General Points

• Version 21-1 is a powerful 64 bit version.
  A 64-bit operating system is required for the installation and use of the SEMA program. Our recommendation is therefore Windows 10 64 bit. The SEMA program is now offered exclusively as a 64 bit version.
  The biggest advantage of the 64 bit version is that the SEMA program can use the complete available memory of the computer. A 32 bit software can get and use a maximum of 4 gigabytes of memory from the operating system.
  The demands on timber construction have risen incessantly in recent years with no end in sight. The projects are getting bigger and bigger. Multi-family houses, multi-storey office buildings, schools and other public buildings are increasingly being built as wooden constructions.
  In addition, the projects are being elaborated in more and more detail. The terrain is faithfully recreated and the building is enhanced with interior fittings for the visualisation and presentation of the project. The building project is completed by terrain, planting and other 3D objects. Exactly the way the customer wants to see it.
  Walls, ceilings and roof panels, i.e. all components, are prepared to the highest level of detail in the SEMA program and manufactured to the millimetre on joinery machines and element production lines. Steel connectors, steel parts and sheet metal, planned down to the last detail, are comprehensively drawn in the program as in reality.
  The storage requirements for large and precisely planned projects are enormous.
  Projects that used to run close to the memory capacity due to their data size and the complex operations in the program are now running stably. The memory available running out (message: "out of memory") - this should, therefore, occur only very rarely, in extreme cases.
  Performance has also been improved. The command sequences have a noticeably better flow and computational operations (automatic operations, transfers, exports, etc.) have been accelerated.
  Version 21-1 64 Bit, for even more planning power... <Feature Film 64 Bit Version>
• The Drawing administration has been extended by the functionality "Plan collection". PDF, DXF/DWG files created from plans can be selected and collected using this new feature. The prerequisite for this is that the PDF and DXF/DWG files created are linked to the plans in the SEMA program. On the one hand, a plan selection can be made via the filter function (only current revisions), the search function or pressing the Shift or Ctrl key. If a number of plans are selected, the "Plan collection" button becomes active and can be executed. After execution, the dialogue box "Plan collection options" opens. This window firstly defines whether the files selected are saved in a folder or directly as a ZIP file. Users can select between "all files", "only PDF files", "only DXF/DWG files" or "user-defined" via the selection options. The PDF and DXF/DWG file are collected from the plans selected by choosing "all files". These can also be divided accordingly using the "Divide PDF and DXF/DWG files into subfolders" option. After selecting "user-defined", a selection menu of the plans marked opens automatically. Both PDF and DXF/DWG files are listed. These can be activated or deactivated with a tick. A preselection can also be made using the "all", "only PDF", "only DXF/DWG" or "none" switches. A textual overview shows how many files are selected in total and how many of them are PDF or DXF/DWG files. Users can select even more individually by means of the user-defined setting. Once the selection has been made, collecting is enabled using the button "Collect plans", in front of which the current number of files to be collected is displayed. The Windows save dialogue opens and the files are saved according to the selection and setting. Windows always suggests the storage path most recently used. The plans selected are not reprinted, but a copy of the PDF or DXF/DWG file already created is placed in the folder or the ZIP file. Created PDF or DXF/DWG files can be managed beyond the SEMA program by means of this new feature.

GRD, CAD, DIM, MCAD

• The edit command "Scale" has been improved in detail. So far, only the polygon of the graphic has been adjusted when scaling. From now on, the entire graphic adapts to the new scaled size. (Company Leix)

Roof Design

• Based on several customer projects, the 'Roof design' feature has been revised to correct very short and imprecise roof edges.
  (Companies Weiss Unionbau Fischer Delaubert Tommervag Sanktjohanser Kreiseder Wiehag TCB Priovano Comolli, etc.)

