ALTAIR MotionView

Altair MotionView is a comprehensive modeling and visualization environment for mechanical system simulation that allows seamless integration of interactive and automated modeling techniques. With a solver-independent and domain-neutral modeling environment, it is ideally suited for cross-attribute system optimization, and provides advanced capabilities for efficient flexible-body system simulation.

The HyperWorks CAE environment provides access to state-of-the-art technologies for high-performance 3D animation and data processing. The multi-body system simulation results can be efficiently analyzed by using a range of advanced animation and plotting techniques. Designs can be iterated and multi-disciplinary optimization studies can be run within the same environment. Study results can be shared with exported reports in generic formats like Microsoft PowerPoint.

The MotionView user interface allows interactive model-building for easy creation, modification and deletion of all entities. The interface panels are specially designed to make the modeling process smooth and intuitive.

Automated modeling is based on a comprehensive library of systems and analysis tasks, and facilitates assembling complex models in just a few clicks. All MotionView models are stored in a native Model Definition Language (MDL) format, a key enabler of easy knowledge capture. An MDL model may contain entities like points, bodies, joints and systems, which, in turn, may be comprised of other entities and systems. All entities can be parametric, based on properties of other entities and/or mathematical expressions. So, the hierarchical model organization and entity parameterization can be used to create inherently modular, reusable systems and analysis definitions, which can be easily redeployed into any other model. Users can also set up conditional logic in MDL using "if" conditions around system topologies and/or properties. This allows for easy model reconfiguration to help iterate through various design topologies and property data sets. The model browser, topology summary and data summary panels allow users to efficiently view and edit the model hierarchy, topology and numerical data.

MotionView ships with an integrated library of automotive systems and analysis tasks. It is geared towards users who want to tune the suspension kinematics or study full vehicle dynamics or durability simulations. MotionView report templates are used to automate generation of standard plots and tables, as well as quickly compare and overlay multiple iterations. The default templates can be easily modified to include required topologies and apply specific property data. Automated modeling using the modularity of MDL language is applicable to all domains and industries.

The graphical interface is also completely customizable. Users can turn panels on and off for a smooth workflow, and can create custom panels and dock them directly in the main interface for seamless customization.

The process automation is driven by the tool command language (TCL), an extremely powerful open-programming language. The TCL-based command line interface can drive all the interface panels and also add, delete or modify all model entities. The programming capabilities of TCL can be combined with the power of the MDL language to automate tasks. The TCL modeling commands wrap around the MDL itself, so experienced users can easily automate repetitive modeling tasks with simple scripts. Altair Process Manager templates and user-created tool kit GUIs can be used for more advanced process automation. These special panels can be docked in the main interface for seamless customization.

The MotionView modeling environment and MDL language is solver-neutral, and models can be exported to various solvers, including MotionSolve, Adams, ABAQUS and DADS. MotionView also contains an application programming interface and template system to work with other third-party solvers.

HyperView's post-processing environment can animate and plot results generated by all the solvers mentioned above and others. Through its diverse solver support, MotionView enables users to perform engineering analysis with the solver that best fits their needs.

The modeling environment is also domain-neutral, as it allows users to have one consistent simulation model for kinematics, durability, noise/vibration/harshness, etc. Combining this open environment with Altair HyperStudy enables users to easily set up cross-attribute, multi-disciplinary optimization studies to create the best possible system design.