{"id":198041,"date":"2026-03-11T22:08:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T22:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/?post_type=topic&#038;p=198041"},"modified":"2026-03-11T22:51:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T22:51:08","slug":"ansys-freeflow-2026-r1-release-highlights","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/forums\/topic\/ansys-freeflow-2026-r1-release-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Ansys FreeFlow 2026 R1 Release Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"<h5 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-197602 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3.png 1600w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-300x38.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-1024x128.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-768x96.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-1536x192.png 1536w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-24x3.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-36x5.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/10\/freeflow-release-highlights-3-48x6.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/h5>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"WHATS-NEW-FOR-FREEFLOW-IN-ANSYS-2026-R1\"><strong>What\u2019s New for FreeFlow in Ansys 2026 R1<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ansys FreeFlow\u2122 smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulation software is designed to simulate <strong>single-phase free-surface flows<\/strong> using a powerful GPU-based solver that handles <strong>large-scale simulations with millions of SPH elements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Although FreeFlow software is one of the newest solutions in the Ansys\u2013Synopsys portfolio, it continues to evolve rapidly, introducing innovations and enhancements with every release.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198044 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Cover-Whats-New-for-FreeFlow-in-Ansys-2026-R1-v2.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Ansys FreeFlow 2026 R1 release<\/strong> introduces significant improvements to SPH fluid simulation, including the long-awaited <strong>SPH Adaptive Size capability<\/strong>, enhancements to <strong>Multiphysics <\/strong>integrations, and improvements in <strong>Performance and Usability.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Explore what\u2019s new in Ansys FreeFlow 2026 R1 and discover how these enhancements can help accelerate innovation in your applications.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2  id=\"SPH-ADAPTIVE-SIZE\"><strong>SPH Adaptive Size<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198045 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-SPH-Adaptive-Size.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the most anticipated capabilities in FreeFlow software is now available with the SPH Adaptive Size feature.<\/p>\n<p>This feature dynamically adjusts the size of SPH elements during simulation based on user-defined criteria. Similar in concept to adaptive mesh refinement in CFD, this approach allows simulations to automatically refine or coarsen SPH elements where greater resolution or efficiency is required.<\/p>\n<p>Adaptive size can be applied in several ways using the following two approaches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Region-based refinement<\/strong>, where SPH elements are refined or coarsened within a specific region of interest.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Boundary-based refinement<\/strong>, where element size adapts as particles approach walls or geometric features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"vidyard_iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/adaptive-videoo.mp4\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block;width: 0px;overflow: hidden;line-height: 0\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"CASES-EXAMPLES-NOZZLES-FLOWS-OVER-OBSTACLES-AND-HYDRAULIC-VALVES\"><em>Cases examples: Nozzles, flows over obstacles and hydraulic valves. \u200b<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>This flexibility allows users to maintain high resolution in critical areas, such as narrow gaps or complex boundaries, while using larger elements in less critical regions to improve computational efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to improving performance, adaptive sizing can also enhance accuracy near boundaries and impact regions, making it particularly valuable for simulations involving free-surface interactions, impacts, and complex geometries.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2  id=\"SPH-SIMULATION-IMPROVEMENTS\"><strong>SPH Simulation Improvements<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3  id=\"IISPH-PROMOTION-TO-MAIN-FEATURE\">IISPH promotion to main feature<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198046 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/Freeflow-IISPH-promotion-to-main-feature.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Implicit Incompressible SPH (IISPH) solver<\/strong> has been promoted from beta to a <strong>fully supported main feature<\/strong> in Ansys FreeFlow 2026 R1.<\/p>\n<p>Following extensive validation and testing, IISPH is now the <strong>default solver for SPH simulations<\/strong>, while the <strong>Weakly Compressible SPH (WCSPH)<\/strong> solver remains available for users who require it.<\/p>\n<p>Compared to WCSPH, the IISPH solver offers significant efficiency improvements. In many cases, the timestep used by IISPH can be <strong>up to an order of magnitude larger<\/strong>, enabling faster simulations without compromising accuracy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"vidyard_iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/iisphjbjb.mp4\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block;width: 0px;overflow: hidden;line-height: 0\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"IISPH-SIMULATION\"><em>IISPH simulation<\/em><\/h6>\n<h3  id=\"FLAT-PLATE-HTC-CORRELATION-MODULE\">Flat Plate HTC Correlation module<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198047 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Flat-Plate-HTC-Correlation-module.