Tidy3D is a software package designed for solving extremely large electrodynamics problems using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. It targets engineers and researchers working with complex electromagnetic simulations, offering a scalable solution through a Python API and a web-based GUI. The primary benefit is the ability to handle computationally intensive FDTD problems efficiently.

How It Works

Tidy3D employs the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to solve Maxwell's equations numerically. It is engineered for scalability, allowing users to define FDTD simulations programmatically via a Python API or through a web-based graphical user interface. Simulations are executed on Flexcompute's servers, with results then downloaded and postprocessed. This approach offloads heavy computation to a dedicated platform, enabling the solution of very large problems.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: pip install --user tidy3d
• Configuration: tidy3d configure --apikey=XXX (API key obtained from Flexcompute account). For hosted notebooks: !pip install tidy3d followed by import tidy3d.web as web; web.configure("XXX").
• Prerequisites: A Flexcompute account with credits is required to run simulations.
• Links:
  • Installation Guide: https://docs.flexcompute.com/projects/tidy3d/en/latest/install.html
  • Documentation: https://docs.flexcompute.com/projects/tidy3d/en/latest/index.html
  • Example Library: https://docs.flexcompute.com/projects/tidy3d/en/latest/notebooks/docs/index.html

Highlighted Details

• Includes FlexAgent MCP, an AI-assisted layer for simulations, compatible with AI clients like Codex, Claude, Gemini, and Cursor.
• The Python API allows programmatic definition, submission, and management of FDTD simulations.
• Supports solving "extremely large" electrodynamics problems.

Maintenance & Community

Feedback, bug reporting, and general discussions are handled through GitHub Issues and the Discussions Tab on the project's repository.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: GNU LGPL.
• Compatibility: The LGPL license generally permits linking with closed-source applications, but modifications to the library itself must be shared under the LGPL.

Limitations & Caveats

Running simulations requires an account and credits on Flexcompute's servers, indicating a dependency on their cloud infrastructure and a potential cost for usage.