Side by side
ARL Topologies vs TopOpt
Both stand on generative design software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Self-hosted
ARL Topologies offers multiple representations and optimization methods for structural analysis, with an extension route through shared libraries. Its build dependencies and command-line workflow are important considerations before adoption.
Visit ARL Topologies Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+4
TopOpt combines interactive tools with educational code and a parallel framework for more demanding work. Check the platform lists and Windows prerequisites before choosing an app.
Visit TopOptThe facts
| ARL Topologies | TopOpt | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Self-hosted | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | topopt.mek.dtu.dk |
| On generative design software | #4 of 20 | #1 of 20 |
ARL Topologies: what it does well
- Supports 2D and 3D density discretization
- Accepts mesh, pixel, and voxel inputs
- Includes four implemented optimization approaches
- Outputs include STL, VTK, GMSH, and Matlab
- Objective functions can be extended through shared libraries
What to know first
- Requires a C++11-compatible compiler and listed libraries
- Runs from the command line using an XML input file
- The implemented objective function is static structural finite element analysis
TopOpt: what it does well
- Interactive 2D and 3D apps are listed
- 99-line MATLAB code targets engineering education
- PETSc framework supports parallel large-scale optimization
- Photonics offering includes five COMSOL models
What to know first
- Windows app downloads require VC++R2012 and VC++R2013
- No price is stated for the interactive apps
- ParaView 4.0 or newer is recommended for visualization
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