Introduction
ShapeBuilder 8.0 offers an incremental improvement over version 7.0 with the following improvements to streamline your work flow
Major Features
- Explode Array command allows you to create asymmetric arrays or remove some parts from an array.
- Override Shape Color: see parts more clearly by optionally overriding material colors
- Quick Rotate: button on toolbar will rotate a selected shape by a preference-setting angle
- Unit Style Selection: easier access on the toolbar
- Material Search: dialog box offers a search feature, and other minor improvements.
- Copy Command: extended to place both a picture and all results (tabbed-delimited) on the Windows Clipboard
- Export to DXF: Shape outlines (and holes) will export to a CAD-compatible DXF file.
- Streamlined User Interface: layout is less distracting to your work
- Custom Report Logo: Add your own company logo to the report header, see Reports for details
Minor
- Default materials are 'remembered' as preferences for your next project
- Upgraded to CFS 8.0 implementation for cold-formed .scl import
- Simplified Export to IES Database dialog box
Introduction
ShapeBuilder 7.0 represents a complete rewrite of the software from the inside out. User's of previous versions should brace themselves for some fundamental (and excellent) changes. We hope you enjoy the fruit of our labor. The new system is built on the latest technologies such as multi-threaded operations to leverage the power of the processor in your machine. We have streamlined the steps required to work with shapes. We have removed requirements to destructively modify shapes before certain operations. We have streamlined and overhauled the user-interface to reflect actual usage of the product. The new system uses the concept of a "Flattener" which looks at overlapping parts of the same material and flattens them into a single boundary. Any hole shapes are then subtracted from this. It is important for you to use the "F" key in the Sketch View or the Filter option to show the flattened shape and verify it is what you expect it to be.
Engineering Improvements
- Updated all Shape and Material databases from AISC, NDS, AISI, ADM, etc.
- Improved Meshing for finite element analysis: "nice elements" and easy to control
- Improved accuracy in a dozen different ways for property calculations
- Rebar selection, arrangement, and adjustments are far easier in reinforced concrete sections
- Parametric shapes are more completely and consistently described
- Parametric shape "part properties" are available, similar to database shapes
- Advanced analysis is smarter about when it is applicable
- Monosymmetry factor "Beta 1" added to advanced analysis
- Improved DXF file import capabilities: No need to "Simplify" complex shapes!
- New import geometry formats available: BREP, CSFDB
Editing Improvements
- Holes are incredibly easy and flexible: toggle any shape to make it a hole
- Notch a shape with partially overlapping hole.
- Modify multiple shapes simultaneously to set common properties, or to align positions
- Snap Side-By-Side: Easily snap two selected shapes side-by-side or top-to-bottom with a toolbar button
- Snap Vertices: Drag one shape by a vertex and snap it easily to any other shape's vertex.
- Constrained dragging of shape vertex (Ctrl+) to stop when a shape 'hits' another
- Shape "Arrays" let you quickly and easily modify a rectangular or circular pattern of shapes
- Start Screen makes it easy to pick up where you left off or to start a new project
- Shape rotations are much easier to understand, rotation angles persist
- Alignment with a Locked Shape (other parts will align to the locked shape)
General and Performance
- Multi-threaded architecture to take advantage of modern processor capabilities
- FEA Meshing is 1000 times faster
- Faster loading of databases on startup
- Select general or reinforced concrete project at the start for a simpler, smarter interface
- Advanced analysis is much faster and automatically run in the background
- Built-in crash-handler to report detailed diagnostics to IES for improved quality
- Changed graphics from OpenGL to WPF/DirectX for improved performance and reliability
- Get a shape preview for the .SBF file in the Startup dialog
- Better error handling and presentation
Features Removed or Changed Significantly
Advanced torsional analysis of "separated" shapes or composite materials
We have removed the ability to calculate J for "disconnected" shapes or composite-material shapes. The reason we removed it, is because the entire calculation is based on the Warping Normal function and in the past we were making some very loose assumptions that we are no longer comfortable with making. How do two "independent" shapes behave in torsion? Does super-position apply? We don't have any good theoretical or test-data answers to this question, certainly not in the general sense for all shapes. You could analyze each part independently and use superposition if you think it is appropriate. You could provide some kind of connector parts to indicate how these shapes will be tied together during the torsional loading. Or you could help us track down some kind of published information on how to solve this problem!
Features Changed:
- Ability to edit the IES Shape database (files are user-friendly now, edit outside ShapeBuilder)
- Copy properties (as text) to Clipboard (new method: Right-click on Results, , )
- Paste outline data from clipboard to import shapes (redundant, use File | Import)
- Part Properties in reports (except Q, but still available in the tab)
Features Removed:
- Embedding rebar or holes is no longer required
- "Simplify" complex shapes, usually DXF imports. (for functionality & performance problems, not needed)
- Export to DXF file (not used)
- Import centerline coordinates (not used)
- Drawing/Editing Grid (useless)
- Copy image to Clipboard (just use Alt+PrtScn, crop away in Paint, Word, Excel...)
- Shape linking (not useful?)
- Shape Intersect, Inverse Intersect (not needed for anything)
- Automatic Load Annotation (not useful)
- Stress Graphs in the result view (not used)
- Annotation leader lines (not needed)
- Many Preference Settings (most were not needed or used)
Defects Corrected
- Composite shape plastic section properties were not correct
ShapeBuilder 3.0 is built on a whole new series of technology that will be appearing in future IES products. Some of the highlights of the new version include:
- Better Editing, Alignment, and Scrolling
- Better Export to VisualAnalysis
- Export for use in VisualDesign
- Easier Dimensioning and Annotating
- More Properties Calculated
- Better Printed Reports
- Draw Centerline of Thin-Walled Shapes
- Sketch Arbitrary Outlines and Holes
- More Parametric Shapes
- Import Shapes from DXF Files
- Advanced FEM Stress and Torsion Analysis
- Advanced Reinforced Concrete Analysis
- Expanded Shape and Material Databases
- Component Part Properties are Calculated
- Smart, Friendly Look and Feel
