Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NETGEN VS Gmsh

Compare NETGEN VS Gmsh and see what are their differences

NETGEN logo NETGEN

NETGEN is an automatic 3d tetrahedral mesh generator.

Gmsh logo Gmsh

Gmsh is a 3D finite element grid generator with a build-in CAD engine and post-processor.
Not present
  • Gmsh Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-13

NETGEN features and specs

  • Robust 3D Mesh Generation
    NETGEN offers a powerful capability to generate complex 3D meshes, which is advantageous for users working on intricate engineering and scientific problems.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, NETGEN allows users to access, modify, and distribute the software freely, enabling customization and widespread use without licensing costs.
  • Integration with Finite Element Software
    NETGEN can be integrated with finite element software, such as NGSolve, allowing seamless workflows in the simulation and analysis of physical systems.
  • Automatic Mesh Size Control
    The software includes automatic mesh size control, which simplifies the process of creating meshes that are optimized for specific computational needs.
  • Versatile Input Options
    NETGEN supports various input formats, including STEP and IGES, making it adaptable to a wide range of CAD systems and user requirements.

Possible disadvantages of NETGEN

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For users unfamiliar with mesh generation or finite element analysis, NETGEN may present a steep learning curve, requiring time and effort to fully understand its features.
  • Limited User Interface
    Compared to some commercial meshing tools, NETGEN's user interface may be considered less intuitive or lacking advanced visual editing features.
  • Performance for Extremely Large Models
    Although NETGEN is capable, it might struggle with performance issues when handling extremely large models, potentially affecting efficiency.
  • Community-based Support
    As an open-source project, support primarily comes from the community, which might not always meet the demands for prompt, professional assistance.
  • Specific Features Depend on Community Development
    The availability of certain advanced features can depend on ongoing community development, which may result in uneven implementation or longer wait times for updates.

Gmsh features and specs

  • Versatility
    Gmsh supports a wide range of geometrical shapes and types of elements, making it suitable for various applications across different domains.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, Gmsh is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute, promoting transparency and community contributions.
  • User Community
    Gmsh has an active user community which can provide support, share experiences, and contribute to the softwareโ€™s growth and improvement.
  • Scripting Features
    The software offers powerful scripting capabilities, allowing users to automate and customize their meshing processes effectively.
  • Compatibility
    Gmsh is compatible with numerous file formats and can be integrated into various simulation workflows, enhancing its usability.

Possible disadvantages of Gmsh

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find Gmsh challenging to learn initially due to its extensive features and complex interface.
  • Limited GUI
    While Gmsh has a graphical user interface, it might not be as intuitive or modern as some other commercial meshing tools.
  • Documentation Gaps
    Some users may experience difficulty finding detailed and comprehensive documentation or tutorials on specific advanced features.
  • Performance
    In some cases, Gmsh might not perform as efficiently as other specialized commercial software when handling very large or complex models.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    For certain highly specialized applications, Gmsh might lack some advanced features available in dedicated software packages.

NETGEN videos

NetGen NG2100 Action Camera Unboxing!! #GoWithTheFlow.

More videos:

  • Review - NETGEN NG2100 ACTION CAMERA || UNBOXING ND REVIEWS||
  • Review - NETGEN Morgen 20W NFC Earth-Shaking Powerful Speaker, just WOW!

Gmsh videos

How to export Mesh in GMSH Format with Salome Meca?

More videos:

  • Review - 4-Gmsh et FreeFem++-cs:exmple 3D cube

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NETGEN and Gmsh)
3D
31 31%
69% 69
Technical Computing
42 42%
58% 58
Numerical Computation
41 41%
59% 59
CFD
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Gmsh seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 4 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.

NETGEN mentions (0)

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

Gmsh mentions (4)

  • Having problem with setting up project with external lib
    I'm not sure if this is correct place, since my issue is most likely cmake related rather than c++, but I would like to ask anyway. So I'm trying to set up a project, which is new to me (this was usually done by someone else already). I would like to add the 3rd party library gmsh to the setup, but my CMake seems to incorrectly (or not all) link the lib. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help With Self Study - Computational Physics
    Depending on what you are planning on trying to do. Goma and OpenFOAMare both free to download and use. You can create a mesh with gmsh for free. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking to build a PC for Computational fluid dynamics - Budget around $2000 CAD
    Mostly for work. I need to run some CFD models (OpenFOAM -https://openfoam.org/). But I also need to do pre-processing to create the models. I will use YADE (https://www.yade-dem.org/) and GMSH (http://gmsh.info/) for this. I think that for OpenFOAM it is more important to have good processors but for YADE and GMSH I think that I will also need a decent GPU. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Triangular meshing based on color gradient
    I tried Gmsh with the script from Prof Geuzaine, and it work pretty well. Http://gmsh.info/ Script: Http://geuz.org/photos/cg/cg.geo. Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing NETGEN and Gmsh, you can also consider the following products

TetGen - A Quality Tetrahedral Mesh Generator and a 3D Delaunay Triangulator

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

Altair - Visually Analyze Any Data at the Speed of Business

GiD - GiD is a universal, adaptive and user-friendly pre and postprocessor for numerical simulations in science and engineering.

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

ANSA - Product description of ANSA pre-processor of BETA CAE Systems.