Update via CONNECTION Client:

If you have OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition already installed on your computer, you can incrementally download and install OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition, Update 7 from the CONNECTION Client. It will replace any earlier versions of the product. Sign into the CONNECTION Client to view and apply your Application updates.  If needed, please refer to the CONNECTION Client help for more information on installing the update.

Please follow these steps to download the installation of OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 6 from the Bentley CONNECT Center, Software Downloads portal:

1. Sign in to www.bentley.com
2. At the top of the page click on [SUPPORT]
3. On the 'At Your Service' page, in the section 'Manage Your Licenses', click on [GO TO CONNECT CENTER]
4. On the 'Enterprise Portal' page, in the section 'Support Service & Administration Resources', click on [Software Downloads]
5. On the "Software Downloads' page, filter the available products by the Brand 'OpenBuildings' and then on the 'OpenBuildings Station Designer' tile click on [Get Software]
6. Filter the available Version by '10.07.00.xx ' and then click on [Download] to download the software

Software Downloads can also be accessed through the desktop CONNECTION Client. Open the CONNECTION Client from the system tray and click on [CONNECTION Center]. Scroll down to the 'My Services' section and click on the [Software Downloads] tile.

Please remember that upgrading OpenBuildings Station Designer from one version to the next does NOT upgrade the dataset. Datasets are NOT automatically upgraded to preserve project fidelity or any customization. It is recommended that you make backup copies of your current dataset and allow the upgrade installer to install fresh and current versions of the datasets that can be used as an aid to upgrade any custom versions. Each dataset includes a version to version migration outline for additions, deletions and significant changes.

General Updates

• Discontinued Windows 7 Compatibility - Windows 7 will enter its End of Life and ended mainstream support as of January 14, 2020. Microsoft will no longer offer patches and security updates for Windows 7. Therefore, versions of OpenBuildings Station Designer released after this date will no longer be certified or claim compatibility with Window 7.
• Physically Based Rendering (PBR) - OpenBuildings Station Designer now supports Physically Based Rendering (PBR). The PBR method of rendering accurately represents a material's surface based on its interactions with light. You can create more realistic looking materials that work well in all lighting environments.
• Revit 2020 RFA Update - When RFA files are brought into OpenBuildings Station Designer, the RFA Interpreter creates catalog entries that represent each type defined in the RFA and stores the mapping settings that are used for each RFA file. In other words, the properties contained in each RFA and their values are stored in a catalog entry, and the RFA is interpreted each time it is placed into a new DGN. OpenBuildings Station Designer now supports Revit 2020 standard RFA content via the 'Bentley RFA Interpreter Wizard' and place cell tool.
• iTwin Synchronizer (Technology Preview) - The iTwin Synchronizer is used to synchronize changes made in a DGN to an iModel on the iModelHub. This tool launches the iTwin Synchronizer desktop application which is a cloud-based design collaboration tool. Project collaboration between team members who are spread out geographically or in different teams and from different disciplines, using varied design applications, is made possible by the iTwin Synchronizer. Team members can synchronize their design changes from a design file to an iModel on the iModelHub using iTwin Synchronizer. This iModel is then available for review to all team members.
• Parametric Cell Features (Technology Preview) - In the OpenBuildings > Building Design workflow, you will notice a new ribbon bar group called "Parametric Cell Features".
  Note: The Constraints tab on the ribbon bar is contextual to the active models state set to "Can Be placed as Cell = True".
  Within this Parametric Cell Features new ribbon bar group, you will find capabilities to define Named Presentation, Multiple Placement Points and Perforators for Parametric Cells. These replace similar capabilities found within our legacy Compound Cells, Frame Builder and Parametric Cell Studio (PCS) used to create user-defined parametric content.
  • Named Presentations (Technology Preview) - When developing building components using Parametric Cells, a simple projections may not be sufficient in a plan, elevation or section and may require a different representation and/or graphical symbols according to the view context. The Named Presentations feature allows you to define what geometry is visible and participates within each view. Therefore you can have different representations and/or graphical symbols represented in each view to accommodate graphic standards and/or notation require for that view context.
  • Placement Points (Technology Preview) - When placing building components using Parametric Cells, a single origin for placement is often insufficient and inefficient and does not align within the context of where and how you need to place components. The Placement Points feature allows you to predefine multiple 'named' placement points within the parametric cell, that you can select during placement to align with the placement context. Placement points can be defined to be an associate point on the element, a point in space, at the center of a face or at the centroid of an element.
  • Perforators (Technology Preview) - Building Components often can be place within other host or target elements which may require the target element to be cut to provide a cut-out, relief or rough opening to accommodate the building component. The Perforator feature allows you to create 'named' perforators from parametric solids within your parametric cell that will acts as a cutting element on a target element.

