Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Discussion about building and installing Elmer
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pvt102938
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Joined: 18 Jun 2015, 17:29
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Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by pvt102938 »

Hello.
I am trying to successfully run Elmer simulations on a Linux Mint laptop computer.
I was able to successfully download, install, run lots of Elmer simulations about 3 years ago...so thanks for that.
Now using a brand new computer...500 GB drive, 8 GB memory, Intel processors...and OS is Linux Mint.

Try #1 - Complete build from source
% cd /home/bruce/elmerf# clone the git repository.
% git clone git://www.github.com/ElmerCSC/elmerfemem
% mkdir build
% cmake -DWITH_ELMERGUI:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_MPI:BOOL=FALSE -DCMAKE_INSTALL=/usr/local/ ..
% make
% sudo make install
% which ElmerGUI, which ElmerSolve, which ElmerPost (none), which ElmerGUI_MPI (none)
% ELMERGUI - fails - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found)
This method fails on tutorials and DOES NOT build ElmerPost - crazy.
Clean up - carefully remove old packages, old install directories, old install libraries...done.

Try #2 - Install from package manager
% sudo apt-get install elmerfem-csc
% vi ~/.bashrc (modify various ELMER-related paths)
% ELMERGUI - fails - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found, Invalid memory ref.)
Try copying elements.def from ElmerGUI installation...see if this works - NO on 3 different projects
Uninstall - using package manager

Try #3 - Complete build from source
% cd /home/bruce/elmerf# clone the git repository.
% git clone git://www.github.com/ElmerCSC/elmerfemem
% mkdir build
% cmake -DWITH_ELMERGUI:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_MPI:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_ElmerIce:BOOL=TRUE -DCMAKE_INSTALL=/usr/local/ ..
% make
% sudo make install
% which ElmerGUI, which ElmerSolve, which ElmerPost (none), which ElmerGUI_MPI
% ELMERGUI - fails - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found, invalid memory ref.)
Clean up - carefully remove old packages, old install directories, old install libraries...done.

Try #4 - Install from package manager
% sudo apt-get install elmerfem-csc
% sudo apt-get install elmer-doc
% sudo apt-get install elmer-common
% sudo apt-get install elmer-dbg
% sudo apt-get install libelmersolver-6.1
% sudo apt-get install libgeo-helmerttransform-perl
% vi ~/.bashrc (modify various ELMER-related paths)
% sudo ./runtests.sh - PASS 1 out of 311 tests
% ELMERGUI - fails - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found, Invalid memory ref.)
Try copying elements.def from ElmerGUI installation...see if this works - NO on 3 different projects
Uninstall all packages - grrrr - using package manager

Try #5 - Complete build from source
% cd /home/bruce/elmerf# clone the git repository.
% git clone git://www.github.com/ElmerCSC/elmerfemem
% mkdir build
% cmake-gui (try to select ElmerPost - it will not let me??)
% make
% sudo make install
% vi ~/.bashrc (modify various ELMER-related paths)
% sudo ./runtests.sh - PASS 1 out of 311 tests
% which ElmerGUI, which ElmerSolve, which ElmerPost (none), which ElmerGUI_MPI
% ELMERGUI - fails - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found, invalid memory ref.)
Clean up - carefully remove old packages, old install directories, old install libraries...done.

Try #6 - Complete build from source. Using cmake from command line.
% cmake -DWITH_ELMERGUI:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_MPI:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_ElmerIce:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_ELMERGUITESTER:BOOL=TRUE
-DWITH_ELMERGUILOGGER:BOOL=TRUE -DWITH_ELMERPOST:BOOL=TRUE -DELMER_INSTALL_LIB_DIR=/usr/local/share/elmersolver/lib
-DCMAKE_INSTALL=/usr/local/ ..
% make
% sudo make install
% vi ~/.bashrc (modify various ELMER-related paths)
% sudo ./runtests.sh - PASS 1 out of 311 tests
% ELMERGUI - fails again - on 3 different gui tutorial example projects (ERROR:: InitializeElementDescriptions: elements.def not found)
Clean up - carefully remove old packages, old install directories, old install libraries...done.

Try #7 - Reboot, turn OFF virtualization - try again as above - still fails.
Clean up - carefully remove old packages, old install directories, old install libraries...done.

Summary - Requesting help. All I want is working version of Elmer:
1) cannot run a single example using ElmerGUI
2) ElmerPost build/installation uncertain - see CMakeInstallation.txt file - very confusing
3) keep getting "elements.def not found" or "invalid memory reference" errors
4) only passing 1 out of 311 tests - something is really wrong

I have read through 8 PDF docs and a Wiki page trying to verify that I have successfully
"met" all package requirements. I am guessing this is really the problem....but really need
a solution or methodical approach to find success and quit spinning my wheels.

