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IRONCAD 9.0
Key New Features
Getting
Started with IRONCAD 9.0
This
document contains some of the new features in the IRONCAD 9.0 release.
"Show-Me" tutorials have been provided with this documentation that will
walk through simple examples of the new functionality. "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 Flash enabled browser window (requires
Flash Player plug-in). Click on the following link in order to test your
browser for Flash support:
Flash Test. The
following "Show-Me" tutorials will begin to play automatically once you
select the "Show-Me" icon. Additional controls in the "Show-Me" can be
used to pause, stop, fast-forward, and rewind.
3D
Modeling Enhancements
Assembly Features (set as
empty) and Parts/Assemblies together can be dragged & dropped into a
Catalog. On drop from the Catalog, the Feature Scope Options will be
displayed for the Assembly Feature and then the entire group containing
the assembly feature and the parts/assemblies will be dropped. This
capability will allow users the ability to drop complicated assemblies
that remove material from other parts/assemblies on drop from a catalog
(Example would be a window frame drop onto a wall or frame members).
Assembly Feature Group Example
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Design Variations
Design Variations allow
users to build variations of an assembly/feature/part using the existing
parameter capability. These variations are stored with the shape and the
shape can be reused through Insert or through the catalog. During
Catalog drop, the design variations dialog will display to allow the
user the ability to select the desired variation for the shape. Using
the Smart Assembly capability, users set the variation to use at the
time of drop and then the assembly can SmartSnap into position. In
addition to parameter information, you can set the part name, part
number, description, part colour, and custom properties when available.
Design Variations Edit Dialog
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Smart Assembly
Smart Assembly allows users
to create intelligent positioning of components on drop from the catalog
or on drag in the scene environment. With the use of Attachment points,
users can assign Names to the attachment points. During the drag of
components or drop from the catalog, shapes will evaluate the nearest
attachment point and apply the smarts to the component for precise drop
positioning.
SmartAssembly Example
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Sizebox Stretch Command
The IntelliStretch Command
allows user to stretch parts/assemblies based on the Sizebox of the
part/feature. You are able to define a stretch location and parts that
intersect the stretching plane location will stretch while other parts
located in the stretch direction will move. This command allows you to
quickly stretch an assembly or series of parts that make logical sense
to be able to stretch. Examples of this would be Cabinets, Machine
Frames, Structural Frames, etc.
Stretch Example and Toolbar
Parameter support for Blend
(Constant, two-point variable, and Face Blend), Chamfer, Shell, and
Draft have been added to aid in the parametric capabilities of IRONCAD.
In the command bar for these shape types, users can directly add the
blend and its value to the parameter table (Ex: Entering B=0.25 means
create a parameter named B on the shape with a value of 0.25). Once the
parameter has been added to the parameter table, current editing
capabilities in the parameter table can be performed.
The Shell command has been
updated to support the ability to shell inside, outside, and in both
directions. These options strengthen the shell command capabilities to
meet the design needs of users.
Shell Command Direction Options Example
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Boolean Toolbar Added with options for
Boolean, Union, Subtract, Intersection, and Trim Surface
A Boolean Toolbar has been
added for quick access to the boolean commands. In addition to the
toolbar, additional boolean types are supported such as Union, Subtract,
and Intersect.
Users can now create Spot
and Point Lights associated to Assemblies. This capability allows the
lights to position with the assembly and allows the lights to be stored
in the Catalog with the assembly for later use. Catalog support enables
users to create pre-defined lighting scenarios for assemblies when
dropped in scenes.
Using the Datum Plane
capabilities, users can now define an active local coordinate system.
This Local coordinate system can be positioned and referenced in
model/curve creation based on its coordinate location.
The Parameter table has been
updated to include a Preview/Apply capability. By default, preview is
set to update the scene when changes are made inside the parameter
table. De-selecting the Preview options, will allow the user to make
changes in multiple fields and hit apply when the desired modifications
are performed.
