Difference between revisions of "NairnFEAMPM"

From OSUPDOCS
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(80 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 9: Line 9:
== Downloads ==
== Downloads ==


Starting with <tt>NairnFEAMPM 5.1</tt>, this application is 64 bit, Intel-only application. Install by mounting the downloaded disk image and dragging <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> to your Applications folder.
The application <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> "Universal" Mac app (<i>i.e.,</i> runs native on either Intel or new M1 chips). Install by expanding the downloaded zip file and dragging <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> to your Applications folder. This application requires MacOS 10.9 or newer (but is no longer tested below 10.14).


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! NairnFEAMPM Download !! Size (MB) !! Updated
! NairnFEAMPM Download !! Size (MB) !! Updated
|-
| width="450"|[http://people.oregonstate.edu/~nairnj/FEAMPM/startup/NairnFEAMPM.zip NairnFEAMPM 7.0 Full Featured Version] - This version is the full-featured version of <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> and it contains compiled binaries for finite element analysis and for material point method analysis along with the xerces library (version 3.1.1) that is used to process <tt>XML</tt> data, but these may not be the current binaries. You can see app help topic on "Code Engine Development" to learn how to work with latest code. This version requires MacOS 10.9 or newer (and no longer tested below 10.11). || align="center" width="65"|6.0 || align="center" width="85"|14 NOV 2018
|-
|-
| [https://itunes.apple.com/app/nairnfeampm/id496317896?mt=12 NairnFEAMPM 5.1 App Store Version] - <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> is also available on the Mac App Store, but it has different version. The current version in the store is 5.1, and it  follows Apple's strict new security rules called sandboxing. See below for what this style means and therefore to determine which version you need. || align="center"|- || align="center"|24 MAR 2014
| width="450"|[http://www.cof.orst.edu/cof/wse/faculty/Nairn/apps/NairnFEAMPM.zip NairnFEAMPM 9.5] - This version is a full-featured version of <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> for running [[NairnFEA]] and [[ NairnMPM]] but it does not contain the binary code engines binaries needed for the calculations and does not contain the xerces library. To run calculations using <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt>, you have to [[Download Source Code|check out]] and [[Compiling in MacOS X|compile the source code]] for those those binaries and install xerces. See application help on "Code Engine Development" for running in this mode. || align="center" width="65"|3.9 || align="center" width="85"|12 AUG 2023
|}
|}


After starting the application, please read the help information (in the "Help" menu) menu to get started (including some quick start, sample calculations) and to see "what's new" (for previous users). If for some reason, you cannot get the binaries to run on your computer, you can convert to using external binaries by following the "Code Engine Development" help topic. Using external boundaries also allows you to keep up to date with lastest code engines without needing to wait for <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> application updates.
I have given up trying to stay ahead of Apple to keep this package easy to use with bundled binaries. Every new MacOS makes it harder and it has now become essentially impossible. Probably the last straw was that it is not possible to provide a parallel version of the software using Apple developer tools. They do not support <tt>OpenMP</tt> methods for parallel code unless every user installs a compiler, like <tt>clang-mp</tt>, that supports it and the resulting binaries then need the <tt>clang-mp</tt> libraries. If you are going to install a compiler, you might as well use it to create your own binaries (the best hack to avoid Apple road blocks). Here are steps to start using NairnFEAMPM to run calculations:
 
=== App Store Version ===
 
The App Store version is ready to run and can do both FEA and MPM calculations, but it is sandboxed application. While sandboxing may be a benefit to users for security, it is not fully compatible with some uses of <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> that treat your computer as your workstation for research rather than as a sandbox for play time. The main differences needed for sandboxing are listed below; if you need any of these missing features, simply switch to the full-feature version instead. If not, the sandboxed version should be fine.


