SBIR-STTR Award

Aircraft inspection and maintenance is dependent on seamless integration of human and machine components, but the underlying reasons for certain maintenance tasks can be difficult to translate in training terms. Planet LLC, along with its instructional systems design partner American Systems Corporation, proposes to create a tool to tackle physical force and natural phenomenon effects. This Phase I will result in a set of instructional training templates built to interface with existing and commonly used three-dimensional software built to reuse existing CAD data and models. The primary objective will be to add two modifiers for kinematics (the motion of a body or a system of bodies without consideration given to its mass or the forces acting on it) and dynamics (soft-body and rigid-body dynamics, free-form deformations, cloth, fluid dynamics, and other simulations taking into account natural forces such as wind, gravity, and density). The templates will show an instructional systems designer how to add these modifiers to 3D models or simulations, how to export the material out of a standard simulation program, and how to take the resulting platform-independent low-file size objects into web-based or standalone courseware, PowerPoint, electronic performance support systems, or displays within the aircraft system.

Benefit:
The Phase I will result in a new software plug-in 0x9D template designed for courseware developers for use with existing standard 3D modeling and simulation software. Since the fundamental basis for the tool is built from a current commercial product, the proposed design tool would be ready for immediate product release in early stages of the Phase II. The new plug-in would be of immediate benefit to instructional systems designers that wish to show the effects of physical forces and phenomenon in maintenance training in the military, aerospace, heavy equipment or automotive industries. It is also of great use to developers of science and educational courseware that must demonstrate complex theories and physics concepts in a web-based medium. Finally, the capability for handling kinematics and dynamics modifiers in web-based applications will also find a niche in the 3D graphic design, entertainment, and arts community, where little or no capability of this kind is currently available.

Keywords:
Physical Forces, Physical Forces, 3D, maintainers, Phenomenon visualization, Maintenance Training

The aircraft inspection and maintenance process is dependent on the seamless integration of human and machine components. Because such a large number of human factors are involved, enhancement of the training methods for maintainers has been identified as the primary means to improve performance. PLANET LLC was engaged by the Navy to create tools for visualizing physical force and physics phenomenon concepts in a 3D simulation platform. The Phase I project demonstrated the feasibility of adding force modifiers and equation-based behaviors into the current Hypercosm simulation software suite, along with writing interfaces to these capabilities in AutoDesk’s 3ds Max™ three-dimensional modeling software to provide simple templates and tools for courseware content creators. The objective of the Phase II Project will be to fully integrate a physics engine into Hypercosm. This engine, partnered with additional modifiers for 3ds Max™ and other new interfaces that allows trainers to incorporate specific physical forces, phenomenon, and other reactions based on empirical or theoretical data, will allow for seamless development of real-life physical simulations into new or existing 3D models and graphics. The Phase II will also offer training and courseware development support to the Joint Strike Fighter courseware team.

Keywords:
3d, Training Simulation, Maintenance Training, Jsf Courseware, Physics Simulation