process reside. Click 
to change the path.
Choose the output database file that will be used to create the base results. Abaqus/CAE uses the output database file defined in the base results as the source of the combined output database file. During the combination process, Abaqus/CAE appends additional data to the base results output database file.
Choose Initial to create the base results from the output database file generated during the initial optimization design cycle.
Choose Last to create the base results from the output database file generated during the last optimization design cycle. You should not choose Last if you performed a shape optimization.
Choose Original Model to create the base results from the output database file generated by running a separate analysis job of the model prior to the optimization. The optimization process does not run an Abaqus analysis of the original model. Therefore, you must run the analysis manually before you can select the output database file generated by the original model as the base results. (The Abaqus input file for the original model is stored in optimization process name\SAVE.inp\optimization process name_org.inp.)
Choose the output database files that will be combined with the base results output database file and the optimization results. The resulting output database file may be very large, so you should select only the data that you need to view in the Visualization module.
Choose All to combine the base results with the analysis results from all the output database files that were generated by the optimization process.
Choose Last to combine the base results with the analysis results from the output database file from the last design cycle.
Choose Initial and last to combine the base results with the analysis results from the output database files from the initial and last design cycles.
Choose Every n cycles and enter a value for n to combine the base results with the analysis results from the output database files created at periodic intervals starting with the initial design cycle.
Choose Specify to combine the base results with the analysis results from specified output database files; for example, 1,5,7,9.
Select the Models and the Steps from within the models from which data will be combined into the results output database file.
From the list that appears, select the Analysis Field Variables that will be included in the results output database file.
Abaqus/CAE always includes the optimization variables as field variables in the results output database file. The optimization data depend on the type of optimization that was performed:
Click Submit to create the results output database file.
Abaqus/CAE displays the Combine Optimization Results Monitor with the status of the merge operation and a log of output database files that are being merged.
Click Close to close the Combine Optimization Results Monitor.
From the Optimization Process Manager, click Results to view the combined results output database file in the Visualization module.