<dl>
<dl>
<dt><b>Workspace Folder</b>
<dd>The App Store version cannot read or write any of your own files unless you grant it specific permission. The solution is for you to designate a workspace folder with that permission. You will be asked to pick a workspace folder the first time <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> is launched. You can change this selection at any time in the preferences window. All calculations should be saved in this folder only.


<dt><b>External Code Engines</b>
<dt>Run NairnFEAMPM</dt>
<dd>A powerful way to use <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> is for code engine development, but running executable binaries in arbitrary locations is a challenge for a sandboxed application. The solution was to eliminate this option for the App Store version. If you want to run external code engines, you need to use the full-featured version.
<dd>Each new MacOS again tries to stop you running software unless you download it from the Mac App Store. When you first run this app outside that app store, you may get some warnings. Hopefully the only one will about the software being downloaded from the internet. If that is the only one, you should be able to click "OK" and run. You might also get warnings ranging from "the developer is unidentified" to "this might be malicious software." Both are wrong, but if you get them, you can get around these round blocks (for now) by:
 
<ul>
<dt><b>Background Processes</b>
<li>Control click on the NairnFEAMPM app and choose "Open" from the pop-up menu. You well get the same warning but should now have an "Open" button that will let you ignore that warning.</li>
<dd>The full-featured version lets you submit long calculations to background process that will run even if you quit <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt>. Creating such independent processes within a sandboxed application does not appear possible. If you want to be allowed to submit background jobs, you need to use the full-featured version. In addition the process info window is only needed for monitoring background jobs and therefore it is only available in the full-featured version.
<li>If first option does not work, open the "General" tab of the "Security &amp; Privacy" pane in the "System Preferences" and then start NairnFEAMPM. The "Security &amp; Privacy" pane should have a button to run the app. Also be sure your Mac is not set to only allow apps from the "App Store".</li>
 
</ul>
<dt><b>Scripting</b>
You should only need these Apple work-arounds the first time you run NairnFEAMPM.
<dd>Although <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> is a scriptable application, it is a challenge to support robust scripting options in a sandboxed application (and python, which I prefer, seems to not be allowed). As a result, the scripts menu is only available in the full-featured version. If you would like to use scripts to control calculations, you should switch to the full-featured version.
</dd>


<dt>Install the Required Binaries</dt>
<dd>Once NairnFEAMPM is running, choose "NairnFEAMPM Help" from the "Help Menu." You can read the introduction or just click on "Installing Binaries" in the help topics on the left. That help information explains how to install all binaries needed to run calculations.</dd>
</dl>
</dl>


=== Pre-Release Download ===
In the future, you can just download updates to NairnFEAMPM and use it without needing to reinstall the binaries. If the code engines are updated, you can download just the new source code and recompile and they will run in whatever version of NairnFEAMPM you already have. You can even recompile them while running NairnFEAMPM and the next calculations will use the new versions.
 
The download in this table has the current working version of <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt>. It might be useful to those working with latest version of the code binaries when those new features require changes to <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> for best use.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! NairnFEAMPM Pre-Release  Download !! Size (MB) !! Updated
|-
| width="450"|[http://people.oregonstate.edu/~nairnj/FEAMPM/startup/NairnFEAMPM_PR.zip NairnFEAMPM 6.2 Pre-Release] - This 64 bit version might be useful to those using the latest code when the  [[#Downloads|above]] options lack support for the latest features. It requires Snow Leopard (10.6) but is not longer tested before Mountain Lion (10.8).|| align="center" width="65"|4.8|| align="center" width="85"|9 APR 2017
|}
 
Note that MacOS does not appear to reliably report the version number (at least on my Mac) when doing "Get Info..." on the application icon. To verify version, you have to start the applications and use the "About NairnFEAMPM..." menu command instead.


