v1.3.0

Author: kutaydemir07

NOTICE

@@ -1,8 +1,24 @@
 # PyLCSS Third-Party Notices
-Document Version: 1.2 Last Updated: February 10, 2026
+Document Version: 1.3 Last Updated: May 12, 2026
 
 This document outlines the third-party libraries and components used in PyLCSS, along with their respective licenses. PyLCSS is committed to respecting the intellectual property of all contributors and provides this information in accordance with open-source licensing requirements.
 
+## Optional Native Solver Binaries
+
+PyLCSS can launch native solver executables as separate external processes. These binaries are not Python dependencies and are not installed by `pip install -r requirements.txt`. The helper script `scripts/install_solvers.py` can download or locate them under `external_solvers/`, but each solver remains governed by its own upstream license.
+
+### CalculiX (`ccx`)
+- **Purpose**: Linear static FEA and CalculiX-in-the-loop optimization evaluations.
+- **License**: GNU General Public License v2 or later, per the official CalculiX project notice.
+- **Source**: [https://www.calculix.de/](https://www.calculix.de/)
+- **Packaging Note**: PyLCSS writes `.inp` decks and launches `ccx` as an external process. The Windows installer helper currently prefers `ccx_static.exe` from the CalculiX 2.23 Windows binary archive because it avoids the missing MKL runtime issue of the dynamic build.
+
+### OpenRadioss
+- **Purpose**: Explicit crash/impact solve and animation conversion via Starter, Engine, and `anim_to_vtk`.
+- **License**: GNU Affero General Public License v3 or later, per the OpenRadioss `COPYRIGHT.md` distributed with the upstream binaries.
+- **Source**: [https://github.com/OpenRadioss/OpenRadioss](https://github.com/OpenRadioss/OpenRadioss)
+- **Packaging Note**: PyLCSS writes or stages solver decks, launches OpenRadioss as an external process, and imports converted animation frames. OpenRadioss may include additional third-party runtime components in its `extlib/` directory.
+
 ## 1. LGPL Licensed Software
 
 > ⚠️ **LGPL Compliance Note**: PyLCSS is distributed as a Python source package. All LGPL-licensed libraries are dynamically linked and can be replaced by the end user. If distributing as a compiled executable (EXE, DMG), these libraries must not be statically linked. Distributors must ensure that the end-user retains the ability to replace these shared libraries with modified versions to maintain compliance with the LGPL.
@@ -259,4 +275,4 @@ The following versions are explicitly verified for license compliance. Deviating
 
 ---
 
-For more information about PyLCSS and its licensing, please refer to the LICENSE file or visit the project repository.
+For more information about PyLCSS and its licensing, please refer to the LICENSE file or visit the project repository.

README.md

@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@
 *Visual Modeling · Parametric CAD · Topology Optimisation · FEA · Solution Spaces · Sensitivity Analysis · Surrogate AI · Multi-Objective Optimization*
 
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-PolyForm_Shield_1.0.0-blue.svg)](LICENSE)
-[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-3.8%2B-green.svg)](https://www.python.org/)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-2.0.0-orange.svg)]()
+[![Python](https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-3.10%2B-green.svg)](https://www.python.org/)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/Version-2.1.0-orange.svg)]()
 
 </div>
 
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@
 
 **PyLCSS** (Python Low-Code System Solutions) is a professional engineering design platform. It allows engineers to model complex multidisciplinary systems through a node-based visual interface, run parametric CAD and FEA simulations, explore high-dimensional **Solution Spaces**, and optimise designs using 7 different algorithms — all within a single desktop application.
 
-Built for real-world engineering workflows, PyLCSS features a crash-free multi-threaded architecture, vectorised computation kernels, comprehensive file I/O, and an integrated AI coding assistant.
+Built for real-world engineering workflows, PyLCSS features a crash-free multi-threaded architecture, vectorised computation kernels, comprehensive file I/O, external solver integration, and an integrated AI coding assistant.
+
+PyLCSS is more than a standalone CAD environment: the CAD graph is the parametric source of truth for downstream simulation and design optimisation. STEP is supported for exchange, but `.cad` graphs and exposed parameters are required when a model must be rebuilt, swept, or optimised.
 
