New features

The key new features added recently are as follows. Note that minor new features, enhancements and bug fixes are not listed here.

 

Version 14.25

 

New improved mesh plates (advanced) tool allowing multiple planes to be refined at the same time, intersection detection, retain plate properties and loadings.

 

New advanced plate selection tool to select plates on the same plane with similar properties.

 

New convert members to plates tool that will convert a member into an equivalent mesh of plates.

 

New template tool to allow a SPACE GASS model to be saved as a base template for new models.

 

Updated spectral response and equivalent static seismic modules for AS 1170.4:2024 Earthquake Actions.

 

Updated portal frame builder, wind loader and wind calculator tools for AS/NZS 1170.1:2021 (Amd 2) Wind Actions.

 

New cold formed section library called SCS for Scottsdale Construction Systems sections.

 

New hot rolled steel section library called JapMet14 for Japanese JIS G3192:2014 sections.

 

New save without results sub menu in the File menu to quickly save the model without analysis or design results.

 

New export to CSV (comma delimited text file) option on text report and print preview.

 

New select run of nodes between selection to select all the nodes that lie along a line between two selected nodes.

 

Version 14.20

 

Gap and fuse members are now available.

 

Non-linear restraints are now available. These include plastic, friction, one-way and variable stiffness spring restraints.

 

Members can now have axial springs at their ends. Previously only rotational member springs were allowed.

 

An equivalent static seismic load generator module has been released for AS1170.4 and NZS1170.5.

 

The AISC 360 LRF and ASD steel member design module has been updated for AISC360-22.

 

Added new tubular connections for welded KNTYX type configurations.

 

Updated the portal frame builder and other wind related modules for AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 (AMD 1:2023)

 

Added default option to the portal frame builder and other wind related modules to calculate AS/NZS wind properties based on cardinal positions.

 

Added options in portal frame builder to combine and reduce the number of load cases generated.

 

Added a tool in steel member design group to generate flange restraints based on node position and member intersection.

 

Added a tool to merge nodes in a selected group of nodes that are within a specified distance of one another.

 

Added a tool to measure the angle between two intersecting members,

 

Added a tool to align members to the face of a connecting member.

 

Added a tool to remove member offsets and create new nodes at the offset positions.

 

Revit 2025 and Revit 2024 is now supported. New Import of a SPACE GASS model into Revit via the Revit Addin.

 

New element summaries tool based on selected elements or filters.

 

New save a submodel tool to save part of a model as a separate SPACE GASS model.

 

New generate plate lumped masses to distribute a mass over a selection of plates.

 

New automatic backup of models in general preferences to temporarily store time stamped backups in a SGCache subfolder of the Backup folder specified in storage folders.

 

New formula tool and option for P-y curves for generating variable spring restraints

 

New grow/shrink selection tool

 

Added bearing pressure plate contouring for vertical plates

 

Shape builder can optionally calculate torsional and shear values using finite element methods

 

Version 14.12

 

This is the first full 64-bit release of SPACE GASS (previously only the solver was 64-bit). This gives it access to all of your computer's memory and the ability to work with much larger models than before.

 

Commercial versions of SPACE GASS can now save an SGV (Viewer-only) copy of the job. SGV jobs can be opened by the free SPACE GASS viewer, but not by commercial, loan or student versions of SPACE GASS. This enables you to distribute jobs to others for viewing without the risk of them being able to make any changes.

 

Revit 2024 is now supported.

 

Version 14.11

 

Incorporates the first fully integrated version of CHECKWIND which automates the calculation of site-specific wind load parameters such as terrain, topographic, direction and shielding multipliers for the key wind directions and for a range of heights up a building. It just requires you to specify a site address or double-click it on a map, after which all the wind load parameters are calculated automatically. It is available for use in SPACE GASS within the portal frame builder, wind calculator and wind load generator tools.

 

The merge job tool can now merge loads within the same load case without requiring them to be in separate load cases. It can also merge filters, dimensions and notes, and combine identical sections and materials.

 

Revit 2023 is now supported, with support for Revit 2021 discontinued.

 

A new DXF import/export module has been added that can now handle member and plate elements.

 

Version 14.10

 

Incorporates the first official release of the Titan Cloud licensing system.

 

Now use a new algorithm for plate cuts based on nodal values so that they are accurate even if plate cuts are placed near a point of stress concentration such as you would get with an internal corner. Previous versions calculated the plate cut values from an integration of the forces and moments from the underlying plate elements, which could have been adversely affected if they were placed near areas of stress concentration.

 

Updated the reinforced concrete beam, column and slab modules for AS3600:2018 (Amd 2:2021).

 

Updated the portal frame builder and other wind related modules for AS/NZS1170.2:2021.

