MEscopeVES

Installation & Introduction

(May 29, 2019)

Notice
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of
Vibrant Technology. Except as otherwise noted, names, companies, and data used in examples, sample outputs, or
screen shots, are fictitious and are used solely to illustrate potential applications of the software.
Warranty
Vibrant Technology, Inc. warrants that (a) the software in this product will perform substantially in accordance with
the accompanying documentation, for a period of one (1) year from the date of delivery, and that (b) any hardware
accompanying the software will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from
the date of delivery. During this period, if a defect is reported to Vibrant Technology, replacement software or
hardware will be provided to the customer at no cost, excluding delivery charges. Any replacement software will be
warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer.
This warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by the customer, customer
supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside of the environmental
specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or maintenance.
In the event that the software does not materially operate as warranted above, the sole remedy of the customer (and the
entire liability of Vibrant Technology) shall be the correction or detour of programming errors attributable to Vibrant
Technology. The software should not be relied on as the sole basis to solve a problem whose incorrect solution could
result in injury to a person or property. If the software is employed in such a manner, it is at the entire risk of the
customer, and Vibrant Technology disclaims all liability for such misuse.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. VIBRANT TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICALLY MAKES
NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE THE CUSTOMER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. VIBRANT
TECHNOLOGY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS
PRODUCT, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Copyright
The software described in this document is copyrighted by Vibrant Technology, Inc. or its suppliers and is protected
by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this
program, or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be prosecuted to the maximum
extent possible under the law.
You may make copies of the software only for backup or archival purposes. No part of this manual may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means for any purpose without the express written permission of
Vibrant Technology.

Copyright © 1992-2019 by Vibrant Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

Vibrant Technology, Inc.

12835 E. Arapahoe Rd.
Tower II, Suite 600
Centennial, CO 80112 USA
phone: (831) 430-9045
fax: (831) 430-9057
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.vibetech.com
 Table of Contents
Installation ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Computer System Requirements .............................................................................................................. 6
Installing MEscope .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Installing MEscope from the Installation CD ROM .................................................................................... 6
Installing MEscope from the Vibrant Web Site .......................................................................................... 6
MEscope Security System ................................................................................................................................ 8
If MEscope Won't Run ............................................................................................................................... 8
Help | About Box ........................................................................................................................................ 8
If Some Fonts Are Too Large ........................................................................................................................... 9
Installing the Vibrant License Server (VLS) ....................................................................................................... 9
Installing the VLS from the Installation CD ROM ...................................................................................... 9
Installing the VLS from the Vibrant Web Site ............................................................................................ 9
Configuring the Vibrant License Server ................................................................................................... 10
Configuring the Server Firewall (for Networks only) ................................................................................ 11
Advanced Topics ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Using the Vibrant License Server ............................................................................................................ 11
Borrowing a License from the VLS .......................................................................................................... 12
Installing an MEscope Data Viewer................................................................................................................. 13
Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 14
Animated Shape Display ......................................................................................................................... 15
Observing Vibration in Slow Motion ........................................................................................................ 15
Types of Measurements Imported ................................................................................................................... 15
Time Domain Functions ........................................................................................................................... 15
Frequency Domain Functions ................................................................................................................. 15
Time-Based ODS Animation .......................................................................................................................... 16
Frequency-Based ODS Animation................................................................................................................... 16
Mode Shape Animation .................................................................................................................................. 17
Documentation with Videos............................................................................................................................ 17
Projects, Data Files, and Windows .................................................................................................................. 18
MEscope Window .................................................................................................................................... 18
Data File Windows ................................................................................................................................... 18
Saving Data Files .................................................................................................................................... 19
Mouse Operations .......................................................................................................................................... 19
Window Operations ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Make a Window Active .......................................................................................................................... 20

3
 Installation

Center the active Window in the Work Area ............................................................................................. 20

Center the MEscope Window on the Desktop ........................................................................................... 20
Move a Window ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Re-size a Window .................................................................................................................................. 20
Close a Window ..................................................................................................................................... 20
Maximize a Window............................................................................................................................... 20
Minimize (Icon) a Window ..................................................................................................................... 20
Restore a Minimized Window ................................................................................................................. 20
Tool Tips ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Help | Show Tool Tips ............................................................................................................................. 20
Command Toolbars........................................................................................................................................ 21
Toolbars ................................................................................................................................................... 21
Moving a Toolbar ................................................................................................................................... 21
Customizing Toolbars ............................................................................................................................. 21
Adding a Tool to a Toolbar ..................................................................................................................... 22
Moving a Tool to Another Toolbar........................................................................................................... 22
Repositioning a Tool on a Toolbar ........................................................................................................... 22
Removing a Tool from a Toolbar ............................................................................................................. 22
Creating a New Toolbar .......................................................................................................................... 22
Locking the Toolbars .............................................................................................................................. 22
Hidden Floating Toolbars ........................................................................................................................ 23
Resetting the Toolbars ............................................................................................................................ 23
The MEscope Window ................................................................................................................................... 23
Project Fly-Out Panel .............................................................................................................................. 23
Work Area ................................................................................................................................................ 23
Project Folder Tabs ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Opening a Project From a Folder Tab ..................................................................................................... 24
Moving a Fly-0ut Panel ............................................................................................................................ 24
Creating a New Folder Tab ..................................................................................................................... 24
Opening a Project .......................................................................................................................................... 25
Project Menu with the Ribbon Style ........................................................................................................ 25
Opening a Previously Saved Project File ................................................................................................ 26
Creating a New Project............................................................................................................................ 26
Creating a New Data File ........................................................................................................................ 26
Adding a File from Another Project ......................................................................................................... 26
Importing a Data File ............................................................................................................................... 26
Structure (STR) Window ................................................................................................................................ 26

