Laminate Tools version history

New features in Laminate Tools version 5.1 (first release, compared to 5.0)

Design

implemented layup import by element/node id
implemented element set mapping, with layup import
implemented mesh swap feature
added ply projection option Theta
implemented feature to trim inner layup layers that collide near narrow corners such as aerofoil trailing edges
ply mirroring: added option to merge the result with the source
supported splits and seeds in ply mirror/clone operations
added health check for logically correct layer application side in the manufacturing sequence
implemented copy/paste offset element ids to/from clipboard
allowed multiple layup files to be selected for material import
implemented creation of Offsets from Laminates
added ply context menu command to create element sets for discontinuous patches
added layup context menu commands to create element sets with maximum 1 or 2 layup layers
significantly speeded up mirror/clone ply/set/offset element mapping operations
implemented import of compressed layup files, on layup import
implemented advanced option to replace properties of existing materials (same name) on import operations
implemented the optional safe draping in layup import operations
changed behaviour when picking visible + non-visible elements by shape, to take clipping into account, as in previous versions
allowed dynamic ply apppoint edit even if ply used in layup
enhanced fill-holes behaviour to ignore hidden elements as option
fixed potential error reading/importing layup file with trailing spaces in certain cards
allowed again layup import onto an empty set, and added to layup, supporting discontinuous plies
added top-level menus (for convenience) to define create/modify behaviour for discontinuous projected plies
allowed offsets with discontinuous coverage, if method is by Application Side and Value is zero
allowed offsets with coverage crossing branches (eg ALL), if method is by Application Side and Value is zero
disallowed ply modification by set association to accept an empty set
fixed set element visibility after paste ids from clipboard
changed popup menu for while-picking action changes from non-graphics button click to graphics button double-click
added columns Pool and sub-Layup to the all-ply editor window (read-only entries for sorting and filtering only)
fixed error of incorrectly picking partly-visible elements outside pick shape (polygon/ellipse) but inside bounding rectangle
fixed ply/set clone mapping (single repetition), that mapped in the opposite direction
fixed corrupt database when ply mirror/clone operation fails to create new ply

Analysis

added laminate id colour plot
significantly speeded up laminate creation
added advanced option to allow duplicate material IDs on solver exports (error message issued)
improved error feedback for misalignment of element normals with global sequence for Optistruct export, saved offending elements in set

Post-processing

added support for Abaqus versions 2022 and 2023
implemented import for OP2 sol402 results
added calculation for thickness-weighted-average failure calculations generated with custom DLL (non-interactive)
implemented graphics save for stress plot
added support for Ansys 2022R1 (or later) .rst files
corrected results plot at worst layer if laminates missing
fixed error exporting current results to h3d if scope is active

Manufacturing

allowed ply pattern exports directly from tree with multi-selection (same type, no layup or plybook export necessary)
implemented graphics save for flat pattern and cross-section views
added print capability for cross-section window
added check box in phasebook window to enable multi-row check/uncheck actions, also enabled Ctrl+A full list selection
added user option to hide phasebook columns for EX and IN colours
added user option to use sequence name alone as default phase name for new definitions
added global id to plyname for phasebook exploded layer graphics
corrected plybook and phasebook graphics for exploded layers with reversed application side
added button to reset rotation in cross-section window
modified cross-section window right-way-up logic, and viewing side to match 3D definition of cross-section
changed cross-section view pan / rotate to work with left mouse button + Ctrl
excluded zero-thickness elements from mould surface iges export
fixed ruled surface direction flags in mould surface iges export
fixed CAD layer assignment in mould surface iges export
fixed random misses of elements in cross-sectional view
fixed Sigmanest output for incorrect generic ply quantity (instances) and incorrectly skipping exact plies if drape warning was issued

Geometry

added code to properly read IGES files with D in exponent

User Interface

implemented draped ply graphics for warp deviation angle, as in v4.x
added new health checks for material/ply/set name used more than once, also null ply in layer
implemented graphics for multiple offsets selected in tree
enabled Hypermesh emulation for right-click+drag to pan as well as middle-click+drag to rotate, if mouse mode is panXY
implemented Info windows as selectable text, now copy of part only is possible
implemented crash recovery to save current file, and auto-restart
implemented individual application direction arrows per discontinuous patch (only if proportional to model size)
implemented Feedback tab highlighting red on new important content
speeded up INP reader for cases where element ids and element set definitions are in unexpected order
in distance-line picking, changed the snap tolerance to take zoom into account
added check for read-only folder when opening a file, to prevent saving utility file on closing
added button to retry licence search at startup, following unsuccessful search, allowing NSP_HOST redefinition
added menu command to release (pause) licence, new behaviour if same licence cannot be recovered
when reading layup file if a ply uses duplicate name, now it is renamed
fixed error where draped pattern for plies with curve splits was not plotted if multiple plies selected
speeded up material selection response
fixed custom thickness / count plot for layup and laminates, screen and print preview
fixed line/curve distance tools to work in flyby mode, as well as vector picking
fixed custom colour rendering for branches, feature angles, connectivities
fixed loss of element set pool allocation when opening a layup file and requesting hole mesh creation

PlyMatch

finalised PlyMatch builds for version 5
allowed menu and first toolbar to dock left

Automation

automation client example: allowed multi-line paste, abort option, improved look
automation command to export h3d: modified format to envelope either all or each loadcase

New features in Laminate Tools version 5.0 (first release, compared to 4.10)

Version 5.0 marks a major milestone for Laminate Tools. Apart from the many visible new important features, a number of fundamental technologies are introduced behind the scenes to improve efficiency and lay the ground for important future changes. In particular:

The underlying data engine has been redeveloped, so that data storage and manipulation are carried out in ways aligned with current user requirements, for maximum efficiency when applying simulations or collecting information for graphical presentation or export.
The 3-D model graphics engine has been totally rewritten to support the latest OpenGL standard, taking advantage of state-of-the-art graphics hardware capabilities, and extending product life significantly.
The Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been thoroughly redesigned. Application windows may now be floating, docked, tabbed, grouped or hidden, delivering a custom screen layout that improves productivity further, while legacy arrangements are possible for a smoother transition.

