Cliff King
03-16-2008, 04:17 PM
I thought I would start off the discussions in this new forum with what I personally view as the strengths and weaknesses of Flexsim today (version 4.32). I will start by listing what I feel are Flexsim's greatest strengths compared to the competition, and then I will admit what I feel are Flexsim's greatest weaknesses. Are you more amazed at the fact that Flexsim has weaknesses, or that I'm willing to admit it? ;)
First the strengths of Flexsim:
Game Quality Graphics - Flexsim allows you to import standard 3D models as well as create your own animated 3D graphics within the package using a standard graphics language (OpenGL).
No Fences - You will never have to throw up your hands and say "Dang, Flexsim can't do that!", because of Flexsim's open architecture and integration with the most powerful programming language available C++. You're not forced to be a C++ programmer because there's also a simple scripting language available, but at those times when you might meet a brick wall with competitive packages, Flexsim gives you a door.
Standard Object Library - Flexsim has a very capable library of class objects that can be used right out of the box to build a lot of different models very quickly and quite often with little or no programming required. In addition, the source code for all classes in the library is open to the user to see and use freely.
Kinematics - Flexsim's kinematics capability is a very powerful tool for advanced users to be able to create their own complex machine or product motions, and not just animation, but physics-based simulation.
TaskExecuters - Flexsim's approach to mobile resources using taskexecuters and the concept of a tasksequence is elegant and extremely powerful. When you have to queue, dispatch and control a complex sequence of movements and coordinated tasks of people and machines, the TaskExecuter object class in Flexsim makes an otherwise insurmountable job doable.
Customization - No one compares to the level of customization that Flexsim provides. Flexsim users may create their own classes, libraries, GUIs and entire applications if they so desire. Hardly anything is "off limits" to the user. Flexsim opens up what most competitive products protect as source code. When a user has a question about how it works "under the hood", they can go and take a look.
Reusability - Users may save their work in what are called user libraries, and then either reuse it later themselves or share it with others to reduce future model building time.
Head Start Objects - The BasicFR, BasicTE and BasicConveyor objects are available in Flexsim to give users who would like to design their own custom objects a head start when creating new object functionality.Now for the weaknesses of Flexsim:
Documentation - Although Flexsim has about 700 pages of online help, it still lacks examples and theoretical explanations. The company simply does not do a good job of telling and showing people all that Flexsim can do. I would be willing to bet there is not a single person inside or outside the company that knows everything Flexsim can do!
Training - Very little has been published related to the Flexsim software. You can not buy text books, training videos, etc. about how to use Flexsim. You are somewhat dependant on collegues, Flexsim's own training and technical support, or this Community Forum to get the training and help you might need.
Case Studies - Very few true case studies are available with Flexsim to give new users a head start when starting their new model.
Software User Interface - It can be difficult to manage all the windows, and to navigate the GUI's within Flexsim. Many of the terms used in the user interfaces are often not intuitive to inexperienced users.
Connections - The graphical connections between objects (i.e. input, output and center port connections) can be difficult to create and manage in very large models.Here's my closing remarks. Flexsim will never have all the modeling objects, and all the software features required to satisfy all the needs and all the wants of every user. It just won't. We knew that when we first designed Flexsim. This is the very reason why we developed such a flexible and powerful product. It's power lies not in its current library set, although there definitely is some power available there. It's power is in the fact that developers and users alike can create any new functionality or custom visualization that they can possibly imagine or have the skills to produce. In other words, Flexsim has No Fences!! We at Flexsim need to make it easier, faster and funner to do through a combination of software development and creative training methods.
I welcome your opinions,
Cliff King
VP Technical Services
Flexsim Software Products.
First the strengths of Flexsim:
Game Quality Graphics - Flexsim allows you to import standard 3D models as well as create your own animated 3D graphics within the package using a standard graphics language (OpenGL).
No Fences - You will never have to throw up your hands and say "Dang, Flexsim can't do that!", because of Flexsim's open architecture and integration with the most powerful programming language available C++. You're not forced to be a C++ programmer because there's also a simple scripting language available, but at those times when you might meet a brick wall with competitive packages, Flexsim gives you a door.
Standard Object Library - Flexsim has a very capable library of class objects that can be used right out of the box to build a lot of different models very quickly and quite often with little or no programming required. In addition, the source code for all classes in the library is open to the user to see and use freely.
Kinematics - Flexsim's kinematics capability is a very powerful tool for advanced users to be able to create their own complex machine or product motions, and not just animation, but physics-based simulation.
TaskExecuters - Flexsim's approach to mobile resources using taskexecuters and the concept of a tasksequence is elegant and extremely powerful. When you have to queue, dispatch and control a complex sequence of movements and coordinated tasks of people and machines, the TaskExecuter object class in Flexsim makes an otherwise insurmountable job doable.
Customization - No one compares to the level of customization that Flexsim provides. Flexsim users may create their own classes, libraries, GUIs and entire applications if they so desire. Hardly anything is "off limits" to the user. Flexsim opens up what most competitive products protect as source code. When a user has a question about how it works "under the hood", they can go and take a look.
Reusability - Users may save their work in what are called user libraries, and then either reuse it later themselves or share it with others to reduce future model building time.
Head Start Objects - The BasicFR, BasicTE and BasicConveyor objects are available in Flexsim to give users who would like to design their own custom objects a head start when creating new object functionality.Now for the weaknesses of Flexsim:
Documentation - Although Flexsim has about 700 pages of online help, it still lacks examples and theoretical explanations. The company simply does not do a good job of telling and showing people all that Flexsim can do. I would be willing to bet there is not a single person inside or outside the company that knows everything Flexsim can do!
Training - Very little has been published related to the Flexsim software. You can not buy text books, training videos, etc. about how to use Flexsim. You are somewhat dependant on collegues, Flexsim's own training and technical support, or this Community Forum to get the training and help you might need.
Case Studies - Very few true case studies are available with Flexsim to give new users a head start when starting their new model.
Software User Interface - It can be difficult to manage all the windows, and to navigate the GUI's within Flexsim. Many of the terms used in the user interfaces are often not intuitive to inexperienced users.
Connections - The graphical connections between objects (i.e. input, output and center port connections) can be difficult to create and manage in very large models.Here's my closing remarks. Flexsim will never have all the modeling objects, and all the software features required to satisfy all the needs and all the wants of every user. It just won't. We knew that when we first designed Flexsim. This is the very reason why we developed such a flexible and powerful product. It's power lies not in its current library set, although there definitely is some power available there. It's power is in the fact that developers and users alike can create any new functionality or custom visualization that they can possibly imagine or have the skills to produce. In other words, Flexsim has No Fences!! We at Flexsim need to make it easier, faster and funner to do through a combination of software development and creative training methods.
I welcome your opinions,
Cliff King
VP Technical Services
Flexsim Software Products.