Release History V19-1 Build 9200

General Points

  • In version 19-1, layers can be automatically hatched and filled with coverings and materials without detailed elaboration. Thus, perfect and visually appealing plans can be created even before the detailed construction. The hatching or filling of a floor, wall or element layer is controlled by the material defined.
    References for fillings have, therefore, been made available and enhanced for the following components:
    Coverings: The reference for "View" has been opened in the optics tab under coverings. Consequently, coverings, for example, in the Wall View or Top View of a floor, can be displayed hatched. Hatching in layers can now also be switched visible if the material, thus, the covering on a wall, element, roof or floor has not yet been applied. Thus, layers can also be displayed hatched, for example, in a vertical and horizontal section. The display settings (F7) under roof, walls, floor, roof and floor elements, were each enhanced by the option "Hatch layers" under the layers in the "3D" tab. As soon as a material in a layer is applied, it will take over the display of the hatching as before. Furthermore, the hatching for coverings on walls, floors, roof and covering elements can be switched on/off in the display settings (F7) for "Coverings" under the heading "Display".
    Floor shape: Fillings for the view and the section are now available in the optics tab of the floor shape. The floor shape can be displayed hatched in the Top View when a filling is assigned to the view. A filling in the reference field for the section makes the floor shape appear hatched in a vertical section. In addition, the display settings (F7) under floor and floor shape have been expanded by the option "Hatch floor" and under floor, floor layers, 3D, by the new option "Hatch layers". Consequently, the hatching for the Top View and section can be switched separately.
    Wall shape: Hatching for the Top View are now managed under the reference "Section" to unify the behaviour of hatching for all components. One new option for the wall shape is the possibility to determine a hatching under the reference "View". The hatching will be displayed when the wall shape is created via the eye (F4). The display settings (F7) for the wall shape have been adjusted so that the option "Hatch layers" is now under "walls", "wall layers" and "Top View". You can also manage the hatching for the wall shape in the view under walls, wall shape, heading "Display".
    Roof and floor element: Under elements, the reference for the section has been opened so that roof and floor elements in a vertical or horizontal section are also displayed hatched. In addition, the hatching for the element view in the display settings (F7) under roof element or floor element can be switched to active/inactive.
    Needless to say, the colour settings for the respective component have been enhanced accordingly.
    Plans can be drawn faster, perfectly and in detail even before the prefabrication by means of these new possibilities. <Feature Film Hatches and Fillings of Layers>
  • The PDF version, which used to work only with PDF Factory, has been converted to a SEMA-specific PDF tool. It is no longer necessary to install an external tool to create a PDF file. The SEMA PDF is fixed and embedded for all "Save PDF" functions. These plans will be created as a PDF file via the SEMA PDF by selecting the option "Save PDF" in the layout view, drawing administration or automatic wall or stair output. The option "Output quality (PDF/DXF)" has been added to the tab "Others" in the "Pre-settings in the project (Alt F7)". Here, users can select between three quality levels. These are dependent on the size and creation time of the PDF file. The new SEMA PDF tool generates PDF files faster and with a higher quality than before. Furthermore, external PDF tools, such as "PDF Factory", can be employed as printer drivers for the creation of PDF files.

3D Representation Visualisation

  • The format "HTML" has been added to the 3D export of visualised 3D representations. The advantage of HTML files compared to other 3D formats is that you can open them in any current browser without having to install another program.
    Consequently, the 3D view bar has been extended by two new icons. The "HTML Export to file" icon creates an HTML file directly from the current 3D representation. The dialogue "Save file under..." opens and the file can be saved in any directory. Only visible components are exported.
    The file will be uploaded directly into the SEMA cloud with the icon "HTML export into the SEMA cloud". The following message will open before the upload starts:
    "The HTML file created will be uploaded into the SEMA cloud. The file can be used for a period of 10 days. After expiry of this period, the file will be irrevocably removed from the SEMA cloud. SEMA will treat this data as confidential. SEMA will not use this data for their own purposes and not disclose it to any third party."
    The process can be cancelled without upload by pressing "Cancel". Confirming the message with "OK" will start the upload process. This message can be deactivated by selecting the option "Do not show this note in future".
    Once the upload has been completed, a dialogue window with a link to this file will open. The file can now be opened directly via the link, and the link can be copied into the clipboard or be sent directly as mail.
    By opening an HTML file created from SEMA in the browser, it will be displayed in the SEMA Web Viewer. In the Web Viewer, the 3D views "3D Oblique View", "View from north / south / east / west" and the Top View in an icon bar at the top are available analogous to the SEMA 3D views. It is possible to rotate the orbit by keeping the left mouse button pressed down. It is possible to move the drawing by keeping the right mouse button pressed down, and zoom with the mouse wheel by keeping the middle mouse button pressed down.
    Users can quickly and conveniently send building projects to customers, prospective customers or partners by means of this new function. The projects can then be inspected without having to install additional software. <Feature Film SEMA 3D in the Browser>

