Using the Posture Editor

This task describes the functions of the Posture Editor and how to use them to move manikin segments.

The Posture Editor is a tool used to move manikin segments in forward kinematics. The segments or degrees of freedom (DOF) are moved one step at a time. This tool allows you to give a precise value to each degree of freedom of every joint.

The manikin's structure consists of 68 articulated joints with 6 coupled joints (range of motion can depend on the position of a neighbor joint).

Select Posture Editor

, and a manikin. The Posture Editor dialog box is displayed on the screen when the manikin is selected.

The Posture Editor dialog box includes the following sections:

The Degrees of Freedom can be modified either through the Value section or through their graphical representations.

Segments

Displayed below the manikin name is a list of human body segments corresponding to the selection made in the Part menu. Select the name of the segment in the list to select it.

Note:
Individual vertebrae are no longer listed in the Segments field or in the PPR tree. For ease of selection they are now grouped into two sections: Lumbar or Thoracic. Full Spine may also be selected as a unit made up of both Lumbar and Thoracic sections.

Lumbar

Thoracic

Hand filter:

When the Hand Only option is selected, only the hand is available in the Segments multi-list.
When the Hand and Fingers option is selected, all of the fingers are also available in the Segments multi-list.

Side:

When you edit certain segments such as the arm, you can choose which side you want to work with: Left or Right.
Left is the default option when the dialog box opens.

Degree of Freedom

From the Degree of Freedom list, you can choose from three types of DOFs:

flexion/extension
abduction/adduction
medial rotation/lateral rotation

When the Posture Editor dialog box opens, the Degree of Freedom field in the dialog box is grayed out and has "DOF0" as its field value. This changes to the default value "flexion/extension" only when one of the segments is selected.

A segment can have up to three DOFs. Examples of possible segment DOFs are:

The forearm has two DOFs:
- flexion/extension
- pronation/supination
The arm has three DOFs
- flexion/extension
- abduction/adduction
- medial rotation/lateral rotation

Each of the DOF types, flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and medial rotation/lateral rotation, also have specific movement types. These are:

DOF	Movement Type	Axis
flexion extension	dorsiflexion hyperextension	transversal
abduction adduction	eversion, ulnar deviation, elevation inversion, radial deviation, depression	sagittal
medial rotation lateral rotation	supination pronation	longitudinal

Value

Use the Value functionality to assign a precise posture to a segment. The value of the DOF is presented in angle and in percentage of the total range of motion (%).

Value percentage slider

The percentage (%) slider corresponds to the value in percentage of the total range of motion for the selected DOF. This value can be edited directly by sliding the cursor with the left mouse button.

Value spinner

This field allows you to enter a specific value in degrees using the keyboard. You can increment or decrement to segment rotation one unit at a time using the small arrows at the right end of this field. You can also change the step by using the spinner's contextual menu.

Motion

The motion field corresponds to the direction of movement, 0 degrees being the neutral point.

Coupling:

The range of motion (flexibility, functional limitation) for six pairs of segments on the manikin can be coupled, i.e., conditional to the position of another joint. These segments are: the claviculars, the arms, the forearms, the thighs, the legs, and the ankles.

Coupling modifies the range of motion of these segments only. It has no effect on any relationship that may exist between other body segments.

By default, coupling is inactive.

Display

The Display function has two options: Angular Limitations and Animate Viewpoint.

Angular Limitations (chart)

This check button displays or hides the graphical representation of the angular limitations for each degree of freedom.

Two arrows limit this range of motion, which is set by default at the 50th percentile of the population.

The green arrow shows the upper limit
The yellow arrow shows the lower limit
The blue arrow represents the segment's current position

Animate Viewpoint

This option zooms on the selected segment and changes the viewpoint in order to provide the best possible view for that degree of freedom. This improves the range of motion chart display and as well as the capability to better manipulate the blue arrow.

Predefined Postures

Use the Predefined Postures functionality to assign a predefined posture to the worker. From the Predefined Postures list, choose from the six available postures.

Use the Predefined Postures functionality to assign a predefined posture to the manikin. From the Predefined Postures list, choose from the available postures.