IRONCAD 9.0 Product Update 1- Release Notes - 12.12.2006

This Product Update will upgrade an existing IRONCAD 9.0 installation with the latest available bug fixes and new features from IronCAD.

This document contains release information about IRONCAD 9.0 Product Update 1 including key quality issues addressed in this release, installation notes, and any other key information for running IRONCAD Product Update 1.

New Enhancements Added for IRONCAD 9.0 Product Update 1

• SCENE
  • Smart Assembly Enhancements to Support Parametric Sizing: New capabilities have been added to the Smart Assembly to extend the capabilities for more advance settings. Users can now use the Smart Assembly in conjunction with existing parameters added to shapes. When setting the Attachment Point Name, you can add additional syntax to define parameter values to be set (Example: Attach_F(:SetParameter=Value,SetParameter2=Value,etc). For Example: Part A has a Parameter called Width and the value is 1. Part B is the part that we want to drop onto Part A and have its size change based on Part A's parameter value. Part B's parameter is called SetMyValue. In the Attachment point for Part A, we will name it as follows: PartA_M(:SetMyValue=Width). Part B's attachment point will just have PartB_F. When Part B is dropped onto Part A, it will smart snap to the attachment point and it will read the parameter settings. Since Part B has a parameter called SetMyValue, it will set that parameter equal to Part A's width value of 1. Click here to download the sample catalog.
  •   Attachment Point Enhanced to Extend SmartAssembly Capabilities: The attachment points have been enhanced to update and move when the part/assembly is modified. This allow the attachment point to maintain its attachment to a parts face when the overall size is adjusted. This enhances the SmartAssembly capability by allowing the user to adjust the size of a part while maintaining the desired SmartAssembly Snap location point.
  • IntelliStretch Enhanced to Support Sheet Metal Parts: Extending the capabilities of the newly released IntelliStretch, Product Update 1 has added the support for Sheet Metal. The IntelliStretch can be used to stretch the size of sheet metal parts using the same steps to apply the stretch on other shapes.

  

   

  • Sheet Metal Miter Command: A new tool has been added to the sheet metal capabilities of IronCAD for creating a mitered sheet metal part. The miter tool allows the user to create the desired set of bends to create along a defined path creating the mitered corners automatically. Note: Angled bends need to have the first stock length set to 0 (IntelliShape-Properties-Bend-First Stock Handle).

  

   

  • Coordinate Plane Section Profile Creation Option: A new option on the Coordinate System Planes has been added to allow users to create a section profile from all objects intersecting the section plane. This provides a useful starting point on geometry creation from existing geometry. Since the Coordinate Planes can be sized, the section profile can cut through the entire objects or partially based on the plane size.
  • Center of Gravity Indicator Tool: A new add-in tool has been added to give users an indicator for the center of gravity. The Center of Gravity toolbar allows the users the ability to add an indicator on the selected part/assembly to show the local center of gravity. In addition, the user can turn on the display to show the values of the center of gravity. The center of gravity indicator will update when the geometry is modified to give accurate feedback. The indicator is for feedback in the scene and currently cannot be used for dimensioning or snap locations. Updates to parts below an assembly that has the Center of Gravity indicator may require you to reselect the assembly to update the indicator location.

  

   

  • Multiple File Type Selection for Import: In the File-Import dialog, users can now select multiple files (including IronCAD Scene files) to import/insert into the current scene. This allows user the ability to quickly import a set of files that will be used in the modeling environment.

  

   

  • Import Options Setting Control: In the File-Import dialog, an option is available to set the global import options for files selected to import. This dialog allow the user to set the defaults for the import setting so that the user can multiple select various files to import with each respective setting applied.

  

   

  • Material Properties Property Page Update: The Part Properties Material Tab page has been updated to allow the user to input additional property information. The user can specify the material name as well as the density and weight (calculated or specified). This can be set for all linked instances of the part or specified to apply only to selected part. In addition, this information can automatically transfer to the BOM for data retrieval. Due to this enhancement, loading older version files into Product Update 1 will require the file to be saved to store the new information in the file. Loading and closing a file will prompt for a save even when no modification have been performed.

  

   

  • Units Format Update: The scene units options have been updated to all the user to specify the units for density in addition to length and mass. This allow the user to set the desired units that can be used in various calculations in the scene.

  

   

  • Wireframe Import Classification by Color Option: In the File-Import dialog settings, users can set an option on the IGES and Catia V4/5 file types tab to group the wireframe objects by color. This will allow for wireframe created geometry to break out into different part files based on the part colors specified in the originating system. Users will now have better control and understanding when working with the wireframe imported geometry.
  • Right-Click Option on External Linked Files to Open in New Window: A new Right-Click menu option has been added to files that are externally linked. The option will allow the user to open the external linked file in another window. The options is also added to the Assembly Menu. The option is available once you select on a part/assembly that is externally linked out.
  • Camera Picker Toolbar Updated to Support Additional View Directions: Additional camera directions are available for the camera picker toolbar. Users can add these additional types from the View-Toolbars-Customize Tab (Top-Back-Left, Top-Back-Right, Bottom-Back-Left, and Bottom-Back-Right).

  

   

  • OpenGL Support for Real-time Reflection Mapping Added: Enhancements have been made to support reflection mapping in the OpenGL mode. Previous version would draw objects set with a reflection images as a black object. PU1 now support the ability to draw the reflection in OpenGL. Note: Some older graphics cards may not support this enhancement.
  • AutoCAD 2007 Import Support Added: IronCAD updated the DWG/DXF import capabilities to support AutoCAD 2007.
  • ICAPI Functions Extended: The ICAPI functions have been extended based on customers requests for additional support functions. To get a list of the extended functions, please contact support@ironcad.com.

