@lois_wang, @zhuhm, @sadiegrace1, @Mark_McKinnon, @apriestman,
You could try using FTK Imager and creating a disk image from the .vmdk file and saving it in another format such as .E01.
The steps to do this are:
Create Disk Image
Under ‘Select Source’ choose ‘Image File’
Browse for your .vmdk file and select it
Click Finish
Under ‘Create Image’ click Add and select the Image type you want to create
Select your Image Destination
Click Finish