21. Peacock 3D¶

Conventional 2D exploration has its limitations which is why d3VIEW incorporates a 3D application called Peacock to help examine and explore models in 3D space. This application integrates most prominently with simulations and Simlytiks and can be used to unravel more information from our 3D models. Watch the following video for an overview of the application’s capabilities:

What Will Be Covered

Extracting and uploading models
Understanding the interface
Advanced features
Exporting and sharing

21.1. Extracting and Uploading¶

There are two ways we can use Peacock for exploring our models. First, we can extract 3D files from a simulation or physical test. Second, we can upload our own 3D files under a simulation or physical test to open in Peacock. Let’s first go over what files are supported in Peacock.

Supported Files¶

Peacock 3D supports a range of 3D files including extracted simulation files:

Name	Extension	d3VIEW Generated Only
Peacock3D	.js3d	X
Peacock3D	.js3d.zip	X
Stereolithography (CAD)	.stl
Polygon	.ply
Object	.obj
Visualization Toolkit	.vtk
VTK Surface Models	.vtp

Extracting 3D Models From Data¶

Let’s go over how to extract a 3D file for viewing in Peacock. We’ll be reviewing how to extract from a simulation, but we can also extract from physical test data so long as we have the data to support it.

After submitting a simulation (learn how to do that here), we’ll open it and go to the the responses page (1) (learn how to navigate simulations here) and click “Extract Responses” (2) to get started.

^{Figure 1: Simulation Responses Page}

Once we have the Extract Responses window up, we’ll navigate to the dyna_d3plot Data source tab.

^{Figure 2: Extract dyna_d3plot Response}

For this example, we are extracting from an occupant belted sample simulation (email support@d3view.com to get this simulation file). We’ll set up the parameters as follows making sure we name our model with the correct .js3d.zip extension, choosing Peacock3D as the output type and specifying a final state:

^{Figure 3: Extract dyna_d3plot Input Parameters}

We can choose to preview the response first (1) and then go ahead and extract it (2).

^{Figure 4: Extract Peacock 3D Model}

After hitting extract, we should see our new response at the top of our simulation responses page. We’ll click on it and expand the window to start exploring it in Peacock.

^{Figure 5: Extracted Peacock 3D Model}

Uploading a Local Model¶

To upload a local 3D model, go to the Physical Tests application and upload your model as a new test (learn how to create a physical test in more detail here). In this example, we are uploading a brain PLY file and naming the test according. We’ll process the text to upload it to the platform.

^{Figure 6: Upload Model as a Physical Test}

The new test will show up on our Physical Tests main page. (Click the refresh button at the top if you don’t see it initially). We’ll click on its name to open it in a new tab.

^{Figure 7: Open Physical Test Model}

Under the Files section of the test, we’ll see our uploaded model.

^{Figure 8: Model File}

We can then click on the model name to open in a new Peacock window as shown in the following video:

Progressive Loading¶

When we upload and open large models, Peacock initiates progressive loading based on groups by user-defined parts list. This allows us to interact with intricate models sooner than waiting for the full model to load.

^{Figure 9: Progressive Loading}

When we open a model of this caliber, we’ll see a progressive loading bar on the bottom right (1) and a Pause Progressive Loading button on the bottom left (2).

^{Figure 10: Progressive Loading Bar and Pause Button}

Once we click pause, we’ll be able to interact with the semi-loaded model. We can see under the BOM, or Bill of Materials, menu (more on that here) which parts/groups have fully rendered, indicated with a green dot, and which still have yet to render, indicated with a red dot.

We can restart the rendering process by clicking the blue button again which will now say Play Progressive Loading.

^{Figure 11: Play Progressive Loading}

21.2. Navigation¶

In this section, we’ll go over the basics of how to navigate and explore a 3D model.

