SimScale Reviews

"Detailed & Easy"

Pros: I am an OpenFOAM user and I like the freedom it gives the user to play with the parameters. SimScale offers the same level of freedom but with an interface that's simple and effortless to handle. Since it is cloud-based there isn't any need to download it and even the free version provides a lot of computing hours.

Cons: I am still exploring the software and have enjoyed every bit of it. I would appreciate if the tutorials emphasize more on the values used while mesh refining as well as Numerics and Simulation Control.

"Simple to use"

Comments: We needed a CFD solution that came with great support for the casual user. We only use it a few times a year, but it gives us great results. This helps us to have confidence our designs will perform as desired.

Pros: For a company that does not have a full time simulation staff person this is perfect. Easy to learn and support is #1.

Cons: Nothing. This software is great. When I get interns and they need to simulate something I just link them up with SimScale. The support people at SimScale are great and help on board my staff.

"SimScale User Experience"

Comments: Excellent product at a reasonable price. With a professional subscription you get privacy for your data and a fixed amount of core hours that can be used for simulations. As you need you can buy more core hours at a very reasonable cost. Also, by controlling the number of cores (using simulation setup) you can manage the consumption of core hours. If you let the software automatically select the number of cores it can get quite expensive in terms of usage of core hours.
Also, tutorials and consultants make all the difference in terms of speed of learning. Customer service provided by the consultants in terms of responsiveness, quality and depth is outstanding. I have never experience better service in my experience of working 25 years in the software development industry.

Pros: EASE OF USE: I used it for compressible flow fluid simulations. It is very easy to setup and run a simulation in SimScale and analyze the output. SimsScale GUI is excellent. You can specify specify forces and moments and/or area averages to monitor statistics across specific faces of objects and also obtain statistics using post processing simulation results using cutting planes and particle traces.
EASE of SETUP: Because all computations are on the cloud you can use any computer with reasonable power to run SimScale using a web browser. Further you can submit many simulation runs which runs in the back ground on the cloud.
SUPPORT AND DOCUMENTATION: SimScale provides excellent library of on-line tutorials that enables you to self learn. They also provide unlimited access to a very competent, patient and helpful team of consultants free of charge to provide assistance with simple and complex issues.
EASE of LEARNING: You don't need to be an expert on Computational Fluid Dynamics to use SimScale. Having a basic understanding of CFD will suffice. I used the books recommended by SimScale to self learn CFD before using SimScale for increasingly complex simulations including Turbine simulations. Although I do have a Civil engineering background with graduate studies in Operations Research I did not have deep expertise in fluid mechanics and CFD before I got started. Between tutorials and assistance of SimScale consultants you can learn very fast.

Cons: SimScale user experience is fundamentally very good. I only have minor issues.
One feature I would really like to see in SimScale is to have the ability to specify surface area averages on a cross section created by an arbitrary cutting plane. Currently you can do that only on specific faces of a imported CAD object. For example inlets, outlets or surfaces. By defining a surface area average you can also see how statistics across that area change as a function of iterations. Currently only way to get this information for non-surfaces is by post processing simulation data using cutting planes. This requires more work and takes time. Also SimScale can be somewhat slow to paint the screens because of large amounts of data involved.
Another area of improvement is to provide more tutorials and documentation as to how to improve the mesh quality. Currently what is available is some what limited.

"Great general purpose CFD for beginners but lacking some features required by advanced users"

Comments: It is a great choice to start tackling CFD, it is quite good in pricing and capabilities for a CFD beginner or even for a medium-experienced one. However, it lacks some developed tools required to manage complex simulations (which require more developed and powerful pre- and postprocessing tools)

Pros: The escalability (so you can launch lots of simulations simoultaneously) and not having to invest in hardware costs

Cons: The features available for postprocessing and meshing, which are very limited. For meshing the main problem is the lack of better tools to manage geometric primitives so you can control the mesh. For postprocessing the problem is having to know what results you need to extract before knowing the solution to your flowfield.

