Version 22

Project Management, Overall System

Project Management

New version of projects and project files

Due to the extension of plan numbers, V22 projects are not compatible with older projects.

• Versions before V22 cannot edit V22 projects; an appropriate message appears.

• When selecting an older project with V22, a notice appears with a choice:

  • If you edit the project, it is automatically converted to V22. The old version project is automatically archived for safety and copied to the directory Projects_before_V22.

  • If the project should not be converted, it can be opened in viewer mode.

Since older versions cannot edit V22 projects, it is fundamentally not possible to edit V22 project files (buildings, loading positions, structural positions, profiles, plans) in older versions. There is also no option to save using "Save copy as" for an older version.

Display, General Input

Loading planning and building navigation: The width of the left dialog area can now be adjusted directly with the mouse. Move the mouse cursor over the right dialog border until a double arrow appears. Then move the border with the mouse button pressed.

The construction data program can now also be set for different color modes. This gives you a more pleasant interface with consistent color design.

The palette dialogs, which also include the new building navigation, can be positioned on the screen according to your preferences. They remain always open; thus the information is always available and can be edited immediately.

• The available palette dialogs are switched on in 1-7-2 Screen elements.

• If you acutely need as much space as possible for graphics, the palette dialogs can be collapsed with the push of a button. If you need them again, they can be expanded just as easily by clicking on the tab with the dialog name.

• With the pin in the upper dialog line, you release the attachment:

  • The dialog then hangs on the mouse and you move its upper left corner to the target position.

  • Basically, it can be attached to the left or right of the screen. Areas appear there into which the dialog can be moved and attached with a mouse click.

  • If there are already dialogs in the area, it is divided into color-separated sections: Above the first dialog / first dialog / between dialogs / ... / last dialog / below the last dialog. These sections are similarly sized so that you can position well; they do not correspond to the current size of the existing dialogs.

  • A special possibility is to place the dialog on an already existing dialog and thus form a group. From a group, only one dialog can be expanded; the others are automatically collapsed. This is helpful for dialogs that are mutually exclusive, e.g. building navigation and erection sequence in the building.

• As an alternative to the attached position on the screen, palette dialogs can also be used as freely movable dialogs and moved to a second screen, for example.

Remote Environment Input Mode (optional module)

In the course of increasing online work in home offices, but also to take advantage of a central IT administration, remote environments are also being used more and more. Everything relevant is located on servers and runs on them while the user only needs to handle operation and display on the screen. Keywords from IT here are virtualized desktop, virtualized servers, etc.

In these remote environments, however, some technical components, especially mice, behave fundamentally differently than in conventional computer operation. CAD systems require intensive mouse operation with sophisticated features. And exactly these are disrupted by the remote environment and are not usable. Dietrich's has now succeeded in implementing a mode in its software that intercepts the technical peculiarities of the remote environment and makes the program smoothly operable even in this environment. This enables companies to access the advantages of the remote environment.

• The mode for the remote environment is set in project management in 5-04 User Interface,... The parameter "Mouse operation behavior" is set to the second option "for remote environment".

• This mode also runs on standalone computers without restrictions. If employees work both on standalone computers and in the remote environment, we recommend using the "for remote environment" setting on all configurations.

In this mode, the following changes in mouse operation should be noted:

• At any time, the display on the screen can be moved by pressing and holding the left mouse button. The display can be moved until the visible mouse cursor reaches the border of the graphics area. Then you release the mouse button, place the mouse back into the graphics area and start moving again.

• Similarly, the display on the screen can be rotated by pressing the left mouse button while holding the Shift key. The display is rotated until the visible mouse cursor reaches the border of the graphics area. Then you release the mouse button, place the mouse back into the graphics area and start rotating again.

• If the mouse cursor reaches the border of the graphics area within a function, usually when selecting an input point, the display is not automatically moved. As before, the display can be moved with the mouse button pressed without having to end the function.

• This type of operation is available in the classic wireframe model and in the OpenGL workspace. Also in the OpenGL viewer, rotation is only triggered by the combination of Shift key and pressed mouse button.

Drawing Elements

Texts, Dimensioning

Dimensioning styles in the unit Feet-Inch now have another formatting option: The minimum number of inches from which feet should be used can be entered. This value can be set arbitrarily, minimum 12, default value is 96. At 96, up to 96 inches only inches are written, e.g. 89 5/16"; from 96 inches feet are also written, e.g. 9' 6 5/16".

Hatching

Hatching helps to make a plan clearer or even provide information about certain areas. Therefore, additional hatching has been built into the program:

• Natural stone general

• Glass

• Grass

• Coniferous trees (view)

• Deciduous trees (view)

• Deciduous trees from above

• Cover strip cladding

Building

General

Labels in wall construction, floor construction, roof structure and framework.

When working on screen, labels directly on components, component groups and elements are very important information sources. The new form of multi-line, freely adjustable labels is now also available in the model areas wall construction, floor construction, roof structure and framework.

• These labeling possibilities were introduced with V21.01 in the DICAM model area. Further information can be found in the performance description for V21.01.

• The labels are set in the model areas in function 1-7-1 Display.

• Extensive information is now also available for component groups and components on screen.

• Elements: Extensive information and display of element boundaries can be controlled via the new labels. This is therefore the preferred control. The previously used checkbox Elements, which only controls the display of element number and element boundaries, can however still be used.

• Centers of gravity: The display of centers of gravity can now be set separately for elements, component groups and for components separated by component type. This is therefore the preferred control. Previously, the display of centers of gravity was controlled via the checkbox Dimension take-off elements. For elements, this is still possible, for centers of gravity of components this is no longer possible and centers of gravity of component groups were never displayed before.

General Input

Building Navigation

Building navigation is a step like from the map to the navigation system. With the new possibilities like highlighting, showing/hiding and activating, the building structure opens up.

In all model areas, you switch as before with a mouse click to editing for the desired building element, e.g. the wall or the ceiling. What's new is that you can also directly call up the editing of a single roof area in roof structure. The Free Construction becomes even more central for editing the entire building with building navigation, from controlling the whole to the finest detailing.

• If the mouse cursor is over an entry in building navigation, all components that are currently visible or could be visible are highlighted in the graphics.

  The highest priority for visibility is 1-7-1 Display: What is switched off here cannot be switched on via another function. So if, for example, the rafters are switched off, they are not highlighted when the mouse cursor is on the roof structure in building navigation. They also cannot be switched on via building navigation. But if the rafters are switched on in the display and were only hidden (e.g. via active hide), they are highlighted and can also be shown again via building navigation.

• The checkbox in the branch of building navigation controls the visibility of the components of this branch. Both volumes and plan elements are handled.

  If the checkbox is set, everything is visible on screen that can currently be visible for this branch. If you click in the checkbox, all this is hidden.

  If the checkbox is not set, nothing is visible on screen that could currently be visible for this branch. If you click in the checkbox, all this is shown; also an individual component that was previously hidden via 8-05 active hide.

  The checkbox in mixed state shows that on screen only part of what could currently be visible for this branch is visible. If you click in the checkbox, everything is hidden.

  If the checkbox is only displayed dashed, nothing from this branch can be shown. Either there is nothing yet that could be displayed, or everything is hidden via 1-7-1 Display.

• The activation symbol in building navigation also shows the status and can switch it. Only volumes are handled here.

  If the activation symbol is set, everything is active that is visible on screen and belongs to this branch. If you click in the checkbox, all this is deactivated.

  If the activation symbol is not set, nothing is active that is visible on screen and belongs to this branch. If you click in the checkbox, all this is activated.

  The activation symbol in mixed state shows that only part of what is visible on screen and belongs to this branch is active. If you click in the checkbox, all this is activated.

  If the activation symbol is not displayed, nothing from this branch can be activated. Either there are no volumes in this branch yet, or they are hidden (individually or via 1-7-1 Display).

In each level of building navigation, a context menu can be called up via right mouse button. There, depending on the level, corresponding functions are offered:

• Via set current the corresponding building MOS is set current. If the mouse cursor is on an element, the element MOS is also set. If you then create new components, they immediately belong to the correct structure.

• With isolate the entire display can be reduced to the content of this branch with one click. The fastest way to be able to concentrate on the essentials.

• Through highlighting, you can very easily recognize when assignments of individual components to elements or building elements don't fit. With the functions add component and remove component you can correct this immediately.

  Building navigation supports the later loading planning already in construction and ensures that everything is suitably prepared for loading.

• Walls, ceilings, roof areas and their elements are prepared for loading by the center of gravity function: It is determined what belongs to the loading element, center of gravity and weight are determined. In building navigation, the respective building elements and elements are then divided into the loading element and the remaining parts.

• Through highlighting, you can directly control which components are in the loading element and which are not. For walls, the mounting sole plate typically does not belong to the loading element.

• At the end of the loading elements, the determined weight is displayed.

Speed

Speed and combination elements:

• A building contains many combination elements and in DICAM the component group selection is switched on. When calling functions that consider the component group selection, the combination elements are then also selectable as a group and must be organized accordingly. Previously, with a large number of combination elements, there could be strong delays until the start of the called function; after restructuring this organization, these functions now start immediately.

• For executing and recalculating combination elements, structural adjustments were made in the areas insertion coordinate systems, referenced query bodies and point symbols. Depending on the components used, combination elements are executed up to 30% faster.

