Difference between revisions of "TubeCAD Pro v7.8-20040109"

Latest revision as of 16:48, 16 March 2009

This version of TubeCAD Pro includes these features:

New SETVAR

This command opens up a new dialog called "Global Layout Settings" This dialog is a central repository for almost all visual attributes in a layout. Items such as true view extension lines, centerlines, point labels are controlled from here. When you change a true view setting such as centerline color, the change is applied to all true views. Even if no tube is defined, you can still adjust these settings. For those of you that need the ability for a single entity, such as a single true view, to have it's own settings, you can lock it. This will prevent that entity from accepting the global settings for that entity type. This is done by selecting the entity with the mouse, open the properties window, and enable the "Locked" property.

Redesigned MENU

The main menu was completely re written to expose the full ability of TubeCAD, and to sort items in a more logical manner for the Windows version. Some new toolbars were added and a few tool buttons were moved to different bars.

Redesigned CAD Export

While DXF is still the only way to export to a CAD system, you can now export in 2D or 3D. You can also disable the use of polylines in the outline.

Redesigned OD Modifications

The OD Modifications section was changed to allow easier creation of basic endforms like beads, flares, expansions, and reductions. There is also an option to sort the modifications automatically to display in the most appropriate order. The autosort option is in the main options.

New More Dialogs

There is a new option that allows TubeCAD to make maximum use of dialogs. For example, when selecting an entity's color you can use the color dialog rather than typing the color index.

New Screen Menu

We have added a floating screen menu which displays all the current command options in a list. You can click on this list rather than typing the option's name.

New Auto Alignment

There are new options which automatically align true views, rotation views, ect during parametric regens. TubeCAD DOS did this also, but did not allow it to be turned off. This feature overrides the "Locked" property in alignable entities.

New Use of Prototype Files

TubeCAD now initializes itself with the contents of a user selectable layout. If the option is enabled, TubeCAD will update this file when it closes. This will allow TubeCAD to remember the settings of the last layout, like the DOS version did. Please note that when TubeCAD updates the prototype drawing, it will not save any tube shape information, only the attribute info. This allows TubeCAD to load more quickly. For this reason, the prototype drawing should be a unique file intended for TubeCAD's exclusive use.

New Use of Mouse Wheel

When the mouse wheel is rotated, TubeCAD will zoom in or out (depending on the direction of rotation) If the wheel is clicked, you can pan in real-time.

New Display Precision

Blockup labels and CAD charts now have separate angular and distance display precision settings. The GUI can be in 4 place decimals, while the blockup labels are at 2 place, and the CAD chart at 3 place.

New Auxview Edit

Auxillary views can now be created and maintained using a dialog.

New User Blockups

While TubeCAD Pro tried to completely automate blockup labels, those of you who need greater control of them found it difficult. You can now create your own blockup labels in the primary, auxillary, or true views, as well as disable the automatic blockup labels. These labels are maintained even if the tube shape is redefined.

Revised Popup Context Menu

The right-click popup menu now allows direct access to more identify functions and general specifications.

Revised Blockup Labels

You can now choose to not display any blockup labels which define a flat section of tube at a distance of zero.

Revised Help and Documentation

The help files are in the process of being updated and adding more comprehensive information. Also there will be help buttons on every dialog window.

Revised Dakota Data Style

The Dakota data style was modified so that it matches the Dakota data style in earlier versions of TubeCAD.