Computer-implemented method for modifying a component of a computer-generated model of a motor vehicle

A computer-implemented method for modifying a component of a computer-generated model of a motor vehicle, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) performing a first computer-generated simulation of a first simulated accident of the computer-generated model, wherein the computer-generated model comprises multiple components, the first computer-generated simulation resulting in at least some of the components of the model being deformed;
• (b) producing a first video from the first computer-generated simulation, the first video visually representing the first simulated accident of the model;
• (c) comparing frames of the first video with one another;
• (d) calculating a first deformation sum from the comparison of the frames of the first video, the first deformation sum being calculated from deformations of the components during the first simulated accident;
• (e) modifying at least one of the components;
• (f) performing a second computer-generated simulation of a second simulated accident of the model with the at least one modified component, the second computer-generated simulation resulting in components of the model being deformed;
• (g) producing a second video from the second computer-generated simulation, the second video visually representing the second simulated accident of the model;
• (h) comparing frames of the second video with one another;
• (i) calculating a second deformation sum from the comparison of the frames of the second video, the second deformation sum being calculated from deformations of the components during the second simulated accident;
• (j) comparing the first deformation sum with the second deformation sum;
• and
• (k) rating the modification at step (e) as either positive or negative on the basis of the comparison at step (j) of the first deformation sum with the second deformation sum.