Free/OpenSource geometry preparation software

lovecraft22 · June 15, 2011, 16:31

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!

kyle · June 15, 2011, 19:58

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.

sail · June 15, 2011, 22:33

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.

lovecraft22 · June 16, 2011, 01:18

Thank you!

Xwang · June 18, 2011, 06:55

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

Xwang

lovecraft22 · June 18, 2011, 07:26

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

Quote:

- 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.

Xwang · June 18, 2011, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovecraft22

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

jchawner · June 18, 2011, 15:30

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

lovecraft22 · June 18, 2011, 16:52

"Used"? Why are you using the past?

jchawner · June 18, 2011, 16:57

"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.

lovecraft22 · June 18, 2011, 17:03

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?

jchawner · June 18, 2011, 17:29

I have never used Blender.

June 15, 2011, 16:31	Free/OpenSource geometry preparation software	#1
lovecraft22 Senior Member lore Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 460 Rep Power: 18	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!

June 18, 2011, 15:30		#8
jchawner Senior Member John Chawner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas, USA Posts: 275 Rep Power: 18	I thought Blender (http://www.blender.org/) was what most folks used with OpenFOAM. __________________ John Chawner / jrc@pointwise.com / www.pointwise.com Blog: http://blog.pointwise.com/ on Twitter: @jchawner

June 18, 2011, 16:57		#10
jchawner Senior Member John Chawner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas, USA Posts: 275 Rep Power: 18	"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. __________________ John Chawner / jrc@pointwise.com / www.pointwise.com Blog: http://blog.pointwise.com/ on Twitter: @jchawner

June 18, 2011, 17:29		#12
jchawner Senior Member John Chawner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas, USA Posts: 275 Rep Power: 18	I have never used Blender. __________________ John Chawner / jrc@pointwise.com / www.pointwise.com Blog: http://blog.pointwise.com/ on Twitter: @jchawner

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June 15, 2011, 19:58		#2
kyle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 160 Rep Power: 18	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.

June 15, 2011, 22:33		#3
sail Senior Member Vieri Abolaffio Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Always on the move. Posts: 308 Rep Power: 17	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.

June 16, 2011, 01:18		#4
lovecraft22 Senior Member lore Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 460 Rep Power: 18	Thank you!

June 18, 2011, 06:55		#5
Xwang Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 17	What about FreeCAD (http://freecad.juergen-riegel.net/Docu/) ? Xwang

June 18, 2011, 16:52		#9
lovecraft22 Senior Member lore Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 460 Rep Power: 18	"Used"? Why are you using the past?

June 18, 2011, 17:03		#11
lovecraft22 Senior Member lore Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Italy Posts: 460 Rep Power: 18	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?