Detailed changes per task module are as follows:

User Interface

A new 2-D Cross-Section View has been added, showing exact layer locations and drop-offs.
A new, proprietary, binary and efficient file format (.LT) has been introduced. This format should be used for daily use, while the traditional .Layup format should be used for import/export requirements only.
Graphics response when showing/hiding element sets has been greatly improved.
The Module-based menu arrangement is now the default setting.
Help is now available directly through the User Manual pdf document.
A new .Layup file reader has been implemented for optimal compatibility.
Opening .Layup and .LT files now supports "hole feature" filling with new mesh, similarly to other supported file formats.
A menu command and toolbar button have been added to show/hide model window global axes.
New automation commands have been added, as well as comment lines allowed.
A runtime switch between new and legacy OpenGL methods is available via the registry, at file open, for backward compatibility if necessary.
All operations have been reviewed and improved for speed and stability.

Design

A new all-ply interactive editor window has been added, for easy global changes.
A picking menu option to automatically fill holes in the current selection has been added.
Projected plies are now calculated using new methods, with full support for discontinuous plies, to avoid complications of having multiple separate subplies.
In the layup import feature, individual mapping for each ply mesh (and offset), has been added as an option. This is necessary for compatibility with third-party applications that produce .Layup files where plies do not share a common mesh.
A button has been added to the ply edit window to define ply colour, colour saved in .LT and extended .Layup file formats, and used to draw ply coverage (default colour is the standard ply coverage applicable to all plies in older versions).
A button has been added to the material create/edit window to define material colour, colour saved in .LT and extended .Layup file formats, and used to draw material usage in the layup or laminates (default colour is automatically generated for compatibility with older-version graphics).
Inplace-edit, directly in row cells, has been implemented for the layup editor.
The layer highlight button and drop-down menu in the layup definition window has been reviewed for easier usage, and a highlight option by ply colour has been added.
In the layup editor, the operation for layer(s) move/copy is now possible with mouse click/drag/drop.
A drop-down ply list filter button has been implemented in the layup editor.
In layup builder, reference columns for "area" and "no.Elems" have been added.
Ply drawing from within layup editor has been enabled even when Act on Selection is switched off.
In the original multi-ply edit window, the modification of coverage by removing elements using set or ply has been supported.
Calculation/estimation of material thickness when creating plies/layup from laminates has been implemented, preserving thickening.
A new .Layup file writer has been implemented for optimal compatibility.
If plies to be deleted are used in the layup, user now gets option prompt to skip them.
In the layup import feature, ply application points are now moved to lie on the new mapped coverage if necessary.
It is now allowed to apply the layup import feature onto an empty element set, so that empty ply definitions can be generated and then associated with separately imported element sets from an optimiser simulation.
The hdf5 writer has been modified to keep ply names where possible, and support for rosettes has been added.
The option to allow or disallow discontinuous ply modification if used in the layup has been removed (now always allowed).

Analysis

Exporting Abaqus .inp files with distributions has been speeded up significantly.

Post-processing

The Results tree has been moved to a separate window for clarity and convenience. The registry DWORD "SeparateDataResultsWindows" can be used to override this new default arrangement.
The option to combine a complex loadcase at two phase angles with static results, has been added.
Support has been added for Abaqus 2021.
The ODB reader can now be instructed to import the last step even if not requested specifically, provided a higher number is requested.
A user option to load more ODB results without overwriting old ones by same names, has been added.
An occasional failure to read higher order element topology directly from NX-OP2 has been fixed.
Shell element bending moments for higher order elements (CTRIA6, CQUAD8) loaded from NX-OP2 files have been reversed for correct calculation of layer stresses (action can be disabled by setting registry DWORD "OP2InvertMomentsNX" to 0).
The option to create failure results by Addin has been deprecated.

Manufacturing

The option to export cutouts for draped patterns has been enabled (affects discontinuous projected ply patches).
The use of a larger font in phasebook graphics has been fixed.
Sigmanest output if we have more than one view in plybook has been corrected.
A correction has been applied to the size of the exported flat patterns if appdir not normal to refdir and using curve splits and converting pattern to splines.
A correction has been applied to the size of the displayed pattern in the Flat Pattern window, if appdir not normal to refdir and using curve splits, only noticeable when importing correct-size dxf pattern and applying strips.
New custom client plybooks have been added.

Geometry

The missing curve/ vertex transformations upon model translation/ rotation/ zoom have been implemented.

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.11 (first release, since previous version)

Version 4.11 is an interim version for users not ready to move to the new v5 GUI. It includes all the new features found in v5 except for the following:

The GUI remains unchanged compared to versions 4.xx
The new all-ply editor is not available.
Handling of projected plies (including discontinuous patches) remains unchanged compared to versions 4.xx.
Documentation and supporting files (tutorial, add-ins) originate from version 4.10.

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.10 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

improved the SolidWorks addin for speed and reliability (much faster for plies covering large number of surfaces)
implemented toolbar for the SolidWorks addin
implemented menu/toolbar option to specify custom meshing parameters for the SolidWorks addin
implemented new automation command "file custom open filename" that displays the meshing parameters dialog
disabled geometry healing for automated sessions, affects the SolidWorks addin
for automation geometry file open, enforced no-healing/merge/sew unless custom options window is requested
improved the "file close force" command in automation to forcibly destroy any open document
fixed possible crash when unloading all geometry

Design

redesigned layup file (+fibersim) import for huge improvements in speed and accuracy, with progress feedback and abort option
implemented layup file import support for edge splits and seeds where mesh edges match
enabled ply selection on layup import as an option, with support for discontinuous plies
in the multiple-ply edit window, added support for changing ply type
in the multiple-ply edit window, added support for modifying coverage, by element set or ply
implemented hot toolbar icons for pick windows
enabled save/restore of pick settings visible/continuous/method
implemented popup menu to change picking parameters when picking elements by shape (middle button by default)
added separate drop-down arrow for pick toolbar button by similar orientation
reviewed pick method for "any" elements (visible and non-visible) using polygon or ellipse, now faster and more reliable when zoomed out
fixed error of not selecting non-visible edge-on elements with polygon or ellipse
for materials used in plies, allowed material type definition if undefined
revised ply definition window to allow only materials for which type is defined - affects existing files
implemented paste element ids from clipboard for a continuous ply (breaks any association to a set)
implemented paste element ids from clipboard for an element set (updates associated plies but without support for discontinuous coverage)
improved support for selecting adjacent elements depending on visibility and operation
in basic ply properties tab, fixed error of allowing pick-by-brush if by set association
fixed offset dialog to reset all fields on New
fixed error where Edit menu item to delete layup layers was available even if no layers selected in tree
fixed error of incorrectly importing layup material names with spaces
fixed error of not picking elements if a node is not in the pick shape
added custom layup edit column for client: Application Direction

Analysis

implemented an Ansys Workbench addin to facilitate file transfer operations to/from Laminate Tools
fixed error of duplicating materials in hdf5 export if type is undefined

