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Scripting environments like Matlab, Python and the OpenSim GUI shell allow users to interact with the classes of the OpenSim API (see The OpenSim API). There are many example scripts that are located in the OpenSim scripting folder, available with the distribution to help you get started. This page summarizes some of the common calls that you will make in the scripting environment of your choice. 

Beginner Scripting Resources  

  1. Run the example scripts found in the distribution.
  2. As you run the example scripts, find the related Classes and Methods in  Doxygen
  3. The structure for classes can often be found in OpenSim's files (.xml or .osim). For example, Setup_Scale.xml shows the hierarchy of the ScaleTool.
  4. Use the OpenSim Search bar to search for a Class or Method in the documentation, on the forum or on the Doxygen pages. 
  5. If you are having trouble with a Class or Method, ask a question on the  OpenSim forum.

Inline Method and Type getting

These are inline commands that help you find the methods available for a class 

CommandPlatformDescription
methodsview('Model') or methodsview(osimModel)GUI, MatlabExamine the methods available for a class (e.g. Model) or for an existing object that you've created (e.g. osimModel)
type(aObject)GUI, PythonPrints the full qualified type of aObject
Up/Down Arrows at the command promptGUI, Interactive PythonRecalls past commands entered at the prompt
Tab completionMatlab, Interactive PythonDefine an OpenSim model or object then use tab completion in Matlab to see the available methods
dir(aObject)PythonReturns a list of methods available on aObject

Packages and Libraries 

Packages and libraries are collections of classes and methods (see Introduction to the OpenSim API for background) that have a well-defined interface and can be imported into your programming environment to utilize. These can be packages to browse files, read and write files, do mathematics operations, and run  simulations. The commands below are common packages or libraries you will find useful.

PackagePlatformDescription
java.swingGUISwing is the generic GUI kit for Java, allows for I/O and creating windows if needed. Examples of usage can be found here.
java.langGUILang is the Java language core libraries e.g String, Math, etc. To use particular libraries (for example Math), do "from java.lang import Math"
java.ioGUIIO is the package in Java that's used to perform input/output operations including file reading/writing.
org.opensim.modelingGUI and MatlabModeling classes from the OpenSim API. This package is automatically imported in the GUI Shell. In Matlab, excute command import org.opensim.modeling.* to avoid having to type org.opensim.modeling.'Class'
org.opensim.utilsGUIProvides some convenient file browsing options
To import packages in the GUI, type, for example:
>>> import java.io as io				# Import Read/Write package
>>> trcFolder = io.File(trcDataFolder)	# Use package to read TRC file	

Creating New Objects 

Creation of objects is performed by the constructor method of the Class. We can create an object and populate its properties, or pass the class a correctly formatted xml file. 
Note: 'path' indicates your system path to the file (i.e., C:/Users/<username>/Documents/OpenSim/4.0/Models/...).

Note: Delete "modeling." from code for Matlab.

ActionClass InformationDefault construction (Scripting shell)XML construction (Scripting shell)
Marker set object OpenSim::MarkerSetnewMarkerSet = modeling.MarkerSet()newMarkerSet = modeling.MarkerSet([path 'markerSet.xml'])
Marker data object OpenSim::MarkerDatamarkerData = modeling.MarkerData()markerData = modeling.MarkerData([path 'walkingData.trc'])
Scaling tool object OpenSim::ScaleToolscaleTool = modeling.ScaleTool()scaleTool = modeling.ScaleTool([path 'scale_setup.xml'])
Inverse Dynamics analysis object OpenSIm::InverseDynamicsToolidTool = modeling.InverseDynamicsTool()idTool = modeling.InverseDynamicsTool([path 'ID_setup.xml'])
Control Set OpenSim:Control SetrawControls = modeling.ControlSet()rawControls= modeling.ControlSet([path 'controls.mot'])
Building a MarkerSet Object from file and attaching it to a Model
>>> markerSetFile = "gait2354_MarkerSet.xml"		# Define the full path to the Marker Set file
>>> newMarkers = modeling.MarkerSet(markerSetFile)	# Construct a MarkerSet Object 
>>> myModel.replaceMarkerSet(myState,newMarkers)	# Replace the models existing MarkerSet with new MarkerSet
>>> myState = myModel.initSystem()					# Initialize the system and obtain the default state
Building a MarkerSet Object Programmatically and attaching it to a Model
>>> myModel = modeling.Model("gait2354.osim")				# Create a Model Object
>>> pelvisbody = myModel.getBodySet().get("pelvis")			# Get a handle to the pelvis body
>>> newMarkerSet = modeling.MarkerSet()						# Create an empty MarkerSet Object
>>> newMarkerSet.addMarkers("LASI", [1, 1, 1], pelvisbody)	# Add a Marker to the MarkerSet called 'LASI', that is attached to the pelvis at [1,1,1]
>>> myModel.replaceMarkerSet(myState,newMarkers)			# Replace the models existing MarkerSet with new MarkerSet
>>> myState = myModel.initSystem()                          # Initialize the system and obtain the default state  
Building a Body Programmatically in Matlab
>> nBody  = Body(); 										% Creates an body with default mass=1
>> massCenter = Vec3(-0.0707,0.0,0.0);						% Create a Vec3 Object with Mass center information
>> inertiaMat = Mat33(0.1028,0,0,0,0.0871,0,0,0,0.0579);	% Create a Mat33 (3x3 Matrix) with inertial information
>> nBody.setName('pelvis')									% Set the name of the body using a string
>> nBody.setMass(11)										% Set the mass of the body using a double
>> nBody.setMassCenter(massCenter)							% Set the Mass Center
>> nBody.setInertia(inertiaMat)								% Set the Inertia 
 