"Good but could be better"

Comments: Pros: easily accessible, relatively ease of use, based on very good solvers, good customer experience and communication. Cons: lack of "pay as you go option", lack of free access to CFD tutorial license option to get proficient in the software to reduce price of use, such payment solution pushes away people who don't have regular customer base yet from SimScale to CalculiX, OpenFOAM, Salome platform. For the price of the training and 1 year access I did OpenFoam training with accommodation in Italy. OpenFOAM itself doesn't cost a bit! I recommend:
- introducing pay as you go option,
-allowing other simulations for free with limited amount of nodes/elements to learn the interface
-reduce the price for training Generally very good idea! Regards,
Arek

"Impressive Experience"

Comments: There is no other engineering interface that combines everything which SimScale has tackled.

Pros: It simplifies many extremely complex engineering disciplines into one interface.

Cons: Slow reactivity to new proven user features (like streamlined project commenting availability).

"Great 3D modeling"

Pros: Easy to use, and great support. Had an issue and support was able to resolve the problem.

Cons: Could be cheaper, but works well and does what it is supposed to do.

"Good software"

Comments: Good

Pros: cloud based
Power
Easy to use
alwaysunder development

Cons: not so cheap
No shell element
no 1d element

"Excellent Product with outstanding support and learning resources!"

Comments: My experience with simscale has been great, the effort that has gone it ensuring a good user experience and workflow is clear and they done a great job. Ease of use far exceeds what i have found with other commerical products that are priced much higher. I especially commened the efforts that have been made in regards to learning resources which has made the transition from other software much easier. There are some area for inprovements such as the import of geometery which can sometime cause issues and the ability to pause simulations would also be extremly useful. Overall i have been very satisfied with the simscale product.

"Great FE tool"

Comments: I tried this product to see if I could model structures for vibration transmission. The support staff were very helpful in trying to assist me with my particular problem but the functionality wasn't quite at my scale.

Pros: The UI was very intuitive and clean looking. It allowed for an easy learning experience while trying out the software.

Cons: It didn't quite meet my expectations for modelling vibration transmission in a large structure.

"An amazing portal for a beginner in CAE"

Comments: Not only was I able to do plenty of studies within the available core hours, I also learned hot the tools actually work, and I also took a leap from my field of expertise (automotive ) to others ( aerospace, architecture) due to the many tutorials in the website.

Pros: The fact that is is extremely user-friendly, and the vast amount of tutorials and documentation to get you started with meshing, simulation , and the essential scientific fundamentals.

Cons: The 16 available processors for a community user are not sufficient for projects that need really fine mesh.

"Simscale is an excellent program for what it does."

Comments: I have been using SimScale for a variety of different tasks here at Tin Whiskers. I have needed static structural analyses, and static thermo analyses. So far, the results I have received have proved satisfactory. A few times, I have made an error in the sim setup, the run threw an error and the sim didn't work. A change I propose is to have the log be a little more helpful it telling you where your error is. Other than this, I really enjoy using the software and look forward to using it in the future.

"really good simulation program"

Comments: SimScale is a very good, easy yo use and useful program to simulate any kind of process or design. The customer support is very effective, they help you with everthing and are quick to answer your questions.

Pros: you can do a lot of simulations of many subjects, it is easy to use and the staff is always willing to help with all the questions you have.

Cons: some simulations take a lot of time.

"Review of Simscale software"

Comments: Overall good experience using the software. The with ease of functionality, resources and simplistic interface contributed to user understanding .

Pros: Ease of functionality, simplistic interface and resources

Cons: At times some of the simulations were unable to run either due to a system update or some error in the system.

"the software is useful to me"

Comments: i am studying biomechanics in the current semester.this software is used to correlate the concepts learned in the subject.really it was awsome

"Overall good end-user experience"

Comments: Very smart and intuitive when it comes to hand for the first time but it also gives to the more experienced user a feel of control.
I highly recommend this to everyone who's looking to raise the bar up for product quality.
Thank you!

