CalculiX is an open source explicit and implicit finite element analysis application. The solver, CCX, was written and is maintained by Guido Dhondt. The pre and post processor, CGX, was written and is maintained by Klaus Wittig.

The source code, Linux builds, documentation, tests and other resources for CalculiX are available for download at http://www.calculix.de/

Convergent has bundled a Windows build of CCX, CGX, documentation, examples and test suite. There have been some changes from the original source, and those modified source files are included. Some scripts and complimentary applications have also been included. CalculiX for Windows is supported on Windows 98, NT, 2000 and XP. Windows Vista is not yet supported.

An extended version of CalculiX for Windows is available with CAD/CAE translation software and a graphical user interface.

Note: The authors of CalculiX acknowledge that naming conventions and input style formats for CalculiX are based on those used by ABAQUS, a proprietary, general purpose finite element code developed and supported by Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc (HKS) (http://www.abaqus.com) and are used with kind permission from HKS. Results obtained from CalculiX are in no way connected to ABAQUS.

While the solver (CCX) and pre/post processor (CGX) are available for download below, there is CAD/CAE translation software, a graphical user interface and a CAD file viewer that are only available with the extended version. These translations include STEP, IGES and BREP translations to STEP, IGES, BREP, VRML, STL and partial translation to FBD. The graphical user interface launches CCX and CGX jobs and has a wizard to guide the user through the various translators. There are also translators between Abaqus, Gmsh and CCX mesh data.

A download of the extended version of CalculiX for Windows is available for purchase for $35 (US). A CD distribution is available for $55 (US), which includes download access.

The purchase of an extended version comes with 30 days of telephone support for installation and downloadable upgrades for six months. All proceeds will be reinvested in CalculiX related development. CalculiX for Windows is supported on Windows 98, NT, 2000 and XP. Windows Vista is not yet supported.

• Screen Shots

  	CAD viewer importing STEP file
  	CAD viewer exporting FBD file
  	Launcher solving beampl.inp
  	Launcher starting CGX and Translate wizard

Download Basic Version:

• CalculiX Installer

  CalculiX_1_7_win_009.zip

  CCX 1.7 and CGX 1.7, build 009

  (7,691 kb)

  This build includes the most recent release of CCX 1.7, CGX 1.7, compiled help file, test cases and CAD translation tools (VDA and ACIS to FBD).

  Posted Apr. 17, 2008.

• Screen Shots

  	beampl.frd displacements
  	lavfm.msh geometry

Installation:

• Uninstall Previous
  You will be asked to uninstall previous versions before upgrading.

• Documentation
  The documentation menu within CGX is now linked to the compiled help file.

• Perl
  Perl is no longer required.

Known Windows Specific Issues:

All feedback, especially bug reports and fixes, are appreciated.

CCX

• No known Windows specific bugs.

CGX

• Vista is not supported yet, but the following work around was provided by Dave Rossi (thanks!)

  1. Go to the program, cgx_1.7.exe, in Windows Explorer (file viewing, not Internet Explorer)

  2. Right click on it and select "properties"

  3. Click on the "Compatibility" page tab

  4. Select "Disable Desktop Composition"

  5. Select "Apply" then "OK"

Relevant links:

• The CalculiX home

• The CalculiX Yahoo! Group is the best place to get support when you cannot find the answer in the documentation

• CalculiX is available on a Sun Grid as a service

• CCX and CGX are free; you can redistribute them and/or modify them under the terms of the GNU General Public License

• Building CCX requires the library SPOOLES 2.2

• Building CCX requires the library ARPACK

• CGX requires, and comes bundled with, GLUT.

• The application used to build the installer is NSIS