Yade

Learning time

Asked by Yahia Alabbasi

Hi all,

Im new to YADE. Im trying to model the mechanical behaviour of railroad ballast.

How long approximately it takes for beginners to master and learn YADE. For you kind information, my knowledge on python and yade is zero.

Im asking so I can manage my time and plan as Im a master student and I want to know how can I utilize my time properly.

Another question please, I know that YADE is an open source software but what are the advantages that makes it better or different from other open source softwares and commercial softwares like pfc or edem.

Best Regards
Yahia Alabbasi

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Robert Caulk
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Bruno Chareyre (bruno-chareyre) said : 		#1

Hello, it is very difficult to estimate but my guess is that it can take between a few weeks and a few months, depending mainly on how patiently you can learn the logic of a software and the command language (previous programming experience maybe?).
Yade and PFC are partly similar in equations, learning time and performance (roughly). I am personally clueless about EDEM.
Regards
Bruno

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Yahia Alabbasi (yahia58) said : 		#2

Actually I dont have a previous programming experience .

Could you please roughly estimate the time to learn and use YADE almost how long it takes.

Your answer is highly appreciated

Many thanks

Regards
Y.A

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Bruno Chareyre (bruno-chareyre) said : 		#3

>Actually I dont have a previous programming experience

Not even matlab or something? Well... it may be difficult. I'd suggest to spend at least on week on reading the doc and trying the examples. You'll get a feeling of how difficult it can be.
B

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Robert Caulk (rcaulk) said : 		#4

It is tough to estimate learning time, everyone has different learning curves. Luckily you can get an idea for your own learning curve by working through the tutorial [1]. If you find the tutorial too challenging, you might want to lower your expectations for how quickly you can pick it up. If you breeze through, then you can expect to be fluent in the basics of Yade pretty quickly.

Comparison between PFC, Yade, and EDEM: The obvious advantage is the cost. PFC and EDEM can cost upwards of $10,000 last time I checked (and EDEM will try to upsell you individual cores on your own machine LOL). Another huge advantage is the open-source community of Yade. It is really just a bunch of academics who want to help the community and push academia forward. Meanwhile, the commercial softwares have engineers ready to support you, but they aren't doing it because they WANT to help you. Big difference.

The obvious disadvantage is the ease of user interface (I've never used EDEM), and phone support. But if you are doing a master's you are going to benefit from being "in the weeds" and figuring things out yourself. Another disadvantage might be Yade's lack of certain packages e.g. PFC has a thermal engine and Yade does not (yet...).

[1] https://yade-dem.org/doc/tutorial.html

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Yahia Alabbasi (yahia58) said : 		#5

Thank you. I will check the toturials

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Yahia Alabbasi (yahia58) said : 		#6

Can I install YADE on Windows

My computer requirement as follows :
RAM: 4 GB
Processor: Intel ® Core ™ i7-2630QM CPU @2.00 GHz
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M
Hard Disk Space: 400 GB
PLATFORMS: Windows 7 – 64 bits
Company: DELL

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Best Robert Caulk (rcaulk) said : 		#7

Please open new threads for new topics. The short answer is no [1][2] (especially on Windows 7 as you have). However, at the risk of confusing you, yes you can install yade on Windows 10 if it has the newly released bash shell functionality[3]. I tried it and the graphical interface did not work, but everything else worked perfectly. Klaus on the dev-list reports more detail:

"Hi guys,

I have been playing with the Linux subsystem in Win 10 (mainly the bash
terminal) for a while. First thing to note is that everything without graphics
works as expected. However, once you are looking to run something with
graphics it becomes tricky. You need to install an X server on Windows (e.g.
Xming). Simple programs would than run with GUI.

I also tried to install yade and it works, at least without graphical user
interface. I did not investigate this any further and I don't think it will be
straight forward to fix."

[1]https://answers.launchpad.net/yade/+question/272184
[2]https://answers.launchpad.net/yade/+question/220513
[3]https://www.howtogeek.com/265900/everything-you-can-do-with-windows-10s-new-bash-shell/

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Yahia Alabbasi (yahia58) said : 		#8

Thanks Robert Caulk, that solved my question.

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Mason Feldt (masonfeldt) said : 		#9

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