Profile Editor

Use the Profile Editor to view and edit profile functions.

  • Change the profile function.
  • Change the parameters of the currently selected profile, such as the value, start time, and duration.
  • Modify the profile data interactively in the chart.
  • Convert the profile to a table and save it as a .csv file.

View the Profile Editor (Time Dependent)

Click on the motors or actuators microdialog to open the Profile Editor.


Figure 1. Profile Editor
Tip:
  • If you enter zero for the Value, the motor or actuator will be locked and the Profile Editor will become uneditable. To reverse this, double-click the motor or actuator in the modeling window to edit it, and click on the microdialog to unlock it
  • Click the Reset button to restore the current profile function to its default values
  • Certain profile functions have sliders under some parameters. You can click and drag a slider to shape the profile function.
  • Right-click on the plot and then click Export Image to export an image of the profile function.
  • Look closely at the Start Time setting when changing back and forth between profiles or when using the Convert to Table option.

Modify the Profile Function Interactively (Time Dependent)

Click and drag the plot sliders in the Profile Editor to reshape the profile function.

  • Sliders are highlighted as you hover over them with the mouse, and a memory curve shows the original shape.
  • The sliders can snap to grid lines or parameters on other profile functions. Press Alt to temporarily disable snapping.
  • Blue dashed lines, when visible, represent other profiles in use in the model. You can snap to features on those profiles as well.
Tip:
  • You can pan, zoom, and fit the plot. When zooming, use the Ctrl key to keep the x-axis fixed. Press F or double-click to fit the plot.
  • Clicking on the plot sliders also puts focus on the associated property. This makes it easy to gain more precise control by typing in a value.
  • For table functions, click and drag data points in the chart to modify them individually. You can also box select to move multiple data points simultaneously.
  • To provide better control when adjusting curves, the tool tip for time-based sliders shows the absolute time.
  • When your time unit is milliseconds, the Output Rate reports the value in kHz.

Specify the Variable Range or Cycle (State Dependent)

In the Profile Editor, specify the variable range or cycle over which the input function will be applied.

Option Description
Function Select a profile function. Supported functions include:
  • Step
  • Step Dwell Step
  • Single Wave
  • Impulse
  • Table
Variable The independent variable object (system, measure, motor, or actuator).
Reference Frame The reference frame used by the variable component.
Variable Component The independent variable component output that the state dependent object will monitor. Use the dropdown menu to access to the library of functions.
One Cycle (for cyclic rotations) Specify the cycle range within which the V(i) and V(f) values fall. For example, a 4-stroke piston engine will experience combustion force every 2 revolutions (or 720 degrees) of the crankshaft.
Variable (i) Enter the initial value of the independent variable object (system, measure, motor, or actuator).
Variable (f) Enter the final value of the independent variable object (system, measure, motor, or actuator).
[Variable Object] Force (i) Enter the initial value of the state dependent object.
[Variable Object] Force (f) Enter the final value of the state dependent object.

Convert a Profile Function to a Table

Convert a profile function to a table to modify data points and save them in a .csv file.

Select the Table function to convert a profile function to a table. Click Spline or Derivative in the legend to plot one or the other.



Figure 2. Profile Function Converted to a Table
Option Description
Load values from a .csv file. Alternatively, you can drag and drop a valid .csv file onto the profile editor.
Save data to a .csv file.
Insert a value before the first data point.
Insert a value after the selected data point.
Insert a value after the last data point.
Delete the selected data points.
Extrapolate Linearly extrapolate the curve at both ends. The default is 10%.
Number of points The number of interpolation points. The default is 1024 points. If the Spline curve does not appear to be passing through your data points, try increasing the Number of Points under the Visualization section.

Shortcuts

To Do This
Disable snaps temporarily Press Alt
Pan the plot Click and drag the right mouse button.
Zoom in the plot Use the scroll wheel on the mouse. Press Ctrl + scroll to keep the x-axis fixed (zoom y). Press Shift + scroll to keep the y-axis fixed (zoom x).
Fit the plot Press F or double-click the plot.