[ODE] Scientific modelling of a runner

[Jaroslav Sinecky]

Hi Martin,

ODE is principaly forward dynamics engine, you enter forces and specify constraints and get movements. I´m not sure if it´s possible or how difficult to use it for inverese problem as the one you are describing, but I know there were some discusions on this list about making ODE play some before-known character animation. Using AMotors, if I remember well. You can try to search the archives (http://q12.org/pipermail/ode/) and see if you get some useful information.

Also ODE is typicaly used as real-time engine giving more importance to performace than exactness so I´m not sure if it´s ideal for scientific solver. You can partly control precision by choosing double library versions and setting low time step. 

Just my 5c...

Jaroslav


-----Original Message-----
From: ode-bounces at q12.org [mailto:ode-bounces at q12.org]On Behalf Of
Martin Baeker
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 4:25 PM
To: ode at q12.org
Subject: [ODE] Scientific modelling of a runner


Hello all,

I am currently doing some research on the biomechanics of
running. Specially, I am looking for a tool which allows to input
several "snapshots" from a motion capture and to get as an output the
necessary forces to drive this motion. From what I read in the manual,
I suspect this is possible with ODE.

My basic question therefore is, whether ODE is a good choice for this
kind of calculations. Is it possible to get at the reaction forces
needed to produce a constrained movement? Are there any simple test
programs I could look at to see how this might be done?

Thanks for any help,

Martin.

                   Priv.-Doz. Dr. Martin Bäker
                   Institut für Werkstoffe
                   Langer Kamp 8
                   38106 Braunschweig
                   Germany
                   Tel.: 00-49-531-391-3073                      
                   Fax   00-49-531-391-3058
                   e-mail <martin.baeker at tu-bs.de> 

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