Mechanical Simulation

SuspensionSim

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Phone: 734 668-2930 • Fax: 734 668-2877 • Email: info@carsim.com

carsim.com

SuspensionSim New Features
SuspensionSim 2024.2 New Features ....................................................................2
VS Math Model ...............................................................................................2
VS Browser ......................................................................................................2
Documentation .................................................................................................2
Database Examples ..........................................................................................3
SuspensionSim 2023.1 New Features ....................................................................3
VS Math Model ...............................................................................................3
VS Browser ......................................................................................................4
VS Visualizer ...................................................................................................5
Licensing..........................................................................................................5
Documentation .................................................................................................5
Database ...........................................................................................................6
SuspensionSim 2022.0 New Features ....................................................................6
Database Delivery ............................................................................................6
VS Browser ......................................................................................................7
SS Solver........................................................................................................11
VS Visualizer .................................................................................................13
Documentation ...............................................................................................13
Database .........................................................................................................15
SuspensionSim 2021.0 New Features ..................................................................17
The SuspensionSim Installer..........................................................................17
Architecture Changes .....................................................................................17
Model Features ..............................................................................................17
VS Browser: Graphical User Interface (GUI)................................................17
VS Visualizer .................................................................................................18
New and Updated Examples ..........................................................................18
Documentation ...............................................................................................19
SuspensionSim 2020.0 New Features ..................................................................19
The SuspensionSim Installer..........................................................................19
Architecture Changes .....................................................................................20
VS Commands ...............................................................................................20
New and Updated Examples ..........................................................................21
Documentation ...............................................................................................21
SuspensionSim 2019.0 New Features ..................................................................22
The SuspensionSim Installer..........................................................................22
Architecture Changes .....................................................................................23
Model Features ..............................................................................................24
Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Database ...............................................25
VS Visualizer .................................................................................................27
New Examples ...............................................................................................28
SuspensionSim 2017.0 New Features ..................................................................28
VehicleSim Architecture................................................................................28

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July 2024

Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Database ...............................................29
VS Visualizer .................................................................................................30
Documentation Update ..................................................................................30
Bug Fixes and Errata......................................................................................31
Backward Compatibility ................................................................................31
This document lists notable new features in SuspensionSim going back to version 2017.0.
Note

SuspensionSim’s version number is based on the version of CarSim which
it is released alongside, causing some skips in major and minor version
numbers from this perspective.

SuspensionSim 2024.2 New Features
VS Math Model
Suspension Design Factors (SDFs)
The Suspension Design Factors (SDF) feature has been updated to calculate the screw axis of thesuspension knuckles. This is activated with the new parameter OPT_SCREW_AXIS_CALC,
assuming SDFs have been activated. This calculation is disabled by default. The screw axis outputs
give the screw motion which takes the initial pose of the knuckle body to its current pose. The
screw axis is represented geometrically by a direction vector, position vector, rotation about theaxis, and displacement along the axis. See the SuspensionSim Commands Reference Manual for
more information.

VS Browser
Database Builder
The Database Builder tool was revised to identify specialty CPAR archives more easily forexamples that are not included in the main groups of examples. The screen now has two options
for showing CPAR archive files:
1. Show specialty archives that are not applicable for most users. However, there are currently
no specialty archives for SuspensionSim.
2. Show all available CPAR archives, for users who wish to pick and choose specificcategories of interest for a new database.

Documentation
The following documents were added:
1. Reference Manuals > VS Embedded Python Interface
2. Technical Memos > Options for Loading Table Data into VS Math Models
The following Reference Manuals were updated:

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1. SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters
2. System Parameters in VS Math Models
3. VS Browser Reference Manual
4. VS Commands Reference Manual
5. VS Math Model Manual
6. VS Visualizer Reference Manual
7. VS Output API Manual
The following documents in the Help menu were updated:
1. SuspensionSim Model Screens
The following SDK document was updated:
1. The VehicleSim API

Database Examples
Solid Front Axle
New examples have been added to the category/CPAR * Solid Front Axle, showing a new steered
solid axle suspension template. The example model is shown in ride, roll, and steer tests. Thismodel uses four control arms, a recirculating ball steering linkage, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar.

Screw Axis
New examples have been added to the category/CPAR * Screw Axis Outputs, showing how the
new screw axis output variables can be used to view the roll, pitch, or steer axis of a knuckle bodywith VS Visualizer.

SuspensionSim 2023.1 New Features
VS Math Model
Suspension Design Factors (SDFs)
Five new output variables have been added to the list of wheel-based SDFs: wheel travel angle, rollcenter height, support angle, ride camber rate, and ride toe rate. These are calculated using partial
derivatives of the wheel position and orientation with respect to jounce, and they establish
instantaneous information about the knuckle’s motion at a particular operating point. To support
these calculations, there is a new math model keyword for the tire radius used, RADIUS_SDF. For
more information, refer to the updated SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters reference
manual.

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VS Commands•

SET_OUTPUT_SHORT_NAME was added to allow the manual creation of short (ERD
compatible) output names by the user.

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Error checking was added for lengths of new variables and parameters. The namelengths were extended to 48 characters; longer names now generate error messages.

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A new function SAFE_DIV is available for user-defined expressions to avoid divideby-zero issues.

Other Improvements•

The embedded Python included has been updated to 3.10.2.

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All error messages were reviewed; many were updated to provide more specificinformation about the cause of the error.

VS Browser
64-Bit Version of the Browser
The browser SuspensionSim.exe is a 32-bit application that runs on both 64 and 32-bit
versions of Windows. As such, it can load 32-bit plug-in libraries such as the VS Solver
vs_suspsim_32.dll but is not able to use 64-bit libraries.
Most users have been working with 64-bit versions of Windows, and many engineering softwaretools are now available only as 64-bit applications and libraries. For example, the last version of
32-bit MATLAB from MathWorks was 2015b. That means any recent versions of MATLAB will
work only with the 64-bit VS Solver plug-in libraries.
The 2023.1 release includes two versions of the Browser: SuspensionSim.exe (still 32-bit)
and SuspensionSim_64.exe (64-bit). The plan from Mechanical Simulation is to drop the
32-bit versions of our tools in a future release. (Recent releases have already included both 32-bit
and 64-bit versions of the VS Solver libraries, VS Visualizer, and other tools.)
Mechanical Simulation recommends using the 64-bit version unless there is a need to maintaincompatibility with 32-bit tools.

SuspensionSim System Library Screen
The SuspensionSim System library screen now sets math model keyword RADIUS_SDF tosymbol stack variable <<radius>>. This allows the yellow fields for radius on the Locations
and Bodies screen or the SuspensionSim System screen to be used for the new SDF calculations.

