Versions

• Version 7.0 released January 2025
• Version 6.0 released April 2022
• Version 5.0 released November 2018
• Version 4.0 released December 2017
• Version 3.0 released May 2015
• Version 2.0 released January 2014
• Version 1.0 released January 2011

Scripts & Command Line

• Command Line is a powerful new way to drive the program:
  • Definite slabs, line stiffeners, point supports, line supports etc.
  • Apply loads to regions, load points, and line stiffeners
  • Adjust the analysis settings
  • Extract plate results (displacements, shears, moments, etc.)
  • Add tables to report and export reports
• External Script files can automate common tasks and much more:
  • Generate boundaries, apply loads, extract results
  • Refine the mesh until model converges
  • Perform model optimization

New Report Features

• Added option to save reports in the project
• Added option to save reports as a style
• Reorganized report project manager
• Table of Contents report table
• Added Clear Tables button

Other Features

• Query plate results at a specified location
• Improved behavior of support springs
• Updated Microsoft .NET framework for features and performance

New Features

• Boundary's mesh can be refined at load point and point support locations
• Improved handling of models with misaligned geometry
• Improved drawing grids
• Improved the performance of generated loads
• Program ensures area loads are properly modeled before starting the analysis
• Line stiffener loads remain constant when switching between resultant and distributed
• Load Case Manager columns now retain their size and order
• Plate result diagram overhaul
• Improved filtering of table extremes
• Preferences created for justification of text and data in reports
• Individual column justification added in reports (right click on column)

Fixes & Minor Changes

• Improved Help File documentation
• Load Area information added to Area Uniform Loads tab in the Find Tool
• Added Sigma Top columns to the Plate Stresses table
• Crash recovery file improvements
• Updated the c++ runtimes to the current standards

General

• Graphic wire-frame in picture view mode
• Project Manager: Categories remember last open/collapsed state
• Project Manager: drop-lists are activated by clicking anywhere, not just on arrow
• Improved warning message formatting
• Improved Print Preview display for graphics
• Column-line graphics are "filtered" to avoid clutter
• Improved area load graphics with shaded tops
• Graphics performance is up to 20x faster
• Removed 'memory leaks', which slowed program over time

Modeling

• Full area support (rigid and flexible) can now be applied to an area
• Ability to insert a vertex along an area side
• DXF import shows bounds and an option for centering at the origin
• Polygon boundary defined by side length in addition to radius

Loading

• Ability to move area loads by side coordinates
• Line stiffener loads can now be applied relative to wall orientation (parallel and perpendicular)
• Multiple selection in Load Case Manager

Analysis

• Line supports now insert a "drilling" spring support
• Individual service cases can be analyzed
• Analysis is now 12% faster

Reporting

• Name filters are now enabled for both graphic and report filters
• Unavailable tables shown disabled with reason for not being available
• Table drop position used to locate when adding new tables in Text Reports
• Full report can now have categories filtered (model, loads, results, graphics)

The concrete design module of VisualPlate 3.0 was removed and ConcreteBending 4.0 was created

General

• 64-bit implementation, no more out-of-memory issues
• Multiple-threaded architecture uses all processor cores
• New UI, Ribbon toolbar, consistent with other IES tools
• 3D model/viewing (ctrl+mouse wheel or click the cube)
• Preference settings (fonts, colors, sizes, options, etc.)
• History Flies (automatic daily backups of a project-file, see preferences)
• Your Logo in a Text Report (see preferences)

Modeling

• No merge/intersection necessary for boundaries
• Easier to edit
• Automatic split/connect meshing for crossing or overlapping line supports, beams
• Control over overlapping for plate thicknesses
• DXF import has insertion point so huge coordinate files can be moved.

Loading

• Implements ASCE 7 load combinations
• More Direct full-boundary loading

Analysis

• Automated behind-the-scenes
• Much faster analysis (using all processor cores)
• Accurate results

Reporting

• Powerful Report Viewer
• Many tables and options
• Saved reports in project files
• Paste graphics into reports
• Complete project report
• Predefined, customizable reports