Improvements for flexible modifications
New possibility to "Save Opening Configuration"
One of the most popular features “Save Configuration w/o Openings” was complemented by the “Save Opening Configuration” feature, which saves the configuration of the selected opening. This feature is very useful when you modify an opening configuration instance using “Modify Frame” and want to save the modified version of the configuration for future use.
You can either overwrite the opening configuration that was initially used to frame the opening by keeping the same name or create a new opening configuration by entering a unique name. After that, the configuration will appear under the respective framing configuration:
As you can see in the image above, this wall was framed using “Frame” framing configuration, so, after using "Save Opening Configuration", the newly created opening configuration “NEW Configuration” is saved under “Frame” framing configuration.
Option to save modified configurations directly in "Modify Frame" and "Modify Opening" windows
Additionally, the “Save Configuration w/o Openings” and the new “Save Opening Configuration” features are now accessible not onlythrough the main ribbon but also conveniently in the “Modify Frame” and “Modify Opening” windows:
This will allow for a more streamlined workflow. You’ll be able to conveniently save needed modified configurations on the spot without having to close the “Modify Frame” or “Modify Opening” windows.
New functionality to “Modify Multiple Openings” for sheathing and paneling
Previously, you had the possibility to modify multiple opening frames only for walls. Now, you’ll be able to do that for floors and roofs, too:
And most importantly, you’ll have the possibility to modify multiple openings for sheathing and paneling!
After using the new “Modify Multiple Sheathing/Paneling Openings” feature, you can select needed windows, doors and/or other opening families…
…and make offsets as well as vertical and horizontal split modifications for the chosen layer:
Improvements for sheathing and paneling
Multi-framing: copy/update sheathing and paneling
We’re thrilled to announce that one of the most highly requested features has been implemented: the ability to copy sheathing and paneling layers to all identical walls, floors, and roofs!
In this example, a modified sheathing layer was copied to all identical walls with just a few clicks:
And if you need to make modifications later to any of the identical walls…
…you can use “Copy/Update Sheathing/Paneling in Identical Walls” and all changes will be updated in a couple of seconds:
Here's what the process of copying and updating sheathing and paneling looks like.
Variable configurations for sheathing and paneling
This is another highly requested feature that we’ve implemented: the option to set variable configurations for sheathing and paneling layers. It provides incredible flexibility by allowing you to choose needed sheathing/paneling configurations for each wall, floor, or roof layer.
Whereas, previously, you could have variable configurations for only framing layers, now you can predefine variable (or fixed) configurations for sheathing/paneling layers, too:
During the process of framing and splitting parts, the configuration may be either fixed or variable.
If variable, then the configuration is selected during framing/part-splitting process.
“Variable” column dropdown options:
None – Framing and Sheathing/Paneling Configurations are fixed; the software will use the configurations that are set in the Framing Configuration and Sheathing Paneling Configuration columns.
Frame – After using the Frame Wall command (or when adding additional layers), the software will ask which configuration you‘d like to use. The Sheathing/Paneling Configuration is fixed.
Sheathing/Paneling – After using the Split Parts command, the software will ask which configuration you‘d like to use for Sheathing/Paneling. Framing Configuration is fixed.
Both – After using the Frame Wall command (or when adding additional layers) and Split Parts command, the software will ask which configurations you‘d like to use for framing and parts.
In the image above, you can see that the third layer has “Both” and the fifth layer has “Sheathing/Paneling” set under “Variable”.
As a result, after using “Split Parts” for this wall, we’ll get a window where we can choose the sheathing/paneling configurations for each layer:
Wall Link integrated in sheathing and paneling configuration windows
A few months ago, we introduced the integration of the Wall/Floor/Roof Link functionality into the framing configuration window. In this release, Wall Link is now also integrated in the sheathing/paneling configuration window as well! Previously, you could only link needed configurations for a selected wall/floor/roof type in a separate Link Wall/Floor/Roof window; now, you can find them directly in the sheathing and paneling configuration windows.
This improvement brings more clarity to the configurations. You can use the integrated Wall/Floor/Roof Link functionality to create and modify the link in a single window without having to waste time switching between separate windows or trying to remember what was linked. Everything is conveniently placed and accessible in one place.
You can also use it to navigate faster, for example, switching between different configurations. Once the row number is selected or the sheathing/paneling configuration is changed, the configuration that is linked in the specific row will be opened in the sheathing and paneling configuration windows:
More flexibility for openings in sheathing and paneling
This improvement brings a lot more flexibility in predefining settings for openings in sheathing and paneling configurations. Previously, you could only predefine opening offsets for all openings, not differentiating between different families (like windows and doors) or opening sizes.
From now on, you’ll be able to predefine offsets as well as vertical and horizontal split options, differentiating by opening family type, as well as opening size range:
As you can see, it’s a lot closer to the flexibility we have for the opening framing configurations.
Select parts by layer in wall
This new feature saves time for users who need to select all parts in a particular wall type layer:
Improvements for framing wall connections
T, L, V connections - by type
From now on, you can predefine different configurations for specific wall types, not only for T connections but for L and V connections, too. Enhanced options allow for greater flexibility and adaptability for framing.
Settings in “Wall Type – I”, “Wall Type – II” etc., will overwrite the settings in the “Default Type” tab for specific wall types:
Move, delete, or leave studs
With this latest software version, you can control what happens when the connection stud intersects with a common stud, for L, V, T, and Start/End connections for each connection:
Options available for various connections:
T Connections
Delete Common Stud
Move Common Stud
Leave Common Stud in Place
Move Connection Studs
L, V & Start/End Connections
Delete Common Stud
Move Common Stud
Leave Common Stud in Place
Here are a few examples with T connections showing the result of using each command:
Note that if a common stud or a connection stud intersects with an opening framing stud (king stud, trimmer, etc.), the common stud or the connection stud will be deleted, as seen here:
Other improvements
Frame all layers at once
You can frame the main frame as well as all additional layers in one go using the new “Frame All Layers” command, which can be found in the main ribbon.
Additional new features in the Multi-framing menu further streamline work with identical walls/floors/roofs:
UI improvements for database configurations
The user interface of the custom layout table, mostly the usability of the database configuration, has been enhanced to reflect the functionality more accurately and avoid confusion. Database configurations are very helpful for managing multiple framing configurations that share the same custom layouts.
From now on, “Copy Layout from Database” will open a window (instead of a dropdown), wherein you can select the layout configuration you’d like to copy:
After that, the database configuration will be copied to the respective connection like before, and the “Last Copied Layout: [ … ]” message will let you know which layout was last copied:
Shop drawings: copy crop settings from
We’re excited to introduce a new feature that enhances how you create shop drawings! Now, you can copy crop settings from existing views.
This allows you to replicate the exact crop size of a selected view across all views in all assemblies within your project, ensuring consistent sizing across drawings.
Opening top support plate with a slope
As requested by Metal Framing users, it’s now possible to add a top support plate above openings when the top of the wall is sloped:
Secondary stud/joist with array from center
Users can add secondary stud or joist arrays at the frame centers. This feature is available for wall, floor, and roof frames:
Next steps
Be.Smart Wood Framing and Metal Framing plug-ins for Revit continue to stay on the cutting edge of building design. We invite current users to download the latest version via the ARKANCE Dock.
Would you like to try out our framing add-ins? We offer free trials! Click through to discover more about the product you're interested in.
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