# SimFlow Integrations Source: https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations Last updated: 2026-10-14 ## Introduction SimFlow has the capability to integrate with various external applications. Some of them are required to run CFD calculations 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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_openfoam_integration) SimFlow requires integration with OpenFOAM as the computational backend for SimFlow 2. [ParaView Integration](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_paraview_integration) ParaView is necessary for the advanced postprocessing of CFD simulations 3. [GMSH Integration (optional)](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_openfoam_type) 7. Click **Add** to confirm ![openfoam integration](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/openfoam-integration.png) ### OpenFOAM Type SimFlow supports the following types of OpenFOAM installation: - [Local](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_local) - [WSL](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_wsl_windows_only) (Windows only) - [Script](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_script_linux_only) (Linux only) - [Docker](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_docker) ### 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 the OpenFOAM folder. **Windows** default path: `C:\Program Files\SimFlow\OpenFOAM-2512` 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/openfoam2512/platforms/linux64GccDPInt32Opt` `/home/john/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-v2512/platforms/linux64GccDPInt32Opt` SimFlow will automatically detect the version of OpenFOAM. Press the **Add** button to complete the integration. ![local openfoam add](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/local-openfoam-add.png) ### 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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/wsl-openfoam-add.png) ### 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/openfoam2512/etc/bashrc` `/home/john/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-v2512/etc/bashrc` ![script openfoam add](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/script-openfoam-add.png) ### 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 2512 is recommended). The chosen version will be downloaded and integrated seamlessly with SimFlow. ![docker openfoam add](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/docker-openfoam-add.png) ### OpenFOAM Details After successfully adding the OpenFOAM version, its details will be displayed in the right panel. ![openfoam info](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/openfoam-info.png) ## 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/john/Downloads/ParaView-5.12/bin/paraview` You might try to find ParaView by typing in the console: `which paraview` ![paraview integration](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/paraview-integration.png) > **Note:** Install ParaView before you start SimFlow for the first time, so it is picked up automatically. If you add ParaView later, assign it to your workspace, as described in [How to assign Integration to Workspace](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_how_to_assign_integration_to_workspace) below. ## 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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/gmsh-integration.png) ## 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. At the first start, SimFlow assigns the ParaView it finds to the default workspace `My Workspace`. ParaView added later is available in SimFlow, but it is not assigned to existing workspaces. To assign it, follow the steps below, or pick ParaView in the dialog that appears when you open a case in that workspace. If SimFlow shows the `ParaView Required` dialog, no ParaView is integrated with SimFlow yet. Add it first, as described in [ParaView Integration](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations#_paraview_integration) above. To assign specific versions of external applications 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](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/images/workspace-integration.png)