4
 Adding a Structure Model to a Project ..................................................................................................... 27
Creating a New Model ............................................................................................................................. 27
Data Block (BLK) Window ............................................................................................................................ 27
Adding a Data Block to a Project ............................................................................................................. 27
Shape Table (SHP) Window ........................................................................................................................... 28
Creating a Shape Table ........................................................................................................................... 28
Adding a Shape Table to a Project .......................................................................................................... 29
Time-Based ODS Demo ................................................................................................................................. 29
Changing the Animation Speed ............................................................................................................... 30
Quad View versus Single View ............................................................................................................... 30
Active View .............................................................................................................................................. 31
Zoom........................................................................................................................................................ 31
Pan .......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Rotation in the 3D View ........................................................................................................................... 31
Interpolated Motion .................................................................................................................................. 31
Frequency-Based ODS Demo ......................................................................................................................... 31
Maximum MAC Comparison.................................................................................................................... 32
Animating the ODS Near a Resonance ................................................................................................... 32
M# Display Formats................................................................................................................................. 33
Mode Shape Demo ........................................................................................................................................ 33
Contour Colors ........................................................................................................................................ 34
Acoustic Intensity Demo ................................................................................................................................ 34
Recording a Video ......................................................................................................................................... 35

5
 Installation

Installation

MEscope will run on both x86 (32 bit) and x64 (64 bit) versions of Windows.

Computer System Requirements

To use MEscope, your computer must have at least the following capabilities;
• Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 with the latest Service Pack installed
• A hard disk with at least 50 Gigabytes (GB) of available space
• Microsoft DirectX 11 compatible graphics hardware

To use MEscope in a Virtual Windows system, on a Linux computer or on Apple computer, the system must
support DirectX graphics hardware

Installing MEscope
MEscope cannot be run from its installation CD ROM or over a network. MEscope must be installed on a
computer hard drive and will only run on the same computer.

Installing MEscope from the Installation CD ROM

All files necessary to install MEscope on your computer are included on the Installation CD ROM.

1. Verify that your computer hard disk has at least 50 GB of free space
2. Terminate all other programs before starting the MEscope installation
3. Insert the Installation CD ROM into the CD ROM drive of your computer
4. Open Windows Explorer and display the CD ROM drive contents
5. Double click on MEscope-Installer.EXE to begin the installation
Installing MEscope from the Vibrant Web Site
1. Execute Support | Software Downloads on the Vibrant web site; www.vibetech.com
2. Double click on MEscope-Installer.exe on the Downloads page
3. Double click on MEscope-Installer.exe in its folder on your computer and all the App to be installed
The following Installation window will open
1. Click on Next

MEscope Installation Dialog Box.

6
The License Agreement dialog box will open next
2. Check the check box in front of "I agree to these terms and conditions", and click on the Next > button
The following dialog box will open.
3. Browse to a different Installation folder if necessary, and click on the Install button

MEscope Installation Options Dialog.

After the MEscope software has been installed, the following dialog box will open.

Begin Examples Installation dialog box.

4. Click on the Finish button
The Operating Manual in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format is also copied onto your hard drive.

7
 MEscope Security System

A list of operating manuals is displayed in your Internet browser by executing Help | Manuals in the ME’scope
window. These documents can be viewed with an Adobe Acrobat reader.

MEscope Security System

A complete MEscope installation consists of the following three parts;
1. The MEscope.EXE program and other software files
2. A USB Security Key or the Vibrant License Server (VLS) software
3. An MEscope license file named vtxxxxxx.vtl, where xxxxx is your unique license number

For example, if your license number is 15125, your MEscope license file will be named vt015125.vtl.

If MEscope Won't Run

If you get an error message when you attempt to execute MEscope.EXE, it could be due to one of the following;
1. Either the USB Security Key or the Vibrant License Server software is not properly installed and
functional
2. The License file vtxxxxxx.vtl is missing or corrupted
3. The vtxxxxxx.vtl license file does not contain your unique license number
4. The MEscope.EXE software is corrupted

After checking the above items and reinstalling the software, if MEscope still does not run, contact Vibrant
Technology for assistance.

Help | About Box

The license file vtxxxxxx.vtl authorizes the operation of the MEscope Package & Options that you purchased. The
Package & Options authorized by your license file vtxxxxxx.vtl are listed in the About box.

• Execute Help | About in the MEscope window to open the About box

About Box.

8
If Some Fonts Are Too Large
There is a setting in windows that can make some of the text in MEscope appear to be too large. When that occurs.
• Right click on the MEscope Icon on your desktop and select Properties from the menu
The Properties dialog box will open as shown below.
• Make the three selections shown in the figure below

Installing the Vibrant License Server (VLS)

The Vibrant License Server (VLS) is network-based software that can authorize multiple copies of MEscope to run
on a computer network. The VLS must be installed on a computer that is connected to your local network, and must
be accessible by any copy of MEscope that needs authorization to run.

Installing the VLS from the Installation CD ROM

To install the VLS software,
• Execute the following program; \Security Keys\Vibrant License Server\Vibrant License Server.exe
from the MEscope installation CD ROM
Installing the VLS from the Vibrant Web Site
1. Execute Support | Software Downloads on the Vibrant web site; www.vibetech.com
2. Double click on Vibrant License Server Installation on the Downloads page
3. Double click Download NetworkServer.zip
4. Follow the instructions to complete the program installation
5. When the VLS has been installed, a window will display the Machine ID of the computer
6. The Machine ID can also be obtained by executing Program Files | Vibrant License Server | Get
Unique ID from the Windows Start menu

9
 Installing the Vibrant License Server (VLS)

7. Email your License number and the Machine ID to [email protected]

8. A VLS license file VNS_#####.Lic will be emailed back to you

It is recommended that the VNS_#####.Lic file be copied to the C:\ Program Files \ Vibrant License Server
folder on the VLS computer.

Configuring the Vibrant License Server

After the Vibrant License Server has been activated on a computer, it cannot be activated on a different computer.

• Execute Program Files | Vibrant License Server | LMTOOLS from the Windows Start menu

Depending upon your computer security, you may need to right click on the program LMTOOLS and execute Run
as administrator.

• On the Service/License File tab, select Configuration using Services, as shown below.

On the Config Services tab,

1. Enter a Service Name, such as “Vibrant Server”
2. Enter the Path to the lmgrd.exe file. (This will typically be found in the C:\ Program Files \ Vibrant
License Server folder)
3. Enter the Path to the License file

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 4. Check Use Services and then Start Server at Power Up
5. Click on the Save Service button
6. In the Start/Stop/Reread tab, click on the Start Server button
7. On the Server Status tab, click on the Perform Status Enquiry button
The status of the license server is listed, as shown below. The server port and server name are also listed. The format
port@server name is used to connect to the server.
• In the example below, to connect to this license server, enter 27000@vtserver when prompted.

Configuring the Server Firewall (for Networks only)

The fire wall on the computer hosting the VLS needs to have inbound TCP exceptions set up allowing all MEscope
users access via the network. The configuration will be dependent upon the firewall being used. The following
Firewall exceptions are needed,
1. The port used by the VLS, which is usually a number between 27000 and 27009
2. The daemon, VIBETECH.EXE, which is typically found in the C:\Program Files\Vibrant License Server
folder
Advanced Topics

A network server manual that addresses more issues is located at

http://files.vibetech.com/docs/FlexNetAdminGuide.pdf

Using the Vibrant License Server

• Start MEscope. If the VLS is not found, the following dialog box will open.
• The port and server name for the Vibrant License Server should be entered using the format port@server
name, as shown below.

11
 Installing the Vibrant License Server (VLS)

If you have difficulty connecting to the VLS, it may be that communication with the license server computer is slow
and it timed out. To address this issue:
1. Open the Windows System Control Panel and enter sysdm.cpl in Search Programs and Files
2. Select the Advanced tab on the panel
3. Execute Environment Variables
4. Create a New environment variable named FLEXLM_TIMEOUT and a time out in microseconds. The
default time out is 100,000 microseconds (0.1 seconds)
5. Reboot the computer to apply this change

TIP: Pinging the server computer can show how long communications take with the server computer. Ping will
show the time to communicate in milliseconds (1 millisecond=1000 microseconds).

5. Open the Windows Command line and enter cmd in Search Programs and Files
6. Enter Ping followed by the server name, as shown below

Borrowing a License from the VLS

In order to run MEscope without being on the local network with the VLS, a license must be borrowed from the
VLS.

A borrowed license is node locked to the MEscope computer, making that license unavailable to other users until it
is returned to the VLS, or 30 days has expired, whichever occurs first.

To borrow a license,
1. Run MEscope while connected to the VLS
2. From the MEscope Help menu, execute Help | License Server
The License Server dialog box will open, as shown below.
3. Click on the Borrow button to borrow a license from the VLS
4. Click on the OK button to close the License Server dialog box, and continue using MEscope, either on the
local network, or using a borrowed license

12
If the date and time settings are not changed, the license will be borrowed for the rest of the day. The License
Server dialog box will change to the one shown below.

Installing an MEscope Data Viewer

MEscope can be used as a Data Viewer by others who do not own a valid MEscope license.

If your license is current on Software Maintenance & Support (SMS), you can share your Project VTprj files
with others who don’t have a valid MEscope license on their computer.

After MEscope has been installed on a computer it can be used as a Data Viewer for displaying data from a Project
VTprj file.
• Send your VTprj file and a copy of your MEscope License (vt######.vtl) file to the person wanting to use
MEscope as a Data Viewer, along with the following instructions,
1. Download http://files.vibetech.com/MEscope-Installer.exe
2. Copy the attached MEscope License file (vt######.vtl) into the same folder as MEscope-Installer.exe
3. Execute MEscope-Installer.exe to install MEscope and the license file

13
 Introduction

4. Execute Start Menu | All Programs | Vibrant Technology, Inc. | MEscope Data Viewer
Introduction
To enlarge this text, click on it, hold down the Ctrl key and spin the mouse wheel.

MEscope is a series of software packages & options that makes it easier for you to acquire, analyze, observe and
document noise & vibration in mechanical structures and operating machinery. You can use MEscope for a wide
variety of engineering tasks.
• Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) Analysis
• Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA)
• Operational Modal Analysis (OMA)
• Vibro-Acoustic Animation
• Vibration & Acoustic Signal Processing
• Vibration & Acoustic Data Acquisition
• Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) Modeling & Simulation
• Structural Dynamics Modification (SDM)
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
MEscope can also be used as the "heart" of an acquisition & post-processing system for remotely monitoring,
analyzing, and diagnosing failures in operating machinery or in structures such as bridges and wind turbines. When
used together with its archival database and operator Console graphics software, MEscope can be used for,
• Machinery Health Monitoring (MHM)
• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
• Environmental Monitoring
• Qualification Testing

Animation of a Photo Realistic Model.

