Release Allplan 2018

Release Notes for Allplan 2018

New Allplan user interface

The new Allplan user interface is the default for new installations and upgrades. If you still want to use your own specific configuration after upgrading from an earlier version, you need to save this configuration as a UBX file in the earlier version. After the upgrade, you can load this configuration again.

Onboarding helps you get started.

New functionality in the frame of the Allplan window

  • Customizable Quick Access Toolbar on the title bar on the left
  • Project name and drawing file information in the center of the title bar
  • More tools such as Help menu, Allplan Shop and Bimplus login fixed on the title bar on the right
  • You can hide the menu bar via the Quick Access Toolbar.
  • You can access the most important tools on the File menu via the Allplan icon at top left or the Quick Access Toolbar.
  • By pressing the ALT key, you can show and hide the menu bar at any time.

New Allplan Actionbar (similar to a ribbon)

  • The tools offered are grouped by role and task.
  • You select the role on the left side of the Actionbar. The task areas change with the role and task you select. Areas you require for all tasks stay open: for example, Filter, Change or Edit.
  • You can use the Actionbar to look for tool names.
  • You can change the size of the icons.
  • You can expand or collapse task areas; the areas adapt automatically to the width of the Actionbar.
  • There is a configuration tool for adjusting and creating your own Actionbar.

The title bar and Actionbar are saved together with the other elements of the Allplan user interface as a configuration in the UBX file.

You can show the new Allplan user interface at any time by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+B or by selecting the View menu - Default Configurations - Actionbar Configuration.

General

High-resolution monitors

If you use a high-resolution monitor, you can select the Automatic scaling from operating system option in the Options.

Allplan Share

With the Allplan Share option, you can save native Allplan project data to the cloud. To save and manage Allplan project data, you use the BIM platform Bimplus.

Compared with Workgroup Cloud, Allplan Share reduces your administrative work considerably, as you do not need to set up an FTP server. In addition, Allplan Share speeds up data transfer.

Requirements for using Allplan Share:

  • Bimplus account with the Allplan Share option
  • Bimplus team owner or team administrator (for creating Allplan Share projects)

New Allplan projects

  • You can create new Allplan projects directly on Allplan Share. To do this, select BIMPLUS when you create the project and you are prompted to specify where to save the project. This links the Allplan project with the Bimplus project.

Existing Allplan projects

Existing Allplan projects can be copied or moved to Allplan Share:

  • Open the New Project, Open Project dialog box. Right-click the relevant project and select Copy to or Move to on the shortcut menu. Another dialog box opens. Choose BIMPLUS for the location.
  • Select an existing Bimplus project (only possible if this project does not contain project data or model data of another Allplan project) or create a new Bimplus project.

You can also open and edit Allplan Share projects from a standalone Allplan seat, provided the user has at least the role of Project editor in the Bimplus project.

Any user who wants to open an Allplan Share project must have the Allplan Share option (assigned by the team owner or team administrator).

Basic features

Project templates

All project templates that come with the program are in compliance with IFC.

Attributes

You can set the user-defined attributes to project-specific in the project properties. This makes it easier for you to exchange projects with planning partners. In addition, you can customize projects to specific requirements without overloading the office standard.

There are more attributes available to you.

The Attribute Selection dialog box provides the new Steel construction category with five attributes.

Finding attributes in the Attribute Selection dialog box is easier. You can search upwards and downwards or search for whole words only.

Attribute sets (Bimplus - No attribute sets)

  • An attribute set is a project-specific compilation of component attributes, describing object properties.
  • You can select an attribute set for a project when you create the project or later using the properties of the project.
  • You can define your own attribute sets using Property Manager.

There is the new Import Attribute Values from Bimplus tool:

  • If you have not yet linked a project with a Bimplus project (for example, by uploading Allplan model data to Bimplus), Allplan prompts you to link the project with a Bimplus project. Allplan then takes the defined attribute sets from this Bimplus project.

Filter

The element filter tools (Filter by Element Type, Filter by DTM Element Type, Filter by Urban Planning, Landscaping Object) only let you select elements that are actually available in the loaded drawing files.

Layers

You can apply a filter to the Print Set, Privilege Set and Format Definition tabs in the Layer dialog box. Using this filter, you can list the entire layer hierarchy or only the layers in the open documents.

Hyperlinks

You can use the Link tool with the Hyperlink option to place a link to an Internet address as a button in the drawing file. The length of the Internet address is no longer limited to 80 characters; you can now enter up to 255 characters.

