Hello,

Quite a while ago I have posted about an open-source mesh generator for CFD. (see http://loerrach.engits.de/cms/index.php?id=4)

We have now created a CVS repository, as well as a mailing list, on SourceForge. Currently there are only development snapshots available -- no regular release. The software has, however, been applied to real world problems. There has been a re-design of the website; very soon there will be a few examples available to see what the software is capable of doing.

We are fully aware that for now it is not as polished as commercials applications. Still we believe it is useful and we also believe that the degree of automatism as well as the quality of the grids is very well comparable to commercial products.

Please feel encouraged to try it and don't hesitate to ask for help. Yes, at the moment compiling it yourself does require a bit of an effort, but we are willing to improve this for the future. For that to happen, however, we need feedback. If you just want to try it, there is a simple Windows installer available that should work, more or less, out of the box.

Oliver

Hi, Oliver,

Interesting mesh generator. I am wondering if the following are planned:

1. mesh both solid regions and fluid regions at the same time for conjugate heat transfer problem. Since now, OpenFOAM 1.5 support conjugate heat transfer with multiple regions. 2. can read in either step/igs/stl format exported from CAD?

Pei

1. Will most likely be done at some point (not too far)

2. We have a few ideas on how to simplify the CAD import. STL will most likely be the format of choice, since it is supported by virtually every 3D software. Support for this will come together with surface meshing. This is THE main development for the coming months. STEP & IGES might come later, but you could always use NETGEN, or something similar to convert IGES/STEP into a surface triangulation which will later on be refined using ENGRID.

If you subscribe to the mailing list, we'll send you updates when STL and surface meshing becomes usable.

Oliver

Thanks Oliver!

Pei