Introduction to Simantics

What is Simantics?

Simantics is a software platform especially for modelling and numerical simulation. It is a grounding to build a modelling and simulation software or to integrate different software tools. Simantics package does not include any "Simantics solver", but all the solvers are third party components. System Dynamics modelling and simulation tool is currently the only Simantics-based open source modelling tool available. To install System Dynamics tool, see installation instructions.

The platform contains graphical client software built on Eclipse software framework and a database server for holding all the data. The innovation under the hood in Simantics is its semantic data model used for practically everything from 2D graphics to modelling data and model domain mappings - the database server. The really nice feature of the semantic data model is the built-in ability to easily map somehow related data in the data base.

In addition to the database, Simantics platform contains many user interface elements and features that are common to most modelling and simulation tools like diagram, symbol library and experiment management. By utilizing the common components, new modelling, simulation and integration solutions don't have to developed from scratch. Common components also make it easier for users to start using new products.

Simantics is open source software. Our intention is to do, obviously in smaller scale, the same that Linux has done to computer user's community. We try to introduce the same openness and sharing attitude to the modelling and simulation community. There are huge number of excellent simulation software available as open source, but often they lack easy-to-use interface and interoperability. Simantics tries to solve this problem by offering an open, vendor independent platform for pre- and post-processing tools and solver integration. In fact, the powerful data model and rich graphical user interface features enable much more to be built on the platform.

Some examples of what Simantics can be used for:

• Graphical modelling environment for system simulation: For example plant modelling or electric circuit design using 2D diagram style graphical tools.
• Solver communication and integration solution: A solution for connecting existing numerical solvers for co-simulation.
• Solution for complex modelling data management: Data model for complex, large model base management, large model database that is developed by several modellers around the internet.
• Platform and a set of tools for distributed model development and simulation: Large, worldwide organisations need tools that support their distributed organisation.