MDCraft vs myPhysicsLab
MDCraft
mdcraft.readthedocs.iomyPhysicsLab
myphysicslab.comSide by side
| Figure | MDCraft | myPhysicsLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 7.0 (#80) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Audience | The documentation presents MDCraft for molecular-dynamics researchers, with high-level analysis classes for end users and direct access to optimized algorithms for more experienced programmers. | The simulations include explanations of their underlying mathematics and the site describes the project as an online science museum effort. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The documentation describes OpenMM simulation helpers and a LAMMPS trajectory reader and topology utilities. | The maker documents sharing simulation URLs by email and customizing simulations with JavaScript; it does not list third-party integrations on the pages reviewed. |
| License | The project repository identifies MDCraft as licensed under GPL-3.0. | The software is open source under the Apache 2.0 License, and its source code is available on GitHub. |
| Maker | The documentation copyright names Benjamin Ye and Pierre Walker; the opened pages do not state a company name or headquarters. | The author says he is a self-employed software engineer living in Seattle, Washington, and that he started developing the site in 2001. |
| Purpose | MDCraft is a Python assistant for performing and analyzing molecular dynamics simulations of soft matter systems. | myPhysicsLab provides interactive, real-time animated physics simulations that users can change by dragging objects and adjusting parameters. |
Plans
In their own words
MDCraft
MDCraft has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
myPhysicsLab
myPhysicsLab is a free, open-source project with interactive physics simulations and JavaScript classes for building animated models. Simulations run in real time, and users can drag objects or change parameters such as gravity. Its library includes examples such as pendulums, springs, colliding blocks, roller coasters, billiards, and molecular models. Many simulation pages explain the mathematics behind the models. Users can customize simulations with EasyScript or JavaScript in a browser and text editor, then share a setup through a URL that embeds EasyScript. Numeric results can be retrieved through VarsHistory, JavaScript, or collision-data scripts. Downloadable versions can be used offline. The source code is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 License. The simulations do not specify measurement units, so values need to be used consistently within each model. Building from source requires TypeScript, esbuild, Perl, and GNU Make. The project began in 2001, and its maker is based in Seattle, Washington.