Other Improvements•

Two more plot links were added to the Generic VS Commands screen.

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The Tools menu was modified to clarify the searching of existing runs for uses of thedataset currently in view.

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VS Visualizer
VS Visualizer has added a preferences option to force X or Y plot axis labels to show. Users witha small VS Visualizer window and many plots may have hidden axis labels due to automatic plot
window scaling. Forcing the axis labels to show will allow users to view VS Visualizer at theirpreferred window size.

Licensing
The Command-Line License Manager can now run as a Windows Service, allowing for theapplication to be started automatically when the system is booted. Additionally, running the LicenseManager as a Service allows for the application to be started, paused, or stopped using the Microsoft
Management Console.

Documentation
The following document was added to the Help menu:•

Tools > Database Builder.

The following documents in the Help menu have been updated:
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Home: The Run Screen
Animator > Camera Setup
Animator > Reference Frames
Animator > Shapes and Groups
Generic Data Screens > Data Groups
Generic Data Screens > Generic Table
Generic Data Screens > External Parsfile
Model Extensions > Model Screens
Model Extensions > Output Variables
Plot Setup
Procedures and Events
SuspensionSim Models
Tools > Calculator Tool for Tables
Tools > Preferences
Tools > VS/ERD File Utility
Reference Manuals > SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters
Reference Manuals > System Parameters in VS Math Models
Reference Manuals > VS API
Reference Manuals > VS Browser (GUI and Database)
Reference Manuals > VS COM Interface
Reference Manuals > VS Commands
Reference Manuals > VS Commands Summary
Reference Manuals > VS Math Models
Reference Manuals > VS Visualizer
Technical Memos > HPC Licensing
Technical Memos > The VehicleSim License Manager Utility
Technical Memos > VS Solver CLI Wrapper
Technical Memos > Guidelines for Building SuspensionSim Models.
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Release Notes > SuspensionSim Backward Compatibility
Release Notes > SuspensionSim Database Options
Release Notes > System Requirements

Database
Updates to Previous Examples
The following examples have been updated to use the new SDF output variables:
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* * Quick Start Guide > Baseline (Ride Test)
Miscellaneous > COM with Python
Miscellaneous > Embedded Python
Multi-Link Example > Ride Test
RWD Performance > Front Susp. (2) Jounce
RWD Performance > Rear Susp. (2) Jounce
SLA Example > SLA w/ Asymmetric Parametric Templates
SLA Example > SLA w/ Ball-Joint Bushings
SLA Example > SLA w/ Nonlinear Ride Spring
SLA Example > SLA w/ Rigid Axial Bushings
SLA Example > SLA w/ Symmetric Parametric Templates
SLA Example > SLA without templates
Strut Example > Strut (Ride Test).

Several minor changes were made to these examples during this process. For example, the SLA w/
Nonlinear Ride Spring example has an updated nonlinear spring force table.

New Examples
There is a new example model called Walking Beam, representative of what could be used on therear of a vocational truck with tandem drive axles. The front and rear axles are interconnected bybeams which are located by trailing arms. This example model is exercised in three new runs:•••* Walking Beam > A. Design State* Walking Beam > B. Jounce Test
* Walking Beam > C. Roll Test.

SuspensionSim 2022.0 New Features
Database Delivery
In past versions of SuspensionSim, the installer application provided an example database withdozens of examples covering basic and advanced modeling in SuspensionSim, as well as a few
examples showing extensions with COM, Python, and MATLAB. For example, the 2021.0 releasecontained 56 example runs.
That delivery method has been changed for 2022.0. As with all versions over the past 8 years —since SuspensionSim became part of the VehicleSim products — the installer program installs afolder, SuspensionSim_Prog, with our complete program stack (VS Browser, SS Solver, VS

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Visualizer) and static resources such as animator 3D assets and Help PDF files. However, theinstaller no longer installs a default database. Instead, 60 examples are provided in 21 Consolidated
Parsfile (CPAR) archive files. Once SuspensionSim is installed, users may build databases at any
time, using any combination of the CPAR archives.
The new tools for installing databases are described in the following section. More information
about the specific new datasets for this release is provided in the last section (New Examples, p.
15).

VS Browser
The new options for building and managing databases are handled by the VS Browser
SuspensionSim.exe, using a few new features.

Recent Database Window
When opening recent versions of SuspensionSim, a window appears listing database folders thatare known for the current version. This window, Figure 1, has been extended for 2022.0, providing
access to a new tool: the Database Builder.

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Figure 1. Select Recent Database window in new version of SuspensionSim.
When launching SuspensionSim 2022.0 for the first time, the Select Recent Database windowshows a message describing options for building a new database or accessing older databases foruse in the new version 1 . If you have SuspensionSim database from previous versions, you cancheck the box Include older versions in the list 2 and the window will show databases that wereused in the previous versions of SuspensionSim. As in past versions, any of those databases may
be selected for use in the new version.

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Database Builder
To access examples for 2022.0 when you start SuspensionSim, click the button Open Database
Builder 3 , Figure 1, to bring up the Database Builder, Figure 2. When a group of data is selected
1 , the button Build Database from Selected Items 2 becomes active. The Help button 3
opens a PDF document that describes the options. (You can also find this document in the Help
menu under the Release Notes submenu, if you have a database open already.)
You can access the Database Builder any time after the initial installation of SuspensionSim. It canbe viewed whenever the Select Recent Database window appears. It can also be brought up fromwithin SuspensionSim using the File menu 1 command Open Database Builder 2 , Figure 3.
Figure 2 shows that SuspensionSim 2022.0 provides seven predefined database options. Table 1
provides a little more information about these options.
More information about specific new datasets is provided latter in these release notes, p. 15. For
descriptions of all CPAR archives, please see the Help document for the Database Builder.

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Figure 2. Database Builder window showing only predefined database options.
Table 1. Pre-defined database options.
Database Option Description
Quick Start Guide examples, automation
examples (COM/Python/MATLAB),
Minimalanimator shapes, plots, preferences
Front
Minimal + standalone car/truck front
Suspensions
suspensions

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Target Users
All users
Users focused on front
suspension K&C

Table 1. Pre-defined database options.
Database Option Description
Minimal + standalone car/truck rear
Rear Suspensions
suspensions
Motorcycle
Minimal + motorcycle suspensions (front
Suspensions
and rear)
Share Data with
Minimal + examples which write data for
CarSim
CarSimMinimal + front/rear car suspensions
Whole Cars
which are matched to each other

Full

All the above.

Target Users
Users focused on rearsuspension K&C
Users focused on
motorcycle K&C
Users focused on getting
data into CarSim
Users focused on overallvehicle K&C
Users who wish to have
one database with all
examples, like previous
versions ofSuspensionSim.