 

For the AS/NZS version of the portal frame builder, two sets of internal pressure load cases are now generated for the actual +ve and -ve Cp,i values rather than just using one set with Cp,i = 1 and then factoring them in the combinations to reflect the actual Cp,i values. Extra external pressure load cases are also generated to separately take into account the +ve and -ve Cp,i values due to Cp,i affecting the Kc,e factors. This is less conservative than before because the Kc,i and Kc,e factors are now based on the actual +ve and -ve Cp,i values rather than on the worst case of +ve and -ve Cp,i. Serviceability wind pressure load cases are now also calculated based on the serviceability Cp, Kc,i and Kc,e factors rather than just factoring down the ultimate load cases.

 

A section property area factor no longer affects the self weight calculations. In previous versions the area factor was assumed to physically change the area of a member, along with its self-weight.

 

Can now rotate the viewpoint with Ctrl+ArrowKey.

 

Increased the maximum number of wheels per moving load vehicle from 200 to 300.

 

Version 14.00

 

Node, member and plate limits have now been increased beyond 32765.

 

The Paradise solver now runs faster and uses less memory. It also no longer requires any bandwidth optimization.

 

Non-linear behaviour of plates/shells is now supported in the static analysis solver.

 

Plate/shell buckling is now supported in the buckling analysis solver.

 

Multiple filters can now be combined using "Intersection" or "Union" rules.

 

A new deflection optimization tool has been added.

 

Tools for modelling accidental eccentricity in a spectral response analysis have been added to the new diaphragm and spectral generation tools.

 

Tools for generating spectral primary and combination load cases have been added.

 

Tools for generating floors and diaphragms (rigid and semi-rigid) in multi-storey buildings have been added.

 

Wind loads can now be generated for enclosed multi-storey buildings.

 

Storey shear and storey drift for multi-storey buildings can now be calculated and presented in charts.

 

Batch processing of selected analysis, design and reporting tasks can now be performed.

 

Steel connections, RC beams, RC columns and RC slabs can now be labelled and selected graphically.

 

A link to the IDEA StatiCa steel connection design software has been included.

 

Buckling mode shapes can now be displayed as contour diagrams.

 

A script editor has been added that helps you to create script files. The format of script files has also changed.

 

A tool for aligning plate faces has been added.

 

A tool for converting member offsets from local to global or vice-versa has been added.

 

Job filters are now included in exports to MS-Excel, MS-Access and text files.

 

Member intermediate displacements, forces and moments can now be included in exports to MS-Excel, MS-Access and text files.

 

Version 12.85

 

If you are licensed to use the portal frame builder in SPACE GASS, it is now possible to import an XML file into the portal frame builder when in script mode to have the complete model generated, including all dead loads, live loads, wind loads, combination load cases and steel design data.

 

An option has been added to convert the job data if the vertical axis is changed from Y to Z or vice-versa.

 

The graphics drawing engine has been re-written so that it is now much more responsive and eliminates the problems associated with missed connections when attaching to existing nodes, members or plates.

 

Multiple reports let you select from a list of previously saved report configurations and then process them in a sequence.

 

Text reports can now be configured and saved for later recall or included in a multiple report.

 

The plate meshing engine has been updated so that the meshing tools now generate meshes that contain more well-conditioned quads rather than triangles. This results in less elements and a better conditioned model in general.

 

Added plate cuts that you can draw anywhere across a panel modelled with plate elements to define a cross section through the panel. You can then obtain the forces and moments summed over the cross section.

 

Released a new "Tank Builder" module that can be used to generate a complete flat, domed or Intze tank with or without support structure. The tank builder also generates all of the static and hydrostatic loads, plus wind loads to IS 875 (Part 3) : 2015 and seismic loads to IS 1893 (Part 2) : 2014.

 

Changed some of the "Attachment and alignment preferences" to make attaching to existing members and plates easier.

 

Added colored member contours that show a full color representation of displacements, forces, moments and stresses along members.

 

Added a number of new skins and color pallets that can be accessed via the "Color preferences" configuration.

 

Labels for load and result diagrams can now have their own independent color rather than matching the color of the diagram.

 

Reactions and concentrated loads are now scalable in the graphics window.

 

Reactions can now be displayed for specific directions in the graphics window.

 

Added enveloped analysis result queries.

 

Can now print the graphics to any user specified scale.

 

Can now export from SPACE GASS to StaadPro files.

 

Plate elements can now be included in IFC, StaadPro and Revit imports and exports.

 

The "IFC4.1" and IFC2x3" schemas are now supported in IFC imports and exports. Previously only the "IFC2x3" schema was supported.

 

The "Check connectivity" tool has been substantially expanded to look for extra levels of connectivity, missed connections and separate sub-structures. It can now produce a report that summarizes possible connection issues.

 

Added a "Repeat last action" facility that restarts the last action whenever the Spacebar is pressed.

 

Added an "Invert selection" tool that selects all the items that were not selected and deselects all the items that were selected.

 

Added "Select in-line members" and "Select subdivided members" tools that allow you to quickly select members that lie in a straight line.

 

Added a "Select intersection nodes" tool that allows you to select the nodes where members or plates intersect a plane of plates or where there is a change in direction of members.

 

Added "Select perimeter nodes" and "Select perimeter members" tools that allow you to select the perimeter nodes or members around a plane that is defined by a selection of members or plates.

 

Added a "Load contiguous members" tool that allows you to select multiple members that are connected end-to-end and then load them as if they were just one member.

 

Added a "Varying member distributed loads" tool that allows you to select multiple members and then apply distributed forces that vary linearly or are based on an equation that you can define.

 

A "Find" facility has been added to datasheets for searching for specific text anywhere within a datasheet.

 

Enveloped diagrams of "Absolute maximums" now retain the sign of the maximums rather than setting them all to positive.

 

Recent jobs are now in a "Recent jobs" sub-menu of the File menu which includes a thumbnail image of each recent job and some brief information about it. Up to 50 recent jobs can now be displayed.

 

Value based transparency allows you to see the minimum and maximum values in a plate or member contour diagram more easily.

 

Added a filter option that limits the displayed nodes to just the ones connected to visible members, plates, plate strips and plate cuts.

 

The beep at the end of an analysis can now be turned off in the "General preferences".

 

The shape builder can now import or export coordinates for shapes defined by boundary points.

 

The shape builder can now import a cross section directly from a DXF file.

 

Changed the portal frame builder so that steel member origins are now consistent on both sides of the building so that they start at the bottom for columns and the knee for rafters.

 

Can now do punching shear checks for columns supported on raft footings.

 

Added a new bearing pressure plate contour type for raft footings.

 

Can now specify a filter in the steel member design modules to limit the members being designed/checked.

 

The plate drilling stiffness in static, buckling and dynamic frequency analyses can now be set by the user. In previous version of SPACE GASS it was hardwired to 0.0001 Nmm/rad.

 

For the NZS1170.5 spectral response analysis module, the 0.4s lower minimum imposed on the period for the purposes of calculating kμ for base shear scaling in clause 5.2.1.1 is no longer applied for user-defined periods.

 

The AS3600 reinforced concrete beam and concrete column design modules have now been updated for AS3600:2018.

 

The IS456 reinforced concrete beam and concrete column design modules have now been updated IS13920:2016.

 

The IS456 reinforced concrete column module has been updated to automatically calculate effective length k factors based on the stiffness of the interconnecting members.

 

Updated the reinforced concrete slab module to design for torsion as an option. Previously torsion was always considered.

 

Updated the reinforced concrete slab module to design for shear using the general or simplified methods. Previously only the simplified method was available.

Steel connections can now be labelled graphically on the model.

 

The pull-out / break-out checks in moment and pinned baseplate connections can now be disabled because they assume an unreinforced footing.

 

Bolted end plate and welded moment connections can now have doubler plates together with top and bottom web stiffeners instead of just allowing one or the other.

 

For bolted end plate and welded moment connections the user can now set the minimum design action as a percentage of ϕMs rather than being hardwired to 50% of ϕMs.

 

Version 12.80

 

Added a new "Mass details" report that calculates and displays the total translational and rotational mass together with the center of mass for each mass load case.

 

Reversed the direction of some members generated by the portal frame builder so that all members in a frame now face the same way. The pair of members in each cross-brace now face in opposite directions.

 

A new reinforced concrete slab design module is now available. This new module can also be used for raft footing design.

 

A number of new advanced plate mesh tools are now available.

 

The AS/NZS 4600 cold formed steel member design module has been updated for AS/NZS 4600:2018.

 

You can now graphically query steel connections, concrete columns and concrete beams to obtain a summary of their design/check results.

 

A plate spring supports tool is now available to model the elasticity of soil supporting a slab or footing by generating spring supports based on the tributary area of each node in the slab or footing.

 

A number of new selection and other graphical shortcuts have been added.

 

The check connectivity tool can now optionally include connections via master-slave constraint links.

 

A shape generation tool allows you to easily create circles, squares and rectangles made from members.

 

Members can now be extruded to plate elements with the new member extrusion tool.

 

A new member offset generation tool is now available.

 

A new plate pattern loading tool is available that generates pattern loading on a slab or footing panel for all combinations of alternate and adjacent spans in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

 

A new raft footing generation tool has been added to the structure wizard.

 

Version 12.65

 

A "Replace edge connections with constraint links" tool has been added, allowing you to easily create hinged connections between panels modelled with plate elements, such as you could get along the edge of a slab-wall connection.

 

New harmonic and transient dynamic response analysis modules are now available.

 

The spectral response analysis module has been updated for AS1170.4-2007 Amendments 1 and 2, NZS1170.5-2004 Amendment 1, IS1893(Part1):2016, IS1893(Part2):2014, IS1893(Part3):2014 and IS1893(Part4):2015.

 

Options have been added to the spectral response analysis module for horizontal base shear scaling based on user specified modes or user defined periods.

