Is there a way to disable the visualization of a Simscape Multibody simulation in the Mechanics Explorer using a command?

When I want to switch off the visualization of a Simscape Multibody simulation, I have to uncheck the box "Open Mechanics Explorer on model update or simulation". I want to do that using a command or a parameter, so that I don't have to open Simulink and check or uncheck the box.

The only solution I found so far is to create a copy of my Configuration Parameter Set where the visualization is turned off and switch to the different Configuration Parameter Set by

setActiveConfigSet('mymodel', 'Copy_of_Configuration1_without_visualization')

This works, but the problem here is that this changes the .slx file everytime I do that which is not really convenient, especially when working with git.

Answer 1

[Brian Hong]

You can use a set_param command.

>> set_param(<model name>,'SimMechanicsOpenEditorOnUpdate','off')

[Katrin_S]

Thank you for your answer. This indeed seems to be the best way to do it.

This command, however, changes the .slx file. So even when you for example switch back the settings at the end of your script, the .slx file will still have changed. The way I handle it is to make sure that I don't save the changes when I close the model in order to avoid git from noticing a changed the file. This solution is not really satisfying, but there seems to be no way to disable the visualization in the Mechanics Explorer temporarily without changing the configuration set and thus the slx file.

[Brian Hong]

You could try not saving the model as in this example

https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2020a/control/ug/control-of-an-inverted-pendulum-on-a-cart.html

or using the sim command with the model parameter

>> paramNameValStruct.SimMechanicsOpenEditorOnUpdate = 'off';

>> simOut = sim(<model name>,paramNameValStruct)

to avoid changing the SLX.