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FAQ
Pop-Science Explanation:
General
silux is a new kind of simulation software for technical and
scientific fields. It is meant by "new kind" that
very advanced methods of calculation that are fundamentally
different from those used by the competition are put to work
in silux. silux fundamentally distinguishes itself from other
simulation programs through its calculation method and its
inner-functionality. It is these differences that give silux
a decisive advantage over its competitors in the end. It is
this fundamental difference of a new approach that allows
silux to calculate and simulate things that could not be calculated
with silux competitors.
Number of Parts
The method of the competition expresses itself in the limitation
of the models that can be simulated with these programs. It
is this mathematical method of the competitor programs that
limits both the complexity and the number of parts in a simulation
model. All of the models of the competition that have been
seen to date have generally 10 to 20 parts.
However silux can simulate hundreds, thousands of parts.
Complexity of the parts
The individual parts can be as complex as you want with silux.
In silux, parts can consist of an unlimited number of contours
and the individual contours themselves can consist of any
combination of arcs and line segments. In silux, curves are
incidentally true, geometrically and analytically exact curves
and no approximation by line segments only.
The individual contours of a part can also work as gaps or
holes in silux. Centers of gravity and moments of inertia
are always automatically calculated, no matter how complex
the parts are. These values can however also be entered manually
by the user.
A comparison to biology
-In the silux programs, the individual objects behave like
single-celled creatures. An object is the smallest living
entity in silux.
-Each object has a complete set of physical information which
allows for the autonomous movement of the object.
-Each object has its own sensors so it can tell what's going
on around it. Each object can continually check to see whether
or not it has collided with another object and knows how it
should behave in this case. Each object has its own memory
so that it can "save" such observations and events.
silux objects are self-sufficient.
-What the user can do however, and generally does, is specify
or change at any time the conditions of the environment in
which the single-cells move (friction, collision properties,
disturbances, outside forces, etc.) silux is a living organism.
Interactivity
silux is completely interactive. This means that while a silux
simulation is running, the user can not only follow and observe
the running simulation like a film, but can also intervene
into what is happening.
The user can shove or move individual parts and observe the
reaction of the system. silux is in this sense a truly living
virtual world. And the reaction of the system corresponds
to reality. This is not because the user has in any way pre-programmed
the appropriate type of reaction for the given case, but rather
because silux knows all about mechanical physics and can react
completely independently.
Structure Analysis
silux can do more than just simulate. silux is an integrated
solution with a completeness that has been unrivalled to date.
silux is a complete solution that covers structure analysis
and in such a way it is fully integrated into the program.
Additionally, silux's structure analysis does not just deliver
individual pictures as is the case in other products that
offer an interface to a program with Finite-Elements Method
(FEM). In silux, the results of the structure analysis can
be observed continually like a film. The structure analysis
in silux is then integrated into the whole simulation live
and dynamically. This property was, by the way, decisive for
silux being awarded the Byte Award at the CEBIT '97 show.
This continuous structure analysis works exactly like the
general physical calculations of silux: that is, according
to the Finite Differences Method (FDM).
A normal FEM program cannot deliver continuous results like
silux can, live and dynamically. In this sense silux has,
at least for the foreseeable future, no direct competition
to fear. silux is the first program to have these abilities.
silux Script
silux has a universal macro language (silux Script). It is
universal because it can be used for many different tasks
at the same time:
- Macro language (recording, replay)
- Command language (program execution control)
- Control language, etc.
The silux simulation language completes silux's ability to
create very complex models with hundreds and thousands of
objects.
Without assistance like silux Script, capabilities in regard
to model complexity could often not be taken advantage of
at all because models could not be created within a reasonable
period of time.
Other Topics:
Animations and Simulation software (comparison)
Scientifical/mathematical explanations
Summary
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