Drawing Composition Wizard integration with ProjectWise Design Integration

The Composite Drawing Wizard for LEGION Model Builder is the core of the Pedestrian Model Prep workflow. This wizard reduces the level of knowledge needed for users to access Pedestrian Simulation using their project data. The Drawing Composition Wizard assists with the necessary steps to prepare the models or drawings for import into LEGION Model Builder. This wizard accepts 2D Drawings (in dgn, dwg, and/or dxf format) or 3D Models (Bentley, Revit i-model, or IFC) as input into the wizard and creates a LEGION Model Builder-ready composite layout drawing. The Drawing Composition Wizard is now integrated with ProjectWise Design Integration and supports ProjectWise Managed Configurations.

Architectural Updates

• Curtain Walls::
  • New Edit Curtain Wall System Command - The new Modify Sub-Elements tool is added to the Modification > Modify Selected ribbon, and it allows you to modify all properties in an entire curtain wall, such as changing mullion spacing, mullion profiles, or panel type after the curtain wall has been placed.
  • Repeating Patterns in Curtain Walls - New curtain wall properties Layout | Horizontal/Vertical Pattern allow you to define a grid pattern with more than one spacing value. For example, spaced : 4'-0", 2'-0, 1'-0", and 2'-0". The values can be fixed distances or proportional values to fill the space available.
  • Define Which Mullion is Continuous - A new curtain wall property "Mullion Continuity" allows you specify curtain walls with continuous vertical/horizontal mullions and frames. Previously, the vertical mullions were always continuous. Now with the new option, you can control which mullion direction has continuous members and whether the frame is continuous.
  • Dynamic View Resymbolization for Line Weights - Previous versions of OpenBuildings Station Designer showed curtain walls in all one line weight and color. Now, it will show them in the line weights and colors defined in their Part & Family definitions.
  • Rotate Curtain Wall Grid Orientation - This new feature lets you rotate the curtain wall axes after it was placed. While this might be most useful to control the rotation of curtain walls placed "By Shape", it is also useful for creating curtain walls that have mullions that are not completely vertical.
  • Interface Added for Multiple Panel Selection Tool - A new Tool Settings window is added for selecting rows or columns of panels in curtain walls. Options for inclusive, exclusive or exact selections are available. Accessed by selecting Select Linear Panels from the curtain wall panel mini toolbar.
  • Sense Distance Property Added to Curtain Wall Properties - The Sense Distance property controls how close a curtain wall must be to a wall in order to cut through it. That value was previously hard-coded.
  • Flip Orientation of Parametric Cells - New curtain wall panel edit handles (, ) are provided to allow you to flip the panel hand (right/left) or flip the panel direction (in/out) respectively.
• Stairs:
  • Control Direction of Stair When Removing a Landing - The tool to remove a landing on stairs that had a turn to them previously did not offer any control over which direction the resulting stair would run. Update 7 adds a new step to the command, which asks for an input for the direction of the stair.
  • Support for extended Stair Construction to Allow for Finished Floor Thickness - Two new properties, one for the upper floor and one for the lower floor, allow for a finished floor thickness. This extends the stair structure while modifying the riser height.
  • Support for Slab Construction on Landings - Update 6 supported slab treads. Update 7 allows for slabs to be added to landings as well.
  • Base/Top Riser Offset parameters added to change the base and top riser heights to allow for finish floor thicknesses.

