Coordinate frames will generate different ABAQUS input, depending on the use of the coordinate frame. Unreferenced coordinate frames will not be translated into ABAQUS.

If a node references a coordinate frame in the Analysis Coordinate Frame field, the nodal degrees-of-freedom will be rotated into that system through the use of the *TRANSFORM option. All vector type loads or boundary conditions must reference the same coordinate frame as the node.

If a coordinate frame is referenced for element property orientation, the appropriate *ORIENTATION option will be created.