New user needs help
 

Hi Everyone,
I am a new user of OpenFOAM and currently stuck at the first test run. I downloaded OpenFOAM-1.6.General.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.General.gtgz from http://www.openfoam.com/download/linux64.php and did the installation following the README online http://www.openfoam.com/docs/README.php. I didn't do Building from Sources (Optional). At the step "Getting Started" , I tried run "blockMesh" but got "bash: blockMesh: command not found".
Anyone can tell me what I am missing and how to fix? Many thanks.

Greetings h0y5840,

OK, according to the files you listed, you didn't unpack the binary files too! Namely OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccDPOpt.gtgz and ( OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccSPOpt.gtgz edit: sorry, this one is optional, you'll need this one ->) ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.gtgz. Therefore, you don't have any applications to run!

Hopefully, you did do what Sebastian said on the other thread, i.e., source the bashrc file, like it is explained in the readme:
Additionally, depending on your installed Linux distribution, you will hit some issues with it, which could require a simple solution or a full rebuild of the OpenFOAM solvers and utilities, as well as the Third Party applications that comes with it! So, if you're unable to get it going, please state the Linux version you're using so we can guide you to a thread that is dedicated to that version. There are already some scripts ready to use for various distributions, such as OpenSUSE and Ubuntu!
Of course you could also search for it yourself, but since it seems you posted so promptly, I suppose you aren't yet very familiar with the forum ;)

Best regards,
Bruno

Yes, I am new with OpenFOAM and this forum:o but will become a fan soon. Any help will be highly appreciated!
I checked the Linux version: 2.6.18-164.11.1.el5 (brewbuilder@norob.fnal.gov) (gcc version 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2-46)) #1 SMP Wed Jan 20 00:57:09 EST 2010
And can you tell me where to find the binary files you mentioned above? I followed the online README and never got the step to unpack OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccDPOpt.gtgz and ( OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccSPOpt.gtgz edit: sorry, this one is optional, you'll need this one ->) ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.gtgz.

Many thanks,

HY

You really should improve your reading. http://www.openfoam.com/download/linux32.php
Look out for "Download files". Take all but the optional one and unpack.

It's all in the README.

Sorry, Sega. I should have been more careful to read the context :o.
Now I have downloaded OpenFOAM-1.6.linuxGccDPOpt.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.linuxGcc.gtgz and unpacked them too. I actually deleted the previous directories and went through the whole installation steps with the four downloaded files following README. However, when I do "blockMesh" it is still "bash: blockMesh: command not found".

One thing I was not sure if I did right because the README is not clear when it says "Create a project directory within the $HOME/OpenFOAM directory named $LOGNAME-1.6 (e.g. ‘chris-1.6’ for user chris and OpenFOAM version 1.6) and create a directory named run within it, e.g. by typing: mkdir -p $FOAM_RUN/run".

I did "mkdir LOGNAME-1.6" in $HOME/OpenFOAM directory and did "mkdir -p $FOAM_RUN/run" in $HOME/OpenFOAM/LOGNAME-1.6". I assumed "it" in above context is LOGNAME-1.6. Am I correct? If yes, why I am still getting "bash: blockMesh: command not found"?

Thank you very much for your patience and guidance.

HY

Hello again h0y5840,

Uhm, the names of the files already had the links straight to the files at sourceforge, because I copied them directly from the www.openfoam.com web site, from the third link you provided:
Additionally, from what you've listed, I'm unable to guess what specific architecture you're Red Hat is built for:Namely, if it's i386/486/686 (32bit) or x86_64 (64bit).

So, I'll try to explain both solutions. There are 2 architectures of OpenFOAM: 32 and 64 bit. Now, the packages that state:

• linuxGcc are for 32bit, from here: http://www.openfoam.com/download/linux32.php
• linux64Gcc are for 64bit, from here: http://www.openfoam.com/download/linux64.php

Now, after unpacking the OpenFOAM and ThirdParty sources (General packages) and the desired architecture (linuxGcc or linux64Gcc, also for OpenFOAM and ThirdParty), the steps are very similar between both, as you've already done... except an additional tweak for the 32bit is required, namely:

1. you must edit the file ~/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/etc/bashrc with your favorite text editor
2. Search for the line (around 96) that says
   Code:

   ---

   : ${WM_ARCH_OPTION:=64}; export WM_ARCH_OPTION

   ---

   and change 64 to 32.
3. Save and close the file+editor.
4. source once again OpenFOAM's bashrc file
   Code:

   ---

   .  $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/etc/bashrc

   ---

   If you've already added this command line to the ~/.bashrc file, then you're good to go :)

If (this happened to me) sourcing the bashrc file doesn't do the trick, just start a new terminal, which will "boot" OpenFOAM's environment properly :)

The Red Hat version you have seems a little bit old to me, so OpenFOAM and/or Paraview might not work 100% as intended. Well, Paraview is the one most likely not to work ;)

Ah, the trick to know if blockMesh does actually exist, to the eyes of bash, type in the terminal:And don't forget the Linux is case sensitive ;) blockMesh is Not the same as blockmesh :D

Now, IF the "which" command lists the path to blockMesh, but blockMesh still won't run, then it is likely your Linux installation is missing some libraries... and will likely mean the near absolute need to rebuild OpenFOAM.

