CFD Software Comparison: Creo vs FloEFD

Companies that need both computational fluid dynamics analysis and 3D CAD modeling may find it hard to select a solution that covers all of their needs. Creo and FloEFD are often two leading contenders, but when it comes to Creo vs FloEFD, there are a few differences that can simplify the choice for most companies. Here’s our Creo vs FloEFD comparison to help you determine which CFD software is best for your organization’s needs.

Creo vs FloEFD Breakdown

3D Modeling

Creo and its parent PTC are acknowledged industry leaders in the realm of 3D CAD modeling. They are recognized for their innovation and advanced functionality by industry analysts including Gartner, Forrester, and IDC. Siemens acquired Mentor Graphics, FloEFD’s parent, in 2017 after several years of “will they? / won’t they?” discussions. While Siemens is a well-known 3D CAD company, its focus in the acquisition of Mentor was to boost its integrated circuit design capabilities.

Although FloEFD can be sold and used as a standalone solution, the product reaches its full value when embedded in more fully-featured 3D CAD modeling solutions. The company sells an embedded version for Creo as well as other modeling solutions, but the need to embed it in other solutions speaks to its niche functionality.

Our faceoff is a little tricky – we think FloEFD and Creo work better together rather than thinking of them as Creo vs FloEFD.

Ease of Use

Using CFD software in the early stages of the design process can be very valuable because it speeds up development, reduces product iterations, and helps optimize product performance and reliability. But using separate products for CFD and 3D modeling slows everything down and reduces engineering productivity. Embedding FloEFD into Creo provides the best of both worlds by allowing engineers to perform complex data analysis without leaving the design app.

The user interfaces for FloEFD and Creo combine seamlessly, so it appears to be a single application without requiring logging in and logging out use specific functions or moving data between apps. Engineers work within a single graphical user environment, so in this case, it’s more of a Creo and FloEFD than Creo vs FloEFD.

Combining Creo and FloEFD creates a seamless flow simulation solution.

Languages

Engineering is a global discipline, and the ability to support an engineer’s native language is key to eliminating the potential for errors and ensuring high productivity. Each solution includes support for the following languages:

If the additional languages Creo supports are important to your design team, then Creo wins this round of Creo vs FloEFD.

Collaboration and Security

Because FloEFD is embedded in your 3D CAD system, it supports the collaboration and security capabilities of the 3D CAD application. This ability to piggyback makes FloEFD a terrific solution when combined with a strong, secure, and collaborative 3D CAD solution such as Creo. This is another area where the combined solution is better than FloEFD operating standalone.

Industry-Specific Tools

FloEFD supports the needs of Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Plant and Process Manufacturing, Power, and General Manufacturing industries. Creo covers these industries and adds Electronics and High Tech, Life Sciences and Retail, and Consumer Products. Although the needs of these additions are covered under FloEFD’s generalized industries, there is no broad industry-specific knowledge as there is with Creo.

Support and Education

Mentor’s support center, which handled FloEFD, has been merged with the Siemen’s support center, potentially diluting knowledge of FloEFD’s capabilities, especially as they differ between the embedded versions. PTC supports Creo directly through online support, community forums, developer tools, PTC University, and PTC Academic programs.

Product Vision

PTC, Creo’s parent, has one of the most advanced and comprehensive visions for the future of manufacturing in the industry, and they have a full suite of solutions product manufacturers need to address upcoming challenges. PTC was among the first to support the emerging needs of Industry 4.0 and the digital transformation by adding capabilities like augmented reality, AI, and additive manufacturing capabilities. Creo also has built-in capabilities to support the reality of manufacturing today. Creo can natively open files created or saved in non-Creo formats, making collaboration among teams or with customers and suppliers simple and convenient.

FloEFD is exceptionally good at computational fluid dynamics analysis. The product keeps pace with the technology needed to allow embedding it in leading 3D modeling systems, but not much more than that. There’s really no comparing product vision when it comes to Creo vs FloEFD.

Deployment Flexibility

Both applications offer both cloud and on-premise deployment. FloEFD operates best embedded in a 3D CAD application, so it should follow the deployment model of whichever CAD solution you choose.

Integration and Compatibility

As an embedded solution, FloEFD integrates with several CAD systems besides Creo. It can also be sold as a standalone and the purchaser can take on the task of integration if they use a CAD system that has not already been integrated with FloEFD.

Creo integrates with all of PTC’s industry-leading products as well as products from competitors. Creo can natively open files created or saved in non-Creo formats, making collaboration among teams or with customers and suppliers simple and convenient. Users can edit the geometry of the design directly without requiring conversion. Even better, users can see designs in virtual reality even if they don’t have a CAD seat. Users can open the file, suggest changes, and push the new design to other stakeholders for comments or acceptance for faster collaboration without hassles. Since other competing 3D modeling systems don’t offer this capability, Creo is a leader in integration and collaboration. FloEFD benefits from Creo’s functionality when it’s embedded in Creo, so once again, FloEFD’s performance in Creo vs FloEFD is improved by Creo and FloEFD.

The benefits of FloEFD are significantly improved when combined with a leading 3D CAD solution like Creo.

So, How Do You Choose a Winner in Creo vs FloEFD Faceoff?

If you need fluid dynamics data analysis, FloEFD is an excellent choice, but it can’t do what a 3D modeling solution like Creo can. If your company falls into the category of needing both capabilities, don’t compromise your productivity and time to market by looking at the task as deciding who wins in Creo vs FloEFD.

This is really a case where the two products together deliver much more than either product alone and the combination is much more affordable than you might think. If you’d like to learn more about FloEFD embedded in Creo, contact us today.