ForgeNode
Install ForgeNode
ForgeNode is the Windows app that prepares your wheel geometry and runs the FEA solver on your own workstation. Install it on every workstation that will run analyses.
System requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11, 64-bit (x64) |
| Processor | 8 cores |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Account | A LoudGears account with an active plan, free trial, or Open Beta access |
| CPU route (CPU Standard) | No GPU needed; uses the processor and memory above |
| GPU route (Standard) | Optional acceleration: an NVIDIA RTX 3060 or better, with CUDA |
| Permissions | A normal Windows user account. The installer does not need administrator rights. |
| Network | Internet access for sign-in, license checks, and result publication |
A graphics card is not required. On the CPU alone, an ordinary 8-core, 16 GB office PC or laptop solves a typical wheel in minutes; an NVIDIA GPU with CUDA only makes it faster. ForgeNode does not need a server or a dedicated CAE machine.
Note The first run on a computer must start from a fresh Windows start-up. If Windows has resumed from hibernation (S4) since it was last restarted, restart Windows before ForgeNode's first run on this computer. The installer and the workspace both tell you when this applies. After the first run has succeeded, later runs work normally after hibernation. See Troubleshooting.
Download the installer
- Sign in at loudgears.com.
- Open the account menu (top right) and choose Download ForgeNode.
- The page shows the Version, the Installer file name, the bundled runtime, and its SHA-256 checksum. Choose Copy checksum.
- Download the installer.
If the page says Download unavailable, your workspace does not have a plan that includes ForgeNode yet. Choose a plan on the same page, or ask your workspace administrator.
Verify the download
Before running the installer, confirm the file is exactly the one LoudGears published. In PowerShell:
Get-FileHash 'PASTE_THE_INSTALLER_PATH_HERE' -Algorithm SHA256The Hash value must match the SHA-256 on the download page. If it does not, delete the file and download it again.
The installer carries a valid Windows (Authenticode) publisher signature, and the download page shows its signing status. Checking the SHA-256 as well confirms you have exactly the published file.
Install
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. ForgeNode installs for your Windows user under
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\LoudGears\ForgeNode. - At the end, leave Open LoudGears ForgeNode selected and finish.
- On the first start, ForgeNode prepares its bundled Python runtime. Wait for the dashboard to appear.
Install the numerical dependencies
The installer includes the runtime, but the numerical solver libraries are installed from inside ForgeNode.
- On the ForgeNode dashboard, choose Install / Repair Dependencies.
- Wait until it reports that the dependencies were installed. This can take several minutes.
- Under SYSTEM READINESS, check that Numerical solver, Signed solver release, and Device identity show as ready. On a GPU workstation, CUDA / GPU should list your graphics card.
This step also creates the workstation's device identity, which LoudGears uses to authorize analyses on this machine.
Next: Activate and connect.
Update ForgeNode
To update, download the new installer from Download ForgeNode, verify it, and run it over the existing installation. You do not need to uninstall first.
An update keeps the workstation's device identity, so it does not use another device seat, and it keeps your stored run results. If the Web app shows ForgeNode update required, install the latest version.
Uninstall
Remove LoudGears ForgeNode from Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
Uninstalling leaves your stored run results in %LOCALAPPDATA%\LoudGears\ForgeNode, so a later reinstall can still open them. To free the device seat, also remove the workstation under Account & billing → Manage your devices.