If blockMesh runs well and icoFoam too, but paraFoam croaks with a then you'll need (at the very least) to build Qt 4.3.5. OpenFOAM's web site has instructions on how to do that here: http://www.openfoam.com/docs/README.php#Qt and http://www.openfoam.com/docs/README.php#x3-20000
Download the Qt package they refer in the first link to and unpack it inside the ThirdParty folder. Then run:Bah, I'll make your life simple ;) here's the commands:edit:yesterday I forgot about the tar command :( edit2: it's -xjf, not -xzf :(
NOTE: it is implied that the OpenFOAM's bashrc ran successfully.

OOOK... and that should keep you busy for a few hours ;)

Come back if you've got more problems... or even if you got it all to work:cool:

Best regards,
Bruno

Hi Bruno,
Thank you so much for your time and patience. I tried again but it is still not working. I am gonna give you more details about the installation to see if you can diagnose the problem. There seems a long journey to go through to get the system work. My intention is to get blockMesh and icoFoam working first and leave paraFoam for furure struggling.

[QUOTE=wyldckat;251737]
Additionally, from what you've listed, I'm unable to guess what specific architecture you're Red Hat is built for:Namely, if it's i386/486/686 (32bit) or x86_64 (64bit).[QUOTE]

My Red Hat is built for x86_64 (64bit).

[QUOTE=wyldckat;251737]
Now, after unpacking the OpenFOAM and ThirdParty sources (General packages) and the desired architecture (linuxGcc or linux64Gcc, also for OpenFOAM and ThirdParty), the steps are very similar between both, as you've already done...
If (this happened to me) sourcing the bashrc file doesn't do the trick, just start a new terminal, which will "boot" OpenFOAM's environment properly :) [QUOTE=wyldckat;251737]
What I did for the installationwas as follows:
1. unpack OpenFOAM-1.6.General.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.General.gtgz in the directory of $HOME/OpenFOAM, which generated two subdirectories OpenFOAM-1.6 and ThirdParty-1.6.
2. unpack OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccDPOpt.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.gtgz in the directories $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6 and $HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty-1.6 respectively.
3. add . $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/etc/bashrc to the end of $HOME/.bashrc file and do . $HOME/.bashrc
4. do "mkdir LOGNAME-1.6" in the directory $HOME/OpenFOAM/ and do "mkdir -p $FOAM_RUN/run" in the directory $HOME/OpenFOAM/LOGNAME-1.6
5. do "cp -r $WM_PROJECT_DIR/tutorials $FOAM_RUN"
6. do "cd $FOAM_RUN/tutorials/incompressible/icoFoam/cavity"
7. run "blockMesh" and I got "bash: blockMesh: command not found"

[QUOTE=wyldckat;251737]The Red Hat version you have seems a little bit old to me, so OpenFOAM and/or Paraview might not work 100% as intended. Well, Paraview is the one most likely not to work ;)[QUOTE]

This is not good news and I'll talk to the machine adminstrator to see if the version can be updated. Would this be the reason that why blockMesh is not working

[QUOTE=wyldckat;251737] Ah, the trick to know if blockMesh does actually exist, to the eyes of bash, type in the terminal:And don't forget the Linux is case sensitive ;) blockMesh is Not the same as blockmesh :D
[QUOTE]

"which blockMesh" gives "/usr/bin/which: no blockMesh in ($HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty-1.6/openmpi-1.3.3/platforms/linux64GccDPOpt/bin:$HOME/OpenFOAM/huidan-1.6/applications/bin/linux64GccDPOpt:$HOME/OpenFOAM/site/1.6/bin/linux64GccDPOpt:$HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/applications/bin/linux64GccDPOpt:/home/huidan/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/wmake:$HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/bin:/opt/mpich2-1.1-ifort/bin:/opt/tec360_2009/bin:/opt/smartcvs-7.1.1/bin:/opt/matlab/bin:/opt/intel/Compiler/11.0/083/bin/intel64:/usr/local/cuda/bin:/opt/smartcvs-7.1/bin:/usr/lib64/qt-3.3/bin:/usr/kerberos/bin:/usr/local/bin:/bin:/usr/bin:/opt/scitools/bin/pc-linux_elf:$HOME/bin)"

Can I do anything further to dignose the problem? Many Thanks.

HY

Hello again HY,

OK, so far so good. Most of your steps are OK, except for step 2:
You should also unpack these two packages in $HOME/OpenFOAM/, because the packages already have the desired paths already in them, like the General packages had!