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A new <strong>Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) module<\/strong> enables reliable heat transfer estimation using a <strong>flat-plate correlation applied directly to surfaces<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The module automatically calculates the <strong>average heat transfer coefficient for each surface triangle<\/strong>, simplifying thermal analyses involving fluid\u2013structure interactions.<\/p>\n<p>This capability enables FreeFlow simulations to produce results that can be integrated with <strong>advanced thermal studies and multiphysics analyses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3  id=\"SPH-IMPLICIT-VISCOUS-FORCES\">SPH Implicit Viscous Forces<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198048 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-SPH-Implicit-Viscous-Forces.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>FreeFlow 2026 R1 also introduces <strong>Implicit Viscous Forces for SPH simulations<\/strong>, supporting both <strong>Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This formulation improves stability and efficiency when modeling <strong>high-viscosity fluids<\/strong>, which were previously difficult to simulate using explicit formulations due to very small timestep requirements.<\/p>\n<p>By enabling stable and efficient simulation of viscous flows, this enhancement expands FreeFlow\u2019s applicability to a broader range of industrial fluid processes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"vidyard_iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/sph-implicit-bhbjh.mp4\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block;width: 0px;overflow: hidden;line-height: 0\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"VARIABLE-VISCOSITY-OF-THE-FLUID-DUE-TO-ITS-NON-NEWTONIAN-BEHAVIOR\"><em>Variable viscosity of the fluid due to its Non-Newtonian behavior.<\/em><\/h6>\n<h3  id=\"PERIODIC-CONTINUOUS-INJECTION-SUPPORT\">Periodic Continuous Injection Support<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198049 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Periodic-Continuous-Injection-Support.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>FreeFlow now supports <strong>time-periodic boundary conditions for SPH fluid inlets<\/strong>, enabling simulations with <strong>periodic fluid injection behavior<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This capability allows users to define:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Injection period<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Injection duration<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By controlling these parameters, users can reproduce realistic periodic flow conditions, such as <strong>pulsating injections, cyclic filling processes, or oscillating flow systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This feature expands FreeFlow\u2019s boundary condition capabilities and enables more realistic modeling of time-dependent fluid behavior.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2  id=\"MULTIPHYSICS-COUPLING\"><strong>Multiphysics Coupling<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3  id=\"INTEGRATION-WITH-ANSYS-OPTISLANG\">Integration with Ansys optiSLang<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198050 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Integration-with-Ansys-optiSLang.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The integration between FreeFlow software and <strong>Ansys optiSLang<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> has been enhanced with the introduction of a <strong>dedicated FreeFlow node<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This improvement simplifies the setup of <strong>parametric studies, design exploration, and optimization workflows<\/strong> involving FreeFlow simulations.<\/p>\n<p>Users can now more easily incorporate FreeFlow results into:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Design optimization studies<\/li>\n<li>Parametric sensitivity analyses<\/li>\n<li>Reduced-order modeling (ROM) workflows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The improved integration streamlines the user experience and makes it easier to perform <strong>automated design studies involving free-surface fluid simulations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3  id=\"ENSIGHT-POSTPROCESSING\">EnSight postprocessing<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198052 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-EnSight-Postprocessing.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>FreeFlow simulation data can now be visualized and analyzed using <strong>Ansys EnSight<\/strong>\u2122, providing advanced post-processing and visualization capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>While FreeFlow software remains the primary environment for simulation setup and standard post-processing, EnSight enables users to perform <strong>more advanced visualization and analysis workflows<\/strong>, particularly for large datasets and complex fluid simulations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"vidyard_iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/lknsjxndkjn.mp4\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block;width: 0px;overflow: hidden;line-height: 0\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: center\" style=\"text-align: center\"  id=\"ANSYS-ENSIGHT-PROVIDES-NICE-VISUALIZATION-AND-POST-PROCESSING-FOR-FREEFLOW-SIMULATION-FILES\"><em>Ansys EnSight provides nice visualization and post-processing for FreeFlow simulation files.