Managing a 3D Animation

You can manage the animation of a 3D Modelica or non-Modelica shape within Dymola Behavior Modeling app and see the computation results in the Variable Browser.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: In this scenario you animate the model example Modelica.Mechanics.MultiBody.Examples.Elementary.DoublePendulum.
See Also
About Virtual Execution
Managing a 2D Animation

Visualize a 3D Animation

You can visualize the animation of a 3D shape and display the corresponding computation results.

  1. To display the animation in this scenario, open and execute the model example Modelica.Mechanics.MultiBody.Examples.Elementary.DoublePendulum. For more information, see Simulating a Behavior.
    The animation is displayed.

    Tips:
  2. To manage the virtual execution, use the Experience Player toolbar.

    Tip: To perform the virtual execution at real time speed, select Real time from the Simulation Options dialog box. You can also set a speed factor. See Managing Simulation Options Using the Simulation Options Dialog Box.

  3. To see the result of the simulation, consult the Variable Browser. For more information, see Working with the Variable Browser.
  4. To see the history of the 3D structure during the simulation, before launching the execution, select the Number of history frames you want to display and the Interval between frames from Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Systems Modeling and Execution > Dymola Behavior Modeling , the Results tab. For more information, see Native Apps Preferences Guide: Results.
  5. To display information about the compilation, click the Messages ReportingIncident Diagnosis window icon to the right on your screen. For more information, see Messages Reporting Window.

Manage 3D Shapes in a 3D Animation

You can manipulate an animated 3D shape.

  1. From the 3D animation, select a 3D shape.
    The following is the result:
    • The shape is highlighted, and the context toolbar of the shape appears.

    • In the diagram, if the diagram is displayed, the corresponding component is highlighted.
    • In the Variable Browser the corresponding node is highlighted, if that node is displayed. (It may be hidden because of scrolling.)
    Important: The result is the same if you select a shape, the corresponding component, or the corresponding node in the Variable Browser, all corresponding items are highlighted. This facilitate navigation.
  2. Use the commands from the context toolbar:

    Note: Only Modelica 3D shapes have the full context toolbar, the context toolbar of a Physical 3D shape only contain the Follow Shape command.

    • Show/Hide Trace : to follow the traces of the 3D path of the shape during animation.
      Tip: You can display several traces.


    • Follow Shape : to focus the 3D view on the selected component. Define the direction from Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Systems Modeling and Execution > Dymola Behavior Modeling , the Results tab. For more information, see Native Apps Preferences Guide: Results.
    • Hide : to hide a component and have a better view of another one.
      Tip: To reset the Hide mode, right-click the background and select Reset All .
    • Transparency : to make a component transparent to better see other components behind.
      Tip: To reset the Transparency mode, select the component again, and click again Transparency .
    • Reset : to reset all the animation properties for the selected component only.
    • Show in Variable Browser : to navigate to the component in the Variable Browser.

Display Component Name for a 3D Shape, and Navigate To It In the Variable Browser

You can display the component name corresponding to a 3D shape in the animation, and you can navigate to this component in the Variable Browser.

Note: This functionality is only available on 3D shapes related to Modelica code.

  1. To display the component name for a 3D shape, pause over it.
    The component name appears in the tooltip.

  2. To navigate to this component in the Variable Browser, do the following:
    1. From the 3D animation, select the 3D shape.
      The shape is highlighted, and the context toolbar appears.
    2. Right-click the shape and select Show in Variable Browser .
      The Variable Browser tree is expanded down to the relevant node, for example Shape of the component corresponding to the highlighted 3D shape.
      Note: If several Variable Browsers are present, all are expanded the same way, but the node is highlighted only on the currently active one.
      Tip: If the 2D diagram is displayed, you can also use this command for a component in the diagram by right-clicking the component and selecting Show in Variable Browser .