Post-processing

added support for Abaqus version 2020
Abaqus ODB file reader now supports material orientations, but not if individual element orientations are defined by distribution
implemented Abaqus ODB import of user-specified time increments (frames) only, improves speed
revised Ansys RST reader to handle both old and new files with/without compression, single/double precision, larger sizes, now much faster
in a stress plot window, if total thickness is zero layer thicknesses are now shown uniform, previously zero
export to LAP: disabled shell forces export with layup instead of laminate, because the layup orientation can differ from that of the laminate (eg first ply option), hence non-matching "LAP layup" exported

Manufacturing

implemented export of Abaqus solid mesh based on exact layup surface: 1 brick laminated or 3 bricks without properties
fixed error where multiple layers information was occasionaly grouped together in one phasebook row
extended file name checks to block control characters less than ascii 32
added new custom client plybooks

User Interface

implemented function to check model data (Health Check)
added support for Abaqus INP SHELL SECTION OFFSET definition by SPOS and SNEG
speeded up element sets parsing from Nastran input files
implemented element sets selection by pools (in Sets dialog)
implemented multiple element set pools show/hide context menu
solver deck readers now ensuring valid material names and ids on open
modified CDB reader to handle special case of matid in section (laminate) layer being 0
in CDB reader, supported SECTYPE not using SECBLOCK, and NBLOCK using alternative formats
in CDB reader, supported legacy element types 63 and 93 (handled as 181 and 281)
ensured that ply name in tree remains at same scroll height on ply edit (if possible when layup node collapses)
changed behaviour for feedback window, now showing flashing red line instead of switching to feedback view on error
fixed INP reader where element sets were not created correctly if defined in multiple places
fixed minor issues in CDB reader for nodes and elements
fixed error of not showing arrow text (eg for plies)
fixed infinite loop in BDF reader when INCLUDE filename was defined without single quotes
fixed multiple selection summary for ply pools and element set pools
added Rotation Centre selection to the available keyboard shortcuts
added dongle/softkey s/n in About window
reviewed all operations and improved speed and stability in numerous features

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.9 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

added functionality to create curve from graphic of distance measured along surface
implemented curve colour
implemented spline curve creation from points
implemented polyline creation from points
implemented vertex creation by entering coordinates
implemented option to continue or abort if OCC emesher concludes with errors
enabled length units override for OCC in ModelInfo dialog
fixed occasional omission of surface names from STEP, affected ply coverage via SW addin
fixed geometry import, small triangular surfaces meshing to a single element did not use the surface name, if defined
fixed case where iges file with both surfaces and curves failed to mesh with new mesher

Design

implemented Ply Pools, with import from Layup files
implemented Element Set Pools, with import from Layup files
implemented Offset mirroring
implemented mirroring of multiple sets
speeded up ply/set/offset mirror/clone, also fixed progress bar behaviour
added support for plygroup move up/down in tree
added option to colour exploded / inplace layers by material index
added option to export specific sets to ses or fem
added buttons to select all/none sets in set pick window
allowed plies to be deleted even if used in the layup
enabled layup layers deletion directly from tree
allowed offset names with spaces
allowed set definition overwrite on import from session file or layup file (but not if importing entire layup)
implemented automatic move of ply application point if associated set is manually modified (or imported) and apppt/appdir projects outside coverage (move to nearest node)
implemented associated set edit directly from ply properties window
allowed creation of empty element set
mirroring sets: if suffix is _RHS or _LHS, all sets with opposite name ending will have mirrored name ending, not with suffix appended
added element set selection as optional target in ply/set/offset mirroring
mirror and clone dialogs, saved relative tolerance for re-use
supported ply and material name field in quotes, for add-ins and automation (name to include spaces)
fixed error of allowing sublayups when no layup exists
fixed crash due to layer "move to end of sublayup" menu incorrectly available under plies
fixed bug of not allowing discontinuous plies to be added to the layup
fixed bug of layer color wrong after sublayup move/delete
fixed bug when multiple ply edits caused crash next time layup was examined (if a ply was in the layup)
fixed duplicate plies being created via COM
fixed possible crash if modifying sublayup when scope global ply list is displayed
fixed bug, broke ply-set association for discontinuous plies when set was edited or imported
fixed crashes when editing multiple plies together and a simulation failed, also revised check boxes in dialog to non-tristate
fixed bug of multi-ply edit element coverage being added instead of replaced
fixed bug where ply-set association reporting could cause crash if another set is deleted (index vs. id mismatch)

Analysis

enabled non-legacy export to Nastran and Ansys via COM
enabled non-legacy output to Optistruct fem
added check for overlapping offsets in laminate creation
allowed registry string AbaqusHourglass (default=STIFFNESS) to define section hourglass parameter in INP file export
increased the suggested first created lam id to max pshell id + 1, to avoid id clash on export to Nastran with original lines
fixed bug of trimming trailing zeros for reals in bdf writer, even if exponent

Post-processing

added support for Abaqus State Variable SDV1
implemented tensor plot for Principal Element Forces / Moments
implemented option in plot window to do envelope for ALL loadcases for fi/ms/rf/sdv
added support for ODB Azzi-Tsai-Hill theory failure indices
added support for all available failure theory indices to load from ODB
added user option to load more OP2 results without overwriting old ones with same id
added advanced user option to use auto-detected ODB version when reading ODB files
added support for Abq2019
speeded up ODB reader, especially when not all of the results components are imported
fixed error in loadcase combine, where incorrect results were calculated if the complex loadcase preceded the non-complex one(s) in the list to combine
fixed error where combine loadcase method failed to reset factor to zero for previously non-zero value for a loadcase
fixed popup windows display error for Stress Plot results when critical theory is Larc05 or Addin

Manufacturing

during layup import, enabled the import of phasebook information if no existing layup
phasebook definition: allowed manual edit of logo path/name, relative path works
fixed error of phasebook corruption when deleting any plygroup
fixed error of incorrect phasebook when moving sublayup down

User Interface

enabled smooth surfaces view option
added cross-section plot for a plygroup or sequence
added mass, area and cog for a plygroup or sequence
added 3D dotted line from window top to picked element, for easy locating
modified distance measure tools to snap to nearest edge or node
added keyboard shortcut option to reset rotation centre, defaults to F5
implemented tree tickmark for a set that is associated to the selected ply, and vice-versa for plies when a set is selected
in 3dshading window, added an Apply button
allowed mesh from results files to load with VIEW module
supported Nastran input INCLUDE paths spread over multiple lines
allowed material names in $HMNAME to have spaces
separated the preferences windows to individual menus
fixed error in Hdf5 reader where some layers were missed from the layup
fixed bug of not reading relative path for INCLUDE files, in Abaqus INP with Distributions
fixed bug where layup tree would not update if multiple ply ref angles were modified
fixed bug of not clearing existing tree tick marks, when disabled
fixed bug of not updating properly Ply Geometry Extension Type drop down list if Forming