14
Animated Shape Display
All MEscope packages contain a state-of-the-art interactive display for animating spatially defined shapes on a 3D
model of a machine or any test article. Shape data such as an operating deflection shape (ODS), mode shape,
acoustic intensity shape, or sound power through a surface can be displayed in animation on a photo realistic
model, like the one shown above. Displaying shapes in animation makes it easier to visualize and analyze structural
noise & vibration problems.
Observing Vibration in Slow Motion
By animating the spatial response of a structure in slow motion, you can view overall motion of a structure, and the
motion of one portion relative to another. Locations of excessive vibration or high noise levels are easily identified.
• With interactive sweep animation, you can sweep through a set of time histories and observe the recorded
response of a structure, whether its vibration is sinusoidal, random, transient, linear, non-linear,
stationary or non-stationary
• With interactive dwell animation, you can dwell at a specific time in a set of response time waveforms, or a
set of frequency spectra, and display shapes using either sine dwell or stationary dwell
Types of Measurements Imported
Every MEscope package can import multi-channel data from a wide variety of third-party data files. File formats
used by all popular multi-channel data acquisition systems, analyzers, recorders, and data collectors are supported.
Most popular file formats are supported, including ASCII text spreadsheet, MATLAB, DADiSP, Microsoft WAV,
and Universal File Format (UFF). MEscope will recognize most popular kinds of time or frequency domain
measurement functions. The following types of measurement functions are recognized by MEscope.
Time Domain Functions
• Time Waveform (vibration, sound pressure, strain gauge, temperature, etc.)
• Auto Correlation
• Cross Correlation
• Impulse Response Function (IRF)
Frequency Domain Functions
• Fourier Spectrum (FFT of a sampled Time Waveform)
• Auto Spectrum
• Cross Spectrum
• Power Spectral Density (PSD)
• Frequency Response Function (FRF) (Response / Force)
• Transfer Function (Output / Input)
• Transmissibility (Roving response / Reference response)
• Coherence (Ordinary, Multiple & Partial)
• ODS FRF (Roving response Auto Spectrum + phase relative to a Reference response)
• Acoustic Intensity
• Sound Pressure Level

15
 Time-Based ODS Animation

Time-Based ODS Animation

With MEscope, you can animate time-based Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS's) directly from multi-channel
data that was acquired spatially from a machine or structure.

Time-domain Sweep Animation is done by sweeping a cursor through a set of time waveforms.

You can stop the animation, back it up, and play it forward to observe in slow motion vibration phenomena that may
have taken place very quickly in real time. For example, you can observe in slow motion the run up, coast down, or
other transient behavior of a machine. During this transition period, the machine may pass through a variety of
vibrational states, due to resonances, unbalances, varying loads, fluid flow, etc.

Sweep Animation from Multi-Channel Time Responses.

Frequency-Based ODS Animation
With MEscope, you can animate frequency-based Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS's) directly from data that
was acquired from a machine or structure

During Sine Dwell animation, the ODS at a specific frequency is displayed using sinusoidal modulation.

A frequency-based ODS allows you to see how a structure behaves at a single frequency. While dwelling at a
frequency, the ODS will show you where vibration levels are highest and will indicate loose parts and connections.
You can display order-based ODS’s and determine whether or not a resonance is assisting in the vibration.

Sine Dwell Animation of a Mode shapes and an ODS Near a Resonance.

16
Mode Shape Animation
Modes of vibration are used to characterize resonant vibration in machinery and structures.
• All structures have specific natural frequencies at which they readily absorb energy
• When a resonance is excited, it can cause excessive noise and vibration, resulting in premature structural
failures
• Each resonance, or mode of vibration, is defined by its natural frequency, damping, and mode shape
• At or near a modal frequency, the response of a structure is usually dominated by the resonance
• A frequency-based ODS will often look like the mode shape of a nearby resonance, if the resonant response
dominates the ODS
However, mode shapes, along with their frequency and damping values, are more accurately obtained by curve
fitting a set of FRF measurements, or a set of Fourier spectra, Cross spectra or ODS FRFs calculated from operating
data.

Sine Dwell Animation of a Mode Shape.

Documentation with Videos
MEscope allows you to interactively record a video of any shape animation.
• A video is a sequence of animation frames saved into an video mp4 file
• Videos can be played back on any computer that can play an mp4 file
You can send videos to your clients, and they can view the animation just as it appears in MEscope. Videos can also
be embedded in Microsoft Power Point presentations or Word documents and played by clicking on them.
Individual frames can be cut from a video and pasted into documents, or annotations added to frames with a
graphics or text processor.

Dialog open while recording a video

17
 Projects, Data Files, and Windows

Projects, Data Files, and Windows

All work in MEscope is done in the currently open Project file.

Only one Project file can be open at a time in MEscope.

A Project file (with file name extension .VTprj) can contain one (or more) of the following data files,
• Structure (STR) file
• Data Block (BLK) file
• Shape Table (SHP) file
• Acquisition (ACQ) file
• Report (RTF) file
• Script (VSL) file
• Added files
All data in these files (except Added files), is contained within the Project file on disk.

Added files are stored separately on disk and are opened from MEscope in a separate application program.

MEscope Window

The MEscope window is always open when MEscope is running.

MEscope Window.
Data File Windows
A separate window is used to display and manipulate the contents of each data file within the currently open
Project. When a data file is opened, a copy of its contents on disk is put into RAM memory and displayed in its own
window. Each window name is preceded by its window type, followed by a colon
• A Structure file is displayed in an STR window

18
 • A Data Block file is displayed in a BLK window
• A Shape Table file is displayed in an SHP window
• An Acquisition file is displayed in an ACQ window
• A Report file is displayed in an RTF window
• A Script file is displayed in a VSL window

MEscope with a Structure (STR) and Data Block (BLK) Window Open.
Saving Data Files
• When a file is saved in MEscope, its file contents in RAM memory replace the contents of the file in its
(VTprj) file stored on disk.
• If a Project is closed without saving changes to one of its data files, the file contents in memory will be lost
and the contents of that file on disk will not be changed.
Mouse Operations
To enlarge this text, click on it, hold down the Ctrl key and spin the mouse wheel.

Many operations in MEscope require the use of the Windows mouse. Commonly used mouse operations include;
• Pointing, clicking, dragging, and rotation using the left mouse button.
• Zooming and scrolling using the mouse wheel.
• Displaying context menus using the right mouse button.
Other special mouse operations are performed in each data file window.

See the beginning of each Window Commands chapter for special mouse operations pertaining to that window
type.

19
 Window Operations

Window Operations
More than one data file window is open at a time during the use of MEscope. Learning how to open, close, move,
arrange & re-size windows is important for effectively displaying them together in the Work Area.
Make a Window Active
• Click anywhere within a window to make it the active window.
• The title bar of the active window is darkened or colored.
Center the active Window in the Work Area

• Execute Display | Center Window in the active window

Center the MEscope Window on the Desktop
• Execute Display | Center MEscope Window on the upper tool bar
Move a Window
• Position the mouse pointer over the title bar (on the top of the window)
• Click & drag the window to the desired position
Re-size a Window
• Hover the mouse pointer over one of its edges so that the mouse pointer changes to a double arrow.
• Then click & drag the edge
Close a Window
• Click on the close button in the upper right corner of the window
Maximize a Window
• Click on the maximize button in the upper right corner of the window
Minimize (Icon) a Window
• Click on the minimize button in the upper right corner of the window
Restore a Minimized Window
1. Double click on its Icon in the Work Area
2. Or double click on its file name in the Project Panel
3. Or click on its file name in the Open Windows list in Window menu in the MEscope window
Tool Tips
Each command in MEscope has a Tool associated with it.
• A Tool is a graphical button that accompanies the command in its menu
• A Tool Tip is a brief description of a command (typically its menu location and name)
Help | Show Tool Tips
When this command is checked, the display of Tool Tips is enabled.
• Click on a window to make it active
• Hover the mouse pointer over any Tool on a Toolbar or the Ribbon to display its Tool Tip

20
 Structure Window Showing a Tool Tip.
Command Toolbars
Most MEscope commands are contained in menus. Commands for each window can be displayed differently by
choosing one of three styles.
1. Ribbon: A command Ribbon for the active window is displayed together with the MEscope window
commands at the top of the MEscope window
2. Single Menu: A command Toolbar for the active window is displayed together with the MEscope window
commands at the top of the MEscope window
3. Window Menu: A command Toolbar is displayed in each window
4. One of the three styles is chosen on the Display tab in the Project | MEscope Options box
Toolbars
• Any command can be added to the command Toolbar for that window
• Command can be added to an existing Toolbar, or a new Toolbar can be created
• Toolbars can be floated or attached to one of the four sides of the MEscope window
Moving a Toolbar

• Place the mouse pointer over the beginning area on the (left or top) of the Toolbar
The mouse pointer will change to crossed arrows.
• Drag & drop the Toolbar to anywhere inside the MEscope window
Customizing Toolbars
• Position the mouse pointer in the menu or in the Toolbar area, right click, and execute Customize from
the floating menu

• Or click on the More Tools command at the end of a Toolbar and execute Add or Remove Tools |
Customize

21
 Command Toolbars

The Toolbar Customize dialog box will open, as shown below

Toolbar Customize Dialog Box.

Adding a Tool to a Toolbar
• Open the Customize dialog box
• Click on the Commands Tab in the Customize dialog box
• The menus for the window will be displayed in the Categories list
• Click on the menu name in the Categories list to display the commands in that menu
• Click & drag a Tool from the Commands list onto the Toolbar (until an I beam is displayed), and drop it
Moving a Tool to Another Toolbar
• Open the Customize dialog box
• Click & drag a command Tool from the Toolbar and drop it onto another Toolbar
Repositioning a Tool on a Toolbar
• Open the Customize dialog box.
• Click & drag a command Tool from its position and drop it into its new position on the Toolbar
Removing a Tool from a Toolbar
• Open the Customize dialog box
• Position the mouse pointer on the Tool and click & drag it off the Toolbar
Creating a New Toolbar
• Open the Customize dialog box
• Click on the New button in the Customize dialog box
• Enter the name of the new Toolbar in the dialog box that opens
• The new Toolbar is displayed in the Toolbar area at the top of the window
Locking the Toolbars
• Right click in the menu or in the Toolbar area, and execute Lock the Toolbars

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 • If Lock the Toolbars is checked, the Toolbars are locked in position.
Hidden Floating Toolbars
Floating Toolbars will become hidden behind other windows whenever their window is not the active window.
• To make floating Toolbars visible, click anywhere on a window to make it the active window
Resetting the Toolbars
• Execute File | MEscope Options in the MEscope window to open the Options dialog box
• On the Display tab, press Toolbars in the Clear User Settings section
The MEscope Window
The MEscope window is always open when MEscope is running.
• Click on its close button to terminate the operation of MEscope
The MEscope window contains a Command Menu, a Ribbon or Toolbar, a Project tab and File Folders tabs, all
normally located at the top of the window, as shown below. The Work Area is located in the center, and the Status
Bar is located on the bottom left of the window.
Project Fly-Out Panel
The Project fly-out panel contains two panes, separated by a moveable red splitter bar. One pane lists the data files
in the currently open Project file, and the other pane lists the Project (VTprj) files in the current disk folder.
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Project tab to display the Project fly-out Panel.

MEscope Window.
Work Area
The center of the MEscope window is called the Work Area. All data file windows in the currently open Project
are opened into the Work Area.
• Execute one of the commands in the Window | Arrange Windows menu to arrange the open windows in
the Work Area

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 Project Folder Tabs

• Right click in any window and execute Display | Center Window to center it in the Work Area
Project Folder Tabs
In addition to the Project tab, several default Project Folder tabs are added to the MEscope window when it is
installed. Hovering the mouse pointer over a Project Folder Tab will open the fly-out panel containing all of the
MEscope Projects in that folder.
Opening a Project From a Folder Tab
• Hover the mouse pointer over one of the tabs at the top of the MEscope window to open its fly-out panel
• Hover the mouse pointer over each Project thumbnail (picture) on the panel to display its name
• Double click on any Project in a fly-out panel to open the Project
• Move the mouse pointer off a fly-out panel to close it

MEscope Window Showing Demos Folder fly-out panel.

Moving a Fly-0ut Panel
• Hover the mouse pointer over a Folder Tab to open its fly-out panel
• Click on the pin icon in the upper right corner to pin the fly-out panel open, as shown below

Pinned Folder Fly-out panel.

• Drag the pinned fly-out panel into the middle of the Work Area
Notice that four arrow icons appear near the top, bottom & sides of the Work Area.
• Drag the pinned fly-out panel onto an arrow icon to attach it to the top, bottom or a side of the Work Area
• Click again on the pin icon in the upper right corner to un-pin the fly-out panel
Creating a New Folder Tab
Any Folder of Project files on your computer disk can be added as a fly-out panel to the MEscope window.

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 • Hover the mouse pointer over the Project tab to open its fly-out panel
• Right click on a Folder in the (right or bottom) pane in the Project fly-out panel
• Select Show Folder as Tab from the menu

Right Click To Create a New Folder Tab.

Opening a Project
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Project tab to display the Project Fly-out Panel.

MEscope Window with the Project Fly-out Tab Displayed.

Project Menu with the Ribbon Style
When the Ribbon style is used in MEscope,
• Click on the MEscope Icon in the upper left corner of the MEscope window to display the commands in
the Project menu

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 Structure (STR) Window

Opening a Previously Saved Project File

There are several ways to open a previously saved Project;
• Execute Project | Open in the MEscope window
• Select the Project from the list of Recent Projects in the Start Page window

The Start Page is displayed when no Project is currently open.

• Double click on the Project file name in the (right or lower) pane of the Project fly-out panel
• Right click on the file in the (right or lower) pane of the Project Fly-out Panel, and select Open from the
context menu
Creating a New Project
• Execute Project | New in the MEscope window.
If a Project is already open, you will be asked to save the current Project file before creating a new Project.
Creating a New Data File
• Execute one of the commands in the File | New menu in the MEscope window
Adding a File from Another Project
1. Double click on the file from another Project in the (right or lower) pane of the Project fly-out panel
2. Or right click on the file in the (right or lower) pane of the Project fly-out panel, and select Add from the
context menu
Importing a Data File
• Execute one of the commands in the File | Import menu in the MEscope window
Structure (STR) Window
A Structure (STR) file contains a 3D geometric model of a test article or acoustic surface on which shape data will
be displayed in animation.
• Each structure model is defined using Points, Lines, and Surfaces (Triangles or Quad Surfaces)
A Structure window is used for several purposes,
1. Drawing a 3D model of a test machine or structure.
2. Animating deformation shapes (ODS's, mode shapes, or acoustic shapes), or displaying scalar engineering
data using color contours.
3. Creating an FEA model by attaching FEA Objects (FEA elements) to the geometric model

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Both the SDM & FEA commands use FEA Objects. FEA Objects are provided when the MEscope VES-6000 &
VES-8000 options are licensed in your software.

Adding a Structure Model to a Project

There are several ways to add a structure model to a Project;
1. Execute File | Import | Structure, and import the model from an external source such as a CAD program
or spreadsheet file
2. Double click on a Structure (STR) file in the (right or lower) pane of the Project Fly-out Panel
3. Right click on a Structure (STR) file in the (right or lower) pane of the Project Fly-out Panel and select
Open from the menu
Creating a New Model
To create a new structure model in a Project;
• Execute File | New | Structure in the MEscope window, and create the model using the drawing tools in
the new Structure window.

Structure Window in Draw State.