GRD, CAD, DIM, MCAD

  • It is now possible to work with placeholders in the text field for height dimensions. (Company Holzbau Kreativ)
  • As of Version 19-1, texts which are linked to components can also evaluate data from layers. The texts can be positioned in the Top View and in horizontal and vertical sections. When entering a text with the option "Link text with component (Strg+2)", users can now capture layers of walls, floors, roof and floor elements. Of course, data from the layers can also be accessed using the placeholder technique. When selecting the placeholder for the designation (@B-BEZEICHNUNG@), the width (@B-BREITE@) or the U value (@B-UWERT@) will have the data of those coverings evaluated that have been allocated to the layer. Placeholders for the circumference (@B-UMFANG@): regarding the gross area (@B-BRUTTO_FLAECHE@) or the gross volume (@B-BRUTTO_VOLUMEN@) – the placeholders evaluate the data of the entire layer. Data from layers can be evaluated quickly, conveniently and individually for all layers and layer structures by means of these new features.

Coverings Roof

  • Since Version 17-2, the free processing of roof layers and the creation of construction members in layers have been enabled – Version 19-1 now comes with additional new features regarding the topic "Construction in roof layers".
    The creation of so-called double roof trusses from the profile input via construction to detailed evaluation.
    Enhancements of the Roof Detail master data:
    A so-called overhang layer has been developed: An overhang layer is a roof layer that determines the height of the eaves and length of the overhang of the roof truss in a double roof. This roof layer (variable depending on the roof structure) is determined in the new selection field. The roof layers "Top1" to "Top10" are available.
    The number of layers has been increased to 12, including the sheet metal layer and the layer for battens and tiles, to enable the detailed planning of complex roof structures. The screen image of the roof detail master data has also been enhanced to facilitate the defining and checking of the roof structure. The individual roof layers can be allocated in the master data as usual.
    New features in the layer master data:
    One new feature for the entire area of the individual roof layer is an option to lay the hidden/exposed limit. With this limit, users can define how far the roof top rafters that are referred to in the Exposed Area will extend into the construction for mounting.
    The new option "Automatic" has been developed for the plane areas of the roof layer to make sure that these roof top rafters will only be planed in the overhang area and not in the whole Exposed Area.
    New feature on the creation of profiles:
    After finishing the roof structure in the master data, it is best to go to the Profile Administration to create the roof profiles of the project.
    The number of possible profile templates in the Profile Administration has been increased to help users to take the first steps with these new features. It is now possible to save any number of profiles (only one profile previously) in the new master folder template. These templates will then be available for the creation of a new profile. Some examples regarding the creation of double roofs are provided. After selecting a template and allocating a name for the profile, users can switch to the Assistant mode.
    Users can select the corresponding Roof Detail master data with overhang layer set, as described above, for the definition of a double roof.
    The relevant input values now change automatically (What is known?) for the profile, for which the length of the overhang and the height of eaves are now determined by the overhang layer and not by the construction. This results in new input values for the construction. The design at the base point of the construction for the profile is now determined with the new options "Outer edge construction base point" and "Top level construction base point". Furthermore, the height of the ridge in an overhang layer set becomes the input value for the "Top level construction base point".
    Especially concerning the pitched-roof profile, the overhang of the construction at the ridge point is set additionally via the "Outer edge construction ridge point".
    These new options are also available for all dormer profiles when a roof structure with overhang layer is selected.
    The relevant input values (What is known?) of the profile data are now written in "Bold" to simplify the input of area and pitched areas profiles.
    The overhang layers have been added to the existing auto dimension for "Profile Joining" and "Profile Wall" to enable the checking of profile data in the drawing and screen image.
    New features Roof Design and Rafter System for the input of double roofs:
