A Python interface for interacting with Nastran (a widely used finite element analysis program), allowing reading, writing, and manipulating Nastran input (BDF/DAT) and output files (OP2, H5).
PyNastran
- Python
- Aerospace, Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, Simulation, Structural Engineering
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD), Engineering, Finite Element Method (FEM), Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Simulation, Software Development Kit (SDK), User Interface (UI)
Features:
- Reads Nastran input files (BDF,OP2,H5,F06),writes Nastran BDF files,accesses results from OP2/H5 files (displacements,stresses,strains,forces,eigenvalues),model manipulation and checking,basic visualization capabilities,GUI for simple operations,command-line tools
Pricing:
- Free
- Powerful for automating workflows with MSC Nastran, NX Nastran, and other variants; enables custom pre- and post-processing of FEA models and results; open-source; actively developed by a dedicated maintainer.
- Specific to Nastran users, requires understanding of Nastran file formats and conventions, learning curve for its extensive API and object model can be steep for casual users.
Best for:
- Engineers and analysts who use Nastran FEA software and want to automate their workflows, perform custom data extraction, manipulate models, or integrate Nastran results with other Python tools.