"Review about Simscale"

Pros: Ease of use;
Different physical applications;
User friendly

Cons: The post processing was not good. Nowadays, even after an improvement, it's not enough.

"Easy to use"

Comments: Simscale looks very professional

Pros: Simscale is wasu to use. With the help of the tutorials you can simulate your design

Cons: The first start takes some time to understand the program

"Simscale evaluation"

Comments: I compared the software with Ansys, which I used for many years, and it's getting close to provide me the same experience.

Pros: Cloud based, powerfull, easy to link with CAD

Cons: Not covering the dynamic explicit, post processing has been improved but still need improvement, no possibility to restart simulation in dynamic

"Great opensource option"

Comments: Very good, you get enough core time to struggle and tinker with a problem until you get the simulation right.

Pros: I do maybe one or two simulations a year, and it is a great, fast inexpensive relatively easy to use tool

Cons: It is slightly dificult to use, but this can be expected considering how powerful it is

"Excellent platform"

Comments: I have tried several simulations - ranging from solid, fluid, particles etc. The platform is extremely well built and robust. I liked that it was extremely easy to use. The aspect I liked the most was that there is a community version that students and learners could use. In addition, I think the professional version serves best for more advanced users who would use simulations for design in a more pronounced manner and on an everyday basis. The forums are extremely helpful and I am really glad regarding the speed at which one receives replies both from the people working in the company and also other users. In addition, the blogs and help files definitely make it really easy to use the platform. One of the aspects I also liked is the fact that it is based on open-source codes. So it is not a black box. I could go to openFOAM and check out how things work. The codes are all well parallelized that I have never faced any issues. Issues with parallelization are a general problem in this line of work but with SimScale this was really handy. There are definitely some aspects where they can improve:
1. Providing structural elements like shells, beams, and plates. Most of the large aspect ratio structures are very time consuming to model using 3D FEM 2. Allow users to use custom material models. Most often, in both industry and academia, we do not use material models given in the software but would like to input our own material model. This is what drives most of the R&D centres. 3. There are no ad-hoc algorithms that allow hexahedral mesh generation for all geometries. I can think this as one of the reasons why SimScale might not have hexahedral mesh generator. But this can be significantly useful for many applications. I am sure this is a platform with great potential for the future & I will look forward to upcoming features.

Pros: I have tried several simulations - ranging from solid, fluid, particles etc. The platform is extremely well built and robust. I liked that it was extremely easy to use. The aspect I liked the most was that there is a community version that students and learners could use. In addition, I think the professional version serves best for more advanced users who would use simulations for design in a more pronounced manner and on an everyday basis. The forums are extremely helpful and I am really glad regarding the speed at which one receives replies both from the people working in the company and also other users. In addition, the blogs and help files definitely make it really easy to use the platform. One of the aspects I also liked is the fact that it is based on open-source codes. So it is not a black box. I could go to openFOAM and check out how things work. The codes are all well parallelized that I have never faced any issues. Issues with parallelization are a general problem in this line of work but with SimScale this was really handy.

Cons: There are definitely some aspects where they can improve:
1. Providing structural elements like shells, beams, and plates. Most of the large aspect ratio structures are very time consuming to model using 3D FEM 2. Allow users to use custom material models. Most often, in both industry and academia, we do not use material models given in the software but would like to input our own material model. This is what drives most of the R&D centres. 3. There are no ad-hoc algorithms that allow hexahedral mesh generation for all geometries. I can think this as one of the reasons why SimScale might not have hexahedral mesh generator. But this can be significantly useful for many applications.

"Great software for CFD simulation and workflow"

Comments: We started with using the Community plan and then upgrade. We were able to simulate the built environment with respect to air temperature, wind speed, humidity and mean radiant temperature and the quality of output/results were commendable. The computational power is enormous, which is a first for CFD software. SimScale is user-friendly and has a simple interface. Highly recommended.

