Using, Redefining, and Activating an Offset

You can create, redefine, and select an offset for a segment. Offsets can create on any segment for many reasons. An example is to redefine the offset to a point on a part. That transfers the end effector that a manikin holds from the right hand to the tools tip. You can do this so that when the Reach Mode applies to the right hand, the inverse kinematics transfers to the tip of the tool. The tool then does the reach on behalf of the hand segment.

Position the manikin with respect to the geometry that attaches.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Have a manikin in your scenario in position able to reach objects.
See Also
About Using Offset
Offset Dialog Box
Generating Ergonomic Reports
Commands Interacting with Auto and Update

Redefine the Offset to a Point on a Part

This shows you how to redefine the offset to a point on a part.

  1. Click Offset .
  2. Select the Left Hand.



    The Offset Definition dialog box appears and the Robot snaps to the hand.

    The Segment section of the dialog box shows the text Hand and Left.

  3. Place the Robot at the end of the screwdriver.

    This is the new location of the IK control point, or a new location of the end effector.

    Note: The offset uses to transfer a control point (the left hand in this case) to another location. Usually, this new location corresponds to the tip of a tool (a screwdriver for example) the manikin grabs. By doing so, when manipulating the hand with an IK command, the robot snaps to the offset, at the tip of the tool. The same way, when executing a reach with the left end, it is the tip of the screwdriver that reaches the target and not the hand.



  4. Click OK.
    The Offset is now transferred from the hand to the screwdriver showing the green X on the tip of the screwdriver.



Redefine the Offset to a Point on the Skin

Redefining the offset to a point on the manikin skin. As an example, if you want to reach the red switch with the inside of a finger (fingerprint area) instead of reaching it with the tip of the finger.

  1. Click Reach Target from the Posture action bar.
  2. Select theManikin Finger in this scenario, the red switch.


    Offsets do not exist on the finger. When reaching for the switch with the finger, it is the tip of the finger that is in contact with the selected target.

  3. Follow the similar procedures for Redefine the Offset to a Point on a Part.
  4. Using the handle, drag the Robot to the required point on the skin surface. For this scenario, select the inside fingerprint area.


    In the dialog box, Index 3 and Right appears in the Segment section.

  5. Click OK in the dialog box.
    A green X appears on the finger.

  6. Click Reach Target .
  7. From the Reach Command is the active dialog box, select Position only .
  8. Select the skin segment, then the red switch.



    Note: When editing the offset of any segment, the Robot automatically moves to the current offset location. The default offset location is the end point of the segment editing.

  9. Click to deactivate the command when completed.

From Multiple Offsets Select the Active Offset

The Offset command redefines the behavior of the reach mode. You can create multiple offsets and switch between them to try different scenarios.

  1. Click Offsets under Settings to expand the tree.

    In this scenario, there are two Offsets.

    There are two X's on the case.



    Note: The Offset1 is activated (green color), and Offset2 is deactivated (yellow color). You can hide or show the offsets, either by selecting the offsets one by one, or all of them by choosing the father node.

  2. Right-click Offset1 for the context menu.
  3. Select Offset1 object, Deactivate.

    Note: Since there are two offsets, this action automatically activates an offset that deactivate.