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 System and Assembly panel allows you to new analyses to your model, modify attachments, set initial conditions
for analyses, and set analyses options.
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.
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.
From the Project Browser, select the system to which the deformable curve is to
be added.
Right-click on a system folder in the Project Browser and select Add > Reference Entity > Graphic from the context menu.
OR
Right-click on a graphic folder in the Project Browser and select
Add Graphic from the context menu.
OR
Right-click the Graphic button on the Reference
toolbar.
The Add Graphic or Graphic Pair dialog is displayed.
From the Type drop-down menu, select a graphic type.
Tip: If you select File or
CADGraphic, you can also select One
graphic per component and choose a file using the file
browser. Valid file types include: .h3d,
.fem, .shl,
.obj, and .g. If selected,
MotionView will create a graphic entity per component
that exists in the graphics file.
Click the System collector to identify the system or
container into which the graphic will be created.
Specify a label and variable name.
By default, variables names of entities in MotionView follow
a certain convention. For example, all graphic entities have a variable name
starting with “g” and the graphic type. This is the recommended convention to
follow when building models in MotionView since it has many
advantages in model editing and model manipulation.
Select whether to create a single graphic or a graphic pair.
A graphic entity, like most of the entities that are created in MotionView, can be a single entity or a pair entity. Pair entities
help in creating models which have symmetric properties.
Click OK to close the window or
Apply to continue creating entities.
Once a graphic entity has been added to the model, the panel for the
graphic will automatically be displayed in the panel area.