NGRAIN 4.0

Realism

By defining constraints between parts, the 3D model will simulate real-world physical constraints to make it behave more realistically. Constraints can be used to:

• Enforce physical boundaries and barriers. For example, a “hinge” constraint limits the movement of doors or panels.
• Define the order and motion of removing parts. For example, a “bolt” constraint will define how the bolt is pulled out, and will prevent the bolted part from being removed prior to moving the bolt.
• Limit the movement of parts. For example, a “linear movement” constraint limits the movement of a pin or a push button.
• Enable identical parts to be interchangeable. For example, a wheel nut can be screwed onto any wheel bolt rather than just the specific bolt it was originally attached to.

Animations

With NGRAIN 4.0, the creation of 3D animations is now easier and more powerful. Specific enhancements include:

• Enhanced annotations that use Microsoft® PowerPoint style controls to quickly add and edit lines, arrows, boxes and circles.
• Callouts are added one at a time, and can be fully customized by changing the font, callout border and background. Callouts are also visible in “context” view mode.
• If parts are constrained, it is easier to create animations of moving parts, such as a hinged panel opening or a bolt moving. Constraints also eliminate the need to define “guides”.
• Audio files can now be associated with key frames.
• The animation timeline can be zoomed up, to allow key frames to be spaced at 0.2 second intervals.
• A rotation tool allows you to accurately and consistently move and rotate the 3D model and parts.
• The NGRAIN Viewer has a new animation panel that makes it easier to select and play animations, and includes an animation slider bar and timer to move backwards and forwards in the animation.
• Animation key frames can be edited faster. Multiple key frames can be updated at the same time when the camera angle, part position or part visibility is changed.
• Exporting an NGRAIN animation to an AVI animation is more accurate.

Tasks

NGRAIN version 4.0 enables users to create and support virtual hands-on practice for a wider range of maintenance procedures and operational scenarios…and test students on their knowledge of procedures!

• The creation of tasks is simplified by following the same “click and capture” process used in animations. The user simply performs the task, and steps are automatically captured in a “task storyboard”.
• Task steps have been expanded to include part selection and part movement steps, as well as steps that ask users to answer a question before proceeding. This allows Tasks to be used to virtually practice a much wider range of procedures, including diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures and equipment start-up, operation, and shut down.
• Start, failure, and success actions can be added to Task steps. Each action can show a part or callout, play an animation, or display a message. Failure actions can be escalated, to provide help each time the student fails to correctly perform a step.
• Tasks also support multiple ‘parts bins’. For example, a user may need to remove a worn part and place it in a ‘recycle’ bin, and attach a new part from a ‘replacement parts’ bin.
• Advanced tasks – create and support virtual hands-on practice for a wider range of maintenance procedures and operational scenarios…and test students on their knowledge of procedures!

Performance

• Reduced file sizes and memory usage
• Increased rendering speeds
• Faster loading and saving of files
• Improvements to attaching parts and zooming in/out

Workflow

Workflow improvements have been made to facilitate the process of converting 3D data to the NGRAIN format, and creating and publishing content based on the NGRAIN 3D models.

• Converting existing 3D CAD or DCC files has been improved to lower memory usage and to provide a wider range of export options and resolutions.
• After conversion, users can modify part color and material settings in NGRAIN Producer to change the visual appearance of the model.
• Individual parts and other 3D models (e.g. a tool) can be imported and added to an NGRAIN file.
• 3D models can be rendered as line drawings, and they can be exported for use in technical manuals. As well, 2D images of the 3D model can be managed and saved as “snapshots”.

Deployment

Improvements have been made to facilitate deployment and distribution of NGRAIN applications and content:

• Added support for Microsoft Vista, Office 2007, and Adobe Acrobat 8
• NGRAIN plug-ins for Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint are part of the NGRAIN Viewer installer.
• The NGRAIN Viewer installer has been improved to make local installation and enterprise wide distribution easier (using “silent install” scripts).
• The NGRAIN Virtual Deployment Option supports deployment of NGRAIN content to computers without the requirement to install the NGRAIN Viewer on the user’s local computer. This option runs all required software components in a virtual environment, so that users do not have to install any software.
• The NGRAIN Viewer v4.0 is fully backwards compatible with content created in NGRAIN version 3.x products.