Calculator

The Calculator, which you could open on the Tools menu or Special toolbar, is no longer available in this version.

Data exchange, interfaces

New interface for IFC export

  • To use the new interface, select Export IFC Data. The new interface creates data in the following formats: IFC 4, IFC XML 4, IFC 2x3 and IFC XML 2x3.
  • The new interface supports reinforcement (meshes and reinforcing bars).
  • Smart door symbols, smart window symbols, door SmartParts and window SmartParts can be resolved into discrete elements during transfer.
  • The new interface transfers linear fixtures and upstands.
  • You can choose to include the project offset when exporting data.
  • NURBS can be transferred in a complex manner. Important! Make sure that the recipient of the data can process NURBS transferred in a complex manner.
  • The new interface supports IFC object type and IFC object subtype.
  • To use the conventional interface, select the Export IFC 2x3 Data tool. The conventional interface creates data in the following formats: IFC 2x3 and IFC XML 2x3. If your planning partner requests Certified CV2.0 data export, you can use the Export IFC 2x3 Data tool.

Rhino interface

  • You can import and export Rhino data of Rhino V5.
  • Extrusion solids you create in Rhino will not be imported as surface models but as solids to Allplan.
  • B-splines can be exported from or imported to Rhino. Allplan no longer polygonizes these splines.

DWG interface

  • B-splines can be exported from or imported to DWG. Allplan no longer polygonizes these splines.
  • You can export (converted) user-defined architectural elements to DWG format without losing the specific plan view.

DGN interface

  • B-splines can be imported from a DGN file and exported to a DGN file.
  • You can export (converted) user-defined architectural elements to DGN format without losing the specific plan view.

Libraries

Using the Library palette - Project, you can choose to show the current project only or the library elements of all projects as usual.

PythonParts

PythonParts replace predefined concrete components in the Concrete Construction - 3D Object tool.

There are many improvements in the way you create and use PythonParts:

  • Modular system with individual elements
  • You can create your own parametric objects by combining individual elements; you do not need to program anything.
  • Handles are available for individual elements. You can use these handle to open parameter entry.
  • You can show and hide specific individual elements.
  • PythonPart editor creates columns, girders, beams, stairs and landings from individual elements, thus forming composite elements.
  • You can save PythonParts as favorites and XML files.
  • PythonParts Interpreter for reading XML files

‘Properties’ palette for entering elements

Allplan brings the Properties palette to the front when you enter 2D elements. Instead of defining the element properties on a context toolbar, you can now do this quickly and easily using the palette. Consequently, context toolbars become smaller and clearer, taking up less workspace. As a result, context toolbars only contain tools that control element entry directly.

Objects palette

Using the Options - Object navigator page, you can choose to display rooms with the object name, room name or room function. You can also open the Object navigator page straight from the Objects palette.

You can now Sort by trade in the Objects palette.

Draft

When creating an Offset Polyline, you can undo all steps back to the first point you entered. All you need to do is click Back.

Text

You can now format text as superscript and subscript with just one click. You no longer need to enter control characters. This way, you can enter exponents and indices quickly and easily.

Text you enter is now paragraph text by default. The corresponding option is no longer available.

Layout, printing

When you Print Layouts, the Print at highest quality option is set by default.

When opening and selecting layouts, you can use the shortcut menu to sort the layouts of any structural level numerically and alphabetically in ascending or descending order.

Views and sections

New tools for views and sections

The new Views and Sections module - Create area provides four new tools (Create View, Create Section, Label Associatively, Convert View to 2D) and the familiar Clipping Path tool. The Change area and the shortcut menu provide the Modify Clipping Path and Modify View, Section tools.

Creating views and sections is now easier and faster.

A ToolTip shows the original element type in the view or section.

You can change the attributes of the original elements in the view or section.

Using the shortcut menu, you can label the original elements in the view or section.

3D Modeling

You can use handles to edit general 3D elements and objects.

You can use the new Shell tool to create freeform solids or parallel surfaces based on any 3D surface. All you need to do is enter the thickness or offset. The offset to the reference surface can even be zero. For example, you can create an identical surface or partial surface of a solid and then assign a finish to this surface. By placing this surface in front of the solid, you can produce a striking depth during rendering or in animation.

You can use the new Patch tool to create planar or curved surfaces from curves or edges of existing 3D elements. The curves and edges must form a closed outline and must not intersect. The Patch tool is particularly useful for filling gaps between adjacent surfaces or for modeling roofs.