Mind you that the Red Hat version you're using only has a downside that it will require more packages to be built, like Qt, and might me missing some libraries! Other than that, it should be OK. Even with a more modern distribution, you'll still need to install applications/packages, depending on how much you need to do with OpenFOAM ;)

Best regards,
Bruno

Hello Bruno, I am little confused by this.
[QUOTE=wyldckat;251845]
OK, so far so good. Most of your steps are OK, except for step 2:

2. unpack OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccDPOpt.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.gtgz in the directories $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6 and $HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty-1.6 respectively.

You should also unpack these two packages in $HOME/OpenFOAM/, because the packages already have the desired paths already in them, like the General packages had![QUOTE]

On the web (http://www.openfoam.com/download/linux64.php), in the paragraph of "Unpack files", it says "Decompress each file with GNU gtar and gzip using the command ”tar xzf <filename>”, beginning with the source files (OpenFOAM-1.6.General.gtgz and ThirdParty.General.gtgz - these source files must be present for OpenFOAM to be operational). The OpenFOAM source and (any) binary files unpack into a $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6 directory. The third-party software unpacks into a $HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty directory." I understood that OpenFOAM-1.6.linux64GccDPOpt.gtgz and ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.gtgz are binary files and they should be unpacked into $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6 directory and $HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty directory respectively.

Can you clarify this?


As a beginner, the current version might be enough :o. Thank you for this comment.

Best,

HY

Put all files into $HOME/OpenFOAM and unpack from there!!!

Like Sebastian said, just unpack the packages at $HOME/OpenFOAM and tar will do the rest for you :)

:):):), guys, you know what? It worked! The "unpack files" instruction on the web is really misleading.

However, it's not done yet. blockMesh and icoFoam both work with massive text outputs but paraFoam give error as " created temporary 'cavity.OpenFOAM'
/home/huidan/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty-1.6/paraview-3.6.1/platforms/linux64Gcc/bin/paraview-real: error while loading shared libraries: libQtAssistantClient.so.4: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory. This error seems exactly the same as what in thread http://www.cfd-online.com/Forums/ope...-paraview.html from ka1184. I see many responses there but ka1184 didn't feedback if he has fixed the problem. Sounds like a version problem. I was wondering if it can be fixed without system update.

Thank you, Bruno and Sega, very much. You are very patient and helpful.

HY

Great!
Remember back in my post #6:
Well... the text that follows that, also answers your recent problem! :cool:

Hi Bruno,
I didn't get an error like
can't find symbol #!"$#"#!%#$%#"$ but something I described in my post #12. Do you think I should still try what you mentioned in post #6?

Thanks,

HY

Short answer: Yes.

Long Answer:

• The "can't find symbol" statement usually occurs when the library is found, but is missing some functions that were expected to exist. This would happen if you installed Red Hat's Qt version, which is probably lower than 4.3.5.
• Since you didn't install Red Hat's Qt version, no Qt libraries were found. That's why you got the "error while loading shared libraries: libQtAssistantClient.so.4: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory."

Therefore, in both cases, you will have to build Qt on your own... by following what I said in post #6! :cool:

Best regards,
Bruno

Very clear! Thanks.
I did what you said. But when I did "tar -xzf qt-x11-opensource-src-4.3.5.tar.bz2 ", an error appeared as "gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors". Is this a simple problem to resolve?

HY

Arg, sorry about that! I've just fixed the post, just in case. The correct command is:
FYI the z is for gzip, the j for bzip2...

Hi, Bruno,
I downloaded and Qmaked the Qt package. But the error message is the same when I run paraFoam as "created temporary 'cavity.OpenFOAM'
$HOME/OpenFOAM/ThirdParty-1.6/paraview-3.6.1/platforms/linux64Gcc/bin/paraview-real: error while loading shared libraries: libQtAssistantClient.so.4: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory".

I then did "Compiling Paraview 3.6.1 and the PV3FoamReader module" and "Compiling Paraview with a local version of Qt" following the instructions on http://www.openfoam.com/docs/README.php.

Now I run paraFoam again in directory $FOAM_RUN/tutorials/incompressible/icoFoam/cavity and got a new error like "created temporary 'cavity.OpenFOAM'
$HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/bin/paraFoam: line 129: paraview: command not found". I did checked the paraFoam file and line 129 is " paraview --data="$caseFile".

Is it easy to be fixed?

Many thanks,

HY

Hi HY,

Uhm, I thought the coders of OpenFOAM had that covered :(
OK, edit the file $HOME/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-1.6/etc/settings.sh and go to the end of the file. Now, just before this (it's near the end):
Add this (before the code above!):
Now source the bashrc file or start a new terminal and try to just run paraview. If it says the same thing as before, edit the file settings.sh again, and change the line:
to
Source the bashrc file again or start a new terminal. Now try running paraview again. I'm giving these two options, because I haven't tested it yet.


Best regards,
Bruno

Just saw your edit about paraview not being there...

OK, without erasing the folders, unpack again the ThirdParty-1.6.linux64Gcc.tgz at $HOME/OpenFOAM.

Now source the bashrc file or start a new terminal and try to just run paraview again. Take into account whether you've already changed lib to lib64 thing and try one or the other!