 

Base shear scaling has been added as an option to the AS1170.4-2007 spectral response analysis module.

 

An animation controller has been added for when dynamic mode shapes are displayed.

 

Extra script file options are available when exporting to a file that allow you to specify which types of analysis or design results are included in the export.

 

Load categories have been added that make it easy for you to identify and keep track of your loads independently of load cases.

 

An option has been added to the moving load generator for loads that always stay within the ends of their travel path. This is useful for applications such as travelling overhead cranes that can't move beyond the ends of their crane rail.

 

STD files from StaadPro can now be imported.

 

New plate contour diagrams are now available for plate thickness, pressure loads, thermal loads, Wood-Armer adjusted moments and local/global displacements.

 

Stress vectors can now be superimposed on principal stress plate contour diagrams. They provide a good graphical representation of the stress flow throughout a wall or slab.

 

Nodes can now be copied or mirrored.

 

Printed graphics images are now higher quality than in previous versions of SPACE GASS and can be larger without using up large amounts of memory.

 

Jobs can now be opened by dragging them onto the SPACE GASS graphics window.

 

Lookup buttons have been added to datasheet cells for easy selection of load cases, section properties, material properties and load categories.

 

When you save a view, the selected load case, filter and viewpoint are now also saved.

 

Show / hide selection tools have been added that let you invert the current selection or hide the non-selected items without having to create a filter.

 

Version 12.60

 

Updated the steel member design modules to support AISC 360-16 LRFD and ASD.

 

Updated the portal frame builder to support IS 875 (Part 3) : 2015.

 

You can now draw plate strips across any surface that has been modelled with plates and then obtain diagrams of deflections, bending moments, shear forces, axial forces and stresses along the strips.

 

Bending moments in plate strips can be adjusted for the twisting moment using the Wood-Armer method.

 

The whole reporting system has been re-written to better handle large reports quickly and without running out of memory.

 

The Find and Selection tools in the report viewer now work for the whole report rather than just the part currently visible on the screen.

 

Added charts for analysis result diagrams.

 

Added a general purpose wind load calculation tool for Australia and India.

 

Now allow a section's torsion constant to be changed manually without deleting its shape information.

 

Added an STL import tool for importing plate meshes.

 

Jobs are now saved with a preview image of the job that can be viewed when in the open job dialog.

 

Added an option for plate contour diagrams to show discrete contours rather than a smooth color gradient.

 

Added plate displacement contour diagrams.

 

Analysis and design results can be omitted when saving a job.

 

Added a “Save a Copy” option for SPACE GASS jobs.

 

Now display the progress when opening or saving SPACE GASS jobs.

 

Can now define load case groups (selections) that are saved with the job and can be selected in the various load case selection forms.

 

The viewpoint, operating plane, and projection mode (perspective or orthographic) can now be set directly by right-clicking on the view selector.

 

Loads shown graphically can now be selected by load type.

 

Removed the 32765 limit on combination load case multiplying factors, node restraint springs and spectral loads.

 

Section factors can now be defined and applied to a section's area, torsion constant and moments of inertia. These can be used to model the cracked section properties of reinforced concrete members. They are saved with the job and can be different for each section property.

 

Added an option for you to specify more than two shear legs per cross section in the reinforced concrete column module.

 

Version 12.52

 

Member thermal gradients are now available.

 

You can now cycle through your previous node, member and plate selections using Ctrl+R on your keyboard. You can change the number of selections that are saved via Settings => General Preferences.

 

The Find tool can now search the whole model or just within the current selection.

 

Added options for the portal frame builder to generate longitudinal roof bracing.

 

The steel member design now allows the user to set the desired availability and use only those library sections that comply.

 

Now optionally include dynamic natural frequencies, dynamic modes shapes, buckling load factors and buckling effective lengths when exporting to text files.

 

You can now optionally include dynamic natural frequencies, dynamic modes shapes, buckling load factors and buckling effective lengths when exporting to text files.

 

Version 12.51

 

Includes a completely re-written engine and new user interface for the portal frame builder.

 

Added new tubular connections for slotted end connections, welded tee connections and flattened end CHS connections. They are available with bracing cleats or gusset plates for up to three supported members.

 

Added being able to graphically select steel members and then open a datasheet of the selected steel members when in steel member viewing mode.

 

Added a tool for generating tapered surfaces made from plate elements, useful for tapered walls and the like.

 

Now calculate mass participation factors in the dynamic frequency analysis and include them in reports.

 

Now show the critical load case in result query infotips when displaying analysis diagrams with enveloping turned on.

 

Increased the dynamic mode limit to 1000.

 

Changed the spectral load datasheet and reports to have just one line per load case with a list of modes rather than requiring a separate line per mode.

 

Version 12.50

 

This is a major new version containing a significant number of enhancements and new features. SPACE GASS now also supports hardware acceleration in all modern graphics cards. Previously this was restricted to some NVIDIA graphics cards. For more information on this and how to optimize SPACE GASS for maximum performance refer to www.spacegass.com/hardware.