You can use the new Insert Line in 3D Curve tool to insert lines or linear segments in 3D curves such as B-splines or 3D polylines. This tool does not divide the 3D curve; it is still a single element.

You can use the new 3D Curve from Axis and Gradient tool to create a three-dimensional B-spline from a planar axis and a planar gradient. You can define the direction and height of the resulting B-spline, which you can then use to model solids or road location lines.

There is a new input option - Based on center on edge/curve - available for the following tools: 3D Rectangle, 3D Circle, 3D Polygon, Rectangular 3D Surface, Circular 3D Surface, 3D Polygon Surface and Cylinder. You can draw the outlines or surfaces so that they are perpendicular to any point on a curve or edge. You no longer need to turn or move the outlines if you want to create a solid using Extrude Along Path, for example. 

You can apply the Center of Gravity tool to general 3D elements too.

The new Repair 3D Elements tool includes repair functions that used to be provided by the Union tool.
Using this new tool, you can do the following:

  • Normalize elements.
  • Join superimposed or double edges.
  • Remove edges within planar surfaces.
  • Correct surface normals of varying alignment. 
  • Correct several 3D elements in one go.

You can now apply the following tools to 3D elements you have already selected: Fillet, Chamfer, Delete Surfaces and Shell.

We improved the Boolean functions. It is now easier to merge and split solids. Using the Subtract and Remove Solid and Subtract and Retain Solid tools, you can divide an object or a surface along a bent or planar surface.

The Loft tool provides advanced options:

  • You can now use profiles consisting of curves, for example, as the inner profile or the outer profile. You are no longer restricted to planar profiles only.
  • Using the new Closed option, you can automatically produce a smooth connection between the last profile and the first profile entered (like closed splines). This way, you can use the same profile for the start and end.

Improvements to general 3D objects (with curves):

  • Drawing files and documents open faster.
  • Direct object modification comes with advanced options.
  • Point snap to corners and edges is better.
  • Selection preview and ToolTip open faster when you point to a general 3D object.
  • Using the Properties palette, you can modify general 3D objects, 3D surfaces and converted user-defined architectural elements.
  • You can set the Speed / quality for general 3D objects using the Options - Reinforcement views. This setting controls how reinforcement views and associative views look.

3D splines

  • You used to open the 3D Spline tool as a subordinate tool of 3D Line. Now 3D Spline comes as a discrete tool with a new context toolbar.
  • In addition to the usual cubic splines, you can now draw two types of B-splines: B-splines based on control points and B-splines based on interpolated points.
  • B-splines can be open or closed. You can even define the degree.
  • In addition to entering spline points freely, you can match points of existing elements or terrain points.
  • You can edit all types of 3D splines using the Properties palette. Here, you can change the coordinates of the control points, close open splines or change the degree of the spline.
  • You can use B-splines to model solids.
  • We improved direct object modification of 3D splines. Using a context toolbar, you can remove or add spline control points and interpolated spline points.
  • Using the Properties palette, you can define a start tangent and an end tangent, thus producing a smooth transition from line to spline.
  • B-splines remain B-splines in views and sections; this element type will not be broken down into polygons.

Converted user-defined architectural elements

  • See Architecture

Bonus Tools

The Object Manager module is now the Attributes module

The Object Manager module in the Bonus Tools family is now the Attributes module.

There is the new Import Attribute Values from Bimplus tool. You can use this tool to import attribute values that have changed on Bimplus. This is only possible if the attribute set definition in the Properties of the project is set to Bimplus and the Allplan project is linked with a Bimplus project. This changes objects in the current drawing file and in drawing files open in edit mode.

Some tools have new names:

  • Import Attributes (formerly Import Object Manager Data)
  • Export Attributes (formerly Export Object Manager Data)
  • Modify Attributes (formerly Assign, Modify Object Attributes)
  • Transfer Attributes (formerly Transfer, Delete Object Attributes)

Architecture

Converted user-defined architectural elements

  • You can assign attributes directly in the User-def. archit. element palette.
  • You can save the plan view of a converted user-defined architectural element as a favorite and use this favorite for other converted user-defined architectural elements.
  • Using Label, you can analyze height attributes of converted user-defined architectural elements. To do this, use the Elevation spec - TL and Elevation spec - BL label styles.
  • You can now snap to points of intersection and intersected edges of converted user-defined architectural elements. This makes it easier for you to dimension converted user-defined architectural elements and to design new elements based on converted user-defined architectural elements.
  • Using the User-def. archit. element palette, you can change the plan views of several converted user-defined architectural elements in a single step.
  • NOI support for converted user-defined architectural elements

Openings

Openings come with more properties. When you select reveal type 4, you can now define an offset at the bottom for the reveal.

