Kerf vs CalculiX

CalculiX runs the FEM — Kerf wraps it so structural analysis is as easy as describing the load case.

23/23in Kerf today

5/23in CalculiX (included)

0behind a paid tier

2026-05-24last reviewed

Grouped by discipline (D1–D14), same as Kerf's own capability list. Click a section to expand it.

D1 Geometry & core CAD 0 of 3 matched

Capability	Kerf	CalculiX
Constraint sketcher (geo + dim)	yes `src/components/SketchView.jsx`	no source ↗
B-rep booleans (general NURBS)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/geom/boolean.py`	no source ↗
Assemblies — mates	yes `src/components/AssemblyEditor.jsx`	no source ↗

D2 Structural / FEA 5 of 15 matched

Capability	Kerf	CalculiX
FE — solid (tet/hex)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/calculix_bridge.py`	yes source ↗
Modal / buckling / nonlinear	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/calculix_bridge.py`	yes source ↗
FE — plate / shell (native)	yes `packages/kerf-fem/src/kerf_fem/plate.py`	yes source ↗
FE — 1D beam / 2D truss (native)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/beam/analysis.py`	yes source ↗
AISC 360-22 steel (members)	yes `packages/kerf-structural/src/kerf_structural/aisc_member.py`	no source ↗
ACI 318-19 concrete	yes `packages/kerf-structural/src/kerf_structural/rc_beam.py`	no source ↗
Eurocode design (EC2/3/5/8)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/struct/eurocode3.py`	no source ↗
ASCE 7-22 seismic	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/seismic/rsa.py`	no source ↗
ASCE 7-22 wind (MWFRS+C&C)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/windload/asce7.py`	no source ↗
Fatigue (S-N, ε-N, rainflow)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/fatigue/life.py`	partial source ↗
ASME VIII pressure vessel	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/pressvessel/shell.py`	no source ↗
Frame stiffness assembly (2D/3D)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/struct/frame.py`	yes source ↗
API 650 tank	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/tank/api650.py`	no source ↗
NDS 2018 timber	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/timber/design.py`	no source ↗
AISC steel connections	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/steelconn/connections.py`	no source ↗

D4 Thermal / fluid / HVAC 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	CalculiX
CFD	yes `packages/kerf-cfd/src/kerf_cfd/openfoam_bridge.py`	no source ↗
Thermo cycles (Rankine/Brayton/Otto)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/thermocycle/`	no source ↗

D7 Manufacturing / CAM 0 of 1 matched

Capability	Kerf	CalculiX
3-axis CAM (profile/contour/pocket/face)	yes `src/components/CAMView.jsx`	no source ↗

D14 Cost / materials / LCA 0 of 2 matched

Capability	Kerf	CalculiX
Material selection (Ashby)	yes `packages/kerf-cad-core/src/kerf_cad_core/matsel/multi_objective.py`	no source ↗
Should-cost (6 processes, Boothroyd-Dewhurst)	yes `packages/kerf-costing/src/kerf_costing/tools.py`	no source ↗

yes shipped
partial works with limits
paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
no not available

Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/calculix.md and every claim in it carries a link.