ChassisSim – what you need to do to get started

April 4, 2013

ChassisSim is a highly advanced piece of vehicle dynamics software. Consequently when you start using it for the first time it can be a little daunting about where to start. Believe it or not it’s not as hard as you think.

Getting started with ChassisSim is actually quite simple.

 

Step 1 – Create a Directory structure

If you don’t know where to store files you’ll get confused very quickly. Consequently when you saving car files, creating monster files and circuits the following directory structure is recommended.

C:\ChassisSim Technologies\Models\Car Name\Circuit\Event

So for example if you have an F3 car for instance and you ran it at the ‘April 2012 test’ at Sebring, the directory structure I’d suggest…

C:\ChassisSim Technologies\Models\F3\Sebring\April_Test_2012

This structure makes files easy to find.

 

Step 2 – Start from a template

Starting from a well known template ensures you are starting from a well sorted model. Consequently if anything goes wrong it can be quickly rectified.

To achieve this all you need to do is click on the Car drop down box and select from the available templates.

Then all you do is one by one morph your car’s setup and parameters into this car file and save it in the directory (See Step 1).

 

Step 3 – Create a ‘monster file’

The ‘monster file’ is your link between actual data and the modelling features of ChassisSim.

An experienced has user said…

 

Watch the video below.

Place this monster file in the folder we created in Step 1.

 

Step 4 – Run the Auto Modelling features

The one touch modelling feature will provide a first pass of the aeromap and the tyre parameters.

If the template is very well sorted then this step can be skipped. Although I suggest doing it as a double check anyway.

The following tutorials show you how to get the most out of these features.

This video below shows how to refine the results.

Step 5 – Create the circuits

Once you have a ball park model/ base model you can create a circuit model. When creating your initial circuit model put all your circuit files in the directory you created in Step 1.

Watch the video below.

Summary

If you follow Steps 1 – 5 you’ll have a baseline model you can use to get going.

There will be more more refinement to do, although this will get you going with a model that will achieve good correlation and give you a representative environment to get going with.

Remember the key to simulation is to get started and these steps will set you well on your way.