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2D Sketch Improvements
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New Creation
Types
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3-Point Parallelogram -
3-Point Parallelogram
creation is now available in the 2D Sketch/Drawing
environment. User are now able to create a 3-Point
Parallelogram based on selection or by right-click input
options. Right-click options are available for the second
and third placement point for Length, Slope, and Width.
3-Point Parallelogram
Example
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Polygon -
Polygon creation is
now available in the 2D Sketch/Drawing environment. During
creation, use the "Tab" key to toggle between Inscribed and
Circumscribed Circle based polygon and use the "Up" and
"Down" key on the keyboard to change the polygon number.
Right-Click on the second placement point to get a pop-up
dialog with type, number, and circle radius options.
Polygon Creation
Example
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Ellipse -
Ellipse creation is
now available in the 2D Sketch/Drawing environment. During
creation, right-click on the second and third placement
points to enter options like Major Radius, Slope, and Minor
Radius.
Ellipse Creation
Example
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Elliptical Arc -
Elliptical Arc
creation is now available in the 2D Sketch/Drawing
environment. Users are able to place the center point, major
radius, minor radius, the start location for the arc, and
the arc end. Right-click options for the Major Radius,
Slope, and Minor Radius are available on the second and
third placement point.
Elliptical Arc
Creation Example
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Chamfer -
Chamfer creation is
now available in the 2D Sketch/Drawing environment. The
Chamfer is based on a two edge selection (lines only) and
can be used on joined and un-joined curves. Users can choose
between Equal Distance, Distance-Distance, and Distance
Angle Chamfer types.
Chamfer Creation
Example
Two Line Segment
Fillet Example
Polyline/arc Command
Example
Updates in the 2D Sketch
Snap Feedback have been implemented for clarity in the sketch and to add
additional Snap Feedback capability. Visual clarity has improved by
changing the appearance of the feedback and allowing users the ability
to get feedback for specified entities. In addition, perpendicular
feedback to lines has been added to aid in the construction of geometry.
2D
Profile Snap Behaviour Example
2D Curves and 3D Curves can
now be projected onto a sketch plane using the projection tool
(Association projection is not supported for these types).
Updates to the Input
Coordinate field in the 2D Sketch to allow users the freedom to input in
their commonly used manner. Example: Users could input 0 0 or 0,0
depending on their preference.
The Horizontal/Vertical
Constraint tool has been updated to maintain the curve length when
setting the constraint. In the previous version, these tools would
project the curve to the Horizontal/Vertical position versus maintaining
the length and positioning to Horizontal/Vertical.
Horizontal/Vertical Constraint Update
Right-click pop-up options
are now supported on the two-point and three-point circle command during
the final pick placement of these 2D Curve types. This gives users
additional control during creation to specify radius and direction
values.
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3D Curve
Enhancements
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Copy/Link Along 3D
Curve
Users can now use the
TriBall to Copy/Link along a 3D Curve. This tool will give the user the
ability to input the number of copies and will copy along the curve
maintaining the shapes orientation. Options are available to set evenly
space copies and to allow the shape to orient along the curve (Orients
the X-axis to the 3D Curve. If the curve resides on a surface, the
Z-axis of the shape will be normal to the surface in addition to the
X-axis orientation to the 3D Curve). This option is a one time command
with no association to the 3D Curve.
Copy Along a 3D Curve Example
During the 3D Curve
Creation/Edit, users can insert/import points as reference points in the
3D Curve Shape. Display options can be set to display only inside the 3D
Curve Edit Mode or outside the edit mode for reference in other 3D Curve
creations. These points do not effect any operation that use 3D Curves
since they are only used as reference points.
Multiple selected 3D Curves
can be joined into a single smooth curve to aid in surface creation from
edges.
Merge Curve Example
3D Curve Text import now
supports header information in the text file to create Splines, Lines,
and Points. This capability allows a user the ability to import a single
data text file defining a curve containing multiple segment types. To
import points for a 3D Curve, start the 3D Curve command and select the
desired import type under the 3D Curve pull-down menu (Import as Spline,
Import Reference Points, or Import Header Defined).
