Firstly, a choice of CAD-integrated options is now included ‘by default’. The STAR-Design option, for users without a CAD system, offers a robust built-in Parasolid solid-modeling kernel and fast meshing tools, and unlike most commercial CAD systems, it is available on all platforms including Unix, Linux and Windows.

The CFD capabilities of 3.2 have been enhanced by the addition of several new physical models, including advanced Eulerian two-phase and new combustion models to handle wider needs of the chemical and hydrocarbon processes industries, and there is a new complex chemistry solver and STAR/KINetics module for chemically reacting flows. New turbulence models are included and a discrete ordinate radiation model has been introduced. Hybrid wall function technology removes near-wall mesh constraints. Moreover, the aeroacoustics capabilities of STAR-CD have been enhanced following a one year project with industrial and academic partners involved in a simulation and experimental validation exercise on aeroacoustic cases.

STAR-CD’s pre-/post-processor has been greatly improved in both functionality and ease of use, with new modeling capabilities driven from GUI panels. CAD interfaces are available for all major CAD systems, eliminating the need for expensive CAD seats. Advanced automated meshing, surface cleaning and state-of-the-art surface wrapping tools, previously sold as optional extras, are now included in the STAR-CD bundle. Surface wrapping in particular, is now seen as the key to reducing overall turnaround time in many design optimization scenarios.

Alternative solvers are available within the same pre-post processing environment, including a parallelized algebraic multigrid option and new computational continuum mechanics (CCM) solvers, 'Comet' and 'STAR CCM+'. The CCM solvers share an ability to achieve fast solutions on arbitrary polyhedral meshes, and bring object-oriented architecture, enhanced multiphysics and state-of-the-art coupled solver technology to the STAR-CD bundle.

There are also many advances in installation and IT features to improve set-up and run. Automated installation saves system administration time and effort, and dynamic memory removes linking/compilation chores and saves compiler cost. New plug and play tools make migration between sequential and parallel operation totally seamless.

In a nutshell, STAR-CD 3.2 offers flexibility in the design environment with integrated CAD capabilities and quality auto-meshing tools that satisfy any demand for accuracy and speed. New physical models including enhanced Eulerian multiphase open up many new areas of application, and a range of convenience features save time and effort. STAR-CD 3.2 looks like being a hard act to follow! The battle continues!