Multiframe News October 1998

Formation Design Systems is pleased to announce that this month, users of Multiframe for Windows will begin receiving the latest version 5.1 upgrade of Multiframe for Windows. This new version, which now ships on CD (see page 3), contains a large range of user interface enhancements.

Table handling is significantly improved in this release of Multiframe. We have added sorting of all tables by any column, either ascending or descending. In addition, you can now hide any of the columns in any table and also use the Clipping and Masking commands to either grey out or hide rows in any table. This release also adds user definable labels for all members. These labels can be edited in the member table or properties sheet, and can be displayed and used as a basis for sorting, in all other tables. The combination of all of these features now makes it very easy for you to narrow your view of the data or results, to produce the format and content you require in your design reports.

The new version also includes an update to the Sections Libraries to include the latest Australian structural shapes from BHP. You can now also add custom Cee and Zed purlin shapes to the library. In addition, there are an improved set of sample frames showing a wider range of structural configurations that can be quickly created using Multiframe.

The various Toolbars and Right-Click context sensitive menus have been upgraded in this release. In particular, the Member toolbar now includes an option for drawing multiple members and also features a handy drop down list of the sections which have been most recently used in the frame. As usual, all of these toolbars can be resized, docked to the window, or floated to any location on the screen.

The Load window now also has its own toolbar with icons for the most commonly used loads. There is also a new load case drop down list and short cut icons for moving to the next and previous load cases.

A range of other handy options include Tool Tips which automatically appear when you move your mouse over a joint or member in the Frame window, an enhanced Properties dialog which appears when you double click a member in the Frame window, and a new double click option in the Load window which lets you selectively edit and delete single loads on any member.

Multiframe for Windows will now automatically subdivide any loads located on members you subdivide in the Frame window, as well as duplicating restraints and loads along with duplicated members.

The v5.1 upgrade will be sent on CD to all Multiframe for Windows users later this month or early next month. It will also be made available for download from our web site. If you have not yet notified us of your email address, please do so to info@formsys.com.

Users of Multiframe for Macintosh aren't being left out of the latest upgrade. The new upgrade on CD (see CD on next page) will also include a new v5.1 upgrade for Macintosh. This upgrade, which brings the version number in line with the Windows version, offers a performance improvement on the new G3 machines, as well as adding a handy option for automatically converting batches of files for use on either platform. The new release also automatically recognises the Windows file name extensions on Multiframe files so you can read them without the need for any conversion. The file format remains compatible across both platforms.

At Lake Engineering in Auckland, New Zealand, Multiframe has been a key part of their computer desktop since their purchase of the first 2D version in 1988. Principal Michael Lake uses Multiframe for all of their structural design work which has ranged from the New Zealand Expo Pavilion at Seville, through to shopping centres, a cultural centre and most recently, the new Southern Cross hospital.

Lake Engineering uses a range of design tools to cope with the variation in demand for services that all design firms experience. They use both Macintosh and Windows computers with Multiframe running on Macintosh in conjunction with other tools like Microstation and Excel. On the Windows side, they also make use of MathCAD and AutoCAD as well as specialist programs for fire engineering and other specialist disciplines.

Michael usually uses Multiframe on his laptop, allowing him the flexibility to take the structural models away from the office and make quick design changes and decisions in response to requests from the contractor. This saves time on the job and reduces costs to the client. Michael summarises his use of Multiframe as being a "huge advantage" in managing his structural analysis work.

Lake Engineering frequently make use of the shear effects option available in Multiframe and have put the addition of shear wall elements at the top of their wish list. Shear wall elements will be added to release 7 of Multiframe in 1999.

Multiframe for Windows and Macintosh now ships on a dual platform CD which contains all the versions of the programs, a new on-line help system, complete copies of the user manuals and links to key forms and information on our web site. With your software you will receive an access code or password which will enable you to unlock the programs you own from the CD.

Should you wish to pass an evaluation copy along to a friend or colleague, the CD also contains demo copies of all of the programs. The demo can also be useful if you need a read-only version of Multiframe to take with you on a trip away from your office. The demo lets you read in, modify and analyse any frame, but does not allow saving or printing.

Recent upgrades to both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems are of varied usefulness to Multiframe users.

On the Windows side, Windows 98 doesn't really add anything that is of importance to the Multiframe user. There doesn't appear to be any significant advantage or disadvantage to using the new system. You should only really consider the upgrade if you require some of the hardware related support it now offers for your computer. Multiframe is however completely compatible with this system.

On the Macintosh side, Mac OS 8.1 offers a nice update with slightly improved performance and stability. We recommend this update for Multiframe users, particularly those who are using virtual memory for larger frames.

You can never have a computer that's too fast or has too much memory, so say we when it comes to the ideal PC or Mac for running Multiframe. However it's getting cheaper and cheaper to get a configuration that will really make the software fly.

On the PC side, the latest range of computer releases feature the Pentium II processor running at 400MHz. Our initial testing on these machine shows that the Pentium II really delivers a significant performance boost over the Pentium Pro or Pentium with MMX. Now that the new processor is running at a snappy 400Mhz, the performance climbs even further. Priced in the US from US$3150 these machines are great value for money.

On the Macintosh side, Apple are really getting their hardware act together with very fast performance from their new G3 processors which offer better than Pentium II performance. The most innovative is the new iMac, a sleek see-through sculptured design with a high speed processor, built in high speed networking and an all-in-one CPU and screen design - all for just US$1299.