FEM-Design 14 - What's new?

FEM-Design 14 is officially released. 

All our customers with valid subscription can now upgrade the program. As usually, all the new features and changes in existing functionality are described in details in the "New features guide" document available in the program (Help --> New features). 

Here is a list of the most important features and changes that have been introduced in FEM-Design 14:

Revit analytical model - part 2.

In the first part of this article, I tried to gather some ideas and tips on how to adjust and check the Revit analytical model before exporting it to FEM-Design.

This time I gathered some video tutorials that I came across while browsing the Internet. I think they are really useful for someone who wish to master the Revit analytical model.

• A few videos explaining the essential skills are available in the playlist 'Revit for Structure Getting Started' at the Autodesk Building Solutions YouTube channel.
• Video explaining the analytical model visibility.
• Video showing and example of analytical columns and analytical walls adjustment.
• Video showing and example of analytical floor adjustment.
• Video showing and example of filtering unconnected analytical nodes.

New version of Tekla StruXML Add-In is available

A new version of Tekla StruXML Add-In 1.1.1.0 is now available to download from our download center or your StruSoft Installer.

The new version allows to transfer models saved in the Tekla Structures 20 and 20.1. Furthermore, some minor bug related to openings creation was fixed.

Training videos for Tekla to FEM-Design connection are available here.

Revit analytical model - part 1.

StruSoft StruXML Revit enables two - directional communication between Autodesk Revit and StruSoft FEM-Design. It is a powerful, but at the same time easy to use, tool that transfers the analytical model along with its properties between the two programs. 

One can fully benefit from the link, when the analytical model in Revit is well prepared and contains all the necessary information. And this part - preparation of the analytical model, appears to be a rather common problem. 

The majority of support issues that I receive from our users does not apply to our Add-In itself (for which we provide a full customer support), but to the analytical model issues (which in theory is not really StruSoft's area of expertize). Anyway, I am always trying to advise the customer and at least, give some hints about the possible issues with the model. I will also try to collect some ideas in this article.
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Second part of this article is available here.

Exporting pile foundations from Revit to FEM-Design

How to export pile foundations from Revit to FEM-Design?

In the current version of Revit StruXML Add-In (1.1.002) and FEM-Design (13.1.003) we do not support exporting piles or pile caps. It is simply because we can not handle analyzing or designing piles in FEM-Design yet. 

If it comes to foundations, we can only export foot pads, wall foundations and foundation slabs from Revit to FEM-Design (as those can be analyzed in FD). Here is some information of what we can do instead: