Part 3: Object Properties

Lesson 3.1: Object Properties

Customizing properties creates a meaningful environment for the objects in the scenario. The properties used to define STK objects and visualization windows are organized in the Properties Browser (). Each type of STK object has its own set of properties, which are organized into four main categories.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is using STK to provide a Test and Evaluation (T&E) integrated solution for the F-35 Lightning II Program, utilizing the STKExternal Propagator. You can read more about AGI's software being selected for F-35 here.

  1. Basic properties define the foundation for the type of object selected.
  2. 2D Graphics modify the general elements of an object's display in the visualization windows, such as color, line style, and markers.
  3. 3D Graphics modify the three-dimensional elements of an object's display, such as the 3D model - AGI (*.mdl) or COLLADA models, dynamic data displays, etc.
  4. Constraints define conditions that must be met before links become available (geometry, visibility, lighting, timing, RF signal strength).

STK allows a user to import data to define a vehicle route, orbit, or trajectory. You can accomplish this through the use of an external ephemeris (*.e) file, which is an ASCII text file formatted for compatibility with STK that includes time, position, and velocity information. Ephemeris data that is properly formatted can be imported into STK using the STKExternal Propagator

Modify Object Properties

Watch the following video, then follow the steps below incorporating the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

  1. Change the properties of a vehicle (any type: , , ).
    1. In the STK Object Browser, right-click on a vehicle (any type: , , ) and select Properties ().
    2. Change the vehicle's orbit/route/trajectory.Closed
        1. Satellite
          1. Select the Basic - Orbit page.
          2. Change the desired inputs.
          3. Click Apply to apply the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
        2. Aircraft
          1. Select the Basic - Route page.
          2. Change the desired inputs.
          3. Click Apply to apply the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
        3. Missile
          1. Select the Basic - Trajectory page.
          2. Change the desired inputs.
          3. Click Apply to apply the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
    3. Change the attitude of the vehicle.Closed
        1. Satellite
          1. Select the Basic - Attitude page.
          2. Change the desired Type (e.g. ECF velocity alignment with radial constraint).
          3. Click Apply to change the properties and keep the Properties Browser open.
        2. Aircraft
          1. Select the Basic - Attitude page.
          2. Change the desired Type (e.g. Coordinated Turn).
          3. Click Apply to change the properties and keep the Properties Browser open.
        3. Missile
          1. Select the Basic - Attitude page.
          2. Change the desired Type (e.g. ECF velocity alignment with radial constraint).
          3. Click Apply to change the properties and keep the Properties Browser open.
    4. Change the vehicle's color.Closed
      1. Select the 2D Graphics - Attributes page.
      2. Select the desired Color in the drop-down list.
      3. Increase the Line Width thickness.
      4. Click Apply to accept the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
    5. Change the vehicle's 3D ModelClosed
      1. Select the 3D Graphics - Model page.
      2. Click the ellipse () button beside the Model File option.
      3. Browse to the desired 3D model and click Open.
      4. Click Apply to accept the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
    6. Add vectors to the vehicleClosed
      1. Select the 3D Graphics - Vector page.
      2. Enable the Show option on the desired vectors (e.g. Sun Vector, Moon Vector, SunMoon Angle, Body Axes).
      3. Click Apply to accept the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
      4. Right-click on the object and select Zoom To.
    7. Add a Data Display for the vehicleClosed
      1. Select the 3D Graphics - Data Display page.
      2. Enable the Show option on a dynamic data display (e.g. Classical Orbital Elements).
      3. Click OK to accept the changes and dismiss the Properties Browser.
  2. Modify at least one ground site’s sensor () Properties.
    1. In the STK Object Browser, right-click on the ground site's sensor () and select Properties.
    2. Change the sensor's field-of-viewClosed
      1. Select the Basic - Definition page.
      2. Enter the desired Angle value in the textbox (e.g. 90 deg Cone Half Angle).
      3. Click Apply to accept the changes and keep the Properties Browser open.
    3. Change the sensor's range constraintClosed
      1. Select the Constraints - Basic page.
      2. Enable the Max Range option and enter the desired range constraint value in the textbox (e.g. 1000 km).
      3. Click OK to apply changes and dismiss the Properties Browser.

You can double-click on an object in the Object Browser to open its properties. If you want to have the properties page for two objects open, right-click on the second object in the Object Browser while the properties for the first are still open, and select Properties from the menu that appears.

Open topic with navigation