Simulation Options Dialog Box

The Simulation Options dialog box lets you define specific simulation options. The dialog box appears when you click Simulation Options at the right edge of the work area. You can also access it when you click Simulation Options in Play to the side of the Compass.

This dialog box contains controls for:

This page discusses:

Play Options

The options on the Play Options tab override the options from Me > Preferences.
Note: Play Options let you customize how time management and graphics updates occur in simulations. These options apply to any object being simulated. At any time during your session, you can modify the Simulation Options dialog box. If you define options using the dialog box, the system resets options defined in Me > Preferences when you leave the 3D Simulation environment. If you are running a simulation outside of the 3D Simulation environment, the temporary options are reset when the object is done simulating.
Simulate in Real Time
Check this option to continuously update the step size. If the simulation is running too slowly (with respect to the real time), the step size increases; if the simulation begins to run too fast, the step size decreases. As a result, the performance of the automatic real-time simulation-step-size feature may degrade during simulations that perform computationally intensive operations. The step sizes may potentially become very large, resulting in unnatural motion.

By default, this option is cleared.

Start Time and Stop Time
If you want to observe a portion of the simulation, you can define the start and stop times. This option keeps you from having to manually start and stop the simulation. If you are compiling an animation or a movie, you can also make the movie start or stop at precise points within the simulation.
Performance Analysis
You can use this option to better understand how the simulation uses time. You can activate this option at any time, before or after starting the simulation play. Once you start this option, it begins capturing the profile from that moment forward. Once the simulation stops playing, the Simulation PCS Profile Panel appears.
Graphics Updates
  • When you select this option, the system continuously updates the graphical view.
  • When you do not select this option, graphical view updates are limited to:
    • Cruising the camera around
    • Zooming in and out
    • Changing the current view mode
    • Activating or deactivating the main application frame (that is, switching between applications)
    • Enabling automatic update in an existing section.

By default, the option is selected.

The Graphic Updates contains the following options:

Every [n] Compute Steps
When you set Compute Steps to 1, the simulation runs at the same rate as the visualization: this step size controls both the simulation heart beat as well as the visualization update rate. You can specify the visualization update rate; that is, how many steps are executed per graphics update.
Every [n] Second
When Seconds is specified as a value greater than 0, the simulation will run at the simulation heart beat rate. The visualization will only update every n seconds in real time.
Enable Master Clock
A master interval clock for simulation is available so that simulation time appears to advance at a consistent rate and visualizes at this rate.

By default, this option is cleared.

Master Clock Step Size
You can define a consistent time interval for simulation and see that the visualization advances at this constant rate.

Enable Master Clock is not selected.

Effective Step Size
You can use the slider to speed up or slow down the simulations. You have a 200-step range. If the current mast-clock step size is the default (0.1s), then the available range size is 0.001s to 10.0s.

Animation

The Animation tab contains the option to generate a recording.

Enable Instant Replay
If you select this option, you generate a recording of your simulation that you can replay instantly. An instant replay helps you when you are viewing a negotiated time simulation, which you can only see in reverse with an instant replay. You cannot save an instant replay.
Record Animation
If you select this option, you create an object that persists in the database. You can replay this object or export it for viewing in V5 or 3D XML.
Record Movie
If you select this option, you create a movie or video recording or you create a record of still images. The system saves this object to your computer and you can review it in an external viewer. To select the codec (for video) or still shot format (JPEG), click Compile Movie Setup . To select the correct compressor, configuration, and the key frame rate, click Setup in the Compile Movie dialog box.

By default, these options are cleared.

State Options

Apply Context contains the following options:

Global (all)
All information stored in the state is applied.
ASO
Only information pertaining to the ASO object and its children is applied.

Apply Scope contains the following options:

Nominal + Overloads
When applying the state, first nominal state gets applied, then the attributes stored in the simulation state. This mode insures a consistent state assuming the design information has not changed since the state was created.
Overloads Only
Only attributes stored in the simulation state get applied. This mode may lead to different results. Use it in controlled cases.

Apply Attributes contains the following options (you can select more than one option):

  • Position
  • Color/Opacity
  • Visibility
  • Viewpoint.
During Simulation: Apply Active State
This option controls how the state set as active (if any) gets applied when running a simulation. When this option is turned OFF, the active state (or the state linked to the simulated task) is not applied. Nonetheless, the Simulation States panel shows the state as active. This option allows users to check how the simulation is running without applying the active state and without modifying the data cases they are using. When this option is turned OFF, a message is displayed through the Messages Reporting dialog box informing the user that the active state was not applied.

After Creation / Modification contains the following options.

Keep state information
This option allows the user to indicate if the state information remains applied in a session after a simulation state is created or modified.
  • When you set this option to OFF after you create or edit a state, the session information is restored to what it was before you ran the command.
  • When you set the option to ON, you apply state information to the session once you run the Create or Edit Simulation State command.
Set state active
This option allows the user to indicate whether the newly created or modified simulation state is automatically set as active after you run the Create or Edit Simulation State command.
  • When you set this option to OFF, the newly created or modified simulation state does not change its active status.
  • When you set this option to ON, the newly created or modified simulation state is automatically set as active.