    From now on, the projection at the barge for the overhang layer set is determined on entering the Roof Design, for example, via the function "Saddle Roof". The projection for the construction and the overhang length for the overhang layer will be available when the barge is being subsequently modified via the gripper "BRG".
    The overhang layer created previously is now drawn in the program "Brown", which can be modified in the colour settings when needed.
    This selected overhang layer now takes over all edge grid and area grid commands from the roof area. Thus, the brown overhang edge, for example, must be selected when shifting the eaves in the tile grid or the overhang layer when punching "Box in grid".
    The Roof automatism (F9) for the layer members has been enhanced so that the construction members defined are also created correctly in the individual roof layers. Elements, such as the ridge, valley or sloping barge rafters at the layer edges of the overhang layer, are also now created.
    Consequently, hip and valley rafters created via the Roof Automatism (F9) automatically receive a clipping or fluting on the bottom side of the area of the roof layer lying below. This new option can be set in the master data for the clipping of the bottom side in manually created elements. Elements in the construction receive the clipping/fluting in the area of the roof.
    The options "Bird's mouth" and "Tail" have been introduced under the "Bedding of the rafter" in the master data of the roof area under the tab "Base point/Ridge" to realise special requirements for the eaves detail of the eaves purlins and rafters. Setting "Tail": Here, the length of the overhang or the OE construction base point is automatically set to 0 cm and the rafter is cut to the outer areas of the eaves purlin. Using the option "Bird's mouth", the usual intersection takes place at the base point.
    It is now also possible to define a negative height above the plate for the eaves purlin when a roof structure with overhang layer has been selected for the profile.
    The Rafter System command "Purlins on top" has been extended to make it easier to implement the various purlin constructions on the barge. The position of the purlin can now be set to "Above" by marking the purlin and selecting the command. In addition, there are now new options available, such as bird's mouth depth, height above plate right-angled and vertical for the determination of the position of the purlins, and the resulting purlin height.
    New F7 standard: roof layers are now drawn in the 3D view. The icon for roof layers in the tool bar "Display Options F7" has been extended by the 2D/3D selection as a standard to switch roof layers to visible or invisible quickly.
    New features for the evaluation of roof layers:
    The "Display Settings" (F7) for the Roof Design and layers have been upgraded to display the new overhang layer and the roof layers in the program.
    The overhang layers and the construction (Roof Design) can now be switched separately to each other under "Roof Design/ Surfaces/ Imaging". The possible component values, such as area size, height of point and length of the edge, can also be displayed for the overhang layers.
    The roof layers now have a "General" F7 block under "Roof Design/ Surfaces/ Layers" where number abbreviations and building stage material list number can be selected.
    From now on, the designation, the area size, the length of the edge, the data block for tiles and battens, and the Free Component Labelling can be displayed for the enhanced evaluation of roof layers.
    The "Area-polygon reduction (easy-to-understand measurements)" has also been enhanced in Version 19-1 under "Extras/ Admeasure lists/ others". This print-out now makes it possible to check and recalculate the admeasure of roof areas and all roof layers (new) in an easy and conclusive manner. Here, the "area size" of layers (layer disks) is defined via the maximum expansion of the disk. The roof areas and roof layers are broken down into clear polygons as usual, which are then calculated with simple formulas.
    From now on, the lengths of the edge will also be printed so that the calculation of the "area size" can be traced more easily.
    Another possibility for the evaluation of roof layers can now also be found in the Material List. Consequently, the Material List templates have been extended by the "Layer surfaces" under "Roof / Surfaces roof". Therefore, all gross and net areas as well as the gross and net volume of the individual layers of the roof can now be retrieved from the Material List, for example, for the calculation or material ordering. Here, the "area size" of layers is calculated from the maximum dimensions of the disk. <Feature Film Design in Roof Layers Part 2>

