Alibre Design

Chapter 19 - Alibre MotionTraces are shown as lines and shapes on the main canvas, but they are 3D referencegeometry that dynamically change, enabling you to easily visualize 3D paths as youpan, zoom and tilt during playback.Trace Options are stored with the Simulation setup data in your Assembly fileUnless you have chosen not to (by un-checking the “Save Simulation Setup Data inAssembly file” Settings option), then all information concerning your simulation,including your customized Trace options, are stored in the Assembly file. This meansyou can share not just an Assembly and Simulations, but also how they are displayed,perhaps for maximum effect.Display Vector Data Using TracesThe Velocity and Acceleration of individual Parts can be displayed using traces. Thedirection of these vector quantities is shown as a line connected to the center of gravity(CG) of a part, or the Point of Action of a constraint. The length of the displayed linerepresents the magnitude of the Vector Quantity. Velocity vector lines are scaledlogarithmically such that Zero velocity is a line 5 pixels long, and the maximum possiblevelocity (C, the speed of light in a vacuum) is half the length of the diagonal extents ofthe assembly. To derive quantitative velocity and acceleration data, use X-Y Plots, orthe “Current Value…” option.Examples Of Various Trace OptionsHere are some examples of the sorts of traces that can be produced using the optionsin the Trace Options dialog:8 Frame Trail-length, Position, Velocity and Acceleration Traces Shown, Position TrailsShown560