# What finite element systems do you use with Slicer?

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278>\
**Category:** Development\
**Tags:** fem, meshing\
**Created:** [April 23, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278 "2021-04-23T14:04:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pieper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/pieper/32/8_2.png) [@pieper](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/pieper)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278/1 "2021-04-23T14:04:15Z")

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Hi -

We are doing large deformation mechanical simulation project that currently uses [matlab](https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab.html) and [comsol](https://www.comsol.com/) and would like to switch to something more Slicer-like (free, python-based, extendable, etc).

What packages have people used and what was your experience?

Thanks in advance!

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**Author:** ![muratmaga](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/muratmaga/32/3622_2.png) [@muratmaga](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/muratmaga)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278/2 "2021-04-23T15:09:52Z")

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As I recall, there has been multiple threads about getting data from Slicer into FEBio, which I think is open source.

> [@Is it possible to do a segmentation of the lumbar spine from CT-data and use the 3D model (.igs) for further finite element analysis in ABAQUS or FEBio?](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/is-it-possible-to-do-a-segmentation-of-the-lumbar-spine-from-ct-data-and-use-the-3d-model-igs-for-further-finite-element-analysis-in-abaqus-or-febio/10444):
>
> I have never worked with 3D Slicer before and I am quiet new in this field. But I would like create a 3D model out of CT-DICOM-data. It is important that the HU values of the cortical and trabecular bone will be safed in the output (as .igs) for further Finite element analysis in ABAQUS or FEBio. Furthermore I would like to know if it is possible in 3D Slicer to do material assignment and volumetric meshing. I would appreciate any support. Thank you in advance

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**Author:** ![pieper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/pieper/32/8_2.png) [@pieper](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/pieper)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278/3 "2021-04-23T17:54:03Z")

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> [@muratmaga](#):
>
> FEBio

Ah, yes, that’s the one I was trying to remember the name of.

Any other suggestions from the crowd?

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**Author:** ![robertf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/robertf/32/79762_2.png) [@robertf](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/robertf)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278/4 "2021-04-23T18:19:34Z")

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We use Code\_Aster (uses Python for scripting etc.) as well as FEBio.

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**Author:** ![eftaxiop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/96bed5/32.png) [@eftaxiop](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/eftaxiop)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/what-finite-element-systems-do-you-use-with-slicer/17278/5 "2021-04-23T22:07:21Z")

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Στις Παρασκευή, 23 Απριλίου 2021 8:54:06 Μ.Μ. EEST Steve Pieper (Isomics Inc.)  
via 3D Slicer Community έγραψε:

> > [@muratmaga](#):
> >
> > FEBio
> 
> Ah, yes, that’s the one I was trying to remember the name of.
> 
> Any other suggestions from the crowd?

FreeFem is another option.

> **[FreeFEM - An open-source PDE Solver using the Finite Element Method](https://freefem.org/)**
>
> A free and open source software to solve partial differential equations (PDE) using the Finite Element Method (FEM)