Free/OpenSource geometry preparation software
 

Hi all;
I'm looking for a free geometry preparation software. I currently use OpenFoam and Paraview. The problem is the geometry preparation for the meshing process. I currently use 3-Matic and I'd like to find a free valid alternative.

What I need this software for is:
- fill holes in the geometry (especially if it comes from a scan);
- fix surface (it's quite general, I know…);
- separates regions to different files;
- fix/fill possible blow up points.

I was thinking about Meshlab, Blender or Sketch Up.

What do you think?


Thank you!

Unfortunately a decent one doesn't really exist. I searched for ages before we finally bit the bullet on a license of Rapidform XOS, which is similar to 3Matic. I work with laser scan data as well, so the cost was a little easier to swallow. I am really shocked at how hard it is to simply assign triangles to STL solids using free tools. I had considered writing up a tool myself, but I never got around to it. It is such a simple thing to be so difficult.

Of the three tools you listed, only Meshlab and Blender would be helpful, but the process of assigning triangles to groups is not going to be anywhere near as easy as it is with 3Matic. There is also Salome, but that whole system is so convoluted and unintuitive that I could never wrap my head around it.

Bottom line, if your time is worth anything and you do a lot of surface prep, then stick with 3Matic or something similar. I think a license of Rapidform XOS runs about $5000, which is significantly cheaper than 3Matic. I only used 3Matic for a 30 day demo, but I think Rapidform is much better.

check out rhinoceros. while it is not free, it remains very cheap (around 200 or 500 usd) and it's pretty powerful and easy.

a 25 saves demo is available on their website.

Thank you!

What about FreeCAD (http://freecad.juergen-riegel.net/Docu/) ?

Xwang

Thank you Xwang, freeCad seems rather nice. Will I be able to do what I'm required?

I don't know if it fit all your needs, but it seems quite complete and if something is not available, maybe can be developed with the pythonAPI which gives access to the primitives.
Xwang

I thought Blender (http://www.blender.org/) was what most folks used with OpenFOAM.

"Used"? Why are you using the past?

"Used" in the active as opposed to past tense. To clarify, "I thought Blender was what most folks are using with OpenFOAM."

Grammar police mollified.

Thank you jchawner.
I'm sorry but I'm not natively speaking english. Do you know whether you can assign names to different regions with blender?

I have never used Blender.