Pros: The fact that SimScale is completely web-based CFD software that is capable of providing tangible outputs in a short period of time with the help of real-time simulation with no reduction in resources of the system, is the best aspect of this software. This is better than other CFD software that typically takes weeks to simulate a 24 hour period with basic boundary conditions.
SimScale allows us to simulate the built environment with respect to thermal simulation, wind analysis, heat island etc. with the help of CAD models within the browser, you don't need any expensive hardware upgrades or parallel computing either. The software is also capable of providing thermal comfort parameter outputs such as PMV and PPD, which can help designers to consider these when designing pedestrian/occupant friendly spaces.

Cons: Customer care can be a bit more proactive in solving issues. Secondly, there is currently no option to calculate PET, SET and UTCI which are outdoor thermal comfort parameters and can be added in a future upgrade.

"Cloud Simulation Really Works"

Comments: I have used a lot of simulation packages over the past twenty five years including Nastran, Ansys, Solidworks, and a host of others. I have been using Simscale for about nine months now and it has become my goto simulation tool. The cloud concept provides a lot of benefits and one of my favorite is the convenience it allows. I am no longer tied to my Windows workstation, now I perform most of my analysis on a $250 chromebook. I can work on my simulations anywhere and I no longer have to worry about my ram or graphics drivers or versions of Windows. While the convenience of a browser based simulation tool is great, it has also allowed me to run models larger than I have ever conceived on my own workstation. I can run a static analysis with over 20 million DOFs and it will solve in a couple of hours. The value proposition is another huge benefit. The annual subscription rate is less than the maintenance fee I paid on my Solidworks Simulation with only linear static capability. Simscale includes linear and nonlinear structural analysis as well as thermal and CFD. I am also saving money because I do not have to worry about updating my workstation or Windows. Simscale is not a perfect tool, the two biggest areas of pain for me are the element types and the post processing. Right now Simscale does not support shells, beams, or springs. They are limited to primarily to tet elements so you have to use workarounds to accomplish some things. Also, the online post processor works well for small and medium jobs but for really large jobs you will need to postprocess locally. One other noteworthy area is customer service. Simscale probably has the most responsive customer service of any of the simulation companies I have work with.

"CAE without the capital investment"

Comments: Interesting project that keeps evolving all the time. The customer service is extremely good and personal. From onboarding to troubleshooting.

Pros: It fits an agile workflow very well, without blocking a workstation (which is not needed, any laptop will do) and no overhead of maintains your own cluster.
The tools tend to be a bit slower then proprietary solutions but the messaging workflow is nice.
Connection to Onshape cloud cad is a big plus.

Cons: Some features change their functionality and or disappear for a while. They are brought back later and better, but it hinders the workflow.

"Really cool simulation platform!"

Comments: Hello,
I'm a student and I am part of the Formula Student. Therefor I wanted to learn Simscale after I participated in the FSG Workshop for Aerodynamics which was taught by Simscale. I think it is really practicable that it works cloud based. Therefor the simulations run through much faster and you can decide about the cores without having your CPU getting killed. :D
I think the workshops are awesome you can learn really fast. You get immediately support if you have an error with your simulation or some ideas to gain a solution for a specific technical problem. The project sharing function makes it easy to communicate with other Simscale Users so that they may help you if you have issues. I also like the different kinds of simulations they're offering. There's e.g. the CFD sector with compressible, multiphase and lots and lots of features.
The only sad thing is that it is not easy to handle for new customers or students. But with the workshops you may learn it if you want to so they give much effort to it to make it handsome and I think they do a great job. If you guys would improve the simulation program by making it easier to understand and handle it without converting everything in STL ASCII and maybe improve the CAD-handling in the program then it would be easier for students and for new users too and then I'll give 5 stars for ease of use too. The workshops are fine. :)