# Collimator Reviews **Vendor:** Collimator **Category:** [Simulation & CAE Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/simulation-cae) **Average Rating:** 4.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 10 ## About Collimator Collimator is an online cloud based software for model-based design and simulation of multi-domain dynamical systems. It has a block diagram interface and natively integrates with Python and Jupyter Notebooks. Our customers are electrical, mechanical and controls systems engineers who use Collimator to design and test complex, mission critical systems in a way that is reliable, secure, fast and intuitive. ## Collimator Reviews ### 1. Best modeling and simulation software for big data and AI development **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ashley O. | SDR, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 30, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** I am implementing an AI solution for one of MongoDB’s products and I faced the same problem that every engineer in my field faces - how do you get enough data to train your neural nets? Collimator proved to be the best solution for me because of how easy it was to get data from our back end, use that to create synthetic data, and then move that data back into my neural net. I’m now experimenting with training my neural nets within Collimator **What do you dislike about Collimator?** Looks like the product is more geared towards EE problems, but I haven’t found that to be a deterrent. In fact, the ability to use block diagrams was quite nice in the early stages of the epic while talking with my PM. In addition, writing up my reports in the same place where my code is has increased the velocity of QA and made sprint planning easier **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** I think Collimator is useful in a bunch of different use-cases. I’ve used it to generate synthetic data primarily because they have simple webhooks to stream data in and out. Everytime I log on to Collimator, I discover more and more functionality which is quite exciting. For example, this past weekend I used it to train a tensorflow neural net. I’m hopeful that I can use this in product ### 2. Great modeling and simulation platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Eric O. | Ops, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 27, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** I am using Collimator to build a proof of concept autonomous robot. I started with building the perception system using ML and after deciding that the Matlab license was too expensive for me, I decided I needed to develop in Python where I start with open-source models and build on them. I looked at Jupyter, Eclipse, Pycharm and AWS Cloud9 but constantly ran into issues because writing the perception systems took a bunch of time and training my models was too expensive and cumbersome. Instead of it being a pet project, it became a main project. I found Collimator while researching alternative tools and I’m glad I did. I’ve used Collimator to design my system. The interactivity between the Python and graphical environment is exactly what I needed. The error messages are easy to understand and debug. Plus, I no longer have to set up AWS clusters to run my model online. **What do you dislike about Collimator?** The product has met all of my expectations. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collimator is head and shoulders above any other CAE platform out there. I’ve found designing and simulating my model to be very easy and straightforward. I’ve also saved a bunch of time and money while running my simulations. The same simulations that would take hours to run on my local PC via Matlab run in minutes. The same simulations that would take me 20 min to set up and run in the thousands of dollars cost much less using Collimator. ### 3. Replaced Matlab with Collimator and loved it **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vanessa H. | Research Assistant **Reviewed Date:** June 27, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** I am a researcher in Vienna and have been using Matlab for many years. My lab decided to make the transition to Collimator a few months ago and I am very glad that we did. Collimator is by far the best modeling and simulation software that I have used for the following reasons: Getting help in Matlab and C was becoming more challenging as my project grew in complexity. Over the past few years, I felt like I was spending more time learning about the complexities of Matlab rather than doing my actual research. Using the block diagrams that Collimator provides has allowed me to simplify my code and shift the time I was spending writing convoluted scripts back to my research Since Covid, it has been difficult to work with some of my colleagues since we have to alternate days in the lab. This meant that getting feedback would take about 2-3 days until my colleagues came in. This slowed our research down quite significantly. However, now with Collimator I can continue to work together with my colleagues who are remote. I will usually tag them directly in my model for feedback and they get the notification instantly. It feels like we are in the same room **What do you dislike about Collimator?** Nothing so far. At some point we may need the ability to check in/out code like Github, but that has not been a hinderance. