Follow the below instructions to get set up with the Chrono Preprocessor. These instructions were written with Linux users in mind.
Please note the versions of each piece of software. Newer or alternate versions may work, but have not been tested and verified for compatibility.
Step 1: Install FreeCAD
Install the latest version of FreeCAD. The download is available for free. Open a terminal. Run the following commands step by step.
- apt-get -y update
- apt-get -y install software-properties-common
- add-apt-repository ppa:freecad-maintainers/freecad-stable
- apt-get -y update
- apt-get -y install mesa-utils libglew-dev freeglut3-dev libgl1-mesa-dri freeca
Step 2: Find FreeCad User Workbench directory
- Open FreeCAD.
- To find FreeCad User Workbench directory, run following command in FreeCad python panel:
“App.getUserAppDataDir()”
Step 3: Clone ChronoConcrete Workbench from GitHub to `Mod' in the FreeCad user application data directory.
- Open a terminal.
- Navigate to the user application data directory
- Cd into the Mod folder (mkdir a Mod folder if there is not one)
- Clone > "git clone https://github.com/Concrete-Chrono-Development/chrono-preprocessor chronoConcrete".
- Check if the Chrono Workbench is available in the list of installed workbenches.
Step 4: Check "tetgen" Installation
Verify that tetgen is installed properly in FreeCAD.
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Go to " ~/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/chronoConcrete/freecad/chronoWorkbench/tetgen"
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Run on a terminal > ./tetgen
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Check if there is a warning such as > bash: ./tetgen: Permission denied
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Run the following command -> "chmod -R 777 *" to give all permission.
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Run again on a terminal > ./tetgen
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Add tetgen path in the bash script. Open the file bashrc and put the following line and save.
export PATH=$PATH:~/.local/share/FreeCAD/Mod/chronoConcrete/freecad/chronoWorkbench/tetgen
Run the command on a terminal > "source ~/.bashrc"
Step 5: "gmsh" Installation
- Download gmsh from the website
[https://gmsh.info/bin/Linux/ ]
You can select version 4.4.1.
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Open a terminal and go > ~/gmsh-4.4.1-Linux64/bin
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Check by runnung on terminal > ./gmsh
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Add gmsh path in the bash script. Open the file bashrc and put the following line and save.
export PATH=$PATH:~/gmsh-4.4.1-Linux64/bin
Run the command on a terminal > "source ~/.bashrc"