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ANSYS Fluent VS FreeCAD

Compare ANSYS Fluent VS FreeCAD and see what are their differences

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ANSYS Fluent logo ANSYS Fluent

ANSYS engineering simulation and 3D design software delivers product modeling solutions with unmatched scalability and a comprehensive multiphysics foundation.

FreeCAD logo FreeCAD

An open-source parametric 3D modeler
  • ANSYS Fluent Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26
  • FreeCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

ANSYS Fluent features and specs

  • Comprehensive Physics Modeling
    ANSYS Fluent offers extensive modeling capabilities encompassing fluid dynamics, heat transfer, turbulence, and various multiphase flows, enabling accurate simulations across a wide range of applications.
  • High Accuracy
    With advanced numerical algorithms, Fluent provides highly accurate results, which are validated across numerous industries and academic studies.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software features a user-friendly graphical interface, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users to set up and analyze simulations.
  • Extensive Post-Processing Tools
    Fluent includes a suite of post-processing tools that allow users to visualize and analyze simulation results in detail through contour plots, vector plots, and animations.
  • Strong Technical Support and Community
    ANSYS offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support, as well as an active user community that can help with troubleshooting and learning.
  • Scalability
    Fluent is highly scalable and can run on a wide range of platforms, from personal workstations to high-performance computing clusters, making it suitable for different project sizes.

Possible disadvantages of ANSYS Fluent

  • Cost
    ANSYS Fluent is a high-end software, often accompanied by significant licensing fees, which may not be affordable for smaller companies or individual users.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the comprehensive features and advanced functionalities of Fluent can result in a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex simulations in Fluent can be computationally demanding, requiring significant processing power and memory, which might necessitate high-performance computing resources.
  • Dependency on Accurate Input
    The accuracy of Fluent simulations is heavily dependent on the quality of input data and initial conditions, which means that inaccurate or insufficient input can lead to unreliable results.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users sometimes report stability issues or crashes during large, complex simulations, which can disrupt workflow and require troubleshooting.

FreeCAD features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeCAD is free to use and its source code is open to the public, allowing for customization and extension by the community.
  • Cross-Platform
    FreeCAD is available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Parametric Modeling
    Users can create models with parameters that can be adjusted on-the-fly, offering a high degree of flexibility and ease of use.
  • Modular Architecture
    FreeCAD's modular design allows users to add or remove functionality through modules and extensions, catering to specific needs.
  • Community Support
    An active community of users and developers offers a wealth of tutorials, documentation, and forums for support.
  • Multi-Domain
    FreeCAD supports a wide range of engineering domains, including architecture, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Possible disadvantages of FreeCAD

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be challenging for new users due to its complex interface and extensive features.
  • Performance Issues
    FreeCAD can be slower in terms of performance, especially when handling large or complex models.
  • Limited Documentation
    While community support is strong, official documentation can sometimes be lacking or incomplete.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users may encounter bugs and stability issues, especially when using less stable versions or experimental features.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Although FreeCAD covers many basics, it may not offer all the advanced features available in commercial CAD software.
  • Not Industry Standard
    FreeCAD might not be accepted as an industry standard in many professional environments, which could limit its use for certain projects.

Analysis of ANSYS Fluent

Overall verdict

  • ANSYS Fluent is highly regarded as a powerful CFD tool and is generally considered a good choice for professionals and organizations seeking detailed and accurate fluid simulation results. Its comprehensive features and strong support infrastructure make it a valuable asset for complex engineering applications.

Why this product is good

  • ANSYS Fluent is considered a leading computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software due to its advanced physics modeling capabilities and high precision in simulating fluid flow, heat transfer, turbulence, and reactions. It is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing for its robust solver and extensive range of features that allow for accurate and reliable simulation outcomes.

Recommended for

  • Aerospace engineers
  • Automotive engineers
  • Energy sector professionals
  • Researchers in fluid dynamics
  • Manufacturing process analysts
  • Anyone needing precise fluid flow simulations

Analysis of FreeCAD

Overall verdict

  • FreeCAD is considered a good choice for users who want a versatile and cost-effective tool for 3D modeling and design, particularly where open-source flexibility and community support are valued. However, it may not be on par with professional, high-end CAD software in terms of specific advanced features and intuitive interface, which could lead to a steeper learning curve for some users.

Why this product is good

  • FreeCAD is a popular open-source parametric 3D modeler that is highly valued for its flexibility and wide range of applications in engineering and product design. Being open-source, it benefits from a community-driven development approach that continually adds new features and improvements. It supports a wide range of file formats and is compatible with many operating systems, enhancing its accessibility. It's particularly appreciated among hobbyists, makers, and those working in engineering fields who need a cost-effective CAD solution.

Recommended for

  • Hobbyists
  • Small business owners
  • Engineering students
  • Freelancers in design and engineering fields
  • Anyone looking for a cost-effective, open-source CAD solution

ANSYS Fluent videos

+ Add

ANSYS Fluent: Overview of the Mapped Interface Technique for CHT Simulations

FreeCAD videos

+ Add

Is FreeCAD any good?

More videos:

  • Review - FreeCAD vs Fusion360 - What is the Best FREE CAD Program?
  • Review - FREECAD review | the best free cad software to download for free ! | mechanical modeling program

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ANSYS Fluent and FreeCAD)

ANSYS Fluent

FreeCAD

Numerical Computation
100 100%
Numerical Computation
0% 0
3D
0 0%
3D
100% 100
Technical Computing
100 100%
Technical Computing
0% 0
Architecture
0 0%
Architecture
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ANSYS Fluent and FreeCAD

ANSYS Fluent Reviews

We have no reviews of ANSYS Fluent yet.
Be the first one to post

FreeCAD Reviews

15 Best Sketchup Alternatives 2022
From the description “FreeCAD” you can decipher that this software is free to use. Hence, you can use it on Windows, Mac, and Linux amongst other operating systems.
Source: rigorousthemes.com
9 Free CAD Software to Download
Although it is open source and free, FreeCAD is on par with other popular CAD programs due to its capability in creating real 3D solids, support for meshes, 2D drafting, right hand coordinate system plus many more features.
Source: www.hongkiat.com
10 Free AutoCAD Alternatives
Its tools and concepts are quite similar to those of AutoCAD. So those who are already familiar with CAD will feel very comfortable using it. The FreeCAD source code can be downloaded, used and transformed as the user wants, because it is free. One of its most striking features is that by having a free source code, FreeCAD users have constantly changing software available...
Source: solidface.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeCAD should be more popular than ANSYS Fluent. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ANSYS Fluent mentions (1)

  • Cannot access the ansys.com website (Access denied)
    I live in Iraq and whenever I try to access "ansys.com", I get the error. Source: over 2 years ago

FreeCAD mentions (2)

  • SOLIDWORKS for Linux
    Important note[0] from author: > With the help of my script, You get a way to install Solidworks on your Linux system. > Certain packages and programs that are required will be set up for You, but it's important to know, that my script only helps You to get the program to run and nothing more! Personally I may recommend try & use SolveSpace[1,2] and FreeCAD[3] — free & open-source 2D/3D... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • STL to Gcode for CNC Router?
    Also FreeCAD has a gcode workbench for full 3D. I've used it a little and would describe it as "usable once you work out the quirks". Https://freecadweb.org/. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ANSYS Fluent and FreeCAD, you can also consider the following products

OpenFOAM - OpenFOAM® - Official home of The Open Source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Toolbox.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

SimScale - SimScale makes high-fidelity engineering simulation truly accessible. From anywhere. At any scale. In the cloud.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

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