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Figure 3. Using the File menu command Open Database Builder.

Time and Version Stamps Added to Parsfiles
Parsfiles written by VS Browser are named using a 36-character unique universal ID (UUID), witha prefix associated with the library, for example, Run_c82cb3c2-aeda-4eff-b16a6e1f8de0a608 is a name that might be used for a Run Control dataset. This is done to supportversion control software that tracks creation and revisions of files based on their names.
The Parsfiles always include stamps at the end of the file beginning with ‘#’, such as #Library,#DataSet, etc. Three new stamps are added in 2022.0 to provide more information about timeand version. Two will appear in updated Parsfiles, Figure 4, #Modified and #DataVer.

Figure 4. Parsfile stamps compared for the same Run Control dataset in 2021.0 vs. 2022.0.

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#Modified identifies the date and time (obtained from Windows) when the file content was lastchanged. (If the Undo command is used to return a Parsfile to its state at the start of the VS Browser
session, the file contents are then fully restored, and #Modified will return to the initial value.)#DataVer identifies the version of the database. With all recent releases, this has matched the
product version #Product, but this has not always been the case, and could be useful in the future.
The third new stamp is #Created which is another timestamp obtained from Windows. This willappear in Parsfiles created using SuspensionSim 2022.0, rather than files which were updated fromprevious versions. This stamp will never change even after updates to versions beyond 2022.0.

Figure 5. A Parsfile snippet, created in 2022.0, showing the #Created stamp.

Find Links to Current Dataset from Selected Library
A new command was added to the Tools menu for searching: Find All References to this Dataset
in “Run_all.par” Files, by Library.
The existing Find All References to This Dataset option finds datasets that are immediately
referenced by others. The search can be repeated, to find datasets that reference datasets thatreference the current dataset, but this form of manual repeating is time-consuming.
The new search option takes advantage of Run_all.par files that are made automaticallywhenever a run is made, or VS Visualizer is used to view results. This has significant advantages:
2. Searching these files is rapid compared to searching the entire database. Even with large
databases, the search is much less than a minute.
3. The searching finds all references where the current dataset was used in an existing run.
4. Results are filtered to show only cases where the current dataset is referenced (no matter
how indirectly) by datasets in a specified library.
For example, perform a search from a SuspensionSim System dataset to find all SuspensionSim
Locations and Bodies datasets which use the same system topology. Or, find all SuspensionSim
Run Control datasets which use a particular dataset.

GUI Support for SDF Outputs
The SuspensionSim System library screen has a new checkbox in the Wheel-Based Components
column, Install SDFs 1 , Figure 6. The checkbox installs outputs for the left, right, or both wheels,depending on the symmetry options 2 . This checkbox can be used to activate the new SDF output
variables described in the following section.

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Figure 6. SuspensionSim System screen showing tool tip for the new Install SDFs checkbox.

SS Solver
SS Solver is the SuspensionSim solver program which reads input files, performs all calculationsin the multibody suspension model, and generates output files that are viewed or shared with othersoftware. SS Solver is a VS Solver which was extended to perform equilibrium calculations for amodel built using SS Commands and parameters created by those commands. Version 2022.0
introduces a new output type to SS Solver, called Suspension Design Factors (SDFs).

Suspension Design Factors
SDFs in general are measurements commonly needed during the design or evaluation of asuspension. For example, the camber angle of a wheel relative to its vehicle as a function of wheel
center vertical displacement. Previous versions of SuspensionSim (since it became a VehicleSim
product) relied extensively on user definitions for these kinds of output variables, using the VS
Command DEFINE_OUTPUT and raw multibody output variables produced by SS Solver, such as
global point coordinates or Euler angles. Now many SDFs exist natively in SS Solver and areavailable to activate with the SS Command SK_PT_ID:
SK_PT_ID(iaxle,iside) ipoint defines SDFs for the wheel on axle iaxle located by iside. The
ipoint argument must give the point on the steering knuckle body corresponding to the wheel center.
For example, command SK_PT_ID(1,1) defines the front left wheel outputs seen in Table 2.

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Table 2. SDF outputs for front left wheel (iaxle=1, iside=1).
Wheel SDF

Units

Description

Cam_L1deg

Div_L1deg

Inc_L1
Str_L1
Toe_L1

deg
deg
deg

WCx_L1mm

WCy_L1mm

WCz_L1

mm

Angle between the wheel plane and the sprung mass Z axis, negative if
the top of the wheel leans toward the sprung mass.
Change in orientation of the steering knuckle about the wheel spin axis.
This angle, together with toe and camber, defines the total orientation of
the steering knuckle relative to the sprung mass. Positive dive is acounter-clockwise rotation when viewed from the left side.
Left wheel inclination = -camber. Right wheel inclination = camber.
Left wheel steer = -toe. Right wheel steer = toe.
Angle between the sprung mass X axis and the line of intersection of thewheel plane and the sprung mass X-Y plane. Positive if the wheel issteered inward (toe-in).
X displacement, positive forward, of point on steering knuckle
corresponding to wheel center, using the sprung mass coordinate system.
Y displacement, positive inward, of point on steering knuckle
corresponding to wheel center, using the sprung mass coordinate system.
Z displacement, positive upward, of point on steering knuckle
corresponding to wheel center, using the sprung mass coordinate system.

The SK_PT_ID command can be used up to four times, suitable for a four-wheel vehicle model.
The first time the command is used, a parameter SM_PT_ID is created. This parameter may be
used to identify a sprung mass point, useful if the model has a sprung mass body which is not
equivalent to the ground body. (In most models, the default value for SM_PT_ID suffices.)
If the SK_PT_ID command is used twice on one axle, for each side, SS Solver defines axle outputs.
For example, Table 3 shows the axle-specific outputs available when the commands
SK_PT_ID(1,1) and SK_PT_ID(1,2) have both been used.
Table 3. SDF outputs for iaxle=1 (both sides have been activated).
Axle SDF
MPx_A1Units Description
X displacement, positive forward, of the midpoint of the line through themmwheel centers, using the sprung mass coordinate system.
MPy_A1
Y displacement, positive leftward, of the midpoint of the line through themmwheel centers, using the sprung mass coordinate system.
MPz_A1
Z displacement, positive upward, of the midpoint of the line through themmwheel centers, using the sprung mass coordinate system.
Rol_A1
Roll angle of the line through the wheel centers, using the sprung massdeg
coordinate system. Positive when the right wheel moves up toward the
sprung mass and the left wheel moves down.
Trk_A1mm
Length of the line between the left and right wheel centers.
Yaw_A1
Yaw angle of the line through the wheel centers, using the sprung massdeg
coordinate system. Positive when the axle steers to the left.
In VS Browser, the checkbox described in a previous section, p. 10, may be used easily toautomatically write the correct SK_PT_ID SS Commands, as this library screen already has accessto the correct ipoint argument as well as the iaxle and iside context. If SM_PT_ID needs a non-

