SIMULIA XFlow
SIMULIA XFlow provides particle-based Lattice-Boltzmann technology for high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics simulations involving complex geometries and transient aerodynamics in highly dynamic environments.
FLOW-3D
FLOW-3D is a specialized computational fluid dynamics software providing highly accurate simulations of free-surface flows to help engineers solve complex hydraulic, casting, and additive manufacturing challenges effectively.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | SIMULIA XFlow | FLOW-3D |
|---|---|---|
| Website | dassaultfast.com | flow3d.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2006 | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Madrid, Spain | Santa Fe, USA |
Overview
SIMULIA XFlow
SIMULIA XFlow offers a unique approach to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) by using a particle-based Lattice-Boltzmann method. This allows you to skip the traditional, time-consuming meshing process and move straight into simulating complex moving geometries or multiphase flows. You can accurately predict aerodynamic performance, free-surface flows, and fluid-structure interactions without the numerical instability often found in grid-based solvers.
The platform is designed for engineers in high-stakes industries like aerospace, automotive, and energy where transient effects are critical. You can simulate everything from vehicle water wading and cabin climate control to aircraft landing gear deployment. By reducing the manual effort required for geometry preparation, you can run more design iterations in less time and improve the overall performance of your physical products.
FLOW-3D
FLOW-3D gives you a powerful toolset for modeling complex fluid motion with a specific focus on free-surface flows. You can simulate how liquids interact with solid structures, track bubbles or droplets, and analyze thermal effects in high-precision engineering environments. It uses a unique grid-based approach that simplifies your meshing process while maintaining extreme accuracy for moving boundaries and intricate geometries.
You can apply this technology across diverse fields including civil hydraulics, metal casting, and microfluidics. Whether you are designing a dam spillway or optimizing a laser powder bed fusion process, the software provides the physical insights needed to reduce physical prototyping costs. It is designed for professional engineers and researchers who require high-fidelity results for transient, three-dimensional fluid dynamics problems.
Overview
SIMULIA XFlow Features
- Meshless Solver Eliminate the traditional meshing process entirely to save time when preparing complex geometries for fluid simulation.
- Moving Parts Simulation Simulate complex structural motions with ease as the particle-based approach handles changing boundaries without manual grid updates.
- Adaptive Refinement Save computational resources by automatically increasing simulation resolution only in areas where high-detail fluid flow occurs.
- Multiphase Flow Analyze interactions between different fluids, such as water splashing or fuel tank sloshing, with high numerical stability.
- Thermal Analysis Calculate heat transfer and radiation effects within your fluid domain to optimize cooling systems and thermal management.
- Acoustic Prediction Predict aeroacoustic noise generation directly from your transient simulations to design quieter products and environments.
FLOW-3D Features
- TruVOF Tracking. Track the interface between liquids and gases with industry-leading precision to see exactly how your fluid behaves.
- FAVOR™ Meshing. Define complex geometric shapes within a simple rectangular grid to save hours of manual meshing time while maintaining accuracy.
- Multi-Physics Suite. Combine fluid flow with heat transfer, phase change, and surface tension to simulate realistic environmental and industrial conditions.
- Sediment Transport. Predict how sand and silt will erode or deposit in hydraulic structures to ensure long-term infrastructure stability.
- Fluid-Structure Interaction. Model how your solid parts deform or move in response to fluid pressure to prevent structural failures.
- High-Performance Computing. Run massive simulations across multiple processors to get your results faster and meet tight project deadlines.
Pricing Comparison
SIMULIA XFlow Pricing
FLOW-3D Pricing
Pros & Cons
SIMULIA XFlow
Pros
- Drastically reduces time spent on geometry and mesh preparation
- Excellent stability when simulating highly transient fluid flows
- Handles complex moving geometries better than traditional solvers
- Strong integration with the broader 3DEXPERIENCE simulation ecosystem
Cons
- Requires significant hardware resources for high-resolution particle counts
- Steep learning curve for users coming from grid-based CFD
- High entry cost typical of enterprise engineering software
FLOW-3D
Pros
- Unmatched accuracy for free-surface and splashing liquid simulations
- Faster setup times due to the rectangular meshing approach
- Excellent technical support from highly specialized fluid dynamics experts
- Robust physics models for specialized metal casting processes
Cons
- Significant hardware requirements for high-resolution 3D simulations
- Steep learning curve for users new to CFD
- High entry cost compared to general-purpose simulation tools