Overview
This document covers the new features introduced in Impact 2023 / v13.0 (initial release Dec 2023).
Not all the features described within this document are applicable to all Impact licences. Please consult Arden Software for further details.
2D Draw and Edit
New Dynamic Constraints 2D parametric drafting feature
The Dynamic Constraints feature of Impact offers a next generation parametric design solution, aimed at improving the integrity and reusability of designs.
With Dynamic Constraints, ANY design can be quickly become parametrically resizeable: whether it's an entirely new design being drawn from scratch; a historical design; or an imported drawing.
With the Constraint Manager mode activated, many of the existing Draw and Edit tools will immediately start to offer automatic constraint creation to aid in building up a flexible and resizable model, whilst also auto-inferring and suggesting potential relationships to establish between entities.
Dynamic Constraints - Multiple Line tool, auto-inferring vertical lock equal length constraint
It's also possible to add constraints to and between existing geometry to quickly create lasting relationships with minimal fuss, such as snapping the end points of two entities together, making two lines equal in length, or quickly locking a line horizontal or vertical.
The Dynamic Constraints feature is available for all Draw and Edit enabled Impact licences, and will therefore be available to the majority of existing designer and diemaking licence bundles upon upgrade.
Although the initial Dynamic Constraint features have been introduced to a wide variety of existing design tools, this feature is now continually being developed. Additional functionality and further refinements will therefore be included in each future Impact release, with the intention of further speeding up resizable design and standard creation.
For further feature information, please refer to the following overview article: Dynamic Constraints
We have also uploaded a number of Dynamic Constraint Tool Videos (accessible to active SMC customers) to help get you started.
General
Option in text style to have text displayed vertically
It's often a requirement to have text displayed and output in a vertical orientation. A new Text Settings orientation option Vertical Text setting has been introduced to allow this to be more easily achieved within a single text entity. This option is available within the Style menu within the Text Editor form.
References: IM-813195
Layer Settings gains 'Preferred Face' configuration option
Layer Settings (aka Layer Setup) Master Tool Settings (MTS) act as optional layer templates which can provide the default configuration values for newly added layers.
It's now possible to set the Preferred Face layer property for new layers, which can be used to control which orientation is applied when creating or switching between layers, as described here: Layer Properties - General. Previously, this could only be configured after layer creation, and manually.
Note, a new COM API property has also been introduced to allow this setting to be changed programmatically. Review 'COM / API Enhancements' for the full list of new COM objects, methods and properties introduced in v13.References: IM-810645
Automatic detection when Windows locale settings configuration is incompatible
Impact is compatible with decimal separator and digit grouping characters being set as either a period (.) or comma (,). However, it does not support a configuration in which the same character is used for both. We therefore now warn if an incompatible Windows Region settings configuration is encountered during Impact start-up, as shown below.
References: IM-815821
Separate Value Mappings trigger controls for Impact and nServer
In previous Impact versions, Value Mappings which were assigned to be performed automatically in response to the running of Impact tools and user actions (see Database Installation > Value Mappings), did not work consistently for both Impact and nServer applications. In addition, it's not always optimal for the same Value Mapping configuration to be used for both products.
To address this, Impact now features additional controls, Enable for Impact / nServer, that allow each Value Mapping Master Tool Settings to be configured to run in Impact and/or nServer contexts individually.
On upgrade, all existing (and newly created) Value Mapping Master Tool Settings will have both options enabled. For those utilising nServer, you should review how this may affect your usage.
References: IM-817188
Import / Export
'DWG 2018' (AC1032) version export
AutoCAD Drawing export now includes support for version DWG 2018 (AC1032) including both 2D and 3D outputs.
References: IM-816144
Packaged Collada (*.zae) 3D import
A Packaged Collada (*.zae) is essentially a zipped Collada (*.dae) optionally bundled with any referenced textures and manifest files. Previously, although we can directly export and generated Packaged Collada files, it would have been necessary to manually extract the contents of such files before importing them into a 3D scene.
It's now possible to select Packaged Collada (*.zae) files via the Import 3D form, as well as drag-and-drop files of that extension onto the Impact canvas to start the 3D model import process.
Note, you will need to make sure you have a suitably configured 3D Import Settings MTS, in which the Packaged COLLADA format is enabled to successfully import a file.
References: IM-814387
Option to remove zero length entities when exporting
The Dynamic Constraints features mean that Impact can now legitimately generate entities which can be resized to a zero length. This can be used to support a basic level of conditional geometry, but is sometimes also natural if an entities size is being driven by relationships with other geometry or expression based variables.
To preserve compatibility with older versions of Impact, a new Remove zero-length entities export option has been Impact Export specific settings. This option defaults to being off, on the assumption you may be exporting to the same Impact version or newer.
References: IM-816349
DDES3 import option to respect dimension text from imported data
When importing drawings using the DDES3 file format, we were previously limited to showing the dimension labels based on their calculated size. This means that if the source file contained a different prompt, perhaps designed to use a rounded number or included tolerance information, this would be ignored.
To improve compatibility with other CAD systems, and allow for the preservation of any customer dimension label text, we now offer a new DDES3 Import specific option, namely Read dimension text from file (to avoid recalculation).
By default, this option is OFF for new and existing MTS on upgrade, to preserve historic behaviour.
References: IM-816365
Updated 3DX Libraries
This version of Impact corresponds and is compatible with the update of the Impact 3DX library to v1.10.
