CFDTool, is based on the FEATool Multiphysics software and simulation platform, and features a simplified user interface that has been specifically designed and developed to make computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and heat transfer simulations both easy and fun!
The toolbox is fully integrated with MATLAB, everything you need to set up, perform, and analyze CFD simulations, including CAD geometry modeling, automatic mesh generation, postprocessing and visualization, as well as built-in support for the OpenFOAM and SU2 CFD solvers.
The intuitive GUI allows you to start modeling right away without spending time learning a complex solver or programming syntax. Non-linear expressions and coefficients can be defined and entered just as written on paper.
Moreover, the unique solver integrations allows you to define your model once, and then use any and all the CFD solvers interchangeably, which can be invaluable for testing and validation.
CFDTool is suitable for everyone from students and beginners learning basic fluid dynamics and/or heat transfer modeling, to researchers and engineers who can save a lot of time from not having to set up solvers and simulation problems by hand.
State of the Art Simulation Technology!
Define your model only once, and then use the leading CFD solvers interchangeably!
OpenFOAM GUI is one of the leading solvers for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, and used in industry by for example VW, BMW, Ford Motor Company, Airbus, Siemens, and General Electric
The Stanford University SU2 Code is a popular academic research CFD solver applicable to a wide range of specialized fluid dynamics problems such as compressible flows and aerodynamic shape optimization
CFDTool features native integration with MATLAB and supports calling user defined m-file scripts, solvers, and custom functions for example for material, boundary, and postprocessing coefficients
Features
| Toolbox ⓘ
FEATool Multiphysics is a fully integrated
simulation toolbox for all types of physics and
engineering problems. Featuring pre-defined physics modes, easy to use graphical user interface (GUI), and built-in interactive tutorials, lets you get started with modeling and simulation right away. CFDTool, is a simplified toolbox with user interface specifically designed to be easy to set up and perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and heat transfer simulations. | CFDTool | FEATool Multiphysics |
|---|---|---|
| 1D, 2D, 3D Simulation ⓘ Modeling and simulation in 1D, 2D, 3D, and axisymmetry (cylindrical coordinate system with optional swirl effects) | ||
| CAD Geometry Modeling ⓘ Built-in CAD tools for 2D and 3D geometry modeling, including geometry import and export in BREP, IGES, OBJ, STEP, and STL CAD exchange formats | ||
| Automatic Mesh Generation ⓘ Automatic unstructured mesh generation and grid import/export is fully supported using either the built-in, or external Gmsh, GiD, Gridgen and Triangle mesh generators | ||
| Postprocessing & Visualization ⓘ
Built-in postprocessing, visualization, and analysis tools
are available as well as data export to MATLAB and CSV,
GMV, VTK formats. In addition, simulation models and results can directly be shared and exported online as ParaView Glance and Plotly html-web models | ||
| Heat Transfer ⓘ Pre-defined physics modes and equations for conjugate heat transfer with support for convective flow and user defined heat source terms | ||
| Mass Transport ⓘ Convection and diffusion mass transport model with optional linear and non-linear reaction terms | ||
| Structural Mechanics ⓘ Pre-defined physics modes for structural mechanics and stress-strain modeling with linear elastic material models | ||
| Fluid Dynamics ⓘ
Incompressible laminar and turbulent flows (Navier-Stokes
equations with optional RANS turbulence models), as well
as the inviscid compressible Euler equations. Equations for flow in porous media are also supported via the Darcy's Law and Brinkman equations | ||
| Electromagnetics ⓘ Physics modes for modeling and simulation of electrostatic and magnetostatic effects | ||
| Multiphysics ⓘ FEATool Multiphysics features several classic partial differential equation (PDE) models, and also supports user-defined PDEs, and editing equations and multiphysics couplings with an easy and intuitive syntax | ||
| MATLAB Solver ⓘ The built-in multiphysics solvers support linear, non-linear, and time-dependent solutions for fully coupled equation systems (as well as eigenvalue/frequency solver where applicable) | ||
| OpenFOAM CFD Solver ⓘ The OpenFOAM solver integration allows OpenFOAM to be used directly from the toolbox GUI. Alternatively, one can also use the toolbox as a CFD-GUI pre/post-processor to automatically create, export and/or import OpenFOAM mesh and case files | ||
| SU2 CFD Solver ⓘ The external SU2 Code CFD solver can also be used for fluid flow problems as an alternative to the built-in and OpenFOAM CFD solvers | ||
| FEniCS FEA Solver ⓘ FEniCS is a general purpose FEA (Finite Element Analysis) solver which allows FEATool Multiphysics simulation problems to be exported and run independently as Python simulation models and scripts. | ||
| Script Modeling ⓘ Every click and step performed in the GUI is logged, can be played back exactly, and has an equivalent 1-to-1 MATLAB function mapping. FEATool Multiphysics can therefore also save and export simulation models as regular MATLAB m-file scripts which is very useful for advanced users to customize, parametrize, and automate their simulations. | ||
| User Defined Equations ⓘ In addition to the pre-defined physics modes, FEATool Multiphysics also features full support for implementing completely user defined equations in order to accommodate all types of custom modeling and continuum mechanics simulations | ||
| Try CFDTool | About FEATool |
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click to expand)What advantages does CFDTool offer compared to other CFD software?
Firstly, CFDTool is one of the easiest to use physics simulation software available, as it has been specifically designed with usability in mind. You can get productive making your own simulations with CFDTool in minutes, without having to work through extensive documentation, courses and tutorials, as often is necessary with other software.
Moreover, CFDTool uniquely offers the capability to interchangeably use multiple physics solvers, such as the built-in multiphysics solver, OpenFOAM, and SU2. You only have to set up and define your model once, and can then seamlessly use all compatible physics solvers to solve the model.
Can your software simulate and model "X"?
The toolboxes and physics solvers are generally designed to be able to solve most systems of coupled partial differential equations (PDE). Some of the more common equations and boundary conditions, such as for heat transfer, fluid flow, linear elasticity etc., have already conveniently been pre-defined (see the list of pre-defined physics modes).
If the problem "X" you wish to model is currently not available among the pre-defined ones, and you know the governing (PDE) equations of your problem, it is generally possible to either modify the existing physics modes or implement your model as a custom equation. How difficult and how much extra work it will require to implement model "X" typically depends on how complex it is and how much it differs from the already available models and equations.
Can you give me an example, model, or tutorial to simulate "X"?
Please understand that, Precise Simulation, as the developer of these toolboxes is fully committed to making it easy for you to use state-of-the-art physics simulation tools. However, being a very small and niche software developer we don't have the resources of bigger firms, and can therefore generally not provide custom examples and tutorials for all types of simulation problems. That said, in general most types of PDE based problems can be simulated with the toolboxes. The currently available learning, example, and modeling resources are the following
If you do not find a model or example similar to what you want to simulate, and want us to create a one for you it would be possible to do as a custom . Alternatively, please feel free to submit a feature request to the user community and discussion forum.Please see the FAQ for more types of frequently asked questions.