Defining Measure Probes

Measure probes are used to track distances and angles in a mechanism during a kinematics simulation.

With measure probes, you can:

  • Track the relative distance or angle between two geometric entities.
  • Track the absolute distance traveled by a geometric entity along a specific direction.

Before you begin:

Open a scenario referencing an object containing both a logical and physical model in the Behavior Experience app.

See Also
About Behavior Experience
About Probes
  1. From the Scenario section of the action bar, click Measure Probe .

    The Measure Between dialog box appears.

  2. Select the Type of measure to track in the probe:
    • Minimum distance tracks the minimum distance or angle between two geometric entities.
    • Measure along a direction tracks the distance traveled by a geometric entity along a specific direction.
  3. Select the Calculation mode:

    • Exact else approximate measures the exact data and provides true values, if possible. If exact values cannot be measured, approximate values are given.

      Note: The Exact else approximate calculation mode is selected by default.
    • Exact measures the exact data, and provides true values.
    • Approximate measures the tessellated objects and provides approximate values (identified by a ~ sign).

    Kinematics measure probes use all calculation modes.

    All geometric entities for the model are loaded automatically in the current session.

  4. In the 3D area or in the tree, select the two geometric entities to use for the probe.

    Note: If you are creating a Measure along a direction probe, the second geometric entity is ignored.

    The selected geometric entities are highlighted both in the 3D area and in the tree as you hover over them.
    Tip: You can also click the Multiselection icon to select a geometric entity. You can also use the Selection mode box at the bottom of the dialog box to filter the selection from the model and the tree.
  5. Optional: If you are creating a Measure along a direction probe, specify the measurement direction in the Other Direction box.
  6. To determine the types of values measured by the probe, select the Customize tab.

    Note: You can preview the measure probe in the 3D area as you are creating it. For more information, see Design Review User’s Guide: Customizing Measures.

  7. Click OK to save the measure probe and close the Measure Between dialog box.
  8. Optional: You can preview the probe without saving results by running a simulation preview. The probe values are displayed on the mechanism as you run the preview.

    For more information, see Simulating in a Preview Mode.