Speed: Do-Undo procedure

In daily work, the Do-Undo procedure is constantly in use; it is the fastest method to undo an attempt or a wrong input. The previous Do-Undo procedure was based on simple mechanisms that are very safe; no change is lost. With large projects, however, these mechanisms reach their limits because they have a high memory requirement. This leads to limiting the number of Do-Undo steps and to increasing delays with each function call. A new strategy has now been implemented for the Do-Undo procedure that enormously reduces memory requirements. This new strategy has now been introduced for combination elements, volumes and plan elements; especially with many combination elements, the effect is huge. Here are some figures from work with large projects:

Project with many combination elements:

[Function call V21.01 V22.01]

Time at first step: 9.0 sec 1.6 sec

Time at 5th step: 30.0 sec 1.7 sec

Memory usage first step: 5.5 GB 5.7 GB

Memory usage at 5th step: 25.4 GB 7.7 GB

Project with many volumes and plan elements:

[Function call V21.01 V22.01]

Time at first step: 1.4 sec 0.7 sec

Time at 10th step: 1.4 sec 0.7 sec

Memory usage first step: 660 MB 660 MB

Memory usage at 10th step: 4734 MB 1125 MB

The number of Do-Undo steps can now be significantly increased while maintaining working speed.

Speed when accessing plan elements: Through structural adjustments and process optimization, up to 20-fold acceleration was achieved. Impact is shown in various functions with many plan elements:

• Move, rotate, copy building

• Take over floor

• Recalculate combination elements with plan elements

• IFC Premium: Import an IFC with many combination elements and assignments via oa1 files.

D-Ref Building Reference (optional module)

D-Ref in building navigation

When other buildings are loaded via D-Ref, they are now directly accessible in building navigation and the division of the overall building is always clearly recognizable.

• The D-Ref form the top level in building navigation. The D-Ref buildings are structured below like the current building.

• Their individual areas can thus be shown and hidden via building navigation; isolation is also available here.

• The display switching of the D-Ref can be called up directly via the context menu.

• The D-Ref management can also be switched to directly via the context menu.

Volume Info, Component Input

The new volume info is built as a palette dialog. The volume information for currently selected or activated individual components is thus permanently visible. A quick glance is enough to recognize whether the right component was selected or the right item number was assigned. If a change is necessary, it can be made directly and immediately in this permanently visible palette dialog.

The dialog offers special performance when selecting multiple components: Matching properties are displayed, non-matching ones are symbolized by three asterisks (***). In any case, you can adjust the property by direct input in all components.

In addition, quantity information is displayed for the components: Number, running meters, panel area, volume and weight. This allows quick plausibility control of the selection: I expected only 4 components, but 5 were selected. Quick quantity determination for various purposes is also possible: How many running meters of KVH are in the wall, how much glulam do I need for the purlins, etc. The weight information is particularly interesting when assembling packages: Since the quantities are also displayed when selecting in the function, I can track the weight during assembly and thus very easily consider the maximum weight of packages.

Surface Objects in Building

Surface Objects

For editing the shape of components, they must have a volume body; only this type was previously available. For some components, changing the shape is not necessary and they may consist of very thin material. Typical here are components of the ventilation system, i.e. pipes and connection pieces made of sheet metal. These components can now be represented by surfaces that do not form a closed volume body; we call this component type surface objects.

• Surface objects preferably consist of surfaces. However, they can also consist entirely or partially of lines if, for example, individual surfaces could not be closed.

Surface objects are thus components, but consist only of surfaces and have no volume body. They can be managed and treated in many ways as components:

• Volume info: Item number, designations, display can be changed.

  • Calculation of weight and center of gravity is not possible

• They are organized via MOS: Groups, buildings, elements, free MOS, rooms

• In the display switching, they are handled together with the other components.

• The points, lines and surfaces of surface objects are recognized when measuring and picking up.

• All functions for activating can be used.

  • The active filter can be restricted to volume bodies or surface objects.

• Visibility can be switched on and off for individual surface objects.

• With surface objects the following are possible: Copy, move, rotate, delete, mirror

  • Not possible are: Volume operations, separate, cross-section change, input of machine processes.

• The geometry of surface objects can be changed with Long/Short. Thus, especially for pipes, ventilation ducts and similar, basic shape adjustments are possible.

• Sorting: Surface objects are sorted according to their volume info and geometry and thus prepared for result output.

• Results:

  • According to their item number, surface objects can be stored in material lists. The determination of weights and areas is usually not possible.

  • In plans, they are basically displayed and can also be calculated hidden. They receive labels like volume components.

• Exports:

  • Surface objects are transferred to the 3D web viewer.

  • Surface objects are exported to IFC files.

  • Surface objects are also written to the formats fbx, obj and gltf via the visualization export.

Surface objects can be saved in volume libraries and thus transferred to other projects.

• External libraries with surface objects can also be transferred to our libraries.

• In a library element, several components can be contained, even if these are mixed volume bodies and surface objects. So in a library element, a surface object (e.g. from the sanitary area) can be supplemented with necessary components and the fasteners and processes contained therein.

Surface objects arise mainly when importing components from other systems:

• Import from project files in IFC or SAT, but also from external libraries in these formats.

• Components whose surfaces do not form a closed volume: E.g. parts of the ventilation system, but also sanitary objects.

• Components that should actually have closed volume bodies, but whose geometry description in the external file is faulty. Unfortunately a very frequent case.

Organization, Structures

The MOS group is originally used to support input in construction. Increasingly, it is also used in production and organization.

Therefore, the MOS group can now also be output to material lists. The exports of material lists then also offer transfer to other systems, e.g. ERP systems.

In addition, the MOS group is now also offered as a system variable and can be used for various purposes:

• In component labels it can be displayed.

• In machine transfer it can be transferred via user-defined attributes (see section on Cambium / BTL10)

• In combination elements it can be processed in conditions. If, for example, a process should only be executed if the component belongs to MOS group -3. In relative comparisons, the MOS group is treated like a number: -5 is smaller than -3, 10 is greater than 2.

Elements - Packages

Elements and packages are central structures for organizing production and logistics.

• Packages:

  grouped for process step: machine, delivery ... / is not assembled from individual parts / often spanning for multiple walls, ceilings ....

• Elements:

  assembled from individual parts / position of individual part important, element plan / assembly before delivery to construction site / part of a wall, ceiling, roof area

Certain individual parts belong to element and package:

• packaged for ordering and machine

• then built into element

Components must be able to belong to an element and a package. Therefore, elements and packages have now been separated into separate structures that must be considered throughout:

• Consideration in inputs:

  MOS Elements, MOS Packages / Component inputs / MOS Info, display when selecting / Active filter.

• Consideration in results:

  Sorting / Machine storage / Individual beam, individual panel plan / Screen and plan labeling / Material lists

Benefits in application:

• Both construction (elements) and processes (packages) can be coherently structured.

• Clear, consistent organization, since considered from inputs to results.

• This is a prerequisite for individual components to be at the right place at the right time in production and on the construction site.

System -- Combination Elements

The combination element system experienced extensive expansions. The following lists some key points for application. The description of the entire system is summarized in the special manual: Program installation directory \documents\ger\Kombielemente_*.. This manual explains not only the inputs in the dialogs but especially the fundamental relationships and techniques used here.

Combination Elements General

Re-read and recalculate combination elements

In projects, many combination elements have already been entered; especially in windows but also in any other form. One or more of these combination elements were changed. To be able to use the new version of the combination elements, the combination elements had to be newly selected in the windows (doors and niches). For other types of combination elements, the already inserted combination element had to be removed and the changed one completely re-entered. With function 7-9-8 Re-read and recalculate combination elements, any number of already inserted combination elements can now be directly selected. The corresponding changed combination element is re-read, whereby input values of variables, selected points and components, etc. are preserved. The newly read combination element is then recalculated.

Prerequisites for this are:

• The combination element is still in the same directory. The system directory %DHPKOL% can be changed; it depends on the underlying directories.

• File name of the combination element file and name of the combination element must still exactly match.

  • For combination elements supplied by Dietrichs, note that directory names, file names and combination element names are partially translated. Internally, not the clear texts but the language-neutral identifier is stored, e.g. #203 for "Window".

• The type of combination element must match: A combination element for insertion in the ground can only be replaced with such a one.

• Variables are handled as follows:

  • values of already existing variables are kept

  • newly added variables get the default value

  • variables that no longer exist are simply removed.

• The number of query points and the number of query bodies must exactly match.

• The point symbols and libraries used in the changed combination element must also be available.

If prerequisites are not met:

• the existing combination element remains

• A corresponding message appears describing the reason.

• In the message, directory, file name and combination element name are displayed both in clear text and in internal form with language-neutral identifiers. So the file can also be easily found with Explorer or TotalCommander.

This function saves a lot of input work with changed combination elements. Errors and information losses through re-input are avoided. The function also supports combination element development very well: Often you can control the changes made without having to re-enter the combination element.

Combination elements: If it is not possible to change or execute the combination element due to missing libraries, drawings or point symbols, a message appears. In this dialog, the first file not found is now also displayed. So the missing files can possibly be supplemented step by step.

In combination elements, the item numbers of the layers of wall, partner wall, current lower ceiling, upper ceiling and roof area are now available as variables. These variables are mainly used in conditions: If layer item number contains OSB, then... So, for example, complex nomenclature for the name of the wall design can be omitted.