 ---
 
@@ -48,23 +50,26 @@ PyLCSS implements the **Solution Space** approach for robust design: instead of
 
 ## Key Features
 
-### Parametric CAD Environment
+### Parametric Engineering Design Environment
 - **70+ Node Types** — Primitives, Booleans, Fillets, Chamfers, Sweeps, Lofts, Shells, Patterns, Imports
+- **Code-Assisted Modeling Direction** — Parts and assemblies should remain reproducible through graph nodes, exposed parameters, imported STEP/STL geometry, or code-based creation blocks rather than hidden manual edits
 - **Topology Optimisation** — SIMP with MMA/OC solvers, density/sensitivity filtering, Heaviside projection, symmetry constraints, shape recovery with marching cubes, and **direct STL/OBJ export** of optimised shapes
 - **Advanced Nodes** — Thicken, Pipe, Split, Text emboss, Math Expression evaluator, Import STEP/STL
 - **Real-Time 3D Viewer** — VTK-based with density cutoff preview during optimisation
 - **Measurement** — Distance, surface area, and volume nodes
 
 ### Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
-- **scikit-fem** + **Netgen** meshing — Tetrahedral/triangular elements
-- **Linear Elasticity** — Displacement, von Mises stress, compliance
+- **Netgen Meshing + scikit-fem Mesh Containers** — Tetrahedral/triangular mesh generation and internal mesh representation
+- **CalculiX Static Solver Backend** — PyLCSS writes a CalculiX `.inp`, runs `ccx`, parses `.frd`, and displays displacement + Von Mises stress in the in-app VTK viewer
+- **Linear Elasticity Results** — Displacement, von Mises stress, compliance, volume, and mass
 - **FEA Results Nodes** — Stress extraction, displacement, reaction forces
 - **Remeshing** — Surface-to-solid conversion for topology-optimised shapes (up to 20 000 faces)
-- **External CalculiX Backend** — Full round-trip: PyLCSS writes a CalculiX `.inp`, runs `ccx`, parses the `.frd` output, and displays displacement + Von Mises stress in the in-app VTK viewer (see [Installation](#installation) for the binary fetch step)
+- **CalculiX-Coupled Optimisation** — Topology, shape, and size optimisation now run through repeated CalculiX evaluations instead of the removed in-process scikit-fem solver path
 
 ### Crash / Impact Simulation
-- **Internal Explicit Solver** — Central-difference transient solid mechanics with plasticity, fracture, contact, and optional GPU path
-- **OpenRadioss Backend** — Full round-trip: PyLCSS writes an LS-DYNA-style keyword deck, runs Starter + Engine, converts the `A001`/`A002`… animation files via `anim_to_vtk`, and plays the frames in the crash viewer (requires the OpenRadioss binaries — see [Installation](#installation))
+- **OpenRadioss Backend** — PyLCSS writes an LS-DYNA-style keyword deck, runs Starter + Engine, converts the `A001`/`A002`… animation files via `anim_to_vtk`, and plays the frames in the crash viewer
+- **Run Radioss Deck Node** — Existing OpenRadioss/LS-DYNA `.rad`/`.k` decks can be launched and imported
+- **Current Limitation** — The generated crash deck is still a thin integration layer. Even simple explicit simulations can run slowly when the mesh has tiny elements, the end time/output frequency is high, or animation conversion dominates.
 
 ### Multi-Objective Optimisation (7 Solvers)
 | Algorithm | Type | Best For |
@@ -122,7 +127,7 @@ PyLCSS implements the **Solution Space** approach for robust design: instead of
 ## Installation
 
 ### Prerequisites
-- **Python** 3.8+
+- **Python** 3.10+
 - **OS** Windows 10/11 (macOS and Linux: experimental)
 
 ### Quick Install
@@ -144,7 +149,7 @@ pip install -r requirements.txt
 
 # (Optional) Download CalculiX + OpenRadioss native binaries.
 # These are NOT pip-installable; the script fetches the upstream releases
-# into <repo>/external_solvers/ and writes the matching PYLCSS_* env vars.
+# into <repo>/external_solvers/ and writes solver_paths.json.
 python scripts/install_solvers.py
 
