SALOME for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows

Introduction

If you need one platform that takes you from a CAD model to a mesh to a finished simulation, SALOME is the free program that does it. It is a free and open-source platform for numerical simulation, developed by EDF, CEA and Open CASCADE, with a parametric CAD modeller, mesh generators, a solver supervisor and 3D visualisation, and it is used by engineers and researchers around the world. There is no payment, no account and no serial number, and the download from the official SALOME site is the complete program.

This guide explains what SALOME is, what it can and cannot do, what your PC needs to run it, and how to download and install it from the official website only. You will also get a first-use walkthrough that takes you from installation to a working result in a few minutes. By the end, you should be able to install SALOME on Windows and use it in a real project.

SALOME is best for simulation pre-processing, CAD and meshing for engineering, and solver integration. Because it is free and legitimate, you do not need a cracked copy or an unknown download site. The official website provides the installer, and the free version is a real, permanent tool, not a short trial.

What Is SALOME?

SALOME is a free 3D engineering program that you install on your Windows PC and use to prepare simulations. In simple terms, it is a program where you draw a part in the SHAPER CAD module, mesh it with the SMESH module, set up a calculation, and view the results in the ParaVis module: you model, mesh, solve and view, all in one platform. You open it, sketch, and build.

What makes SALOME useful is its completeness and its openness. Because it covers the whole pre-processing workflow, you do not need a separate CAD program, mesher and viewer, and because it is open source under the LGPL, it is free forever with no licence server and no subscription. It also has a Python API for automating repetitive tasks. Three honest notes: SALOME does not contain a physics solver of its own, so you integrate an external solver such as code_aster for the calculation itself; it is a technical engineering platform, so it has a steep learning curve; and the Windows download is large, so allow time for it.

Key Features

SHAPER parametric CAD: SHAPER is a parametric CAD modeller for drawing parts and assemblies for simulation.
SMESH mesh generation: SMESH generates meshes with many algorithms, from simple triangles to complex 3D elements.
ParaVis visualisation: ParaVis visualises simulation results as colour maps, cut planes and animations.
Solver supervision: A solver supervisor couples external solvers into a single workflow.
Python API: A Python API automates repetitive modelling, meshing and post-processing tasks.
CAD import and export: CAD import and export supports STEP, IGES, BRep and STL files.
Free software under the LGPL: Free software under the LGPL, with the source code public and no licence server.
Windows and Linux: Windows installers, plus Linux builds, cover every desktop.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
Processor: A modern quad-core processor or better
RAM: At least 8 GB of RAM for basic use, 16 GB or more for large models
Storage: Around 4 GB of free disk space for the download and program files
Graphics: A dedicated graphics card with OpenGL support, 1 GB of graphics memory or more
Other: A stable internet connection for the download, and a mouse for working in 3D

These are practical, modern Windows guidelines, not a word-for-word copy of an official specification table. The most important point is simple: SALOME is designed for normal Windows PCs, and a modest modern computer is enough to start.

How to Download SALOME (Official Method)

The only safe place to download SALOME is the official website. Do not download it from random file mirrors or “free download” portals, because those copies may be outdated or bundled with unwanted software. The official site is the source of truth for the current version.

Official download link: https://www.salome-platform.org/downloads

On the official SALOME downloads page, download the Windows 64-bit installer for the current SALOME release to your Downloads folder. There is no account, serial number or payment involved at any point. The download is large, so allow time for it. If a site asks you to pay for SALOME, or offers a cracked version of it, leave that site and return to the official SALOME page.

Step-by-Step Installation

Follow these steps in order. Take your time with the install location and component choices, because those are the steps that most often cause problems later.

Open the official SALOME downloads page — Open https://www.salome-platform.org/downloads in your browser.
Download the Windows installer — Find the Windows section on the page and download the latest Windows 64-bit installer to your Downloads folder. The download is large, so allow time for it.
Run the installer — Double-click the downloaded installer file and follow the setup wizard to install SALOME.
Choose the install location — Accept the default install location, or choose a folder with enough free space.
Finish the installation — Wait for the installer to finish, then close the setup wizard.
Launch SALOME — Open SALOME from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut and confirm it opens without an error.
Open the SHAPER module — Open the SHAPER module in SALOME, so you know the CAD tools are working.

Tip: The SALOME Windows download is large, so use a stable internet connection and do not close the download early. If the installer is blocked, run it as administrator and check that you have enough free disk space first.

How to Model and Mesh Your First Part with SALOME

This walkthrough is a simple first project. It is not a full course, but it will help you see SALOME working on a real project and learn its main tools.

Open SALOME and start SHAPER — Open SALOME and switch to the SHAPER module for CAD modelling.
Draw a 2D sketch — Draw a simple 2D profile, such as a rectangle, on the sketch plane.
Pull the sketch into a solid — Pull the sketch into a 3D solid, so you have your first part.
Switch to the SMESH module — Switch to the SMESH module, so you can mesh the part.
Generate the mesh — Generate the mesh, so SALOME fills the part with elements for simulation.
Check the mesh quality — Check the mesh quality display, so you can see if any elements need refining.
Save the study — Save the study, so you can reopen the model and mesh later.

Is SALOME Free?

SALOME is free software under the LGPL, developed by EDF, CEA and Open CASCADE. You download it from the official SALOME site, install it, and use it without paying and without a time limit. There is no paid version of SALOME itself. Be aware of three honest limits: it does not contain a physics solver of its own, so you integrate an external solver such as code_aster for the calculation itself; it is a technical engineering platform, so it has a steep learning curve; and the Windows download is large, so allow time for it.

That free status is important for this guide. All the steps here use the official download only, and they do not involve cracks, activators or licence keys. If you ever see a site offering a paid or cracked version of the free program, treat it as unsafe and return to the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SALOME safe to download?

Yes, when you download it from the official website only. The official installer is the version made by the developer. Avoid third-party sites that bundle extra software or ask for payment for a free program.

Does SALOME work on my Windows PC?

Yes, in most cases. SALOME runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), and the system requirements above cover a normal modern PC. Check the official site for the exact current version if your PC is older.

Is SALOME really free, or will it stop working?

The free version described in this guide is not a short trial. It stays usable after installation. There is no paid edition of SALOME itself.

Do I need a powerful PC to run SALOME?

No, not for basic use. A modern Windows 10 or 11 PC with 4 GB of RAM or more can run it for simple projects. Larger projects with many objects and effects will benefit from more RAM and a faster processor, but you can start and learn on a normal home PC.

Conclusion

SALOME is a useful, free addition to a Windows setup because it is a free open-source platform for CAD modelling, meshing and post-processing for numerical simulation, and it can be downloaded safely from the official site. Start with a small first project, learn one tool at a time, and build from there.

To get started, download SALOME from the official website here: https://www.salome-platform.org/downloads Install it with the steps above, test it once, and then use it in your next project. With a little practice, it can become a regular part of your workflow.