Rafter System

• A slider has been integrated to scale the size of the points of intersection during the active mode of the points to make working with the points of intersection easier. (Companies Röhrig Sebalex Zobl et al.)
• In version 20-1, the conversion of the 3D view of roof areas into transparent areas has created the basis for create commands of the rafter system in all 3D views as well as in vertical and horizontal sections.
  As a further component, tie beams can now also be created in the 3D view and in sections using the commands "Read-in from profile" and "Place on free height".
  Consequently, the respective input is supported by an interactive preview of the components. <Feature Film 3D design of tie beams>
• The automatic hard/medium/soft intersection of timber-framing components has been enhanced.

Floor Wall

• From now on, MCAD editing on a single layer outline edge can also be assigned to layer H0. Consequently, the tab "MC" has been integrated into the member spacing of the wall. There, as usual, the MCAD editing can be assigned for the different layer outline edges. (Company Zimmermann)
• The creation of MCAD editing and timbers/members has been expanded in the presettings (Alt+F7) under Walls/Outline to include the "Opposite side" option. This means that MCAD editing and timbers can also be created on the opposite side of the wall view. In addition, the option "Macro/Timbers on wall outline always at the largest polygon" has been integrated. Timbers and macros are always based on the largest layer polygon with this option. (Company Zimmermann)
• In version 21-1, a centre of gravity macro can now be assigned for each wall master date. The corresponding newly developed reference is located in the wall on the second tab. Under the "Centre of gravity macro", users can refer to a corresponding Macro Plus, which is generated automatically in the middle of the centre of gravity during a wall automatism (F10). This allows, for example, the automatic creation of drillings for the hanging of the wall. If the centre of gravity shifts due to a change within a wall, the macro can be selected and then freshly triggered with the edit command "Calculate (F5)". Afterwards, the Makro Plus, including all edits, is placed back in the middle of the centre of gravity. It is important that all components that bring a centre of gravity macro with them do not participate in the weight determination (centre of gravity weight). Otherwise, the centre of gravity macro would affect the centre of gravity of the wall. This new feature speeds up and facilitates the placement of edits for the hanging of walls significantly. <Feature Film Important details in timber construction>
• The input reference for electrical outlet combinations has been enhanced and can now also be changed during the input. The middle of the entire combination of electrical outlet combinations with 2 or 4 inserts can now be selected in addition to the existing input references. The enhancement affects both vertical and horizontal electrical outlet combinations. In addition, the input reference can be changed quickly and easily while setting an electrical outlet combination using the "Change input reference (Alt+2)" option. Of course, this function is also available for the subsequent moving of an electrical outlet combination. (Company IKB)
• Floors can now be renumbered using the "Misc./Other" edit command. Automatic, manual and consecutive numbering are available.
• The dimensioning of doors with the setting "Width / Height - Axis", which can be made in the display settings (F7), has been adjusted. The maximum length of the axis line is now only 90 cm. (Company Mundl)

Coverings Floor Wall

• The coverings contained in walls and floors are now also automatically mirrored. Of course, the mirroring of individual coverings in the Wall view or 3D has also been made possible. The different forms of input when mirroring 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. <Feature Film Important details in timber construction>

Sheet Metal

• The automatic drawing output has also been enabled for sheet metal components. This function can be used to output sheet metal components from the 'Single member' list either with the respective production drawing (developed view, profile, 3D oblique view) or several components line by line on a plan. Corresponding plan templates in A1, A3 and A4 formats are available. The templates can be customized as usual. <Feature Film New Features Sheet Metal>
• Sheet metal components can be mirrored in the wall in the same way as coverings. An additional option is available for sheet metal components which cover areas. It is also possible to select whether the side seams are also mirrored or should remain in their original orientations via the options switch "Mirror side seams of the components (Alt+3)". <Feature Film New Features Sheet Metal>
• The "Copy" edit command has been revised for sheet metal components. If a sheet metal component is copied, the component reference can be changed for each instance via "left", "centre" and "right". Furthermore, users now remain in the copy command and do not have to restart the command every time in a multiple copy. <Feature Film New Features Sheet Metal>

