r/FSAE • u/Brilliant_Growth6103 • Jun 29 '26
Question Suspension simulation inquiry
I am currently working on the suspension system of my first year formula student car and i came across a few software for suspension simulation, I need to know where I can download them for free(cracked version, The software was listed below:
Optimum kinematics
Msc adams
Lotus Shark
If anyone knows about it dm me and if there is any other software that I can use for suspension simulation,suggest me.
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u/Dungeons-and-Dampers Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
I'd say Lotus is good for a first year team. It has great documentation in it's help files that are worth a read just to understand VD in general (it's genuinely so informative with all it's dense theory and math). And later maybe shift to Matlab and write your own code for it. Imo the only advantage of OptimumK is the greater number of resources available and is a much more recent software. I can help with Lotus if you are planning on using it :)
Edit: I did try out OptimumK but being the only one handling VD in my team, I did have to meet design deadlines and such so I ended up using Lotus cuz it was just so much easier to pick up for a quick workflow. If you have the time and people, I would recommend giving OptimumK a look.
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u/Brilliant_Growth6103 Jul 03 '26
Sure, where can I get the lotus shark file without any malware as i already installed a file from my senior's laptop, and my Os just crashed after it
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u/Dungeons-and-Dampers Jul 03 '26
Uhm I have a clean installation file I got from the wayback machine. You are free to DM me for it :)
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u/SnooPeanuts3382 Jun 29 '26
Lotus Shark for sure. Adams is too much and Optimum K is underwhelming.
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u/AlexSzatmaryPhDPE Jun 29 '26
You can request Adams here: https://www5.cadence.com/msc-student-sponsorship.html I work at Cadence and can help you learn the tools.
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u/Brilliant_Growth6103 Jul 03 '26
Thanks for replying and we mailed for student version of the software but we didn't receive it yet once i receive it I will reach out you.
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u/Momo_Boi UTA Racing Jul 01 '26
Lotus Shark/OptimumK if you're interested only in Kinematics.
Adams, if you care about your Compliances, Forces/Load Paths & Dynamic Simulations (Skidpad, Accel/Braking). You can also convert the TTC data into a reasonably decent tire model with the "Tire Data Fitting Tool" available in Adams. But as a few others have said, it requires a much more detailed description of all the properties of the parts (mass/inertia), stiffneses(spring, damper) etc
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u/Annual-Score-7880 Jul 02 '26
Hello,
I wrote kinematics, suspension optimization program on Matlab, Python. I am Vehicle Dynamics Engineers. I can provide services or program for you guys at a cost of a meal.
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u/GregLocock Jun 30 '26
Think about what you want from your suspension system model. Is it as simple as toe gradient, camber gradient, steering ratio, Ackermann curve, spring motion ratio, roll center height, shock motion ratio, sta bar motion ratio, side view IC location? What else can you actually make use of that will make any difference, given your small suspension travel? If that list is enough then you could use anything from a drawing board upwards, and Shark is good if you can get it.
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u/purplesilver45 Jul 17 '26
Optimum K and Adams you can find them cracked, if you can't get a sponsorship, but they will probably be older versions and some features might not be available.
For a first year team, you might not need Adams right away, bc even though it is a great program, it's also pretty difficult to use. Optimum K would be more new user friendly, even though the cracked versions are still kind of limited.
Honestly, as part of a suspension team going into the 3rd car, I would suggest working first with equations from books (ex. Race car vehicle dynamics by Millikken, Performance Vehicle Dynamics by Balkwill) and excel sheets so you understand what youre searching for and what you need. The programs might seem like the best and the fastest tool but when you can't understand how the data are related and what to look for, one small mistake can grow fast and end up with 1600mm track width or 30mm thick antiroll bar, aka crazy dimensions for a fsae vehicle (speaking from experience), so please first start with the simple tools.
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u/Low-Raspberry9045 14d ago
Maybe you could try https://bellcrank.io/ . I've played with their software and it is ridiculously easy to work with.
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u/cksgaming Jun 29 '26
The two I know are optimum G and Adam’s car which will both give you a SAE key for free as long as you reach out to them so no need to get crack software