What's New in 3DCS Version 7.4, the New Release in 2017

Version 7.4 brings with it major updates, and a lot of smaller fixes to improve the use of 3DCS software.

In 2017, DCS launched the new release of the 3DCS Software suite. This new version brings a host of updates, features and even a new CAD integration. So what are all the new updates? I'm here to let you know.

Let's Start With the Big Ones

1. NEW INTEGRATION - PTC CREO - 3DCS is now fully integrated in PTC Creo CAD platform.

Click here to learn more

2. New Icons and Updated Windows - The interface has been updated with new Icons, which are easier to see and understand for faster access to the tools you need.

3. 3DCS Multi-CAD - Ribbon Toobars - 3DCS Multi-CAD has been updated to use a top ribbon for toolbars, placing all of your tools in easy to access headers.

4. Multi-core processor support - 3DCS will be able fully utilize multiple processors to speed up analysis time.

5. New MTM Displays - When selecting Moves, Tolerances and Measurements, the features will now be displayed prominantly on your model, giving quick context to your setup.

6. Excel Create Add-on Module - a new module to let users create new MTM's using Excel Export/Import.

7. New Report Look and Layout -

Generating a report from 3DCS has been updated with new look and layout, more available pages; embedded video support, hover-over items to view images and much more.

Now, For the Rest of the Updates

Generate Report

Generating a report from 3DCS has been updated with new look and layout, more available pages; embedded video support, hover-over items to view images and much more. Please check out the Report Generation page to see more.
Fixed issue with MTMnames having a "/" (slash), not creating images in the Generate Report.
Saving a StatRow file will now show the correct Standard Deviation.
The Directory where the reports will be saved is automatically created for both HTML and Excel reports.
Simulation results will now show all statistical information provided from Analysis Simulation.

Features

Feature Slotcan now be created using points.
TheFeature Wizarddialog has been redesigned. It now has a Reframe button to locate the selected feature.

Display

Labeling features for Points, Moves, Tolerances and Measures, have been improved.
Selecting a contributor row in the Simulation window willdisplay the name and contributor numberin the graphics window.
The Simulation, MTM, Point and Feature Labels now share the same color as the mesh on parts.
Point Label symbols has been updated to share the same symbols across platforms:

o Feature Point: (Filled Circle)

o DCS Point: (Filled Square)

o Dynamic Point: (Star/Asterisk)

Improved the overlay text in certain pointlabelscolors.
Updated all Icons for all CAD Systems.
In the DCS tree the parts Icons color will now match the color of the parts from the Graphic window.
Center point creation on a split when the original sketch is hidden, is now available.
Removed the List from the Ribbon names now its only Moves, Tolerances, GD&Ts, Measures.
The names in the Tree will now be consistentPoints, Features, Tolerances, GD&Ts, Moves, Measures.

Alias Display

The DCS Abbreviation file can now be edited through the Preferences dialog, under Alias Display.
The DCS Abbreviation file has been updated to allow for more abbreviation choices.

o Feature and Points Dominate Direction can be set to i,j,k or X,Y,Z.

o Feature Points, DCS Points and Features now display whether their a Hole, Pin or a Surface/Static Point.

o Measures will display a sub-type in the name, such as Add or Subtract in a Combination measure; or Feature to Feature from a Feature Measure.

o Tolerances with Composite Tolerances now display both Magnitude values.

o User DLL moves, tolerances and measures will now display their types or modes instead of User-DLL.

o When using Moves with Bend, Iterative Logic or Conditional Log will be displayed with Alias Display.

o Iteration Moves will now display the set mode: Translate, Rotate or Loop.

Some dialogs were updated to better display text.
The tree and report display will now correctly display if a size tolerance point is switched from a pin to a hole.
Circles, Slots, Tabs and Pockets are now available in Alias Display, under the Points and Features Options, and the Alias Display text file: Feature Type (#TT#).
Tolerance with Alias Display and that are linked to aProcess Capability DBwill correctly update the displayed Tolerance range, if changed in the PCDB Excel file.

Update Functions

Update Geometry now allows for selection of an additional part or assembly.

File Import-Export

DCSDB2file import issue when it has a large number of points was resolved.
CM and MM moves display correct names when exporting toExcel.
While importing .wtx files, the options Merge/ Replace/ Append will now perform consistent in all the Software. These options will now even create assemblies/Parts in the correct location.

Tolerances

Users can set tolerances and GD&T output based on either the Sigma Number or the Sigma Value options.
Added Composite Profile and Composite Position options to the Feature Tolerance tolerance type list.
Added Save View, Show View to Tree for DCS circleSize tolerances.

Measurements

Multiple measures selection from the tree is now available forCombinationmeasurement.

Simulation

Redesigned theSimulation Run dialog, adding the Assembly Check andModel Validation.
The Sensitivity now only shows affecting contributors.
Updated the Sensitivity Options display to show only the percentage of contributors.
Entering a estimated percent below 74.7790849% will give the correct sigma number.
Improved creating images from the Simulation/Sensitivity window.
Adding more statistical data from the Display Options of the Simulation window will no longer crash 3DCS when saving a JPEG.
The Histogram will correctly ignore showing a mean shift when the option Show Nominal is turned off.
Users will not be able torun a Simulation, when Run Monte Carlo and Run HLM Sensitivity boxes are unchecked.
Double-clicking on a Contributor in the Contributor List will now open the appropriate tolerance or move dialog.
The option Run Directly for Simulation, GeoFactor and AAO have been removed. The software will now Run Directly from simulation data as default. Users can still Run a Copy by usingSimulation Batch Processor.
TheRun AnalysisDialog has been changed, the dialog that pops up for Assembly checking is removed and been added inside the Run Analysis Dialog.
Running a Simulation will now open the Simulation Report along with the contributors displayed in the Graphic Window.

