The new "Bracing" function also significantly increases the comfort and speed of working with SolidSteel Parametric compared to the previous version.

Previously, bracings were inserted using the SolidSteel Assembly Manager, which was not bad in general, but not very intuitive to use.

With the new bracing feature, you can achieve your goal quickly and easily. The bracings to be placed are simply designed once in a separate assembly, stored in the database and can then be used as often as required, even in different installation situations. The Bracing function's dialog guides you through the steps required for placement, showing you, for example, the order in which the reference points must be selected.
The bracing added in this way then adapts fully parametrically to the new installation situation, changing its size or shape if necessary.

Connections can also be included directly in the bracing template. If this is not the case, the connections are simply made after placement using the normal SolidSteel functions, e.g. with a gusset plate.

We have also prepared a separate feature detail for you on how to use the new bracing feature, showing all the steps from creating the templates to inserting them into the structure:

The functionality of the haunch tool has been extended.
Placement of haunches is now also possible on round surfaces, such as round tubes. A rotation setting option has been added to the dialog to simplify exact positioning.

Transferring existing holes to connecting surfaces.
Previously, the hole pattern was always specified by the gusset plate, but now it is possible to transfer a hole pattern from other components to the gusset plates. This is particularly useful in cases where standardized parts are connected to the gusset plates (e.g. for wind bracings to be connected) and ensures a faster workflow.

Mapping for profiles
External structural analysis programs often use differently formatted component designations, such as "HE240B" instead of "HEB 240" in this example.
With the new SDNF mapping option it is now possible to centrally and quickly adapt these designations of imported SDNF files for all components.

Furthermore, a region detection has been added.

Until now, for example, the end plate function was based on standard templates oriented on various standards. These templates were generally editable by the user, but a change to the template, such as rounding the corners, would have resulted in that end plate only being available with rounded corners after the change, and no longer in the original version.

The new Template Assistant, accessible from the Settings menu, now allows you to create individual templates for all joints, such as the round end plate shown in the example on the right.

For various technical reasons, bores in SolidSteel parametric parts are normal, linearly extruded cuts in SOLIDWORKS. To facilitate the transfer of the 3D model to SOLIDWORKS Simulation/FEM, the Finalize Assembly feature has been enhanced.

All cut features can now be automatically converted to SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard features. Since Hole Wizard features are automatically recognized by SOLIDWORKS Simulation / FEM, there is no need to manually place bolts.