Floor Wall

  • As of Version 19-1, it is possible to select a height reference for windows, doors and macros. As a result, these components can be preset and inserted at a distance relative to the wall, with reference to the finished floor, absolute zero to the project, or above sea level. The height reference has been incorporated into the first tab of the corresponding object. The following input options are available:
    Height reference "Relative to the wall": With this setting, windows, doors and macros behave as before. The distance and the input are always relative to the edge of the wall.
    Height reference "Finished floor": for this height reference, the new column "FF" has been introduced in the Drawing Manager under the tab "Storeys". The floor structure can be defined for storeys by using "Walls without roof" and "Walls with roof". When a window, a door or a macro is created with height reference to the finished floor, the parapet height will be offset against the value from the Drawing Manager. This height reference has the great advantage that, despite different floor structures, the same master data can always be used.
    Height reference "Absolute": So far, users could activate this setting in the presettings (Alt+F7) under Walls/Outline, Wall body. This setting has been removed from the presettings (Alt+F7) and moved directly into the component. As before, this input is always calculated absolutely to the project's zero point.
    Height reference "Above SL": The components are here offset against the height above sea level, which is predefined in the Drawing Manager => tab "Storeys".
    If the floor structure, the height above sea level or the storey height are modified and a component refers to one of the values modified, then the height of the component will be adapted automatically. The designing of windows, doors or macros may then have to be adapted to the new height situation.
    There is now a height offset possible when entering the new height reference. This height offset can also be found on the first tab of the window, door and macro. The height offset can be determined both positive and negative. Windows, doors or macros can be adjusted on different floor structures within a storey with this offset.
    Another new feature on the first tab is the "Wall opening at the bottom" setting. Using the setting "yes", all opening edges below the component are drawn to the bottom level of the wall layer. As a result, for example, interior doors ensure that the door is positioned on the top level of the finished floor, while the layers to the left and right of the wall extend to the uncovered floor. Of course, any set MCAD processing in the macro container will then also comply with these new opening edges. A new function in the macro container, tab MC, has also been created to control this behaviour. It is possible to determine in the additional parameters, under "Reference", whether the MCAD processing complies with the opening edges or, new, with the component. The layer projections of the window, door and macro are not considered in the setting "Component" and the MCAD is created directly at the component.
    The parapet and lintel heights in the display settings can, of course, also be displayed accordingly. The heights relative to the wall, with reference to the finished floor, absolute to the project zero point and above sea level can be selected in the pull-down behind the respective value. In addition, the placeholders "Parapet height starting from FF" and "Lintel height starting from FF" have been made available under the point "Component". All these new features enable windows, doors, and macros to be defined even more specifically and, thus, the volume of the master data required will also be reduced considerably. <Feature Film Taking into Account Height Finished Floor>
  • From Version 19-1 on, users can create as many floors as they want to on one storey. As with walls and roofs, any new floor receives a unique roof wall floor number (DNo). When working with just one floor on the storey, all the commands to create the floor and its contents remain the same. Once a second blanket is created on the same storey, the program automatically recognizes this and adjusts the Creation commands accordingly. This adjustment is necessary to ensure the correct allocation of the components to a floor. Consequently, if the Creation command "Joist system, place free" is selected, for example, the "Floor area" where the element is to be created will now be queried in the bottom entry line. As a result, the timber or covering can clearly be allocated to the appropriate floor in the material list. The layer switch of the floor has been designed and enhanced identically to the roof. If you are in the "H0" layer of the floor, however, timber members and coverings can always be created in all floors. Furthermore, the selection of the layer switch can be refined in the menu via "Floor structure" and "Floor reference". The processing of several floors has also been adapted. This makes it possible to move the floor edges of several floors or punch several floors at the same time.
    In addition, the new possibility of assigning a height offset has been created in the master data of the floor shape. Thus, floors with positive and negative values can be adjusted regarding the height. Of course, several floors with different height positions within a storey can now be generated via the IFC import by these new features. <Feature Film Several Floors on one Storey>
  • The space calculation "Max outline" for walls in the presettings (ALT+F7) has been corrected. (Company Ettwein)
  • The editing and shifting of layers in a section has been reworked and improved. (Company DFH)