Data Block (BLK) Window
A Data Block (BLK) file contains one or more time or frequency domain measurements. A measurement is a block
of sampled time or frequency data.
• All measurements in a Data Block have the same time or frequency axis values
• Each measurement in a Data Block has a unique measurement number (M#), based in its row in the
measurement properties spreadsheet
Time-based or frequency-based ODS's, mode shapes, acoustic shapes, or engineering data shapes are interactively
displayed on the structure model in a connected Structure window, using measurement values at the cursor position
in a Data Block window.
Adding a Data Block to a Project
There are several ways to add a Data Block to a Project,
1. Execute File | Import | Data Block and import measurements from a third-party data file

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 Shape Table (SHP) Window

MEscope can import data from a wide variety of third-party data files.

2. Double click on a Data Block (BLK) file in another Project, listed in the (right or lower) pane of the
Project Fly-out Panel
3. Right click on a Data Block (BLK) file in another Project, listed in the (right or lower) pane of the Project
Fly-out Pane, and select Open from the menu
There are several ways to create a new Data Block in a Project
1. Execute File | New | Data Block in the MEscope window and create a Data Block with synthesized time
waveforms in it
2. Use an Acquisition window to acquire measurements from a third-party acquisition front end, and save
them into a Data Block

Data Block Window Showing Four M#s in Row-Column Format.

Shape Table (SHP) Window
A Shape Table (SHP) file contains multiple shapes. Shapes can be displayed in animation directly from a Shape
Table, on the structure model in a connected Structure window.

A "shape" is defined as any data from two or more measurements made at different points & directions on a test
article.

• Common types of shapes are Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS's), mode shapes, acoustic shapes, and
engineering data shapes
• Each shape in a Shape Table has one or more shape components, defined in the shape DOFs spreadsheet
• Each shape component has a unique measurement number (M#), defined by its row in the shape DOFs
spreadsheet
Creating a Shape Table
A Shape Table (SHP) file can be created in a variety of different ways,
1. By saving shapes from a Data Block window during animation or curve fitting
2. By saving shapes from an SDM or FEA calculation

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 3. By saving shapes from a Sinusoidal ODS calculation in a Data Block or Shape Table
4. By executing File | New | Shape Table and manually entering data into the empty Shape Table
Adding a Shape Table to a Project
There are several ways to add an existing Shape Table (SHP) file to a Project
1. Execute File | Import | Shape Table and import shapes from a third-party data file
2. Double click on a Shape Table (SHP) file in another Project, listed in the (right or lower) pane of the
Project Fly-out Panel
3. Right click on a Shape Table (SHP) file in another Project, listed in the (right or lower) pane of the
Project Fly-out Panel, and select Open from the menu

Shape Table Containing Mode Shapes.

Time-Based ODS Demo
• Make sure the Help | Show Tool Tips is checked
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Machinery tab to display the Machinery Fly-out Panel
• Position the mouse pointer over the Gould Pump Demo, and double click to open its Project

Machinery Tab with Mouse Over Gould Pump Demo

Sweep animation will begin using ODS data from the Data Block on the right. The Data Block has 12 time
waveform measurements (12 M#s) in it. Notice that a Line cursor (vertical red line) is sweeping through the M#s
in the Data Block window. The model is being deformed by the ODS (M# data) at each cursor position.

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 Time-Based ODS Demo

Changing the Animation Speed

The animation may be too fast or too slow, depending on the speed of your computer. To change the animation
speed,
• Click in the Structure STR window to make it active
• Hover the mouse pointer over the STR window Toolbar to display the Tool tips
• Locate the Animate | Speed | Increase Speed (rabbit) and Animate | Speed | Decrease Speed (turtle)
Tools on either side of the Animation Method Tool
• Click on the Turtle Tool to decrease the animation speed
• Click on the Rabbit Tool to increase the speed

Time-Based ODS Demo Showing Sweep Animation.

Quad View versus Single View
The Structure window can display a single View of the structure model, or four Views together in a Quad View
format.
• 3D View (upper right quadrant)
• Z Axis View (upper left quadrant)
• X Axis View (lower left quadrant)
• Y Axis View (lower right quadrant)

When the Vertical Axis is changed on the Display tab in the File | Structure Options box, the labeling of the three
2D Views will also change.

To change between the Quad View and one of the four Views,
• Double click on a single View in the Quad View to display that View
• Double click on the single View to display the Quad View

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Active View
When the Structure window is in Quad View, the active View is indicated by the yellow box in the Display | View
button.
• Click on a View to make it active

• When the 3D View is active the upper right quadrant of the Display | View button is yellow
• In Quad View, click on each View to make it the active View and turn it yellow on the Display | View
Tool
Zoom
• Click in a View to make it active and spin the mouse wheel to Zoom the structure in that View
Pan
• Hold down the Shift key and drag the mouse to Pan the structure model in the active View
Rotation in the 3D View
• Click & drag in the 3D View to rotate the structure
Interpolated Motion
The deformation of the machine model is being created using data from 12 M#s in the Data Block (3D motion at
only Points). During animation, these four points (the numbered points shown below on the machine model) would
be the only ones moving. Without interpolation, the unmeasured points on the model would not move, but they are
moving also. The motion of each unmeasured point is being interpolated from the motions of its nearby measured
points and the fixed DOFs of the points on the base.
Deformation of the 12 measured DOFs is defined using Measured Links in the STR window. Geometric
interpolation of the un-measured DOFs is defined using Interpolated Links.

