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Ansoft’s free 2-D field solver was Maxwell SV, a downloadable subset of Maxwell 2D reported in 2002 and 2005. The original name and download are historical; the current Ansys Maxwell product line is the relevant successor, and Ansys says Maxwell is included in its free Student bundle. That does not establish that the old Maxwell SV download is still maintained or available under its original name.
What was Ansoft Maxwell SV?
Maxwell SV was a free version of Ansoft’s Maxwell 2D electromagnetic field solver, aimed at students and design engineers. EE Times reported its release on 28 October 2002, describing it as having no capacity limitations. A 2005 EEPower report likewise characterized it as a free downloadable subset for education in electromechanical, power-electronic, and mechatronic design.
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Ansoft chairman and chief technical officer Zoltan Cendes described the educational rationale: “I started as a professor. I know that in classes, it’s very useful to have programs like this in teaching electromagnetics.” EE Times’ 2002 report records the release and quote; EEPower’s 2005 report describes the later offering.
What could the free 2-D solver simulate?
The 2002 feature description listed 2-D electric-field simulation, DC- and AC-magnetic analysis, and eddy-current solvers. The interface included a graphical 2-D modeler and post-processor, automatic and adaptive meshing, a material database, and DXF/DWG import. Reported calculated quantities included force, torque, inductance, capacitance, and resistance, with field visualization in the post-processor.
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The 2005 description specifically called out unrestricted 2-D AC, DC-magnetic, and electrostatic-field solvers. “Unrestricted” describes that report’s characterization of the free version; it should not be read as a claim about current licensing or product limits.
How did Maxwell SV differ from commercial Maxwell 2D?
According to the 2005 account, the commercial Maxwell 2D added transient simulation, coupled thermal analysis, parametric modeling, and automated equivalent-circuit generation beyond Maxwell SV. The free edition therefore covered useful field-solving tasks but did not include every analysis and automation capability described for the commercial product.
Current Ansys documentation describes a broader Maxwell 2D module lineup, including electrostatic, magnetostatic, AC-conduction, DC-conduction, eddy-current, and transient-magnetic analysis. Documented outputs include capacitance, inductance, force, torque, flux linkage, admittance, conductance, impedance, core loss, and current flow. These current product descriptions provide context, not proof that Maxwell SV had identical modules or outputs. See Ansys Maxwell’s current product information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Maxwell SV still free, and what should you use now?
The historical sources establish that Maxwell SV was offered as a free download, but they do not establish that the original download remains available or supported. Ansoft was acquired by ANSYS in 2008, and the current product and licensing language uses the Ansys Maxwell and Ansys Student names rather than promising continued availability of Maxwell SV. Ansoft Spirit’s corporate site notes the acquisition: Ansoft Spirit.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Ansys currently says Maxwell is included in the free Ansys Student bundle. For a present-day student looking for an electromagnetic solver, start with the current Ansys Student offering and check its eligibility, supported capabilities, and terms before installing. Do not assume that a present-day Student license reproduces Maxwell SV’s old licensing conditions or feature set.
Current Maxwell is described as a 2-D and 3-D electromagnetic field solver used for applications such as electric machines, transformers, PCBs, wireless charging, actuators, and busbars. Choose based on the analysis you need: check dimensionality and solver physics, whether transient or coupled thermal work is required, the included CAD and meshing workflow, and whether the results you need—such as torque, inductance, impedance, or core loss—are supported by the edition you can access.
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