In this issue

For projects ranging from the ocean surface to the ocean floor and everything in between, VxSonar provides developers with the ideal solution for deploying real-time sonar visual simulation for defence, security, commercial, and research purposes.

Since safe navigation and precise detection are crucial in all marine realms, VxSonar adds an important dimension to training projects that deploy mine detectors, submarines, search and rescue/recovery ships, subsea ROVs, and other vessels.

VxSonar’s physics-based realism – with accurate object detection, identification and detailed seabed scanning – ensures high-fidelity 3D sonar visual simulation that fast-tracks skills acquisition and improves outcomes for procedure training, operations rehearsal, and other purposes.

Highlights include:

• Two multifeatured sonar systems: Sidescan sonar, which captures wide areas of the seafloor through a cascading waterfall display; and active single-beam scanning sonar with rotating transducer array, displayed on a Plan Position Indicator (PPI)
• Rich feature set: Multiple options such as range and lateral scan spread, noise factors, number of rays cast, field of view, scanning speed, and material reflectivity properties
• Substantial training benefits: Highly realistic sonar operation, accurate image visualization, and data-capture capabilities help prepare trainers, mission planners and operators for a full range of sonar scenarios

Vortex is the leading physics toolkit for high-fidelity simulations. Release 4.2 features the new VxSonar module, a raycasting sensor and other significant enhancements that provide extended capabilities for visual-simulation developers in many industries.

New Vortex highlights

Powerful sonar capabilities: The all-new VxSonar module provides marine and subsea simulation developers with two feature-filled sonar options: Sidescan sonar and active single-beam scanning sonar, including quick-start tutorials.

New Raycasting sensor: The VxSensor module now features a powerful Raycasting sensor, which can be used to simulate a depth camera or a LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensor for robotics, military and other applications.

Features for dynamic terrain: With newly added support for terrain deformations along the vertical axis, users can integrate their own terrain deformation calculations with Vortex collision responses and vehicle simulations for heightened results.

Faster mesh deformations: The performance of Vortex’s triangle mesh has been optimized by giving users more control, allowing them to limit deformation to just a subregion of mesh.

More robust cylindrical constraint: Vortex’s cylindrical constraint is now quaternion based, making for more stable simulations, particularly when forces are large on the joint.

Flexible general constraint: The addition of several new angular constraints offers four or five controlled coordinates, providing users with a robust general mechanism that they can use to simulate a combination of existing Vortex constraints, such as universal, linear, and prismatic.

Customers with current maintenance and support can upgrade to the latest Vortex 4.2. Contact Vortex at +1-514-287-1166 x223 or email info@vxsim.com.

Local 721 of the IUOE, based in Falmouth, Nova Scotia, recently asked the Vortex team to perform a major upgrade on their VxMaster Vortex Crane Simulator. The upgrade includes new computer systems and a completely new portable enclosure and controls package. In addition, Local 721 has purchased the latest simulation-based training module for Crawler Crane operator training. The new module will be installed on the upgraded VxMaster simulator platform. The Crawler Crane module is loaded with the latest Vortex Simulator features such as:

• On-screen operator performance indicators
• Self-guided progressive skills development scenarios
• Scenarios for clamshell, dragline and pile-driving operations
• Operator skills performance metrics and scoring
• Record and playback of student exercises for after-action team review

For more information about Vortex simulators Click here.

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is the newest Academic Partner to select Vortex

RWTH Aachen University, Germany advances deformable terrain research

Vortex is the basis for a soil simulation framework developed in cooperation with the Virtual Reality faculty at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany. The module will be used as part of a VR application in the faculty's CAVE for the simulation of highly plastic soil deformations, which occur, for example, during excavation.

Vortex was integrated with OpenSG and RWTH's Flip VR display system with stereo optics and DTrack head tracking. A Phantom Omni force feedback haptic device is used for interaction with the objects.

The research behind this project, Soil deformation models for real-time simulation: A hybrid approach by Daniel Holz, Thomas Beer, and Torsten Kuhlen, was recently presented at the 6th Workshop on Virtual Reality Interaction and Physical Simulation VRIPHYS 09.

Join the Vortex Academic Program

Click here for more information on the Vortex Academic Program or contact the Academic Program Manager at +1-514-287-1166 x223 or email academic@vxsim.com