VTC Videos

Tools → Workflows → VTC Videos

The VTC Videos workflow tool is part of the Virtual Testing Protocol and allows users to calculate the views and export the videos outlined in various EuroNCAP and C-NCAP protocols.

The tool attempts to calculate the camera positions automatically based on model entities you define in PRIMER. You can then adjust and save the views in D3PLOT to be reused to capture the videos for future Ansys LS-DYNA runs.

How to use the Workflow Tool in PRIMER

When this tool is initially launched, the GUI will look something like this by default: 

           

ALL PROTOCOLS:

The following required selections are used to calculate the views for ALL Protocols.

Protocol

Select the NCAP Protocol you're testing from the dropdown. This will determine the remaining inputs needed.

Unit System

Select the Unit System of the model from the dropdown.

*DATABASE_BINARY_D3PLOT_DT

Animations need to be analysed with an output interval of 2ms (0.002s) or less. Changing the output interval will change the *DATABASE_BINARY_D3PLOT DT keyword field in the model and thus you will need to save the model and re-run in Ansys LS-DYNA to get the updated output files.

Fixed Reference Node

Press 'Select...' to Select or Pick a *NODE for the fixed reference node. The purpose of this is to hold the sled in position during the videos.

Parts to Blank

There might be some parts you wish to blank during all the videos, for example the windscreen. Press the right arrow for multiple selection or picking options or manually type the parts in the textbox.

LHD/RHD

Using the Radio buttons, select LHD or RHD for Left Hand Drive or Right Hand Drive Occupant.

Property Files Save Directory

Select the Directory by pressing on the Directory icon to save the view files (Property (.prp) and Cut-Section (.cut)).

Saving

Save the Workflow data to a .json file or save it to your model and then write out the keyword file from PRIMER.

EURO NCAP FAR SIDE

The following required selections are used to calculate the views for the Euro NCAP Far Side Protocol

Reference ID

Select the Virtual Testing Reference ID from the dropdown, if 'Other' is selected the textbox below will become active to write your own Reference ID.

Dummy Parts

Press the right arrow for multiple selection or picking options or manually type in the textbox for the Dummy.

EURO NCAP Frontal

The following required selections are used to calculate the views for the Euro NCAP Frontal Protocol

Reference ID

Select the Virtual Testing Reference ID from the dropdown, if 'Other' is selected the textbox below will become active to write your own Reference ID.

C-NCAP Far Side

The following required selections are used to calculate the views for the C-NCAP Far Side Protocol

Head Distance to Intrusion of Door

Manually type value of the maximum intrusion amount of the door on the impact side into the box. This uses the units selected in the Unit System

How to use the Workflow Tool in D3PLOT

When this tool is initially launched, the GUI will look something like this by default:

          

Step 1: Calculate the Views

Once the Workflow is clicked on, step 1 is to calculate the views​.  Use the checkboxes to control which views you wish to calculate​.
When you click Calculate View, properties files are generated and saved in the directory you defined in PRIMER.

Step 2: Verify & Update the views

Once the views have been calculated, click the “View” buttons to see each view​. If you are not satisfied with the view calculated, you can manually adjust the view by moving the camera position​.
Click the “?” button to remind yourself of what the views should look like according to the NCAP specification​.
Once you are satisfied with the new camera position, click “Update & Save”.

Step 3: Set the video quality and export
Once you have verified your views, set the start, interval and end time required for your videos:

• The default start time is set to zero
• The default interval time is set to either 2 or 0.002 dependant on your unit system as animations need to be analysed with an output interval of 2ms (0.002s) or less
• The end time needs to be set to the time of maximum head excursion x 1.2

Then set the video target file size, or change the Video Quality slider. According to the NCAP specification, the videos should be 1-10 MB in size​.
“Export Videos” will export all six videos by default to the directory you defined in PRIMER – you can change the views to be exported via the dropdown​.