SOFiPLUS Release Notes#

Compatibility#

Note

With service pack 2024-2 the file format (DWG) was changed. Drawings saved with service pack 2024-2 or higher cannot be opened in earlier versions of SOFiPLUS(-X).

Service Pack 2024-3 (02 February 2024)#

  • Deleting axis directly from the sidebar now properly deletes any dependent objects immediately. Previously, this could be delayed until the next command.

  • Fixed an issue when aligning the coordinate system of structural areas bound to axes. In rare circumstances the local Z axis would flip unexpectedly.

  • Updated the documentation of the scripting interface to match the currently implemented feature set.

Service Pack 2024-2 (01 December 2023)#

  • SOFiMSHC: Corrected scaling of nonlinear spring properties, according to reference area (219318). This affects the support springs of structural points and the structural springs between points. When you open a drawing, the previously spezified spring values are adjusted.

Note

This conversion is not carried out when importing structural point springs from the CDB. Please check the imported spring values carefully.

  • Design Elements:

    • Fixed export with many elements per secondary group (218515)

    • Speeds up mesh generation if the drawing containes a lot of elements

    • Takes into account a dsn.include file if it exists in the drawing’s directory

  • Command SOF_G_EXPORTCUTTINGLINES

    • left locks on the CDB file

    • the units of the drawing are taken into account

  • New (unique) RSET IDs are now suggested during creation of a Bridge Bearing. When copying an existing element, the RSET ID is not incremented. In this case the RSET ID remains unchanged.

  • Fixed performance problems when selecting a lot of structural points.

Service Pack 2024-1 (06 October 2023)#

  • Improved Tower workflow:

    • Implemented a palette to create a tower

    • Added a command to modify tower

  • Fixed an export issue when a drawing containes many groups and Design Elements.

  • Some improvements and fixed issues for the Create Objects along Curve command:

    • In rare cases, invalid group numbers were generated.

    • Some structural line properties were not copied.

    • The group number of structural areas was not copied.

  • Improvements for the Import command:

    • Design Elemnts on secondary axis are taken into account.

    • The z-axis of structural areas was imported mirrored.

  • Fixed the visualisation of shaded cross sections within the Cross Member Editor.

  • Fixed highlight of edge properties

  • Expanded the command Split Structural Area for free area loads.

Release 2024 (August 2023)#

Tower Workflow#

To support the tower workflow (calcualtion of a multi-storey building) we introduce two new commands: Tower to define the BASE of a tower element and Assign Elevation to Tower to assign one or more storey elevations to a tower element.

_images/whats_new_2024_assign_tower.png

The new commands are located on the Structural Element tab of the sidebar. Together with the existing but renamed command Storey Elevation.

_images/1x1.png

Parametric Workflow#

It is now possible to bind vertices of one object to a vertex of another object, the vertex being called a reference point. If a reference point moves, the dependent vertices are also moved.

_images/whats_new_2024_parametric_original.png
_images/whats_new_2024_parametric_moved_placement.png
_images/whats_new_2024_parametric_building_original.png
_images/whats_new_2024_parametric_building_moved.png

To start displaying and editing these links between objects use the command Edit Parametrics. It will show specific grips for objects supporting this feature. The command Stop Parametrics disables these grips.

_images/parametrics.gif
_images/1x1.png

Import#

This feature has been revised to improve usability and enable more workflows. Materials and cross sections can now be imported, too. The structure of the dialog is based on the sorting of the sidebar tabs.

We fixed a long standing issue: When importing structural lines bound to a geometric axis, these dependencies will be imported and restored in SOFiPLUS, too.

_images/1x1.png

Structural Elements#

Design Elements

If not all elements are to be taken into account, the selection can be restricted by groups. By default, all groups are considered. However, individual groups can be deselected if required.

To support new analysis workflows, there are two new design element types (column and composite bridge)

_images/whats_new_2024_design_element_groups.png

Links between Structural Areas

In order to create link elements between two structural area edges, the user was required to create structural lines at the area edges prior to creating links. Now the edges of the areas can be selected directly. The structural lines are generated by the program automatically.

Structural Areas with Hinge

Structural area edges with an hinge are marked with a small line.

_images/1x1.png

Prestressing#

If not all elements are to be prestressed, the selection can be restricted by groups. By default, all primary and secondary groups are considered. However, individual groups can be deselected if required.

_images/whats_new_2024_tendon_groups.png

The command input for the prestressing elements in the sidebar has been revised.

If there is a warning or an error during the export, you can now zoom to the affected element, edit or delete it.

_images/1x1.png

Improved Behavior#

Structural Elements

The beam types offered have been adapted to the program SOFiMSHC.

The wall/column height used in the respective command is saved in the drawing.

Scripting

The scripting command has been added to the sidebar

_images/1x1.png

Compatibility#

SOFiPLUS/SOFiPLUS-X 2024 can open DWG files from version 2018. After saving in version 2024, the DWG files cannot be re-opened in the older version!

SOFiPLUS/SOFiPLUS-X 2024 can import projects from a .cdb file of version 2024 only.

SOFiPLUS/SOFiPLUS-X may have to convert and/or upgrade data when opening a DWG. Any issues, warnings or errors will be displayed in the Messages tab in the sidebar.