Abaqus/CAE stores virtual topology as features of the corresponding part or assembly. As a result, you can use the Model Tree to rename, suppress, resume, and delete virtual topology features. You cannot edit a virtual topology features. You can restore entities that have been ignored or combined using virtual topology. Restoring entities creates more new virtual topology features in the Model Tree—the original virtual topology features are unchanged.

You can create sets and surfaces that contain virtual faces and edges. In addition, if an existing set or surface contains an edge or vertex that you ignored, the edge or vertex is removed from the set or surface. Similarly, if an existing set or surface contains faces or edges that you combined, Abaqus/CAE replaces the original faces and edges with the new combined faces and edges. This is true only if all of the faces and edges that you combined are members of the same set.

Virtual topology is not exported; for example, if you export an assembly containing virtual topology to an ACIS file, Abaqus/CAE removes the virtual topology from the exported model. When you are creating the assembly in the Assembly module, you cannot merge or cut part instances that contain virtual topology.