Import Header Format:
Import Text File to
3D Curve with Header Information (Line, Spline, Point). the data file is
*.dat.
Point Format:
POINT
x1,y1,z1
x2,y2,z2
&.
xn,yn,zn
Line Format:
LINE
x1,y1,z1
x2,y2,z2
&.
xn,yn,zn
Spline Format:
SPLINE
n
x1,y1,z1
x2,y2,z2
&.
xn,yn,zn
EOF
(x1,y1,z1)、(x2,y2,z2)、&(xn,yn,zn)
are coordinate points and (n) is the number of points in the spline. The
data can be tab, space, or comma delimited.
Users can trim 3D Curves
based on projection. Selecting two curves and a plane to use as the
projection plane, the 3D Curve can be trimmed based on the projection.
This command is used in cases where the 3D Curves do not intersect but
need to be trimmed based on two curves locations.
Trim Curve by Projection Example
Similar to the current
Split 3D Curve, the Trim 3D Curve will select two curves and remove the
trimmed curve segments. Users can determine if the curves should be
trimmed or split by selecting the option on the command. In addition,
user can trim/split curve based on a point versus selecting two curves.
Trim/Split 3D Curve Example
The "Shift-Pick" option on
the 3D Curve creation to make the endpoint of the curve perpendicular to
the picked surface has been updated to work for both the endpoints of
the curve and the control points of the spline. This improves the
creation capability to make multiple pick point perpendicular to
surfaces during the creation mode. In addition, holding the shift key
and selecting on a point along another curve that resides on a surface
will allow the new curve to become normal to the surface at the point
along the selected curve.
A new right-click option on
the 3D Spline Curve has been added to make the handle parallel to the
end of another curve. This option is useful to make curves parallel at
the start and end locations. After selecting the option, select at a
point closest to the end desired to align parallel to.
Updates to the surface
creation for adding surfaces to existing surface parts have been made.
Users now can select the "Add as IntelliShape" option at any time and
select the surface part to add under. This eliminates the necessary
first pick point on an existing surface requirement currently in the
surface creation. In addition, it eliminates an unnecessary mouse click
when creating surface parts only.
2D Curves can now be
selected in the surface commands. When the surface command creates the
surface shape, the 2D Curve reference edge will automatically be
converted to a 3D Curve in the edit mode of the created surface.
2D
Curves Used in Surface Creation Example
A new option in the Ruled
Surface command to create a surface from an edge to a specified point
has been added. This command is useful when you only have a point and a
edge that can define the needed surface.
Ruled Surface to Point Example
A new option in the Ruled
Surface command to create a surface from an edge along a direction to a
specified surface has been added. This is useful when you do not have a
second edge to select or do not know what the second edge should look
like and you want it to match the curvature of a surface.
Ruled Surface to Surface Example
A new surface option to
create an offset surface has been added. Users can create a
non-associate offset surface part or a associative offset IntelliShape
surface where it is associative to the original selected surface.
Offset Surface Example
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Merge Surface Creation
This new merge surface
option allows a user to create a single smooth surface from two
surfaces. Additional options will allow the user to keep the first
selected surface definition intact while modifying the other to make the
smooth connection.
Merge Surface Example
User can now create a
Fillet that is created between two surface parts. This command will
create a new part that incorporates the fillet and the two trimmed
surfaces without maintaining any IntelliShape information. This command
is primarily used when creating a fillet between two intersecting
surfaces.
Fillet Surface Example with New Options
New options have been added
to the trim surface to keep the trimmed surfaces as separated parts.
Currently, the two surfaces selected for trim will result in a single
surface part with the trimmed surfaces as a feature. Users can know
create a surface to trim multiple surfaces and select the option to
maintain the surface as a unique surface.
Trim Surface Example
Closed looped UV
Mesh surfaces are now allowed in the creation. Previous versions would
fail to complete the surface if the U and V direction curves for a close
surface.
A new surface option has
been added to restore a trimmed surface. Selecting this option will
create a new surface part that makes up the original untrimmed surface
definition of a selected surface. For example: If you have a surface
that has been cut by shape or trimmed, you can restore the original
surface.
