can sb compare these two simulation software?
Hi @Chia H,
Those of us on the support team don't have first hand experience with Arena, but I've listed some of the differences I have found when researching the software. There may be community members with experience in both programs who can provide you with a more in depth answer regarding Arena.
The main difference I am seeing is that FlexSim has the ability to be scaled between simple simulation models and animated motion models easier than it reportedly is to make that transition with Arena (some sources suggested Arena does not support animated modeling at all, but I am unable to confirm this myself). In addition, it seems Arena does not support stochastic modelling, whereas FlexSim does.
You can also try FlexSim out yourself - FlexSim Express is available for anybody to use. It’s a 100% free evaluation version of our simulation software, allowing you to model a system with 30 or fewer objects with no time restrictions.
17 years ago we tested several discrete event simulation tools. Then we have chosen FlexSim because there have been only one model building process. All logic was in the 3D objects. We drag the objects in the model space, connect them with edges to implement a flow routing, decide on use of transport by an option mark and run the model. Then we enhanced some conditions for routing or statistical distributions for creatIng items.
Today you can still do this, but you can decide to built a process flow chart logic first and then set up an 3D environment to visualize the process.
I think the main difference of simulation tools is their approach to build a 3D visualization. FlexSim is using a 3D model with a set of administrable templates. You are free to enhance the templates by adjusting script code, by connecting a graphical process flow logic, replacing a template completely by a process flow logic and build process flow logic sheets to control 3D visualization completely. But you can also set a process flow logic without any connection to a 3D visualization at all and still get results in diagram charts.
Other simulation programs start with a 2D sheet to build a process to visualize it later in 3D. A 2D sheet is always limited to those two dimensions. A model consists mostly of more dimensions.
Personally I don’t want to be restricted by the approach how to get to an result. FlexSim let me choose how I start, change or complete a model building any time.
There are several scripting languages inside of FlexSim you can write directly in. FlexScript is very similar to C++, but without a complete declaration part, which makes it easier to start scripting. SQL to query model structures, tables, lists and source code constructs. C++ code in nodes in model structure and code execution in DLL. Yes, there are some rules to get this done. But you write here at this answers site and you can get answers by the head programmers of this tool.
i want to know more about the function of these two software,to compare them.
I have the Korean stuff comparing with other simulation software including Arena in the function view. If you can read Korean, I can send it to you via email.
If you want it, make me know your information like businesscard. You can find my information in the FlexSim contact page. I am a 'FlexSim KOREA' reseller.
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