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Engineering Animations
The production of an animation starts with a rigorous analysis of
the incident. This includes creation of computerized diagrams of the
accident location and computer simulations using PC Crash, or other analysis to
determine the dynamics and kinematics of the incident. This gives
the positions of the various objects, vehicles and people at every
moment in time. This data is then used with the animation software
to re-create the event.
We utilize PC Crash to simulate single and multiple motor vehicle
incidents, including collisions involving bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
Depending on the clients needs, the results of our investigation can be animated
using PC Crash, Vista, a cost efficient animating software, and Real 3D, a
top of the line animation software in which lighting, glare and weather conditions
can be animated to best describe the conditions at the time of the incident.
Attempts are made to present the most realistic backgrounds of the
accident location, such as producing the animation overtop of an
aerial photograph of the accident site. Recent improvements in our
animation tools, will allow future animations to be even more
realistic by including skid marks, a vehicles tires and suspension
moving over uneven surfaces, as well as the modelling of articulated
vehicles such as transport trucks towing any number of trailers.
In the final animation, a number of views can be presented. As noted
above, often the animation is shown above an aerial photograph of
the accident site, to show vehicle motions prior to, during and
after the event. Additionally, views can be provided of on-looking
witnesses, as well as of involved parties within the vehicles.
Engineering animations are an excellent way to illustrate complex
technical situations to a non- technical audience such as a Judge or
jury. They are particularly powerful when demonstrating 'what if'
scenarios such as "what would have happened if the other vehicle was
travelling at the speed limit?". This benefit of FDi's animations
was well described by the Honourable Justice Holmes in his ruling on
a case where our animation was admitted into evidence:
"I found the video representations [animation] useful in visualizing the evidence"
Of course the usefulness of animations does not end at traffic
accidents. Product failures, medical descriptions, and any other
complicated idea or motions can be clearly communicated via an
animation.
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Traffic Accident Reconstruction
Slip and Falls
Crash & Event Data Recorder ("Black Box") Downloads and Interpretation
Bio-Mechanics
Winter Road Maintenance Analysis
Product Design
Product Liability
Engineering Simulations/Animations
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