PlyMatch

added support for new camera types
added support for native Sentech SDK
(fixed cam) added outer tolerance edit box, missing in options dialog resource

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.8 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

implemented totally new surface mesher, faster and better, with new user options when opening CAD files
added second level for geometry healing, for C0 edge continuity (sharp corners)
implemented saving of geometry import parameters for re-use (auto-adjust to model size)
updated embedded interface support for Rhino v6
fixed error of mesh nodes that have been merged and are duplicate, not being deleted
implemented show of geometry import dialog with automation, setting registry DWORD AutomationShowImportDlg to non-zero

Design

implemented draping option for Forming
implemented import of additional new mesh from Layup file (nodes of same ID must coincide, elements must have different IDs)
added HDF5 ply writer
implemented pick by paintbrush, added button to toolbars
allowed multiple ply additions to the layup in one go (layup builder)
implemented window to modify some properties for multiple selected plies together
mirroring plies: if suffix is _RHS or _LHS, all plies with opposite name ending will have mirrored name ending, not with suffix appended
implemented layup mirroring (all plies duplicated, user defined mirror plane)
implemented sublayup (sequence) mirroring (all plies duplicated, user defined mirror plane), if sequence name ends in _RHS or _LHS it will be switched, otherwise "_mirror" appended
added command to export all element set definitions to FEM file
added command to create sets for selected plies, and associate
implemented command to create element set from layup coverage
allowed deletion of multiple sequences together
allowed deletion of multiple plygroups together
added model units strings display/edit in model info window - NOT saved but used in HDF5 writer
implemented context menu entry to copy ply or set element ids to clipboard
corrected ply mirroring reference angle to change sign
corrected display of orange/grey selection for exact surface export, when element top/bottom sides are coloured in identical shade
corrected default options when changing projected ply to draped
when mirroring or cloning plies, excluded discontinuous plies gracefully (previously "internal error")
fixed crash when deleting an offset but another offset has no elements or eye outside mesh
fixed error where imported offsets for which names already exist, end up with blank name
fixed focus behaviour when editing a ply that is selected inside the layup, now works even for name/angle changes, or sublayups

Analysis

added HDF5 zone writer
speeded up INP export for sections or distributions
saved Nastran include lines option in registry, default "original"
in INP writer, exported material name alone if properties unspecified
in INP writer, removed zero_blank entry for laminate layer plyname if no global layer id available
changed default laminate prefix to prop_
disallowed laminate prefix to end in numeric digit
in the Nastran export window, changed BEGIN / END string to BEGIN BULK / ENDDATA
fixed HMNAME reading/writing for long format
fixed INP writer not to export sections without layers (elements with no laminates)
fixed INP writer to omit element ids from sets when skipping elements without laminates
fixed issue of BDF writing ENDDATA twice if unprocessed lines are only BEGIN and ENDDATA
fixed issue of adding $HM lines to unprocessed ones for Nastran re-export

Post-processing

added support for H3D results import (static, dynamic, complex, forces, stresses, indices, displacements)
added support for combining subcase results, from subcases that include Forces/Moments
implemented export to Excel from "all layers - worst elements" window
added option to export to H3D the current results, but detailed per loadcase
in export to H3D, updated strings for loadcase names and result type in the output
added support for Abaqus 2018
allowed failure calculations with pcompg results if using new reader (anaglyphLayupCreateResultsFailure)
allowed abaqus stress complex calculation, disallowed any abaqus stress calculation if reading ODB directly and all laminate layers have t=1 a=0 (Distributions)
corrected the "most recent" subcase filename+path shown in context menu, to "original"
enabled the popup info window for the "all layers - worst elements" window (problems?)
added COM command to export specific results to H3D
added COM command to create failure results and export to H3D
added COM command to import results file
added COM command to unload all results
allowed results to be loaded with COM command "file open"
added option in Plot window to auto-scale while ignoring interlaminar failure results
added OP2 datablock OUG1 to processing, for MSC Nastran displacements
changed feedback/error messages if op2 file is read or imported but finds no results
fixed bug of exporting incorrectly FI/MS/RF combinations to H3D on new failure results (CLayupDoc::OnNewResFail)
fixed occasionally missing loadcase names when generating new failure results
fixed error of not reading Nastran exponential reals 123.+12 correctly
fixed error of some op2 results blocks being skipped occasionally
corrected the "most recent" subcase filename+path shown in context menu, to "original"
allowed file share when checking for Abaqus odb version

Manufacturing

added option to show global axes in phasebook graphics
added ply name to material column in phasebook templates, as an option
added option to show ply and layer names in larger font in phasebook graphics
changed column widths in phasebook template 3
disabled ply application vector in phasebook graphics, if exploded layer also drawn
phasebook view definition dialog: hidden check boxes for plies and layers if it is a cross-section view type
fixed bug of incorrectly opting to draw points and curves in phasebook views
disabled single flat pattern export options for projected plies
fixed exploded arrow length in phasebook, for parameter arrow length proportional to window size

User Interface

added HDF5 ply / zone readers
implemented slider for cross-section offset in Plot Options windows, Layer Control tab
implemented layup or laminate mass and COG output, +plot
implemented ply COG output, +plot, but not for discontinuous plies
allowed solid surface graphics for sublayups
added area and mass output in expected m2 and kg format
added option to switch Primary and Secondary button roles for graphics
changed default graphics button to secondary
changed look of global axes graphic
added menu item to switch to module-based menus
added message in Summary when "Act on selection" is disabled
added preference to show full path on title bar
in LT INP reader, initialised the material analysis name when found in a section
prevent numerous unwanted popup messages for bad data input in dialog windows

PlyMatch

implemented separate tolerances for inner and outer 3D extended boundaries
implemented fast picking for boundary and fibre angle inspection

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.7 (first release, since previous version)

Version 4.7 introduces totally new FEA file read / write interfaces. The functionality at this stage is largely identical to what was available up to version 4.6, introducing several important additions and fixes, while this important change will allow further new feature developments and customisations in the future.