Combination Elements on Windows, Doors and Niches

Combination Elements Exterior Doors

The combination elements for exterior doors have always created a bolt at the bottom of the threshold. This is now switchable and can be defined via a query in the "Dimension" group. Here the height of the threshold bolt can be set and at height 0 it is not created.

The same setting option is also available for all exterior doors with fixed element.

Combination Elements "Window - outward opening"

In various building situations, access to escape and rescue routes is also necessary via windows. In these constellations, windows must open outward. For this purpose, independent combination elements for rectangular windows - with the fixed opening direction "against view" - have now been created.

The following types are now available as "outward opening":

• Rectangular window with one casement

• Rectangular window with two casements

• Rectangular window with one casement and one transom light

• Rectangular window with two casements and one transom light

• Rectangular window with two casements and two transom lights

Combination elements "outward opening":

• Combination elements for entering "outward opening" windows

• Insertion in floor plan or wall construction via function "4-8-1 Rectangle" ("%DHPKOL%\Window\Rectangular cross-section\outward opening")

• detailed visualization of casements, transom lights and frames

• standard-compliant representation of outward opening direction in floor plan and in plans

Extensions Combination Elements "Window\Rectangular cross-section" with "Frame/Additional layer"

In various situations, frame widening for windows can become necessary. On one hand for lateral mounting of running rails for shutters or shading systems. On the other hand in the area of lower connections, to establish a correct transition to the floor structure. Often also for over-insulation of the frame to avoid thermal bridges.

The application cases can be very diverse.

To be able to cover these requirements, the main combination elements for windows have been supplemented with the "Frame - Additional layer" group.

Frame additional layers have been built into the following combination elements:

• Rectangular windows

• Slanted windows

• Pointed windows

The frame additional layer is switched in the "Frame/Additional layer" group. There, the creation of a frame additional layer can be switched on separately for top, bottom and left/right. A distinction can be made between the options "Additional layer", "Cross-section change" and "additional frame widening".

The "Additional layer" option creates the frame widening as a separate component with the dimension specified under "Width of widening". The "Cross-section change" option widens the existing frame components by the specified dimension. The "additional frame widening" option corresponds to the "Additional layer" option, an additional component for frame widening is created. The difference with this option is that the frame additional layer is not included in the frame dimension.

The output of frame widenings in window lists has also been considered. Via the combination element "Description text with symbol" it can be set in the "Output additional text" group under "Output frame additional layer" whether the frame additional layers should be included in the "Description".

Combination Elements "Construction"

• Update and extensions of the combination elements "Construction" - "Hilti - Timber connectors"

Hilti Timber connectors HCW 37x45 M12 (formerly "Stexon")

• Revision and expansion of the former combination element "Stexon quick connector"

• Adaptation of existing item numbers and library elements from Stexon to Hilti

• Input of hanger bolt in database and combination element as fastener

• Installation of variable panel layer between elements for wood-wood connection

Hilti Timber connectors HCW L 40x295 M12

• new combination element for entering tie rods HCW L 40x295 M12

• Insertion via "at points, components"

• free choice of installation situation (wood-wood, wood-concrete)

• free choice of orientation (sill, top plate)

Modules for Special Constructions or Construction Areas

Window Construction

Combination Elements "Window-Door Extras"

• "Processing options" - "Sill slots":

  In various cases, doors or door/window combinations are first set on site. For this purpose, the sills are entered and manufactured continuously in the opening area. This increases the stability of the affected walls during transport and assembly. After setting the walls, the sill is then removed in the opening area.

  Slots can now be entered and processed at the affected beams via combination element. So the components don't have to be completely cut through later and possible damage to tools is avoided.

  • Combination element for creating slots in sills and mounting sills in the area of window and door openings

  • Insertion via "additional combination elements" on windows and doors

  • individual possibilities for setting position, offset, depth and width of the process

Combination Elements "Window-Door Extras"

• "Processing options" - "Datum line":

  The datum line is the most important height indication on a construction site. It is often found especially in the area of door openings. If the later floor structure is already known, it can now be generated immediately as a combination element for openings in the form of machine processing.

  • Combination element for creating datum lines as notch or marking in the area of window and door openings

  • Insertion via "additional combination elements" on windows and doors

  • individual possibility for setting position, arrangement, height to finished floor level and processing depth

  • depending on the current ceiling, the exact and correct height position is to be checked independently

  • note that recalculation does not occur automatically with subsequent changes

Combination Elements "Window Extras"

• "for rectangular windows" - "Group: Window weight"

  Windows can make up one or even the essential part of the weight of walls. To better consider this for transport, assembly and crane work, there is now as part of the combination element "Window Extras", in the "Window weights" group, the possibility to create auxiliary bodies for considering window weight.

  Basically, two methods are available:

  Via an auxiliary body, the typically decisive weight of the panes can be considered. "Weight body according to:" is set to "Item no. and square meters" for this. Additionally, the material of the panes is selected and the total pane thickness is specified. For triple sun protection insulating glass with pane thicknesses 6 [mm], 4 [mm] and 4 [mm], 14 [mm] is entered as total pane thickness. The combination element now creates a component as auxiliary body that simulates the total weight of individual panes.

  If you set "Weight body according to:" to the "Value" method, a window weight can be entered directly in the unit [kg]. The combination element also creates an auxiliary body, which is now created in its size so that the directly entered weight can be exactly considered.

  Via the selection under group "Weight body - window weight" it can be individually set into which group these auxiliary components should be placed and considered in a later center of gravity calculation.

  • Combination element for creating an auxiliary body that can be used for consideration in center of gravity calculation

  • Insertion via "additional combination elements" on windows ("%DHPKOL%\Window-Door Extras\Window Extras\for rectangular windows")

  • Weight determination via window area or direct specification of total window weight

  • individual possibilities for setting window type, total pane thickness, item number, window weight (direct!) and organizational group

Combination Elements Window "Description texts"

• for windows "Description text with symbol" - "Group: Dimensioning/Labeling"

  During the input situation of windows, it is often helpful to see the relevant dimensions of the window and its reference to significant elements in the building already in the preview.

  The combination element "Description text with symbol" has been extended for this purpose. In the "Dimensioning/Labeling" group, the creation of two dimension chains can be switched on. Additionally, the distance to the opening can be specified. The created dimension chains are placed by default on the "Window opening" layer and are then also available in wall construction.

  • Combination element for creating opening dimensioning via combination element

  • Insertion via "additional combination elements" on windows ("%DHPKOL%\Window\Texts\Description text\Description text with symbol")

  • individual possibility for positioning dimension chains in the view via freely definable distance to opening

Ground Views

For many tasks, from design planning to construction, you work in the floor plan. As different as the tasks are, so different are the requirements for display and shown information. We need views of the floor plan adapted to the tasks; we call these ground views.

Any number of ground views can be created for each floor. A ground view consists of the following settings:

• For identification a number and for explanation a name. The number is also used as reference when showing in other ground views.

• Optionally the image section. So a detail view can be predetermined.

• The visibility of layers and the layer group. If a layer group is saved, other layers are automatically hidden and layer management is reduced to this group.

• Screen display (1-7-1), especially with:

  • Visibility of floors is saved with

  • Display of plan elements of other ground views

  • Settings for automatic dimensioning and labeling

• Scale for displaying dimensions and texts. This scale thus belongs to the ground view and is not taken from individual layers.

When you now select a ground view, these settings are applied and you have the view on screen suitable for the task. And with one click you are in the next view for the next task.

Plan elements like lines, circles, texts and dimensions that are entered in the ground view belong to it. Thus the display of this information can also be controlled according to the task; multiple creation of layer variants is not necessary.

Plan elements from ground views can be shown in other ground views. If plan elements should be used in multiple situations, you create a ground view for this that is shown in the corresponding other ground views. The plan elements are then entered only once.

The ground views are further a view of the floor plan, i.e. of the walls, windows and doors. This floor plan can be edited in all ground views, i.e. walls can be entered, moved, etc. The adjustments are thus made in the context best suited for this. Conversely, they are immediately available in all ground views.

Typical are ground views for preparing corresponding plans, e.g. the input plan. You prepare the floor completely for the input plan; i.e. including texts, dimensions and other graphic supplements. For the actual plan, the ground view is then only stored; practically no post-processing takes place in the plan itself. The great advantage of the ground view in the building is the immediate editing and checking after changes in the building; you don't have to switch to the various plans for this.

The settings of ground views can also be transferred to other buildings via the usual functions. In addition, an otherwise empty building with all ground views can be saved as a template. If you take this over for a new building, all ground views are already created and thus optimally prepared.

Multi-wall (optional module)

When defining multi-walls, you can now specify beam type numbers for beams that should be ignored. This is particularly interesting for mounting sills that protrude from the other studwork. This affects the distance of walls within the multi-wall. If the mounting sill is considered, the distance may be larger than it actually is on the machine because the mounting sill is not considered there. Any number of beam type numbers can be specified, separated by semicolons.

Doors and Windows in Floor Plan and Wall Construction

Window reveals: When positioning window sill or window board, the clearance to rough opening could previously be used. This is difficult to determine especially with profiled window sills, since the lower edge often lies even below the rough opening, i.e. has negative clearance. Now with the offset to rough opening the upper edge of the window sill can also be positioned. This is usually clearly known since it must have a certain recess relative to the lower frame timber. This offset can also be kept the same for differently wide window sills. Window sills can thus be positioned much more easily and directly.