Prefabrication

• Timber components from the roof or a joist system are now also mirrored in the element view if the display is offset. (Company Jäger)

PHP Machines

• If data were entered in the additional data tabs for timbers, these were written in a separate line during the export to Weinmann. If the option "Write additional data of component in data line" is activated in the presettings (Alt + F7) under "FHP import / export" on the Weinmann tab, these data will be written in the same line as the coordinates of the timbers. (Company Stark)

Stair Design

• The split command for board components (handrail, rail, string, cut string) has been expanded to include the "Split with joint" option. If the option is active, a joint (play) can be entered between the components even when splitting. The joint size desired can be determined with a value in the input line. The joint system determines where the joint entered is inserted.
  The joint is inserted in front of the split point using the joint system "in front". The joint is inserted behind the split point using the joint system "behind". The size of the joint entered is calculated 50 % forwards and backwards from the split point using the joint system "centred".

Room

• As of Version 21-1, rooms can be mirrored. The different forms of input when mirroring 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. <Feature Film Important details in timber construction>

Master Data Macros Program

• Rounding up from 1/8 inch to the next inch has been made available for non-metric input during the automatic naming of master data in the "2x4 system". (Company Prowood)

Master Data Macros Contents & Revisions

• Four modern people with a small number of polygons have been integrated under Visualisation/3D objects, Furnishings/Furniture, People Animals and People. A woman, a girl, a boy and a man have been integrated. <Feature Film Important details in timber construction>

Single Member

• A relief groove for hip notches can now be exported during BTL and BTLX exports. Activating the relief groove for hip notches under the 'Bird's mouth' heading is possible in the general settings for BTL export. If the setting is active, the machining is exported with RECESS: AUTOMATIC.