View

added user preferences for legacy readers/writers on/off, default off
added second results tab to plot options window, to select complex stress calc method
changed order of tabs in plot options window, custom views is now first
supported reading PSHELL from BDF and OP2, as a standard laminate with a single layer
supported Nastran INCLUDE statement in BDF reader
enabled reading of Temperature field in Abaqus INP EXPANSION commands
enhanced reading of ODB material data
fixed Nastran reader for HM SETs when no space between element id fields
fixed Nastran reader to ignore PCOMPP cards
fixed OP2 reader for PCOMPG entry
fixed OP2 reader for double precision CORD and GRID entries
fixed Abaqus INP file INCLUDE statement to work with filename in quotes
fixed Abaqus INP file MATERIAL import for data formatting from HM
fixed version update check procedure to properly retrieve the next update time from the registry

Geometry

modified ply arrows to be scaled properly for automated sessions
fixed occasional error in updating ply coverage with automated sessions

Design

implemented automatic meshing over holes for CAD or FEA files, user options on File Open dialog
added options to control projected ply creation/modification regarding discontinuous patches
added options to control discontinuous ply application direction based on element normal
allowed discontinuous ply modifications when used in the layup
modified layup build window to include user-sorted columns
implemented button to import material type and property values for individual material states, from a layup file
fixed bug of incorrectly saving layer colours when discontinuous plies exist in layup, if layup is not modified during session

Analysis

new FEA file export implementations
FEA file export now checks for material id conflicts
fine tuned Abaqus INP writer for separating start/end part commands and extras output, moved element sets inside part definition, and more
enabled writing of Temperature field in Abaqus INP EXPANSION commands
modified .fem export $HMSET card to have type 2 rather than 10

Post-processing

new FEA file import implementations
added option to plot results on deformed shape (OP2, ODB), added scale options in plot options window
implemented reading complex results from Nastran (force, stress, displacement), whether real/imag or magn/phase (excludes F06)
implemented reading complex results from Abaqus (force, stress, displacement)
implemented reading of Abaqus ODB continuum shells as thin shells
added support for Abaqus 2017
extended LAP forces export to include real and imaginary complex components, separately
FI Envelope plots may specify single layer, and shear=0 ellipse shown in the same plot
implemented elliptical failure index envelope plot per element for some stress-based criteria
improved handling of reporting interface FI past the last layer for an element
added SMAExternal subfolder to Abaqus 2017 bin folder
corrected the ODB reader to read results for single-layer laminate elements

Manufacturing

hardcoded automatic flat DXF label size based on model units, to be 10mm
added option to have a photo or graphic as a phasebook view
enabled phasebook row selection/deselection for output
changed phasebook layer angles to include the layup layer angle offset
fixed phasebook tables not respecting layer sequence when grouping in a row
changed behaviour when removing sublayups, instead of full phasebook deletion to keep its general definitions
fixed bug of not propagating a ply rename to phasebook view data

PlyMatch

added support for gigabit camera
introduced registry DWORD navrg for number of averaged readings (default=5)
modified xbox behaviour to emulate video invert (Y)
fixed error of losing video on file close and re-open
fixed error of missing ESC when mouse picking ply boundary etc

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.6 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

enabled a user-abort when picking elements delimited by curves

Design

added support for discontinuous projected plies
implemented dynamic ply application point, exclude plies used in layup for now, as ILayup crashes
added offset flag option Application Side (dialog, and automation keyword appside)
implemented basic model spatial transformations
implemented automatic Layup generation from Laminates (projected plies from global-id laminate layers)
allowed full layup edit when using sublayups, but not to change the sequence
added the layup (or sequence) mass in the layup edit window
added columns for plygroup and sequence names in the full layup edit table
added menu to rename Layup directly
revised and speeded up layup import (added small temporary nudge to mesh)

Analysis

implemented PSHELL/PCOMP element property retention when exporting to Nastran and merging with file (element thickness must be defined in PSHELL)
in Optistruct export, if the failure theory is defined, the PLY SOUT option is set to YES
enabled use of global layer ids in PLY card for Optistruct export, if all non-zero
revised logic to catch reverse element normals for Optistruct optimiser export
added ply names (with global id appended) in Optistruct export
corrected a formatting bug in the use of global layer ids in PLY card for Optistruct export
forced material ids to become non-zero on laminate creation, on analysis exports and on layup/lt file save
removed Ansys CDB duplicate element set export

Post-processing

added support for Abaqus 2016
implemented plot window cloning
made element picking easier for plot windows
added option to set post-processing scope by plygroups or sequences
added the most recently imported results filename to the context menu of subcases
added info messages for results files successfully imported
added a browse function for the exported filename for new failure results as .h3d files
added the loadcase name to the exported default filename for new failure results as .h3d files
changed default results shading to ON
when importing multiple ODB files, implemented option to use the same user-confirmed ODB version for subsequent files

Manufacturing

implemented the cross-section view option for phasebooks
allowed import of phasebook definitions on single layup fle import
in phasebook cross-section views, layers are shown only up to that phase
enabled phasebook export even without sublayups
made phasebook surface smooth shading a user option, default off
added point cloud export option as STL
added point cloud export option as Nastran Shells
added registry string Point Density to limit the minimum point cloud density in exports, issued warning

User Interface

added custom thickness and ply count spectra, revised ply count plot for discrete numbers up to 30, scales now ascending upwards
added options to customise 3D shading
supported child window position restore on multiple monitors
allowed multiple ply selection graphics, but no outline or flat pattern, limited arrows
supported reading of Hyperworks element sets (SET in bulk data)
enabled reset of toolbars position back to default through menu View/Toolbar
added missing theta orientations when reading layup files

PlyMatch

improved screen pick/calibration zoom popup window
(fixed cam) added support for Xbox gamepad controller
(fixed cam) enabled mouse wheel zooming at cursor, maintained F4/pan functions
added popup message showing max possible texture size
allowed video to use native buffer for zoom popup
(full) added option to ignore CAD/CMM incompatible data (OK/Cancel)
(full) added filter to skip rogue CMM vector data
(full) changed texture size to 2048 (was 2592)
(fixed cam) fixed calibration calc when zoomed in using mouse
(fixed cam) disabled context menu while picking calibration points
(fixed cam) added registry option DWORD max_wheel_zoom_x10, default 20, test with graphics card!