Peacock Interface¶

The following image maps the options available in the 3D app with descriptions for each below:

^{Figure 12: Peacock Interface}

Model file name
Files: import more models
Edit: turn fringes on/off
View: change the perspective of the model
Export: download the model as a GIF or PNG of current view
Take a Tour: guided tour of Peacock basics
BOM: view and edit Bill of Materials
Groups: view, upload and edit assembly groups
Setting: customize the experience such as changing the lighting or background color
Perspective: takes us back to the Home view
View: another way to change perspective
Fringes: another way to turn fringes on/off
Quick Export to PNG
Quick Export to GIF
Animation controls
Settings for animation controls
Animation information
Close out of Peacock
Information and controls will populate here when using certain features
Model tabs: all uploaded model will be shown here for navigation

Perspective and Views¶

Click, hold and then move the mouse to explore different sides of the 3D model.

Use the View menus at the bottom or top of the window to see the model orthographically.

21.3. Features¶

In this section, we’ll go over some of Peacock’s useful features for exploring models.

Customization¶

Under the settings menu to the left, we can customize aspects of our model and experience in the 3D viewer.

^{Figure 13: Peacock Interface}

Edit the material type, clip the model, change the background color, choose different lighting and measure our model all under this menu.

Bill of Materials¶

Under the BOM (cube) menu, we can review all our model parts.

^{Figure 14: Bill of Material Menu}

Click on the pivot caret to see information about a particular part and customize it.

^{Figure 15: Bill of Material Part}

We can update the part color as well as change the material type from solid to wireframe.

Uncheck parts to hide them from the model. Recheck to add them back or use the right side panel to restore them individually or restore them all.

Right-Click Options¶

Right-click on a model part to see the right-click options.

^{Figure 16: Right-Click Menu}

Show Part Details¶

Show Part Details gives use the same information and customization abilities as the BOM menu for individual parts.

^{Figure 17: Show Part Details}

We change the color and opacity, switch to wireframes, remove and even transform the model part. Make sure to click on Save to apply the changes. We can also use the Reset Part option to revert it back to its original settings.

Bounding Box¶

Bounding Box allows us to select groups of the model by using a selection box. We can choose the keep or remove selected elements in the right side panel.

^{Figure 18: Bounding Box}

Use the axis lines to resize and move the bounding box. Once we have our desired parts selected, we can choose to keep or remove the select parts and faces. Keeping excludes the rest while removing excludes the selected. If we choose to remove the selection as shown in the following video, we can create a section cut of our model.

In the right side panel, we’ll notice that the removed aspects of the model are listed as faces since we may have not selected full model parts.

^{Figure 19: Removed Faces}

Just as with our parts, we can restore individual faces or restore all.

Fringes¶

Peacock has fringe options for nodal and time-histories from LS-DYNA such as plastic-strain, von-mises-stress and triaxiality.

When extracting a JS3D response, make sure to indicate which type under the fringe parameters.

^{Figure 20: Fringe Parameters}

Once we’re in Peacock, we can turn on fringes under the respective menu.

^{Figure 21: Turn On Fringes}

We’ll see fringe spectrum (1) on the right side of our model canvas and our fringe settings on the right side panel.

^{Figure 22: Fringe Spectrum and Settings}

After we make any necessary updates, we can play our model to see changes in its fringe colors.

Assembly Groups¶

Under the Groups (cogs) menu, we can visualize and upload assemblies from LS-Prepost, Primer or Meta-Post.

^{Figure 23: Assembly Groups}

Choose the group file type (1), then drag-and-drop or click-to-upload (2) the group files.

^{Figure 24: Add Group Files}

Here is a video example:

Model Syncing¶

Aside from opening models directly from a simulation or physical test, we can also view and analyze these models in Simlytiks. We’ll do this by comparing responses of these simulations or physical tests. (Learn more in this section on comparing physical test responses.)

^{Figure 25: Compare Simulation Responses}

Once in Simlytiks, we’ll create a new page (1). (Learn more on that here.) Then, we’ll drag-and-drop a model into the page section (2).

^{Figure 26: Add Models to Page Sections}

We should see both models (one from each simulation we compared) appear on the page.

^{Figure 27: HAT Simulation Models}

Now, we can perform any Peacock tools to one and see them reflected in the other.

This allows us to intricately compare the models in real time.

^{Figure 28: Synced Simulation Models}