AceCad Software has announced the global release of StruCad V14 which, according to the company, includes significant new content across many of StruCad’s functions.

The improvements involve the StruCad 3D modelling environment, integrated connection design program (StruConnect), the StruCad 2D drawing production system and the StruCad CAM/CNC output system. The release is the second for the company this year.
“With a number of impressive releases over a short time period, AceCad Software is justifiably proud of its leading development program that significantly increases the competitive advantages of our valued clients,” says a company spokesman.

Fast & accurate
StruCad V14 features substantially enhanced 3D modelling tools. Combined with a powerful new clash analysis facility, structures may be managed throughout a project in the knowledge that all access and conflict aspects are resolved to the satisfaction of the user, he says. With graphical user workflow based interfaces and the latest solid modelling technology, the StruCad 3D modelling environment delivers the ultimate detailing performance and rapid project completion, says the spokesman.

Excellent integration
AceCad has also included additional significant connection design facilities within StruCad V14’s StruConnect system. “This integrated connection design software enables connections to be designed in real time according to published standards and instantly transferred for modelling within StruCad,” says the spokesman. “New simple connection design macros incorporated within StruCad V14 also enable users to streamline their detailing processes and may be used in varying modes to facilitate manual connection design, full design checking and ‘look up’ facilities with published standards. These engineering applications further link StruCad across the design phase of a typical structural steelwork project, integrating job functions and delivering streamlined fabrication information modelling.”
True FIM
StruCad V14 is at the heart of AceCad’s fabrication information modelling (FIM) solution which demonstrates practical advantages in productivity, efficiency and profitability that can be achieved by best-of-breed system integration. “It also addresses many of the problems of information control, issue and transfer and visualisation in a realistic way,” says the spokesman.
“By looking closely at the integration of the steel design, detailing, fabrication and erection processes, AceCad has developed a range of facilities that make the process more open, transparent and accessible to all elements of the supply chain – from client to erector. The class-leading third-party linkages within StruCad V14 further enhance the scope of AceCad’s FIM solution and are reinforced by enhancements to StruCad freeware,” he adds.

Ultimate fabrication output
StruCad V14 also boasts significant new functionality in terms of output. “Whilst increased modelling speed and accuracy, coupled with new design tools and greater integration facilities are all vital, output is ultimately the key element of all CAD systems,” the spokesman explains. “StruCad has always delivered class-leading accurate automatic drawing output, dramatically reducing total project detailing time. StruCad V14 builds on this deserved reputation and provides further flexibility in the form of a nested drawing function, enabling combined material list grouping. Additional access and new management tools within StruCad’s 2D viewer deliver easier selection and ordering of drawings – by for example phase, lot and mark number.”
AceCad has further strengthened output and fabrication integration through major enhancements to StruCad V14’s CNC download facilities and post processors including new and enhanced post processors and a new graphical user interface for editing post-processor file parameters.
With all these developments, AceCad continues to integrate across the fabrication process and leads the way with DSTV standards for advanced CNC connectivity, the spokesman concludes.