Update history​

StruBIM Shear Walls

Long access paths

In previous versions, file paths used by applications were limited to a maximum length of 256 characters. This restriction is not specific to CYPE tools but is set by default in the Windows file system. As of version 2024.b, CYPE applications can bypass the restriction and allow the use of an extended path length for a maximum total path length of 10,000 characters. This eliminates the problems caused by the default limit and allows users to work with long access paths.

This improvement is particularly useful when working on projects with a complex directory structure or with long file names. By allowing longer paths, CYPE applications offer greater flexibility in file organisation.

Implementation. NCSE-02 (Spain)

Norma de Construcción Sismorresistente: Parte general y edificación (NCSE-02)

Implemented in StruBIM Shear Walls.

In addition to the NCSE-02 seismic code, StruBIM Shear Walls version 2024.a has implemented the Spanish structural code "Código Estructural". Please note that in StruBIM Shear Walls the selection of compatible concrete and seismic codes is made together.

Implementation. Spanish structural code "Código Estructural"

"Código Estructural (Real Decreto 470/2021)".

Implemented in StruBIM Shear Walls.

In addition to the Spanish structural code "Código Estructural", StruBIM Shear Walls version 2024.a has implemented the Spanish seismic code NCSE-02. Please note that in StruBIM Shear Walls the selection of compatible concrete and seismic codes is made together.

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.

Graphical editing of the reference system of the model

Since version 2022.a, the applications integrated within the Open BIM workflow via the BIMserver.center platform include a tool for managing project reference systems. This option is available from the configuration window that appears when linking or updating a BIMserver.center project via the "Geographic location and reference system" option. As of version 2023.d, the applications now allow users to run a graphical environment where they can visually define a reference system for their model. To do this, the "Geographic location and reference system" window now contains the "Visual editing of the local reference system of the model" option.

From the "Visual editing of the local reference system of the model" window, the origin and orientation of the reference system of the model can be indicated in the workspace with the "Define the reference system of the partial model" tool. Both the axes of the reference system of the model, which we have just entered and the axes of the reference system of the site can be viewed in the workspace. The latter appears with a "Site" tag.

To make it easier to define the reference system, the 3D models corresponding to the BIMserver.center project contributions selected during the linking process are displayed. The management of the visibility and object snaps of these models is carried out from the "Elements read" menu in the left sidebar of the window. The "Views" menu can also be found in the same options bar, from which different types of 2D and 3D views of the model can be generated. These tools can already be found in several CYPE applications. For more information on how they work, please refer to the User’s Manual for the 3D work environment tools available in CYPE applications.

Apart from 3D models, 2D drawings or plans can also be imported from CAD files (".dxf", ".dwg", ".dwf") or images (".jpeg", ".jpg", ".bmp", ".png", ".wmf", ".emf", ".pcx"). These files and object snaps are managed through the "DXF-DWG Template" and "Template object snaps" options accordingly.

Once the editing is complete, the coordinates and orientation of the reference system of the model with respect to the reference system of the site are moved to the corresponding fields in the "Geographic location and reference system" window.

Font size

The "Font size" option has been added to the general configuration menu of the applications. This tool allows users to increase or decrease the basic size of the font used in the user interface of the programs. Thanks to this implementation, the accessibility of the applications has been improved while also ensuring the correct visibility of the content on devices with different screen resolutions.

To enter a "Basic size" the "Set custom font size" option must be checked. The size users can enter is the application's basic font size. Any other font sizes that may exist in the program's interface will be automatically modified proportionally according to the change in the basic size.

It is important to note that, as this is a common parameter, its modification will affect all installed CYPE tools.

Improvements and corrections

StruBIM Shear Walls version 2021.g includes the correction of an error that could occur whilst carrying out normal loading checks when the angle between two consecutive sides of a polygon defining the wall section is close to 180º.

General improvements

Version 2021.g of CYPE’s programs is a closing version of the 2021 version.

As well as the new features and improvements expressly indicated in each version of CYPE software, process optimisation involving internal updates for all our programs is normally included. In each revision, all programs are systematically checked and changes are made to improve their performance, therefore, we recommend that our users (in this case those of v.2021) always update their version to the latest one, regardless of the country for which they are using CYPE software or the language in which it is installed.

Other improvements and corrections

Version 2021.f of StruBIM Shear Walls also includes other slight enhancements and corrections of errors that may appear on rare occasions:

  • The distribution of vertical reinforcement bars in shear walls has been improved.
  • The distribution of crossties in shear walls and coupling beams has been improved.
  • The design process can now be cancelled.
  • An error during the job update, which occasionally occurred after a shear wall had been added in CYPECAD, has now been fixed.
  • Generating intervals in "Segment classification" if there are several unconnected segments in a section with the same direction has been improved.
  • Checking transverse crossties in Eurocode type regulations has been improved. Previously, in some cases, not every crosstie was considered.
  • The default value for "Minimum number of layers" in "Reinforcement layout criteria" has been changed to 2.

Selecting materials during the import of a BIM model

In the BIM model data import assistant of a project located on the BIMserver.centre platform, the option for selecting the type of steel and reinforcement cover has been added. The type of concrete is directly assigned to the walls and beams, so it matches the one defined in the source program.

New reports

The following reports have been added to version 2021.f of StruBIM Shear Walls:

  • "Reinforcement details" report
  • "Reinforcement quantities by diameter" report
  • "Quantities" report

Other improvements and corrections

The 2021.e version of StruBIM Shear Walls also includes program corrections that solve errors that could arise in specific circumstances:

  • Checks for normal forces
    An error has been solved, which occurred when the program checked the normal forces in shear walls with a slight rotation with respect to the X-Y axes.
  • Import BIM models
    An error has been solved, which occurred when users tried to import a BIM model that had been generated for a later version of the program.