Wall and Floor

  • From version 19-1 on, it is possible to mirror timber-framing timber members in walls, floors, trusses and construction planes in a 2D and 3D view.
    The timber members are mirrored with all end types and contour processing.
    The options "Mirror vertical", "Mirror horizontal", "Mirror free", "Mirror parallel" and "Mirror with target point" are available for the new command "Mirror".
    The different forms of input are self-explanatory; the outcome is already made clear during the command with corresponding mouse pointers and a preview. After selecting the component to be mirrored and the option, the mirroring axis is displayed as a red dashed line on the mouse. At the same time, a preview of the mirrored component is also displayed to simplify the input. As usual, an additional input field can be called up with the space bar to enter the distance. The distance input refers to the distance to the new mirrored component.
    If timber members with stored MCAD formulas or anchored 3D objects such as, for example, fasteners are mirrored, the mirrored components are listed in the Control Center. The components can now be checked in the Control Center and processed further as usual.
    Further options for the Mirror command are provided by the two new options buttons. Firstly, the original components mirrored can be kept or deleted.
    Next, users can optionally define whether the existing end types in timber members should or should not also be mirrored.
    The Mirror command provides manifold possibilities for the quick and convenient input of symmetric constructions in walls, floors, construction planes and trusses. <Feature Film Mirroring of Members>

Sheet Metal

  • The Edit commands "Position" and "Copy" in the 3D mode have been enabled for sheet metal components. With this new feature, users can shift sheet metal components in the 3D mode directly via "Position" or reproduce them via "Copy". The Position command becomes active by marking a sheet metal component in the 3D mode. The component can be shifted with the options "Shift in 3D from point to point", "Shift in 3D along a 3D direction", "Shift by indicating X, Y, Z", "Shift component parallel" and "Shift component along its axis". The same options are available in the 3D mode in the Edit command "Copy". Sheet metal components can be operated even more clearly and conveniently by means of these new features. <Feature Film New Features Sheet Metal>

PHP Automatic features

  • It is now possible to impact the spacing of studs for negative zero point of division in the types of division "WallFix left" and "WallFix right". Consequently, the new tab "Automatic feature" has been added to the presettings (Alt+F7) under Walls/Outline. This tab includes the option "First filling stud with negative fixed division variable". If this option is activated, the first filling stud will be calculated from the negatively shifted zero point of division and no longer from the wall edge. Furthermore, the options "No update of zero point of drawing for pure nailing" and "Create MCAD processing at layer outline edges" have been moved from the tab "Others" to the tab "Automatic". (Company Sonnleitner)

Stair Design

  • The mitre connection of a post with a rail, a cut string, a string or a handrail is possible by means of the new Cut command "Mitre Board/Post". Consequently, only the respective post or the board component chosen has to be marked, the Cut command "Mitre Board/Post" selected and then the counter component clicked. After this, the components chosen are mitred. As usual, fasteners can be placed or allocated in the connecting area. <Feature Film New Features Stair Design>
  • The Stair Auto Output feature now provides the optimisation based on grid length. Users can define the minimum length via "From", the maximum length via "To" and the intermediate grid of a plate via "Step" under the parameters for the Gluing Optimisation, board length (X). If a gluing optimisation is now performed and the list of the gluing optimisation is also output, then the number of boards of a particular size will be displayed.
    Example of a cutting list:
    The following table shows which treads have been optimised into which board.
     

      Boa No. 

      Length

      Width

      Thickness 

      TR no.

      1/1

      0,960 m 

      0,272 m 

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 15

      1/2

      0,960 m

      0,937 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 14,13,12 

      1/3

      0,960 m

      0,937 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 11,10,1

      1/4

      0,980 m

      0,631 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 2,9

      1/5

      1,028 m

      0,640 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 3,8

      1/6

      1,118 m

      0,662 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 4,7

      1/7

      1,366 m

      0,767 m

      0,042 m

      AS1/1 6,5


    The following table shows how many plates of the respective dimension are needed and what optimisation is included in the respective dimension.
     

      C-No. 

