Conservation of Momentum
(CoM) techniqueusing VistaFX ~ A Close-Up View:

To begin the analysis, press the MOMENTUM button on the top toolbar.

Initially, the “CoM” pattern appears on your diagram.

 Once it is Left-clicked on, it appears as below:

Here is a closer view of both “CoM” patterns together:

 The yellow boxes are “grips” that can be moved as directed.

Within VistaFX, the process of determining pre-/post-impact velocity, etc. is started with CAD shapes (vehicles, etc.) positioned over known P.O.I.

The next task is to move the center blue-square (as seen here) to the position [crash centroid] where initial contact between both vehicles was determined from physical evidence or other verifiable references …

… as seen here:

Follow these instructions, by the numbers:

i.e.  2- Place this at Veh.1 CM position

        3- Place this at Veh.2 CM position

        4- Place this at Veh.1 final rest

        5- Place this at Veh.2 final rest

        6- Extend this out in Veh.1’s Approach direction

        7- Extend this out in Veh.2’s Approach direction

Initially, it may appear as below …. Now we’ll focus in on the departure paths ~ all based on known final rest positions, gouges, scrapes, tiremarks and other physical evidence.

The “grips” shown here, are “moveable” and simply can be Left-clicked on and moved accordingly to match as best humanly possible (approx. in line with physical evidence) to the post-impact pathway.

 Once satisfied, your CoM pattern & analysis may appear as below:

Beyond this CoM technique, users can fully Animate the crash in both 2D & 3D.   If appropriate, the Animation can include such features as Tire marks, Yawing vehicles (over marks), and Signal time changes (including signal color changes as well).   By choosing again the MOMENTUM button at the top tool-bar, the Momentum calculations and Vector-diagram can be reviewed.

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