GNU FisicaLab vs OpenSim
GNU FisicaLab
gnu.orgOpenSim
opensim.stanford.eduSide by side
| Figure | GNU FisicaLab | OpenSim |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.5 (#14) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Authoring tools | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery mode | desktop | desktop |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Lesson library | Yes | Yes |
| License | FisicaLab is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3 or, at the user's option, any later version. | The GUI and API are open source under Apache 2.0, while models, examples, and plugins may have their own licenses. |
| Purpose | FisicaLab is an educational application for solving physics problems while leaving the mathematical details to the program. | OpenSim models humans, animals, robots, and the environment, and simulates their interaction and movement. |
| Support | The fisicalab-discusion mailing list is for user help with using and installing the program; bug-fisicalab is for development discussion, improvement requests, and bug reports. | OpenSim provides documentation, tutorials, and a discussion forum where users can seek help from experts. |
| 3D visuals | No | Yes |
Plans
In their own words
GNU FisicaLab
GNU FisicaLab is a free desktop application for solving physics problems while handling the mathematical details. Its modules cover two-dimensional particle and circular kinematics, statics and dynamics, calorimetry, ideal gases, expansion, and thermodynamics. Statics and dynamics problems are described by constructing free-body diagrams. The interface supports SI and English unit systems. A grid chalkboard starts at 26 by 18 cells and can be enlarged in Preferences to 100 by 100. Data fields accept scientific notation, conversion factors, arithmetic, trigonometric functions, and square roots; parentheses cannot group operations. Online and downloadable documentation includes step-by-step examples. Source code is available from GNU FTP and mirrors, with previous Linux binaries and a Windows installer listed. GNU/Linux and BSD executable packages may come from distributions. FisicaLab is distributed under GNU GPL version 3 or any later version and provides no 3D visuals.
OpenSim
OpenSim models and simulates how humans, animals, robots, and their environment move and interact. Its graphical interface displays models and supports creating and analyzing simulations. Models can contain rigid bodies, joints, constraints, contact, muscles, and other actuators. Movement analysis tools include inverse kinematics, inverse dynamics, static optimization, and forward dynamics; Computed Muscle Control can generate muscle-driven forward simulations. The API is usable through Matlab, Python, Java, and C++, and GUI scripting uses an embedded Jython shell. Plugins can add analyses and model components, but must be built for the same OpenSim version and platform. The graphical interface is distributed for 64-bit Windows and Mac, while there is no public Linux GUI distribution; the API source can be built for Linux. OpenSim is free and open source under Apache 2.0, though models, examples, and plugins may have separate licenses. It is intended for research and teaching and welcomes academic and commercial applications. Documentation, tutorials, and a discussion forum are available. Downloading requires a SimTK account.