 

Version 12.27

 

Includes a new moving loads tool that allows for stationary and moving loads in the form of vehicles, pressure patches and line loads. Loads can now be applied to plates as well as members, plus a proximity distance setting lets you model multi-level roadways with different loads on each level.

 

Added support for IS1893 to the spectral analysis module.

 

Added support for IS800 seismic checks (IS800 chapter 12) to the steel member design module.

 

Version 12.26

 

Adopted a less conservative approach when calculating a_m for segments unrestrained at one end with steel member design in accordance with AS4100 and NZS3404.

 

Version 12.25

 

Added copy/paste and import/export facilities to the filter management form.

 

Version 12.24

 

A new reinforced concrete column design module has been added.

 

Version 12.23

 

Support for Revit 2016 has been added.

 

Version 12.20

 

This is a semi-major upgrade that includes many changes, enhancements and fixes. It is also the first version that has all of the tools of the traditional SPACE GASS window now available in the renderer (along with many new tools that are only available in the renderer).

 

A new reinforced concrete beam design module has been added.

 

Tools for querying and viewing steel member design results have been added to the renderer. You can also label the steel member number, load factor and governing load case on each steel member in the model.

 

A load case title column has been added to the combination load cases datasheet.

 

Seismic checks in accordance with chapter 12 of NZS3404 have been added to the steel member design module. The clauses checked are table 12.4(1), table 12.4(3), 12.4.1.2, 12.5.2, 12.5.3.1, table 12.5, 12.7.2.1, 12.8.3.1(a), 12.8.3.1(b), 12.8.3.1(c) and 12.10.3.1.

 

Version 12.00

 

This is a major upgrade containing many new features and substantial performance improvements, especially in the analysis solvers and graphics engine. It also makes the renderer the main interface for the program.

 

Introduced a new "Paradise" solver for the static, buckling and dynamic frequency analysis modules. It is a sparse matrix solver that fully utilizes the parallel processing capabilities of modern multi-core CPUs. The new solver is usually between 10 and 100 times faster than SPACE GASS 11. The most dramatic speed savings occur with jobs that have a large matrix frontwidth and lots of load cases.

 

The renderer graphics now fully utilizes the parallel processors on the graphics card rather than doing the graphics calculations on the main CPU. This means that deflection diagrams, bending moment diagrams, shear force diagrams, etc. can be scaled up and down smoothly regardless of the size of the job, even in fully rendered 3D mode.

 

The renderer has been given a major overhaul with a new user interface that now has almost all of the functionality of the traditional SPACE GASS window. This means that you can do everything in the renderer without constantly having to switch back to the traditional SPACE GASS window. The new functionality in the renderer includes:

 

• New user interface that can be configured with different skins and user defined layouts.

• Substantial performance increases and no annoying delays or pauses.

• Opening and saving of jobs.

• Generating reports.

• Structure wizards.

• Datasheets.

• Node, member and plate drawing and editing tools.

• Loading input and editing tools.

• Filtering.

• Scaling.

• Static, buckling and dynamic analysis.

• Steel and concrete design.

• Display of all analysis result diagrams such as deflections, moments, contours, etc.

• Ability to show fully rendered deflections rather than just wireframe.

• Animated mode shapes.

 

Version 11.09

 

Released an all new Steel Connection Design module for AS4100 that complies with the latest ASI design guides.

 

Released a new Steel Member Design module for AS4600 that works with the cold formed sections from manufacturer including Lysaght, Stramit, Duragal and others. Supported sections include Cees, Zeds, angles, tophats, channels, back-to-back Cees, CHSs, SHSs and RHSs. New cold formed section libraries for Lysaght, Stramit and Duragal have also been included.

 

The Portal frame builder now automatically creates all of the main connections in the building. They can then be used in the steel connection design module.

 

Allow a steel member design to be performed via a script file with the user being able to control the design groups, sections properties and load cases considered.

 

Allow exporting of steel member design/check summaries to a text file or MS-Excel/Access/Word file.

 

Version 11.08

 

Various new script commands have been added that allow you to have more control over importing/exporting and analysis. You can also pause the script to see what stage it is up to at any point.

 

Version 11.05

 

Released a Portal Frame Builder module for the modelling of portal frame buildings in SPACE GASS. It generates the full structural model plus dead loads, live loads, wind loads and steel member design data. The module supports gable (symmetrical and asymmetrical) and monoslope roofs, overhangs, knee braces, haunches, fly bracing, uneven frame spacings, openings, roof/wall bracing and end wall props. Wind loads are generated in accordance with AS/NZS 1170.2:2011 for all regions in Australia and New Zealand.

 

Version 11.01

 

Released a Sea Load module for the calculation of wave, current, marine growth and buoyancy loads on submerged structures in marine and offshore environments.