12 / 31default value, it can be set anywhere after the checkbox, such as the miscellaneous yellow field on
the SuspensionSim System screen 3 , Figure 6.
For any model with SDFs defined, all SDF outputs can be viewed using the View controls on thebottom right of the Run Control screen. Select Outputs from math model (text) and search for
SDFs.
For more on how SS Solver defines and calculates SDFs, see the SuspensionSim Commands andParameters Reference Manual. For more on building models which use SDFs, see the Guidelines
for Building SuspensionSim Models Technical Memo.
Note

SDFs assume the ISO/SAE axis convention (X forward, Y left, Z up) and may
not produce meaningful output if another axis convention is used whenbuilding the model.

Miscellaneous
A new system parameter OPT_ECHO_DEFAULT is available to disable the identification with theindicator [D] in the Echo file for default values that were not set by reading an input file. This canbe helpful in advanced applications, such as when a new run is made using an Echo file written at
the end of a previous run. In this case, the [D] indicator never appears in the Echo files for thecontinuation run. The new parameter may be used to ensure the [D] indicator doesn’t appear inother runs either, simplifying the use of text editors to compare files.

VS Visualizer
VS Visualizer can now compute first and second derivative estimates of data channels (with respect
to time) and use these for animation and plotting. See the VS Visualizer reference manual for more.
VS Visualizer has a new option to scale plots non-symmetrically by pressing the Alt key whiledragging with the middle-mouse-button (or left+right mouse buttons). In this mode, moving themouse up/down zooms vertically, moving left/right zooms horizontally. There is also an option on
the plot window right-click context menu, “Asymmetric mouse zoom”, to switch which mode isdefault (active w/o the Alt key).

Documentation
The Table of Contents for Screens has been updated.
The following Screen Documents have been updated:
5. Animator: Reference Frame
6. Animator Shapes and Groups
7. Batch Matrix
8. Calculator: Symbolic
9. Generic Data Screens10. Generic Table Screen

13 / 3111. Setting up Import and Output Variables
12. External Models and RT Systems
13. VS Browser Preferences
14. Run Control Screen (Home)
15. SuspensionSim Model Screens
16. Writing Custom Parsfiles from SuspensionSim
The Quick Start Guide has been updated.
The following Reference Manuals have been updated:
17. SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters Reference Manual
18. System Parameters in VS Math Models
19. The VehicleSim API: Running and Extending VS Math Models
20. VS Browser Reference Manual
21. VS COM Interface: API of the VS Browser
22. VS Commands Reference Manual
23. VS Commands Summary
24. VS Math Models Reference Manual
25. VS Visualizer Reference Manual
The following Technical Memos have been updated:
26. Licensing for High-Performance Computing (HPC)
27. Borrowing a VS Product License from a FlexLm Network Server
28. Guidelines for Building SuspensionSim Models
29. Automating Runs with the VS API
30. Command Line Vehicle Sim License Manager
31. VS Solver Wrapper
The following Release Notes have been updated:
32. Terms and Conditions of Sale and EULA
33. Network Licenses for VehicleSim Products
34. Silent Installation for VehicleSim Products
35. SuspensionSim Backward Compatibility
36. SuspensionSim 2022.0: New Features
37. VehicleSim System Requirements & Software Compatibility

14 / 3138. Technical Support
The following documents have been added to the Help menu:
39. Release Notes > SuspensionSim Database Options

Database
Updated Examples
Nearly all existing examples have been updated to use the new SDF outputs for camber, toe, anddive angles and wheel center X, Y, and Z displacements (see p. 11). Accordingly, a large numberof VS Commands outputs, created with DEFINE_OUTPUT, have been removed from theexamples. Plots have been updated to refer to the new native output variables, rather than theprevious custom output variables. This allowed various Plot: Setup datasets to be deleted, as output
names became common where before they were often example specific.
As part of this process, the results for all examples were plotted side by side to confirm that the
new native output variables reproduced the previous VS Commands custom definitions.
Due to the scope of these changes, be careful, or try to avoid, importing old versions of theSuspensionSim examples into a database containing the new versions. There is no backwards
compatibility issue when creating a new database from an older CPAR or updating an old databaseto the new version; the conflict would arise if any old data with the same UUIDs is mingled with
the new data — and the CPAR import process would warn of any conflicts. (The outputs themselves
are never active unless the Install SDFs checkbox or SK_PT_ID SS Commands are manuallyspecified.)
The “Whole Car” example model has been updated to use a new animation shape, Figure 8.

New Examples
There is a new example of a complete car available in the Whole Cars or Full database option (seep. 8 for more on database options). The individual CPAR is called-_Open_Wheel__Sports_Car.cpar
and creates a category called * Open Wheel / Sports Car. This category contains a series ofexamples exercising a model of an open wheeled racing car, Figure 7. The Continue from aprevious run and Events features are used extensively. This is an advanced model and familiarity
with SuspensionSim is assumed.

New Animator Resources
Two new 3D assets have been provided in the Animator: Shape File Link library:•

SS Library > Car•

SS Library > Truck.

These are shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9, respectively.

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Figure 7. Animation output for the new Open Wheel complete car.

Figure 8. Updated “Whole Car” example, using the new car shape.

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Figure 9. The new truck shape.

SuspensionSim 2021.0 New Features
The SuspensionSim Installer
The SuspensionSim installer has been reconfigured to package some of the installation files
separately from the executable. The executable has the same appearance as previous versions:Setup_SuspensionSim_2021.0_rrev.exe
where rev is a revision number. As before, the installer may later be used multiple times to create
new, clean SuspensionSim_Data folders. With the new installer format, rather than saving
just the executable for this purpose, you should retain the ZIP or ISO file which contains theexecutable and the additional installation files.

Architecture Changes
A revision to the scaling of animator shapes was made so that the supporting code is now sharedacross all Mechanical Simulation products. This change requires action to use some old datasets or
databases. See the SuspensionSim Backward Compatibility document for more information.

Model Features
Minor improvements have been made to the parsing of VS Commands. These should be transparent
to most users.

VS Browser: Graphical User Interface (GUI)•A new option Find All Unreferenced Datasets has been added to the VS Browser under
the Tools menu. This produces a list of every dataset in the current database that has nodataset referencing it. This option can be helpful in maintaining the database andidentifying currently unused datasets.

