Crystal Instruments EDM Modal Geometry and Operational Deflection Shape (ODS)

Geometry/ODS/Animation is the primary and mandatory module of EDM Modal, providing fast, efficient structural model generation and full 3D visualization of test and analysis results. Modeling uses points, lines and surfaces as base elements, added or deleted graphically or entered through the Model Editor table. A structure can be split into components, each with its own origin, directions and Euler angles; the built-in component library includes line, plane, cube, cylinder, sphere and circle, and any of them can be added by specifying origin, direction, dimensions and number of cells. Models can be saved for reuse in other tests or cleared to start over.

Geometry can be imported from third-party applications. The most widely used is the Universal File Format (UFF, .unv) for point and line models; CAD formats DXF, STL, OBJ and 3DS, Nastran .nas and .xml are also supported, and imported models can be decimated. Display options include points, lines and surfaces with point directions, point numbers, surface normals and origin, in either a single Perspective View or a Quad-view (perspective, top, side, front).

Mode shape animation is the most-used feature: selectable as point-and-arrow, wireframe or surface contour, in single-perspective or quad view, with one animation cycle saveable to an .avi file. Operational Deflection Shape (ODS) lets users better visualize how the structure deforms: time-domain and spectrum data can both be animated through the geometry model, integrated with Geometry and working for all EDM Modal test types. The module also supports frame or contour animation of the 3D model, an animation equation editor with interpolation, animation amplitude control, and saving animation to video.