Simulate

The Simulate animation perform a multiple-step simulation at each frame.

You can combine this animation with other animations which control atoms positions to perform constrained simulations.

You can use the Record path animation to save the trajectory generated by the simulation.

See also: Record path, Play path, Play reverse path animations

Adding the animation

Double-click on the Simulate animation effect in the Animation panel of the Animator. The keyframe will be placed at the current frame, move it if needed.

Tip

The Animator executes animations from the top down, so place the Simulate animation after the ones which generates the starting positions of the simulation.

Note

You can always move the keyframes of the animation.

Tip

You can change the number of steps per frame and the step size for the simulator's state updater in the Inspector of the Simulate animation.

Example

Simulating nanosystems helps designing them. In this example, the actuated part (in blue) of the nano gripper moves down too fast (1.7nm over 2.5ps -> 680m/s) and the gripper fails to grasp the cylinder. (Gripper design by @mooreth42, who showed a successful grasp at a different… pic.twitter.com/M5yKD7uA8T

— Stephane Redon (@StephaneRedon) May 8, 2024