Correct model tool

Correct model tool is a revolutionary function to fix the models having geometrical errors, in semi-automatic way, with supervision of the user. This tool helps to fix the following types of errors in the model:

• object multiplication and overlap
• geometrically incorrect objects (very small region parts, very small angles, divided region edges, etc.)
• incorrectly positioned objects

Correct model tool is a semi-automatic system which necessarily needs user-interaction. It draws attention to the possible errors of the model and in most cases also offers solution(s), but you have to decide whether it is really an error or not and if it is, how to fix it.

Pick Correct model from Tools/Correct model or from the toolbar ( ).

Select the elements to be checked.

Then in the pop-up dialog, select the task(s) to be run.

All correction tasks can be selected or cleared in one click. Use the Select all and Clear all buttons for it.

Press Start to start the correcting process. It runs row by row and the current step turns green. The view is focused on the incorrect object (part).

The table below contains the meaning of the flashing red object depending on the current correction task:

You can choose from the following choices:

• Ignore: the object is not modified
• Mark: the object is marked according to the colour and text set in the Marker dialog
• Fix: the object is deleted/modified according to the program’s suggestion. The number in the table in Fixed cell of the current correction task’s row is increased by one. The fixed object turns into green

Ignore all, Mark all, Fix all acts on all further incorrect objects found by the current correction task (highlighted by green in the table).

After one of the abovementioned button is pressed, the next incorrect object – if exists – gets into focus and highlighted 

Show again focuses on the current objects. It can be useful at a large model.

Break cancels the correction process but the previously performed modifications are kept.

Once the correction process is finished (or cancelled) the modifications can be applied on the model by pressing either Apply or OK. In case of OK the dialog closes. All modifications can be discarded by pressing Reset if they were not yet applied on the model.

Settings commands let the user save/load the selected correction tasks and their tolerances.

Using Auto button and applying its modification on the model is not recommended, because in practice in most cases there is no exact solution: fixing an error may generate or eliminate other problems fixing the same error in different ways may generate/eliminate different problems consequently, the correcting process can be iterative.  However, Auto is useful to get an estimation of errors and type of them in the model.

See detailed description of each correcction task as follows.

Delete identical copies

If more identical element exist in the same position, it deletes all multiplication, and counts as one correction in the Fixed column on the Correct model dialog.

This is not working for intermediate sections, post-tensioned cables and corbels.

Fix overlaps

It fixes the overlapping regions and lines. The existing objects can be shrunk or erased, but function will not generate new objects (e.g. a region can not fall apart). Overlapping is allowed for the Loads.

This is not working for isolated and wall foundations’region and corbels.

Sharp angles

Sharp corners under 10° will be fixed according to the given tolerance. The highlighted part of object will be removed. If the element has smaller dimension than the given tolerance, the whole element will be removed.

Fix small areas and lines

Objects within the tolerance range will be removed. It will fix small holes, long narrow areas etc.

Merge region lines

Merge region lines function merges two lines/curves of a region into one line/curve if they are in the range of tolerance. Too flat curves may be replaced by line. The figure below shows examples how the tolerance is measured.

Align to structural grid

This function aligns objects to the structural grids (axes, storeys or reference planes). Alignment is done by orthogonal projection of object’s checkpoints to the structural grid within the tolerance. The check-points are shown below for line, arc and circle:

	Once an object is placed on a grid by Correct model tool, it will not be detached from it by any next correction step.
	Correct model tool does not check structural grid for possible errors, like axes too close to each other or not perfectly parallel.

Stretch to structural grid

This function will stretch the regions and lines to the intersection of axis within given tolerance.

If the geometry of the object is incorrect (e.g. shell is not laying in plane) this function cannot be performed.

Align regions

It aligns the regions (projection) to an other region’s plane which is within the given tolerance both in direction perpendicular to and parallel with  the region’s plane.

Stretch to crossing regions

This function will stretch the objects to the crossing regions within given tolerance.

Stretch regions in plane

Regions laying in same plane will be stretched to each other within given tolerance.
Lines laying within given tolerance to other objects will be stretched.

Align points

Points (objects) will be aligned to closest object within tolerance.

Restrictions

Correct model cannot handle: peak smoothing regions connections (point, line, surface) bar, shell components building cover and doesn’t work in Analysis and Design tabs only the visible objects can be modified columns and walls need to be vertical and will stay vertical after the modifications as well isolated, shell foundation and foundation slab need to be and remain horizontal pile can be placed in any direction, but cannot be horizontal corbel is not handled by Correct model and cannot be used as an object to fit other objects to

Correct model works in multiple-window mode as well.

Example The following example shows the process of fixing geometrical errors of a small model with different types of errors:

Query

Starting    in Tools menu helps to get geometrical informations in the model.  You can get the point coordinates, length between two point, angle, region and solid parameters.

Point coordinates

Choosing a point with    shows the point coordinates in orthogonal and cylindrical Global co-ordinate system.

Figure: Point coordinate

Length

Choosing two points with   shows distance between the selected points and their projection to the  co-ordinate axes.

