Templates

Templates allow users to create new SPACE GASS files that already define model data such as load cases, load combinations, material properties, etc. Templates can be an effective way to save time when creating new models.

 

Templates are their own file type (.SGBASE) which can save datasheets, filters and user display settings from an existing SPACE GASS file (.SG file). When a new file is created, it can either be created as a blank file or a new file from a template, which creates a new SPACE GASS file with the data from the chosen template.

 

Create Template

To create a template, select "File" => "New" => "Save current job as Template".

 

 

This will bring up a "Save Template file as" form, where the name and location of the new template file can be specified. As this only saves a template (.SGBASE file), the current job file is not saved.

 

 

The .SGBASE file is a ZIP file that is renamed from <Name>.ZIP to <Name>.SGBASE. The "Compression" input allows you to control the amount of ZIP compression. High compression settings result in smaller job files but longer save and open times, whereas low compression settings result in quicker saves and opens but larger job files. BZip2 is a good compromise between size and speed and is generally the best option for most jobs

 

The "Only save load cases in the template file" checkbox will result in only load cases, load combinations and load case group data being saved to the template. All other datasheets, filters and display settings data will not be saved in the template..

 

New File Created From Template

There are two ways to create a new file from a template. You can select "File" => "New" => "New from selected Template", this will bring up a form where you can browse the file system for the template file you would like to use to create a new file. Alternatively, a recent templates list is shown directly below "New from selected Template". Any template in the recent templates list can be selected to create a new file from this template.