Structural Updates:

• Next Generation of Structural Elements for OpenBuildings Station Designer - OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 7 introduces the next generation of structural elements, which allow OpenBuildings Station Designer to extend and improve its Structural capabilities. These new Structural element offer a direct DGN integration and interoperability with Bentley's ProStructures solution for advanced structural detailing and fabrication.
• Upgrading to the Next Generation of Structural Elements - In order to take advantage of the new Structural elements, any existing Legacy Structural elements need to be upgraded. This is supported by a new Structural Element Upgrade Utility to assist you through the process. In OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 7, this upgrade is still optional but as future updates are released the update will become more required as we phase out legacy support.

  The first time you open a file or WorkSet in OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 7, you are asked whether you want to upgrade the current WorkSet and, depending on your choice, whether you want to upgrade the current model. If you prefer not to upgrade, you can choose the option not to upgrade your WorkSet now and pick Upgrade either from the ribbon or from the backstage later.

  Once you upgrade to the new structural elements, the good news is the tools and the operation of those tools remain very consistent to what you are already used to and know today. There should be minimum disruption to your established workflows and should not require any retraining. This biggest change is how you interact with the new section definitions, which are the same section definitions delivered with ProStructures. The ProStructures section definitions provide a greater level of detail and accuracy necessary for structural detailing and should be a welcome addition to OpenBuildings Station Designer by improving continuity across Bentley solutions and with structural analytics.

• Support for User-Defined and Parametric Section Definition with the Next Generation of Structural Elements - One of the benefits of this new structural element is that is supports the creation of user-defined sections and those section definitions can be parametrically driven through parametric variation. No more do you have to wait for programmatic sections to be added to the product. New section definitions are at your discretion and defined by your requirements.
• New Steel Plate Tools - If you are taking advantage of the new Structural elements, you will also see the introduction of a new Steel Plate type and tools, with three placement methods that take into consideration context and productivity. The placement methods provide for the typical Base plate, End Plate (to join two structural members) and free form Plate placement. There is also a tool available to add flanges to the plate to form bent plate.
• New Searchable Structural Section Picker - With the introduction of new section definitions, there is also a new Structural Sections Picker. This new dialog allows you to browse through all the loaded steel databases, filter them to only show a certain shape type (such as rod, I-beam, or C-channel), or search for the name of a specific shape you need (such as UB20025). These options can "stack", so you first select a C-channel, then search for "100' to find all 100-mm C-channels.
• Wizard to Add Required Files to the Dataset - The first time you open a WorkSet from OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 6 in Update 7, OpenBuildings Station Designer adds some files into your WorkSet in order to run properly. This new Structural Dataset Upgrade wizard helps guide you through the process, picking which locale-based files you would like loaded and be active in your WorkSet. If you change your mind, you can always make changes In the new Load Steel Section Libraries dialog on the backstage.
• New GenerativeComponents Structural Member Node - To align with the next generation of structural elements, a new corresponding "Structural Member" node is now available.

Mechanical Updates:

