CHARM

Both versions include the following capabilities:

• Editor for adding/editing chemicals.
• Editor for adding maps.
• Time varying emission rates.
• Two-phase releases.
• Releases from containment, evaporating pools, and user-defined rates.
• Time varying meteorology.
• Real-time meteorology is available, if a data collection system is present.
• Import maps automatically from the Internet.
• Export footprints in ASCII or ESRI Shape files.
• An Application Programming Interface (API) exists for incorporating all CHARM functionality into other Windows programs.

A list of the major features of the complex terrain version is:

• The effect of 3-dimensional terrain on the wind field and dispersion over an area.
• Averaging time is included in all concentration results.
• All outputs can be displayed in 3-D. This includes fires and explosions as well as concentration impacts.
• Vertical cross-sections can be displayed for the region along any user drawn line.
• Probability of Fatality (if probit parameters are provided), Dose, Toxic Load, and Thermal Dose impacts can be displayed like any other impact.
• Editor is capable of defining grids by importing DEM and land use data available over the Internet from the USGS, the Globe Project, and other sources. A variety of file formats, including DEM and GeoTiff can be read.
• Receptor height for plan views can be either in MSL altitude or altitude above surface.
• Source location can be defined as occurring over a track defined by x (longitude), y (latitude), z, and time.
• Maps can be superimposed over the 3-D terrain.
• A graphics program is available to show terrain, impacts, and maps using DirectX for more realistic displays.
• The advection/dispersion calculation is done over the 3 dimensional grid using a finite difference solution.
• A scenario and its calculations can be saved in a separate set of files so recalculation is not required.
• Multiple release sites, each with a different species, can be modeled in one run.
• Each release can be at a different time in one scenario.
• Multiple meteorological sites.
• Liquid releases can be allowed to flow with the terrain when forming pools. 
• A source can be particles with a user-defined size distribution.  Concentrations and deposition amount can be displayed.
• Particles can coagulate, evaporate/condense, be created from chemical reactions, and fall to the ground.
• Convective heat transfer from the surface into the plume is considered.
• Chemical reactions can be calculated. Reaction rates can vary with temperature, solar radiation, particle size, or keyed to air and water vapor.
• Chemical reactions can be edited by the user.
• The 3-D calculation grid can contain nested grids.
• The nested grids can be user defined or automatically created by CHARM.
• The 3-D grid can represent rooms, piping, or other objects not attached to the ground.
• Export grid information in ASCII and BREEZE files.
• Create Google Earth files (kml/kmz) of buildings/objects, 2D, and 3D impacts.
• Nuclear radiation impacts from nuclides in the emission.
• Nuclide and mass fraction makeup of an emission can be specified.
• Radiation rate and dose calculated and displayed in 2D, 3D, and tables.