   

• DRAWING
  • Part/Assembly Selection Option for View Creation: During View Creation, users can select to choose which parts/assemblies to project. This option saves the users time from having to use configurations in the scene environment or using external linked files. Users can multi-select the desired parts and assemblies within the selection browser. Editing the View Orientation from right-clicking on a view, the user can modify the selection.

  

   

  • Additional BOM Properties Available from Scene Data: The BOM has been updated to support additional properties from the scene environment. Part Name, Material, Mass Density, Part Mass, SizeboxLength, SizeboxWidth, SizeboxHeight, and 3DCurveLength are the additional types supported in the BOM. In the BOM Edit Mode, users can add these additional types to the Column Headers. When the BOM is updated, the values will be pulled from the scene and populated into the BOM. Part Name, Material, Mass Density, and Part Mass values can be specified in the BOM and transferred back to the scene (the other types can only pull values from the scene).
  • BOM Table Enhanced Option to Check All Fields for Uniqueness: The BOM has been enhanced to support an option to check all BOM property fields to determine the quantity. Pervious version only allow checks on the Part Number or IronCAD Unique identifier. The new option will allow a user to have two linked instances in the scene that have different customer properties (applied to the part only) where they will show as two rows in the BOM.
  • Surface Finish Tools Enhanced to Support JIS: The 2D Drawing Surface Finish command has been updated to support additional JIS surface finish types. JIS Basic, JIS Machining Required, and JIS Machining Prohibited have been added to the available types.

  

   

  • 2D Shape Support in Precise Views Added: The drawing environment has been updated to support the 2D shapes visibility in the precise mode of the drawing. This allows users to use the reference 2D shape in the drawing when solid geometry may not be necessary.
  • Dimension to 2D Shape in Drawing: Support has been added to the 2D shapes projected on the drawings to allow for dimensions to the shapes endpoints.
  • Associate to View Enhanced to Support Groups and OLE Objects: The Associate to View command has been extended to support both OLE inserted objects and well as IronCAD group objects. This extends the functionality added in version 9.0 to associate objects to views so that they will position with the view when the view is moved.
  • AutoCAD 2007 Export Support Added: IronCAD updated the DWG/DXF export capabilities to support AutoCAD 2007.

Key Quality Issues Resolved in IRONCAD 9.0 Product Update 1

• SCENE
  • Hotkey Assignments for X, Y, Z, and A: The keyboard hotkey assignments have been added to the View-Toolbars-Keyboard list of settings. X, Y, Z, and A are specified under Coordinate System category.
  • IntelliStretch Results are Incorrect in Some Cases: Issues where the IntelliStretch creates the incorrect results have been corrected.
  • Position Dimensions on Coordinate System are Incorrect: Issues where the position dimensions are incorrect with respect to the active coordinate system have been corrected.
  • TriBall Not Working on Datum Plane: This issue has been resolved.
  • Internal App Error on Extrude of ACIS Model with Projected Edges: Some cases could cause IRONCAD to have an error when creating an extrude when the default kernel is ACIS and the shape has projected edges. This has been resolved.
  • Last Saved Date Is Incorrect: This issue has been resolved to give the correct date and time.
  • Taper from Extreme Point Fails in ACIS: This issue has been corrected for ACIS.
  • Assembly Features in Patterns Do Not Update in Configurations: Assembly feature were not updating when configurations change when contained in a pattern. This has been resolved.
  • Copy Along 3D Curve Locks IRONCAD in ACIS: This issue has been resolved for the copy along 3D Curve.
  • Cruise Shapes Cause Exception: This issue has been resolved to prevent the exception.
  • Draft Faces/Blend/Chamfer/Shell Not Remembering Last 5 Entered Values: This issue has been resolved to maintain the last inputted values.
  • Failed to Load/Save Files with Many External Links: A regression was introduced in version 9.0 with external link management which has been corrected.
  • Fillet to Curve Surface Not Working: This command has been updated to correct this issue.
• DRAWING
  • DWG/DXF Export: May issues have been resolved on the export functionality to DWG/DXF.
  • DWG/DXF Failed to Export: Invalid Input: This error has been resolved in some cases that have been reported.
  • Carline Option to Show Origin Only: The carline tool has been enhanced to allow the user to only show the Origin Grid Lines only.
  • Carline Update Repositions Grid Lines: The carline issue where the positioned grid lines get set back to the original location on update has been resolved.
  • Bend lines Not Displaying in Detail Views: Bend lines now display in detail views where the detail view captures the bend line area of a view.
  • Detail View Name Appears in Center of View: This issue has been resolved to display properly at the bottom of the detail view circle.
  • Drawings Not Visible After Load: Protection has been added to allow drawings to display when style and layer information has corrupt data.
  • Right-Click options for Offset/Radius Not Available for Reference Curves: This issue has been resolved.
  • Text Format Options in the Right-click for Angular Dimensions Not Working: This issue has been resolved to allow for the correct formatting.
  • Auto-Item Bubble Allowed on Perspective Views: This option has been removed to prevent issues when trying to move created item bubbles.
  • Centerlines Move When Referencing Bend Lines: This issue has been resolved to maintain the correct relationship to the bend lines.
  • Detail Lines Do Not Export with Correct Thickness: The export has been updated to support the correct thickness of the detail lines.
  • Dimension Have Line Through Text: Creating dimensions while holding the shift key caused the dimension line to go through the text. This has been resolved.
  • Infinite Loop Updating Views After Loading Drawing with Parent of Section View Hidden: This issue has been resolved.
  • Dimension Line Missing When Arrow Set to Outside: This issue has been resolved.
  • Sheet Curves Move with View When They Are Not Associated: This issue has been resolved to prevent the move of sheet curves when moving the view.