 

Version 11.00

 

This is a major new version that includes a new 3D renderer with full editing capabilities. Of course you can still edit your model in the traditional SPACE GASS window, however the editing tools in the renderer are generally more advanced and offer additional features over the traditional editing tools.

 

Some of the load input tools, design data tools and analysis results diagrams are not yet available in the renderer, however they will be added soon.

 

Member force and moment envelope reports can now be limited to the maximum and minimum values taken from just one end of the members rather than from both ends.

 

The analysis engine has also had a major make-over with finite and large displacement theory added, plus options for secant or tangent matrix solutions, residual or full loading, and residual convergence criteria. An "Auto" optimizer setting has also been added that senses the most efficient optimization method before the main analysis calculations begin. It removes the necessity for you to manually use trial and error methods to find the best optimization setting.

 

The standard libraries have been completely re-designed allowing non-standard and built-up sections to be saved. A new shape builder, moving loads generator with animated moving loads, and area loads generator have also been added.

 

Other major new features include on-screen notes, job attachments, dimensions, load combinations grid, load case titles viewer, measure tool, textures, gridlines, view selector, customizable toolbars and multiple undo/redo steps.

 

The major new features of SPACE GASS 11 are listed in more detail below:

 

• A new renderer with full editing capabilities.
  

• A new shape builder with shape dragging, snapping, stacking, alignment and copy/paste. Shapes can now be specified as voids to easily model holes in your sections. New standard shapes have also been added for polygons, polytubes, triangles, Cees, Zeds, tophats and schifflerized angles. Line shapes that allow you to specify a line thickness and a series of points have also been added. You can even show the dimensions of your sections graphically in the new shape builder.
  

• On-screen notes that can be positioned anywhere on or near your model or attached to nodes, members or plates.
  

• Dimensions that can be added to your model or to individual members or plates.
  

• A measure tool that lets you determine the actual length, component lengths and angles between any two points.
  

• An attachment tool that you can use to attach external documents, spreadsheets, drawings or any other files to your SPACE GASS job and embed them into the job file.
  

• Important new drawing aids now let you align with other existing points or objects, snap to key intermediate positions along members, attach to existing objects, or align with existing members or global axes. You can even lock onto a node or member by briefly hovering over it and then begin drawing at some offset away from it. When aligned with an axis, member or point, you can also just type in the desired distance away your point should be.
  

• A new combination load cases grid showing primary and combination load cases across the top and combination load cases down the side. You simply type multiplying factors into any cells to quickly build up your combination load cases in a very visual way. Rows for new combination load cases can be added as desired.
  

• Customizable toolbars.
  

• A view selector showing the current viewpoint. It can also be dragged around or clicked to change the orientation of the model.
  

• Unlimited undo/redo steps.
  

• More detailed infotips when hovering over a node, member or plate.
  

• New libraries in XML format that now hold non-standard and built-up sections, directly editable via the shape builder and/or library editor. Categories have also been added for Common, Special, Legacy and Obsolete classifications.
  

• A new moving loads generator incorporating animated views of the vehicles travelling over your model. Horizontal loads and moments can now be added to vehicles. Travel paths can now be drawn graphically, as can a loading area outside of which wheels are treated as inactive even if they are still within the ends of their travel path. A new vehicle editor has also been added, and vehicles are now incorporated into the standard libraries.
  

• A load case manager now lets you copy, renumber or delete multiple load cases rather than one at a time.
  

• buttons throughout SPACE GASS that allow to select from load cases, sections or materials that already exist in the job, plus a load case titles viewer that can be left open all the time if you need to see which load cases are which.
  

• A new area loads generator with options for two-way and one-way loads. Load directions include X, Y, Z, "Normal to area" and "Vector". Loading areas can be actual or projected, and more than four members per polygon can now be handled.
  

• A new renumbering tool that offers renumbering in three directions simultaneously.
  

• A taper/haunch tool that now subdivides automatically if required.
  

• A new find tool with additional modes for finding duplicated nodes, invalid plates, members duplicated in steel member groups, members with free ends and plates with free vertices.
  

• New move, rotate, copy, mirror, stretch and scale tools that allow you to select nodes, members or plates. They also provide a graphical preview of the final result before the changes are made.
  

• Textures such as "brickwork", "steel" and "concrete" that can be added to members or plates and shown graphically.
  

• Gridlines that can be defined and shown graphically in two directions at any spacings and then used as snap and reference points when drawing objects or locating points.
  

• A tool for converting static loads such as dead loads and live loads into masses for use in a dynamic analysis.
  

• A new curve editor for spectral curves that has extra capabilities for importing, exporting, labelling and an equation data generation tool.
  

• A view manager that lets you save the current view into a list of saved views and then recall them as desired.
  

• Moveable property panels that list all of the sections and materials used in your model. You can even click on a section or material in the panel to select all the members or plates in your model that use that item.
  

• A member alignment tool that lets you align or stack members via their center, top, bottom, left or right sides.
  

