Pointwise vs Gmsh

Struggling to choose between Pointwise and Gmsh? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Pointwise is a Development solution with tags like meshing, computational-fluid-dynamics, cad, automation.

It boasts features such as Hybrid meshing with structured and unstructured grids, Robust geometry and CAD import tools, Scripting and automation capabilities, Advanced boundary layer meshing, High order meshing for accurate CFD solutions, Parallel processing and distributed meshing, Glyph scripting language for process automation, Connectors to popular CFD solvers and pros including Very flexible and customizable meshing workflow, Powerful scripting for automation, High quality mesh generation capabilities, Integrates well with complex CAD geometries, Excellent technical support.

On the other hand, Gmsh is a Development product tagged with mesh-generator, finite-element-analysis, cad-engine, structural-mechanics, fluid-dynamics, electromagnetism, heat-transfer.

Its standout features include Built-in CAD engine to model geometries, Automatic mesh generation from geometries, Support for tetrahedral and hexahedral mesh elements, Mesh optimization algorithms, Post-processing and visualization capabilities, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Cross-platform availability, Scriptable using Python, Can handle complex geometries, Large user and developer community.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Pointwise

Pointwise

Pointwise is computer-aided design software used for computational fluid dynamics meshing. It allows users to generate high-quality meshes for complex CAD geometries. Pointwise is known for its flexibility and scripting capabilities to automate meshing workflows.

Categories:
meshing computational-fluid-dynamics cad automation

Pointwise Features

  1. Hybrid meshing with structured and unstructured grids
  2. Robust geometry and CAD import tools
  3. Scripting and automation capabilities
  4. Advanced boundary layer meshing
  5. High order meshing for accurate CFD solutions
  6. Parallel processing and distributed meshing
  7. Glyph scripting language for process automation
  8. Connectors to popular CFD solvers

Pricing

  • Subscription-Based
  • Custom Pricing

Pros

Very flexible and customizable meshing workflow

Powerful scripting for automation

High quality mesh generation capabilities

Integrates well with complex CAD geometries

Excellent technical support

Cons

Steep learning curve

Expensive licensing model

Does not have integrated CFD solver


Gmsh

Gmsh

Gmsh is an open source 3D finite element mesh generator with a built-in CAD engine and post-processor. It can generate meshes suitable for finite element analysis in fields like structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetism and heat transfer.

Categories:
mesh-generator finite-element-analysis cad-engine structural-mechanics fluid-dynamics electromagnetism heat-transfer

Gmsh Features

  1. Built-in CAD engine to model geometries
  2. Automatic mesh generation from geometries
  3. Support for tetrahedral and hexahedral mesh elements
  4. Mesh optimization algorithms
  5. Post-processing and visualization capabilities

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Cross-platform availability

Scriptable using Python

Can handle complex geometries

Large user and developer community

Cons

Steep learning curve

Limited documentation and tutorials

Not very user friendly

Exporting results can be challenging