Changes to Custom Files in Previous Versions

The custom folder files updated in previous software versions.

From version 2021 (27.0) to version 2022 (28.0)

From version 2020 (26.0) to version 2021 (27.0)

From version 2019 (25.0) to version 2020 (26.0)

From version 2018 (24.0) to version 2019 (25.0)

From version 2017 (23.0) to version 2018 (24.0)

From version 2016 (22.0) to version 2017 (23.0)

• Wall Panel Settings

  In version 2017 (23.0), wall panel settings are moved from the system settings (vxsettings.xml) to the component library. The aim is to simplify editing and saving customer-specific settings. A library saved in the ../system/complibs/wallpanel_sys folder is included in the standard software delivery.

  If the system settings have been customer-fitted (the ../custom/vxsettings.xml file exists) so that the keywords related to wall panel settings have been edited, but the customer-specific wall panel setting library does not yet exist, the update function adds a library called walpanel_cst to the ../custom/complibs folder.

  After this, you can select either customer-specific settings or the system settings in the Wall Panelizing Settings dialog box.

  The functionality will be further developed in the future service packs of the main version. The system administrator will be able to edit the existing settings and save new ones.

• Studs Under Trusses

  A property Under Trusses can be selected for the wall frame layer tool. This property always adds a frame stud at the location of a truss above the wall. The update function adds a new field UNDER_TRUSSES to the customer-specific framing tool (database WALL_FRM) for this property.

  If the form file connected to the database is customer-specific, you must also add the field to this form file, or you can start using the form file in system folder.

• Wall Frame Detail in Steel Environment

  The update function checks if the customer-specific wall frame detail library (database DET_FRAME) has a detail ST-SIDE-FR. If the detail is not found in the custom folder, it is copied from the database in the system folder.

  The function also copies the profiles and clip levels (DET_PROF and DET_CL_LEV) connected to the detail from the system to the custom folder.

  Does not affect the wood environments.

• Dimension Lines in Panel Drawing

  The update function adds a new field VIEW_GEOM to the dimensioning database of panel drawing views (VMEAS_SETUP). When the field's value is 1, and the presentation method of the object is 3D, the dimension line points are searched from the view's geometry. Dimensioning according to the view's geometry dimensions the points that are visible in the drawing. However, dimensioning can not always be done this way, because not all the points of an object to be dimensioned are necessarily visible. For example, the object may be behind another object whose geometry covers the object to be dimensioned.

  When the field's value is 0 or empty, the dimension line points are searched from the objects to be dimensioned (default method).

  If the form file connected to the database is customer-specific, you must also add the field to this form file, or you can start using the form file in system folder.

• File Registers in Template Projects

  The update function changes the description field (DESCRIPTION) in the file registers (database FILEREG) of template projects to M type. This change is necessary for supporting Chinese characters.

• Building group library

  The function checks if the building group library (database BLDGMOD_CUSTOM) in the customer-specific component library has the CODE field, and adds it if necessary.

• Sweep Operations in Models

  The sweep operation of the Vertex G4 modeler has been changed. The update function checks all the model files (*.vxm) in the ../custom/complibs and ../shared/picts folders. If the old sweep operation has been used in the models ,the function solves and saves the models. First, a backup is made of the models to the ../user/sweep_backup folder.

  The fixed models are listed in the message that opens after the update function has been performed. If there are files that cannot be fixed with this function in the custom or shared folders, they will be listed in the message under the title "Following models have old sweep-features". Such files are models which contain models (models designed with the Vertex G4 modeler have been imported to the model), for example. Open and check these models.

• Default Rendering Materials

  The function checks the default rendering materials set in the linking database of rendering materials (LWMAP). The materials that cannot be found in the rendering material library are opened in a database view. You can select new materials by clicking the Browser button in the database view.

From version 2015 (21.0) to version 2016 (22.0)

• Customer-specific Components

  Adds a row to a library of type BDSMACRO/WFRM (wall panel macros). The function adds a row which will enable the wall panel break point macro in the user interface.

  Customer-specific electrical symbols:

  The function copies the MACRO_ELBOX (electrical boxes) library from the system to custom folder. System symbols are removed, and all the customer-specific electrical symbols from libraries of type BDSMACRO/WFRM (wall panel macros) are copied to the library. If the MACRO_ELBOX library already exists, or customer-specific electrical symbols cannot be found, the procedure is not performed.

  After updating, the electrical symbols can be selected from the building component browser, from the folder Electrical boxes.