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.5 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

enabled import of free points when importing curves

Design

added capability to associate one element set with a ply
implemented mirroring of multiple plies in one operation
enabled options to stop at branches and to calculate angle change locally, when picking by similar orientation
added menus to randomize exploded/inplace layer colours in layup definition window
added context menu item for individual ply rename
added option to change new ply name root in the advanced general preferences
enabled ply edits to keep highlight on data tree layer child, except on name or angle change
supported recursive *INCLUDE for Abaqus INP files
supported orientation distributions for Abaqus INP files
supported laminate offsets for Abaqus files
supported material orientations for Abaqus files
enabled reading a specific instance from INP files

Analysis

enabled Nastran output options for Nodes/Elements/Materials/Properties
added option to remove BEGIN BULK / ENDDATA in Nastran export

Post-processing

enabled automatic ODB version match from those installed
in plot windows, made the WORST CASE theory to be default option
added both laminate and layup angles in stress plot view popup info window
for custom spectra with specified limits, made behaviour similar to default spectrum for FI MS RF (transparent "low" values)
implemented manual failure calculations for Abaqus
fully implemented engineering strain for failure calculations based on strain
changed default filename for the simple H3D export to include the loadcase name
fixed RST reader to work with partial results
updated RST reader to support recent ANSYS versions
added support for Abaqus 6.14 ODB files
fixed bug of reading all result types for subsequent (multiple) op2/f06/odb files, once user selects not to show the selection window again
supported reading forces from ODB files (allows interactive calculations)
supported reading failure indices from ODB files
supported reading subcase names from ODB files

Manufacturing

implemented PhaseBook export to Microsoft Word
added user option to ignore thickening when exporting exact layup surface as point cloud
implemented dense point output option for mould surface
implemented dense point output option for exact layup surface
fixed bug of missing flat pattern DXF label when exporting multiple plies in plybook export
added COM function SetGuideCurveEnds and updated LTAddPly to include guide curves (used by Rhino5 addin)

User Interface

added new layer-count distribution plots for layup and laminates
enabled type-related icons for materials and plies in tree
added Advanced Options window in General Preferences
added area and mass output to the individual set summary
added data view button to collapse tree
added INP and ODB to registered file types
added element set context menu item to control visibility method
fixed laminate graphics logic for hidden elements
increased the ply boundary line width for printed graphics
softened the diffuse and specular light in model graphics, to improve shaded results
added registry DWORD parameter "CustomSpectraTransparentGoodFIMSRF" to control how to colour FI MS RF results
added registry DWORD parameters "Spaceball Translation Speed pc" and "Spaceball Rotation Speed pc" (default 100) to customise response speed
reduced spaceball response speed

PlyMatch

implemented extended 3D ply boundary graphics with user-defined tolerance
improved calibration logic to adjust CMM points 2 and 3 for better results
fixed occasional OpenGL error when drawing splines
added better support for IGES colour
added code to manually plot any complex NURBS properly (IGES)

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.4 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

enabled geometry healing as a user option on file open, to correct common surface defects

Design

added option to grow or shrink plies by one row of elements around the outer boundary
implemented ply Guide Curves,to include important curves in the flat patterns
implemented ply Vector definition (Application and Reference) by picking imported geometry Points
added function to mirror the Layup about the XZ plane
enabled Slide type plies to have seed curves
added a menu/button to easily reverse the ply or offset Application Direction
added option to import element sets together with a layup
added user option window to allow material Analysis ID import

Analysis

implemented interface to export layup plies to XML (facets, warp/weft, thickness, sequence), for copying to compatible applications
corrected Abaqus export interface for Distribution Tables
added option in Nastran export to skip elements without properties (eg cutouts; tip:merge with original data to get these elements back with their original properties)
added option in Abaqus export for Part Name, otherwise Flat deck
added option in Abaqus export to skip all mesh
added option in Abaqus export to skip elements without properties (eg cutouts)
added option in Abaqus export to skip element Sets (unless used in section definitions)
added option in Abaqus export to skip Material definitions
added option in Abaqus export to use default Laminates or Distribution Tables
added option in Abaqus export for the number of integration points
made export windows remember user selections
corrected Abaqus export using default Laminates for models having elements in the YZ plane

Post-processing

enabled multiple file import for results, in one operation
added worst-case failure result plot, in layer by layer plot window
implemented showing critical failure theory and mode per layer in plot window pop-up
enabled reading specific instances from Abaqus ODB files
implemented reading loadcase names from Abaqus ODB files

Manufacturing

implemented flat pattern output as spline curves
added feature to export IGES points cloud for mould surfaces
implemented layer range selection by ply group, for plybook export
enabled separate CAD pattern files for ply instances (duplicates) with registry parameter word CadPatternInstances=1

User Interface

allowed element set Show/Hide by clicking on tree icon
revised the storage of user options (including custom spectra) for compatibility with admin rights in Windows 7/8 (may still override with Lamtools.ini)

PlyMatch

implemented interface to inspect ply boundary using tactile probe, for deviation measurements
implemented interface to inspect ply fibre angles, for misalignment measurements
enabled model view modes Shaded and Custom for the Camera view
popup zoom method on ply inspection now controlled by registry parameter
fixed calibration error for special case of 2nd and 3rd calibration points on YZ plane

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.3 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

improved geometry translation, with additional control parameters and faster sewing
added split curve meshing option to disable the automatic connection of continuous curves
implemented reading units from STEP/IGES models for correct display of coordinates - new behaviour
implemented reading units from STEP/IGES curves for correct match with model coordinates - new behaviour, model+curves do not need to be in mm now
implemented optional conversion of CAD file units to mm for backward compatibility
enabled CAD file nodes merge for all nodes by default (was for free edges only)
improved split curve meshing
fixed an error in identifying curve splits intersecting ply free edges
fixed crash where phantom curves were added via Rhino STEP files
fixed problem with NEiFusion STEP files missing set names, cutouts and all plies not supported

Design

enhanced Abaqus INP and ODB import functionality
added toolbars to pick dialogs
implemented named offsets
implemented layup edit command to remove ply multiple instances (simplify)
changed ply graphics button in layup definition window to be a check box (on/off)
implemented picking of polycurves for splits and boundaries
implemented multiple curve/polycurve picking by rectangle (splits, boundaries)
allowed picking by named Offsets
implemented auto-extend for splits and seed curves
picking: allowed Shift to switch behaviour to "remove" if in "add"
added option to change pick-by-normal angle tolerance in GUI
implemented fast picking for elements or sets, enabled by default with registry parameter "Pick Fast" = 1
implemented fast picking for node selection
implemented fast picking for individual element edge selection, saves only one element side of the edge
implemented Optistruct export to work with any laminate generation method
disallowed Optistruct export reverse STACK card
fixed bug in Optistruct optimiser SET export command
added COM interface to define offset
added COM function to select split curves
added COM command to delete ply
added COM command to delete offset
if not safe draping, on ply creation, if draping is unsuccessful the ply is still added to tree (errors shown), and split curves are now applied, expecting a successful draping
corrected behaviour of "set face" by offset in the definition for exact layup surface
fixed bug of failing to use some curves as splits
fixed occasional stack overflow error in picking by boundary curve
fixed error of layup export to Excel where compressed format index ranges were occasionally incorrect
fixed errors in ply mirroring
changed default setting for Safe Draping option to FALSE (for new installations)
disabled safe draping for non-draped ply types

