Feature
Recalculation with update of associated parts
In the case of functions that concern several parts and their feature logs (such as the connection between an element installation and a sub-structure, the individual parts created by the function Divide part along direction or beams/profiles connected to each other via steel engineering connections), it was only possible to recalculate completely in a complicated and time-consuming manner when changes were made to original parts. To simplify this procedure, the new function Recalculation with update of associated parts has now been introduced. This initially behaves like a normal Recalculation. However, all parts connected to the current component are also updated afterwards, which means that changes to the original part then also affect the connected parts.
Improvements for the Feature log
The following improvements have been introduced when working with feature logs:
- For feature steps that contain a formula as a Constraint, this is now displayed as a Value directly at the feature step if the Multi column structure option is activated. From here, it can also be edited directly by double-clicking.
- If several feature steps are selected, the context menu functions Activate / deactivate feature are now also selectable if only a part of the selected steps can be activated / deactivated.
- For feature steps that are deactivated via the Constraint entry, the icon of the feature step behind the "Deactivated" icon is now greyed out making it easier to recognise deactivated feature steps:
AutoCompletion for part variables
The redesigned HiCAD Formula Editor now also offers auto-completion for part variables. Currently, the auto-completion only takes place in selected dialogues and then only if the respective part is already inserted in the drawing.
Modulo operator for Double values
The previous % operator for calculating the modulo (remainder in case of division, Example: 10 % 3 = 1) only works with integer values. In order to be able to work with decimal numbers as well, the new function modulo(a; b) was introduced, which accepts both integer and double values. The existing % operator remains unchanged for reasons of backwards compatibility.
Easier working with variables
The following functions have been added when working with variables in the Part variables docking window:
- Since the recalculation of the feature log when changing variables is also controlled by the Automatic recalculation function, a button for activating or deactivating the automatic recalculation has been added to the toolbar of the Part variables dialogue window.
- Double-clicking on the value of a variable now directly opens the calculator and thus enables a comfortable change of the value.
- The functions Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete are now also directly accessible via the key combinations CTRL+X, CTRL+C, CTRL+V and DEL.
Optimized "Use of variables" dialogue window
The use of variables dialogue window has been optimized.
- While the Use of variables dialogue is open, work with HiCAD can continue in the background.
- In the toolbar, the function Update was added, with which the use of variables can be updated without having to reopen the dialogue.
Behind the components in which a variable is used, a magnifying glass symbol is now displayed which, when clicked, centres the corresponding component in the construction and zooms in.
- The labels of the individual uses are now more compact: Instead of "Name=Height Formula=thickness", "Height ( thickness )" is now displayed.
- Identical feature elements are now grouped together in the tree. This is also displayed for variables that are used in an HCM model.
Display of element variables
When working with element variables, the elements they reference are now highlighted in the drawing as soon as an element variable is selected in the Part variables docking window.
Combined functions "Enter body creation feature" und "Switch feature on"
The Enter body creation feature function has been removed. Instead, the Switch feature on function has been extended so that it now automatically adds a body creation feature if the selected part contains a geometry. If no geometry is present, simply the feature log is activated as before.
Switch feature on, with sub-parts
If you call the Switch feature on function for a part that contains sub-parts that also do not have a feature log, HiCAD now offers the possibility to directly activate the feature logs of the sub-parts as well.
Parametrics
Improved setting of constraints in the part HCM
When setting constraints in the Part HCM that refer to cylinders, spheres, cones or tori, the recognition of the desired orientation has been improved. This is particularly noticeable with Tangent constraints. Here, it is now always attempted to set the side of the part that was clicked on when setting the constraint tangentially. Afterwards, the orientation can still be changed via the Orientation selection field in the HCM constraint dialogue.
Improvements for dragging in Sketch-HCM
The following improvements have been made for dragging in the Sketch-HCM:
- If the snap mode Element snap is active, sketch elements can be dragged directly via Drag & Drop without having to call up the Drag function first.
- Points can now be dragged onto the following elements: edges, coordinate system axes, the origin of the coordinate system and centre points. A Coincidence constraint is automatically created, with the following exceptions:
- If the SHIFT key is pressed when dropping and the SHIFT key was not pressed when dragging started.
- If the Enter constraints option is deactivated in the HCM settings via Sketch > HCM > Tools > Settings. If the constraint is an external reference, the Use external references option is also observed.
- When dragging points and line elements, they are attached to the cursor during dragging.
- When dragging a circle (not the centre of the circle), the centre of the circle remains fixed and the radius changes.
- When attempting to drag a fully defined sketch, a corresponding message appears.
HCM constraints for fasteners
When assigning HCM constraints that refer to fasteners such as screws, reference is often made to the origin of the part coordinate system or the Z-axis of the screw. To simplify this step, HiCAD now automatically displays the origin and Z-axis of a fastener when you touch it with the mouse pointer during the assignment of an HCM-constraint. This display remains for a short time afterwards, allowing you to select origin or Z-axis.
Clearer error messages
In many places in the HCM system, displayed error messages have been revised and are now much clearer than before and also offer different options for dealing with the respective error.
Change dimension figure and Move dimension figure for sketches functions made available again
The functions Sketch > HCM > Smart dimensioning > Change and Sketch > HCM > Drag > Move dimension line have been made available again, especially to simplify work in the view area.
Improved operability of the context menus in the ICN
Via the context menu of the HCM area in the ICN, it is conveniently possible to change the properties of several HCM constraints simultaneously. Thus, several constraints can be selected in the tabular list and collectively deactivated via the context menu, for example. Until now, only functions that could be applied to all selected HCM constraints were offered in the context menu, e.g. the function Hide constraint was only offered if none of the selected constraints was already hidden. This behaviour has now been adapted so that this function is always offered and can therefore also be applied if some of the selected constraints are already hidden.
Display of deactivated constraints
HCM constraints that have been deactivated by another Constraint are now indicated by a new symbol.