Resource Simulation

The options in the Resource Simulation tab control how you experience process planning and resource simulation together. Once you specify options in this dialog box, they remain in effect until you specify them differently, even after you close a session.

Update Cycle Time
Select this to see that the simulated duration of all operations and behaviors update at the end of the simulation.

The Resource Simulation Level of Detail applies only when simulating a system or an operation, and contains the following options:

Simulate Specification Behavior Only
When you enable this option, you display only the product build-up of the simulated system or operation, based on the selected product build-up options.
Simulate Specification Behavior and Abstract Product Motion
When you enable this option, the simulation behaves the same as Simulate Specification Behavior Only, except that the simulation includes any tracks created and sequenced under operations.
Simulate Specification Behavior and Associated Detailing
In this mode, the simulation is based on the build-up, similarly to Simulate Specification Behavior Only. Except, in this mode, some capabilities of the build-up are disabled. Part Position and Resource Positions are not applied in this mode.
If there are active task links to a physical resource, the corresponding physical resource detailing behavior is simulated. If an operation does not have an active task link, any tracks the operation has are simulated, just as they are for Simulate Specification Behavior and Abstract Product Motion.

The Resource Simulation Context Options contains the following options:

Simulate Resource Within Context
When this option is enabled, only the selected task or operation is simulated from its beginning to its end.
Simulate Resource Out of Context
When you enable this option, the top-most physical resource behavior is simulated in the background (without graphics updates) up to the beginning of the selected task or operation.
Highlight Active Operations
If you select this option, you can see the active operation highlighted in the tree during simulation.

By default, this option is not selected.

Display List of Active Operations
When you select this option while a simulation is running, you can see a list of active operations.
  • If no activity is simulated, the dialog box is empty. As soon as the simulation starts, the dialog box is updated with the name of the simulated activity.
  • If multiple activities are simulated in parallel, all the names are displayed.
  • If the simulated activity belongs to a resource's active task, this option displays the name of the activity to which the resource is assigned on one line. The name of the simulated operation appears on the next line, indented.
Enable Simulation Time Chart
Selecting this option enables you to see a time chart for the simulation. It displays the evolution from the beginning of the simulation to the current time, with a line for each instruction (for example, run procedure, call service, and wait).

By default, this option is not selected.

Enable Breakpoints in Logic Monitoring

When selected, you can implement breakpoints by selecting the circle at the left of the instruction. During simulation, it will pause on those instructions which have a breakpoint defined. The breakpoint is indicated in red.

When not selected, breakpoints are disallowed and the circle at the left of the instruction is grayed. A message appears if you attempt to add a breakpoint.

NC Simulation

Enable Material Removal
This enables you to select an option from the Cutting tool condition list, Nominal, Maximum Wear and User Defined.
Important: When the simulation options are set in the Machining Scenario dialog box, this section is not shown.
Synchronize Material Removal with Simulation Steps

This check box:

  • Is available only if the Enable material removal check box is selected.
  • Can be checked or cleared dynamically during the simulation, without restarting the simulation.
  • Applies to a Machine Simulation based either on the tool path or in the NC code.
  • Impacts only the visualization, not the collision checking.

Since it is time consuming, we recommend you select this check box only for punctual visualization. For the same reason, the check box remains active only for the current session and is not stored in the settings.

When selecting the Synchronize Material Removal with Simulation Steps check box the material removed is visualized between the tool path points according to the simulation step. By default, the simulation step is set to 0.1 s.

Option activated:

Option not activated:

Distance Based Simulation
When selecting Distance Based Simulation the Master Clock must be activated.
Max Distance between Steps
Set the maximum distance between steps.

By default, 10.00mm

Stop When Errors Exceed
Specify a value to setup a stop condition.
Display Cutter Compensation for Simulation

Tool compensation table Opens the Cutter Compensation Management for Simulation dialog box. The tools used in the machining operations which are aggregated by Manufacturing Program are displayed.

Important: When the simulation options are set in the Machining Scenario dialog box, this section is not shown.

Custom Messages Opens the Message Editor dialog box showing all the messages. Here you can Create, Modify, Delete, Import and Export the data.

Device Simulation Options

The Device Simulation Options tab controls simulations for Robot Simulation.

Enable Override Motion Parameters

Production System Simulation

The Production System Simulation tab enables you configure options for Process Flow Simulation.

Run Time
Specifies the simulation time. Enter the allotted time.
Warm-up Time
Specifies the time at which the collection of statistics starts. This is the prep time, if required.

You can select either:

Animation
Allows animation on the system tile during simulation.
Step Size
Specifies the simulation time step when you have Animation selected.
State Highlighting
Paints the system tile with colors based on System State during Simulation.

By default, this option is not selected.

No Animation
Disables animation on the system tiles during a simulation.
Step Size
Specifies the simulation time step when you have No Animation selected.
Reset Random Number Streams
You can reset the sequence of uncorrelated random numbers.

By default, this option is not selected.

