Ansys CFX vs. FreeCAD

The simulations obtained are very advanced, showing great results in the movement of fluids in the different states of which it is required to obtain an understanding of their movement dynamics. I obtained impressive and illustrative results of the thermodynamic properties that occur in said flow. Ansys CFX is an easy solution for doing multiple different types of analyses.

Incentivized

I see FreeCad as the perfect solution for a startup with limited resources that want to save as much as possible and doesn't mind using non-standard 3D CAD software, i.e., it's not required by customers to use specific software for compatibility. It's perfect for hobbyist use and makers who don't care about brands and pay monthly fees. I see it as very well suited for small businesses that need FEA (finite element analysis) and can't/don't want to pay huge amounts of money for it, just like us. I see FreeCad as less appropriate for big corporations or well-established businesses that need standardized solutions, compatibility with clients or good version management. Don't get me wrong, it can get the job done, but it will be much slower than state-of-the-art CAD systems.

Incentivized

• The GUI of Ansys CFX is pleasing to the eye and at the same time user friendly, making it a lot easier to identify the required fields.
• The numerical scheme is based on Finite Volume Methods. It supports multi-phase flows with no mass transfer.
• In the Ansys CFX, adaptive networking can be used for GGI interfaces and single domains without restricted physics.

Incentivized

• Importing CAD formats
• Converting mesh formats to solid and surface objects geometry
• Fixing errors in geometry cad

Incentivized

• One thing which I think they can do is provide flexibility to the user to modify the stuff inside the black box
• Sometimes the errors can be confusing. The geometry of design and meshing is sometimes troublemaking.

Incentivized

• Overall, the UI feels very old and non-polished.
• There are some quirky behaviors, like being unable to select a plane by having the cursor over it; it has to be over the edges of the plane.
• It's overwhelming having those many modules and options for doing things that appear to be similar.

Incentivized

Usability is awkward. Perhaps if you learn it as your first CAD, it will feel OK. Still, it comes from commercial CAD products like mine (Onshape, Solid Works, Inventor, Solid Edge). You will feel it is less intuitive, with a less polished UI, difficult to customize and, this is a subjective one, less serious. I'd love to see it improve the usability and UI. I believe the engine behind it is powerful, but how you interact with the software is still lacking.

Incentivized

Freecad is used often when receiving files from multiple sources and the need to work with cad in various forms from meshes to solid cad. Often when receiving scans of 3d objects the format is easy to work with and convert to traditional cad later on. There is no other cad that can bridge the gap between all the cad formats that we found yet.

Incentivized

• The interface of Ansys CFX is much neater than Ansys Fluent. I found it much easier to define materials and boundaries in Ansys CFX. Also, this will allow me to get much more accurate results compared to a simples Thermal transient analysis

Incentivized

• It has allowed us to do some cad work that no other systems has allowed us to do and is key to getting that done fast
• It has lots of online support through forums and blogs for trouble shooting
• It could have an updated interface to make the functionality more user friendly for first time users

Incentivized