Scripting

Scripting refers to accessing OpenSim's functionality through programming languages that do not require you to compile your code. We support the following scripting interfaces:

• Matlab
• Python
• The scripting shell in the OpenSim GUI (which is a Jython interpreter embedded in the application)

What's available?

• Instantiate and run tools from setup files or programmatically. 
• Perform batch processing of common workflows (e.g., inverse kinematics, computed muscle control, EMG-driven simulation).
• Utilize the OpenSim API without the overhead of learning to program in C++ and setting up a development environment.
• Write "main" programs similar to those written by C++ developers, while taking advantage of the many open-source Matlab/Python packages for data processing, statistics, machine learning, etc. 
• Access common SimTK/Simbody numeric types (e.g., Vec3, Vector, Mat33, State, Inertia) and a limited subset of Simbody multibody calculations.
• Access to the OpenSim API to create and simulate models.

• Use the Simbody visualizer.

Limitations

• In general, cannot create new components (e.g., a custom muscle; though there are some exceptions).
• Cannot create plugins for use through the GUI or command-line.
• In Matlab/Python, there’s no access to OpenSim's plotter (use Matlab/Python native plotter) or visualizer (use the Simbody visualizer).
• Many SimTK/Simbody classes (that belong to the SimTK namespace and simbody internals) are not available (e.g., integrators).