THE USE OF COMPUTER SIMULATION AND ANIMATION IS INCREASING AMONG MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS. IT PROVIDES A TOOL THAT ALLOWS A DESIGN OR PROPOSED CHANGES TO A SYSTEM TO BE EVALUATED IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER. THIS PAPER INTRODUCES THE IDEAS OF COMPUTER SIMULATION TO MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS WITH MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS HANDLING APPLICATIONS. IT DISCUSSES THE BENEFITS, COSTS, AND CHALLENGES OF SIMULATION, THE SKILLS REQUIRED IN A SIMULATION TEAM, GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING A SIMULATION PROJECT AND PITFALLS TO AVOID. FINALLY, IT DESCRIBES THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SIMULATION AND ANIMATION SOFTWARE AVAILABLE.