• Assembly Builder - New Mechanical discipline tools Create Assembly and Place Assembly are used to define and place multiple components that constitute a common assembly.
  • Functionality added to place multiple components that constitute a common assembly, select those elements, and save them as a single named cell for repeatable placement (ie: sink trap).
  • Creates assembly libraries that can be saved to typical locations (Organization, Workspace, or WorkSet levels). You can name saved assemblies according to their own personal or company conventions.
  • Once placed, assembly characteristics are dropped, leaving only individually connected elements.
  • Assemblies can be composed of available equipment, fittings and linear elements available in OpenBuildings Station Designer.
  • Assemblies can be created using elements from any discipline within OpenBuildings Station Designer (Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical).
  • For Mechanical pipe and duct assemblies, a transitions are automatically placed to make up for any change in connection size between previously placed elements and the assembly being attached.
  • You can toggle between open ended mechanical connection points on the assembly to define a connection point.
  • You can rotate the assembly to the correct orientation.
  Known Issue: While assemblies are placed in a single action they revert to individual components upon placement for reporting and quantification. It is possible to select compound walls for inclusion in an assembly but, when placed, these compound elements are broken down into individual layers that contribute to the compound wall. This issue is to be addressed in OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 8. Until then, including compound walls in assemblies is not recommend..
• Multi-pipe Routing - A new Place Multi-Pipe tool allows you to simultaneously place multiple plumbing pipes.
  • Allows you to simultaneously place multiple plumbing pipes offset from one another either vertically or horizontally. By default, the maximum number of pipes that can be routed simultaneously is set to six, but this can be adjusted through a configuration variable.
  • Allows you to set individual pipe sizes, varying offsets, end types, manufacturers catalogs, insulation thickness, and so forth.
  • Pipes can be of different Part/Family types (e.g. Hot Water Heating-Supply/Hot Water Heating-Return/Etc…).
  • Stretch pipe relations accordingly to retain offset distances.
  • You can report and edit/modify pipes as if placed separately.
  • You can set a "drive pipe" (external pipe in user defined multi-pipe grouping) for grouping. This setting is retained for future routing. The drive pipe can be swapped as needed.
  • Supports pipe catalogs.
  • Allows you to place by both newly defined pipes and selections of existing pipework.
  • During placement, both direction and locations of secondary pipes can be defined using ribbon controls or key-in shortcuts to dynamically position them as required.
  • You can restart Multi-Pipe routing from previously placed pipe racks.
• Connect Ducts/Pipes - The Connect Ducts/Pipes placement settings are updated to reflect new functionality and new components available for connections. Separate tabs for Ducts and Pipes are provided with appropriate fitting types.
  • Updated placement dialog reflects new functionality and components available. The single dialog previously available is divided into dedicated dialogs for each discipline (HVAC and Plumbing).
  • Add updated fitting types to UI as well as new fitting types for HVAC:
    • Ogee
    • Take-off
    • Double take-off
    • Tap
    • Cross
  • Add updated fitting types to UI as well as new fitting types for Plumbing:
    • Elbows
    • Tees - Stub, Sanitary, and Default
    • Cross
    • Wye
  • Option to use Autofitting Preferences.
  • New secondary dialog used to control limitations on ogee connections. This allows you (or the fabricator) to set the metal sheet width used to determine the maximum allowable length created from that single sheet. For instance, as the offset increases, total length of the fitting decreases as the stretch out pattern is maintained by the size selected.
  • The Tolerance setting is removed from the dialog, allowing connections to be made without arbitrary limits.
  • Enhanced capability to connect different shaped ducts with Tee & Cross options.
• Mechanical Duct Sizing Enhancements - Conversion of air flow parameters from m ³/hr to l/s in Metric datasets.
• Dynamic Views - Pipe turndown symbol in single line to indicate up and/or down direction.
• Plumbing Pipe - Pipe and fitting outer diameter of pipe reflected in the model (3D Geometry).

OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Updates:

• United Kingdom Part L SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) Requirements - All SBEM requirements and testing of models required for accreditation have been completed. Once OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 7 is released, the product will be submitted for accreditation to the appropriate governing bodies in England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. The SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) PartL 2013 technology preview allows you to review and test the United Kingdom required energy efficiency accreditation processes and results.
  Important: Due to security protocols Bentley Systems does not deliver the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) software with install. In order to run PartL 2013 functionality successfully users will need to download the latest version of iSBEM_v5.6.a (through the UK's National Calculation Method (UK NCM) at https://www.uk-ncm.org.uk/disclaimer.jsp
• Import of Legacy Hevacomp Models - Directly import a Hevacomp Design Database project into OpenBuildings Energy Simulator to run calculations.
• Room Type Mapping - This capability allows mapping ASHRAE room types to the Part L room types so that the Part L calculation can proceed with minimal intervention required from the user.
• CIBSE Air Flow Calculation - A new Air Flow tool allows you to calculate the total air flow to all rooms included, assuming either a constant volume or VAV system.
• ASHRAE 90.1 LEED Requirement Reports - You now have the functionality to produce reports that contain all data required for LEED compliance reporting for the ASHRAE 90.1- Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. These reports reflect both the Energy Cost Budget (ECB) and the Performance Rating Method (Appendix G).

