# Vortex (software)

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Vortex Developer CM Labs Simulations Stable release Vortex Studio 2020a / June 8, 2020; 6 years ago (2020-06-08) Operating system Windows, Linux Type Simulation software platform License Commercial proprietary software Website www.cm-labs.com

**Vortex Studio** is a simulation software platform developed by [CM Labs Simulations](/source/CM_Labs_Simulations). It features a real-time [physics engine](/source/Physics_engine) that simulates [rigid body dynamics](/source/Rigid_body_dynamics), [collision detection](/source/Collision_detection), contact determination, and dynamic reactions. It also contains model import and preparation tools, an image generator, and networking tools for distributed simulation which is accessed through a desktop editor via a [GUI](/source/Graphical_user_interface). Vortex adds accurate physical motion and interactions to objects in visual-[simulation](/source/Simulation) applications for operator training, mission planning, product concept validation, heavy machinery and [robotics](/source/Robotics) design and testing, [haptics](/source/Haptic_technology) devices, immersive and [virtual reality](/source/Virtual_reality) (VR) environments.[1]

The Vortex Studio content creation platform and the [C++](/source/C%2B%2B) [SDK](/source/Software_development_kit) have several modules that simulate physics-based particles, [sensors](/source/Sensors), floating bodies, cable systems, earthmoving operations, [grasping](/source/Grasping), and vehicles (wheeled or tracked). Vortex has modular architecture: developers can integrate their projects into [3D](/source/3D_computer_graphics) visualisation frameworks and deploy them in environments that contain software-in-the-loop (SIL), [MATLAB](/source/MATLAB), [hardware-in-the-loop](/source/Hardware-in-the-loop) (HIL), and [motion platform](/source/Motion_platform) components.

## History

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Vortex Studio is developed by CM Labs Simulations Inc., a private company established in [Montreal](/source/Montreal) in 2001.[2] CM Labs was created when the management of [MathEngine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MathEngine&action=edit&redlink=1) Canada Inc. purchased a portion of the business from MathEngine PLC, the parent company in the UK. MathEngine Canada Inc. was originally the research and development team responsible for creating the Karma physics simulation engine for [computer games](/source/Computer_games). That team and underlying technology came Lateral Logic Inc, founded in 1994 in Montreal, which had developed rigid-body dynamics and collision detection engines for use in custom simulators sold to Sisu AB for forestry harvester operator training and to Nokia for product demonstration. Lateral Logic was acquired by MathEngine in 1999.

CM Labs shifted its focus away from gaming. It now supports two distinct markets, visual simulation for training (VST), targeting Vortex at robotics and heavy-equipment operator training in both commercial and military applications, and heavy equipment prototyping and engineering, targeting mostly manufacturers and academia.

Vortex Studio has been under active development ever since the initial launch of the software in 2001. It usually has three releases per year (a, b and c).

## Use

Vortex has been used for commercial, military, and academic projects. It has been used to simulate vehicles, robotics, and heavy equipment in construction, mining, forestry, marine, [subsea](/source/Subsea), [planetary](/source/Planet), academic, and military environments. It has also been used to simulate the movements and behaviour of animals and insects for scientific purposes. Sample examples are:

- The [Explosive Ordnance Disposal](/source/Explosive_Ordnance_Disposal) (EOD) robot simulator developed by the [European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company](/source/European_Aeronautic_Defence_and_Space_Company) (EADS) for training purposes. EADS uses Vortex to model the physical behaviour of the robot as it maneuvers in its simulated environment, interacting with other objects while processing user commands.[3]

- A driverless vehicle designed by [Carnegie Mellon University](/source/Carnegie_Mellon_University)’s [Red Team Racing](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_Team_Racing&action=edit&redlink=1)[4] for the [DARPA Grand Challenge](/source/DARPA_Grand_Challenge) that uses Vortex for preplanning and onboard navigation to “accurately simulate the vehicle as it navigates the terrain, including both local area constraints and global path planning objectives.”[4]

- Heavy-equipment operator training simulators such as tower [crane](/source/Crane_(machine)), mobile crane, crawler crane, and [concrete pump](/source/Concrete_pump) for the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario[5] and the [International Union of Operating Engineers](/source/International_Union_of_Operating_Engineers) – Local 721.[6] These simulators are used to prepare operators for proper equipment use and accident avoidance.