%% Alternatively, a body can be created by sending all of these properties directly to the constructor
>> massCenter = Vec3(-0.0707,0.0,0.0);						% Create a Vec3 Object with Mass center information
>> inertiaMat = Mat33(0.1028,0,0,0,0.0871,0,0,0,0.0579);	% Create a Mat33 (3x3 Matrix) with inertial information
>> bodyName = 'pelvis'										% Set the name of the body using a string
>> bodyMass = 11											% Set the mass of the body using a double
>> nBody  = Body(bodyName,bodyMass,massCenter,inertiaMat);	% Creates an body from properties sent to constructor
Create a Joint programmatically in Matlab
>> pBody  = Body('pelvis', bodyMass,massCenter,inertiaMat); 	% Either create or get a handle to the parent body
>> cBody  = Body('femur_r',bodyMass,massCenter,inertiaMat);		% Either create or get a handle to the child body
>> name = 'hip_r'												% Assign the joint name
>> locInParent   = Vec3(-0.0707,-0.0661,0.0835);				% A Vec3 location in the parent frame
>> orienInParent = Vec3(0,0,0);									% A Vec3 orientation in the parent frame
>> locInChild = Vec3(0,0.0,0);									% A Vec3 location in the child frame
>> orienInChild= Vec3(0,0,0);									% A Vec3 orientation in the child frame
>> rrHip = BallJoint(name,nBody,locInParent,orienInParent,cBody,locInChild,orienInChild)
Create a Torque Actuator for the Knee Joint (flex/ext) programmatically in Matlab
>> myModel = Model("gait2354.osim");				# Create a Model Object
>> femur_r = myModel.getBodySet().get('femur_r');	# Get a Handle to the Body A
>> tibia_r  = myModel.getBodySet().get('tibia_r');	# Get a Handle to the Body B
>> zAxisTorque = Vec3(0,0,1);					# A Vec3 of the z-axis
>> torqueActuator = TorqueActuator();			# Create a Torque Actuator Object
>> torqueActuator.setBodyA(femur_r); 			# Set Body A
>> torqueActuator.setBodyB(tibia_r);			# Set Body B
>> torqueActuator.setAxis(zAxisTorque);			# Set the axis about the torque to act
>> torqueActuator.setOptimalForce(10);			# Set the optimal force (gain) of the actuator
Create a Coordinate Actuator programmatically in Python
>>> myModel = opensim.Model("arm26.osim")
>>> coordActuator = opensim.CoordinateActuator()
>>> coordActuator.setName('r_elbow_actuator')
>>> coordActuator.setCoordinate(myModel.getComponent('r_shoulder/r_shoulder_elev'))

Loading, Creating, and Initializing Models

Loading models and dealing with model states is very common. Below are the methods for loading, copying and initializing a model

ActionGUI CommandMatlab/Python Command
Loads the specified model in the GUIloadModel(modelFileName) 
Creates a handle to the current model in the GUImyModel = getCurrentModel() 
Load a model from file (Create Model Object)myModel = modeling.Model(modelFileName)myModel = Model('gait2354.osim')
Creates a copy of myModel.myModelCopy = modeling.Model(myModel)myModelCopy = Model(myModel)
Initialize the model and get the default statemyState = myModel.initSystem()myState = myModel.initSystem()
Loading a Model and States in the GUI Scripting Window
>>> modelFileName = modelFolder+"/gait2354_simbody.osim" # Define the full path to the model file
>>> loadModel(modelFileName)                             # Load the model into the GUI
>>> myModel = getCurrentModel()                          # Create a handle to the current model
>>> myState = myModel.initSystem()                       # Initialize the model and obtain the default state


Exploring and Editing Models and Model Components

You can use the functionality of the OpenSim API to access the properties of a model and change their values. For examples, refer to the distributed scripts muscleScaler and alterTendonSlackLength. The OpenSim API Doxygen lists all of the available functions. For example, executing the following commands in the GUI scripting shell, sets and gets the name of the current model. 

