Blog | Fall 2022 Software Update
The leaves are changing color and the air is cooling. It must be time for a new FREE software update from Virtual CRASH. Read on to learn about the latest updates and additions.
Critical Update | Google Maps | VC5 | VC4 | Public Safety
The Google Maps backend has been updated.
Please note: You will need to complete this update for ongoing Google Maps functionality.
VC5 | Password Protect Files
You can now password protect your files in Virtual CRASH 5. To use this feature:
(1) Deselect all objects to reveal the project settings under “properties”.
(2) Open the “lock” menu (see below).
(3) Type your password. Type it again in the verification field. Left-click “set”.
(4) The password is now active. You can left-click “remove” to deactivate your password. You can also type a new password in the “new password” input field.
(5) You’ll need to save your file.
(6) When the file is reopened, assets cannot be unlocked, and all hidden assets cannot be unhidden without the password. Vehicle motion cannot be viewed without the password.
Note: the Virtual CRASH team cannot unlock a locked file. Use this feature with great care!
Upcoming In-Class Training Opportunities
VC5 | Offset For Dynamics Info and On-Screen Dynamics Info Tools
The On-Screen Dynamics Info and Dynamics Info tools can now show display distance and time with offsets. This is useful if you want to show time to impact and distance to impact. In the example below, we use the dynamics info tool at the moment of impact to read off the total distance traveled by our tractor-trailer. We then left-click on the on-screen dynamics info tool which was applied to our tractor. For time we enter: {t:<decimal places>-<time offset>} (do not put a space between “–“ symbol and numbers). This will shift the displayed time by: simulation clock time - <time offset>. Note, you can also use a positive offset: {t:<decimal places>+<time offset>}.
For distance, we enter: {s:<decimal places>-<distance offset>} (again, no spaces). Again, we can also use a positive distance offset: {t:<decimal places>+<distance offset>}.
Below we see, with the time and distance offsets sampled from the moment of impact, the on-screen dynamics info tool is programed so that time to impact = 0 and distance to impact = 0 at the moment of impact.
Here we see the time and distance to impact values prior to impact.
In the video below, the offset feature is used:
VC5 | Multibody Joint Size Control
You can now adjust the size of the joints for a multibody. This makes the task of posing using the joint articulating angle controls easier.
VC5 | Disable Contact
You can now disable any contact interactions for any simulated object. This is very useful for visualizations of “what-if” scenarios superimposed over subject collision events. To disable contact interactions, go to the object’s “contact” menu and enable the “disable” toggle.
This feature is used in the video below.
VC5 | Human Animation Tool
Fixed issue related to small z-shift when tools > human animation > last pose to simulation feature is used.
VC5 | On-Screen Dynamics Info
The variable {pitch} is now functional.