FEST-3D vs The Physics Aviary
FEST-3D
fest3d.github.ioThe Physics Aviary
thephysicsaviary.comSide by side
| Figure | FEST-3D | The Physics Aviary |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.6 (#11) | 8.0 (#31) |
| Assessment tools | No | Yes |
| Delivery mode | desktop | web |
| Lesson library | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume solver for Navier–Stokes equations on structured grids, developed for aerodynamic flow problems. | The Physics Aviary provides programs to help physics students master big ideas in physics. |
| Support | The homepage lists [email protected] as the project contact email. | The maker invites questions by email at [email protected]. |
| 3D visuals | Yes | Yes |
Plans
In their own words
FEST-3D
FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume computational fluid dynamics solver for Navier–Stokes flow problems on structured grids, developed for aerodynamics. It handles incompressible and compressible flows, including inviscid, laminar, transitional and turbulent cases. Users can select among flux schemes, reconstruction methods, time-integration options, turbulence models and transition models. MPI distributes computations across processors on one or more machines. The solver is free and open source under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, with source available from GitHub. Its installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS and macOS, while manual installation instructions cover Linux. Building requires a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake and Make. Tutorials in a separate repository address verification cases such as a smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil. FEST-3D writes VTK or Tecplot output for separate visualization tools. Grid generation and post-processing are outside the solver, and the project notes its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.
The Physics Aviary
The Physics Aviary has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.