Post-processing

implemented interactive global layer post-processing
added post-processing option to display along global fibres
added support for Abaqus transverse shear stresses, including for interactive maximum criterion
added option to plot layer stress/FI results by ignoring layer thickness
upgraded custom failure criterion to LTf3.dll (LTf2.dll used if LTf3.dll not found) - applies to interactive calcs
changed behaviour to automatically apply restricted scope after defining it
disallowed import of results from different solvers
allowed the processing of results if more elements exist in the results file cf. model mesh
fixed the stress plot window popup info not appearing on multiple monitors
fixed bug of not actually deleting individual loadcases internally in memory
fixed occasional non-showing of material or ply names in popup of stress plot window
fixed F06 import of results

Manufacturing

supported plies with curve splits in Flat pattern window
fixed Virtek output filenames

User Interface

added custom curves colour
disabled toolbar layout saving on exit for automated sessions
fixed toolbars repositioning to left when automated session was minimised
fixed occasional bug where menus did not reset on file close
modified file/open behaviour for correct preview on Windows 7/8
modified GUI behaviour on file/close or exit with unsaved changes
allowed use of LamTools.ini in application folder if it cannot be created in Windows folder
added registry DWORD parameter ElementPriorityVisible, default 0, to control element set show/hide priority
fixed multi-selection for data tree on XP, Vista and 7 32/64 with manifest
added Help menu commands for User Manual and Tutorial
changed the reported Layup API version to that of the DLL
added option to disable OpenGL hardware acceleration in the registry

PlyMatch

enabled deviation measurements for non-fixed application as well
enabled automatic restart of video recording every half hour, or on resize
fixed error of averaging fixed camera upright angles close to +/-180
fixed a crash for new camera type zoom window with offscreen coordinates
fixed bug of pause description not showing if text wider than video window

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.2 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

greatly improved geometry translation, with additional control parameters and faster sewing
when loading named surfaces, element sets are also created for the component surfaces of merged surfaces, for easy picking

Design

implemented material/ply/layup export to spreadsheet, to be used for re-importing onto a morphed or translated mesh
added option to import material/ply/layup from spreadsheet onto a translated mesh
implemented ply mirroring and cloning
implemented element set mirroring and cloning
enabled auto merge of material properties on layup file import (by name, if existing type is undefined)
implemented draped pattern outputs (incl. exact) for projected type plies (ply boundary)
added option to import layup file for one element set only
added option to define ply or offset vectors by picking nodes
changed usage and naming convention for imported PlyMaster materials, to reduce number of materials added
modified COM command "layup define/append" to generate global ids
added COM automation function SetSplitEdgeIds
added COM automation function SetMaterialStiffness

Post-processing

added support for Abaqus files (INP, ODB stress)
added option to export generated failure calculations to Hyperworks H3D file format
updated Nastran OP2 support for new element type storage
added support for Ansys RST files for version 13 or later
implemented subcase deletion, fixed multiple loadcase deletion in a single operation
updated LAP export format for transverse loads and offsets

Manufacturing

implemented SigmaNEST spreadsheet output in Ply Book export
implemented data export for automated Robotic ply placement
added cut-out boundaries to Assembly Guidance laser export data
enabled the specification of text height in flat DXF pattern files

User Interface

added support for software based licence keys
improved Windows 7 compatibility, including 3D mouse usage
added COM automation function GetDrapeVectors
revised and improved default GUI graphics colours
plus numerous fixes and performance improvements.

PlyMatch

implemented automatic recalibration for mirrored parts
implemented optional display of tool probe together with model
added ability to pan when zoomed in
allowed the application of a new probe configuration without soft restart
implemented interface to inspect ply placement, calculate and export deviations
added hardware support for Windows 7
implemented fixed calibration method with 6 points
improved fixed camera calibration method with 4 points, allowed individual selection of any successful solution
added ability to save calibration for multiple fixed cameras

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.1 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

enabled the import of 3D curves from CAD, and other geometric entities for future enhancements
implemented new embedded SolidWorks interface, for easy ply definition

Design

enabled ply Split (dart) definitions as curves unrelated to the mesh, for easier generation of accurate flat ply patterns
added method of area picking bounded by an imported Boundary curve
added method of area picking by similar element normal orientation
enhanced the area picking method by visible element set
added support for import/export of element sets in Session files

Manufacturing

enabled Boundary curve definitions for easy and accurate flat ply outline pattern generation (incl. cutouts)
easy ply drop-off flat patterns now possible via imported boundary curves
added ply name to flat pattern DXF file, as a new pattern export option
introduced option to control the default exported IGES file extension name, for improved compatibility

Analysis

enhanced the Nastran export "merge" feature, to scan the mesh and property ids for best merged results
added support for the new Ansys element shell type 281
enabled Ansys properties export including global ply definition (zero thickness at drop-off)
added Laminate Tools material names to Nastran export files, for easier identification and re-use

Post-processing

Enabled basic output ofgenerated failure results to the Altair HyperWorks H3D format, with further enhancements under way

User Interface

implemented COM Server Automation functionality, for remote control via custom client applications
enabled user-selected licence at launch, useful for multi-licence sites
several bugs corrected, and processing improved

PlyMatch

software updates in line with PlyMatch 2010 system upgrade, communication with the hardware re-engineered
enhanced error reporting, to troubleshoot operations
recording timer shows permanently during recording, and is stamped in the recording
increased best recording quality to 15 frames per second
available probe files now appear automatically in selection boxes
relaxed tolerance of camera movement, for smoother animation
relaxed default calibration tolerance for easier setup

New features in Laminate Tools version 4.0 (first release, since previous version)

Geometry

new module, introducing new functionality with potential for many further features
new STEP and IGES file format import capability
automatic mesh conversion with surface sew function
automatic Element Set creation for imported surfaces, for easy selection

Design

added draping warp and weft angle deviation graphics
implemented Element Set picking in graphics
corrected problems with Reverse ply application in Layup
re-introduced STL format import node merge tolerance, added edge sew tolerance

