Linux version? And suitability question.

[James Frye]

Hi,

The FAQ on the wiki says that OpenSim runs on Linux, but I can find only a download for Windoze (and apparently no SVN access except to developers). How can I get the Linux version?

Also, the material I've looked at (skim through tutorials, etc) seems to be all about the human body. Can OpenSim simulate other kinds of creatures? I want to do fairly realistic simulated creatures (but not necessarily faithful models of any real creature) that have nerve-driven muscles & basic biomechanics. Would OpenSim be suitable, or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks,
James

[Ayman Habib]

Dear James,

Thanks for your interest in OpenSim.

Although we have been able to build and use the software on Linux, most of the testing is done on Windows machines as of now and so we didn't feel we tested the Linux environment enough to release a build. This will change within the next two months (release 2.0) as we have a few more developers now who work primarily on Linux and Mac platforms.

The software is primarily used for studying biomechanics so our priority has been to develop functionality that helps understand muscle function and be faithful to physics in general. In addition to human, OpenSim users have built (fairly realistic) models of Dinosaurs, Cats, .. other "real" creatures. However, realistic/ faithful to physics is key (even if we pay a price for it).

Depending on what you want to do you might still be able to use OpenSim to do unrealistic creatures but I suspect there're other software packages that may be more suited.

Best of luck,
-Ayman

[James Frye]

Thanks for the reply - I'll check back from time to time to see if the Linux version is available.

I do want to be realistic in the sense that the models are "faithful to physics": I just meant that I don't necessarily need to do a faithful model of any particular creature.

[Tim Dorn]

Hi Ayman,

Since the previous posts are a bit old, I was wondering what the status of the Linux versions of OpenSim is?

[Ayman Habib]

Hi Tim,

Based on the info I got from an OpenSim developer on Linux, it should be easy to create a distribution on Linux (no GUI), we just didn't have enough demand for it.

Release 2.0 which includes the new public API to be used in a workshop in October should have a linux distribution (that may or may not include the GUI)

-Ayman

[Lucas Fahham]

Still no linux distro?

Thanks!