FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer here? Send us a message and we will reply by email.
Contact us →Using GibbsStudio
Do I need to install PHREEQC separately?
No. GibbsStudio comes with PHREEQC built in, so there is nothing else to download or install.
Which PHREEQC version does GibbsStudio use?
Usually the most recent one; GibbsStudio 6.1.0 ships with PHREEQC 3.8.8. You can check which version your copy has in Help › About…
Can I use my existing PHREEQC input files and databases?
Yes. GibbsStudio reads standard PHREEQC inputs and databases and saves the original PHREEQC output, so your existing models work as they are. Since 6.1 you can also drop a .pqi file straight onto the window: it opens as a new project with its selected output already in a lab.
Do I need to know PHREEQC to use GibbsStudio?
Yes. PHREEQC is the computational engine. GibbsStudio helps you build inputs and process outputs, but you still need to understand how PHREEQC models work. The USGS publishes the PHREEQC user guide.
Is there a free trial of the Professional edition?
Yes. Request a one-month trial licence on the trial page and we will send it to you by email.
Is there an educational licence?
We offer free temporary Professional licences for students and discounts for PhD students. Tell us about your course or project through the contact form.
Do you offer training courses?
Yes. We run a one-day quick start course on how GibbsStudio works and how to get the most out of it. Attendees should know the PHREEQC basics.
Can I export plots to vector formats?
Yes. Choose the .svg extension when you save a plot. HTML and image formats are also available, and every data table has an export button.
Can I reproduce a Monte Carlo run exactly?
Yes. A Monte Carlo study has a seed, and the same seed draws the same samples. Set it to 0 if you want a new draw at every run.
I am new to GibbsStudio. Where do I start?
Watch the tutorial videos on the resources page, then read the getting-started chapter of the manual and open an example from File › Open Example… Each one opens as a copy in your documents, so you can change it freely.
Installation and licences
Do Community and Professional use different installers?
No. Both editions use the same installer. A Professional licence activates the Pro modules.
Which systems are supported?
Windows 10 or later, 64-bit (x64), and macOS 14.4 or later, Apple silicon (M-series). A Linux version is intended but not released; tell us if you need one.
macOS says GibbsStudio cannot be opened. What do I do?
The macOS build is not signed with an Apple Developer ID, so macOS blocks the first launch. Drag GibbsStudio into Applications, try to open it once and dismiss the warning, then open System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll to the line about GibbsStudio and press Open Anyway. You do this once per installed version.
How do I activate a licence?
Open Help › Plugins…, select the plugin your licence covers, open its License tab and apply the licence file you were sent. Restart GibbsStudio afterwards. A plugin whose licence is missing or expired stays in the list but stays inactive.
How do updates work?
GibbsStudio checks for a newer release at startup, and Help › Check for Updates… asks at any time. On Windows it offers to install the update for you. On macOS it tells you what has been released and opens the download page; you download the new disk image and drag GibbsStudio into Applications over the old copy. Your projects, licences and settings are untouched.
Does GibbsStudio include a PHREEQC manual?
No. GibbsStudio does not change PHREEQC itself, so the original PHREEQC user's guide from the USGS applies.
The installation failed. What can I do?
Contact us with your operating system version and the error message, and we will help you sort it out.
Bring your existing PHREEQC models
Inputs and databases import as they are. PHREEQC is bundled, so you can start in minutes.