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A new option Find All Deprecated Assets has been added to the VS Browser under the
Tools menu. This will produce a list of every dataset in the current database that has areference to a deprecated animator asset. (Mechanical Simulation routinely deprecates andthen retires 3D shapes used in VehicleSim products such as CarSim. As of SuspensionSim
2021.0, no SuspensionSim animator assets have been deprecated or retired by Mechanical
Simulation, so none are expected to be found.)17 / 31

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A new option Re-Write every ‘All Parsfile’ sent to the Solver or VS Visualizer has been
added to the Tools menu. This creates the Run_all.pars which are found in the Results
folders, but does not make the runs, useful for updating run data when controlling the runitself from outside of the VS Browser.

VS Visualizer
VS Visualizer can now reload/refresh simulation data without the need to be closed and thenrelaunched. If the simulation results have changed (i.e., the simulation was modified and rerun) but
VS Visualizer is still open, the user may press the hotkey Ctrl+F5 or select Reload data from the
VS Visualizer’s File menu. This will load the new data to the currently active VS Visualizer
window.

New and Updated Examples
Several new examples are included in the 2021 database:1) The category “* SuspensionSim 2021.0 - Whole Car” shows how an entire car, consistingof a sprung mass and front and rear independent suspensions, can be modeled. Four test
cases are included:a. Static equilibrium. The sprung mass is allowed to settle into an at-rest condition.
b. Heave. The sprung mass is moved vertically, exercising the jounce DOFs of thesuspensions.
c. Roll. The sprung mass has a roll moment applied about its X-axis, producing a rollof the sprung mass relative to the ground plane.
d. Steer. A static steer test produced by translating the steering rack body.
2) The category “* SuspensionSim 2021.0 - 4 Link w/ Track Bar” contains the example“Compliance Test”. This can be used to generate compliance coefficients for a CarSim or
TruckSim solid axle suspension.
3) The category “* SuspensionSim 2021.0 - RWD Performance” contains eight examples tocharacterize both suspensions for a sports car. These examples were used to generate the
K&C data for the CarSim 2020.1 (and up) virtual steering axis B-class sports car.
a. Front Susp. (1) Design Configurationb. Front Susp. (2) Jouncec. Front Susp. (3) Steerd. Front Susp. (4) Jounce & Steere. Front Susp. (5) Compliancef.

Rear Susp. (1) Design Configuration

g. Rear Susp. (2) Jounce
h. Rear Susp. (3) Compliance

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Documentation
The following help files have been updated:•

Run Control Screen (Home)•

Generic Data Screens•

Model Screens•

Output Variables•

Procedures and Events•

Preferences•

Quick Start Guide

The following reference manuals have been updated:•

System Parameters in VS Math Models, renamed from System Parameters in VS Solvers,
including SuspensionSim-specific improvements to better identify system parameters andcommands which are applicable to other VehicleSim products but not available in
SuspensionSim.

•

VS Commands Reference Manual, including a few SuspensionSim-specific notes about
VS Commands not applicable to SuspensionSim.

•

VS API•VS Browser•

VS Visualizer•

VS Math Models (former title: VS Solver Programs)

The following document has been added to the Help menu in the Reference Manuals category:•

VS Commands Summary, a two-page quick reference sheet for VS Commands

The following technical memos have been updated:•

Automating Runs with VS API

The following release notes have been updated (excluding this document):•

SuspensionSim Backward Compatibility•

System Requirements

SuspensionSim 2020.0 New Features
The SuspensionSim Installer
After the initial installation of SuspensionSim, the installer
Setup_SuspensionSim_2020.0_rrev.exe

19 / 31(where rev is a revision number) may later be used multiple times to create new, clean
SuspensionSim_Data folders. When used to install a new SuspensionSim_Data folder,if a folder is selected that is not empty, the installer will make a new one with the same root name,using the Windows convention of adding a suffix to indicate the name was already used. For
example, if an existing folder named SuspensionSim_Data is selected, the installer will create
a new one named SuspensionSim_Data (1).
A warning about needing administrator permission was changed to clarify that such permissions
are not needed to install a new database folder.

Architecture Changes
COM Interface
Two new COM functions have been added: Run_Background and StopWindowsRun:•

Run_Background allows an end-user to run a simulation in the background,•

StopWindowsRun allows an end-user to stop the simulation.

Embedded Python
Python 3.6.5 (32-bit and 64-bit) has been embedded in the VS Solvers. New commands allow users
to take advantage of Python to further access VS Table information, as well as some improved
debugging capabilities.

VS Commands
New Boolean Operators for VS Commands
New infix operators for Boolean operations (&, |, <, >, <=, >=, ==, ~=) have been added to VS
commands so that conditional expressions can be more easily assembled. The existing routines
GT(), AND(), etc. remain supported.
A new IF(x, y, z) “special function” was introduced for use in formulas. It differs from otherfunctions by only evaluating two of the three arguments. The argument x is evaluated and if x not
equal to 0, the argument y is evaluated and returned as the value of the function; on the other hand,
if x is equal to 0, the argument z is evaluated and returned as the value of the function. This new
function, along with the new User-defined function capability, allows for the conditional processingof different groups of expressions during a simulation.

Improvements for VS Events
The syntax for the define_event command has been simplified to have just two arguments,
with the second being optional:
DEFINE_EVENT formula [pathname]
The reporting of Events in the Log file has been modified to more closely match the appearance of
the Events as shown in the Event GUI screen. The formula argument can be a complicated Boolean

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statement, or just a variable name. It may even be a constant, e.g., 1, to indicate that the Eventshould unconditionally be triggered at the next time step.
The previous syntax for DEFINE_EVENT has been retained for a new command MAKE_EVENT:
MAKE_EVENT variable operator reference [pathname]
This provides backward compatibility for old datasets in which reference is a number that
automatically converted from user-units of variable to internal units. It also provided support forthe old DELETE_EVENTS command.

User-Defined Functions
Users can now define new functions with optional arguments, local variables, and return value. The
new functions are started with the begin_function command, and end with theend_function statement. These can process a series of equations.

New and Updated Examples•

A leaf spring rear suspension using the three-link approximation method has been added.
For full details of the three-link approximation method, see the new technical memo Leaf
Spring Suspensions in SuspensionSim, available from the Help menu.

•

A recirculating ball steering linkage example has been added. This models from the Pitman
arm to the roadwheels, specifically a Haltenberger linkage.

•

An example using embedded Python to calculate output variables is now available.

•

Automation of the SuspensionSim GUI using COM from external Python is now
demonstrated using a new example.

•

A new example generates files for the external control of SuspensionSim’s solver. An
included MATLAB script can use these to control the solver via the VS API.