  Adds a new row to a library of type BDSMACRO/HWR or BDSMACRO/HWR2 (angle brackets):

  • IFC_PROP - IFC-set. Defines the property data to be exported to an IFC file.

• Customer-specific Framing Libraries

  Adds new rows to the SHEETLIB database (sheathing properties):

  • GAPX, GAPY - Different installation gaps in X and Y direction
  • AREA_WEIGHT - Weight
  • MATER_DESCR - Material description
  • IFC_PROP - IFC-set. Defines the property data to be exported to an IFC file.

  Adds new rows to the INSULATIONLIB database (insulation properties):

  • AREA_WEIGHT - Weight
  • MATER_DESCR - Material description
  • IFC_PROP - IFC-set. Defines the property data to be exported to an IFC file.

  Adds new rows to the FRMASSY database (framing area assembly library):

  • DEF_JNT_LIB - Default joint library
  • DEF_JNT_CODE - Default joint code

  Adds a new row to the DET_PROF (pieces of frame details) and FRM_DETAILS () databases:

  • MOUNT - Mounting. Defines the mounting data of a profile. May have the following values:

    M = manual, a piece to be fixed manually

    L= loose piece.

  The data can be edited in the profile properties.

• Customer-specific System Settings

  Negative color numbers of lines and hatches have been changed to positive in the system settings. This change is related to defining the color of basic geometry, which was fixed earlier. The function updates the change to the settings in the custom folder.

• Customer-specific Writers of NC Link

  NC menu is located on the Output tab in the new user interface. The transfer file writers are now defined in the system settings with the keyword nc_output (BDSXX keyword group). The keywords are of the following format:

  NAME WRITER SETUP

  NAME = Name to be shown to the user

  WRITER = Name of the NC writer

  SETUP = Name of the setup file

  The update function converts the custom fitted writers automatically to the new format. The update function takes care of converting the NCCOMM_MAIN commands located on the barmenu in previous versions and the nc_setup keywords, and adds the custom fitted functions in the new NC menu. The collected nc_output keywords need to be checked after the conversion.

• Customer-specific Commands

  A custom tab is generated of the custom fitted commands, unless it already exists. Commands already located on the ribbon bar, are not copied. Only the customer-specific commands are copied (for example layer groups). Group titles and command descriptions according to the old menu bar are also copied at the same time. It may be necessary to change the order of the commands on the tab afterwards. It can be done by editing the customtab.xml file.

From version 2014 (20.0) to version 2015 (21.0)

• Layer library for floors, ceilings and roofs

  In the version BD 2015, the layers for floors, ceilings and roofs are defined in the layer library. The system library is in the system/complibs/layers folder. The system update function converts the old customer-specific material layer library database ../custom/dbases/d_LBMAT into a new type layer library in the ../custom/complibs/layers_custom folder. The format of the library is defined by the system and the contents are read from the old customer-specific database. The update function does not know the types of the layers. After the update procedure, you must define the types manually in the layer_custom library.

  1. Select System | Libraries | Libraries. The Component Libraries database view opens.
  2. Move to the row layers_custom | Custom Layer Structures.
  3. Click the Edit Library button at the top.

  

  The Allowed types field must be defined for each row in the library. The field defines what kind of materials are available according to the type selection. It determines what options are available for each layer type in the floor, ceiling and roof selection dialog box.

  

  The default drawing properties of the edges and hatches of floors, ceilings and roofs have been defined in the system settings with the keyword area_layer_props.

  

  The properties can be overridden in the layer library by setting the drawing properties for each layer on the Line Properties tab. If the rows in the database are empty, the default properties defined in the system settings will be used.

  

  In the BD 2015 version, it is possible to guide the material's direction with a direction angle in the layer parameters. This parameters affects the direction of both the accurate and coarse presentation. If you wish to use the direction angle, you must also enter a value for the usable width. The direction angle and usable width are used together mainly for the UTV and UYV siding materials. They have been designed to utilize these parameters. Examples can be found in the system's layer library.

  

• Floor, ceiling and roof libraries

  The update function also creates a new floor, ceiling and roof library ../custom/complibs/lbs/custom-lb, which is displayed in the library user interface with the name Custom Structures. The library is ready for use after the update.

