IronCAD 5.2
New Features
Getting Started with IronCAD 5.2
Please take the time to read through this before running IronCAD 5.2. This document contains all the new features introduced in this release. Additional new feature documentation can be found in the ReadMe.txt on the InnovationSuite CD under the README folder for IronCAD, Inovate, and TeamVault. "Show-Me" tutorials have been provided with this documentation that will walk through simple examples of the new functionality added in this release. "Show-Me" tutorials are visually rich, yet extremely compact movie files, which transform static text help files into vivid product demonstrations. Each "Show-Me" opens in its own unique Java™ enabled browser window (and requires no plug-ins). In order to access the "Show-Me", you will need a browser that is Java™ enabled. Click on the following link to test your browser for Java support: Java Test. To see specific information on browser support, please click the following link: Browser Information . The following "Show-Me" tutorials will automatically begin to play when you select the "Show-Me" icon. Additional controls in the "Show-Me" can be used to pause, stop, fast-forward, and rewind.
To view new features introduced the previous IronCAD 5.0 release, click on the following link: IronCAD 5.0 New Features.
Modeling
Enhancements
New 3D Annotation Capability
New 3D Annotation capability is available in the scene environment of IronCAD/Inovate to allow for better communication in 3D. Users can create text with leaders that reference parts, assemblies, and IntelliShapes. These annotations are used to add design information that can be shared by others in the design process.
New Loft Surface Creation Capabilities
Using the existing loft capabilities of IronCAD, users can create both solid and surface based loft shapes. This addition continues to show the progression of IronCAD's emerging surface modeling capabilities. In the upcoming releases, additional surface creation and editing capabilities will be added, allowing IronCAD to grow in both the solid and surface modeling areas.
Catalog Drag & Drop Enhancements
Users are now able to drag and drop items directly into any catalog, without first selecting the desired catalog as was necessary in previous versions. With this capability, user can quickly drag items into any catalog without having to specify beforehand which location to drop the items.
New Drag & Drop Between Catalogs
Enhancements now allow the user to copy items directly from one catalog to another, further enhancing the power of catalogs in IronCAD/Inovate.
Scene Browser Scroll Option
Additional control over dragging items within the scene browser has been added. By default the scene browser will now scroll dynamically with drag operations. This feature can be adjusted in the Tools/Options menu under Interactions, or by holding down the [ALT] key when dragging.
New Color Options Available for 2D Sketch
New color options are available for the 2D Sketcher allowing for improved visual representation. Options for 2D profile geometry, geometry constraints, and the geometry indicators can be adjusted in the Tools/Options menu in the color tab.
New Linked Instance Dimension Representation
A new display representation for dimensions used in certain linked parts/assemblies has been introduced. In the case of child reference dimensions, the extension line and arrows will appear dotted indicating the reference relationship. The originating dimension is displayed in the default display of SmartDimensions. This display representation is used to convey that the linked dimensions are references of the original dimension. These dimensions can be edited and moved. However, they are removed if the linked part/assembly containing the dimension is removed from the linked instance group. To learn more about this behavior, please view the ReadMe.txt contained on the InnovationSuite CD.
3D Curve Editing Capability for Edge Generated 3D Curves
Edge generated 3D Curves (3D Curves created by right-clicking on an exiting edge) can now be edited using all existing 3D Curve capabilities. Users can edit the curves using the 3D Curve creation tools (Spline, Line, Arc, and Smoothly Connected Curves). This allows users full functionality in editing 3D Curves created natively or from edge generated 3D Curves.
Drawing Enhancements
New PDF Export Option Available for IronCAD Drawings
A new option to export as PDF (Adobe file format) is available from within an IronCAD drawing. This allows the ability to export IronCAD Drawing Files as vector representation files that can be viewed on any computer that has the free Adobe Acrobat viewer installed. Vector representation gives users clean and accurate representation of lines and text when viewing and printing.
Viewable IronCAD Drawing Files
Native IronCAD Drawings are now viewable with or without IronCAD due to the new IronCAD Drawing Shell Extension. When installed this free utility enables any Windows PC user to right click on an IronCAD 5.2 drawing and view (using Adobe Acrobat) or print it. This functionality exists by default when IronCAD is installed. The utility is named IC2DShell.exe and is stored on the InnovationSuite CD under IronCADInovate/Program Files/InnovationSuite/AddOns/IronCADShellExt folder. After installing the utility, customers can immediately view your 2D Drawings. This tool is currently being provided as an unsupported utility.