LEGION CONNECT Edition (v10.02.00.xx )

The Train Interface (PTI) is moved from [Technology Preview] to commercial release.

• Various improvements and bug fixes based on user feedback from the [Technology Preview].
• "Yellow Line" Enhancement - You can now specify the "yellow line" when drawing a Platform. Involves an extra step in the drawing command, after the option to simplify platform edge vertices. The Platform property dialog has a field for setting the distance from platform edge to yellow line.
• Edit Carriage Data - For train carriages, you can now edit Door Markings and Join Points.
• Improvements to Naming of Train Carriages - Previously, the Train Carriage name could not be set without accessing the Save to Catalog dialog, after setting the Carriage properties. In this edition of OpenBuildings Station Designer, the Carriage parameters dialog has new data fields "Name" and "Notes (optional)".
• Train Visualization Improvements - In LEGION Simulator, accessible spaces for Trains are displayed next to their Platform when a Train has arrived, and are hidden when Trains depart.
• Platform Edge / CAD association - Platform edge is now permanently associated with one or more CAD elements.
  Note: Platforms defined in Update 1 must be redefined in Update 2, to create the permanent Platform edge/CAD element association.
• Populate alighters near the doors - A new option in Train Services. Alighting entities are usually distributed randomly throughout a Service's Carriage interiors. Checking this option populates alighting entities next to the Train doors in a Service's Carriages, producing a less impeded alighting behavior.

Delay Points and Waiting Zones can now accept a desired pedestrian density in place of capacity. For example, Fruin Level of Service C. Object capacity is then automatically calculated from that density and the object's accessible area.

A variety of modelling and analysis tools have been added, to help modelling environments where social distancing is required.

• Capacity Calculator - Social distancing vastly reduces the capacity of waiting areas. Delay Point and Waiting Zone have a Capacity Calculator to help understand capacity based on social distancing.
• Socially-distanced Waiting Area - Quickly and easily define waiting areas which enforce social distancing between pedestrians.
• Socially-distanced Queue - Quickly and easily define complex queuing structures which enforce social distancing between pedestrians.
• Occupancy Estimator - Understand what social distancing means for maximum occupancy of a venue and its various pedestrian spaces. Use this tool to calculate upper limits of socially-distanced occupancy, and compare with normal Occupancy Ratings.
• Social Distancing Proximity Breach Maps - Show areas of a model where social distancing is not being adhered to, and for how long. Helps identify areas where managed intervention may be needed to enforce social distancing.
• Entity Proximity Indicator - Highlights entities whose socially-distanced personal space is encroached by neighboring entities. Helps identify areas where managed intervention may be needed to enforce social distancing.

Detailed JT and GJT reports now include some information about entities remaining a model at the end of simulation. Previously, only entities leaving the model were added to JT and GJT reports.

• JT reports extra information is: Entity ID, Entity Origin, Model Entry Time, Visit Count for all visited Analyses, First Visit Time, for all visited Analyses
• GJT reports extra information is: Entity ID, Entity Origin, Model Entry Time, Visit Count for all visited GJT Zones, First Visit Time, for all visited GJT Zones

Other entity details about entities remaining a model at the end of simulation are left intentionally blank. Their journeys have not completed so final types and destinations are unknown, and reporting incomplete journey times would actinically reduce average journey times, while increasing Generalized Journey Time social costs.

GenerativeComponents Companion Feature CONNECT Edition Update 7

Known Issues In OpenBuildings Station Designer CONNECT Edition Update 7

• It is recommend to not share datasets with both Legacy and ProStructures mode. Datasets function best when the projects using them are all using the same structural elements.
• The new Assembly tool does not support compound walls. When placed, it drops them to their component slabs.
• ProjectWise Manage Configuration does not support Russian Characters used within configuration file \Dataset_RU\dataset.cfg. Those configuration variables that contain Russian characters need to be external to the ProjectWise repository or converted into ProjectWise CSBs.