OpenModelica vs Altair Activate

Struggling to choose between OpenModelica and Altair Activate? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

OpenModelica is a Development solution with tags like opensource, modeling, simulation, integrated-environment, industrial-usage, academic-usage.

It boasts features such as Modeling and simulation of complex systems, Acausal modeling with Modelica language, Integrated development environment, Model library with many common component models, Simulation of both continuous and discrete systems, Optimization and symbolic algorithms, Import/export of models and libraries, Modeling, simulation and analysis of electrical power systems, Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulations and pros including Free and open source, Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac), Active development community, Good documentation and tutorials, Flexible licensing for commercial use.

On the other hand, Altair Activate is a Development product tagged with simulation, modeling, engineering, design, analysis, finite-element-analysis.

Its standout features include Finite element analysis, Computational fluid dynamics, Thermal simulation, Optimization, Visualization and postprocessing, Scripting and automation, and it shines with pros like User-friendly GUI, Wide range of analysis types, Tight integration with Altair HyperWorks suite, Large element library, Good for concept design and simulation.

Feature	OpenModelica	Altair Activate
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

OpenModelica

Description: OpenModelica is an open-source modeling and simulation environment intended for industrial and academic usage. It provides an integrated graphical modeling, compilation and simulation environment based on open standards.

Altair Activate

Description: Altair Activate is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software that allows engineers and designers to perform structural, fluid flow, and thermal simulations. It has an intuitive graphical user interface for building and analyzing models.

Key Features Comparison

OpenModelica Features

• Modeling and simulation of complex systems
• Acausal modeling with Modelica language
• Integrated development environment
• Model library with many common component models
• Simulation of both continuous and discrete systems
• Optimization and symbolic algorithms
• Import/export of models and libraries
• Modeling, simulation and analysis of electrical power systems
• Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulations

Altair Activate Features

• Finite element analysis
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Thermal simulation
• Optimization
• Visualization and postprocessing
• Scripting and automation

Pros & Cons Analysis

OpenModelica

Pros

• Free and open source
• Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, Mac)
• Active development community
• Good documentation and tutorials
• Flexible licensing for commercial use

Cons

• Limited analysis and debugging capabilities compared to commercial tools
• Less extensive model libraries than commercial alternatives
• Lacks some advanced simulation algorithms present in commercial tools

Altair Activate

Pros

• User-friendly GUI
• Wide range of analysis types
• Tight integration with Altair HyperWorks suite
• Large element library
• Good for concept design and simulation

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Not as full-featured as some competitors
• Limited customization options
• Can be resource intensive for large models

Pricing Comparison

OpenModelica

• Open Source

Altair Activate

• Subscription
• Pay-per-use