IFC Import and Export

• Import and export have been enhanced to include the IfcOwnerHistory. The IfcOwnerHistory determines all information on the course and identification of projects as well as individual objects. The following kind of information is collected in the IfcOwnerHistory: "State" shows the current access status of the object. "Change action" shows the value of the actions associated with changes to the object. The entries under "Owning" show the original program with which the file has been created. "App name" shows the name of the software with which the project has last been edited. "App version" shows the version number of the software with which the project has last been edited. "Person family name" shows the creator of the original file. "Date" shows the export date of the original file; Similar to the Owning area, the entries under "Modified" show the data, the software, etc. used to change the file. <Feature Film IFC>
  The IfcOwnerHistory has been integrated into all areas of the SEMA program. This can, therefore, now be displayed under the BP properties on the new tab "IFC" (IfcOwnerHistory project). An "IFC properties" switch has been integrated into the Drawing manager on the tabs Ground plan (IfcOwnerHistory building), IFC (IfcOwnerHistory imported file) and Storeys (IfcOwnerHistory storey) to display the IfcOwnerHistory. Imported components automatically get an IfcOwnerHistory on the "Ifc" tab, based on the model of property sets. If an export is carried out, the SEMA components automatically get a new IfcOwnerHistory or an existing history is updated under the "Modified" area.
  The origin and changes of projects down to individual components can be tracked with these entries in the IfcOwnerHistory. This further improves the quality of the data. <Feature Film IFC>
• The IFC import has been extended by the direct assignment of master data. This new function in the import properties has been implemented firstly for assigning SEMA walls, floors, windows and doors. When assigning, a SEMA master data is addressed based on a value in the Ifc component and generated directly during the import. A relevant Ifc value must be set here. All Ifc parameters (name, description, marking, object type, type name, type description, type marking, type element type) and a property set are available in the selection menu. When an Ifc parameter is selected, the value of the parameter must match the master data name in the SEMA program so that the master data will be generated. Any value from any property set can be gripped to make the assignment even more free and individual. Consequently, the selection "Property Set" is made under "relevant Ifc value". The fields "Property set name" and "Property" become active. The name of the property set is entered in the "Property set name" field, and the name of the property in the property set in the "Property" field. Again, the value of the property must match the master data name so that the master data is created correctly.
  Furthermore, it has even been enabled for windows and doors to use certain macros from the master data accordingly. Not only can the window or door master data be generated, but the content can also be created depending on the design. To do this, the "…" button in the import properties must be clicked. An assignment dialogue for property sets opens. The reference fields "Constructions" and the six other macro container fields for windows/doors can be filled here. An assignment exchanges the default reference. If a master data is not found during the assignment, the predefined macro remains.
  The import protocol has been expanded regarding the assignment of master data. If a master data is not found, there will be a message with the master data name for the respective component.
  The settings in the import settings can be saved as usual under a self-defined name. The selection field has been incorporated directly into the import dialogue. Thus, a saved selection can be made directly without calling up the import settings.
• The import dialogue has been expanded to include the "Automatic wall connection" feature. If the check mark is set, the imported walls intersect analogue to the Alt+F7 setting "Automatic wall connection". <Feature Film IFC>
• Another new development in the field of IFC is the conversion of Ifc electrical objects into SEMA electrical outlet combinations. Consequently, the 3D component converter has been expanded to include the new "Electric component from object" function. Some prerequisites are required to generate electrical outlet combinations from certain objects, The IFC file with the electrical objects must be imported as a link. If this is, for example, an IFC file of a complete building including electrical objects, this can be easily selected according to component types during the import to link only the component types of the electrical objects. If the new function "Electric component from object" is called up, the program will ask for an Ifc link in the input area. Analogous to the master data assignment, either an Ifc parameter or a property set is set in the import settings if the Ifc link is selected. The value of the Ifc parameter/property set must again correspond to the master data name of an electrical outlet combination. The individual inserts (socket, switch, etc.) can be defined on the button "…" – if this is defined in the IFC file. A dialogue opens in which inserts 1-5 can be defined using the value of a property set. In addition, a standard insert can be defined using a reference field. This insert comes into play if a corresponding insert has not been found in the master data. Consequently, the red switch "IFC standard" (with red top view symbol) has been provided as a standard. This gives users a visual control in the top view and 3D. If a user is working with inserts, it is advisable to consult the creator about one’s own property set. If inserts are irrelevant, they do not have to be assigned. An electrical outlet combination with references to a flush-mounted box can, for example, be assigned so that processing develops in appropriate places. After confirming with "OK", an electrical outlet combination is generated on each object. A dialogue shows how many parts could be converted. The wall affiliation, the wall side and the insertion height are automatically detected. No wall automatism has to be carried out after the electrical outlet combinations have been created because the processing in the coverings and timbers is created directly. It is not necessary to create separate master data for each combination using the extremely flexible SEMA electrical outlet combination – one combination that is appropriately filled with inserts when converting from an IFC file is sufficient. <Feature Film IFC>
• The export settings have been extended with roof and floor panels with timbers and coverings. In addition, it has been made possible – analogous to the wall – to export roofs, roof panels, floors and floor elements without 3D geometry. Thus, the export can be adjusted and set even more individually. <Feature Film IFC>