 # Launch
@@ -157,18 +162,18 @@ Or on Windows: double-click `run_gui.bat`.
 
 | Backend | Provided by | How PyLCSS finds it |
 |---------|-------------|----------------------|
-| CalculiX (`ccx`) | `python scripts/install_solvers.py --only ccx` | `PYLCSS_CALCULIX_CCX`, `CALCULIX_CCX`, or `ccx`/`ccx.exe` on `PATH` |
+| CalculiX (`ccx`) | `python scripts/install_solvers.py --only ccx` | `PYLCSS_CALCULIX_CCX`, `CALCULIX_CCX`, `ccx_static`, `ccx`, or `ccx.exe` on `PATH` |
 | OpenRadioss Starter/Engine | `python scripts/install_solvers.py --only radioss` | `PYLCSS_OPENRADIOSS_STARTER`, `PYLCSS_OPENRADIOSS_ENGINE`, or `starter_*`/`engine_*` on `PATH` |
 | OpenRadioss `anim_to_vtk` | Bundled with the Radioss install above | `PYLCSS_OPENRADIOSS_ANIM2VTK` or `anim_to_vtk*` on `PATH` |
 
-Structural optimization (Topology / Shape / Size) still runs on the in-process scikit-fem solver — the optimization nodes need a Jacobian/adjoint that the external decks do not provide. The external backends are for high-fidelity verification of single FEA / crash runs.
+CalculiX and OpenRadioss are launched as external native processes. They are not pip dependencies and remain governed by their own upstream licenses.
 
 ---
 
 ## Quick Start
 
 1. **Launch** — `python scripts/main.py`
-2. **Load a Model** — `File → Open` → select `data/Gear Unit.json`
+2. **Load a Model** — `File → Open` → select a project from `data/`
 3. **Validate** — Click "Validate" to check units and connections
 4. **Solution Space** — Switch to Solution Space tab → "Compute"
 5. **Visualise** — Plot Weight vs. Safety Factor
@@ -180,10 +185,12 @@ Structural optimization (Topology / Shape / Size) still runs on the in-process s
 
 ```
 pylcss/
-├── cad/                  # Parametric CAD kernel (CadQuery + OCC)
-│   ├── nodes/            # 50+ node types (primitives, booleans, FEA, TopOpt)
+├── cad/                  # Parametric design graph (CadQuery + OCC)
+│   ├── nodes/            # 50+ node types (modeling, meshing, FEA, TopOpt, crash)
 │   ├── engine.py         # Graph execution engine
+│   ├── runtime.py        # cad.fea / cad.crash / cad.topopt API
 │   └── node_library.py   # Node registry
+├── solver_backends/      # CalculiX and OpenRadioss deck/run/result adapters
 ├── optimization/         # 7 solvers (SciPy, Nevergrad, NSGA-II, Multi-Start)
 ├── sensitivity/          # 4 methods (Sobol, Morris, FAST, Delta)
 ├── solution_space/       # Monte Carlo, step analysis, product families
@@ -199,8 +206,8 @@ pylcss/
 | Layer | Technologies |
 |-------|-------------|
 | **UI** | PySide6, NodeGraphQt, QtAwesome |
-| **CAD** | CadQuery, OpenCASCADE (OCP), VTK |
-| **FEA** | scikit-fem, Netgen, meshio, CalculiX (`ccx` + `.frd` round-trip), OpenRadioss (`starter`/`engine` + `anim_to_vtk` round-trip) |
+| **Parametric Design** | CadQuery, OpenCASCADE (OCP), VTK |
+| **FEA / Crash** | Netgen, scikit-fem mesh containers, meshio, CalculiX (`ccx` + `.frd` round-trip), OpenRadioss (`starter`/`engine` + `anim_to_vtk` round-trip) |
 | **Computation** | NumPy, SciPy, Pandas |
 | **Visualisation** | VTK (3D), pyqtgraph (2D) |
 | **ML** | PyTorch, scikit-learn |
@@ -216,7 +223,7 @@ Licensed under the **PolyForm Shield License 1.0.0**.
 **Allowed:** Personal use, academic research, internal business use.
 **Restricted:** You cannot use this software to build a competing product or service.
 
-See [LICENSE](LICENSE) for full details.
+See [LICENSE](LICENSE) and [NOTICE](NOTICE) for full details.
 
 <div align="center">
 <sub>Copyright © 2026 Kutay Demir. All rights reserved.</sub>