Window and door SmartParts

  • When you create window SmartParts and door SmartParts, the program automatically assigns and displays the IFC Type.
  • Reports and labels analyze the opening direction of sliding doors correctly; sliding door SmartParts also work correctly.
  • 2D representation of window SmartParts and door SmartParts is better at smaller scales.

Presentation

Surfaces

When defining surfaces, you can now use the Parallax offset and Parallax samples options in the Bump area. Parallax Mapping is particularly useful for relief-like, rough surfaces that are not too far away, such as gravel or grass. This effect is evident when you render using CineRender or RT Render and in views of the Animation type.

You can define multilayer materials in the Glossy reflection area. Using the Coat of lacquer option, you simulate a high-gloss, transparent coat making luster and contours appear smoother. This effect is evident when you render using CineRender or RT Render and in views of the Animation type.

The Color area provides new options for mixing color with texture. You can now choose between the Multiply and Normal modes. The latter mixes the color with the texture.

Rendering

Rendering transparent and reflective materials is better.

Allplan comes with a new rendering mode: Physical Renderer.

There is the new Irradiance Cache rendering mode for Global Illumination. The previous mode - IR Legacy - is still available for projects from earlier versions.

You can now render without Global Illumination.

Data exchange with CINEMA 4D

Allplan exports identical smart symbols and SmartParts as render instances to CINEMA 4D or Cinerender. This makes rendering much faster.

Animation, Real Time Render

We improved the display quality of the Animation and RT Render view types in several places:

  • The Animation view type takes into account the Roughness parameter for transparent materials.
  • You can use Ambient Occlusion in conjunction with the Animation view type. Ambient Occlusion shades edges and corners, thus emphasizing details.
  • Surfaces with Parallax Mapping (Bump area) are taken into account by the Animation and RT Render view types.
  • Multilayer materials, which you can simulate using the Coat of lacquer option, have an effect on the RT Render and Animation view types.

Engineering

Reinforcement

You can use the new Sweep Bars Along Path tool to place reinforcing bars along any path. You define the bending shapes of transverse reinforcement and the longitudinal reinforcement in “reinforce with 3D model” mode in one or more associative sections. You can define the path using several polygonal paths.

When converting design entities to reinforcing bars, you can define whether bars cut to length will be delivered as straight bars or bent bars.

Allplan comes with advanced options for displaying reinforcing bars and meshes in color. In the case of reinforcing bars, you can assign colors based on mark numbers, diameters or steel grades. In the case of meshes, you can assign colors based on mark numbers or mesh identifiers. Using Show/Hide, you can choose to display colored reinforcement in plan view and layouts too.

You can take the line color of the mark border from the element and use this line color for the placement and schema of bar reinforcement and mesh reinforcement.

You can predefine the format properties of mesh labels (mark number, mark border and mark text) using the Options - Reinforcement - Format page - Meshes area.

Reports and associative legends only include the quantities of the selected placements. If, for example, you added placements to a mark later, you can now output these placements separately.

Screwed-sleeve joints and couplers

The catalogs provided by the Coupler, Thread, Connecting Bar tool in the Bar Reinforcement module have been revised and expanded. Screwed-sleeve joints and couplers of eight manufacturers are now available for selection.

  • SAH Stahlwerk Annahütte: new features for the SAS 670 system
  • ancotech: BARON®-C screwed-sleeve joints for use in Switzerland
  • Ancon TT, ReidBar, Dextra: new component catalogs for international use

Localization

  • Europe: Reinforcement Schedule ISO 3766
  • Great Britain: BS 8666:2005
  • China: welded bar
  • Italy: display cross-section as a ...
  • Canada: unit [dm]

Data exchange with SCIA Engineer

Allplan is now directly connected to SCIA Engineer, making data exchange quicker and easier: You no longer need to export or import structural models.

Associative Views

We renamed the ‘Associative Views’ module Reinforcement Views.

The tools in the new Views and Sections module are designed for both architects and engineers. However, it is not yet possible to create reinforcement in these views and sections. Therefore, you should use the tools in the Reinforcement Views module to create general arrangement drawings and reinforcement drawings.

Accelerated hidden line images for associative views and sections are no longer available.

Terrain

Site Plan

The Site Plan module comes with the new Site Plan Legend tool you can use to analyze 3D terrain points. The legend updates automatically to reflect any changes you make (provided you have defined the settings accordingly).