>>> myModel = getCurrentModel()
>>> myModel.setName("My Model")
>>> mymodel.getName()  
>>> "my Model"

You should generally avoid adding and removing objects from a model that is "live" in the OpenSim GUI. Instead you should make a copy of the model, make additions and deletions, then reload in the GUI.

The API also allows you to access and edit the components of an OpenSim model, like its bodies, muscles, and joints. Some properties have custom "get" and "set" functions - see the respective classes for details.

ActionClass InformationGetting a Handle to a SetReference an Object by indexGet object from a nameAlternative 'long path'
Body Set OpenSim::BodySetbodySet= myModel.getBodySet()rightFemur = bodySet().get(1)rightFemur = bodySet().get("femur_r")rightFemur =myModel.getBodySet().get("femur_r")
Joint Set OpenSim::JointSetjointSet = myModel.getJointSet()rightHip = jointSet ().get(7)rightHip = jointSet().("hip_r")rightHip = myModel.getJointSet().("hip_r")
Coordinate Set OpenSim::CoordinateSetcordSet= myModel.getCoordinateSet()hip_coord = cordSet().get(4)hip_coord = cordSet().get("hip_flexion_r")hip_coord = cordSet().get("hip_flexion_r")
Muscle Set MusclesmuscleSet= myModel.getMuscles()recFemR = muscleSet().get(3)rec_fem_r = recFemRt().get("'recFem_r")rec_fem_r= myModel.getMuscles().get("'recFem_r")
Path Point of a Muscle OpenSim; PathPointpathPoints = myModel.getMuscles().get("'recFem_r").getGeometryPath().getPathPointSet()recFemPathPoint1 = pathPoints.get(0)recFemPathPoint1 = pathPoints.get("rect_fem_r-P1")recFemPathPoint1 = myModel.getMuscles().get("'recFem_r").getGeometryPath().getPathPointSet()

Once a Handle to the component has been created you can edit its properties and methods. 

ActionClass InformationExample
Get the optimal fiber length OpenSim::Muscle::getOptimalFiberLength&#x9;()recFemFiberLength = RectusFemoris.getOptimalFiberLength()
Set the optimal fiber length OpenSim::Muscle::setOptimalFiberLength()RectusFemoris.setOptimalFiberLength(0.23)
Set the tendon slack length OpenSim::Muscle::setTendonSlackLength()RectusFemoris.setTendonSlackLength(0.2105)
Get the muscle maximum isometric force OpenSim::Muscle::getMaxIsometricForce()recFemMaxForce = RectusFemoris.getMaxIsometricForce()
Change the ECRB muscle properties in the GUI
>>> ECRB = myModel.getMuscles().get("ECRB")               # Get a handle to the ECRB
>>> backupTendonSlackLength = ECRB.getTendonSlackLength() # Back up the original tendon slack length (just in case)
>>> ECRB.setTendonSlackLength(0.2105)                     # Prescribe a new Tendon slack length
>>> myModel.initSystem()                                  # Re-initialize the model

 

You may need to downcast an object from an abstract class (e.g., Muscle)  to a derived class (e.g., Thelen2003Muscle) in order to gain access to its properties and methods. Here is an example:

>> import org.opensim.modeling.*
>> myModel = Model('arm26.osim');
>> mcl_TRIlong = Thelen2003Muscle.safeDownCast( myModel.getMuscles().get('TRIlong') );
>> mcl_TRIlong.setFmaxTendonStrain( 0.5*mcl_TRIlong.getFmaxTendonStrain() );

 

Using the Tools

Tools contain a number of grouped Methods that allow you to run a study. For example, to scale a Model to match experimental data the ScaleTool groups GenericModelMaker(), ModelScaler() and MarkerPlacer() together. The AnalyzeTool() can group StaticOptimization() and MuscleAnalysis() together to output muscle states of a Static Optimization.  