Untrim Surface Example
A Sheet Metal toolbar has
been added for the commands used in the sheet metal operations (.i.e.
Fold, Unfold, Cut Sheet Metal, and Closed Corner). This reduces the need
to find the commands through the pull-down menus.
Sheet Metal Toolbar
Using the existing closed
corner capability in sheet metal, a new tool has been added to simplify
the process of adding a closed corner. Using the new tool, users will be
prompted to select the desired bends and then choose the closed corner
type (i.e. Butt, Overlap, or Underlap). The command will then modify the
bend and the stock to create the closed corner condition. Closed corners
can only be created on bends that share a common stock edge (i.e. miter
cases cannot be created with the closed corner tool).
Closed Corner Command Example
2D Drawing Enhancements
Right-click options for
commonly used Style and Layer information has been added to annotations
in the drawing. This quick access allows the user to make common changes
to annotations quickly without having to access property pages on the
annotation. Current style settings will be marked with a check mark to
denote the current set style property when making changes.
Right-Click Quick Style and Layer Property Access Example
A new view option has been
added to automatically dimension the view or selected area of a view.
Users will have options for Ordinate, Chain, and Baseline dimension
types and placement options like Horizontal Above the View and Vertical
Left of View. This capability can be used to quickly add common
dimensions to a view.
Automatic Dimension Example
A new global option for the
drawing has been added to allow Automatic Center Mark/Line creation in
drawing views. This capability is useful when the drawing view contains
many circular shapes that require center mark/lines. The option can be
set during creation and/or during update of views.
Automatic Center Line/Mark Options under Tools/Options/Annotations
A new dimension type has
been added to create a Chain Dimension. Based on the Ordinate dimension
capability, users can create a chain dimension that has similar options
found in the ordinate dimension (Example: Align Group and Insert New).
Chain Dimension
Example
During annotation of a
view, a selection filter for snapping to elements has been added. Filter
options include All, Geometry Point, Edges, Faces, and Reference
Geometry. These options help eliminate snap highlights when working on
smaller geometry and allow the user to select only the desired
information.
Snap Selection Filter Example
With the addition of the
new styles and layers added in 8.0 Product Update 2, the need to quickly
copy style and layer information from element to element was needed. A
Styles and Layer Property Eye-Dropper has been added to meet this need.
Left-click to collect and to drop the styles and layers from a element
to the same element type. Right-click on drop to specify only drop of
style or layer information.
Style and Layer Eye-Dropper Example
Snap alignment for
Horizontal and Vertical dimensions has been added during the creation of
the dimension. During the placement of the dimension, move the mouse to
the desired dimension text/line to align to that dimension.
Snap Alignment on Dimension Creation Example
User can now select
multiple dimensions when the extension lines are in the same direction
and reposition the entire group. This allows for positional movements of
dimensions to clear spacing issues that may occur after view updates.
Multiple Dimension Select and Drag Example
New options for drawing
elements to associate to a view has been added. For example: A user can
associate a Text or 2D Curves to a view. This would create an
association that if the view was repositioned, the associated items will
reposition as well.
Associate to View Example
A new pixel buffer option
has been added for dimension text to prevent the text from moving from
its current location along the dimension line. Setting the buffer to a
higher number will allow the user to move the dimension along the
extension lines without the text moving along the dimension line at the
same time.
Text Buffer Setting on Dimensions Example
New handles have been added
to the section line to allow the section line to be precisely
positioned/repositioned. These handles appear on the section line and
staggered segments to allow the positioning during creation and on edit.
If the handles are adjusted during edit, the section view will need to
be updated after the modifications.
Section Handles Example
Using the new section line
handles, a user can drag the section line handle to an alternate view to
locate the position for the section line if this location is not
available on the current view.
Item Bubbles, Text, and the
Text with Leaders have been updated to snap to the grid when the grid
snap is enabled. This allows for user to quickly align elements in
addition to the alignment toolbar.
