User`s guide

Using CAD Models with the Simulink 3D Animation Product
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When exporting products, the CATIA software creates one compound VRML file that
contains all the parts of the product.
Occasionally, you might need to export each part of the assembly hierarchy into a
separate VRML file. You can do this in the CATIA environment as follows:
1
Save each part individually to a separate VRML file.
2
Create the main model VRML file manually, with Inline references to the part
files.
CATIA Coordinate Systems
The CATIA software also exports background color and viewpoints. The software exports
individual parts without these properties.
By default, the CATIA software uses right-handed Cartesian coordinate system identical
to the MATLAB coordinate system (“VRML Coordinate System”). Account for the
coordinate system when you export objects from the CATIA environment into VRML
virtual worlds and/or manipulate them using the Simulink 3D Animation software.
You can also define a different coordinate system. To do this, create an axis system
within the current geometrical set. Doing so sets this new system as a reference system
that you can use to export the VRML virtual world. Consider creating such an axis
system so that it corresponds to the VRML coordinate system. This makes all the
coordinates and orientations of objects compatible with other objects you combine into
VRML virtual worlds.
Settings that Affect the VRML Output
In the CATIA environment, the properties that affect the VRML output are available in
two options dialog boxes:
• Display Performances dialog box
• VRML Compatibility dialog box
Level of Detail
The level of detail of the exported VRML file (accuracy of the tessellation mesh of objects)
corresponds to the setting of CATIA general visualization mesh. In the CATIA menu,
select Tools > Options > General > Display > Performances. In the resulting dialog,
select the 3D Accuracy options to control the visualization mesh detail.