Sensitivity

Updated theSensitivity Optionsdisplay to show only the contributors that have at least the minimum set percentage value.
Improved the Analysis Window with the use of the Mouse and the horizontal/vertical scroll bars.
Double-click on the Sensitivity Results now shows the edit MTM dialog, instead of re-framing. To re-frame, double-click to edit the MTM, and then select "Show View".

Dialogs

TheAnalysis Windowhas been improved, adding and organizing new and old features and menus.
Icons, dialogs, and images throughout 3DCS have been improved.
TheMoveand Measure dialog has been updated, allowing to see each different add-on type move or measure, such as Mechanical or Compliant.
Point Information is now available from theEdit Point dialog.
Users can Refresh theValidate dialog, after any errors have been fixed or changes have been made.
UsingPoint Informationon a Dynamic Point will display the control points parent part names in parenthesis.
The Feature Linking Wizard dialog has been redesigned.

o Added a Reframe button, to reframe on the selected feature in the model

o Added a Feature Point Update method.

Improved the stability of theTree Linkingdialog.
In theFind/Replacedialog, checking "All" will make other options unavailable.
Activate/Deactivate menus have been moved to one dialog:Activate/Deactivate MTMs;Activate/Deactivate: Global.

GD&T

Resolved call-outs not varying for certain DRFs that only control an axis in one direction.
The GD&T Pick Reference Datum dialog labels are updated to indicate the primary, secondary and tertiary datums.
Resolved perpendicularity on concentrated cylinders with axis directions slight off calculation issue.

Measure Generator

Resolved the last point in the Measure Generator listed being selected after a point is removed. Correctly selects the next point if a point is removed from the list.

Excel - DCS Create

Version update from 109 to 110.
Direction in a Move can now be changed to either Auto or Default in Excel.
Import 3DCS Data from Excel now supports 2-byte characters. Unicode is still not supported.
Users can now edit the Multi-Scale of a tolerance in Excel.
Iteration Move'sIteration Mode, Iteration Initial Step and Iteration Max Move is now available as editable columns
Mechanical Move settings is now available to view and edit in Excel Create.
Material condition parameter is now supported in the Excel Create.
Users can now edit MTM, GD&T, Points and Spec Study names in Excel.
Users can now create points from Excel. No extra license required. Other additions, such as creating MTMs, still require an Excel Create license.
Additional columns were added to better define Constants and Strings from a User-DLL.
Modified the names of the columns in Points tab. To clarify, these tabs are referring to a Size Tolerance's direction, if the direction is linked to a feature;

o Name (Feature) is now Direction Feature Name

o Type (Feature) is now Direction Feature Type

o Part (Feature) is now Direction Feature Part

Preferences

The 3DCS Preferences dialog has received some adjustments and option repositioning throughout each tab.
Under General Tab the brand name GDM is now replaced with the new name QDM.

User-DLLs

TheFJVA user-DLLnow supports both relative and absolute folder paths. Older DLLs may still only support absolute folder paths.
Updated the CMMDev.DLL information on adding Distribution Density to edit the curve step in the DLL output.

Spec Study

Spec Study now works withTMatrix.
Spec Study Platform is now same for all CAD Systems.

Navigation

Copy and paste multiple moves in the tree no longer switches the order of the moves.

Moves

Creating aPattern (Rigid) movewill no longer check-out a Compliant License.
Added more protection when making MTMs with duplicate names.
Creating an MTM for the first time by clicking 'Apply' no longer switches to the dialog of the first MTM in that list.

Dialog

While theAAO dialog is displayed, Measures and Tolerances will now utilize thenew labels display.
On/Off dialog and icons have move to one main feature: On/Off MTM
Updated the filter names in theUpdate GD&T.
The Pick Surface dialog, from the GD&T dialog, has been adjusted to better display the GD&T text. Hovering over will display the entire name.
Exporting CGR usingExport CGRs in Spec Studyno longer crash 3DCS.
Exporting a CGR will no longer open the CGR in a new window. Users will have to manually open the CGR in CATIA V5

Measurement Generator

Correctly highlights the next point if a point is removed from the list.

Preferences

Using Copy and Paste on a DCS or Feature Point will now respect thesetting in Preferences: Screen Position or Type-In.

Points

Multiple Points that are within the same X,Y,Z coordinates will create oneFeature Pointand the rest as DCS Points.
Enhanced multiple point selection (Window Selection) in the graphic display.
TheSimulationand Feature Labels now share the same color as the mesh on parts.

Simulation

The Sigma Number, among other settings, will now correctly reset to default once the Default button is used.
Saving all Simulation data as images or HTML returns to 3DCS in CATIA V5 and 3DEXPERINCE.

Tree

Prevented a crash while in Animation mode and then Update Model, when a part was dragged to a new position in the tree.

Generate Report

Part Notes, Cover Page, Model Summarynow import correctly, when importing from a WTX file.
Creating a Report in Excel now works correctly in Windows 10.