Abstract: Methods, program products and systems for preparing a mechanical model for a dynamic simulation. A first plurality of bodies in a mechanical model are identified including at least one grounded body and at least one free body, each of the bodies in the first plurality of bodies being related to at least one other body in the plurality of bodies by at least one constraint that removes or limits at least one degree of freedom for that body in relation to another body. The bodies in the first plurality of bodies are merged into a minimum number of rigid groups needed for a dynamic simulation where the minimum number of rigid groups includes at least one grounded group and at least one mobile group. Constraints that relate bodies within a group are removed from each of the rigid groups.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a CAD application configured to receive an instruction to process a first rigid body in a CAD model and to create a graphic style table that includes a listing of available graphic styles to apply to the rigid bodies in the CAD model. The CAD application is further configured to analyze assembly data associated with the first rigid body to determine if the first rigid body includes any user-defined characteristics. The CAD application is configured to select a first graphic style and apply the first graphic style to each of the geometric bodies included in the first rigid body. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide users with a better visual understanding of each rigid body in an assembly and the dynamic relationships between those rigid bodies.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a CAD application configured to receive an instruction to process a first rigid body in a CAD model and to create a graphic style table that includes a listing of available graphic styles to apply to the rigid bodies in the CAD model. The CAD application is further configured to analyze assembly data associated with the first rigid body to determine if the first rigid body includes any user-defined characteristics. The CAD application is configured to select a first graphic style and apply the first graphic style to each of the geometric bodies included in the first rigid body. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide users with a better visual understanding of each rigid body in an assembly and the dynamic relationships between those rigid bodies.

Abstract: Methods, program products and systems for preparing a mechanical model for a dynamic simulation. A first plurality of bodies in a mechanical model are identified including at least one grounded body and at least one free body, each of the bodies in the first plurality of bodies being related to at least one other body in the plurality of bodies by at least one constraint that removes or limits at least one degree of freedom for that body in relation to another body. The bodies in the first plurality of bodies are merged into a minimum number of rigid groups needed for a dynamic simulation where the minimum number of rigid groups includes at least one grounded group and at least one mobile group. Constraints that relate bodies within a group are removed from each of the rigid groups.