•The Batch Runs dataset for All Runs has been updated to include all examples.

•

Twenty-eight dataset names have been shortened so that their full text is visible whenlinked from a SuspensionSim screen.

Documentation
The following documents have been added to the Help menu:•

Table of Contents for Screens, listing and linking to all help files associated with specificSuspensionSim screens.

•

Joint Rotations and Bushings in SuspensionSim, a technical memo providing insight into
how SuspensionSim represents spatial rotations and suspension bushings.

•

Leaf Spring Suspensions in SuspensionSim, a technical memo giving details of the threelink approximation used in SuspensionSim’s leaf spring rear suspension example.

The following technical memos have been updated:•

Guidelines for Building SuspensionSim Models

21 / 31•

SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters•

VS Solver Wrapper

The following screen documents have been updated:•

Animator: Camera Setup•

Animator: Reference Frame•

Animator: Shapes and Groups•

Plot Setup•

Procedures and Events•

Run Control Screen (Home)•

SuspensionSim Models

The following reference manuals have been updated:•

System Parameters in VS Solvers•

VS API•VS COM Interface•

VS Solver Programs•

VS Commands

The following release notes have been updated (excluding this document):•

SuspensionSim Backward Compatibility•

System Requirements•

Version 9 Backward Compatibility: Database and Automation

SuspensionSim 2019.0 New Features
The SuspensionSim Installer
After
the
initialinstallationofSuspensionSim,
theinstaller
Setup_SuspensionSim_2019_rrev.exe (where rev is a revision number) may later be used
multiple times to create new, clean SuspensionSim_Data folders. When used to install a new
SuspensionSim _Data folder, the installer for 2019.0 is a little friendlier to use than in pastreleases: if a folder is selected that is not empty, the installer will make a new one with the sameroot name, using the Windows convention of adding a suffix to indicate the name was already used.
For example, if an existing folder named SuspensionSim_Data is selected, the installer will
create a new one named SuspensionSim_Data (1).
A warning about needing administrator permission was changed to clarify that such permissions
are not needed to install a new database folder.

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Architecture Changes
Longer Names for Output Variables
The VS output file format was introduced in 2014 as an alternative to the legacy ERD file format.
In version 2017.0, support was added for comma-separated variable (CSV) text files that can be
opened by Excel and other spreadsheet programs. ERD files restrict the short variable names usedas keywords to 8 characters; CSV and VS files support longer names.
The VS Solvers in the 2019.0 release make use of longer names to provide consistent naming ofvariables when there are many instances. If the output variable has a name longer than 8 characters,
VS and ERD output files include both the long name and a name limited to 8 characters. VS
Visualizer and the VS/ERD File Utility now recognize both the SHORTNAM and the NAME
keywords when reading ERD files. Therefore, datasets for plots and animation from older versions
that specify names with the 8-character limit are processed correctly.
The keyword SHORTNAM has been used since the ERD format was published in 1984. Because the
SHORTNAM information is still written to the ERD header, legacy third-party utility programs that
support the ERD format should still operate correctly.
Documentation files that list outputs (as obtained with the View button on the Run Control screen)show both full and short names when the full name has more than 8 characters, as do the VS
Browser screens used to view and select outputs, such as Plot Setup, I/O Channels: Export, andI/O Channels: Write.

Error and Range Checking in VS Commands Functions
Formulas used in VS Commands and other inputs can make use of about 45 built-in functions. In
past versions, functions such as sqrt, pow, sin, cos, were handled by passing the arguments
directly to native C library functions (as declared in math.h). A few of these functions have range
limits. For example, the function asin requires that the argument be within ±1; the function sqrt
requires that the argument not be negative.
In version 2019.0, two levels of range checking are added. Functions that have known ranges now
check the argument. If it goes outside the range, the argument is changed to the limit and then thefunction is applied. For example, asin(-1.01) is evaluated as asin(-1.0). As anotherexample, sqrt(-0.123) is evaluated as sqrt(0.0).
If results show a math exception (nan or inf, indicating “not a number” or “infinite,”
respectively), an error is generated, and the formula is shown.
In past versions, the formula in the VS Command would return a nan or inf, but there would be
no reporting. In many cases the VS Commands were not critical, so users were unaware of theissue.

Miscellaneous
1. New system constants were added and are visible in the Echo file: DR, G, PI, and ZERO.
The constants DR, G, and PI existed in past versions but were not listed in the Echo file.
The constant ZERO is provided to simplify the use of VS Events when evaluating formulas
as being either zero or not zero.

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2. A new system parameter was added: OPT_ECHO_KEYWORDS_LC. When set to a nonzero
value, all keywords and commands listed in the Echo file are written in lowercase. This is
helpful when copying equations or keywords to paste into Miscellaneous yellow fields,
given that lowercase words take up less space.
3. Table entries of type STEP can now be updated after definition or loading with an equation.
(e.g., eq_init example_tab(0,1,1) = 10 ).
4. Attempts to set units of Configurable Functions with the VS Commands
SET_UNITS_TABLE, SET_UNITS_TABLE_COL, and SET_UNITS_TABLE_ROW
would perform no action if the keywords for the table function or units were not recognized.
These now generate errors telling which keyword was not valid.

Model Features
VS Commands
The VS Commands Reference Manual has been updated.
A new VS Command function has been added — GENSEED — which generates a non-repeatable
seed number for the existing random number function SRAND. The GENSEED function is based on
the _rdtsc() and RDTSC IA-32 processor instruction. This command retrieves the number ofclock cycles that have occurred on the CPU since it booted up.

VS Event Group ID
Two new VS Commands were added to help manage pending Events. Newly created Events are
assigned an ID number. The default ID is zero, but it can be changed with the new command
SET_EVENT_ID. Another new command DELETE_EVENTS_ID deletes all pending events withthe specified ID, while leaving other Events intact. This allows groups of Events to be managed
independently of each other, e.g., to control traffic vehicles with sets of Event independent of thoseused for the ego vehicle.
The Echo file section that lists Events now includes SET_EVENT_ID commands as needed toreproduce the IDs for each pending Event.

Miscellaneous
1. A new section was added to the Echo file showing constants (DR, G, PI, and ZERO).
2. A few parameters are locked once a simulation starts. Most of these involve file i/o or
numerical integration (TSTEP, IPRINT, etc.). They are now identified in the Echo filewith a [L] written at the end of the parameter description.
3. Constants and calculated variables that should not be changed cannot be changed using anormal assignment or VS Commands such as EQ_IN. Trying to do so will generate anerror message.
4. Equations added with VS Commands for initialization (EQ_INIT, EQ_INIT2, and
EQ_PRE_INIT) are removed after the initialization, such that they do not appear in the
End Echo file that might be used to continue the simulation with a new run.

