OpenSim vs The Physics Aviary
OpenSim
opensim.stanford.eduThe Physics Aviary
thephysicsaviary.comSide by side
| Figure | OpenSim | The Physics Aviary |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Physics Simulation Software | 8.7 (#6) | 8.0 (#31) |
| Delivery mode | desktop | web |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Lesson library | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | OpenSim models humans, animals, robots, and the environment, and simulates their interaction and movement. | The Physics Aviary provides programs to help physics students master big ideas in physics. |
| Support | OpenSim provides documentation, tutorials, and a discussion forum where users can seek help from experts. | The maker invites questions by email at [email protected]. |
| 3D visuals | Yes | Yes |
Plans
In their own words
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.
The Physics Aviary
The Physics Aviary has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.