Animating a Kinematics Simulation

You can view an animation of a kinematics simulation and highlight clashing parts in the mechanism or stop the animation when two parts clash.

Before you begin:
  • A scenario result must be available under the Result node of a kinematics simulation.
  • Double-click the Result node under the kinematics simulation to enter the Kinematics Postprocessing workbench.
Related Topics
Creating a Kinematics Scenario
Simulating and Generating Results

  1. Select a Clash Detection setting to determine how clashes between parts in the mechanism are handled during the animation:

    • Off: Ignores any clashes during the animation.
    • On: Highlights clashing parts during the animation.
    • Stop: Stops the animation when two parts clash.

    Note: The Clash Detection setting applies to all parts in the mechanism. It does not account for groups or clearances specified in any interference probes included in the simulation.

  2. Click Play Animation and select a scenario result in the specification tree.

    The Simulation Player appears.

    Tip: You can use the Play button of the Compass. For more information, see Play. The current scenario result is automatically animated.

  3. Use the controls on the Simulation Player or the Compass to animate your mechanism or to step through the time increments in your simulation.

    For more information about using the Simulation Player, see Assembly Path Definition User's guide: About the Simulation Player.

    If you use the Play button of the Compass in a validation of simulation document with an active review:

    • The positions (mechanism's transient position and command values) that are calculated during the kinematics simualtion are retained in the Review object. See the VPM Digital Validation User's Guide.
    • You can use the Slide function , which allows you to create multiple slides on the fly. In this situation, you do not need to create snapshots.