      Board dimension

      Number 

      Boa No.

      1

      1,000 m x 1,000 m x 0,042 m 

      4

      1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 

      2

      1,200 m x 1,000 m x 0,042 m

      2

      1/5, 1/6

      3

      1,400 m x 1,000 m x 0,042 m

      1

      1/7

     

  • Risers: The new connection option "Riser and tread are mitre cut" for the "Connection at top" and the "Connection at bottom" is available under the tab "Con". <Feature Film New Features Stair Design>
  • From Version 19-1 on, an auto dimensioning for the overall developed view of stairs is provided. In the overall developed view of a stair, in the Dimensioning feature via the "Auto-Dimensioning" command, users can select the master data for the "Stair, overall developed view" and conclude the command in the input line with "Create Auto-Dimensioning". The result is an overall stair view in which the length of the posts and the distance between the lower edge of the posts and the floor, the post connections, the lengths of the balusters and height of the stair to be bridged are dimensioned. In addition, depending on the settings made in the stair data record, the floors and the bottom floor structure are shown as above. A particular behaviour of the dimensioning can be seen when, for example, the rails of a railing balustrade have a diameter of less than 2 cm. Here, the connecting top and bottom level at the post is no longer dimensioned, but only the axis of the connecting component. The auto-dimensioning generated can be marked and modified to the stair shape at any time. <Feature Film New Features Stair Design>

Structural analysis

  • The auto texts for static materials have been supplemented by GL20c, GL22c, GL26c, GL30c, GL20h, GL22h, GL26h, GL30h and GL70 (construction beech). (Company Bischkopf)
  • The 3D static model could not be calculated in a specific case. This has been corrected. (Company Donner)

Master Data Macros Contents & Revisions

  • The standard tile texture has been changed to "Ergoldsbacher E 58 RS Red" in the colour settings.
  • The current roof tiles from the Erlus company "Ergoldsbach E 58 RS" and "Ergoldsbacher Falzziegel/interlocking tile", including accessory materials and all tile colours, have been added to the original and work master data under "Roof Design/ Tile layer". These roof tiles are now also employed for all roof structures, profiles and building macros in the SEMA work master data.

Single Member

  • Various pieces of editing can now be transformed in the list of editing. Thus, a scarf joint, for example, can be transformed into a slot or a cutout, a slot into a scarf joint or a front slot, a front slot into a scarf joint or a bird's mouth into a scarf joint. In addition, the editing "Tiroler Schloss" can be dissolved in scarf joints and a log cabin editing. With this new feature, users can change pieces of editing specifically and transform them into their preferred editing.
  • The transformation of scarf joints into slots or front slots has been enhanced significantly for the BTL and BTLx export. Thus, nearly all scarf joints will now be transformed on request. Scarf joints with cutting angles and/or inclined cutting are excluded.
  • The BVX2 export was expanded with the function "Convert scarf joint to slot". This new feature can be found in the General settings of the BVX2 export under the editing "Slot". If this editing is active, users can determine the scarf joints that will actually be transformed by setting the "cut-in depth".
  • The export of the editing "Cutout" has been added to the K2 Export. Thus, the cutouts in the list of editings will now be exported directly.

