Update history

Solutions
CYPE Connect
Update history

CYPE Connect

New data in information tags

New data has been added to the information tags that are displayed on screen when the cursor hovers over the connection elements:

In plates
As well as the operation reference, the material, thickness and dimensions are displayed when the plate is rectangular.

In welds
As well as the operation reference, the weld type, electrode reference, thickness and throat length are displayed when it is a fillet weld.

In bolts and cast-in anchors
As well as the operation reference, the type is displayed, which includes the series reference and diameter, and the material.

In post-installed anchors
As well as the operation reference, the manufacturer's reference and the anchor reference are displayed.

In sections
As well as the reference and dimensions of the section, the material is displayed.

Improved use of the connection library

Keep previously defined operations

Up until version 2024.a, when importing a library connection, the list of previously defined operations was cleared. As of version 2024.a, users are given the option to keep the previously defined operations when importing a library connection by activating the "Keep previously defined operations" option. This option is disabled by default.

When importing a connection and keeping the previous operations, if there are already operations with similar references, the prefix B, B1, B2, etc. shall be added to the new operations.

This improvement allows users to import the same library connection several times in the same node or to import several different library connections.

Compatible connections

As of version 2024.a, library connections will be compatible and can be imported even if the section types are different, and even if the sections are different with respect to the "continuous" or "non-continuous" section option.

Matching connections

As of version 2024.a, the import panel of library connections will mark connections with a "=" symbol if their section layout is the same as that of the node.

Würth brand mechanical anchors and chemical anchors for concrete fixings

Version 2024.a of CYPE Connect and StruBIM Steel now includes the ability to use post-installed chemical anchors and mechanical anchors from the WÜRTH brand catalogue as concrete fixings in baseplates. The checking of these elements is carried out in accordance with the criteria in the EN 1992-4:2018 standard, based on the data provided in the corresponding ETA (European Technical Assessment) for each fixing.

The Würth brand post-installed anchors included in version 2024.a are the following:

Chemical fixings
Torque-controlled expansion fixings
Drop-in fixings
Concrete screws

Sections with haunches

In version 2024.a of StruBIM Steel and CYPE Connect, the management of I-sections with haunches has been implemented.

Export / Import:
The parametric information of the haunches has been included in the CYPE 3D and CYPECAD export to IFC format.

StruBIM Steel and CYPE Connect import the bars contained in these IFC files and, in the case of sections with haunches, they are imported with the aforementioned parametric information.

Defining sections with haunches:

In version 2024.a of CYPE Connect and StruBIM Steel, the implemented haunches are the same section as the selected rolled section and users can define the length of the haunch.

In CYPE Connect, the "Layout" section has been implemented for I sections, where users can choose between the "Simple section" or "Simple with haunches" options.

In StruBIM Steel, I sections also allow users to define a simple section with haunches using the options available in the "Layout" section of the "Edit" dialogue box.

Connections

In the connection editor, when using the "Adjust bar" or "End plate" operations, the haunch will be moved in the direction of the base section in order to maintain the highest possible depth at the start of the bar. The edge of the haunch (measured perpendicularly to its flange and to the start of the bar) is equal to the edge of the base section minus the thickness of one flange.

As for the analysis, the haunches are considered to be joined to the base section without the need to define the weld joining them and the forces in sections with haunches are referred to the centre of gravity of the composite section.

New method for connecting applications to the BIMserver.center platform

The mode of communication between Open BIM applications and the BIMserver.center collaborative work platform has changed. In previous versions, the applications used the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool to upload and download the files of the contributions associated with the project from the platform. This tool was downloaded from the BIMserver.center platform or installed together with the installation of the platform applications if users so desired.

From version 2024.a onwards, applications are now able to work directly with BIMserver.center without an intermediary. That is, without the need for the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool.

This modification will improve the performance and efficiency of Open BIM applications significantly. By removing this dependency, the applications have more autonomy and the waiting times for communication between BIMserver.center Sync and the program have been considerably reduced. The process of downloading contributions has also been optimised, as users no longer need to obtain the entire content of a project from BIMserver.center in order to work, but only the contributions to be read.

The way of authenticating a BIMserver.center user in the applications has also been modified. Now, this process is carried out within the BIMserver.center web platform. To do this, the application with which the user is working will run the user's default browser when the "Login" button is pressed. When the credentials are entered, or after opening the browser if the user is already connected to the platform, an authorisation page will be displayed. This page details the resources the application is requesting access to and two buttons for granting or denying this access.

The authorisation must be carried out for each application. Once access has been granted, it is saved for the next time the program is run and there is no need to perform this process again for that application.

As well as performance improvements, changes have been made to the user interface of the Open BIM applications regarding the connection to BIMserver.center.

The "Connect to BIMserver.center" window now includes a "Configuration" button. Clicking it launches a menu from which you can edit the "File directory stored in local cache". This is the path where the files that make up the contributions will be downloaded when working with them from the applications. In previous versions, this location could be selected from the BIMserver.center Sync tool.

The appearance of the "Project selection" window has been modified.

In the "Select project" list, the "View only my projects" option has been added to show only the projects where the connected BIMserver.center user is the owner. Icons have also been included for the "Type of project" column in order to make it easier to identify them. The detailed data of a project now shows the image of each contribution, the description and the tags.

