===========================
Header of the Python script
===========================

Before you can access the Abaqus model and output database, you need to import some modules. In most cases, `abaqus`, `abaqusConstants`, and `driverUtils` are required:

.. code-block:: python

    from abaqus import *
    from abaqusConstants import *
    from driverUtils import *

In the module `abaqus`, two important objects are provided, `mdb` and `session`, which represent the Abaqus model database and a object controls the Abaqus options. 

- The `mdb` object is the high-level Abaqus model database. A model database stores models and analysis controls. For more information about the `mdb` object, see :doc:`/mdb Summary <mdb>` or :doc:`/mdb API Reference <../reference/mdb>`.

- The `odb` object is the in-memory representation of an output database (ODB) file. For more information about the `odb` object, see :doc:`/odb Summary <odb>` or :doc:`/odb API Reference <../reference/odb>`.

- The `session` object has no constructor. Abaqus creates the session member when a session is started. For more information about the `session` object, see :doc:`/session Summary <session>` or :doc:`/session API Reference <../reference/session>`.

In the module `abaqusConstants`, all the constant strings used in the Abaqus modeling are provided such as `THREE_D` (which specifies a 3-D model), for more constant strings, please refer to the API reference. 

In the module `driverUtils`, an important function `executeOnCaeStartup` is implemented, this function will be execute each time we open the Abaqus, so we need to call this function in our Python script. 

.. code-block:: python

    executeOnCaeStartup()

Other modules like `field`, `material`, `mesh` can be imported whenever required.