- [Georgia State University](/source/Georgia_State_University)’s [AnimatLab](/source/AnimatLab_(software)) project, which is a simulation software environment that models how the body and nervous system dynamically interact in a Vortex-governed virtual physical world where relevant [neural](/source/Neural) and physical parameters can be observed and manipulated.[7]

## See also

- [Game physics](/source/Game_physics)

- [Robotics simulator](/source/Robotics_simulator)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Vortex Simulation Software | Robotics | CM Labs Simulations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030118/http://www.cm-labs.com/market/robotics/products/vortex-dynamics-software). *cm-labs.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cm-labs.com/market/robotics/products/vortex-dynamics-software) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-02-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["CM Labs History"](https://cm-labs.com/en/cm-labs-history/). *CM Labs*. Retrieved 2026-05-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Airbus Defence and Space uses Vortex for EOD Robot Training Simulation | Robotics | CM Labs Simulations"](https://www.cm-labs.com/vortex-studio/resources/airbus-defense/). *cm-labs.com*. 2013-11-01. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200810051251/https://www.cm-labs.com/vortex-studio/resources/airbus-defense/) from the original on 2020-08-10. Retrieved 2016-02-18.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cs.umu.se_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cs.umu.se_4-1) ["CMLabs and Red Team Racing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110807092823/http://www8.cs.umu.se/research/ifor/dl/Path%20tracking/CMLabs_and_Red_Team_Racing.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.cs.umu.se/research/ifor/dl/Path%20tracking/CMLabs_and_Red_Team_Racing.pdf) (PDF) on August 7, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Simulation - Innovative Training Solutions - Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090331102209/http://www.oetio.com/training-solutions/simulation.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.oetio.com/training-solutions/simulation.htm) on March 31, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["IUOE Local 721 - Vortex Mobile Crane Simulator"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090924010247/http://www.operatingengineerstraining721.ns.ca/CraneSimulator.aspx). Archived from [the original](http://www.operatingengineerstraining721.ns.ca/CraneSimulator.aspx) on September 24, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Neuromechanical & Biomechanical Simulation"](http://www.animatlab.com/). *AnimatLab.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183750/http://animatlab.com/) from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-02-18.

## Further reading

- Bourg, David M. (2001). *Physics for Game Developers*. O’Reilly.

- Coutinho, Murilo G. (2001). *Dynamic Simulations of Multibody Systems*. Springer-Verlag.

- Kuipers, Jack B. (1998). *Quaternions and Rotation Sequences*. Princeton University Press.

- Lanczos, Cornelius (1986). *The Variational Principles of Mechanics*. Dover Books.

## External links

- [A Virtual Highway for Road Warriors, MT2 2008 Volume 13, Issue 6](http://www.military-training-technology.com/mt2-archives/50-military-training-technology/362-a-virtual-highway-for-road-warriors.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121216125900/http://www.military-training-technology.com/mt2-archives/50-military-training-technology/362-a-virtual-highway-for-road-warriors.html) 2012-12-16 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [The Daily Commercial News, May 12, 2008](http://dcnonl.com/cgi-bin/dcnhome.pl?rm=print_story&story_id=27619) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120219235832/http://dcnonl.com/cgi-bin/dcnhome.pl?rm=print_story&story_id=27619) February 19, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Visual Interactive Simulation Lecture, Spring 2005, Physics Engines](http://www.cs.umu.se/kurser/TDBD24/VT05/lectures/physicsengine.pdf)

v t e Physics engines (list) Game physics Procedural animation Physically based animation Ragdoll physics Free / open source Box2D Bullet Cannon.js Chipmunk Newton Game Dynamics Open Dynamics Engine PhysX Phyz Project Chrono Siconos Simulation Open Framework Architecture Proprietary AGX Multiphysics Algodoo Chipmunk Digital Molecular Matter Euphoria Havok Reactor Vortex Related topics Tire model

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