The "Review new contributions" and "Review updated contributions" options have been added to the "Create new project" window.

The list for selecting contributions ("Import BIM models") now includes the images of the contributions and the tags. The name of the contribution will be displayed in blue to indicate that the owner is the logged-in user.

When sharing a contribution or selecting contributions during the process of linking to a BIMserver.center project, a progress window will appear during the upload or download process.

To work in BIMserver.center with versions of Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a, users must continue to use the BIMserver.center Sync tool. This is still available for download from the platform and was included in the installation packages of the CYPE Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a.

Tool for generating a regular polygon in the "Opening" and "Plate" operations

In the "Opening" and "Plate" operations, for polygonal shapes, a tool for generating a regular polygon with "n" sides appears at the top of the table. This tool allows the quick generation of pentagons, hexagons, etc.

Discretisation of curved segments in sections

As of version 2023.f, curved segments of rectangular hollow sections or cold-formed sections can be discretised, distinguishing them from the adjacent straight segments. When discretising curved segments, the number of sides can be defined in "Modelling options" by selecting "Users" or the program can calculate an optimal number of sides by selecting "Calculated".

New types of cold-formed sections

In versions before 2023.f, the program could work with rectangular timber bars (CYPE Connect) and rolled steel I sections, C sections, angle sections, T sections, plates and rectangular hollow sections (CYPE Connect and StruBIM Steel). In version 2023.f, six new types of cold-formed sections have been implemented for both CYPE Connect and StruBIM Steel:

U
C
Unstiffened Z
Stiffened Z
Unstiffened L
Stiffened L

These sections are available both as the node's own bars and as additional bars in the "Bar" operation.

Measurement tools

Version 2023.f includes measurement tools for the work area. In the StruBIM Steel work area, these tools allow users to measure lengths, areas, and angles and to count elements. In CYPE Connect these tools allow users to measure lengths, areas and angles.

Dockable windows

As of version 2023.e, some CYPE applications have a new dockable window system that replaces the main screen user interface. As a result, users can now customise the workspace to suit their needs.

The list of applications that have this dockable window system appears at the end of this new feature. In future versions, the number of applications with this window system will be increased.

Dockable windows can be moved and resized. They can be either floating windows, pinned to a location within the application's main dialogue box, dragged outside of it, or even moved to another monitor.

Move windows
A docked window can be moved by clicking on the title bar at the top of the window and dragging it.

When dragging a dockable window, several visual aids are displayed to make its relocation easier. Next to the cursor, a text box appears containing the title of the dockable window being moved. Whenever the cursor approaches the edge of another window, a box appears showing a preview of the space it would occupy.

It is possible to leave a window as a floating window without docking it to another window, and it is also possible to dock windows within a floating window. Holding down the CTRL key can prevent a floating window from being docked while it is being moved.

Group windows
It is possible to group several windows in the same space by dragging one window to the top left-hand corner or to the bottom left-hand corner of another window. When this is carried out, tabs will appear at the bottom or top of the group, allowing users to alternate between the grouped windows. If the tabs are at the bottom, the title of the group of windows corresponds to the active window. On the other hand, if the tabs are at the top, they will be used as the title.

Show/Hide windows
The icon to close the window can be found in the top right-hand corner of each dockable window.

To manage the display of the dockable windows in the user interface, a "Window" button () has been added to the application environment, next to the "General Settings" button (icons on the top right-hand side of the program). By clicking on it, a drop-down menu appears with the available dockable windows and users are able to change their status. In addition, there is the "Reset Window Layout" option which allows users to restore the default workspace.

In some cases, such as the "Work area" of applications with a 3D environment, the window cannot be hidden. In these cases, the icon for closing the window is not displayed and, in the "Window" menu (), the "Work area" will be locked.

Collapse windows
When several dockable windows are arranged vertically, an icon is displayed, next to the close icon, which allows each window to be expanded or collapsed. When the window is collapsed, it will return to its previous size.

The window layout and display settings are saved when closing the application.

It is important to note that not all floating windows in an application are dockable windows. In order to tell them apart, the icon has been added to the title bar of windows that are dockable.

The following applications now include the new floating window environment in version 2023.e:

AcouBAT by CYPE
CYPE Architecture
CYPE Connect
CYPEFIRE
CYPEHVAC 3D
CYPEPLUMBING Water Systems
CYPESOUND
CYPETHERM LOADS
Open BIM Analytical Model
CYPE Construction Systems
Open BIM COVID-19
Open BIM Layout
CYPE Lightning
Open BIM Quantities
Open BIM Site
StruBIM Steel
The floating window environment also includes the "Bill of Quantities" tab in all applications that have this tab.

Improvements to ease the entry of additional bars at joints

The "Bar" operation includes a new option to position additional bars in the direction of another bar. This improvement makes it easier to align bars.

New operation "Modify corners"

There is a new operation available: "Edit corners". This operation allows users to edit the corners of plates. Bevel, chamfer, notch, round and arc cuts can be defined.

When the operation is added and the plate is selected, the corner indices are marked on the screen. A cut can be added to each corner of the selected plate.