You can enable the On Negative Distribution Sample option. In addition, you can choose to:

Resample
You can resample the distribution on negative number generation.
Return Zero
Select this option to return zero on negative number generation without re-sampling.

By default, this option is selected.

Flow Simulation

The Flow Simulation tab enables you to configure simulation options for Factory Flow Simulation.

Run Time
Specifies the simulation time.
Warm-up Time
Specifies the time at which the collection of statistics starts.
Consider Calendar Time
Forces the simulation time (Simulation Start Time and Simulation End Time) of the enabled shift model.
Note: If there is no enabled simulation model, the run time is considered and standard simulation (without shift information) starts.

By default, This check box is unselected.

Animation
Activates the animation of workers and robots.

By default, This check box is selected.

Make Human Slide
Makes the workers slide from one point to another. When you clear the check box, the workers walk.

By default, This check box is cleared.

Step Size
Specifies the simulation time step when you select Animation.

By default, The value is set to 0.1s.

State Highlighting
Set a color on resources according to their activity state.

By default, This check box is cleared.

No Animation
Deactivates the animation of workers, robots, and conveyors. Products associated with in zones are not visible during the simulation.

By default, This check box is cleared.

Step Size
Specifies the simulation time step when No Animation is selected.

By default, The value is set to 0.1s.

Reset Random Number Streams On Negative Distribution Sample
Resets the random number streams on a negative distribution sample.

By default, This check box is cleared.

Resample
Resamples the distribution on negative number generation.

By default, This check box is cleared.

Return Zero
Returns to zero on negative number generation without resampling.

By default, This check box is selected.

Activate Time Distribution during simulation
Enables or disables time distribution during simulation. On disabling this option, activity time value is used during simulation.
Activate Failures during simulation
Enables or disables failure model during simulation.
Visualization Mode
Display Flows and Activities
Displays flows and activities during simulation.
Apply Color on Running Machines in Dynamic Simulation
Applies color on running machines during dynamic simulation.
Display inputs at design/user defined positions for activities
Displays inputs at design or user-defined positions for activities during simulation.
Step Mode
Based on Event
Simulation goes from one event to the next.
Based on Time
Simulation is based on time step.
Monitoring Options
Display Systems Utilization
Displays the system utilization chart in the System Performance Monitor.
Display Products Inventory
Displays the product inventory chart in the System Performance Monitor.
Display Future Events
Displays the future set of events in the System Performance Monitor.
Display Average Cycle-Time
Displays the average cycle time for resources in the System Performance Monitor.
Display Traces
Displays the simulation trace messages in the System Performance Monitor.
Collect Resource State Times
Displays and extracts in XML the complete history of the time that each resource spends in a given state during a simulation.
Compute Product Weight
Computes the product weight from the mass provided in the Results tab of the Measure Inertia dialog box.
Cache Charts Visibility State
Caches current state chart views and positions for a specific resource.
Allows you to move simulation charts to a different position. The chart will be in the position you specified when you start a new simulation. You can reset the chart to its default position in Preferences.
Analysis
Detect Bottlenecks
Detects bottlenecks in the production system and lists the resources causing the bottlenecks in the System Performance Monitor.
Planning Integration
Assign Resource Pool for Worker
Carries over the worker assignment on the operation to the mapped activity. The mapped activity does not identify the worker if you clear this option.
This option is only for workers and not for robots. Robot activity automatically carries over to the mapped activity.
Additional Options
Consider Robot Travel Time for Processing and Picking
Specifies whether or not a robot's travel time is taken into account with processing or picking operations.
When enabled, the time it takes for a robot to reach its processing or picking zone of operation is taken into account during calculation.

View Options

The View Options tab enables you to control the camera function.

Viewer Selector
You can replace the normal, comprehensive work area with one that either focuses on a part or on the view from a specific mounting point. To return to the normal view, clear the selected options.
Enable Camera Tracking.
You can select a part or subassembly to track in the work area. The part center is used for individual parts being tracked.

To select a part, select it in any open viewer or on the tree. Since the purpose of the camera tracking is to enable you to focus on a single part or subassembly, you cannot Multi-Select parts.

If you want to select a different part, cancel the option, then reselect the option and a different part.

When selecting a subassembly, the center of all the parts in the subassembly are used as the tracked position.

By default, the option is not selected.

Enable Camera Mounting
When you mount a camera, the camera is locked into a particular position, regardless of where the item it tracks moves.

When you select Enable Camera Mounting, select the part to which you want the camera mounted, and then select Mount to Selection.

  • If you do not select Mount to Selection, the camera remains fixed on the part being tracked.
  • If you do select Mount to Selection, you cannot mount the camera to the part you are tracking. Although you can mount the camera to any other object in the viewer.

If you want to select a different part, cancel the option, then reselect a different part and the option.

By default, the option is not selected.

Track Simulation Options

The Track Simulation Options tab enables you to configure options for track simulation.

Simulate with Distance
By default, a track is simulated in Time mode. This option enables track simulation is Distance mode.
  • Step Distance: specifies the distance for stepping forward or backward during the track simulation.
  • Current Distance: this value is updated at each step forward or backward during the track simulation.