Window reveals: upper components

Many specifications for the reveal components (reveal boards outside, reveal boards inside) were not distinguished for lateral and upper components. Especially due to the various shading systems, the upper components could not be sufficiently distinguished. The following values have now been added, making adequate definition of construction possible for many situations:

• Reveal boards outside

  • Thickness of upper component

  • Clearance to construction for upper component

  • Overhang for upper component

• Reveal boards inside

  • Thickness of upper component

HRB

In sheathing, the creation of a whole panel at the end of division can be forced via the division direction setting: Options left, whole panel right and right, whole panel left. This is used to avoid narrow panels at the end of walls. Sheathing that refers to this sheathing (reference sheathing method) now also generated a division where the whole panel at the end of the main sheathing is considered. So at the wall end, a whole panel is also created as far as possible, whereby all rules for offsetting joints are observed.

Studs at wall ends (corner studs) are now also automatically created with the "band" system; they thus behave like the division studs. This has an effect when they are interrupted by openings (corner windows, purlin penetration): The required components are now created below and above the opening.

HRB Editor: The following extensions have been built in for managing sheathing, stud layers and division library elements:

• Sheathing can be used as reference sheathing. If you delete them, the reference sheathing is missing in the respective setting. Therefore, deleting sheathing that is entered as reference sheathing is blocked. A message appears with the numbers of settings that refer to the sheathing to be deleted.

• The order of settings can be changed. For this, the setting in the tree is simply moved to the new position with the left mouse button pressed.

  • The settings are renumbered; usually several settings get a new number.

  • For all sheathing used as reference sheathing, the number in the references is reorganized. If the sheathing previously had number 2 and now number 5, then in all reference sheathing the 2 is replaced by 5; the reference to the correct sheathing is thus preserved.

HRB Editor: Delete settings with missing partner HRB files

When connections (wall ends, T-joints) to other HRB files are defined, the definition for the current HRB file is stored in the current HRB file and that for the partner wall in the other HRB file. This is necessary because each HRB file must be operable by itself. If the current HRB file is now saved under another name, a new setting is immediately created in the partner file so that all connections are defined again. Thus, over time, a multitude of settings arise, of which not all are necessary anymore because the partner file no longer exists.

If you now go, for example, in "T-joints - right-angled from behind" to the overview of existing settings, you see especially in the lower frame many settings that were once defined but whose HRB file no longer exists; the HRB file is listed in the left list. You place the marking on such an entry and press the delete button. Here a warning message first appears that the formerly connected partner HRB file no longer exists. Previously, this setting could then not be deleted for safety reasons. Now another dialog box appears after this (canceling the warning message) that offers to delete the setting. Thus many HRB files can be freed from unnecessary settings, leading to better clarity and smaller files.

Note: The warning message also appears when the preview is switched on in the graphics on the right and you focus on a setting with missing file. This warning message is very disturbing when you want to delete several superfluous settings. Then it's best to set the graphics to auxiliary image.

HRB Editor: Descriptions for sheathing: Free descriptions can now also be entered for sheathing in the HRB editor. These then appear in the tree between the number and the automatic description from item number and layer. With this description, you can document the sheathing so that the purpose or special features are immediately recognizable. This is very clear and it is then no longer necessary to look through all values in the dialog.

HRB Editor: Managing sills and top plates:

To be able to cover the many different situations, several sills and top plates must be created. To maintain clarity, the order of sills and top plates can now be changed so that, for example, all sills concerning the ground floor are together.

• To change the order, the sill or top plate in the tree is simply moved to the new position with the left mouse button pressed.

  • The sills and top plates are renumbered; usually several components get a new number.

  • In the lower and upper connections, the sills and top plates are reorganized in the references. So the correct selection for a connection is preserved even if the order changes.

  • In all wall ends and T-joints there are specifications for sills and top plates. These are also reorganized so that the components appear at the new position but keep their original values.

• Also when deleting sills or top plates in the tree, the affected lower and upper connections as well as wall ends and T-joints are reorganized accordingly.

• The numbering of sills and top plates has been supplemented and unified:

  • In the tree, the number now appears before each sill and top plate. So it's easier to find the affected component.

  • The numbering in lower and upper connections now starts at 1. So it matches the numbers in the tree and in the dialogs for wall ends and T-joints.

HRB Editor: Order and display of types of openings, lower and upper connections

For openings (windows, doors, niches), lower and upper connections we work with types. These are made understandable with a description, but only the type number serves as reference. This is stored at openings and walls and so the assignment is preserved even if the description is changed. You can also exchange the HRB file if you ensure that a type number always has the same meaning.

Previously, the type number matched exactly with the order and position in the display; at 10th position was thus necessarily type 10. Now the display order can be adjusted independently of the type number.

• The display order in the selection in the building is as shown in the HRB editor in the tree. To change the order in the HRB editor, the type is simply moved to the new position with the left mouse button pressed.

• The order in the display can thus always be arranged sensibly. So you sort, for example, all window types that determine the lintel area directly behind each other; then come window types for the sill area. If you later add a new type for the lintel area, you now push it to the other lintel area types and in the selection these are sensibly together.

The type number is stored at the opening and wall. If the display order now changes in the HRB file, the type number must not change; otherwise all existing projects would bring different results when re-assigned with HRB. Therefore, the display order is independent of the type number:

• When creating the type, display number and type number still match. When changing the display order, however, the type number is preserved. This is never changed so that it matches those stored in the buildings.

• Existing projects can also continue to be processed without change with the new HRB files. The type number in the existing project still matches that in the HRB file.

• The actual type number is therefore additionally displayed:

  • in the HRB editor in the tree, in brackets

  • in the HRB editor in the dialog left of the rocker switch

  • in the building in the selection of types, in brackets

• Types cannot be deleted in the HRB editor because it cannot be checked whether its type number has already been used in a building. Only the type with the last type number can be removed to avoid having to keep accidentally created types.

Sometimes more types are kept in an HRB file than should be offered in the selection in the building:

• In the dialog of the respective types there is a checkbox left of the rocker switch that determines whether this type should be offered.

• If the checkbox is set, the type appears in the selection in the building; if it is not set, it doesn't. In the HRB editor itself, the type is always displayed.

HRB Editor: The width of the left dialog area can now be adjusted directly with the mouse. So the texts that have become much longer due to the extensions are completely readable. Move the mouse cursor over the right dialog border until a double arrow appears. Then move the border with the mouse button pressed.

In HRB, the item numbers of wall layers are now available as variables:

LInp0, LInm1,... For partner walls accordingly: A_LInp0, A_LInm1,...

These variables are mainly used in conditions: If layer item number contains OSB, then... So sheathing can be controlled directly via the layer item number and complex nomenclature for the name of wall design can be omitted.

With HRB connection types, connection possibilities have been extended and at the same time definitions made more comfortable: The combinable connection processes with conditions and filters for connection components cover many constructions. The clear rules and structure of types make definition simple and clear.

• According to the philosophy of types, HRB connection types are defined at one place:

  • The definition of the HRB connection type takes place only at exactly one place, in one dialog.

  • At each individual component, whether division stud or individual corner post, only the type is entered.

  • If the HRB connection type must be adjusted, only the one definition is changed. All individual components that use the type are thus all adjusted.

• In the HRB connection type, multiple processes can be combined

  • An individual component can be connected to several other individual components at one component end. So especially to the lying top plate with a face plate and to the top plate with standing cross-section with a T-joint end plate.

  • The definition of all processes at this one place makes the overall construction much clearer. It is no longer necessary to combine different techniques for these connections, especially to execute type 4 processes or intersection sets in later steps.

• In the HRB connection type, multiple situations can be mapped

  • An individual component is connected to different connection components with respective other processes. The selection of connection components takes place via corresponding filters.

  • To cover this, multiple individual components had to be defined previously, which were executed or suppressed via conditions.

• Whether a process within the HRB connection type is executed can be controlled via conditions or filters:

  • In the condition, system variables (e.g. wall design), user variables (from project, building or HRB file) and intermediate values of the HRB file can be processed.

  • As filters for individual components to be connected to, component type, item number, beam types, designations and groups can be used. The usual wildcards are also usable.

  • A geometric filter concerns cross-section orientation. For this, the orientation parallel to the width of beam 1 is determined. If the width of beam 1 is parallel to the width of beam 2, both have the same orientation in the layer, e.g. the normal post to the lying top plate. If the width of beam 1 should be parallel to the height of beam 2, both have different orientation in the layer, e.g. the normal post to the top plate with standing cross-section.

  • Another geometric size for control is the maximum extension of beam 1 for searching connection components. Here 1 value applies for the entire HRB connection type. Via this value, connection components can thus be excluded if they are too far from the component end.

Note: Variables used in HRB connection (in conditions or in process parameters) apply to the entire wall. This means no variables can be used that change depending on the opening. Background is that connections are only created when all components have been created.

Rules for selecting the individual component to connect to:

Starting situation is the end of beam 1, as created by layers and offsets, the original length. This length is shown by the continuous blue lines in the image below. Added to this is the maximum extension defined for the HRB connection type; the extended part of beam 1 is shown via dashed lines. The red arrow points to the connection component and the component side that is connected to at the end according to the rules.

