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Import simulation results

Goal: show the results of a finite element simulation, for example from ANSYS, in the bending lab.

Simulation results show what a calculation alone can't: stresses inside the specimen, around holes, or at many moments during the test. Preparing them takes some knowledge of the simulation program, so this is usually done together with the tech team.

Steps​

  1. Open ALF > Content Creation > Mesh Deformation > Author Bending Apparatus and choose your lab under Apparatus to edit.

  2. Go to step 2 Simulation data.

  3. Import the results:

    • Import ANSYS results… opens a guided reader for ANSYS result files.
    • Import simulation JSON… imports results already converted into ALF's format. The same is in the menu: ALF > Content Creation > Mesh Deformation > Import Simulation JSON.

  4. Save the imported data in the suggested folder, Assets/ALF/LocalSimulationData.

  5. Under Recorded dataset, choose the imported data. The box below shows what it contains:

    • Physical time or quasi-static progression: whether the steps are seconds of the test or just load stages.
    • Volume fields retained: learners can look inside with the Section control. Surface preview only means only the outside can be shown.
    • How many named measurements it has, and whether the applied load is included.
    Note

    Placeholder: Author Bending Apparatus, step 2 Simulation data, with a dataset assigned.

  6. In step 3 Placement & save, press Add recorded XR lesson controls, then save the scene.

What learners can do with a recording​

ControlWhat it does
Play / pause, Previous state, Next stateStep through the recorded stages. A single snapshot can't be played.
Next recordingSwitch to another recording, if you assigned several.
Stress fieldSwitch between stress components.
Range modeAuto fits the colours to the current state; Fixed keeps them comparable between states.
SectionLook inside, if the recording has volume data.
OpacityMake the surface see-through. This doesn't show values inside.
MeasureShow the lengths defined in the recording.
Shape - / Shape +Exaggerate the bending, up to 20×.
Reset viewPut the specimen back where it was.

If something isn't in the recording, the control says so instead of showing made-up values.