• Execute Animate | Using Interpolated Links in the STR window to disable and enable geometric
animation of the un-measured DOFs on the machine

Model Showing Four Labeled Test Points

Frequency-Based ODS Demo
• Make sure the Help | Show Tool Tips is checked
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Demos tab to display the Demos fly-out panel

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 Frequency-Based ODS Demo

• Move the mouse pointer over the Jim Beam Demo, and double click to open its Project
Comparison Sweep animation will begin using mode shape data from the Shape Table and ODS data from the Data
Block on the right. The animation has been setup to complete three cycles of Dwell animation before displaying the
next mode shape in the the Shape Table.
Maximum MAC Comparison
Notice that a MAC bar is also displayed in the STR window. The animation has been setup to display the ODS
from the Line cursor (vertical red line) in the Data Block (lower right) that has the maximum MAC value (best
correlation) with the mode shape being displayed from the Shape Table (upper right). Sinusoidal modulation of is
used to create the sine dwell animation of both the mode shape and the ODS.
The Data Block contains 99 FRF measurements (99 M#s) that define the 3D motion at 33 test points on the Jim
Beam. Likewise, each mode shape in the Shape Table has 99 DOFs (99 M#s) that define its 3D mode shape at the
same 33 test points.
• To view each FRF measurement, drag the vertical scroll bar on the right side of the graphics area in the
Data Block (BLK) window

Sweep Animation at a Resonance Peak.

Animating the ODS Near a Resonance
The peaks in the FRF measurements are evidence of structural resonances, or modes of vibration. At or near a
resonance peak, the ODS (values of the FRFs) is being dominated by the mode shape (with maximum MAC value)
associated with that resonance. For lightly damped structures, the ODS at or near a resonant frequency will closely
approximate the mode shape and the maximum MAC value will be at or near “1”. To correlate each mode shape
more closely with each ODS,
• Right click in the BLK window and execute Format | Overlaid from the context menu

• Right click in the BLK window again and execute M#s | Imaginary to display the Imaginary parts of
the FRFs in Overlaid format
• Click on any shape in the SHP window.
The Maximum MAC between each mode shape and it corresponding ODS in the Data Block is very close to “1”
for all pairs. This shows that the Imaginary part of the FRFs (with g’s as the numerator units) is a very good
approximation of a mode shape.

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 Animation at a Resonance Peak.
M# Display Formats
There are several different formats for displaying M#s (measurements) in a Data Block (BLK) window. To display
M#s in a Row/Column format,
• Execute Format | Rows Columns in the Data Block window
A graphical array of rows & columns will be displayed below the command.

Data Block window with Rows & Columns selection box.

• To display 2 rows and 2 columns, choose 2, 2 from the array of rows & columns
• Try the other commands in the Format menu, Strip Chart, Waterfall, and Contour Map
Mode Shape Demo
• Make sure the Help | Show Tool Tips is checked
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Demos tab to display the Demos fly-out panel
• Move the mouse pointer over the Vibrant Beam Demo, and double click to open its Project
• Execute Draw | Animate Shapes in the Structure (STR) window

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 Acoustic Intensity Demo

Sweep Animation will begin in the Structure window displaying mode shapes from the Shape Table. In the (upper)
Shapes spreadsheet in the Shape Table window on the right, notice that one of the Select Shape buttons is depressed
(with a green Select Shape button). This is the mode shape currently being displayed in animation on the structure
model. The mode shape will automatically increment to the next shape because Sweep Animation is enabled.

• Execute Animate | Method | Sine Dwell to change the animation from Sweep to Sine
Dwell.
• Click on a different Select Shape button in the Shapes spreadsheet to display its shape in animation
Contour Colors
Many display functions in the Structure window toggle between checked (meaning they are enabled) and un-
checked (meaning they are disabled). Contour colors can be displayed on structure model surfaces to show areas of
high versus low shape values. The colors used for the color contour map are specified in the File | Options box of
the Animation Source window, in this case a Shape Table window.

• Execute Animate | Contours | Contour Colors in the STR window to display contour colors on the
surfaces of the structure model

• Execute Animate | Contours | Contour Colors again to disable the contour fill display

Mode Shape Animation Showing Contours.

Acoustic Intensity Demo
• Make sure the Help | Show Tool Tips is checked
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Demos tab to display the Demos fly-out panel
• Move the mouse pointer over the Intensity Demo, and double click to open its Project
• Execute Draw | Animate Shapes in the Structure (STR) window
Sweep Animation will begin from a Data Block of Acoustic Intensity measurements acquired from in front of a
speaker. Notice that acoustic measurement data is displayed in an octave band format (1/3 octave in this Data
Block), and that a (vertical red line) Line cursor is sweeping through the M#s in the Data Block window. The color
contours on the acoustic surface in front of the speaker are indicating levels of intensity at the cursor position.
Arrows are also being displayed to indicate the magnitude & direction of the acoustic intensity.

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 Acoustic Intensity Animation.
Recording a Video
A Video is a sequence of animation frames saved into a mp4 video file. The commands in the Video menu in the
STR window are used to create videos of the animated display in the STR window or the entire MEscope window.
After a video is recorded, it is immediately played back using a Windows Media Player.
• Make sure the Help | Show Tool Tips is checked
• Hover the mouse pointer over the Vehicles tab to display its fly-out panel
• Move the mouse pointer to display the Model Airplane demo, and double click to open its Project
• Execute Video | Structure Video in the STR window
• Save the video on your desktop in the dialog that opens
• In the next dialog box, press the Start button to begin recording the video
• Hold down the left mouse button and rotate the model while the video is being recorded
• Press the Stop button in the dialog box to finish recording the video

Recording a Video.

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