Item Bubble Snap to Grid Example
Text (Dimension text, Text,
and Text with Leader) has been updated to support colour masking behind
the text. This allows a user to turn on a specific colour mask to hide
geometry behind the text (for Example: hiding the hatch lines when the
text is over the hatch).
Text Mask Example on Section View
Dimensions have been
updated to support single extension/dimension line settings in the
styles. This can be used in cases where the full dimension line and
extension line do not need to be displayed.
Dimension support has been
updated to allow dimension to hidden silhouette curves in section views.
The auxiliary section line
has been updated to allow input for the angle during creation and
update. User can now input a precise angle input for the section line by
turning on the Show Curve Dimensions when creating auxiliary section
lines or during the edit of the line.
Auxiliary Section Line with Angle Dimension Support
Updates have been made in
the Transferred Cosmetic Threads from the scene. Areas updated include
transfers to the correct projected view and support of simplified and
dual callouts. The callout representation options allow user to meet
standards for the layout.
Thread Callout Representation Examples
The weld symbol has been
updated to eliminate extra spacing on the symbol line when text
information is added.
New options on the cosmetic
thread style properties has been added to support the open location of
the 270° thread type. Users can specify the open quadrant location for
this type to meet the desired drawing standard.
Quadrant Location Options
Copy and Paste of views has
been updated to account for all annotations during the copy process.
Annotations like Section and Details will request the user to determine
the view to associate with instead of creating a non-associative copy of
the annotation. In addition, user now have the ability to move/copy a
sheet, containing the entire sheet contents, into the existing drawing
by right-clicking on the sheet tab.
Move/Copy Sheet Dialog
General Enhancements
Automotive JIG Manufactures
has specific requirements to document 3D and 2D JIG layouts. Carline and
Check Sheet functionality has been added to support this documentation
need. Although this functional is a requirement in the automotive JIG,
it can be useful in other industries that may have similar needs.
Carline allows users to place positional markers on 2D drawing views to
denote the distance from global coordinate positions. In addition to the
Carlines, reference lines can be added in cases where the coordinate
system may be at an angle to the JIG layout. Check Sheet functionality
provides the user the ability to mark contact points in 3D and export
this information to a company specific excel template where information
regarding the points and the fixture position are transferred into
custom fields. IRONCAD has included a default template and templates for
Korean Companies by default. Additional templates can be added by
IRONCAD by contract basis if requested.
Carline and Reference Carline Examples
Development updates have
been made to support Microsoft .Net development environment. This update
allows new Microsoft additions to be supported in the development of
IRONCAD. This enhancement is part of the continued effort to make
IRONCAD support the latest technology standards.
IRONCAD's kernels have been
updated to the latest version to improve modeling operations performed
in IRONCAD and for data translation to/from other CAD systems. ACIS has
been updated to version 16.0 and Parasolid has been updated to version
17.1.
IRONCAD's translator types
including the add-on options have been updated to the latest versions to
increase the support for data transfer between CAD Systems. CATIA
Read/Write add-on now supports version 16. The Granite Translator has
been updated to version 4.0 supporting the latest Pro/Engineer and
Wildfire.
IRONCAD's Gold Partner CD
containing a suite of solution partner applications has been updated.
These updates include new versions of the solution partner products and
new additions to the partner CD. Run the IRONCAD Gold Partner CD for a
complete list of partner applications and descriptions of the products.
Below is a list of the changes to the CD:
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Algor Inc. -
DesignCheck - Free one-year
license for FEA Part Analysis -Updated to Version 19
Service Release 1.
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CSI, Ltd. -
Design Data Manager -
Free first license for data management needs for IRONCAD
- Updated to version 2006.
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Progress Soluzioni -
IronPRO
- Add-on Tools designed for
IRONCAD - Updated to the latest version and a new free
one-year license included on Partner CD.
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Anvil SSE. -
ItalaPro - New
addition to the Partner CD for Interior Design powered by IRONCAD.
Free 180 day license included on Partner CD.
-
Informative Graphics -
ModelPress Reader -
Free IRONCAD Scene (.ics) viewer - Updated to latest
version.
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