<\/em><\/h6>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2  id=\"PERFORMANCE-USABILITY\"><strong>Performance &amp; Usability<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3  id=\"OPTIMIZATION-OF-THE-VOLUMETRIC-GENERATION-OF-SPH-ELEMENTS\">Optimization of the volumetric generation of SPH elements.<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198053 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Optimization-of-the-volumetric-generation-of-SPH-elements.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Code optimizations have significantly improved the <strong>generation of SPH elements during simulation initialization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>These improvements reduce the time required to create <strong>large volumes of fluid represented by millions of SPH elements<\/strong>, accelerating the setup phase of simulations.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, users can expect faster model initialization compared to previous releases, particularly in large-scale free-surface simulations.<\/p>\n<h3  id=\"EXTEND-SPH-FLOWMETERS\">Extend SPH Flowmeters<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198054 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-24x14.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-36x20.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters-48x27.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/FreeFlow-Extend-SPH-Flowmeters.png 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>SPH Flowmeter capability<\/strong> has been extended to provide additional measurement functionality.<\/p>\n<p>Flowmeters can now be used to measure <strong>average flow quantities across a defined surface<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Average velocity<\/li>\n<li>Average temperature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This enhancement provides a convenient way to monitor and analyze flow behavior within SPH simulations.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With the 2026 R1 release, Ansys FreeFlow continues to expand its capabilities for high-fidelity free-surface fluid simulations. New adaptive SPH technology, improved physics models, enhanced multiphysics integration, and performance optimizations allow users to simulate increasingly complex fluid behaviors with greater efficiency. These advancements help engineers gain deeper insights into fluid dynamics and accelerate innovation across a wide range of applications.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\" style=\"text-align: right\" align=\"right\"><span class=\"eop\"><span style=\"font-size: 16.0pt\">Ansys FreeFlow\u2122 smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulation software.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph\" style=\"text-align: right\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" align=\"right\"><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"><span class=\"eop\"><span style=\"font-size: 16.0pt\">Learn more about Ansys FreeFlow\u2122 software in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ansys.com\/products\/fluids\/ansys-freeflow\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Ansys FreeFlow Website.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p xml:lang=\"EN-US\" align=\"right\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-198027\" src=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round-300x280.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round-300x280.png 300w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round-24x22.png 24w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round-36x34.png 36w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round-48x45.png 48w, https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/03\/foto-round.png 345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 xml:lang=\"EN-US\" align=\"right\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" align=\"right\"  id=\"JANAINA-OLIVEIRA\">JANAINA OLIVEIRA<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\"><em>Senior Technical \/ Product Publications<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-198041","topic","type-topic","status-publish","hentry","topic-tag-ansys-2026-r1","topic-tag-ansys-freeflow","topic-tag-ansys-freeflow-2026-r1","topic-tag-ansys-freeflow-release-highlights","topic-tag-freeflow","topic-tag-freeflow-2026-r1","topic-tag-release-highlights","topic-tag-whats-new-2026-r1","application-products-ansys-freeflow"],"aioseo_notices":[],"acf":[],"custom_fields":[{"0":{"_edit_lock":["1773270917:17114"],"_edit_last":["17114"],"_aioseo_title":[null],"_aioseo_description":[null],"_aioseo_keywords":["a:0:{}"],"_aioseo_og_title":[null],"_aioseo_og_description":[null],"_aioseo_og_article_section":[""],"_aioseo_og_article_tags":["a:0:{}"],"_aioseo_twitter_title":[null],"_aioseo_twitter_description":[null],"application_name":[""],"_application_name":["field_64a80903c8e15"],"filter_by_optics_product":["Lumerical"],"_filter_by_optics_product":["field_64fb192ba3121"],"family":[""],"_family":["field_64a809229a857"],"siebel_km_number":[""],"_siebel_km_number":["field_63ecbffce60db"],"salesforce_km_number":[""],"_salesforce_km_number":["field_63ecc018e60dc"],"km_published_date":[""],"_km_published_date":["field_64c77704499dd"],"product_version":[""],"_product_version":["field_64c776cb4fd2e"],"_bbp_forum_id":["27810"],"_bbp_topic_id":["198043"],"_bbp_author_ip":["2804:14d:bac1:4ff1:a0f9:82dd:9de8:307f"],"_bbp_last_reply_id":["0"],"_bbp_last_active_id":["198042"],"_bbp_last_active_time":["2026-03-11 22:08:34"],"_bbp_reply_count":["0"],"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":["0"],"_bbp_voice_count":["0"],"_btv_view_count":["827"],"_bbp_likes_count":["1"]},"test":"solution"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics\/198041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics\/198041\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":198043,"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics\/198041\/revisions\/198043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/innovationspace.ansys.com\/knowledge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}