Manufacturing

added support for generation of exact innermost / outermost layup surfaces as point clouds
improved exact flat pattern calculations by preserving surface normals at ply edges

Analysis

implemented surface offset extrusion for Nastran solid elements
supported sandwich configurations for solid element extrusion with 3 elements through thickness
automated the 3D solid element stiffness property calculation and export
enabled Nastran/Optistruct exports to merge with any Nastran data file
upgraded Optistruct SET export format
forced laminate angles within -90..+90 for the Nastran First Ply option
improved support for Ansys LOCAL axis systems and Ansys Existing laminate generation

Post-processing

improved stiffness calculations for anisotropic materials, for interactive calculations
improved automatic min-max range for stress or strain contour plots

User Interface

enabled all windows to be considered when optimising desktop layout
added gradient background colour in graphics windows
allowed the opening of multiple files via Windows Explorer, in separate threads
added diagnostics for licencing operations
implemented licence update via user interface
improved status bar update for progress messages
implemented custom toolbar positioning
implemented html help in addition to standard Windows help
added numerous visual and efficiency improvements

PlyMatch

relaxed tolerance of camera movement for graphics update, for smoother animation

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.4 (first release, since previous version)

Design

implemented safe draping simulation method, to prevent unexpected crashes
implemented view filter for plies in layup builder window
added Delete Laminates menu command

Manufacturing

added support for generation of exact flat patterns, taking layer offset into account
added Ply Area and Mass to the available plybook export columns

Analysis

new Optistruct optimiser export interface

Post-processing

enabled 3 user-defined spectra for results post-processing
added global ply id and ply name to results summary report
added ply name to plot window popup for a layer
implemented interactive LaRC05 failure criterion
implemented interactive Cowin failure criterion
implemented interactive Hankinson failure criterion
implemented interactive Hoffman failure criterion
implemented partial, user controlled, result type import from op2 or f06
added post-processing support for SOL103 eigen value, SOL111 (incomplete) modal frequency response, and SOL112 modal transient response dynamic results
implemented new failure results generation for a single element set only, as an option
introduced parameter to control the maximum lines in the results list feedback (default=50)
added Show ALL button in setting results scope window, to easily disable view filter
added separate call of user-defined criterion for layer interfaces

User Interface

saved plot windows to desktop layout
implemented 64-bit version
enabled multiple instances on same machine for each licence
added ply node under each layup ply node, for easy graphics and modifications
enhanced Ansys material data import
improved automatic web updates checks
upgraded installation environment

PlyMatch

blocked calibration if coordinates differ by given tolerance
implemented better feedback for error situations
made dialogs large size, to view from a distance
implemented fixed camera option
allowed the option of no tool probe being used
added support for user-defined line thickness
added keyboard shortcut for open calibration file function
enabled targeting the tool probe for easy calibration / check

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.3 (first release, since previous version)

Design

implemented dual sub-layup level for compatibility with Catia layups (PlyGroups and Sequences), with backward compatibility support, and layup file import functionality
layup import now reports unmapped elements in feedback window
implemented creation of one element set for each selected ply
implemented layup changes log
implemented layup export to excel
implemented layup layer highlighting and also used in layer graphics
introduced Show/Hide/Toggle options in element sets context menu
speeded up pick by application of 2D pattern in dxf, introduced 3 methods in menu
saved Ansys Solid95 and Beam189 information in Layup file
allowed manual edit of external material ids for FEA

Manufacturing

implemented PlyMatch interface

Analysis

supported laminate creation with material shear states (Nastran)
added option to generate laminates for visible elements only

Post-processing

implemented LaRC02 criterion for interactive calculations
implemented Puck 2002 criterion for interactive calculations
supported Simulayt Addin
implemented popup window with information for layer post-processing plots

User Interface

implemented laminate directional stiffness plot
implemented fully Camera mode (Fly-by) as an option on each model window
supported 3Dconnexion devices in Model or Camera mode, with disable option
implemented Ansys Beam189 element display
implemented reading of HyperMesh material names
implemented custom function key and mouse assignments
implemented automatic software update notifications
numerous performance enhancements and support for latest graphics hardware.

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.2 (first release, since previous version)

Design

enabled sub-layup hierarchy import on Layup Import.
implemented separate import of layup sets, as an enhancement to Layup Import.
implemented separate import of layup materials, to easily re-use and share material data.
implemented element sets output to Ansys CDB files, as with Nastran files.
added PlyMaster layup import functionality.
enabled multiple material shear states, whereby the correct mechanical properties can be assigned to different shear states of scissor materials.
implemented the display of Ansys Solid95 elements, as an option.

Post-processing

implemented micro-strain post-processing for Model, Info, Worst Elements, and Plot windows.
implemented user-defined global ply view filter for restricted scope post-processing, as a selection aid.
implemented transverse shear calculations by NEiNastran method, as a user option.
supported post-processing of imported results that are already sorted by global ply.
modified global ply results text output per element, to be sorted by laminate ply, reflecting the actual laminate sequence.
added Margin of Safety to the lists of possible imported components to be post-processed.
added PUCK criterion to the possible failure theories exported in PCOMPs.

Manufacturing

implemented a new Flat Pattern window, where multiple two-dimensional user-defined patterns can be applied to the model, with support for overlapping strip calculation, highlight and export (2D or 3D), pattern vertex pick and drag in 3D model window, and element selection (pick) by application of 2D pattern.
implemented flat pattern extension (growth) by given amount around the calculated boundary, for later trimming.
implemented the selection of which DXF flat pattern details to be exported, for individual plies or for the plybook.
added support in plybook export for selection of layer ranges by sublayup.

User Interface

implemented distance measurement as traced along the visible surface.
implemented option for multiple visible straight-line distance segments.
implemented user option for scaling the spread of exploded layer graphics.
implemented custom colours for sets, pick area, 2D pattern DXF outline, 2D pattern DXF strips, and many more.
implemented user option for drawing or not of the semi-transparent dark background behind spectrum legends.
enabled highlight for hidden elements of selected element set, and any current element selection.
allowed multi-selection of element sets, showed set coverage filled and shaded.
added pick command to hide all unselected elements, using an element set.
implemented "from Selected Elements only" option for picking.
implemented picking by bounding coordinates box (within xyz ranges).
added ".fem" to the supported file formats (Hypermesh).
implemented $HMSET card in .fem files for element set name definition.
enabled resizing for worst elements - all layers results window.
numerous performance enhancements and support for latest graphics hardware.