How useful is FRCSim?

[beijing_strbow]

Last year (our team's rookie season), we had issues with testing code. The robot was not in a full working state until 10:30 pm on the day before stop build, so obviously us programmers didn't get any time to test our code. For this reason, I would like to try out FRCSim, but I'd like some opinions on it before attempting the extensive installation process.

Is it expansive enough to be useful? Does it have enough available sensors? Any other insight you have on FRCSim's usefulness?

We did try to use it last season, but were unsuccessful in installing it.

[Lireal]

I haven't tried FRCSim, but I would just like to point out that there is also Autodesk BXD Synthesis (http://bxd.autodesk.com/) available. I believe it has the same features as FRCSim, but is available for Windows, and was really straightforward to install.

[cpapplefamily]

I thought it was very helpful. I started testing code a few years ago as a novice java programmer. Gearsbot was very helpful. I haven't had the kids use it but it taught me a lot. This past year they changed something. It challenged
Me too. I found you must now pre-launch Gazebo using the command line with what robot you want. I don't have the command with me. If someone doesn't chime in I'll get it Monday. You must also launch the simulation smart dashboard and drivers station.
I also have the kids watch the 6 command based videos produced by I believe Brad at wpi. I had some veteran students say this system is almost like cheating

[virtuald]

I've found that using a simulator of any kind is immensely useful, though FRCSim is a bit more work than I prefer. I expect in 2018 C++/Java will finally have the same simulation capabilities as pyfrc.