DXF Interface

  • The dialogue for the import of DXF/DWG files has been enhanced by additional functions. The import dimension of the file in the import window for DXF/DWG files can be modified with just one click of the mouse. The settings "Millimetre", "Centimetre", "Metre", "Inch", "Feet" and "Yard" are available here. The dimension of the file adapts automatically after a selection has been made. It is still possible, of course, to adapt the size via free scaling. A vertical and horizontal dimension line for the dimensioning of the maximum expansion is now displayed in the preview image – another useful feature facilitating the import. This means that finding out whether the import factor has been set correctly can be done quickly. The settings for the shifting of the DXF zero point are new as well. One option is "No shifting"; the zero point from the file is used. The second option is "Optimum shifting"; the program tries to determine an optimum zero point. This option can be used, for example, if the zero point of the file has been determined far outside the drawing. By selecting the last option "Shifting as before", the program uses the same zero point as in the last file imported or in the file that can be selected in the drop-down menu. Furthermore, the enlarging of the import dialogue has been optimised so that the preview image will now also be enlarged and not only the column for the DXF layers. <Feature Film DXF Import / Export>
  • From Version 19-1 on, it will be possible to save the whole plan, including all frames, as a DXF file. Consequently, the new function "Save plan as DXF file" has been incorporated into the Layout View in the top tool bar. A dialogue opens to determine the name of the file. By using "Save", the whole plan will be stored as a DXF file.
    The export path and name of the scarf joint-related DXF export can be defined in the presettings (ALT + F7) under "Data import/Export" as before. It can also be determined if the DXF file is saved in the "Layout" (paper space) or in the "Model" (model space). Note: Various viewers are not able to read DXF files when these files are saved in the Layout (paper space). Another new possibility is that images or 3D views can also be exported as a graphics file during scarf joint-related DXF exports. This option is also in the presettings (ALT + F7) under "Data import/Export". A folder with the same name as the folder that contains the graphics file is created in addition to the DXF file by activating this option. It must, furthermore, be decided whether the path to the graphics file is created with a relative or absolute path. "Relative" means that the DXF file can be sent together with the folder, for example, as an e-mail and the recipient can open the DXF file including the graphics file. "Absolute path" means that the DXF file with graphics file can only be opened if the recipient has access to the path the file has been saved to. Users also have to consider here that not all viewers can open these DXF files with graphics. The quality of the images can be determined in the presettings (Alt+ F7) under "General" or "Other" via the option "Output quality (PDF/DFX)". Needless to say, DXF files with these graphics files can be imported into the program as of now. <Feature Film DXF Import / Export>
  • The DWG import has been enhanced in some detail. From now on, it is also possible to import DXF and DWG files of the AutoCAD version 2018 into the SEMA program.
  • As of the release of Version 19-1, it is possible to export DWG files. Consequently, users have to select the function "DXF/DWG 2D export..." (ALT + F2) under "File, Export". The menu for the export of the data then opens as usual. One new feature is the possibility to select DWG files of version 2000 and 2004 under "File type". The DXF formats 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018 also now available can be selected. Of course, these formats are available for the new export of the entire plan.

IFC Import and Export

  • The new option "Steel elements with processing" has been developed for the export of steel components. Processing, such as drill holes and punching, will also be exported when this option is activated. They will be displayed and evaluated correspondingly in viewers and during the import into various other programs (e.g. HiCAD).
  • The speed, data size and IFC conformity during the import/export has been optimized considerably.

Quantity Systems

  • The module "Quantity Systems" was upgraded by the possibility to import lines and points in the DXF/DWG format. Users can select the DXF or DWG file format via the function "Import measuring points" (menu of the same name) when the toolbar "Quantity Systems" is enabled in the "Customize" menu under the tab "Toolbars". The dialogue for the import of DXF/DWG files opens by clicking the file desired. Additional functions have been added to the dialogue. The import dimension of the file in the import window for DXF/DWG files can be modified with just one click of the mouse. Millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches, feet and yards are available. After a selection has been made, the dimension of the file then adapts automatically. Of course, it is still possible to adjust the size using a free scaling. A vertical and horizontal dimension line which dimensions the maximum expansion is now represented in the preview as additional help for the import. This means that finding out whether the import factor has been set correctly can be ascertained quickly. There are also new settings for the shifting of the DXF zero point. One option is "No shifting": the zero point from the file will be employed. The second option is "Optimum shifting": the program tries to determine an optimum zero point. This option can be used, for example, if the zero point of the file has been determined far outside the drawing. By selecting the last option "Shifting as before", the program uses the same zero point as in the last file imported or in the file that can be selected in the drop-down menu. In addition, the enlarging of the import dialogue has been optimized so that the preview is also now enlarged and not only the column for the DXF layers.
    By importing the file, the read-in lines and points are automatically transformed into SEMA 3D lines and 3D points. <Feature Film Import of Orthophotos>
  • An orthophoto, a distortion-free and true-to-scale picture of a surface that is derived from images by photogrammetric methods can now be stored by using the "Import measuring point" function if the photo exists as a DXF or DWG file. <Feature Film Import of Orthophotos>