A beginner’s guide to Bramble CFD software
If you’re new to CFD software and just starting your journey into Computational Fluid Dynamics, you’re in the right place.
CFD simulations are one of the most effective tools available for improving product aerodynamics, aeroacoustics or heat transfer. Whether you’re optimising cooling, reducing drag, or simulating airflow around vehicles, buildings or boats, CFD gives you a virtual testing environment, like a digital wind tunnel, where you can refine your designs before physical prototyping.
The benefits? Faster development cycles, reduced costs, and higher confidence in how your product performs in the real world.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll show you how to get started using bramble, a modern, cloud-based CFD software that makes running simulations accessible, cost-effective, and simple, even if you’ve never used CFD before.
Already seen the bramble demo?
Here’s what happens next
If you’ve seen a demo of bramble and decided it’s the right CFD solution for you, here’s how to move forward:
1. Create your Bramble CFD account
Let us know you’d like to proceed. We’ll handle the full account setup; this includes signing NDAs, (your data privacy is a top priority), collecting payment details, and giving you full access to the engineering simulation platform.
2. Prepare your CAD model for CFD
Before running a CFD simulation, you’ll need to convert your model from CAD to an STL file. This is widely used in 3D printing and CFD pre-processing.
Here’s how to do it:
- Export your model using a maximum edge length of 10 mm and chord deviation of 0.2 mm for best accuracy.
- Avoid coarse STL exports as oversimplified meshes can distort your design and lead to unreliable results.
- There’s no need to remove small details. bramble’s OpenFOAM® based solver with snappyHexMesh handles complex geometry, curved surfaces, and overlapping parts effortlessly.
- Upload multiple STL files for a modular, easy-to-manage model structure.
- bramble also includes automated geometry repair tools to help detect and fix leaks or holes in your model, crucial for high-quality flow simulations.
3. Run your baseline simulation & CFD training
Once your CAD model is uploaded, bramble will run a baseline aerodynamic simulation. Complete with pre-configured mesh settings, solver setup, and kinematic definitions. This means you can get started without needing in-depth CFD expertise. bramble handles the technical setup so you don’t have to.
But if you do have CFD experience? You’re in control. bramble gives you full access to adjust solver parameters, mesh resolution, and other advanced settings, so you can tailor each simulation to your exact requirements. The power is ultimately in your hands.
After the simulation is complete, we’ll schedule a session to walk you through the results, explain what they mean, and answer any CFD questions you may have.
Quick start CFD training
Our quick start CFD training is designed to get you up and running – fast. Delivered remotely via video call, it typically takes just a few hours, and most users are ready to run their own simulations by lunchtime.
Don’t worry if CFD is completely new to you. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether it’s interpreting results, refining your model, or troubleshooting issues, our experienced CFD team is always on hand to help.
Take the next step with Bramble CFD software
If you’re new to CFD, starting your journey has never been easier. With a powerful, cloud-based platform, including CFD software with built-in automation, data management and expert CFD support, bramble makes it simple to run professional-grade fluid dynamics simulations without a steep learning curve.
📞 Call us on 01327 630 301
📧 Email info@bramblecfd.com to get started
Let’s take your product to the next level with CFD
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Find out more about some of bramble’s key features or bramble’s tailor built hardware for CFD options.
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