OnScale 1.29 includes significant Designer changes compared to 1.28 and previous releases. Changes include:
- Removed functionality
- New functionality and functionality that behaves differently than in previous releases
This article outlines these differences. If you're a Designer user, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with this information.
Note: These changes do not affect Analyst.
Background to Changes
Previously Designer used the Visualization Toolkit (VTK) for 3D graphics. Now Designer uses Open Cascade Technology (OCCT).
Removed Functionality
This section describes Designer functionality that is no longer offered as of OnScale 1.29.
Note: Some functionality that has been removed may be re-introduced in later versions of OnScale.
Several CAD Import File Types
The following file types are no longer supported for CAD imports:
- Nastran files (*.bdf *.nas *.dat)
- STL files (*.stl)
- BREP files (*.brep)
2D Slice Extraction
The 2D Slice Tool (used to convert a 3D CAD model to a 2D model) is no longer available.
New/Changed Functionality
This section describes Designer functionality that is new or changed.
Selecting
It is now easier to select parts and objects of your model. In the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon, you'll see different selection types:
Selecting Objects
The default selection type is Object, which lets you select things like primitives, imported CAD geometries and outputs.
To select an object (when this selection type is used), click it in your model. As in previous releases, you can also select an object by clicking it in the Model Tree.
To select multiple objects, hold Shift then click and drag to draw a selection box. Objects fully enclosed in the selection box are selected.
To select an additional object (when you have one or more objects selected already), hold Shift then click the additional object.
Selecting Edges
Edge selection is available for 2D models only.
To select an edge (when this selection type is used), hover over the edge of a primitive or imported CAD geometry until the edge is highlighted. Click to select it.
With the edge selected, you can then add an edge load. To do this, in the Model Tree, click 
beside Loads. The Current Selection dropdown will be filled with the edge that you selected. Click Create Load to create the load.
Note: By default, orange is used as the selection color. You can, however, change this in Settings, on the Designer Settings page.
Selecting Surfaces
Surface selection is available for 3D models only.
To select a surface (when this selection type is used), hover over the surface of a primitive or imported CAD geometry until its outline is highlighted. Click to select it.
With the surface selected, you can then add a surface load. To do this, in the Model Tree, click beside Loads. The Current Selection dropdown will be filled with the surface that you selected. Click Create Load to create the load.
Selecting Points
Point selection has been introduced for future functionality that will be available in later OnScale releases.
Selecting Geometries and Interfacing Items
When creating a geometry interface load, you can now select both the geometry and the interfacing item by clicking them in your model.
Note: You can also select these via the dropdowns, as previously.
Panning
To pan your model (i.e. shift the view without changing the viewing direction or magnification), hold Alt while clicking and dragging. (Previously you had to hold Shift.)
Perspective View
You can now toggle between the standard orthographic view and the new perspective view. These options are available from the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon.
In the perspective view, parts of your model that are further away appear smaller than parts of your model that are nearby.
Resetting the View
Reset View (found in the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon, and also available by pressing R on your keyboard) now only changes the zoom of your model. It adjusts the zoom to make your model fit the area available in the workspace.
Previously this option also reset the rotation of your model.
Showing the Mouse Position
In the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon, there is a new checkbox: Show mouse position.
When this is selected, as you move your mouse cursor over your model, you'll see information about the cursor's position in the bottom-right of the window.
Viewing the Model Dimensions
In the Model Graphics tab of the ribbon, option Show Dimensions now shows the total X, Y and Z dimensions of your model. This option no longer shows a ruler.
Show Meshing Options
Previously Designer offered options to:
- Show meshing for full extents
- Show meshing for the active selection only
- Offset meshing
These options have been replaced with a single new option: Show Approx. Meshing.