What is Obrik?

This project's goal is to make an interactive free body diagram simulator. The idea is that you draw in a free body diagram (using a mouse on a normal PC or a stylus on a tablet) and hit the "play" button to watch the thing be simulated.

Motivation

This was inspired by ASSIST (YouTube): A Shrewd Sketch Interpretation and Simulation Tool, designed by MIT's then-named Design Rationale Group (currently Multimodal Understanding Group).

Similar software

This section lists similar software and how it is different from Obrik. (The "this software is complete whereas Obrik is not" part has been omited ^_) If you know of more, email me with a link.

ASSIST

ASSIST is not fully free software because of a dependency on a proprietary physics engine. Also, you can't get your hands on a copy without emailing the guy in the youtube video a million times. Even if he does send it to you, it's so outdated it doesn't work any more (I know, I've tried.)

Phun

Phun has no sketch interface. Much of the appeal of using ASSIST came from being able to draw almost anything in the free body diagram domain and have it work for you. Phun is very functional (I think they even use Box2D, like Obrik), but you are constrained by the pre-widgetted UI.

Crayon Physics

Crayon Physics costs money. It's very functional and fun, though, from what little I've used it. Also, this doesn't simulate free body diagrams; the things you can draw are very constrained.