Case A: First, an attempt is made to find connection components with the original length. This is the case when the component end of beam 1 lies in a connection component (A1) or is touched by it (A2, A3).

From the connection component at the connection end, other components are searched that touch. Therefore, in cases A1, A2 and A3, the lowest connection component is excluded.

Beam 1 then connects to the connection component that is closest to its center (the innermost). Therefore, in all 3 cases, connection is made to the second connection component from below.

Case B: If case A does not apply, extension is made by the maximum extension and connection components are searched again. This is the case when the extended component end of beam 1 lies in a connection component (B1) or is touched by it (B2).

From the connection component at the connection end, other components are searched that are closer to the center of beam 1 but still outside the original length of case A.

Beam 1 then connects to the connection component that is closest to its center (the innermost). Therefore, in cases B1 and B2, connection is made to the second connection component from below.

Case C: If case B also does not apply, the component is searched that is closest to the center of beam 1 (innermost). This applies in case C.

Within an HRB connection, a connection component can be found for a beam 1 for multiple processes. It is only used for the first found connection process. So as soon as a component is found as valid connection component for a beam 1, it is ignored in further searching by this beam 1. The order of connection processes within the HRB connection is thus to be observed: First the exceptions should be entered and at the end the general connections.

Update and extension of HRB templates "Dietrichs_AW" and "Dietrichs_IW"

The requirements for timber construction are constantly rising. The range of materials used, especially panel materials, is continuously increasing. The installation situation of windows and doors is becoming more complex and demanding through, for example, shading systems.

To be able to handle these requirements comfortably and provide a basis for customer-specific extensions, the HRB templates ("Dietrichs_AW" and "Dietrichs_IW") of the standard delivery have been fundamentally revised.

The delivered template files essentially contain the following basic settings:

• Settings for sheathing

• Settings for stud layers (including defined connection types)

• Settings for lower and upper connections (including sills and top plates)

• predefined types for wall ends (right-angled inside/outside):

  • Type 1: Standard

  • Type 2: OSB continuous

  • Type 3: variable

• predefined types for T-joints

  • Type 1: Standard

  • Type 2: L-post

  • Type 3: variable

• predefined types for window openings

  • Type 1: Sill

  • Type 2: floor-to-ceiling ground floor

  • Type 3: floor-to-ceiling ground floor & upper floor

  • Type 4: Post -- Standard

  • Type 5: Lintel beam according to window combination element (B=0)

  • Type 6: Lintel beam according to window combination element (B>0)

  • Type 7: Lintel under top plate

  • Type 8: floor-to-ceiling with sill notch

  • Type 9: Post (crank)

  • Type 10: Post (chord)

To be able to use the above-mentioned HRB templates fully, a separate set of default values must be loaded. This is contained in the delivered work environment and can be imported via data exchange: Building complete V22 - HRB

Type selection:

Type selection for upper/lower connections, wall corners, T-joints and free wall ends takes place as usual in the wall attributes.

Settings for assignment with individual panel materials:

To adapt the HRB templates to individual structures and panel materials, the template files no longer need to be changed in the future. Internal control via layer item number makes it possible to make the desired changes comfortably in wall structures and default values. For individual adjustments, you first change the layer item number of the respective wall layer. This is done in the building under "Manage wall designs" or specifically at the settings of the affected walls themselves. The next step is adding the layer item number in the default values. After loading the above-mentioned set "Building complete V22 - HRB", three free fields for individual layer item numbers are available in the "Panels" group. Under "Layer item number" the item number is entered that was previously added or changed in the wall designs. The panel material to be used is selected under "Item number". The last step is specifying panel width and length.

The described procedure is only necessary if it concerns strongly individual wall structures and panel materials. If you only want to use gypsum board instead of GKB/gypsum fiber boards in one layer, you switch the panel material under "Item number" to "GFP" in the "Panels" group of the already supplied "GKB layer".

When assigning walls in the building with the HRB interpreter, the program now checks whether individual settings have been made. If this is the case, the walls are assigned according to the set default values.

With this procedure, assignment and sheathing can be controlled simply and completely from the building. One HRB template can be used for different assignments.

Types for windows and doors:

To reduce the settings for windows and doors, the settings for openings in the HRB templates have been adapted. If the checkbox "use all HRB types with fulfilled conditions" is set, automatically only the types (see above "predefined types for window openings") are executed whose criteria were evaluated as 'true' during assignment. This considerably reduced the number of necessary settings for windows and doors. It is no longer necessary to explicitly select the required HRB types in the "HRB type" list.

Floor Construction

In floor construction, the display of components of other building elements was limited. Optimizations now allow all components to be displayed that lie completely or partially in the display area of the ceiling. The display area is a horizontal slice through the entire building with thickness of the ceiling plus the adjustable areas below and above the ceiling (1-7-2 Screen elements).

Roof Layout

When moving a roof window, all tiles on this roof area had always been deleted. Afterwards, you had recalculated the tiles to correctly adapt the tiles to the new situation. Now automatic calculation has been built in that supplements the missing tiles at the old position of the window and removes them at the new position.

Roof Structure

A new copy function has been built into roof structure. The following component types can be copied:

• Rafters

• Foot purlins, intermediate purlins

• Ridge purlins

• Hip rafters

• Rising purlins (except those with crown type 'height')

• Hip rafters, valley rafters

The selected component can be freely copied to all roof areas.

When copying purlins, both continuous and length-limited purlins can be copied.

• When copying length-limited purlins, the target purlin can take over the length of the source purlin or be immediately adjusted in length.

• If a copied purlin runs through an opening in the roof area, the query automatically comes whether it should be divided there or not.

When copying rafters, both fixed rafters and field rafters can be copied.

• A copied fixed rafter automatically changes the distribution if it is copied into or next to a field with field rafters.

• A field rafter can optionally distribute automatically in the target area or become a fixed rafter.

All copied roof components are not blindly copied to their destination and then remain as they were, but adapt to the situation at the destination.

• So a copied purlin immediately creates notches in the rafters at the destination.

• Copied rafters, hip rafters, hip and valley rafters immediately get notches from the purlins at the target position.

• Copied rafters and hip rafters immediately connect to hip or valley rafters.

If a source component has manual processes, these are also preserved. The new component gets the same manual processes as the source component.

Rooms, Floor Areas, Room Contents

The following lists some key points for application. A detailed description of the topics rooms, floor areas, room contents can be found in the program installation directory in the documentation \documents\ger\Rooms_*.*.

Assignment of individual components to rooms:

Fixtures in walls and ceilings, e.g. electrical boxes, must be assigned to these as they affect production. In equipment planning, these elements are additionally to be assigned to the room. With function 1-4-4 Room assignment equipment this assignment takes place automatically under the following conditions:

• The rooms are already defined.

• The individual components protrude at least 1 mm into the room.

• The individual component does not belong to one of groups -17, -18 or -19.

• The individual component does not belong to a window or door. It can, however, belong to a niche.

• The individual components can belong to a wall, ceiling, roof area, framework, floor, roof or free construction. This connection is not changed by assignment to the room. The individual component thus subsequently belongs, for example, to a wall and a room.

Assignment of windows and doors to rooms:

Windows and doors belong to walls as they affect production. In equipment planning, these elements are additionally to be assigned to the room. For this, function 1-9-5 Window-door list is triggered in the floor plan and the selection is set to the option "all rooms". In the generated window-door list, the assignment to rooms is then entered. Prerequisites:

• The rooms are already defined.

• Windows: to the room they adjoin

• Doors: If they only adjoin one room with enclosure according to DIN 277 standard case R, then to this one. If it adjoins two valid rooms, then to the one it opens to.

Room information: Edge flooring to wall

Room information is output on screen and in plans. For equipment, the length of flooring edges adjacent to walls is interesting. This value can now be displayed directly in room information. The unit follows the length unit set in 1-7-5.

Room information: additional contour line

For evaluating rooms with roof slopes in the sense of the residential area ordinance, the contour lines at 1.00 and 2.00 m are decisive. The 2.00 m line also serves for orientation in which areas you can move upright. To further document the usability of roof spaces, an additional contour line can now be determined. So the areas can be defined where 2.20 m high cabinets can still be placed.

The height of the contour line is set in the floor plan in function 1-7-8. If this value is greater than 0, an additional contour line is created. The value is stored in the building position, so it can be different in each building.

To display the line, the corresponding checkbox is set in room information: display additional contour line.

Centers of Gravity of Building Elements

Center of gravity with suspension (optional module): Power Clamp III, SIHGA PICK

To be able to safely suspend wall elements in production, for loading and when erecting on the construction site, center of gravity and suspension points must be determined. The wall must not hang crooked and the stability of suspension must be ensured. In the module "Center of gravity with automatic suspension", positions of suspension points are determined for walls. The function considers both possibilities of the traverse as well as operating conditions of load handling devices such as minimum distances to component ends. The algorithm takes over the very complex work of finding permissible positions. Sometimes hundreds of situations must be checked regarding all restrictions. And if there is initially no solution, adjustable tolerances are used in the second step, e.g. possible inclination of chains from traverse to load handling device.

The new version particularly considers inadmissible processes in components that should accommodate the load handling devices. Processes are not completely excluded but may not penetrate into a certain area around the suspension.

In addition, concrete settings, combination elements and libraries for load handling devices of the brands Power Clamp III and SIHGA PICK are supplied with the function. If you use these, you can start immediately.