Survey systems

• From Version 21-1 on, users can unlock a point cloud for any number of workstations, for a one-time fee, by means of the point cloud activation.
  The point cloud desired can be selected via 'File, Import'. Users can then specify in the "SEMA Point Cloud Conversion" using "Determine temporary directory" in which directory the conversion process is to take place and use "Determine destination file and path" to specify the directory where the converted point cloud is to be saved. Consequently, SEMA recommends a powerful local directory. The conversion is started with "Start". When the conversion has completed, the "Point cloud activation" opens.
  The preview displays the point cloud selected in the left half of the menu. Above the preview, the options "Show drawing freshly loaded", "Zoom overall", "Zoom function", "Pan" and "Rotate 3D" can be used to control and view the point cloud in the preview.
  The right half of the menu contains the information on the directory in which the point cloud has been saved, the number of points contained and the extent (length, width, height) of the point cloud.
  If, for example, several point clouds are contained in an E57 file, these are also shown with their own number of points contained and the extent (length, width, height) of the point cloud. The respective point cloud can be switched to be visible or invisible by activating or deactivating.
  The information on the payment process is in the lower right half. The net amount, VAT and the total gross amount of the point cloud activated are displayed.
  The general terms and conditions must be read and accepted with a check mark to start the payment process. Clicking on "Start converting/payment process ..." opens the usual PayPal payment process. When this process is complete, SEMA reports that the point cloud activation has been carried out successfully. At the same time, the invoice is automatically sent to the e-mail address registered with Pay Pal.
  The process is completed with "Finish" and the point cloud is displayed in the SEMA program.
  The point cloud in the 2D Top view is drawn with a point density of 1 % and a 3D object frame. The point cloud is displayed in the object frame when switching into the 3D view. The point cloud density depends on the free graphics memory and the display settings in the project (F7). Detailed information about the point cloud can be found in the status bar. The user information of the "Point cloud information" delivers data on the point density, the total points to be displayed, the percentage of the point visibility and the graphics memory usage.
  The category "3D point clouds" is in the display settings of the project (F7), under "General", "3CAD". The point clouds contained are displayed here. The visibility of the point clouds can be switched separately for the Top view, sectional view and 3D view. It is also possible to preset the point cloud density. If the density is set to "Low", a maximum of 10 million points are displayed, unless the graphics memory does not allow this. If the graphics memory is too small for these 10 million points, the SEMA program recognizes this automatically and only displays the highest possible number of points. The same behaviour applies to the setting "Normal", with 40 million points, and setting "High", with 100 million points. The maximum number of points that can be processed by the graphics memory are displayed with the option "Maximum".
  The point size predefines the number of pixels with which a point of the point cloud is drawn. One pixel per point is drawn with the setting "1", four pixels with "2", eight pixels with "3" and 16 pixels per point are drawn with "4".
  Further information about the point cloud opens by marking the point cloud and selecting the "Change" command. The tab "CMP" displays the storage location of the point cloud.
  The point cloud is not automatically included in the building project when sending a building project to a partner for further processing or control. It is possible to send the point cloud to a partner separately in the *.SPWX format. The partner can then save the SPWX point cloud in any directory and use the file selection dialogue to reassign the SPW file under the tab "CMP". The "Inf" tab shows the name of the point cloud, the length, width and height of the 3D object covered and the total number of points in the cloud.
  If the stored point cloud is not on the Z coordinate desired, it is possible to change the height position of the point cloud. To do this, you switch to the 3D view or a section. The height position of the point cloud can then be changed by marking the point cloud and the command "Position", "Height position of the point cloud". The query "Height position of the reference plane" opens in the input line. Firstly, users are asked for the reference point desired in the point cloud. If this point is selected, the new "Height" of the reference point can then be entered. The entire point cloud is moved to the new height position after confirming the value.
  If a user creates a section through the point cloud, it is possible to create storeys in a section by means of the command "Change the height of existing storeys or create new storeys" (icon to the left of the Drawing manager). The input line opens with the query for the storey name, for example, when a user is in a section and selects this command. All available storeys or the option "Create new storey" can be selected. The height can be entered manually or the mouse can be used to position the level to the position desired by selecting and confirming an existing storey. The storey height and name are displayed at the mouse pointer.
  If the option "Create new storey" is selected, the corresponding menu opens. A storey can be specified here and a storey name can be determined. A storey abbreviation is suggested and a usage must be defined and confirmed. The height can then be entered manually or the level can be moved to the position desired with the mouse. In this way, storeys can be changed intuitively and very conveniently or created anew.
  On that basis, design work in the SEMA program can now begin. <Feature Film Point cloud pay-per-use>