• An option for showing member origins graphically. This quickly lets you see which way each member is running.
  

• Generation of bends of any radius at member intersections. A very useful tool for pipework analysis.
  

• A tool for reversing the direction of members. Options for adjusting member fixities, offsets and loads are included.
  

• Various tools for extending members along their length, moving intermediate nodes, removing intermediate nodes and removing crossed member nodes.
  

• A new steel member design module for the Hong Kong code HK CP2011 has been released.

 

Version 10.8

 

• Steel member design modules for the AISC 360-10 LRFD and ASD standards have been released.
  

• SPACE GASS now uses the Titan license manager softlock system instead of hardware locks, although hardware locks can still be supplied if requested. TitanLM suppports stand-alone or network installations, and lets users borrow licenses from the network for use off-site.

 

Versions 10.6 to 10.7

 

• A new plate element has been added in v10.7. Plate elements can be quadrilateral or triangular with bending, shear and membrane stiffness.
  

• SPACE GASS can now import and export data in CIMSteel/2 (CIS/2) and IFC Step file formats. This allows it to communicate directly with many other programs such as Tekla Structures/XSteel, ProSteel, Microstation, Frameworks Plus, AutoCAD, Revit Structure, StruCAD, etc.
  

• A new built-in graphics rendering module has been added in v10.7 that allows you to generate realistic rendered models of your job that show the complete geometry of all members and plates. This replaces the old internal 3D viewer and the external VRML viewer. It is expected that this module will gradually be given full input, editing and viewing functionality until it completely replaces the existing graphics system in SPACE GASS.
  

• Nodes can now be moved, rotated or deleted directly in v10.7.
  

• Rotated and/or flipped members can now be located using the find command or filtered in v10.7.
  

• In v10.7 graphical envelopes can now be limited to minimums and maximums, just minimums, just maximums or just absolute maximums.
  

• The minimum and maximum intermediate values are now shown on displacement, bending moment, shear force, axial force, torsion and stress diagrams in v10.6.
  

• A new connectivity tool has been added that allows you to check what is connected to any given node, member or plate.

 

Versions 10.1 to 10.5

 

• An interface to Autodesk’s Revit Structure program has been added in v10.51b.
  

• The spectral response analysis module now supports AS1170.4-2007 and NZS1170.5-2004
  

• Dynamic zoom, pan, viewpoint and diagram scale changing have been added in v10.50. Your current operation stays active and none of your node, member or plate selections are lost while you are using these tools. Refer to shortcuts for more information.
  

• SPACE GASS can be run minimized, normal or maximized (the default mode) depending on the -min, -nml or -max command line options. It can also be controlled by the SHOW line in a script file. These changes were made in v10.50a.
  

• The concrete material properties in the standard metric library have been updated in v10.50a. The new values are based on AS3600-2001 clauses 6.1.5, 6.1.6 and Commentary Table C6.1.2.
  

• Importing/exporting MS-Excel, MS-Word or MS-Access data can now be done in script mode in v10.50.
  

• "D" restraints are no longer supported in v10.50. Restraints are now just "F", "R" or "S".
  

• The structure wizard no longer generates general restraints and is less restraining in general in v10.50.
  

• Importing of SDNF version 3 files is now supported in v10.50.
  

• A new steel member design module for the Hong Kong code HK CP2005 has been added in v10.41.
  

• A new steel member design module for the British code BS5950:2000 has been added in v10.41.
  

• When exporting to DXF, the frame data can now be put into section-specific layers rather than having the entire frame in one layer.
  

• A new steel member design module for the LiteSteel beam range of sections from Smorgon Steel has been added in v10.40. These are designed to AS4600.
  

• The tool that updates analysis section property data based on the results of a steel member design has been enhanced considerably so that it allows the update-analysis-design procedure to be iterated automatically.
  

• A new dynamic frequency analysis solver has been added in v10.30. It allows you to create combinations of mass load cases and to combine lumped mass load cases with self weight load cases. The new solver uses the wavefront optimizer and, as a result, the computer’s memory requirement is vastly reduced.
  

• An option for SPACE GASS to check for program updates via the SPACE GASS website has been added.
  

• The moving load generator is now able to generate combination load cases that combine the moving loads with other static loads.
  

• Moving load travel path coordinates, when used in conjunction with travel path node numbers, are now treated as offsets from the path defined by the node numbers.
  

• The number of moving load wheels per vehicle has been increased to 200.
  

• Custom libraries are now stored in a separate file to the standard libraries. They can also be stored in a different folder to the standard libraries.
  

• Your company logo can now be scaled to an exact height that you specify and can optionally be included on every page or just the first page. JPG images formats are also now supported.
  

• Saving of loads after graphical editing, importing of text files and report generation have all been sped up dramatically.
  

• Zooming via the mousewheel is now centered on the mouse position.
  

• Selection of the local XY and/or XZ planes for the display of moments, shears and stresses can now be made direct from the side toolbar rather than via a filter.
  