Angle

Choosing two lines with   shows the angle between the lines.

Region

Choosing or drawing a region with   shows area, perimeter, center of gravity (co-ordinates).

Solid

Choosing a solid with   shows volume, perimeter, area and center of gravity (co-ordinates).

Scripting

We support a basic automation workflow through scripting. It is capable to load/save file, execute analysis calculation and crate outputs as .csv list or .docx documentation.  With that you can batch-analize models created in other programs or directly in .struxml. Or execute long calculations during the night.

The script commands approximate the usual interface, as if you filled inputs on the dialog and press the OK button. So for the meaning of the parameters look at the corresponding panel in the UI.

To launch the script use the menu command Tools/Run script or start the program with the /s command line:

   fd3dstruct /s c:\mydir\example.fdcsript

The installation creates the fdscript.xsd and an example.fdcsript in the templates folder, the latter can be used as a starting point of custom scripts. It has all the commands intended for users and useful comments on how to proceed.

Script execution writes a log file (specified within the script header), you have to look into that to see what was actually executed and any warning/error message that would normally appear on the screen. The execution stops at first serious error.

If you launch FEM-Design many times to execute script for many inputs it's a good idea to turn off all the satellite executables it may launch: update and upgrade in settings and set environment FD_NOLOGO=1 to avoid the splash screen.

We also allow users to use the API.

Block

Blocks can contain only drawing elements (point, line, arc, circle, region, solid and text) for editing these elements in one step.

Figure: Block toolwindow

Similarly to filter, for definition, you have to type the name first, then select the desired objects. If required, members can be added with the “+”, and removed with the “-“ buttons, and exploded with the explosion symbol at the right hand side. With properties “?”, you can also change the name of the block.

For grouping structural elements or loads User defined filter function can be used.

Archive

This command deletes the result files for save free space in the hard drive. To see the result, you have to run calculation again.

External reference

With this command User can display a drawing of dwg or dxf format as an image in the background. The main advantage of external reference is that  modifcations made in the source file will be executed in the FEM-Design file each time it is reopened, or Refresh function called.

Figure: External reference toolwindow

After Clicking on Define you can specify the insertion coordinate system:

Figure: Insertion coordinate system of DWG/DXF drawing

With the third click, you specify the coordinate system’s second axis. The second axis can define reverse polarity compared to the polarity of the referenced image and thus you can get a reverse image (with wrongly directed texts, etc.).

If the origin in the dxf or dwg file is far away from the drawing, you may not find the image in FD’s workspace. Click on „Zoom margin” in this case: Figure: Inserted DWG drawing

In the import window, you can set the conversion scale, select the desired layers, with different colour representations:

Figure: Import dialog

With the display option in the red box, you can turn the picture on and off.

Figure: Turning on the Display option

In “off” state, the file path is printed at the insertion point, and you can set its font parameters in the window below, which opens in default settings during definition , or when clicking on an existing external reference with   active:

If the source file has changed, you can refresh  it, or refresh it with different parameters  .

Statistics

Starting   in Tools menu opens the Statistics dialog, where User can find information about the quantities of different objects in the model.

Get GUID

The Get GUID function enables the query of the GUID of elements. This can be useful for identification of structural objects imported/exported via Struxml.

Picking   in Tools menu launches Get GUID. You needs to select teűhe elements, of which GUID you wish to know.

The pop-up window shows the General Unique IDs which can be sent to the clipboard by clicking on “Send to clipboard” button. GUIDs for analytical and physical model of a bar are different.

Analytical view:

Physical view:

If the bar is saved in struxml format, these GUIDs can be found there as well.

Feedback mail

In Help/FEM-Design Support you are able to reach the support easily and get answers for specific model dependant questions.

In the dialog you can decide how to receive answer, via email or phone and/or Teamviewer (remote desktop). The Help button links to a guide, how to write a request.

Local support button opens StruSoft’s support website, where the local contacts are listed.
If the Attach current model is active, the last saved model will be send to the support. If the model includes linked DWG files, those files will be attached as well.

There is an option to add more files (e.g. pictures) to the report.

Company settings

It is a very fast way to export all FEM-Design settings and libraries to any other computer. 

The Company settings can be found in FEM-Design Command Center under Tools. 

As of FEM-Design 23, The following items can be included in the Company Settings: Pick export  

• Settings
• Material library
• Section library
• Rigidity type libraries
• SAF conversion table
• SAF output mapping table
• Timber panel library
• PTC strand type
• Predefined load library
• Custom result library
• Reinforcement library
• Joint libraries
• Bolt library
• Fire protection material library

Along with additional files, which include:​

• .palstd; .palutl; .clnstd - these are FEM-Design color palette files
• .dsc - Documentation template files
• .bsc - List batch files
• .ttb - title block files
• .xltx - List template files
• .dotx - Office OpenXML template files

When pressing the Export button, the settings are saved into a .fdcs file and a message is displayed about the status of the export.

To import the settings, just use the import function  and locate the .fdcs file.