Free PDE2D versions now available which solve small to moderate size problems.

PDE2D 9.3, originally based on VNI's PDE/PROTRAN, solves quite general nonlinear, time-dependent, steady-state and eigenvalue systems of partial differential equations, in 1D intervals, general 2D regions and a wide range of simple 3D regions.

PDE2D features a graphical user interface (GUI), and an interactive user interface, which make it exceptionally easy to use, and extensive graphical output capabilities. A Galerkin finite element method, with isoparametric triangular elements of up to 4th degree, is available for 2D problems, and a collocation finite element method, with cubic Hermite basis functions, is used for 3D problems. For 1D and 2D problems, both Galerkin and collocation algorithms are available. Adaptive refinement and grading of the triangular mesh are available for 2D problems.

A PDE2D program is created by the GUI, or the Interactive Driver, and all documentation, including examples, is available on-line. All the user has to do is answer a series of questions about the region, partial differential equations and boundary conditions, and select solution method and graphical output options. The Interactive Driver or GUI automatically writes a FORTRAN program, based on the user's answers, which is then compiled and linked to the PDE2D library routines it calls. However, the user does NOT need to be a FORTRAN programmer to use PDE2D ; for most problems, he/she only needs to know how to write basic FORTRAN expressions such as X*Y+Z. Neverthess, the PDE2D user has all the flexibility of FORTRAN at his/her disposal; for example, any PDE or boundary condition coefficient can be defined by a user-written FORTRAN function subprogram, and it is very easy to add calls to user-supplied subroutines to plot or otherwise postprocess the PDE2D solution. In fact, PDE2D now automatically outputs the solution to a MATLAB m-file, from which you have easy access to all of MATLAB's graphical abilities.

The GUI can only be used to access the PDE2D collocation methods, so if you have a complex 2D region you must use the Interactive Driver interface, to access the Galerkin method. But for 0D and 1D problems, and for problems in a wide range of simple 2D and 3D regions, you can set up your problem using the GUI in an exceptionally short amount of time.

The author of PDE2D, Granville Sewell, has written 3 numerical analysis books, and has been working continuously on this program for over 35 years.

Free Trial Versions (for small to moderate size problems)

The Windows, Linux, Linux cluster and Solaris trial versions now include working versions of PDE2D 9.3 that can be used to solve small to moderate size problems, but not large problems (for the unlimited versions, go here ). For 1D problems there is a limit of 400 unknowns, for 2D problems, 7,500 unknowns, and 3D problems are limited to 25,000 unknowns. All of the 15 prepared Interactive Driver and 3 GUI examples will run with the trial versions. If you do not have the required Fortran compiler, you can still run the Interactive Driver and GUI, and work through the prepared examples and see exactly what PDE2D can do and how easy it is to use.

The available free versions can be downloaded below:

1. download. A Windows 32 bit version which requires Intel Fortran v11.0.
2. download. A Windows 32 bit version which requires Lahey LF90 v4.5. (Compiler available here.)
3. download. A Linux 32 bit version which requires gfortran v4.3. (Compiler available here.)
4. download. A Linux x86-64 cluster 64 bit version which requires pgf90 v6.2 and MPI, and runs on multiple processors. Does not include GUI.
5. download. A Solaris 32 bit version which requires g77 v3.4.6. (Compiler available here.)

I would appreciate an e-mail (sewell@utep.edu) from people who download the trial versions, just to know where it is being used.

A Windows PostScript viewer, to view the PS files generated by PDE2D, is available here.

Unlimited Size Versions

For larger problems, there are six versions of PDE2D 9.3 available. The first (UNIX) version is distributed as source code and is available through an annual lease. The other versions are distributed in object code form and are available through permanent licenses.

1. order form. A UNIX version, which is distributed in portable Fortran90 source code form, and thus will run on virtually any UNIX system with a Fortran90 compiler. For this version, the only additional software you will need is a Fortran90 compiler and a GKS library of lower level plotting routines. GKS-standard libraries are available at no cost (click here ) for almost all UNIX workstations, plus MAC OSX and Linux.

   The UNIX version will run efficiently on multiprocessor machines, under MPI: there are MPI calls commented out which are activated by removing all occurrences of "C#" in the source. The UNIX version is available only through an annual lease, which includes updates, maintenance and consulting.

2. order form. Windows version (includes 32 and 64 bit libraries), which requires Intel Fortran v11.0.
3. order form. Windows version (32 bit library only), which requires Lahey LF90 v4.5. (Compiler available here.)
4. order form. Linux version (32 and 64 bit libraries), which requires either g77 v3.3.5 or gfortran v4.3.
5. order form. A Linux x86-64 cluster version (64 bit library only), which requires pgf90 v6.2 and MPI, and runs on multiple processors. Here are results of some tests on multiple processors, for this version. This version does not include the GUI.
6. order form. Solaris version (32 and 64 bit libraries), which requires either g77 v3.4.6 or Sun Studio 12 Fortran 95 v8.3.

Lahey LF90 Compiler

In addition, the Lahey compiler LF90 v4.5, required by one of the Windows versions, is also sold by Granville Sewell (order form), through a VAR agreement (May 27, 1999) with Lahey Computer Systems, Inc.

Graphical Output Samples

3D grid for problem in part of torus.