Settings for possible suspension positions on the traverse:

• Suspension points can be attached along the traverse in a certain area.

• If the position within this area can be arbitrary or mapped via a regular step dimension, the setting can be defined in the dialog.

• If there are only certain positions in this area with irregular spacings, these positions must be defined in the special settings:

V_SS_AufHaPos1=1.900 1st possible position on traverse, up to 6 positions

V_SS_AufHaPos2=1.300 2nd possible position on traverse, up to 6 positions

...

The following settings are to be observed for using Power Clamp III. If the supplied setting "PowerClamp" is used, the special values for PowerClamp are already set. Here for control:

• in the dialog:

• in the special settings:

V_SS_SwpAh_RHSuOeff=0.100 Maximum top plate height for searching openings (layer 0)

V_SS_SwpAhABeX=0.220 Minimum distance suspension point to process along X of entry surface drilling

V_SS_SwpAhABeY=0.045 Minimum distance suspension point to process along Y of entry surface drilling

V_SS_SwpAhABeZ=0.100 Minimum distance suspension point to process along Z of entry surface drilling

The following settings are to be observed for using SIHGA® PICK. If the supplied setting "Pick" is used, the special values for Pick are already set. Here for control:

• in the dialog:

• in the special settings:

V_SS_SwpAh_RHSuOeff=0.070 Maximum top plate height for searching openings (layer 0)

V_SS_SwpAhABeX=0.250 Minimum distance suspension point to process along X of entry surface drilling

V_SS_SwpAhABeY=0.045 Minimum distance suspension point to process along Y of entry surface drilling

V_SS_SwpAhABeZ=0.100 Minimum distance suspension point to process along Z of entry surface drilling

Erection Sequence, Load Planning

Erection Sequence (optional module)

On the way to the finished building, after production, logistics and erection are decisive phases in the project. Optimal pre-planning of these phases secures the economic success of the project. With V21 we made logistics plannable with load planning. With the Erection Sequence module, the ideal tool for planning and preparing the erection sequence is now available.

The erection sequence can be used standalone for optimizing the construction process. Results are optimal in combination with load planning whose basis is the erection sequence. In addition, the erection sequence also has strong effects on the production sequence and should be considered in production control.

The erection sequence can be assigned for components that are mounted as a unit on the building. These can be individual components like purlins, but also entire component groups, wall, ceiling and roof elements. They thus correspond to the load components. In the erection sequence, these can then be mixed arbitrarily: e.g. after the mounting sill comes a complete wall element, etc. The software ensures with its procedures that a component of an element cannot additionally be lined up as an individual component.

The erection sequence is arbitrarily deeply structurable into sections: 1st construction section / 1.1 ground floor exterior walls / 1.2 ground floor interior walls, etc. The resulting tree enormously increases clarity.

The sections are filled with load components in the corresponding order. This is done manually with a comfortable function by simply clicking in the desired order. Optimal is filling the sections by the program: For this, extensive rules can be defined: e.g. all wall elements of the ground floor, order according to wall number. The entire tree with sections and rules can also be saved in an empty building as template and then taken over for a new building. Through this excellent technique, the erection sequence can then be generated to a high degree at the push of a button in the new building.

The erection order can be very intuitively post-processed by graphic moving in the tree. You always have visual control: Currently marked load components in the tree are highlighted in the building, already lined up load components can be displayed differently or hidden.

The erection order is transferred to the loading position. There it supports loading by automatically offering the load components in the corresponding order for loading. The loading status of the load component is also displayed in the erection sequence tree. Since loading can inversely influence the erection sequence, the erection sequence can be post-processed here just as in the building itself.

An ideal, ergonomic control of the erection sequence offers the function present erection sequence. The process of erection is shown in a film. The film can be stopped and played step by step or section by section. The currently set load component is highlighted both in the building and on the vehicle (loading position). So it can be visually controlled whether both unloading and assembly are possible at this moment.

The result is the erection sequence list, which can be generated as pure text or CSV file or via a special Excel transfer. With adjustable information scope, the sections and individual load components are listed according to erection sequence. In the loading position, vehicle, loading aid and loading level can additionally be output.

As a contemporary result for use in loading and on the construction site, the erection sequence is also exported for the 3D web viewer (module required). On any tablet, the position of the load component on the vehicle as well as in the building can then be displayed. The load component can be graphically clicked or searched for this. For searching, direct input is possible, e.g. of the serial number, or reading a QR code that is located on the real load component. Finally, the erection process can also be played as a film in the 3D web viewer and thus communicated to the executors.

Load Planning (optional module)

To further process the construction site with vehicles for complex visualizations, the loading position can now also be exported with "1-05-03 Export Visualization" (optional module) in the formats fbx, gltf or obj.

Point Cloud in System (optional module)

When you plan for existing buildings, you bring the existing into the planning. For extension or renovation of existing buildings, the existing must first be recorded. The most comprehensive method for this is laser scanning, where the building is scanned and many millions of measurement points are recorded: the so-called point cloud. You can now read this point cloud directly into Dietrich's into a building. The following planning and construction can then orient themselves to this image of reality.

To make this possible, the often several gigabyte point cloud must be reduced so that it can be processed on a usual PC. For this we offer especially filter methods, comfortable alignment and cutting out areas (so-called clip box). Parts of the point cloud prepared in this way can be saved as scenes and quickly loaded at any time. Practically arbitrarily large point clouds can be fluidly processed by dividing them into these scenes.

Point clouds in the usual E57 format are processed; every manufacturer of laser scanners provides this via the associated software, you don't need a special format. So you are free in the choice of your own scanner or can take over point clouds from service providers if you don't use your own scanner.

Real work with the point cloud then offers the following features:

• The points of the point cloud can be selected as 3D points. So they are used directly as reference for inputs and positioning or distances are determined.

• In work planes, point clouds have their own clip box with which the point cloud can be further reduced to the corresponding situation. This increases clarity and avoids selecting wrong points.

• According to their clip box, orthophotos are generated in work planes. These allow comfortable input of drawing elements: lines, circles, but also dimensions. Especially the input of lines supports approaching the point cloud for CAD.

• For floors, an adjustable area from the point cloud is also provided as orthophotos. This is the optimal basis for entering walls with window and door openings.

Plans, Plan Program

Plan Program General

In the plan program there are the usual dialog boxes for opening plans, creating new plans, deleting plans and saving with new plan number. These dialog boxes had become outdated and much too small to clearly display the flood of plans in a project. For this reason, they have been completely reprogrammed and now offer the following possibilities:

• The dialog box is now dynamic and can be changed in size.

  • This makes the tree longer and clearer.

  • The preview becomes larger.

• Instead of in a list, plans are displayed in a tree structure.

• In the tree, all main categories and categories are displayed that were assigned to them when creating.

• Before the plan number, the number of the associated building position can be shown if the plan was assigned to a building position. So the tree looks as you already know it from project management.

Since the "list" of plans can still be very long, there are various filter options to find the searched plan faster:

• In a dropdown list you can choose

  • whether all plans should be displayed,

  • or only those that belong to a selectable building position,

  • or only plans that belong to no building position at all.

In a field you can enter free text that the program searches for in the plan info. The asterisk (*) can be used as wildcard. So with the text "*Wall" (input without quotes) only plans are displayed where the word "Wall" appears in the plan info.

Extended plan numbers, plan file names

Plan numbers, i.e. the file names of plans, can now have any length. This makes it possible to better recognize the content directly from the plan number. For example, all wall plans could begin with "Wall plan_".

This name can be preset in plan storages and is now also saved with the settings. To be able to create multiple plans of the same type, a counter can be appended to the name.

• The counter can be 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-digit. Counting always starts at 1 (01, 001, 0001). If there is only a fixed plan number, you can also work without counter.

• Since the plan name is saved in the setting, the next plan storage again suggests a plan with the same name. With the counter, multiple plans are then created. Example: plan name "Wall plan_" with 2-digit counter:

  • The system first searches all existing plans that begin with "Wall plan_" and then have 2 more numbers. From these, the plan with the highest number is considered and the next number is suggested.

  • If no such plan exists yet, "Wall plan_01" is created as the next plan.

  • If the plan with the highest number is "Wall plan_43", "Wall plan_44" is created as the next plan.

  • If the plan with the highest number is "Wall plan_99", "Wall plan_100" is created as the next plan. Here it automatically increases to 3 digits. It is also checked whether this plan already exists.

• If a plan with fixed name should be created, set the counter to "Without counter". This also applies if the plan name ends with a number, e.g. "Wall100". Then "Wall100" is entered as name.

It is also helpful that PDFs created from plans get the same file name, because it remains recognizable from which plan they were created.

Floor Plan

Previously, only components belonging to the respective floor were always displayed in the floor section. Now there is a new dropdown list next to the floor list where you can choose between the following options:

• Current floor only: This option creates the same display as before, only components belonging to the selected floor are displayed.

• All components: With this option, all components in the floor section are displayed that are at the set height in the building. It doesn't matter which building element (roof, wall, ceiling) the component belongs to.

An element dimensioning has been built into the floor plan. This allows checking element widths and creating an assembly plan for elements.

• This dimensioning dimensions all element joints of a wall.

• Element dimensioning can be switched on separately for exterior walls and interior walls.

