Assembling a 3-D Model

The Model Workspace must contain an assembled 3-D model before you can simulate and animate it. By default, MapleSim automatically updates the 3-D view as model components, component parameters, or connections are added or modified. To make sure the model is correctly assembled, follow these best practices:

The assembly process occurs automatically when you simulate your model or click Update 3-D View ( ) in the 3-D Toolbar. In the 3-D Workspace, assembled implicit geometry is drawn in a dark gray color, with the exception of joint objects, which are drawn in red. Implicit geometry not connected to other implicit geometry is drawn in light gray.

Using Auto-Update

By default, MapleSim attempts to keep the model assembled so that it appears in the 3-D Workspace in the physical configuration corresponding to the simulation start time. As the model components, component parameters, or connections are modified, the auto-update process automatically updates the 3-D view.

In some situations, the model cannot be assembled due to conflicting parameters, such as the closed kinematic loop example. In this case, one of the joints in the loop will appear in pink, indicating that it is unassembled and that the model needs to be reassembled to correctly show its configuration at start time. While a model contains unassembled components, automatic positioning in the 3-D view is disabled. When a component is highlighted in pink, you can click Update 3-D View ( ) to assemble the 3-D model manually.

Note:  If you are building models containing many multibody components, making numerous changes to parameter values in a complex model, some performance issues may occur when the 3-D Workspace is updated continuously. In this case, you can turn off the Auto-Update feature, update the component parameter values in your model, and then assemble your 3-D model manually.

When Auto-Update is OFF, the 3-D manipulators are disabled. Also, the 3-D Workspace background changes to dark gray.

The state of Auto-Update (ON by default, or OFF) is stored with the model and is restored the next time the model opens.

To turn off the Auto-Update feature:

To manually assemble a 3-D model:

Note: You can only assemble 3-D models with a valid configuration and valid connection lines. For example, if you attempt to assemble a 3-D model with missing connection lines, an error message appears in the console pane and the visualization in the 3-D Workspace does not update.

	See Also
	Highlighting Multibody Ports and Axes Identifying Objects in a 3-D Model Toolbar: 3-D Toolbar Toolbar: Playback Controls Visualizing a 3-D Model