ClassDoxygen LinkDefault construction (Scripting shell)XML construction (Scripting shell)
Scale OpenSim:: ScaleToolscaleTool = modeling.ScaleTool()scaleTool = modeling.ScaleTool([path 'scale_Setup.xml'])
InverseKinematicsTool OpenSIm:: InverseKinematicsToolikTool = modeling.InverseKinematicsTool()idTool = modeling.InverseKinematicsTool([path 'IK_Setup.xml'])
InverseDynamicsTool OpenSim:: InverseDynamicsToolidTool = modeling.InverseDynamicsTool()idTool = modeling.InverseDynamicsTool([path 'ID_Setup.xml'])
RRATool RRA ToolrraTool = modeling.RRATool()rraTool = modeling.RRATool([path 'RRA_Setup.xml'])
CMCTool OpenSim::CMCToolcmcTool = modeling.CMCTool()cmcTool = modeling.CMCTool([path 'CMC_Setup.xml'])
ForwardTool ForwardToolcmcTool = modeling.ForwardTool()cmcTool = modeling.ForwardTool([path 'forward_Setup.xml'])
AnalyzeTool OpenSim::AnalyzeToolanalyzeTool = modeling.AnalyzeTool()analyzeTool = modeling.AnalyzeTool([path 'analyze_Setup.xml'])

Working with Files and Paths

Below are examples of the OpenSim GUI shells native commands with files and file paths. Matlab and Python environments have their own methods for dealing with files and file paths. 

Command or ClassPlatformAction
getScriptsDir()GUIReturns the path of your scripts directory
java.io.FileGUIA representation of file and directory pathnames that allows you to easily create files and directories, get all the files in a given directory, and more. Read more here: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.4.2/docs/api/java/io/File.html
getInstallDir()GUIReturns the path of your OpenSim Install directory
getResourcesDir()GUIReturns the path of your resources directory containg models and code examples (e.g., 'C/Users/<username>/Documents/OpenSim/4.0').
os.chdir(NewWorkingDirectoryName)GUI, PythonChanges the working directory of the scripting shell (default is your OpenSim installation directory) to the directory specified by NewWorkingDirectoryName. You  need to import the python os package before using it (i.e. import os).
execfile("ScriptFileName")GUI, PythonExecutes a script. Can be used in shell or as part of script. File name can be absolute path to file or relative to the current directory.

Plotting

GUI Scripting Shell

In the GUI scripting shell, we've provided a set of commands that allow you to easily perform some basic plotting functionality. This includes adding a plot window, adding curves, changing the legend, plotting from file, exporting the plot, etc.

https://simtk.org/api_docs/opensim/gui_docs/org/opensim/console/OpenSimPlotter.html

These commands are exercised in the example "plotMuscleFiberLengthAgainstFile.py" and "plotMuscleMomentArmAgainstMotion.py".

There are additional advanced commands that you can call (the ones used by the GUI itself), though these commands have not been fully documented and tested with the scripting functionality, so please use with caution. 

https://simtk.org/api_docs/opensim/gui_docs/org/opensim/console/gui.html

Matlab

We encourage you to use Matlab's host of built in plotting capabilities. You can import OpenSim .sto and .mot files using Matlab's "Import Data" interface (see MATLAB's importdata function). 

Working with Vectors, Matrices, and Other SimTK Classes

We've exposed the most commonly used SimTK classes. In particular:

CommandPlatformDescription

modeling.Vec3()

modeling.Vec3(double e)

modeling.Vec3(double e0, double e1, double e2)

AllCreates a Simtk Vec3 object (a vector of length 3). If passed only one argument (double e) all elements will be set to e.
modeling.Vector(int length, double e)AllCreates a Simtk Vector with specified length. All elements are set to e.

modeling.Mat33(double e)

modeling.Mat33(double e0, ... , double e8)

AllCreates a Simtk Mat33 object (a 3x3 matrix). If passed only one argument (double e), the diagonal elements will be set to e and other elements set to zero.

modeling.Inertia()

See doxygen link at right for additional constructors

AllCreates a Simtk Inertia object. All constructors are available except symmetric matrix constructors.
modeling.State()AllCreates a Simtk State object. See the doxygen link for more information.

modeling.Stage()

modeling.Stage(int level)

All

Creates a Simtk Stage object, optionally realized to level l. See the doxygen link for more information.

Helpful tips:

  • For Simbody doxygen links above Vec3P corresponds to a modeling.Vec3 object and RealP corresponds to a double value.
  • To see the available methods for these objects, use methodsview() or tab completion (Matlab only).
  • You can find more information in the SimTK Basics section of the User's Guide. Note that only the SimTK classes listed above are available through scripting.
  • You can also find more information in the section below on Handling C++ Templates.