Any useful advice appreciated....thanks.
annier
Posts: 1168
Joined: 27 Aug 2013, 13:51
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by annier »

Hi pvt102938,
I assume the installation command for ubuntu and linux mint are similar.
Does trying adding Elmer into your linuxmint by using the launchpad , work for you ?
a. First add ppa repository of elmer

Code: Select all

$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:elmer-csc-ubuntu/elmer-csc-ppa
b. Get update

Code: Select all

$ sudo apt-get update
c. Install elmer

Code: Select all

$ sudo apt-get install elmerfem-csc
More information
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3725
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3653&p=12260&sid=73 ... e3e#p12260

yours sincerely
anil kunwar
Anil Kunwar
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice
pvt102938
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 Jun 2015, 17:29
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by pvt102938 »

Hello and thanks for your suggestions.
Unfortunately this did not work for me...I tried both binary and source code versions from said source without success.
The good news is....in the mean time...I have found a much better 2D FEA solution named "Agros2D".
It built, installed first time, no problems.
It has many great examples, good graphics/viewers, tools.
It has good documentation.
It has good tools for import/exporting solution and its pieces.
Since I was just looking for 2D solutions currently, this Agros2D solves my requirements....so "Adios Amigos" to Elmer.
Thanks again for your assistance. I hope you guys/gals get your act together and make your product GREAT ONCE AGAIN.
Elmer should be the King of the Open Source FEA solutions....but not in the current state, in my experience.
Good luck and best wishes,
pvt102938
Austin, TX
annier
Posts: 1168
Joined: 27 Aug 2013, 13:51
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by annier »

Hi pvt102938,
I am also an Elmer user.Congratulations that you are motivated to use Agros2D. Also, i am thankful to you for informing us about Agros2D (http://www.agros2d.org/ and https://github.com/hpfem/agros2d).I also like working in different types of opensource software.

However,
1. Many opensource software are inter-related in the scheme of Numerical Discretization. Since, Elmer and Agros2D are Finite Element Software, they are inter-related. We don't generally say that "I am using this software and not using that software" when we work in the field of opensource software.

2. One software may be stronger in one "physics application" whereas another software might be stronger in another "physics application". So, we shouldn't be too quick to judge about the softwares that are evolving continually. I prefer to use Elmer for its strong handling of multiphysics simulation of "static meshes"- heat transfer analysis, electromagnetics etc. and multiphysics applications with smaller mesh displacements like Fluid-Structure interaction. Reviewing this post, we can see that Elmer is wonderful in computation of phase change using Heat Solver.For coupled problems, as Peter (username= raback) highlights, Elmer needs further inputs. The strongest part of Elmer is the "forum" where the lead developers of this software are mostly present in active working days of a week. I personally learnt many finite element analysis concepts from Peter (username= raback).

3. I agree with you in opting to choose multiple softwares as they would enhance our understanding of "NUMERICAL COMPUTATION" via different approaches.

4. Elmer, like all other opensource softwares, is in the process of continual improvement. These opensource softwares need supports and code contributions from the users.

5. The developers are trying their best for making Elmer compatible in different platforms for linux. They need to get feedback from users.

Yours Sincerely
Anil Kunwar
Anil Kunwar
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice
raback
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by raback »

Hi pvt,

It is good that you found a solver fitting your needs in Argos2D. Since Elmer is an open source software our aim is not to maximize the number of users but rather resolve the problems related to the current R&D problems we are involved in. Of course we hope that the code develops alongside to resolve problems for many other users as well, and some of these users contribute back in some way.

The two clear differences compared to Argos2D is that Elmer works also in 3D, and significant part of the focus is on massively parallel computing. Usability is not unfortunately of the highest priority which you correctly observed.

-Peter
annier
Posts: 1168
Joined: 27 Aug 2013, 13:51
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by annier »

raback wrote: ... Elmer works also in 3D, and significant part of the focus is on massively parallel computing.
Hi All,
It is nice to hear that Peter specified the feature of Elmer that "Developers" are focusing at. Personally, i agree to him. Since i started learning Elmer, I came to know that Peter, along with Elmer team, have driven the users to use several updated versions of Elmer. I am thankful to the Elmer team for their dilligent works.
And, sometimes, we users ourselves,need to give some efforts in pushing ourself to enhance the usability/compatibility of ELMER when the developers are busy at adding computational features to the tool : ELMER.

Yours Sincerely
Anil Kunwar
Last edited by annier on 22 Jun 2015, 12:40, edited 1 time in total.
Anil Kunwar
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice
annier
Posts: 1168
Joined: 27 Aug 2013, 13:51
Antispam: Yes

Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by annier »

Hi,
Till someone working in LinuxMint can find a way to install Elmer using cmake, the following workout(Elmer without using Cmake) may be useful for some users of Linuxmint:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3820

The source files of Elmer for this workout may be downloaded at:
http://sourceforge.net/p/elmerfem/code/HEAD/tree/trunk/


Yours Sincerely
Anil Kunwar
Anil Kunwar
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice
kataja
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Joined: 09 May 2014, 16:06
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Re: Elmer + LinuxMint AGAIN...

Post by kataja »

Hello!

Couple points:
  • You should issue "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local" instead of "-DCMAKE_INSTALL=/usr/local/" as a cmake argument.
  • When you build ElmerGUI, very many of its bindings (OCC, VTK, ...) are disabled by default because some of these are massive packages. Enabling these bindings may result the desired functionality.
  • If you install the elmerfem-csc package via apt-get you should not need to edit .bashrc, in fact if there are any elmer-related environment variables, running ElmerGUI or ElmerSolver will probably fail.
  • Tests are now using ctest. They can be run by issuing

    Code: Select all

     $ ctest 
    after running make (and before installing).
  • There are cmake build files for ElmerPost but they are experimental.
-Juhani
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