Testing design linkages

[knotian]

I started this here because it is not a drawing tool question. Does any one know of a relatively inexpensive (free) program that will allow you to test a design's linkages , clearances and movement. It does not have o accept lego parts but merely structural representations and their linkages. It does not have to handle catenary curves .

As an example two beams fastened by a rotating pin with one end attached to the floor. What would be the motions when the free end of the connected element was moved.

If there is none, do most of you just build a prototype and work things out from there?

Thanx

[jorgeopesi]

You will find this topic very interesting.

https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/159501-z-bar-linkage-help/

[BusterHaus]

http://blog.rectorsquid.com/linkage-mechanism-designer-and-simulator/

A second vote for this one, as it is quite good, but it takes a bit of time to learn all the options. I still prefer physical building for linkages because it is easier to discover unintended consequences or states. I think simulators are more useful for complex linkages, or finding optimal paths.