• Also separately for exterior walls and interior walls, you can define the layers to be considered for the beginning and end of the dimension chain. So you can set that the dimension chain doesn't begin at the end of the wall body, but at a certain layer.

Interfaces General

Interfaces General

External Input Devices (optional modules)

Input via external input devices can now also be used with active work plane:

• For 3D functions, the global 3D position of inputs is preserved. So if you record an edge of the building with a 3D line (4-3-1), this is independent of which work plane is currently active.

• The work plane can be used to pull inputs to a certain plane. This affects all functions that are adapted to work planes:

  • Creation of components in submenu 2 Edit - 1 Constant cross-sections functions 4 Beam along X to 9 Panel.

  • Functions for plan elements, i.e. generally those from submenus 02 Draw to 06 Texts.

External Input Devices: Evaluation of Point Clouds from Laser Scanners, Connection As-Built Modeler (optional module)

Coordinate system alignment: When using survey data from a point cloud, aligning coordinate systems is necessary. For this, preferably the arbitrary coordinate system of the point cloud is transformed to the project coordinate system. After this, all further results from the As-Built Modeler can be transferred more easily. Especially exports from Dietrich's (e.g. visualization as obj) can be read directly into the As-Built Modeler and fit without complex transformation.

The new dialog allows comfortable determination of transformation values via 2 methods:

1. Method: 2 known targets in point cloud:

• 2 targets (fixed points) were recorded in the point cloud. Their position in the building is known.

• Successively, the 2 points in the building and then the 2 targets or fixed points in the point cloud are selected.

1. Method: Align point cloud with arbitrary points:

• Alignment via arbitrary points takes place step by step.

• By picking up 2 points, the rotation around Z (orientation of X-axis) is determined.

• For translation in X, Y, a reference point in the building is selected and then in the point cloud one point each for X and Y separately. This allows, for example, choosing points on the respectively best suited sides of the facade for different directions. Particularly helpful since the building corner practically never exists as a pickable point or no building corner lies at the corresponding location due to building shape, e.g. with L-building.

• Finally, a reference point in the building and an arbitrary point in the point cloud are also selected for height reference. This can, for example, lie on the finished floor in the interior area.

As result of both methods, transformation values are displayed in a dialog. For entry in the transformation dialog of the As-Built Modeler, they can be transferred via copy & paste. These values are saved in the building and can also be displayed later via the function "transformation saved in building".

Import of orthophotos from As-Built Modeler (prerequisite: As-Built Modeler connection module):

The As-Built Modeler exports orthophotos with additional information about position and orientation of these orthophotos. With the special import function 1-04-4 Orthophotos, this information is used and the orthophotos are automatically inserted in correct size and orientation at the corresponding position. So they are very good for control and as orientation for further inputs.

• Prerequisite is that the point cloud in the As-Built Modeler was aligned accordingly with the building.

• Only orthophotos from the As-Built Modeler are offered for which the corresponding files with additional information exist.

• First, a work plane is created for the orthophoto in corresponding orientation and position.

  • A name can be given for the work plane. The name of the orthophoto is initially suggested.

• Then the orthophoto is imported in correct dimensions at the corresponding location in this work plane. The orthophoto is thus globally at the correct location.

Import - Building - IFC and IFC Premium (optional modules)

Working with IFC experienced extensive expansions. The following lists some key points for application. The description of the entire system is summarized in the special manual: Program installation directory \documents\ger\IFC_*.*. This manual explains not only the inputs in dialogs but especially the fundamental relationships and techniques used here.

Surface objects in IFC import, SAT import

In IFC import and SAT import, surface objects are now also created; more information about surface objects can be found in the general listing of performance features for the update. Surface objects arise in 2 situations:

• Already in the source, components are defined with surface description (e.g. surface, open shell). Accordingly, they are imported as surface objects.

• In the source, components are described with volume bodies, but the geometry description is faulty and cannot be imported as closed volume body. For these components, we create replacement geometry as surface object with as many surfaces as possible and possibly lines for edges. See also section "incomplete import of components".

Import of surface objects behaves basically like import of other components:

• Item numbers are based on item number assignment.

  • Recognition of machine processes is not possible for surface objects.

• Assignment to floors and building elements takes place like with components with volume bodies.

Surface objects as replacement geometry for faulty volumes:

• These surface objects as replacement geometry are located on group MOS -16. So they can be switched directly in display controls.

• Surface objects as replacement geometry also get a free MOS. Its name consists of the term "(Defective volumes)" and the desired item number, e.g.: "(Defective volumes) OSB".

IFC import, SAT import: Incomplete components, log files in IFC import

Relatively frequently, components are described in the IFC or SAT file with volume bodies, but the geometry description is faulty or cannot be imported as closed volume body for other reasons. To exclude errors in the BIM process, these situations must be recognized and handled. The import function offers strong support for recognition and further processing of such components.

During import, IFC or SAT entries for components go through the following steps:

• Various repair mechanisms try to repair the geometry and produce a correct volume body.

• If repair mechanisms fail, we generate replacement geometry as surface object with as many surfaces as possible. For surfaces that cannot be formed, the program creates 3D lines for edges.

  • More information about surface objects can be found in the general listing of performance features for the update.

  • Surface objects have great advantages:

    • Display with closed surfaces is much clearer than pure line display.

    • For each IFC or SAT entry there is a surface object that can be individually switched visible and further handled.

  • These surface objects as replacement geometry are located on group MOS -16. So they can be switched directly in display controls.

  • Surface objects as replacement geometry also get a free MOS. Its name consists of the term "(Defective volumes)" and the desired item number, e.g.: "(Defective volumes) OSB".

  • The previously created auxiliary geometry on corresponding layers is no longer created.

• Raw component: For components of an item number, machine processes should be determined. If replacement display had to be created for such a component, we additionally generate a component with volume body according to its dimensions, i.e. a raw component. This can be used as basis to create machine processes based on replacement displays, for example.

  • When storing lists and plans, note that there are now two components for one component: the surface object and the raw component.

Log file for IFC import:

• If components could only be imported with replacement display or not at all, the system creates a log file:

  • The file is created in the directory of the source file. The file name consists of the file name of the IFC file + project number + position number + date.

  • In the file there is a block for IFC entries for which replacement geometry was created.

  • In the file there is a block for IFC entries that could not be imported.

  • For each affected IFC entry, a line is written. This contains: IFC floor / IFC entity / IFC name / IFC Oid / IFC Guid. The data is tab-separated so that it can be clearly displayed in an editor or also in Excel.

• The listing from the log file is very suitable for searching the affected IFC entries in the FZK viewer:

  • The listing beginning with floor/IFC entity and IFC name allows quick assessment of whether the affected component is relevant. If it is, for example, a piece of furniture (IfcFurnishingElement), it will usually not be needed for timber construction.

  • With menu item Query / Element Information / Element Information, open the table with IFC entries. Menu item in English version: Query / Entity Information / Entity Information.

  • In the table, the entries listed in the log file can be found in corresponding columns. By clicking on the column header, data is sorted by this column and you can easily search for the desired entry. The IFC Oid is best suited for this.

  • With a double-click on the line of the searched entry, the element is marked in the building tree and in graphics. Now the situation can be investigated.

Log file for SAT import:

• If components could only be imported with replacement display or not at all, the system creates a log file:

  • The file is created in the directory of the source file. The file name consists of the file name of the SAT file + project number + position number + date.

  • In the file there is a block for SAT entries for which replacement geometry was created.

  • In the file there is a block for SAT entries that could not be imported.

  • For each affected SAT entry, a line is written. This contains the counter of the SAT entry in the SAT file.

IFC import: Building elements without geometry description

Sometimes building elements (walls, ceilings, roof areas) are in IFC files without geometry description. Building elements cannot be created without geometry. We then only create structures for the floor or roof as a whole. Individual components are then assigned to the floor or roof.

• Building elements without geometry are listed in the log file:

  • In the file there is a block for IFC entries for building elements without geometry.

  • More about the file can be found in section "IFC import: Incomplete components, log files in IFC import".

Export - Building - 3D Web Viewer (optional module)

D-Cloud Service for 3D Web Viewer (only with current software maintenance):

The HTML files of the 3D web viewer support communication with building owners and cooperation partners; they are also used within your own team. Due to security measures on the internet, however, there are restrictions: Many programs block emails when html files are in the attachment. On Apple devices, especially iPhones, the html file cannot be executed locally at all.

Dietrich's now offers a solution to this problem with the D-Cloud Service: You can upload the html files of the 3D web viewer to an area of the D-Cloud reserved for you, i.e. publish the file. The following prerequisites apply:

• Your license has the 3D Web Viewer module and currently valid software maintenance. The function is no longer available in the license when software maintenance of the license has expired.

• The D-Cloud Service can only be used for files created from version V22.01. Html files from older versions cannot be published in the D-Cloud.

• The D-Cloud Service and associated storage space in the cloud is available to you free of charge with valid software maintenance. This storage space was set up exclusively for timely exchange of files; no files are archived there.

• Files are stored in the D-Cloud for maximum 30 days. In addition, maximum 20 files per license are kept there. If you publish more than 20 files, the oldest files are deleted and are no longer accessible via the link.

Publishing in the D-Cloud is very simple:

• In the building, call up the export for the 3D web viewer via 1-05-04:

  • Settings and file name input take place as before.

