R2024b

New Features, Bug Fixes

 Simulation 3D Environment Upgrade: Run 3D simulations using Unreal Engine 5.3

The 3D simulation engine that comes installed with Simulink® 3D Animation™ has been updated to Unreal Engine® 5.3. Previously, the product used Unreal Engine 5.1.

For more information, see Unreal Engine Simulation Environment Requirements and Limitations.

 sim3d classes: Use environment, actor, and sensor classes to create and interact with 3D environment

Use these sim3d classes to create and interact with the 3D environment.

TypeClassDescription
Environmentsim3d.World

Create a 3D environment that is rendered by using the Unreal Engine from Epic Games®.

sim3d.environment.WeatherConfiguration

(new for R2024b) Configure the weather conditions, including rain, fog, and snow, and set the position of the sun and clouds in a scene.

sim3d.environment.GeospatialConfiguration (Aerospace Blockset)

(new for R2024b) Stream 3D maps and configure the Cesium® ion™ stream.

Simulations with the sim3d.environment.GeospatialConfiguration object require Aerospace Toolbox or UAV Toolbox.

Actorssim3d.Actor

Create an empty actor in 3D environment.

sim3d.vehicle.ground.PassengerVehicle

(new for R2024b) Create a four-wheeled passenger vehicle that follows ground.

sim3d.person.Bicyclist

(new for R2024b) Create a bicyclist that follows ground.

sim3d.person.Pedestrian

(new for R2024b) Create a pedestrian that follows ground.

Sensorssim3d.sensors.MainCamera

Define perspective in the Simulation 3D Viewer window.

sim3d.sensors.IdealCamera

Implement an ideal camera.

Use the read function to extract data from the 3D environment.

sim3d.sensors.Camera

(new for R2024b) Implement a camera with a lens.

Use the read function of the object to extract data from the 3D environment.

sim3d.sensors.FisheyeCamera

(new for R2024b) Implement a camera with a fisheye lens.

Use the read function of the object to extract data from the 3D environment.

Simulations with the sim3d.sensors.FisheyeCamera object require Computer Vision Toolbox™.

sim3d.sensors.RaytraceSensor

(new for R2024b) Implement ray tracing to get the positions, surface normals, surface identifiers, and distances for objects in the scene.

Use the read function of the object to extract data from the 3D environment.

sim3d.sensors.Lidar

(new for R2024b) Implement a lidar sensor.

Use the read function of the object to extract data from the 3D environment.

sim3d.sensors.UltrasonicSensor

(new for R2024b) Generate detections from range measurements taken by an ultrasonic sensor.

Use the read function of the object to extract data from the 3D environment.

3D Environment: Use sim3d.World functions to implement custom views

Starting in R2024b, you can create multiple views with the createViewport function. The createViewport function now creates a viewport structure that includes the default view of the Simulation 3D Viewer and any custom views as fields. Previously, the createViewport function created a viewport structure with a single field, Main.

Additionally, you can also use these functions of the sim3d.World object to manage the views:

  • setView — Set one of the views in the viewport structure as the current view in the Simulation 3D Viewer window.

  • deleteViewport — Remove a custom view from the viewport structure.

3D Simulation: Programmatically control and interact with simulations

Starting in R2024b, you can use simulation pacing to slow down a 3D simulation and investigate system behavior. Use these properties of the sim3d.World object to control simulation pacing.

You can also programmatically interact with the simulation using new functions:

  • close — End simulation and close the Simulation 3D Viewer window.

  • view — Open the Simulation 3D Viewer window to view the 3D environment.

Simulation 3D Actor Block: Create light and annotations in 3D environment

You can now create these actors in the 3D environment using the Simulation 3D Actor block:

Light Actor: Project pattern, texture, or image onto surfaces

Starting in R2024b, you can use these properties of the sim3d.Light object to project a pattern, texture, or image onto surfaces, using the light source as a projector and adjusting the size of the projection.

  • LightFunction

  • LightFunctionScale