• New members being drawn graphically can now be optionally given the default attributes or those of the previously accessed member.
  

• An option for allowing duplicate members to be drawn has been added. Finding and filtering duplicate members has also been added to the cleanup, find and filter functions.
  

• Deleting members with zero length has been added to the cleanup function.
  

• Filters defined in terms of analysis members now also affect steel design reports.
  

• Options for suppressing automatic re-scaling of load and analysis results diagrams have been added.
  

• An option for selecting steel members and connections graphically and then viewing or editing them in a datasheet has been added.
  

• The default bolt, plate, weld, rebar, spectral and vehicle library names can now be specified in the configuration.
  

• The lowest buckling load factor is now displayed at the end of a buckling analysis.
  

• The end offset distance for members exported to a DXF drawing file can now be specified.
  

• The data generated by the structure wizard is now adjusted according to the vertical axis setting.
  

• The default gravity direction in the self-weight datasheet is now adjusted according to the vertical axis setting.
  

• Auto-created steel members are now terminated at pin-ended members.

 

Version 10.00

 

• A facility for generating moving loads has been added.
  

• Other jobs can be opened and merged with the current job.
  

• Steel member design input data can now be generated automatically for the entire model.
  

• A facility for connecting members that cross over each other has been added.
  

• Print previews can be produced.
  

• Your company logo can be included in text and graphical reports.
  

• The analysis and design output has been combined into a single report.
  

• Text reports can be exported to PDF, HTML and TXT files.
  

• Graphical output can be exported to PDF, HTML and BMP files.
  

• All symbols are now shown correctly in reports.
  

• A new page setup form gives you full control over the output device, margins, page layout and formatting.
  

• You can specify and configure separate graphics and text printers.
  

• USB network locks are supported.
  

• If the program is terminated abnormally, any network licences that were active are recovered immediately and automatically.
  

• Mouse wheel zooming, panning and viewpoint changing is supported.
  

• Keyboard zooming, panning and viewpoint changing is supported.
  

• Keyboard scrolling through filters, views and load cases is supported.
  

• Temporary job files are now stored on the local workstation for extra speed and much reduced network traffic.
  

• Filters, views, etc. in the current job can be retained when data is imported from a text file.
  

• In order to detect the cause of frame buckling, the nodes at which the maximum translations and rotations occur are listed in buckling reports.
  

• Tension/Compression-only effects can be made to revert to "no reversal" mode after a specified number of iterations.
  

• Unrestrained degrees of freedom are now automatically stabilised during the analysis. This prevents many instabilities due to incorrect modelling.
  

• Cable members no longer require uniformly distributed loads to be applied to them.
  

• Nodes connected only to cable members no longer have to be restrained rotationally.
  

• Error messages can be printed or copied to the clipboard.
  

• Export files include all input data and are no longer affected by filters or report selections.
  

• You can print or obtain print previews direct from the datasheets.
  

• SPACE GASS can now import and export data directly with MS-Excel, MS-Access and MS-Word.
  

• Options for springs and compression-only members have been added to the structure wizard beam and grillage structures.
  

• Compression effective lengths in the steel member design input data can be fully controlled separately for each axis.
  

• The automatic reduction of the minor axis compression effective length due to flange restraints is now optional.
  

• Steel members can be nominated as "braced " for either or both axes in order to limit the compression effective lengths to their actual lengths.
  

• Double angles are shown as such in the graphical section property legend.
  

• Steel members that have been offset can now be designed.
  

• Everything attached to and associated with a member is deleted when the member is deleted. This includes attributes, offsets, loads and design input data.
  

• The steel design input data member lists are automatically adjusted when members are deleted, subdivided or otherwise edited graphically.
  

• Steel members and connections are now sorted numerically if input or edited graphically.
  

• Abandoned unnamed jobs can now be recovered automatically.
  

• Undo for all design input data is supported.
  

• Undo for node, member and plate renumbering is supported.
  

• Cleanup for all design input data is supported.
  

• The area loader supports subdivided members.
  

• Single angle sections can be designed as concentrically connected.
  

• The properties of a node can be copied to a graphical selection of other nodes.
  

• The properties of a member can be copied to a graphical selection of other members.
  

• The design input data for a steel member can be copied to a graphical selection of other steel members.
  

• Loads can be copied from a node to a graphical selection of other nodes.
  

• Loads can be copied from a member to a graphical selection of other members.
  

• You can press the space bar to repeat the last graphics command.
  

• An external macro such as another program, batch file or MS-Excel/Access macro can be run from within SPACE GASS.
  

• SPACE GASS can be controlled externally from another program or batch file using a script file.
  

• A backup copy of the job is made just before each save.
  

• Full 3D geometry displays can be saved in VRML files for later viewing.
  

• Buttons have been added to the library editor for adding, deleting and editing.
  

• A large number of minor improvements, bug fixes and adjustments have been incorporated.