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FEST-3D
by FEST-3D
What FEST-3D is
FEST-3D is a free, open-source Fortran 90 finite-volume solver for aerodynamic Navier–Stokes flow problems on structured grids. It handles incompressible and compressible cases, including inviscid, laminar, transitional, and turbulent flows. The modular, multiblock solver offers several flux schemes, reconstruction methods, time-integration options, turbulence models, and transition models. MPI can distribute computations across processors on one or more machines. Source code is available from GitHub, and tutorials are kept in a separate repository included as a source-code submodule. Verification examples cover ramp and smooth-bump flows, a lid-driven cavity, flat-plate flows, and a transonic RAE-2822 airfoil. Installation scripts support Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS, and macOS, with manual Linux installation instructions. Building requires a Fortran compiler, MPI library, CMake, and Make. FEST-3D writes VTK or Tecplot output for separate visualization tools; grid generation and post-processing are outside the solver. The project reports that its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.
Who it suits
FEST-3D suits users working on aerodynamic flow simulation who can build and configure scientific software. Its tutorials provide cases for learning and verification.
What it does well
- Free under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
- Supports incompressible and compressible flow problems.
- MPI distributes computation across processors.
- Provides verification tutorials for several flow cases.
What to know first
- Grid generation must be handled separately.
- Post-processing is outside the solver.
- Building requires a Fortran compiler, MPI, CMake, and Make.
- The halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.
Limits
The solver does not include grid generation or post-processing; both are handled separately. Its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open source | GNU General Public License v3.0 | Free |
As fest3d.github.io lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Download the solver source from GitHub.
- Get the tutorials from the separate repository included as a source-code submodule.
- Use the installation script for Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS or macOS, or follow the Linux manual installation instructions.
- Provide a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake and Make.
- Generate grids separately, then use the solver's VTK or Tecplot output with a visualization tool.
Verdict
FEST-3D provides a broad set of flow models and numerical options for structured-grid aerodynamic simulations. Users need separate tools or code for grid generation and visualization, and should account for the documented MPI limitation.
Questions
How much does FEST-3D cost?
FEST-3D is free and open source under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. The listed plan is free.
Which platforms does FEST-3D support?
The listed platforms are Linux and macOS. Installation instructions cover Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS and macOS, with manual instructions for Linux.
What do I need to build it?
The documented dependencies are a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake and Make.
Does FEST-3D include grid generation or visualization?
Grid generation and post-processing are separate from the solver. FEST-3D writes VTK or Tecplot files for viewing with tools such as VisIt, ParaView or Tecplot.
What tutorials are available?
Verification tutorials cover ramp and smooth-bump flows, a lid-driven cavity, flat-plate flows and a transonic RAE-2822 airfoil.
Who makes FEST-3D?
The maker is FEST-3D, based in Chennai, India. The project describes its team as students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras.
Facts from FEST-3D's own pages
- Assessment tools
- No · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Authoring tools
- Yes · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Data export
- Yes · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Delivery mode
- desktop · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Dependencies
- The documented dependencies include a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake, Make and Python NumPy. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The solver source is available from GitHub, while tutorials are in a separate repository included as a submodule. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Flow models
- The documentation lists SA, SST, SST2003 and k-kL turbulence models, plus Gamma LCTM2015 and SA-BC transition models. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Flow types
- The solver handles incompressible or compressible, and inviscid, laminar, transitional, or turbulent flow problems on structured grids. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Grid generation
- Grid generation is separate from the solver and must be handled independently; the documentation suggests writing a grid-generation program or using software such as Pointwise for complicated geometries. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Grid generation limit
- Grid generation is handled separately from the solver; the documentation suggests writing grid-generation code or using Pointwise for complicated geometries. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Chennai, India · fest3d.github.io, 19 Oct 2026
- Installation platforms
- The installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS, and macOS; manual installation instructions are provided for Linux platforms. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The team describes FEST-3D as an aerodynamic flow solver and provides tutorials for cases including a wedge, smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes its team as students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, and its tutorials are provided for learning and verification. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Known issue
- The project notes that the halt/stop condition does not work with MPI. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Lesson library
- Yes · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Notable limitations
- The homepage reports that the halt/stop condition does not work on MPI and turbulent simulations cannot run on Windows Subsystem for Linux because of outdated OS and libraries. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Numerical methods
- Available options include AUSM-family and SLAU flux schemes, MUSCL, PPM and WENO spatial reconstruction, and explicit and implicit time integration. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Numerical schemes
- It offers multiple inviscid flux, higher-order face reconstruction, time-integration, turbulence, and transition model options. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · fest3d.github.io, 24 Sept 2026
- Open source
- FEST-3D is available under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Parallel computing
- FEST-3D uses MPI to distribute computation across processors on one or more machines. · fest3d.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume solver for Navier–Stokes equations on structured grids, developed for aerodynamic flow problems. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Solver structure
- FEST-3D is a modular, multiblock solver and supports computations distributed across processors using MPI. · fest3d.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
Where FEST-3D stands on Freedom251
- Physics Simulation Software#20 of 89