Improvements:

I would like to improve the find element button: Instead of looking only nodes in the from to field only, would be nice to look for nodes at bend angles Node 1, Node 2 and Node 3 and also in hangers and restraint nodes. If is not too much to ask, I would also like to have in the find (but in the output processor) the option to find text streams. The point is, if you change the node number to a name, you get the names in your report, but the names are not searchable as nodes are.
One correction: lets say that you have an element with a dimension like 2’-3.25”. And you have another element, larger than 2’-3.25”; in wich, you want to make a break with the length of the previous one (2’-3.25”). If you copy the dimension from the DX, DY, or DZ box and try to paste it in the “distance from node” the number gets changed no matter what.

Here Here! (aka "me too") And if we're getting
fancy (pipe dreams here) how about eventually making
the checking such that you can click on a button
to go back to input at the element causing you
problems...

-Shannon

1) Finding all nodes - I agree, this is a good idea. I'll add this to the development list.

2) Search for node names in the output - this will be in Version 5.00.

3) Paste operation - I'll look into this.

4) Relating errors to offending elements - this will be in Version 5.00.

How about modelling elements and supports directly into the plot without going back to the input spreadsheet ?

In Version 5.00:

- supports, yes
- elements, not really

Another two,

1.- When building the Static Analysis load cases, If you click add entry "+" and it ask you: "Would you like to renumber the load combinations" YES/NO. Cancel should be included as an option.
2.- When deleting an entry you should be asked "Would you like to renumber the load combinations" to be consistent with add entry option. (including Cancel as an option with YES and NO)

Regards

1) I presume [Cancel] would simply not add the load case?

2) We thought about that and decided not to do it. Let's say you were deleting case #15, but cases 20 to 25 depend on case #15. Would you want cases 20-25 deleted also? There are additional scenarios along these same lines.

1-. Yes, cancel will not add the load case.
2-. Well I would say that given that case I would like to have highlighted in cases 20-25, where the #15 was. That would give me the opportunity to review the affected cases. But lets say the I am deleting the case number 4 and there is a case number 10 ( which now will be 9) with load cases L7-L8. These are going to be L6-L7, and that change I would like to have done by the software.

Regards

How about pre-defined support types which follow the normal axis of the pipe,
ie
rests..................+y/Mu=.3/
guides.................+y/Mu=.3/gap=2
holddown guides .......+Y -y gap=5/Mu.3/Gap=2
linestops.............etc
limit stops? etc.
Trunnions

why not have a seperate section of this forum
for this topic.?

Guides and LimitStops are aligned according to the pipe axis. If you define a "mu" value in the configuration it will be applied to the supports you create.

People post in the wrong forum now, plus it would mean interested parties had to view more than one forum. We'll have to think about this idea.

How about the abillity to quickly 'shift'
items along the pipe?

Instead of trying to break/connect pipework to suit.

Drag and drop?

Keep the plot options:range in memory. If you close the plot you still have the range selected from your las plot.

Regards

1. Predefined pipe support guide where we can define different left and right guide gaps without have to use +X/+Y/+Z support vectors. Having just had to define approx 160 left/right vectors for a cross country line with guides this would be a big help.

2. A connect option (ie the reverse of a break - joint two elements together)

Regards

Miss Itchy your request sounds similiar to the close loop function thats been available for quite some time its up on the tool bar.... The icon is an open box (nearly a fully connected box) with a star on the end of one line....

Try it on a practice model

hi John

This button doesn't really do what I was suggesting as it allows me to stretch my element length between to node points rather than combining two elements into one, (unless I am using it incorrectly??).

Would still like to see a "combine" function as well, to combine two elements into one.

Regards