  

• Updates to library structures and contents

  The function also makes the following updates related to the structures of the library databases, which do not require any changes to the contents:

  • The alignment definition is fixed in the framing tool database for floors and ceilings (already included in a service pack for the 2014 (20.0) version, but it is checked during the update to 2015 (21.0) version). A parameter FRM_ALIGN is added to the database, and the value of the possible old ALIGN parameter is set to it.
  • Missing fields are added to the profile database of wall panelizing.
  • A BRACING field, which describes the stiffening feature of a sheet, is added to the sheathing library. At this point, it is mainly related to designing CFS (Cold Formed Steel) structures.
  • Material data (strength class) has been added to the material_specs file and framing databases for wall panelizing in steel environments. It does not affect the wood environments.

From version 2013 (19.0) to version 2014 (20.0)

• Window and door library browser

  The databases of customer-specific window and door libraries are renamed:

  • d_WIN_CUSTOM -> d_WINDOWS
  • d_DOOR_CUSTOM -> d_DOORS
  The following new fields are added to the window and door libraries for the library browser:
  • Selection group (SELCLASS) - The function copies descriptions from the …\dbases\COMP_TYPES database to the SELCLASS field of the DOOR/WINDOW database.
  • Thumbnail ID (THUMBNAIL_ID) - For the preview image.
  

• Wall structural layer library

  The field Usable width (USABLE_WIDTH) is added to the wall_layers data base of the wall structural layer library. The usable width is the pitch of a single board. The usable width is intended to be used together with the direction angle of the siding when a parametric siding material is used. Together, they control the direction of the siding, the board width in an accurate presentation and the rendering material in a coarse presentation. This enables both vertical and horizontal claddings of varying widths by using just one rendering material. The UTV/UYV materials are included as an example in the standard delivery of the 2014 version.

  

• Wall panel corner joints

  The field Version (CMP_VERS) is added to the corner joint database STRUCTDET_CST. It defines the type of the corner joints. The new corner joints are added to the library in accordance with the new type. The old joints remain the same.

  

• Wall panel framing tool

  The new parameter Properties has been added for the wall panel framing tool Horizontal Battens. The properties refer to those defined in the PIECE.SETUP keyword group of the system settings. If the properties have not been specified, the property group FRAMING.WALL_HB is used. The update function adds a new parameter in the customer-specific tool library, if one is available.

• Horizontal structure framing tool

  The frame parts of horizontal structures (framing or panel), sheets in sheathings, and claddings in cover layers are now specified layer-by-layer using framing tools, as is the case with wall panels. The system update function connects the framing tool to the structural layer of the structure specified in the customer-specific horizontal structure's structural library (LBCOMP database) if the layer type is FRAMING and the corresponding item can be found in the framing area library (FRMASSY database). The connection is performed automatically for frame layers. You can select whether to connect the tool to other batten layers as well:

  

  When parts are added to the structure, they are added for all layers to which a framing tool has been connected. If you have previously added parts to the batten layers, do not select the checkbox Add batten tool data to structural layers, in which case parts will still not be added to the layers in question.

  The same conversion is performed on the horizontal structure of an old project, when the project is opened. The tool is not automatically fixed to the sheathing layer.

  In older versions, it was possible to select the Joist cross section for the frame layer part and then specify the rest of the parts (Side, Header) by using the same cross section with the option Default, leaving the cross section fields empty.

  

  In version 2014 (20.0) this is no longer possible. A cross section must be defined for each part (if the cross section field is empty, the part cannot be added). The update program tries to implement all the necessary changes automatically.

  

  The update function removes the Cladding button from the Structure of Layered Area view. The cladding is defined using the framing tool Cladding.

  

• Materials removed from the rendering material library

  Old fixed materials have been removed from the rendering material library, and they have been replaced with new parametric materials (such as paints). The update function checks the linking database (LWMAP) of the rendering materials in the custom folder, and re-links the materials. The function aims to re-link the materials automatically. If this is unsuccessful, a database view is opened, where all materials that are no longer available have been compiled. You can select new materials by clicking the Browse button.

  

  It is recommended to select parametric materials, if possible. Parametric materials can be found in the following browser folders:

  • Parametric paints - System/Materials/Paints.
  • Parametric tiling - System/Materials/Tiles, material BASIC TILE.
  • Parametric siding - System/Materials/Wall/Siding, parametric, material WOODEN BOARD.
  • Parametric varnished panel - System/Materials/Wall/Siding, parametric, material UTV varnished (latter).

  For example, you can find a new parametric material to replace the old GREY 95% material as follows:

  1. Click the Browse button.
  2. Select the browser folder System/Material/Paints/Basic Colors.
  3. Double-click the material Color semi matte, for example.

     

  4. Click the Color Chart button.

     

  5. Double-click the color GREY 95% in the browser.

     

  6. Confirm by clicking OK.