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5. Integer variables that act as switches for more than two options are now checked for aminimum and maximum values (e.g., OPT_INT_METHOD, OPT_TIRE_MODEL). Integer
switches with only two values are not checked; they work as 0 or not 0.
6. Import variables added with the DEFINE_IMPORT command are checked to ensure the
new names begin with the prefix “IMP_”. Also, variables added with the command
DEFINE_PARAMETER, DEFINE_OUTPUT, and DEFINE_VARIABLE are checked toensure that they do not begin with the prefix “IMP_”.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Database
Run Control and Procedures Screens
The Run Control and Procedures screens include lists of Plot: Setup blue links that were fixed
to the Plot: Setup library in past versions. Both have been modified to allow groups of Plot: Setup
datasets to be specified.
Two of the links on the Procedures screen have been extended to allow generic libraries to be
used. Datasets in the Generic libraries can in turn be linked to multiple Plot: Setup datasets. For
example, the Generic VS Commands screen has 16 links that can be used for Plot: Setup datasets.
On the Procedures screen, the first and tenth links have been extended. Whatever library is used
for the first link will also be used for the next nine links. Similarly, whatever library is used for the
11th link will also be used for the next eight.
The Run Control screen has less available space, so only one of the links is extended: Link 6.
Links 7 and 8 are set to whatever library is used for Link 6. Links 1-5 remain fixed to the Plot:
Setup library.

Preferences Screen
The Preferences screen was modified to fix some existing problems and support new features suchas the increased number of animation resources. Past versions of the screen included a few blue
links for default datasets to be used for Plot Formats. These links led to problems in some cases
when transferring data with CPAR files, so they were removed for version 2019.0. Here are somechanges that were made:1. A checkbox was added to support a new option: “Perform batch run updating when deletingor renaming Run screen.” This is helpful for users who make batch runs with the Batch
Runs tool. When this is active and a dataset from the Run Control screen is deleted orrenamed, the Browser scans all datasets in the Batch Runs library and fixes invalid
references to the old name
2. A Secondary Resources field was added for specifying a location for VS Visualizer tofind additional assets. Users can now add a folder with custom assets.
3. A checkbox for selecting the deprecated tool WinEP was removed; SuspensionSim 2019.0
does not support it.
4. The blue link for a default plot format has been removed. New versions have links to a plot
format for every Plot Settings dataset. Imported plot datasets without a specified plot
format will use the default from VS Visualizer.

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5. A new checkbox control was added to the screen to disable the writing of timestamp
information in exported Parsfiles. This was done because new timestamps can cause
confusion with some version control software.
6. A new drop-down control was provided to choose between 32/64-bit versions of VS
Visualizer.
7. Right-click information for controls was updated to better describe the behavior in 2019.0.

Events Screen
The Events screen was modified to include two new options for the simple cases of “If a formula
is not zero” and “If this formula is zero”.
1. A new system parameter, ZERO, was added to the VS Solvers. This is the variable tomonitor, with a ~= operator, and a symbolic expression that will trigger the Event when
not zero.
2. Two more options were added on the Event drop-down control: If, and If Not. These use
the existing ~= and ==.
3. The yellow fields for formulas are slightly larger, and now include resize controls on theright edge so they can be stretched to view longer formulas.

Library Tabs for Rapid Access to Screens
The VS Browser has a set of tab controls located beneath the toolbar that can be used to quickly
navigate between libraries that were recently visited.

Note that switching to a different dataset displayed under a pinned tab does NOT affect the dataset
linkage. Linkage is supplied by blue links only.

Searching the Database
An option has been added to the search initiated with the Tools menu item Find Text in the
Database that limits the search to the current dataset and all linked datasets.

COM Interface
Two new COM functions have been added: CreateAnimatorParFile andCreateAllParFile. These functions allow an end-user to create an animator.par file andrun_all.par file, respectively, providing the capability to generate these files without the needto run a new simulation. Running a new simulation will still generate the animator.par andrun_all.par files automatically, as well as new simulation results.

26 / 31The VS COM interface has been expanded to include functions that can return error information.
For example, a batch run may return an error message for a specific run that failed. These newfunctions end in _CheckError. A complete list of functions can be found in the VS COM
Interface technical memo.

Miscellaneous
1. It is now possible to cache any number of run results (not just multiples of five) for a given
run. On the Run Control screen, select “Keep N” using the drop-down menu and input acustom value using the yellow field which appears to the right of the control.
2. A new command line option has been added to assist in automation. Adding the/SETQUICKLAUNCH option when running from the command line will disable the LicenseManager and Database Selection dialogs from appearing at startup.
3. Many of the miscellaneous yellow fields are now resizable to provide a quick view of
the contents without scrolling.
4. The Plot Setup screen was modified to remove a checkbox that only applied for theobsolete WinEP plotter, and to add support for the 1:1 X-Y scaling that is now supportedby VS Visualizer.

VS Visualizer
1. VS Visualizer is now available as a 64-bit version, supporting large simulations withbinaries exceeding 4GB of data. The VS Visualizer platform can be changed between 32bit and 64-bit from the SuspensionSim Preferences screen, complementing the 32-bit
version included with previous releases.
2. In support of more automated modes of operation, along with the COM commands
CreateAnimatorParFile and CreateAllParFile, a new command line
parameter has been added which allows end-users to generate VS Results Analysis Package(VSRAP) files. The new parameter -vsrap “<filename>” allows an end-user to build a
VSRAP file from the control file animator.par; when the command line option is used,
VS Visualizer will load the specified Parsfile, convert it to a VSRAP file, and then close
automatically. Please see the VS Visualizer documentation for more details regarding thisnew option.
3. A new option Export Video has been added (available from the File menu) to create an
AVI (audio-video interleaved) file that can be dragged into Microsoft PowerPoint ® orviewed with Windows Media Player and other video players.
4. An option has been added to specify the same scaling for the X and Y axes. This is enabledwith a checkbox on the Plot Setup screen. This is useful for plots of trajectories of points
on the suspension.
5. When VS Visualizer is launched by clicking the Plot button on the Run Control screen, it
skips animator assets to load more quickly. This helps diagnose runs that crashed, whichsometimes causes the animator part of VS Visualizer to also crash. Also, the load time forVS files has been reduced dramatically, especially for larger files.

