License SD/FAST with SIMM

[Sylvia Yang]

Hi,

I'm using SIMM to simulate gait with forward dynamics, and in order to use SIMM I have to integrate SD/FAST.

I'm wondering if any of you have been in the same situation and succeeded in contacting the staff behind SD/FAST? I downloaded it from their web page (http://www.sdfast.com/) and it says, that after downloading and installing it you should contact lmcternan@ptc.com to request an evaluation license.

I did as instructed and received an answer asking me to state whether I want to evaluate Kane or Order (N). I didn't find any information about neither on their web page. Do any SIMM users know which one to chose?

Anyway, I said I wanted Order(N) because it sounded more advanced and just to get things started. I'm not overly impressed by the help I've gotten or their efficiency. Actually, I requested the evaluation license exactly a month ago from tomorrow and I haven't gotten any further with this.

I'm rather frustrated so do share experiences around this topic, so that I know what I expect in the future.

[Peter Loan]

Re: License SD/FAST with SIMM

Hi Sylvia,

I spoke today with Leslie McTernan, the SD/FAST sales representative at PTC, and she said that she
responded to your request today. She also said it was OK for me to give out her direct phone number
(+1.781.370.5209) in case you or anyone else has trouble contacting her by email.

Regards,
Peter

[Ross Miller]

Re: License SD/FAST with SIMM

Hi Sylvia,

We are ordering SD/FAST + SIMM as well and Leslie asked me the same question. Peter explained to me that the Kane version is sufficient for smaller models while the Order (N) version has some extra features that make it more efficient for large systems. A "large" system for the type of modeling we do would be something with 30-50 degrees of freedom or more.

I think the price difference was $1000 for a non-profit license.

Ross

[Jennifer Hicks]

Re: License SD/FAST with SIMM

Hi Sylvia,

Since I don't have a lot of details about your particular background, project, and goals, I'm not sure if this will apply. But in case you are not aware, OpenSim is a freely-available software package for musculoskeletal modeling and simulation research. It relies on a free, open source dynamics engine (Simbody) and has tools to import SIMM .jnt and .msl files. You can download the software and find more resources at the following websites:

https://simtk.org/home/opensim

http://www.stanford.edu/group/opensim/

Best,
Jen

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Jennifer L. Hicks, Ph.D.
OpenSim Project Manager
Stanford University
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