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Calculix VS FEATool Multiphysics

Compare Calculix VS FEATool Multiphysics and see what are their differences

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Calculix logo Calculix

Calculix is a free and open-source finite-element analysis application that uses an input format...

FEATool Multiphysics logo FEATool Multiphysics

FEATool Multiphysics is a fully integrated Finite Element FEM CAE simulation toolbox for Matlab.
  • Calculix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-23
  • FEATool Multiphysics Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-30

Calculix features and specs

  • Open Source
    CalculiX is open-source software, meaning it is free to use and can be customized to meet specific user needs. Users can access and modify the source code, promoting transparency and flexibility.
  • Extensive Documentation
    The software comes with comprehensive manuals and user guides, which can be helpful for beginners to apply the software effectively and understand its various features.
  • High Compatibility
    CalculiX is compatible with several operating systems and integrates well with other open-source tools, offering versatility in different computing environments.
  • Robust Solving Capabilities
    It offers powerful finite element analysis (FEA) capabilities, including thermal, static, and dynamic analyses, which can handle complex structural problems efficiently.
  • Active Community Support
    There is an active online community and forums where users can share experiences, seek help, and collaborate on improvements to the software.

Possible disadvantages of Calculix

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For users without a background in finite element analysis or software programming, the learning curve can be quite steep, as the interface is less intuitive compared to commercial FEA tools.
  • Limited Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    CalculiX lacks a full-featured GUI, which may require users to rely on command-line inputs or additional third-party software for pre- and post-processing tasks.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computational resources for large-scale simulations, which might limit usage on less powerful hardware.
  • Limited Marketing and Awareness
    Being open-source, the project lacks the marketing and visibility of commercial counterparts, which may result in less documentation for niche applications or newer updates.
  • Complex Installation Process
    The installation procedure can be complicated, especially for users who are not familiar with compiling software from source, posing a barrier to entry for some potential users.

FEATool Multiphysics features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    FEATool Multiphysics offers an intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface, making it accessible for beginners and non-experts in computational modeling.
  • Multiphysics Capabilities
    The software supports a wide range of physics including fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, and more, allowing for comprehensive multiphysics simulations.
  • MATLAB/Octave Integration
    FEATool can be seamlessly integrated with MATLAB and GNU Octave, offering flexibility for users who are familiar with these environments to customize and extend simulations.
  • Predefined Models and Examples
    It includes a variety of predefined models and tutorial examples, which can help users quickly learn how to set up and solve different types of problems.
  • Mesh Generation and Visualization
    The software offers robust mesh generation and post-processing tools, aiding users in the visualization and analysis of simulation results.

Possible disadvantages of FEATool Multiphysics

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some high-end simulation software, FEATool may lack certain advanced features and functionalities required for highly specialized or complex simulations.
  • Performance Constraints
    The performance of FEATool may not match that of more specialized or expensive simulation tools, particularly for very large-scale or computationally intensive problems.
  • Dependency on MATLAB/Octave
    While integration with MATLAB and Octave is a plus, it also means that users need access to these platforms, which could be a barrier for some.
  • Limited Community Support
    Being a more niche tool, FEATool may not have as large a community or as extensive third-party support and resources as some of the more popular simulation software.

Analysis of FEATool Multiphysics

Overall verdict

  • FEATool Multiphysics is a good choice for users seeking an intuitive and versatile simulation tool, especially those who require a multi-physics platform without deep expertise in numerical analysis. Its flexibility and the wide range of accessible features provide a good balance between simplicity and functionality.

Why this product is good

  • FEATool Multiphysics is well-regarded for its user-friendly interface, which allows engineers and researchers to easily set up, simulate, and visualize physical phenomena without extensive programming knowledge. It supports a wide range of physics including fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, heat transfer, and electrostatics. The integrated design and easy model set-up make it an attractive option for both teaching and practical engineering applications.

Recommended for

  • Educators and students in engineering and physics fields for teaching and coursework.
  • Engineers and researchers who require multi-physics simulations with minimal coding.
  • Professionals looking for a cost-effective alternative to more complex simulation software.

Calculix videos

+ Add

Mecway / Calculix - simple check and review results

More videos:

  • Review - CalculiX - Swivel Tie Down Ring (w plastic)

FEATool Multiphysics videos

+ Add

Fluid-Structure Interaction MATLAB CFD Simulation | FEATool Multiphysics

More videos:

  • Tutorial - MATLAB CFD Simulation Tutorial - Flow Around a Cylinder | FEATool Multiphysics

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Calculix and FEATool Multiphysics)

Calculix

FEATool Multiphysics

Numerical Computation
20 20%
Numerical Computation
80% 80
Technical Computing
21 21%
Technical Computing
79% 79
CFD
33 33%
CFD
67% 67
Simulation Software
0 0%
Simulation Software
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Calculix and FEATool Multiphysics. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Calculix seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Calculix mentions (1)

  • What is the model used for nonlinear material in Freecad?
    Under the hood CalculiX is used for this. It appears the FreeCAD nonlinear material object does use a plastic model from CalculiX. Here are two forum threads I found discussing the matter:. Source: over 4 years ago

FEATool Multiphysics mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FEATool Multiphysics yet. Tracking of FEATool Multiphysics recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Calculix and FEATool Multiphysics, you can also consider the following products

elmer - Elmer is an open-source software package that solves partial differential equations. Combined with its ability to run various equations in parallel, it is an effective tool for running multiphysical simulations. Read more about elmer.

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

COMSOL Multiphysics - COMSOL is the developer of COMSOL Multiphysics software, an interactive environment for modeling and simulating scientific and engineering problems.

CFDTool - An Easy to Use MATLAB Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD Simulation GUI Toolbox

Code_Aster for Windows - Code_Aster is a free software for numerical simulation in structural mechanics.

Simscale CFD - SimScale CFD is a cloud-based leading CAE platform that offers access to CFD, FEA, and thermodynamics simulation capabilities 100% via a standard web browser.

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