Model files are composed of many different parts, or entities. MotionView allows you to change the display attributes of each entity in a graphic. Visual properties such as shading, color, and
mesh lines can be assigned using the Graphic Entity Attributes panel.
The System/Assembly panel allows you to add new systems and assemblies to your model, modify attachments, and set
initial conditions and options for systems and assemblies.
The Command Sets panel allows you to create command sets for the solver-command file. The command sets for a model are
order dependent, since they define the contents of the solver command file.
Use the Deformable Surfaces tool to create and edit deformable surfaces. These entities can change shape during the simulation
and can be used with advanced joints and contacts.
There are three ways in which a box graphic (or cuboid) can be defined based on the location of the graphic reference
frame about which the graphic is being created. The dimensions for the graphic are also specified using this reference
frame.
A curve graphic is created by positioning a 3D curve entity (Cartesian or parametric curve) in a reference frame (marker).
The reference frame can be an explicit marker or can be implicitly defined using a body-point-orientation method.
A graphic system entity acts similar to that of a general system entity - it is intended to be used as a container
for graphic entities, and it can be used repetitively. Like general systems, graphic systems can use attachments that
refer to entities that are external to the system - this allows you to use them repetitively by parameterizing the
body, point, etc. that are typically needed to define the graphics within the graphic system.
Use the Advanced Joints tool to create and edit a set of special constraints called higher pair joints. Typically, these are constraints
that involve a curve or surface on at least one of the two bodies.
Use the Fields tool to create a compliant connection between two bodies where stiffness or damping in one direction can be a function
of displacement in another direction
Use the Variables tool to create solver variables that can be used to create an algebraic expression of state variables, as well as
other solver variables. This can then be referenced in function expressions throughout the solver input file.
Use the Arrays tool to create solver arrays and set solver array data. Solver array types include X array, Y array, U array, IC
array, Plant Input array, and Plant Output array.
Use the Strings tool to create a solver string and set solver string data. A solver string provides a string that can be accessed
within the model, for example, to pass into a user subroutine.
Use the Diff Equations tool to set solver differential equations. These equations can be used to add additional states to the mechanical
system being modeled.
There are three ways in which a box graphic (or cuboid) can be defined based on the location of the graphic reference
frame about which the graphic is being created. The dimensions for the graphic are also specified using this reference
frame.
There are three ways in which a box graphic (or cuboid) can be defined based on the
location of the graphic reference frame about which the graphic is being created. The
dimensions for the graphic are also specified using this reference frame.
The figure below shows the various box graphic options and settings that are
available in MotionView: Figure 1.
If the Graphics panel is not currently displayed, select the desired graphic by
clicking on it in the Project Browser or in the modeling window.
The Graphics panel is automatically displayed.
From the Connectivity tab, use the Type drop-down menu to select a type for the
box graphic.
Option
Description
Center
The center box graphic has its origin of the reference frame about
which the box is defined located at the geometrical center of the
box.
Corner
The corner box graphic has the origin of the reference frame located
at any one of the eight corners of the box.
Face Center
The face center box graphic has its origin located at the center of
one of the faces.
Note: If the selected graphic is a pair entity, first distinguish between the
Left and Right tabs in the
panel, and then edit the properties. When defining a pair graphic, use pair
entities for Body, Origin, etc.
Click the Body collector and
select a body from the modeling window, or double click
the Body collector to open the Model Tree (from which the desired body can be selected).
Click the Point
collector (under Origin) and select a point from the modeling window, or double click the
Point collector to open the Model Tree (from which the desired point can be selected).
Use the orientation options to orient the
coordinate system.
Define the graphic properties.
Click the Properties tab.
Enter the dimensions of the box graphic by providing values for
LengthX, LengthY, and LengthZ.
In the case of a face center box, LengthZ is automatically determined
by the distance between the origin and reference point for the Z axis
(the two points that define the Z axis of the reference frame).
Select the material property to be associated with the graphic.
Tip:
Activating the Material inside check box sets
the normals such that the graphic will act like a solid object. For
contacts outside of the box, activate on this option. If the contact
is to be detected from inside the box, deactivate this option.
The refinement level sets the mesh
coarseness level for MotionView. MotionView will use a tessellation scheme to
represent the graphic object during solution. Refer to the <Post_GraphicMotionSolve statement for additional
information.
Click the Inertia Properties
tab and review the mass and center of mass coordinates for the graphic.