SimFlow Integrations

Introduction

SimFlow has the capability to integrate with various external applications. Some of them are required to run CFD calculation in SimFlow, like OpenFOAM and ParaView.

SimFlow will automatically integrate required applications if they are installed simultaneously with SimFlow (SimFlow Windows OS installation). A manual integration process is required if external applications are installed separately from SimFlow (e.g., SimFlow Linux OS installation).

SimFlow integrates with the following applications:
  1. OpenFOAM Integration
    SimFlow requires integration with OpenFOAM as the computational backend for SimFlow
  2. ParaView Integration
    ParaView is necessary for the advanced postprocessing of CFD simulation
  3. GMSH Integration (optional)
    GMSH integration is an optional feature that extends SimFlow’s meshing capabilities by adding tetrahedral meshing

Workspace-Integration Assignment

In SimFlow, external applications (integrations) are assigned to specific workspaces. This setup enables users to use multiple versions of these applications conveniently, increasing flexibility. Users can easily manage these integrations directly from the launcher interface and assign different application versions to various workspaces. Read more:
How to assign Integration to Workspace

OpenFOAM Integration

SimFlow utilizes OpenFOAM as its CFD engine, making OpenFOAM integration necessary for performing CFD simulations. Depending on the details of your OpenFOAM installation, SimFlow provides various integration methods, which are presented below.

To integrate OpenFOAM with SimFlow:
  1. Open SimFlow
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Switch tab to Integrations
  4. Select OpenFOAM
  5. Press +
  6. Select Type and provide installation details described in OpenFOAM Type
  7. Click Add to confirm
openfoam integration

OpenFOAM Type

SimFlow supports the following types of OpenFOAM installation:

Local

The Local type can be chosen if OpenFOAM is installed on your local hard drive. To proceed with the integration specify the path to OpenFOAM folder.

Windows default path:
C:\Program Files\SimFlow\OpenFOAM-2212

In the selected path, two folders should be located: bin and lib which contain the OpenFOAM application and the required libraries.

Linux default paths:
/usr/lib/openfoam/openfoam2212/platforms/linux64GccDPInt32Opt
/home/john/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-v2212/platforms/linux64GccDPInt32Opt

SimFlow will automatically detect the version of OpenFOAM.
Press Add button to complete integration.

local openfoam add

WSL (Windows only)

WSL - Windows Subsystem for Linux

The WSL type requires an OpenFOAM installation on your WSL. All operations will be executed synchronously on the local computer using the WSL environment. It is necessary to specify which Linux distribution is being used on WSL.

wsl openfoam add

Script (Linux only)

The Script type enables users to select an installation by choosing an OpenFOAM configuration script file. Typically, users employ a script to initialize OpenFOAM paths and environment variables. Once loaded into the current shell, users gain command-line access to solvers and utilities. SimFlow will utilize the script file in a similar manner, configuring the execution environment just before running OpenFOAM applications.

To enable this option, you need to select the script file, which can be located in:
/usr/lib/openfoam/openfoam2212/etc/bashrc
/home/john/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-v2212/etc/bashrc

script openfoam add

Docker

If Docker is installed on your computer, you can use it to integrate OpenFOAM with SimFlow. To proceed, specify the OpenFOAM version you would like to use (OpenFOAM 2212 is recommended). The chosen version will be downloaded and integrated seamlessly with SimFlow.

docker openfoam add

OpenFOAM Details

After successfully adding the OpenFOAM version, its details will be displayed in the right panel.

openfoam info

ParaView Integration

ParaView is used for advanced postprocessing in CFD simulations. Integrating ParaView with SimFlow enables you to open results seamlessly from SimFlow.

To integrate ParaView with SimFlow:
  1. Open SimFlow
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Switch tab to Integrations
  4. Select ParaView
  5. Press +
  6. Specify the path to the ParaView executable file
  7. Click Add to confirm

Windows default path:
C:\Program Files\SimFlow\ParaView-5.12\bin\paraview.exe

Linux default paths:
/bin/paraview
/home/jhon/Download/ParaView-5.12/bin/paraview
You might try to find ParaView by typing in console:

which paraview

paraview integration

GMSH Integration (optional)

The main SimFlow mesher is already included with the primary program.
GMSH integration is an optional feature that extends SimFlow’s meshing capabilities by adding tetrahedral meshing.

To integrate GMSH with SimFlow
  1. Open SimFlow
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Switch tab to Integrations
  4. Press +
  5. Select GMSH
  6. Specify the path to the GMSH executable file
  7. Click Add to confirm
gmsh integration

How to assign Integration to Workspace

External applications (integrations) are assigned to SimFlow workspaces. All the cases within a specific workspace will share the same integration settings.

To assign specific versions of external application to the workspace, follow the steps:
  1. Open SimFlow
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Go to Workspaces tab
  4. Select the desired workspace from the list
  5. Select Change icon
  6. Select OpenFOAM and ParaView versions from drop-down lists
  7. Confirm using OK button
workspace integration