Simulate an Assembly Constraint

You can define a simulation for an assembly dimension. A simulation animates a part's movement from one extreme value of its constraint to the other.

Simulate a constraint as follows:

  1. Add a distance or angle constraint between parts or edit an existing distance or angle constraint.
  2. Enter the constraint's Minimum and maximum values in the Edit Constraint Dialog Box dialog box.
  3. Enter the Simulation steps in the Edit Constraint Dialog Box dialog box.
    • With a larger step value, you get a smoother, but slower animation.
    • With a smaller step value, you get a rougher, but faster animation.
  4. Run the simulation
    • To the maximum position by selecting Simulate Min -> Max.
    • To the minimum position by selecting Simulate Max -> Min.
    • Back to default position by selecting Back.
  5. Select OK.
  6. You can also perform the simulation by selecting the constraint from the list below the assembly tree and selecting the context-sensitive function Simulate.