Connectors

New Features

Connector XML Export Options
You can now specify the Connector XML format during export into the solver deck of the model.
Undefined Link entities are created during Import of Connector XMLs.

Enhancements

Connector Group Removal
Connector Groups have been removed. Any existing models and files will automatically be migrated to direct Part Ownership. The Group details are added as Metadata.
Organization is now directly part and subsystem owned. There are two organization options: Automatic and Manual.
  • Automatic will organize the Connectors and Realizations based on the link organization.
  • Manual will organize the realization into the correct subsystem based on the ownership of the connector.
Realization organization will always be outside of the part hierarchy to ensure consistency with the Bill Of Materials. The owning parts for the realization will be named based on the ownership of the connector.
Guide Bar Updates
The selectors for the connector creation workflows have been updated:
  • No keyboard shortcut selection is required to change between nodes/node lists.
    • A new "+" selector has been added to confirm the creation of a point line, line, or area connector.
  • Locations/location lines have been added.
    • This allows the removal of box selection vs snapping options for nodes in the menu.
  • Aero lines have been added.
    • Create a point connector at the center of the line.
    • Any connected lines will be treated as the diameter value.
  • Any menu changes will now reflect on the connector.
Miscellaneous
Changing from an attachment to connectors in idle will select any connectors that are using the attachment.
Hexa (HAZ) has a variable HAZ per layer based on the thickness of the panel.
Hexa (Contact) now supports Tapered T.
Connector realization with beam should create beam node3 (orientation node).
Existing systems can now be selected to be associated to a realization.
The axis of the direction of a system down the realization can now be defined.
Stitch HL has now been extended to Abaqus, ANSYS, and Nastran.
Custom point and fastener connectors can be defined to have Huth Calculations from the feconfig files.
Seam Quad improvements for non-manifold junctions for extrusion modeling.
Systems orientations down the realization can now be tuned.
Multiple DVST files can now be loaded simultaneously.
Multiple element type definitions within the feconfig files will now create and show multiple properties within the Connector Entity Editor.
Autoline improvements for duplicate connectors have been made for a cleaner result.

Resolved Issues

  • Sorting by ID in the Connector Browser now ignores the type.
  • Connector color mode update issues when reloading models have been resolved.
  • Direct Property Assignment no longer assigns the property to the component as well as the element.
  • Solid Outer Face now supports Hexa elements.
  • Adjacent robustness has been improved for connectors on the surface of a solid mesh.
  • Adding multiple significant points no longer causes issues during realization.
  • Enabling the Tria option no longer causes a segmentation fault during realization.
  • The Attachment tool no longer crashes when exiting.
  • Large projection issues with Seam Quad realizations have been resolved.
  • Reversing line connectors with retain nodes no longer removes significant points.
  • Systems assignment with Huth Point connectors has been improved.