Pre/Post-Processing and Execution Environments¶
FrontISTR is the analysis solver itself. To perform an analysis in practice, tools for preprocessing (mesh generation and boundary-condition setup) and postprocessing (result visualization) are combined according to the intended purpose. This page lists representative combinations (routes). Choose the route that suits you, then proceed to the relevant tool download information or installation/execution chapters.
Overall Analysis Workflow¶
Preprocessing (creating the mesh and boundary conditions)
↓
Solver execution (FrontISTR)
↓
Postprocessing (visualizing results)
For details of each step, see Analysis Workflow.
Choosing a Route¶
The peripheral tools that can be used with FrontISTR include tools officially distributed by the project, tools continuously introduced by the FrontISTR community, and tools independently integrated by third parties. The routes below are organized by their preprocessing/postprocessing combination, their positioning such as official/third-party or commercial, and supported operating systems.
| Route | Preprocessing | Postprocessing (visualization) | Supported OS | Features | Download / Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVOCAP_PrePost | REVOCAP_PrePost | REVOCAP_PrePost / ParaView | Windows | Traditional officially distributed GUI. Covers the workflow from preprocessing through visualization | Download / Video Tutorial |
| FreeCAD + FEM_FrontISTR | FreeCAD (FEM_FrontISTR add-on) | FreeCAD / ParaView | Windows / Linux | Official-family GUI integrated with FreeCAD. Provides a consistent workflow from CAD. Functionality continues to be expanded | FEM_FrontISTR (GitHub) |
| EasyISTR | EasyISTR (UNV mesh import) | ParaView | Windows / Linux | Third-party integrated support GUI. Extensive Japanese documentation | OpenCAE-DALAB Wiki |
| Direct input-file editing | Text editor (CAD→Gmsh→format conversion as needed, Femap neutral→neu2fstr) | ParaView | Multi-platform | Standard route. Follows all functionality. Suitable for automation and reproducibility | Analysis Workflow / Mesh and Data Conversion |
| Keiei-Tensha | Keiei-Tensha (inp import / 3D checking and editing of FrontISTR input) | ParaView | Windows / Linux / macOS | Third-party VS Code extension. Links text and 3D views, writes selected locations back as !SGROUP/!NGROUP, and supports AI-agent integration. Assists the direct-editing route | Marketplace / structia.jp |
| Jupiter (commercial) | Jupiter | Jupiter | Windows | Commercial, Japanese-developed. Supports large-scale models | Jupiter-FrontISTR Interface |
| WELSIM (commercial) | WELSIM | WELSIM / ParaView | Windows / Linux | Commercial, developed outside Japan. Supports multiple OSS solvers | welsim.com |
The publicly available version of REVOCAP_PrePost includes an older-generation FrontISTR solver. When analyzing with the latest solver, obtain the solver separately and replace the bundled one.
In addition, "Advance REVOCAP_PrePost for FrontISTR" is provided to regular members of FrontISTR Commons (without support). AdvanceSoft's commercial pre/postprocessor Advance/REVOCAP is also available.
For First-Time Users¶
If you are using FrontISTR for the first time, starting with a route that lets you perform everything from preprocessing through visualization in a GUI (such as FreeCAD + FEM_FrontISTR or EasyISTR) makes it easier to complete your first analysis. Both routes continue to be actively updated and have readily available Japanese-language information. Once you become familiar with the workflow, it is advisable to move to the "direct input-file editing" route, which provides the most reliable access to FrontISTR functionality. If large-scale models or commercial support are important, commercial tools such as Jupiter and WELSIM are also options.
Postprocessing (Visualization)¶
FrontISTR outputs unstructured-grid data (VTK / AVS formats) that can be read by ParaView and similar tools, using !WRITE, VISUAL to enable visualization output and !VISUAL (for example, output_type=VTK) to specify the visualization format. Load this output into a visualization tool to display color maps of displacement, stress, strain, and other quantities. For details of output formats and conversion tools, see Mesh and Data Conversion.