== Free Registration ==
== Free Registration ==


The <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> system is free but uses an unlocking code to help monitor its use. By registering you will hear about developments and/or about any problems that might arise. To get a free registration code, use the "Reguest Registration Code…" command in the "Help" menu. A free code will usually arrive by email within a few days. While waiting you can use the application in "Trial Mode."
The <tt>NairnFEAMPM</tt> system is free but uses an unlocking code to help monitor its use. By registering you will hear about developments and/or about any problems that might arise. To get a free registration code, use the "Reguest Registration Code…" command in the "Help" menu. A free code will usually arrive by email within a few days. While waiting you can use the application in "Trial Mode."

Revision as of 09:18, 13 August 2023

NairnFEAMPM is a Mac-only application to create simulations, run them, and visualize them.

Introduction

The NairnFEAMPM application is finite element and material point method analysis software for the Macintosh. NairnFEAMPM is being developed by Prof. John A. Nairn from the Wood Science and Engineering Department Oregon State University. This application is free but it is a dynamic work in progress as part of an active research program.

If you are not using a Mac, you can do almost the same things using the java application NairnFEAMPMViz.

Downloads

The application NairnFEAMPM "Universal" Mac app (i.e., runs native on either Intel or new M1 chips). Install by expanding the downloaded zip file and dragging NairnFEAMPM to your Applications folder. This application requires MacOS 10.9 or newer (but is no longer tested below 10.14).

NairnFEAMPM Download Size (MB) Updated
NairnFEAMPM 9.5 - This version is a full-featured version of NairnFEAMPM for running NairnFEA and NairnMPM but it does not contain the binary code engines binaries needed for the calculations and does not contain the xerces library. To run calculations using NairnFEAMPM, you have to check out and compile the source code for those those binaries and install xerces. See application help on "Code Engine Development" for running in this mode. 3.9 12 AUG 2023

I have given up trying to stay ahead of Apple to keep this package easy to use with bundled binaries. Every new MacOS makes it harder and it has now become essentially impossible. Probably the last straw was that it is not possible to provide a parallel version of the software using Apple developer tools. They do not support OpenMP methods for parallel code unless every user installs a compiler, like clang-mp, that supports it and the resulting binaries then need the clang-mp libraries. If you are going to install a compiler, you might as well use it to create your own binaries (the best hack to avoid Apple road blocks). Here are steps to start using NairnFEAMPM to run calculations:

Run NairnFEAMPM
Each new MacOS again tries to stop you running software unless you download it from the Mac App Store. When you first run this app outside that app store, you may get some warnings. Hopefully the only one will about the software being downloaded from the internet. If that is the only one, you should be able to click "OK" and run. You might also get warnings ranging from "the developer is unidentified" to "this might be malicious software." Both are wrong, but if you get them, you can get around these round blocks (for now) by:
  • Control click on the NairnFEAMPM app and choose "Open" from the pop-up menu. You well get the same warning but should now have an "Open" button that will let you ignore that warning.
  • If first option does not work, open the "General" tab of the "Security & Privacy" pane in the "System Preferences" and then start NairnFEAMPM. The "Security & Privacy" pane should have a button to run the app. Also be sure your Mac is not set to only allow apps from the "App Store".

You should only need these Apple work-arounds the first time you run NairnFEAMPM.

Install the Required Binaries
Once NairnFEAMPM is running, choose "NairnFEAMPM Help" from the "Help Menu." You can read the introduction or just click on "Installing Binaries" in the help topics on the left. That help information explains how to install all binaries needed to run calculations.

In the future, you can just download updates to NairnFEAMPM and use it without needing to reinstall the binaries. If the code engines are updated, you can download just the new source code and recompile and they will run in whatever version of NairnFEAMPM you already have. You can even recompile them while running NairnFEAMPM and the next calculations will use the new versions.

Free Registration

The NairnFEAMPM system is free but uses an unlocking code to help monitor its use. By registering you will hear about developments and/or about any problems that might arise. To get a free registration code, use the "Reguest Registration Code…" command in the "Help" menu. A free code will usually arrive by email within a few days. While waiting you can use the application in "Trial Mode."