Reattachment Tool for Dis-Associated Dimensions
With older IronCAD drawing documents there is a chance that dimensions may become detached and display in magenta. These dimensions may now be reattached with the following match criteria: Exact, Similar, Anything and Match Range in units. Users may choose to never display this dialogue, display only when detached dimensions are present, or automatically reconnect based on the criteria. This functionality should not be required for any drawings/scenes created completely in 5.2 and above.
Dimension to Theoretical Intersection Tool
A new option in 2D Drawing is available to create a Reference Intersection that can be used for dimensioning. Intersection display types include intersection with extension lines, intersection only, and marker only (Markers included Filled dot, Hollow dot, and None). Other options will include marker size, style and layer for intersection markers, extension distance beyond intersection, and offset distance from geometry for extension lines. This enhancement extends the drawing capabilities of IronCAD to allow additional dimensioning options for communication information to others in the design and manufacturing process.
New Dimension capabilities for an Ellipse in 2D Drawing
Users now have the ability to dimension to Ellipses (or elliptical shapes) in the drawing environment. Users can dimension to the major and minor points as well as the major and minor radius/diameter. This capability extends users ability to detail in the drawing environment of IronCAD.
Miscellaneous
Support of Windows XP Professional
IronCAD is pleased to announce IronCAD 5.2 is now certified for the Microsoft Windows XP Pro platform. Take note that while Microsoft offers other "XP" variants, only the Professional version is officially support.
Version Information Stored on Save
When saving IronCAD/Inovate files, the current version of IronCAD/Inovate is saved with the file. This information can be used by customer support to help identify issues that are filed by customers.
Update ACIS Kernel to 7.0
IronCAD/Inovate now uses the latest ACIS kernel to allow for better interoperability between other CAD systems as well as enhancing modeling capabilities in IronCAD/Inovate. To view items that have been enhanced due to the update, please read the ReadMe.txt located on the InnovationSuite CD.
Update Parasolid Kernel to 13.2
IronCAD/Inovate now uses the latest Parasolid kernel to allow for better interoperability between other CAD systems as well as enhancing modeling capabilities in IronCAD/Inovate. To view items that have been enhanced due to the update, please read the ReadMe.txt located on the InnovationSuite CD.
Update of Translators
IronCAD/Inovate now uses the latest version of translators used to import/export solid data information to allow for better interoperability between other CAD systems. Translators that are included in the update are Catia, STEP, IGES, Pro/E (Non Granite Version), SAT, and Parasolid. To view items that have been enhanced due to the update, please read the ReadMe.txt located on the InnovationSuite CD.
Hardware Security Keys Available
IronCAD/Inovate now support hardware security keys (USB or Parallel). This option allows customers to run IronCAD based on software security, hardware security, or network license security. Hardware keys allow customers to transport their license of IronCAD/Inovate from one workstation to another by physically moving the device. To inquire about purchasing information, please contact your local sales representative or an IronCAD Sales representative at 800-339-7304 (option 1) (Int: +1-770-240-3008).
3rd Party Integration Tools Available
IronCAD/Inovate now provides 3rd party integration tools. This functionality allows integrators to read facet or brep data (Boundary Representation) directly from IronCAD/Inovate scene files without the need for a translator. For information regarding the 3rd party integration tools, please contact IronCAD Sales at 800-339-7304 (option 1) (Int: +1-770-240-3008).
Optional Product Add-ons
New Granite One Translator Available (Extra Cost Add-on)
New in IronCAD is the Granite One® Translator from PTC. This translator
allows the import and export of:
TeamVault Integration
Vector Based Viewable Images of IronCAD Drawing Files
IronCAD drawing files (.icd) now have vector representation for all newly added/checked in drawing files stored in TeamVault. The files are saved as PDF viewable files that can be accessed by the TeamVault Viewer or by the free Adobe Acrobat Viewer. Vector representation allows users to zoom into files maintaining accurate representation of lines and text. This functionality enables TeamVault users to view IronCAD drawing files without opening it in the native application.
IronCAD Client Updates in Drawing Upload
A new optional dialog during the upload of a drawing through the IronCAD client is available (Shown below). These Options allow the user to add the IronCAD scene file used in the drawing to a new directory in TeamVault, to the same directory as the drawing file, or to use the current scene file already in TeamVault. These options allow users more flexibility in storing scene and drawing files when working with TeamVault.
Confirmation Message Box on Upload
On completion of an upload to TeamVault through the IronCAD/Inovate client, a confirmation message box appears to update users on the upload status (Shown below). This message can be set to display when the upload is complete or it can be turned off to minimize the number of dialogs that users encounter.
