Overview

Overview#

Gradient Dynamics Studio provides a complete CFD workflow in the browser, from CAD import through meshing, simulation, and post-processing. This page introduces the core concepts and platform architecture.

Platform Concepts#

Projects#

Everything in Studio is organized into projects. There are two project types:

  • Meshing Projects — Generate high-quality meshes for use in external solvers or within the platform

  • CFD Projects — Complete end-to-end workflow: geometry → mesh → simulation → results

The Workspace#

Each project opens into a workspace with:

  • 3D Viewer — Interactive visualization of your geometry, mesh, and results

  • Tab Panel — Context-aware settings for each workflow stage (Setup, Geometry, Mesh, Simulation, Results)

  • AI Assistant — A conversational panel to help configure and troubleshoot

  • Feature Tree — Hierarchical view of all project elements (geometry, regions, surfaces, zones)

  • Logs — Real-time job execution status and output

Cloud Compute#

All mesh generation and simulation runs execute on cloud GPUs. This means:

  • No local hardware requirements beyond a modern web browser

  • Consistent, fast compute regardless of your machine

  • Automatic scaling for large meshes and simulations

Credits#

Compute usage is measured in credits:

Operation

Credit Rate

Mesh generation

0.2 credits/GPU-min

CFD simulation

1.0 credits/GPU-min

Your remaining credit balance is shown in the dashboard. See Subscription Tiers for details on plans and credit allocations.

Technology#

Structured Cartesian Cut-Cell Meshing#

Gradient Dynamics uses a structured Cartesian cut-cell mesher with block-based Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR). The domain is divided into a hierarchy of regular Cartesian blocks, with blocks near geometry surfaces refined to capture geometric detail through cut-cell representation.

This architecture is purpose-built for GPU simulation: the structured, regular memory layout of Cartesian block meshes enables coalesced GPU memory access and fully parallel cell updates — delivering mesh generation and simulation performance that is not possible with unstructured mesh topologies.

GPU-Native Density-Based Solvers#

Simulations in Gradient Dynamics run on density-based solvers that solve the compressible Navier-Stokes equations using explicit or implicit time marching. These solvers are natively suited to GPU execution:

  • All solution variables update simultaneously in a single parallel sweep across all cells

  • No global pressure-velocity coupling iterations that would limit GPU parallelism

  • Low-Mach preconditioning ensures accuracy for subsonic flows without sacrificing performance

Pressure-based (incompressible) solvers are also available for cases that specifically require them, but the density-based solver is recommended for optimal GPU performance.

Workflow Overview#

Meshing Workflow#

Upload CAD → Analyze Geometry → Configure Domain → Set Mesh Parameters → Generate Mesh → Export

  1. Upload a CAD file (STEP, IGES) or surface mesh (STL, OBJ)

  2. Analyze geometry for watertightness, manifold issues, and repair if needed

  3. Configure the domain type (external, internal, rotating, etc.) and domain bounds

  4. Set mesh parameters — base cell size, AMR refinement levels, refinement zones

  5. Generate the mesh on cloud GPUs

  6. Proceed directly to simulation, or inspect the mesh quality first

CFD Workflow#

Upload CAD → Mesh → Configure Simulation → Run → Post-Process

  1. Upload geometry and generate a mesh (or use a mesh from a Meshing project)

  2. Configure the simulation — solver type, turbulence model, boundary conditions

  3. Run the simulation on cloud GPUs with live monitoring

  4. Post-process — visualize fields, extract forces, generate slice planes and streamlines

Supported Applications#

Gradient Dynamics is designed for a wide range of CFD applications:

Application

Domain Type

Typical Use

Vehicle aerodynamics

External

Drag, lift, flow visualization around cars, trucks, motorcycles

Aerospace

External

Wing analysis, fuselage flows, rotorcraft

Wind engineering

External

Building loads, pedestrian comfort, wind farm layout

Pipe and duct flows

Internal

Pressure drop, flow distribution, HVAC design

Electronics cooling

Internal / CHT

Thermal management, heat sink optimization

Turbomachinery

Rotating

Fans, pumps, turbines, compressors

Heat exchangers

Conjugate

Fluid-solid thermal coupling

Next Steps#

  • Quick Start — Get hands-on with your first project

  • Projects — Learn about project types and management

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