To Use 3D Body Shapes for Animation

If you are running a system capable of 3D animation, you will need a 3D body shape for your vehicle. By default Autodesk Vehicle Tracking automatically creates a 3D body shape from the information supplied but you can define a more detailed shape if you wish.

The 3D body should be defined in AutoCAD as a block with the origin at the center of the front coupling (or the center of the rearmost front axle if there is no front coupling). The shape should be oriented with the spine of the vehicle running along the x-axis (increasing towards the back of the vehicle), the width on the y-axis and the height on the z-axis (increasing with height).

If the block has units defined, then Autodesk Vehicle Tracking adjusts the block to comply with the drawing units set in Autodesk Vehicle Tracking. If not then Autodesk Vehicle Tracking assumes that the block is drawn in millimetres.

To use the new shape

1. Ensure that the AutoCAD drawing containing the block is placed in the Library\Blocks directory.
2. Highlight Body outline (side elevation).
3. Select the drawing from the drop down list.
4. Click OK to confirm.
Note: Only the name of the 3D block is stored in the drawing. This means that if you send a vehicle to a third party, either in the form of a library or as a drawing, you need to send them the custom block as well. If Autodesk Vehicle Tracking cannot find a named block, it uses the Auto-Create option.