RPFM Release 5.5.0

The next version of RPFM is now available!  Release Notes for version 5.5 are below:

• Allow user to choose any number of processors
• Grid based load-balancing for multi-processor runs
• Improvements to stability and convergence of high altitude extensions up to 250km
• Overhaul of converter for IR analysis
  • Better utilization of SPURC3 features(NLTE variables, UVW for doppler shift, percent particle melted stored)
  • Hard body and hot parts of SPURC/SIG3D
  • New SIG3D Cloud format.  Faster conversion and improved stability.
• Removed partial pressure of specie when assumed a heavy gases
• Increased quality assurance testing for new multi-processor features and high altitude extensions, now tests 285 cases prior to release
• VIPER to RPFM converter upgraded, especially when using Tecplot formatted output data
• Compiler testing performed that resulted in some significant speed increases from last release
• Improved computational efficiency and stability

Be sure to bookmark our blog for future updates or check out our new RPFM home page.

The latest release can be obtained through our download site (https://fileshare.craft-tech.com).  If you have a license, but do not have an account, simply request one through the interface.  The necessary steps to install and successfully operate RPFM are:

1. Install license manager (ChexLM) if not installed.
   1. Download ChexLM Installation and Users Manual and follow directions fir detailed installation instructions.
   2. Download ChexLM executable package for your system.   Note that CEntOS/RedHat 5.x will work on CEntOS/Redhat 6.x systems.
   3. Follow installation/usage instructions in manual to determine machine chexid value.
   4. Send chexid value to me and I will generate and appropriate RPFM license file.
2. Install latest RPFM.
   1. Download RPFM Users Manual and follow directions in Chapter 2 for third party software dependencies and detailed installation instructions.
   2. Download RPFM executable package for your system.
   3. If previous version of RPFM is installed.
      1. Move installation directory to new location.
      2. Remove .RPFM/ directory in your home directory.
   4. Create an RPFM home directory, e.g., RPFM/.  This directory is typically within your home directory but may also be placed in a shared software location if more than a single user will access RPFM.
   5. Change directory to newly created RPFM home directory.
   6. Untar the executable package.
   7. Run ./Install.csh
   8. To validate that system specs and environment are correct, run ./ValidateInstall.csh and examine output for errors/inconsistencies
   9. Logout/Login to rehash initialization scripts and setup environment with new RPFM defaults.
   10. Execute RPFM GUI through ‘runRPFMGUI.exe’ script.  Note that the initialization of number of compute nodes and compute cores per node has changed.  See Users Manual Chapter 3.1 for more details.
   11. To validate successful installation, there are several example cases available for download.  These cases are an example of an entire RPFM simulation and can be used as a comparison for your installation.

Several important notes about the new installation:

• If a file for your system is unavailable or existing package does not work, please contact jpapp@craft-tech.com with your system details and a new installation package will be created.  Note that CEntOS/Redhat 5.x should work on CEntOS/Redhat 6.x systems.
• The selection of the number of available nodes and cores per node has changed.  See Chapter 3.1 of manual for more details.

As always, if you have any questions or difficulties in obtaining, installing, and/or running the new RPFM version, please feel free to contact me, John Papp, at jpapp@craft-tech.com or 215.766.1520.