  • Via the button "publish in D-Cloud" you create the local file with one click and publish it by uploading to the D-Cloud.

  • The program then generates a link that you pass on to the recipient of the file, e.g. send by email. You can mark it and copy it to the clipboard with Ctrl+C. Or you use the button under the link for convenience.

  • With "open link in browser" you close the function and open the published file in your browser. So you can immediately check whether the right thing arrived there. If you just want to end the function, use the End button.

• Already created files can also be published in the D-Cloud later:

  • In project management, call up the context menu on the html file with the right mouse button. There you start the function "publish in D-Cloud". Everything else behaves as described above for the function in the building.

The recipient of the file can also download it for permanent storage. When the file is open in the browser, there are the following possibilities:

• In the browser, call up the corresponding function via the menu. For example, in Firefox this is the function "File - Save page as".

  • You can also call up this function with right mouse in the context menu. Note that in the graphic area the right mouse button has another function. Therefore, the context menu can only be called up when the mouse cursor is in the upper band with the icon bar and the Dietrich's logo.

DICAM - Import - SAT (Optional Module)

Surface objects in SAT import

SAT import: Incomplete components, log files

see corresponding sections in chapter Import - Building - IFC and IFC Premium

For importing large SAT files, various optimizations have been built in:

• The preview uses only a limited number of lines, then a notice is displayed and no further drawing takes place. So the time for building the preview is limited.

• During import, a progress display is shown; you can see that the import process is still running.

• The time for import has been reduced since multithreading is used for certain steps. Several processor cores of the CPU are used in parallel.

DICAM - Import - STP, IGES (Optional Module)

Communication with other project participants is still based on various interfaces. In steel construction, the STEP and IGES interfaces are very widespread. With the new import interface, you take over steel constructions into your planning. It can be considered there in further inputs or also further processed. This data format is also used for data exchange for TGA (technical building equipment) systems.

• During import, only the colors of components can be used for control (similar to SAT):

  • Colors are broken down by RGB values. All colors of components present in the import file are listed. In addition, colors stored in the setting are listed.

  • Via column E it can be controlled whether components with this color should be imported.

  • If the checkbox in column M is set, the shapes of components are interpreted and an attempt is made to replace the shape with machine processes.

  • In the last column, the desired item number for these components can finally be entered.

  • If colors occur in a file that have not yet been considered in the current setting, the control in the line below the table is used for these "other colors". This is also used when components bring no color definition.

DICAM - Export - STP, IGES (Optional Module)

Communication with other project participants is still based on various interfaces. In steel construction, the STEP and IGES interfaces are very widespread. With the export interface, you pass on steel parts for production to your project partners. There the construction is taken over into corresponding metal construction programs and prepared for controlled machines. Especially drillings are exported so that they can be directly recognized as such in the target system.

Machine

Post Processor

General

More and more users have more than one machine and must therefore change the machine for transfer. A setting must be selected for each machine. After changing the machine, a different setting must therefore also be selected. For this situation, the program now remembers the last setting used for the respective machine and automatically changes the setting when changing the machine.

Cambium / BTL10

We have built a system for user-defined attributes in machine transfers that works with a combination of free texts and variables. For each attribute you can select the desired entry from an extensive list of variables. This includes the following variable groups:

• All self-defined user variables from the project (definition in project management)

• All self-defined user variables from the current position.

• All system variables related to building elements, elements and packages.

• All system variables related to individual components (e.g. dimensions, serial number, beam type, group, etc.).

Depending on the machine, differently extensive user attributes can be transferred, depending on what the individual interface allows:

• Cambium, component: Here values for five user attributes per component can be transferred. No field name can be given to these user attributes; these are defined in Cambium itself.

• BTL10, BTLx, component: Here six user attributes per component can be defined. Each user attribute consists of the freely definable name and the value of the attribute.

• BTL10, BTLx, project: For BTL and BTLx, user attributes can also be defined for the entire project (the BTL file itself). Here you can also define six attributes consisting of name and value of the attribute.

Cambium Contour / BTL Panels

Previously, the option 'minimum width of a bay' was only considered when you had transferred the bays as contour. Now this also works when you use the 'cutout' option.

• Bays smaller than the entered value are then transferred as cutout.

• Bays greater than or equal to the entered value remain in the outline and are thus transferred with outline lines.

Storage for Post Processor Wall and Panel

In the storage of walls, ceiling or roof elements, there has long been the optional option to have layer contours regenerated. The geometry of panels is taken and from their outer contour and possibly inner openings, a new layer contour is formed. A new option has been added to this analysis.

In the storage dialog box there is the new field 'minimum width of a bay'. Depending on the input value you get the following result:

• The bay in a panel is larger than the entered value: Then the bay remains in the outer layer contour, as it always has been.

• The bay in a panel is smaller than the entered value: The bay is removed from the outer layer contour. The outer layer contour "runs" past the actual bay. The bay is stored as its own, inner layer contour for the post processor.

Post Processor Wall and Panel -- Weinmann / BTL Machines

If you want to cut thick panels but the cutting line is only very short and also set to undercut, it may be that the machine does not cut this line. This is because the saw, due to its diameter, cannot completely penetrate the panel without cutting beyond the short line. Here it can be helpful to at least score the panel so that manual cutting out is easier. For this, however, the saw cut must be transferred to the machine with less depth. For this we have built the possibility in the dialog box 'Settings -- Miscellaneous' to enter the saw blade diameter. This then has the following effect:

• Diameter = 0.000: Transfer takes place as before, the depth of cut corresponds to panel thickness, regardless of how long the cut is.

• Diameter > 0.000: The program automatically calculates the corresponding depth for each cut that is still possible with the saw blade diameter and respective length of cut and transfers this to the machine. This only affects short lines; long cuts have no problems with saw blade diameter.

For nail rows, you can always set a distance to the edge of beams and a separate distance to the edges of panels. The distance to beam edge was also used as distance to beam ends. Now a separate distance to beam ends can be entered to maintain a larger distance and avoid tearing out the beam.

In nail settings, you always select the number of the layer to be nailed. If, for example, the panel from layer 6 should be nailed to the posts of layer 0, you have selected layer 6 here. You still do this. From layer 6, the program then automatically searched for the "right" layer and the matching components in it. If panels should be nailed to beams, the program automatically searched for the next layer with a beam and then took all beams in this layer. This possibility still exists and is automatically selected in the new dropdown list until you select something else. The option for this is called 'automatic search'.

Sometimes there are situations where automatic search leads to an undesired result. If, for example, the panel from layer 6 should again be nailed to the studs of layer 0, but in layer 3 there is a single beam, the program would take the beam from layer 3 and not search further. Therefore, you can now alternatively to automatic search also set a fixed layer in which the program searches for components. In our example, you would set layer 0.

Blocking surfaces can arise from various things:

• These are automatic blocking surfaces at cuts around layers.

• Automatic blocking surfaces at processes.

• Manual blocking surfaces created via specially entered components.

These manual blocking surfaces were previously not only created in the layer where the component was entered. Blocking surfaces were also created in all other overlying layers. This could lead to undesired blocking surfaces in outer layers. Therefore, this copying process is now no longer done automatically, but the nail length from nail settings is used for checking:

• If there is a blocking surface component, a blocking surface is created in all layers that are penetrated by this component. This can be several layers, depending on layer thickness and component thickness.

• The program knows the depth position of all existing blocking surfaces and the length of nails.

• After creating nail rows, it is checked whether a nail penetrates into a blocking surface. If this is the case, the nail is deleted again.

• In this process, it can happen that a nail is deleted because of a blocking surface in the layer with the nail itself, there is no blocking surface, this is located in another layer.

A suitable nail length should therefore be entered in nail settings.

Special Machines

Data transfer blown-in insulation (optional module)

Storage creates files for blowing stations with control from A&L Electric Systems GmbH. The function is available for walls, ceilings, roof areas and their elements.

For creating transfer files, the following can be determined:

• Groups for storage.

• The blowing device requires closed fields. Drillings below an adjustable minimum diameter are calculated out of components.

• Layer for transfer in or against view direction.

• Material recognition via item number or designation. Material specification for file names.

• Target directory: project directory, fixed directory or both.

Further information in documentation: StorageBlownInInsulation_ApplicationNotes.

Nesting (optional modules)

After nesting, raw panels can be cut to required raw dimension. So correspondingly adapted raw panels can be ordered or produced. In production, however, there are minimum lengths: Therefore, a remaining minimum length can be set for cutting. In addition, raw panels can often only be produced in graduated lengths, e.g. in 10 cm steps. This can now also be set as rounding: If a value of 0.100 m is specified here, the required raw length is rounded up to the next full 10 cm. Both values can be set in raw panel management; separate values can thus be defined for each item number.

Construction Data Program

Material Lists

Adjustments have been made to material lists and additional values are now available. In addition to direct use in material lists, the possibilities of processing in advanced systems (ERP systems) have been expanded.

• Package and element are now separated into 2 columns. Individual components can belong to both a package and an element.

• MOS group has been added as its own column.

• In addition to item number and order number, there is now also external reference in the component catalog. A third number is stored there that serves especially as reference in the ERP system. External reference is entered when creating the material list and is available as its own column.

• Building structure is now also offered as separate columns in addition to the summarized form: Floor, -number, building element, -number. So this information can be better processed when transferring to other systems.

• Project number and building position are now also available as separate columns.