Uploaded March 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Let's install the open-source CFD program SU2 on your computer. In this video, I go through step-by-step how to install the code on Linux. My computer runs Windows, but I have VirtualBox installed and running Ubuntu, which is where I'm downloading and installing SU2 (see links below). If you have problems installing, or if this method doesn't work for you, I'm probably not the person to ask how to fix it. I would recommend Googling your issue, which is what I do when I get stuck. Everything listed in the LINKS section below is free.

===== NOTES =====
► There are multiple ways to do what I do in the video. This video just shows you one of the methods.
► The newest version of SU2 is now at 6.0 (Falcon).
► I use version 4 for the video tutorials I'm making since I ran these simulations before version 5 or 6 were out. If you want to follow along with the exact same configuration files, download version 4. Configuration files might need to be slightly changed if you want to run in 5 or 6, since some options have been added or removed.
► I don't think you actually need to add the "SU2_CFD" line in the .bashrc file, as I do in this video.
► Apparently I like the word "currently".

===== LINKS =====
→ SU2 Main GitHub Site
su2code.github.io

→ SU2 Releases Page
github.com/su2code/SU2/releases

→ Other SU2 Stuff
github.com/su2code

→ VirtualBox
virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

→ Paraview
paraview.org/download

→ GMSH
gmsh.info

===== ALIASES =====
► Add the following to your alias file, which is called .bash_aliases in my case
n. = nautilus.
lsl = ls -l
lsla = ls -la
maxwindow = resize -s 1000 1000

===== KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS =====
Alt + Tab → Switch between windows
Win + S → Open workspace view
Arrow + Enter → Switch to other workspace

===== LINUX TERMINAL COMMANDS =====
cd = Change directory
ls = List files
ls -l = List files in an ordered list
ls -a = List files including hidden files
nano = Text editing program without leaving terminal (can also use gedit, nedit, etc.)