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collimator is trying to build a solution where researchers like myself can develop systems using a graphical user interface and Python in a collaborative way. This helps me and my team spend less time learning about programming per se and more time thinking about our research. It has also helped us continue to work together despite Covid and the inability for all of us to meet in the same room and discuss ### 4. Convenient Simulink Alternative **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Primary/Secondary Education | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 13, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** Since it's run via browser and not an app or anything like that, it doesn't overwork my laptop. Also, I get to work with my colleagues in real-time on the cloud. **What do you dislike about Collimator?** The website is still under development. It is always tweaked a little each time I visit it. Some of the screenshots used for the tutorials are a little difficult to see and lack the same formatting as the rest of the website - making it kind of jarring. **Recommendations to others considering Collimator:** Explore! It's fun! It's convenient :) It's like Google Docs for nerds. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** It's been an easy way to collaborate with my colleagues while we are all working from home. And if I'm trying to Zoom them and keep up with what's going on in the simulator, I can do so without overheating my laptop. ### 5. Best Simulink Alternative **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lydia T. | student, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** Collimator is flexible presenting you with the option to utilize the python notebook if you'd prefer to script your models manually **What do you dislike about Collimator?** I personally like using dark mode which was not an available option for UI **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Allows me to script models manually through their python notebook ### 6. Collimator **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Euloge M. | student **Reviewed Date:** June 12, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** The fact I can collaborate with my peers on the same model at the same time online is excellent!! **What do you dislike about Collimator?** so far-- nothing. Meanwhile, it has more development and work to accomplish. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collaborations with my peers on the same model at the same time. Excellent! ### 7. simulink for python **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Timothy G. | student, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 13, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** I like the presence of a python Notebook in case you choose to manually script your models in python. **What do you dislike about Collimator?** the product is relatively new. it's still developing. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** having a notebook where i can script my models in python offers reliability and convience ### 8. Convenient simulink alternative **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 12, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** Because simulations are run through your browser, the weight of the simulation isn’t on your local machine. **What do you dislike about Collimator?** Honestly, I have no qualms with Collimator. They're just beginning so the app is under heavy development. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collimator, is tackling the lack of a simulating and modeling platform in Python so it's great that it presents itself as a Simulink alternative with a free mode of using their software. ### 9. Simulink for Python **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Higher Education | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** The ability to be efficient and effective through online collaborative work with others, by providing the convenience to work on the same model at the same time. **What do you dislike about Collimator?** I have not come across anything that I dislike, the product works well and nothing is missing. **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** Collimator is reliable and secure, which is a great benefit whenever I come across issues. ### 10. Simulink for python **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Accounting | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 14, 2022 **What do you like best about Collimator?** I like that I am able to work with others at the same time **What do you dislike about Collimator?** It is still under heavy development which is both a good thing and a bad thing **What problems is Collimator solving and how is that benefiting you?** COllaboration, where it is convenient and easy to work with others on the same model ## Collimator Discussions - [What is Collimator used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-collimator-used-for) - [View Collimator pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/collimator/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-15+12%3A53%3A01+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=2afd3f62-b324-49a1-bbee-0f361302fe85&secure%5Btoken%5D=103c66bfffadf01b13bec30673088d6ebebc2fa418b0844166a0295892cf4d0b&format=llm_user) ## Collimator Features **Design** - 3D/solid modeling Tools - Drawing Tools - Editing Tools - Rendering tools **Tools** - Fluid analysis - Finite element analysis - Multibody dynamics **Work** - Discrete event modeling - Continuous event modeling - Mechanical event simulation - Manufacturing process simulation - Integrate **Environment** - Hardware support - Task - Manage Multiple Profiles - Command Clarity ## Top Collimator Alternatives - [MATLAB](https://www.g2.com/products/matlab/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (748 reviews) - [SOLIDWORKS](https://www.g2.com/products/solidworks/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (628 reviews) - [Autodesk Fusion](https://www.g2.com/products/autodesk-fusion/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (509 reviews)