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Quick Start & Installation

Quick Start

The easiest way to get started is to run the provided example script:

python example.py

This script demonstrates how to use the Python API to create a simulation with wavy terrain, dynamic bodies, and time-series data.

The Python authoring API (simview.scene, simview.state, simview.model) depends on torch and einops. Install them with the optional authoring extra shown below. Only these are needed to build simulations; viewing an existing JSON file does not require torch.

Installation

Requires Python 3.12+.

From PyPI

To only view existing simulation JSON files:

pip install simview

To also author simulations from Python (installs torch and einops):

pip install "simview[authoring]"

From source

For working on SimView itself (or to track an unreleased commit), install an editable checkout instead:

pip install -e .              # viewing only
pip install -e ".[authoring]" # viewing + authoring

For independent use of this repository, use venv or uv:

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e ".[authoring]"

uv sync --extra authoring
source .venv/bin/activate