Deformable Curves

Use the Deformable Curves tool to create and edit deformable curves.

In MotionView, a deformable curve entity is used with advanced joints that require a curve entity. The deformable curve can connect to one or more bodies and can deform during the simulation.

Create Deformable Curves

  1. From the Project Browser, select the system to which the deformable curve is to be added.
  2. Right-click on a system folder in the Project Browser and select Add > Reference Entity > Deformable Curve from the context menu.
    OR

    Right-click on a deformable curve folder in the Project Browser and select Add Deformable Curve from the context menu.

    OR
    Right-click the Deformable Curves button on the Reference toolbar.
    The Add Deformablecurve dialog is displayed.
  3. Specify a label and variable name.
    By default, variables names of entities in HyperWorks follow a certain convention. For example, all entities have a variable name starting with . This is the recommended convention to follow when building models in MotionView since it has many advantages in model editing and model manipulation.
  4. Optional: Double-click System to change the system, assembly, or analysis the entity will be created in.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Click OK.
    The deformable curve is added.
Tip:
  • Activate the Create explicit graphics check box to create a graphic associated with the deformable curve.

Edit Deformable Curves

  1. If the Deformable Curves panel is not currently displayed, select the desired deformable curve by clicking on it in the Project Browser or in the modeling window.
    The Deformable Curves panel is automatically displayed.
  2. Specify how to define the location of the curve points by choosing Marker or Body/Point from the Data type drop-down menu.
  3. Use the check box next to the collector to define where newly added rows should go, and enter the number of new rows to be added in the field next to the Add/Insert collector.
  4. Click Add/Insert to add the specified number of new rows to the deformable curve.
  5. Click the Marker, Body, or Point collectors and make your selections in the modeling window, or double-click the collectors an make your selections in the Model Tree.
  6. Define the two ends of the curve using the Left end type and Right end type drop-down menus.
Tip: For the Body/Point data type, quickly assign the references of all the Body collectors to the same body using the Curve Shortcuts tab.