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6. When VS Visualizer is showing plots with overlays from two or more output files, dragging
new variables from the Data Manager window into a plot window adds the variables fromall open files that contain those variables.
7. The default plot format was changed to match the style set in the Plot Format datasets
shipped in recent versions of SuspensionSim, providing a more consistent appearance
covering plots set up from the database and plots created interactively.
8. Additional keywords have been added to VS Visualizer to adjust the environment lighting.
CAM_GLOBAL_DIFFUSE and CAM_GLOBAL_SPECULAR will adjust the lighting
properties of the primary light source.
9. The Ambient Light setting has been removed from the VS Visualizer preferences andreplaced with a Brightness Modifier. The Brightness Modifier is a numeric field where 1
indicates true light settings, less than 1 will make the scene darker, and greater than 1 will
make the scene brighter. Any ambient light adjustments can be made from within the VS
Browser using the keyword CAM_GLOBAL_AMBIENT. For examples, use the Find Text
option (Tools > Find Text in the Database) and search for CAM_GLOBAL_AMBIENT.

New Examples
Two new suspension configurations have been added: a high-performance strut with separate
steering knuckle, and a strut suspension with double ball joint. Three examples can be found in the
category Detailed Front Strut w Knuckle, and three in the category Detailed Front Double
Balljoint Strut.

SuspensionSim 2017.0 New Features
VehicleSim Architecture
Output FilesThe SuspensionSim Solver can directly write comma-separated variable (CSV) text files as output
options in addition to the existing ERD and VS binary outputs.
Commands originally introduced in SuspensionSim LOAD_ERD_FILE and ERD_TO_TABLE arerenamed as LOAD_TABLE_FILE and FILE_TO_TABLE to data from an ERD or VS file to becopied into a table for use with a Configurable Function. Both of these are also available in CarSim
and TruckSim as VS Commands, along with FILE_TO_CARPET and ECHO_LOADED_TABLE.

License Manager Changes
The stand-alone license manager, VSLM.exe, has been separated into separate products for
BikeSim, CarSim, TruckSim, and SuspensionSim. The executables are named BSLM.exe,
CSLM.exe, TSLM.exe, and SSLM.exe, respectively.

Licensing Interface Changes
Users will notice some changes to licensing behavior with version 2017.0. Only the first
VehicleSim Browser window opened will ask for license selections. Additional windows will not

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show the licensing dialog. If the original window closes, then a single remaining Browser window
will show the license dialog, and that particular window will be in control of the license settings
for your machine. To suppress licensing messages over long sessions, run the stand-alone license
manager (BSLM.exe, CSLM.exe, TSLM.exe, or SSLM.exe).

Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Database
Visual Appearance
The sizing of text and windows has been redone to work with Windows OS settings for display.
1. The font used throughout the GUI is now Segoe UI, which is the standard font used in the
US versions of Windows. This font is also available in international versions. Most screensand popup dialogs have been redone such that displays are easier to read regardless of theWindows preferences.
2. The sizing options for all GUI windows are now tied to the Windows display preference.
Text shown in menus and the window title always matches the OS preference (e.g., 100%,150%, 300%, etc.). An option has been added to the legacy Viewing choices to also use
the Windows display preference to size GUI windows. This provides full compatibility
with newer high-definition monitors and laptops with small pixels.

New Results Section in Database
A new Results folder in the database provides the location for all output files generated whenrunning simulations. This provides several advantages:
1. Output file names can be given short default names that are easily exchanged andmanipulated by external software.
2. The Runs folder now contains only database files (Parsfiles and some image files).
3. The new organization is well suited to support the new feature to make multiple
simulations from a single Run Control dataset as described in the next subsection.

Multiple Simulations from a Single Run Control Dataset
The Run Control screen has been extended to support the reuse of a single Run Control dataset
to make multiple simulations without overriding previous results. This feature greatly extends theoptions for users running the models from external programs such as Simulink, especially whenconditions are varied outside the scope of the CarSim database. For example, multiple tests madewith HIL systems and driving simulators.

Output Files can be Included in CPAR
There is now an option to bundle run output files when creating a CPAR from the Run Control
screen, or when adding runs from the Library Tool. This way a user importing the CPAR can
immediately view results, even if they were made with advanced licenses not available for the
person importing the data.

29 / 31

Cloning Options added to Dataset Rename
Options to clone an existing dataset, as well as re-routing links to the new copy, and deleting theold original, have been added to the Edit > Change Title or Category of This Dataset command(CTRL + T).

Updated Screens
The Plot Setup and Plot Format screens were updated to match new capabilities of VS Visualizer.

VS Visualizer
CSV Input
VS Visualizer can now handle CSV files for making plots and generating animations. This supports
the new capability of VS Solvers for generating CSV files as another alternative to ERD and VS
files.
Be aware that less labeling information is available for plots based on CSV files. The convention
for spreadsheets is to have the first row provide names of the variables, with the rest of each column
being a time history of the named variable.

Plotting
A number of improvements were made for the plotting within VS Visualizer:
1. Commands were added to manage the time used in zoomed plots and in the time control
for the camera(s). Type ‘t’ to pan the active plot to the time used by the camera; type ShiftT to change the camera time to match the active plot.
2. The labels used to identify datasets in the legend are handled automatically to account for
titles, categories, and file names. These support the new option for making multiple
simulations from a single Run Control dataset.
3. Support was added for options available in the legacy WinEP program such as showing aframe around the plot area, not showing axes, and providing a fine grid.

Documentation Update
Minor edits were made throughout the Help documents. Documents that were changed to better
describe the new version are listed here.
The following Reference Manuals were updated:
1. SuspensionSim Commands and Parameters Reference Manual
2. VS API
3. VS Commands
4. VS COM Interface
5. VS Solver Programs
6. VS Visualizer

30 / 31The following Screen documents were updated:
1. Animator Reference Frames
2. Plot Screens3. Procedures and Events
4. Tools > Calculator Tool for Tables
5. Tools > Batch Runs
6. Tools > Preferences

Bug Fixes and Errata
In versions prior to 9.0 (2014), tables made with the VS Command DEFINE_TABLE supported
the option to use an algebraic formula to calculate the result from the Configurable Function. This
capability was accidentally removed in versions 9 and 2016; it is now restored.

Backward Compatibility
SuspensionSim 2017.0 will automatically convert databases going back to 8.2 (2015); thisconversion takes care of the screen parsfiles and keywords such that the GUI will recognize old
keywords and update them appropriately.

WinEP Plotter is Retired
The legacy plotter WinEP is no longer supported, in order to provide full support for VS Visualizer.
GUI controls for workarounds needed for the legacy tool were identified in past versions with red
text, announcing they would be removed in 2017.0. They are removed in 2017.0.
WinEP supported a moving average filter option, with a Plot Transform (Legacy) screen for
settings. It was never used in SuspensionSim examples and has been removed.

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