Abstract: A system and method is provided that facilitates visualization and control of a simulation of walking in a manufacturing, work, or other human activity environment. The system may include at least one processor, at least one input device, a data store including anthropometric data, and a display device. The input device may be used to receive first motion inputs. The processor may be configured to determine positions for foot falls on a simulated support surface that the feet of a human figure based on the anthropometric data will step on when being animated to walk on the support surface along a path determined dynamically in real-time responsive to the first motion inputs. Based on the determined positions for the foot falls, they processor may generate a visual animation through the display device of the human figure walking along the path in real time with the feet of the human figure being placed on the determined positions for the foot falls.

Abstract: A virtual assembly design environment that simulates axial and planar constrained motion for multiple parts in any combination and application order. Dynamic simulation methods are used to simulate object behavior in the design environment using physical laws and collision detection algorithms. The physical properties, e.g., mass properties, of parts in an assembly are created in a separate CAD system. In one embodiment, physical property information is transferred from the CAD system to the virtual reality environment where it is used in dynamic simulations. The parts behave realistically in a user's hand, constrained on the base part, or moving freely in space. A swept volume can be generated directly in the CAD system. Real-time bi-directional data transfer between a VR environment and the CAD system is also provided. As a result, the user can perform parametric design modifications in the virtual environment by the use of a CAD system.