ArrayDouble

In many cases the function you're trying to call takes an argument type different from the object you have already. This is true even moving data between Matlab and Java objects, and between objects in the SimTK namespace and those in the OpenSim namespace. In particular, many OpenSim methods return an ArrayDouble (Array<double) and you would prefer to convert the array to a different type. The following set of convenience methods are "Adaptors" intended to help you pass data around between OpenSim objects and low level SimTK objects.

For Matlab, leave off "modeling". For Python, change "modeling" to "opensim".

CommandPlatformDescription
modeling.ArrayDouble.createVec3([0.0,0.05,0.35])AllCreates a SimTK::Vec3

modeling.ArrayDouble.getAsVec3()

Allreturns SimTK::Vec3 populated from ArrayDouble of size 3.
modeling.ArrayDouble.getAsVector()Allreturn SimTK::Vector populated from ArrayDouble
modeling.ArrayDouble.populateFromVector(SimTK::Vector aVector)Allpopulate an ArrayDouble from the passed in SimTK Vector
modeling.ArrayDouble.getValuesFromVec3(SimTK::Vec3 vec3) Allreturns an ArrayDouble populated from the passed in SimTK Vec3

When referring to indexed elements remember that Matlab begins indexing at 1 while OpenSim data structures begin at 0.

Advanced Multibody Calculations with Simbody

In 4.0, you can perform advanced multibody calculations in scripting via the SimbodyMatterSubsystem inside the OpenSim Model (model.getMatterSubsystem()). The SimbodyMatterSubsystem class allows you to compute the mass matrix, Jacobians, inverse dynamics moments, etc.

Use the Simbody Inverse Dynamics Operator in Matlab
model = Model('arm26.osim');
s = model.initSystem();
% For the given inputs, we will use the inverse dynamics operator
% (calcResidualForce()) to compute the first column
% of the mass matrix. We accomplish this by setting all inputs to 0
% except for the acceleration of the first coordinate.
%   f_residual = M udot + f_inertial + f_applied 
%              = M ~[1, 0, ...] + 0 + 0
model.realizeVelocity(s);
appliedMobilityForces = Vector();
appliedBodyForces = VectorOfSpatialVec();
knownUdot = Vector(s.getNU(), 0.0);
knownUdot.set(0, 1.0);
knownLambda = Vector();
residualMobilityForces = Vector();
smss = model.getMatterSubsystem();
smss.calcResidualForce(s, appliedMobilityForces, appliedBodyForces, ...
                       knownUdot, knownLambda, residualMobilityForces);

Handling C++ Templates (e.g. Array<double>)

Templates are advanced C++ constructs that are used extensively throughout the OpenSim API and Simbody API. If you see notation like Array<double> in the doxygen or C++ code that you are trying to replicate, this means you're working with a templatized class and will need to find its appropriate mapping in the scripting environment.

C++ templates allow the compiler to automatically generate classes from a common code base. This approach is useful primarily for containers (e.g. Array<double>, Array<int>, Array<string>) since it avoids code duplication making the code easier to maintain; however, these templates exist only in C++ and do not map easily to scripting languages.

One way to work around this is to specialize templates into classes, give those classes unique names, and then use them in scripting. The attached file lists template specializations used in OpenSim API (C++) & Doxygen and the corresponding named classes to be used in scripting (the list is current as of OpenSim 3.2):

Mapping of Templates to Class Names for Scripting

Obtaining Position and Velocity Information

For more information regarding multibody system states, refer to the SimTK Simulation Concepts documentation in the Developer's Guide.

In order to obtain simulation position or velocity state information you must have a State object in hand. 

Using State Objects
>>> state = myModel.initSystem();
>>> myModel.equilibrateMuscles(state);

Now you can use methods on Body objects (actually, from the Frame class) to obtain the location or velocity of a point in the ground frame.

>>> body = myModel.getBodySet().get('r_ulna_radius_hand')
>>> massCenter = body.getMassCenter(massCenter)
>>> body.getStationVelocityInGround(state, massCenter)
>>> dir(body) # List other methods available on Body.

 

Using the Simbody Visualizer

You can use the visualizer from Simbody in Matlab and Python. To do so call the "setUseVisualizer" method and pass in the parameter "true", and when you run the simulation the Simbody Visualizer GUI will pop up. The example of usage is described in "TugOfWar_CompleteRunVisualizer.m"

osimModel = Model('tug_of_war_muscles_controller.osim');
osimModel.setUseVisualizer(true);

Batch Processing

There are several examples in the Matlab scripts and GUI scripts that show how to perform batch processing by calling the OpenSim API (e.g. Analyze, IK). We encourage you to use this approach rather than using Matlab's xml parsing tools. To read more about why this is the case, please see the scripting FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions

References