{"id":23573,"date":"2021-02-10T09:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T14:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/?p=23573"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:49:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:49:49","slug":"read-only-cfd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/read-only-cfd\/","title":{"rendered":"3 things you can now do without a license in Simcenter STAR-CCM+"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cPrice is what you pay;\u00a0value\u00a0is what you get.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n– Warren Buffett<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For the world\u2019s most famous investor, the intrinsic value of a stock is the most important factor in future success.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same can be said when investing in a simulation tool.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Siemens<\/a>, we don\u2019t just sell simulation software licenses.  Our goal is to deliver the maximum value to our customers and enable them to grow together with us.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, Simcenter STAR-CCM+<\/a>, our multiphysics CFD simulation tool, has delivered the most value in the industry for a single license. The first integrated environment for geometry creation and clean-up, meshing, comprehensive multiphysics analysis, design exploration<\/a>, virtual reality \u2013 buy a single license and you get them all, including your own dedicated support engineer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Simcenter STAR-CCM+ 2021.1, we are adding another new feature to bring more intrinsic value to our users \u2013 the Read-only mode for CFD simulations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing the Read-only mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imagine working against a tight deadline: you must deliver results in 3 days, your simulations are still running and you are  setting up a new simulation that will give you vital information for this project. All of your licenses are in use but you need to check the setup of an older simulation to confirm your inputs. You could stop one of the simulations that are running, wait until a license is free or just ask your colleague to stop one of their simulation efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not very appealing options, are they? Worry not! From Simcenter STAR-CCM+ 2021.1, our existing customers will be able to open a simulation file in Read-only mode without consuming a license. This provides greater flexibility when interacting with simulations, increasing your productivity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you do with it? <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Quickly consult the simulation setup to answer questions like\u2026 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the inlet velocity in this case? Did I do anything special with the solver settings? Was it constant density or ideal gas? Are the wheels spinning?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quickly find answers to such questions without using a license. This comes in handy when presenting results, doing knowledge-transfer to customers or checking your setup for consistency and accuracy. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Simulation
Simulation tree of Simcenter STAR-CCM+ in Read-only mode<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Check differences between two files using our integrated comparison tool: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n