Blog | Fall 2018 Software Update
At Virtual CRASH, we love our users. As always, we’ve listened to your feedback and suggestions, and we have included many of your suggestions in our Fall 2018 Software Update. This free update applies to Virtual CRASH 4, and includes new features, improvements to existing features, and improvements to our user interface. Read on to learn more. We want to thank you all for being valued Virtual CRASH users!
This update rolled out on September 8, 2018. Remember, updates are automatically installed when available. Simply left-click on yes when prompted.
See this Knowledge Base post if you have trouble installing updates.
New Features
Multiline objects
You can now enable the multiline option for any polyline or shape. Simply left-click on “use multiline” to enable the feature. Next, left-click on “add line” to add additional lines next to your original line. You can set the width, pattern, and cap, individually for each line element. Each line element has an “line offset” parameter which controls the distance from the selected line element to its previously created neighbor. “line from” and “line to” can be used to control individual line element lengths. See video below.
.csv file importing
You no longer need to convert your total station files to tab delimited format. You can now keep your files in comma separated format. You can use .pts, .txt, or .csv file extensions - no need to convert using Excel anymore.
Steering Angle included in report
You no longer need to calculate your own steering angles from wheel data. Virtual CRASH will automatically include this in your report output.
Snap to Point Array
You can now snap your mouse cursor to point array objects. This allows users to quickly and easily draw lines or take measurements using total station datapoints. Simply left-click on “Snaps Toggle” to enable the snaps feature, then left-click on “Point Array” to enable snapping to point arrays.
ARE YOU READY FOR SELF-PACED TRAINING?
Purchase individual course modules as needed.
Learn on your own schedule.
Participants receive a training certificate upon successful completion.
Learn advanced analysis strategies.
Watch new video lectures not available anywhere else.
Quizzes and projects keep you on task.
Affordable pricing.
Feature improvements
Angle Measurements
The angle measurement tool now includes length measurements for the sides, as well as differences in azimuth (Delta Phi) and differences in zenith (Delta Psi), and z-positions for the grips. It also now includes z position adjustments grips that allow you to elevate the sides by hand. Of course, this tool will snap to point cloud, point set, or mesh. See here for more information: https://www.vcrashusa.com/kb-vc-article47
Point cloud “Section” tool
If the “Section” tool is used when the original point cloud file has moved or no longer exists at same location on hard drive, Virtual CRASH will now open the file menu for the user to select the original point cloud file from its new location. Note, when using the “Section” tool, the user should go to the misc menu to re-select the preferred maximum memory allocation. When sharing a .vc4 file, users may also want to share the original point cloud file as well, as only displayed points at the time of saving are stored in the .vc4 file.
Diagram Tool
The interval input type now allows the user to use absolute height (z) and distance (x) values. This allows users to input scene measurements to define road profiles and crowns. Users can also enable the locking feature to move individual grips without affecting neighboring grips.
Dynamics info
Users can now control the number of decimal places to display in the “Dynamics info” and “On-screen dynamics info” tools. To change the number of decimal places, use the “:N” after the variable name. For example, to show vehicle speed to 2 decimal places, use {v:2}. Note, you can change the displayed variable name before the numerical value as well. For example, the default “v” can be rewritten to “Speed”.
Improvements to User Interface
Importing point clouds
“max. memory” dialogue changed to “select max. memory” to make it clear that maximum memory allocation is a user option. The default value is now set to 256 MB. “unit” has changed to “select unit”.
Path Animation tool Spring Effect
“spring effect” is now set to 0% by default.
Path Animation sequences
“jump” has been changed to “speed change” for clarity. Note, the "speed change" sequence entry is used for abrupt speed changes in animated vehicle motion. When "spring effect" is 0%, this speed change is instantaneous. When "spring effect" is greater than 0%, the speed change occurs over a few hundred milliseconds.
Point Arrays
Point descriptions are no longer hidden when point arrays are frozen.
EES objects
Corrected English translation in the “contact” menu: “delta V” has been renamed to “separation speed”. This is the separation speed at the point of contact (impulse centroid location). Note, the actual vehicle delta V values can still be accessed in the EES object “object 1” and “object 2” menus.
Environment lighting
The default values for the ambient and sun intensity values are now both set to 50%.
Dimension Line
This has been renamed to “Dimension Line 2D”. This is the 2D projected distance parallel with the x-y plane. For 3D measurements, use the “Dimension Line 3D” tool.
Easy Surface Builder
For better clarity, the word “Plane” has been changed to “Surface” to select the Easy Surface Builder tool.
Animation
the “optimize point cloud” option is now disabled by default for direct light and skylight rendering methods.
Hidden Objects
Hidden objects in the project menu can no longer be un-hidden unless the USB dongle is plugged in.