Save Animation to File Dialog Box

To open the Save Animation to File dialog box:

Click Save Animation (MotionManager toolbar).

Save in Specifies the folder that the animation is saved in.

The field below shows the saved animations.
File name Indicates the name of the saved file.

By default, the file name is the name of the assembly that you are animating.
Save as type Select one of the following file types:
  • Microsoft AVI file (*.avi)
  • MP4 Video File (*.mp4)
  • Flash Video File (*.flv)
  • Matroska Video File (*.mkv)
  • Series of JPEG (*.jpg)
  • Series of Windows Bitmaps (*.bmp)
  • Series of Truevision Targas (*.tga)
  • Series of Portable Network Graphics (*.png)
  • Series of Tagged Image File Format (*.tiff)
  • Luxology Scene (*.lxo) (PhotoView 360 only)
Renderer Select the renderer to use:
  • SOLIDWORKS screen

    Makes a copy of the on-screen animation.

  • PhotoView 360

    Creates a photo-realistic rendering by enhancing the graphics quality of the file copy to include features such as shadowing, true reflections, and anti-aliasing.

    You must add in PhotoView 360. Click Tools > Add-Ins and select PhotoView 360.
Save Saves the animation.
Schedule Opens the Schedule Animation dialog box, where you can schedule a task to create the animation.
If you select Microsoft AVI, the Video Compressor dialog box opens first. Use this dialog box to select a compression program, to adjust the compression quality, and to indicate how frequently to create a key frame.
Cancel Cancels the animation.

Image Size and Aspect Ratio

Height and width These fields show the height and width that are set. By default, the values that are shown match the active window.

If you change the custom aspect ratio, these values change.
Fixed aspect ratio Retains the original proportions of the model image when you change the height and width by selecting one of the following:

Use camera aspect ratio

Available when at least one camera is defined and activated in the animation.

Custom aspect ratio

Select or enter the new ratio. Adjust this ratio to display the model with a different field of view in the output. When you supply a new value, the graphics area provides a preview of the result.

Frame Information

Frames per second Shows the number of frames per second in the saved animation.

The default is 7.5.

When you calculate an animation, the default Frames per second value is 8.

To avoid differences in the animation behavior between the calculated animation and the saved animation, use the same Frames per second value.

For example, you use the default Frames per second value of 8 to calculate the animation. When you save the animation, change Frames per second to 8.

To change the value for calculations, open the Motion Study Properties PropertyManager. Under Animation, enter a value for Frames per second.
Frames to Output Indicates whether the saved animation contains:
  • Entire animation
  • Time range

    Activates the Time range controls.

  • Single frame

    Activates the Single frame control.
Time range Specifies the start and end values in seconds when saving an animation as a time range.
Single frame Specifies the frame to save when saving an animation as a single frame.
Motion Blur Available when PhotoView 360 is selected as the Renderer.

Takes time samples both forward and backward from the current frame time, and blends the samples together for a blurred result.

You can adjust the following options:

  • Blur Length

    Controls the length of the motion blur effect.

    The default is 50, which is similar to a camera set with a 180 degree shutter. With this value, the shutter is open for half of the exposure time of the frame.

  • Blur Offset

    Controls the center position in time where the motion blur sample is taken.

    The default is 0.