This function allows the user to animate the selected frames as shown in Figure 8.2.3

Figure 8.2.3  Animate

1.       PLAY  

This function is used to animate the selected frames. Once the frame number is bigger than 1, the PLAY button can be used (otherwise, disabled). After clicking the PLAY button, the other three buttons, PAUSE, STOP and RECORD are activated as shown in Figure 8.2.4.

Figure 8.2.4  Play Status

2.       PAUSE   

This function is used to pause the animation as shown in Figure 8.2.5. In this mode, the four other functions are enabled for use.

Figure 8.2.5  Pause Status

3.         FIRST FRAME

Display the first frame.

4.         PREVIOUS FRAME

Display the previous frame.

5.         NEXT FRAME

Display the next frame.

6.         LAST FRAME

Display the last frame.

7.         STOP

Stop the animation.

8.      

This function is used to record the current animation as AVI or E3D files. AVI file is a Microsoft multimedia file, which can save a series of 2D images. E3D is a file format developed by ETA, which can save 3D animation and play it in eta/3Dplayer.

l  During animation, click  button and the program displays the WRITE FILE window for the user to choose the file type and enter the name and location for the file. Select AVI (*.avi) or E3D (*.e3d) format to save the file, enter a file name and save to the designated directory. The default directory is where the d3plot files located.

l  After entering the file name and selecting a directory, click the SAVE button in the WRITE FILE window. For AVI file type, eta/Post displays the SELECT COMPRESSION FORMAT for the user to select the compression type and quality.

l  The program writes the AVI or E3D file for the current animation

9.       FRAME NUMBER

After the animation is paused, this function allows the user to drag the slider to the desired frame to display the result. During animation, the frame number can be adjusted automatically according to the current step.

10.   FRAMES/SECOND

This function allows the user to adjust the speed at which the animation is running by altering the number of frames per second. The user can drag the slider to adjust the frame rate. Once the frame rate is selected, the animation will continue at this frame rate until it is paused or stopped.