Learn more about Simulink 3D Animation

Installing Simulink 3D Animation Software on the Host Computer

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Section Overview Components on a Host Computer Installing from a DVD (Windows) Installing from a DVD (UNIX/Linux) LD_LIBRARY_PATH Environment Variable (UNIX) Known Issue with the Simulink 3D Animation and Internet Explorer 6.0 (Windows) Products

Section Overview

You may install the Simulink 3D Animation software from a DVD or from the MathWorks Web site. Before you install the software for a standard installation, you need your online MathWorks Account. For detailed information about the installation process, see the MathWorks installation documentation for your platform.

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Components on a Host Computer

This section introduces you to the individual components of the Simulink 3D Animation software: what they are, what they are used for, and when they should or should not be installed. If you are not interested, you can skip this section, or you can simply accept the defaults at the component selection screen, and the recommended default components are installed.

• Simulink 3D Animation software — This component contains the core files that interconnect the MATLAB and Simulink interfaces to VRML. This component is required for the software to operate, and you must install it on the host computer. This component is not used on a client computer.

• Simulink 3D Animation viewer — This is a multiplatform VRML viewer that is included with the Simulink 3D Animation software, and it is set as the default viewer for displaying virtual worlds.

• VRML plug-in — Optionally, you can use a VRML plug-in for a Web browser to view virtual reality worlds. The Blaxxun Contact plug-in is included with the Simulink 3D Animation product for Microsoft Windows platforms. However, you can also use the Simulink 3D Animation viewer. A VRML plug-in is the only component that you need to install on a client computer.

• VRML editor — If you are going to create and modify virtual worlds, you need a VRML97-compatible editor. Ligos V-Realm Builder software is included with the Simulink 3D Animation product for Windows platforms. If you do not plan to edit virtual reality worlds or if you prefer to use a different VRML editor, you do not need to install it on your computer. For UNIX and Linux platforms, the MATLAB editor is the default VRML editor. This component is not used on a client computer.

• Example models — These are MATLAB and Simulink programs and models connected to prebuilt virtual reality worlds. You can use these models and virtual reality worlds both for discovering the capabilities of the Simulink 3D Animation product and as templates for building your own projects. This component is not used on the client computer.

• Online documentation — This component contains the guide you are reading now. You can access the online version through the MATLAB Help browser. An Adobe^® Acrobat^® PDF file is available on the MathWorks Web site at http://www.mathworks.com. Follow the links to product documentation. This documentation can be read using the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this reader installed on your computer, you can download it from http://www.adobe.com.

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Installing from a DVD (Windows)

To install the Simulink 3D Animation software from a DVD on a Windows platform:

1. Insert the DVD into your host DVD-ROM drive.

   The installation program should start automatically after a few seconds. If the installation program does not start automatically, run setup.exe on the DVD.

2. Follow the instructions on each of the screens to complete the installation.

The Simulink 3D Animation viewer is installed with the software. For PC platforms, you have the option of installing a VRML plug-in for your browser as an alternative to the viewer. See Installing a VRML Plug-In (Windows).

If you are on a PC platform, you need to complete additional steps for installing the VRML editor. See Installing the VRML Editor (Windows).

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Installing from a DVD (UNIX/Linux)

The following is an overview of how to install the Simulink 3D Animation software on a UNIX or Linux platform from the DVD. Consult the installation guide for your platform for a comprehensive explanation of the installation process.

1. Log in to your system.

2. As necessary, mount the DVD-ROM drive.

3. Run the appropriate installation script for your platform.

4. During the installation process, a dialog box allows you to select the products to install.

   This dialog box lists all the products you are licensed to install in the Items to Install box. Make sure the Simulink 3D Animation product is listed in this box.

5. Follow the instructions on each of the remaining screens to complete the installation.

The Simulink 3D Animation viewer is the default viewer for UNIX platforms. For more information, see Simulink 3D Animation Viewer.

If you are on a UNIX platform, the MATLAB editor is your default VRML editor. For more information, see VRML Editor (UNIX/Linux).

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LD_LIBRARY_PATH Environment Variable (UNIX)

If your system does not have the OpenGL^® software properly installed when you run the Simulink 3D Animation viewer, you might see an error message like the following in the MATLAB window:

Invalid MEX-file 'matlab/toolbox/sl3d/sl3d/vrsfunc.mexglx':
libGL.so: cannot open shared object file 

If you see an error like this, set the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.

If the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable already exists, use a line like the following to add the new path to the existing one:

setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH
matlabroot/sys/opengl/lib/<PLATFORM>:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH 

If the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable does not already exist, use a line like the following:

setenv LD_LIBRARY_PATH
matlabroot/sys/opengl/lib/<PLATFORM> 

In both cases, <PLATFORM> is the UNIX platform you are working in.

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Known Issue with the Simulink 3D Animation and Internet Explorer 6.0 (Windows) Products

Version 6.0 of the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser might incorrectly interpret system Sun Java library paths, preventing Simulink 3D Animation components (such as those for the Simulink 3D Animation viewer) from running properly. Netscape Navigator browser users do not experience this problem.

If you are using Internet Explorer 6.0, you should manually edit the Java library path for Internet Explorer 6.0. Alternatively, you can also use Internet Explorer 5.5 with the Simulink 3D Animation product.

Editing the Java Library Path

To manually edit the Java library path for Internet Explorer 6.0,

1. Run the regedit command.

2. Go to

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\JavaVM  

   A list of value names and their values appears.

3. Replace each instance of %systemroot% with the system root path. For example:

   C:\WINNT 

4. Restart the computer.

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System Requirements

Installing the VRML Plug-In Viewer on the Host Computer

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