Problem of position in space of JT files

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Patrick Cloutier asked Apr 19, '19 Patrick Cloutier commented May 2, '19

Problem of position in space of JT files

A client created 25 JT files for me to import in the model as flowitems. The product changes shape as it goes down the production line with setobjectshapeindex and so I use the 25 JT files one after the other.

The problem is that I can't get them to all be at z=0 position in space. Some of them are at 0, some of them are in the floor and some are in the air.

I tried to adjust the z position of each but it doesn't work.
I tried with and without applyshapefactors and it doesn't work in either case.
I asked the customers to make sure the shapes were created at z=0 in his software. Which he did.
I didn't change any shape factors from what they are when I load the item.
I tried pressing reset shape factors on all shapes. No change.
I checked and all shape are exactly well positioned within its yellow box.

I'm really stuck. But I just noticed that for all these JT shapes, the xyz position in properties doesn't march the xyz position in quick properties. See picture.

Could this be why? And how do I correct this?

Thanks a lot,

Software Version:

FlexSim 19.0.2

shape factors jt files

annotation-2019-04-19-091534.jpg (113.6 KiB)

· 5

Phil BoBo ♦♦ commented · Apr 19, 2019 at 01:56 PM

The difference between quick properties and properties is a feature, not a bug. Read Matthew's comment here.

As for your actual question, I cannot answer it at all without an example model that replicates the issue. I cannot tell you what is happening when I cannot see what is happening. To answer your question, you need to post enough detail for us to actually understand what you are doing, what is happening, and what you expected to happen. Your questions probably make sense to you because you can actually do all the steps you are explaining, but they make no sense to the rest of us who are reading your question because we can't do the steps you are describing. Please post enough detail for us to replicate your issue when you ask a question.

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Patrick Cloutier Phil BoBo ♦♦ commented · Apr 19, 2019 at 04:11 PM

Phil, I will read in detail the other post. Maybe it will allow me to solve the problem.

If not, I will take my model and simplify it or create a sample one and post in a new private post since the shapes are highly confidential.

But this will not be for at least a week.

Thanks and have a good week-end,

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Patrick Cloutier Phil BoBo ♦♦ commented · Apr 30, 2019 at 03:49 PM

Phil,

But this brings the question of why do I have the problem in the first place. It all starts from the fact that the JT files I imported had to be rotated 90 in X to make them standing upright. But when I look at those same JT files in the free viewer JT2GO by Siemens their XYZ axis are correctly positioned in relation to the shape. So it is possible that the JT importer in Flexsim is switching axis vs what Siemens had defined them or something like that?

I can send you a file by email if you want because they are confidential. Let me know.

By the way, this customer is currently in training at your place today.

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Phil BoBo ♦♦ Patrick Cloutier commented · May 01, 2019 at 08:05 PM

The JT file format has a different axis system than FlexSim. From the JT format specification: "+X axis points to right, +Y axis points up, +Z axis points out at you." In FlexSim, +X points to the right, +Z points up, and -Y points forward (at you).

JT2Go's Y Axis (Up) is the same as FlexSim's Z Axis (Up). JT2Go's Z axis (Forward) is the same as FlexSim's negative Y Axis. Both products represent X as (Right).

The axis that represents Up is often different between 3D modeling packages. FlexSim uses the Z axis for Up.

Depending on the package that generated the JT file, it may have a setting for flipping whether Z or Y is the "Up" axis in its Export.

If the Z axis in JT2Go is pointing Up for the shape, then your shape itself is rotated incorrectly. This isn't a FlexSim problem. When you first open a shape in JT2Go, it should look like you are directly facing the shape, not looking down on it.

If you want to send me the files, you can, but I suspect that the answer above explains what is happening.

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Answer 1 · 2019-04-30T15:20:05Z

Patrick Cloutier answered Apr 30, '19

I was able to solve the problem by understanding what was explained in the other post. It took a while because it is really not intuitive. Quite complex. But it works now.

Thanks,

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