Changes since our last library update (Impact 3DX v1.9), include:
- Catia V5_6R2022
- JT 10.6
- Revit 2022
- Navisworks (beta) 2012 to 2022
- NX 2007 (2021 Dev.)
- SolidWorks 2022
- Solid Edge 2022
- Parasolid 34
Refer to the release notes for more information and the following article for full details of the 3D Import/Export file format verions 3DX v1.10 offers: Which file format versions does 3DX v1.10 support?
Manufacturing
Blanker Bars Auto Fillet calculation
When creating Blanker Bars, if you switch on the new Auto Fillet 
edit bar option (configurale keyboard shortcut available), then the Fillet radius field will be removed from the edit bar and the new bar will be created with fillets that are the width of the bar multiplied by a new Bar Auto Fillet Multiplier value. This option can help save time and offer more a more consistent fillet generation.
The Bar Auto Fillet Multiplier value is specified in the Blanker Bars MTS.
References: IM-811816
Stripper Tool component placement introduces "Reversed" option for Dynamic Stripping Components (DSC)
If the Place DSC option has been checked, and the default component is of a Claw type, then a new Reversed
edit bar option (configurable keyboard shortcut available) if you wish to reverse the component.
Introducing this edit bar option provides a more convenient and direct way to reorient a DSC claw component, and which will also persist between usages.
References: IM-811231
Material overrides to the female offset inside and outside, within the Stripper System MTS
A number of values inside the Stripper System MTS can be controlled by the Material Specific Overrides feature, where configured. Two fields that were previously not compatible were the Female Offsets Inside and Outside values, i.e. that specify the offset distance from the original geometry to the female profile.
This mechanism serves to reduce the number of duplicate stripper system MTS needed for dealing with a range of materials.
References: IM-816407
Please also refer to the list of Reported Bug Fixes.
COM / API Enhancements
The following objects, methods and properties are new in version 13.0
- IDrawingVariableSettings.ExpressionsMetric
- ILayer.PreferredFace
- ILayer.VariableExpressionsCommaDecimalSeparator
- ILayer.VariableExpressionsMetric
- ILinearDimension.TextMode
- ipModifierKey
- IProjectAndLayerFilterOptions.LayerTypeMappings
- ipStandardTextFontSize
- ipStandardTextFrameShape
- ipStandardTextFrameStyle
- ipStandardVariableDisplayMode
- ipTextAlignment
- IRadiusDimension.TextMode
- IStandardCreator.HasParametricConstructions
- ISweepDimension.TextMode
- IVariable.DisplayMode
- IVariable.LabelIndent
- IVariable.TextAlignment
- IVariable.TextFontBold
- IVariable.TextFontItalic
- IVariable.TextFontUnderline
- IVariable.TextFrameStyle
System Requirements
All system requirements should meet the minimum set out in our hardware and software guide, outlined here Impact CAD 2023 (v13) System Requirements.
Reported Bug Fixes
The following bugs have been addressed in this Impact release:
- IM-47430 One_Up Area calculation is completely wrong (due to beziers)
- IM-53005 Making a block current operates on wrong block if layer has a master layer insert
- IM-54978 Crash leaving settings name blank in the Component Wizard
- IM-55064 Symbol at bridges
- IM-55313 Rubber Report giving blank pages
- IM-55768 Entity Inspector Faces tab resets to common tab if you select a different entity type
- IM-57007 Rubber Tool - Confusing waste for inside, slot detection makes part of perimeter fail
- IM-812414 Stripper Creator - Unable to change Male Rule Size
- IM-812641 Impact ruler starts at wrong value
- IM-812653 Another problem uniting "sausage" shapes
- IM-812842 Drag2 returns wrong result when used with Median snap
- IM-813000 3D Light Properties: Sometimes Hot Spot angle and Inner Angle are different
- IM-813173 Using a memo field for a plotter substitution will only output 1 line, not all lines
- IM-813673 Slow non-native Import (DWG reported) due to empty text
- IM-813903 Unnecessary warning message when importing 3D model
- IM-814418 Enquire Entities on red solid fill graphic (thinks it is blue)
- IM-814443 Blanker merging uppers changes the visibility
- IM-814839 Impact hangs at Plot, Creating Intermediate Drawing
- IM-814950 AV with Tidy Gaps (within a Sub-block)
- IM-814963 Pan and Zoom Window - Missing lines
- IM-815123 Stripper Perimeter Crash with Male Waste
- IM-815330 Blanker Creator Fill Tools - Force Graphics Visibility
- IM-815402 ImpactCAD - IActiveBlock - SelectAll inaccurate description
- IM-815537 Unsupported (and displaced? )Iges entities?
- IM-815572 AV in IPDS Utils.dll with 3D Trim (project specific)
- IM-815700 Layer tab positioning after displaying Layer Properties?
- IM-815765 Case Compression - 3D Export (translation)
- IM-815806 V12 Impact ActiveX installer fails with error 1606 [Dev]
- IM-815819 stripping knives - design extents wrong if a block is rotated
- IM-815845 GLTF Export of some projects is missing print and foil textures and emboss on both carton and foil
- IM-815876 Rule preparation edit bar captions with unsuitable whitespace
- IM-815913 Stripper tool, female component not placing male pin when in 'No Restriction' mode
- IM-815944 Import for packaged collada file not working as per settings user has selected
- IM-816003 Blanker Tool, Station numbers should not allow negative values.
- IM-816027 Database windows - changing to the next entry by clicking the arrows not working
- IM-816041 Animation Frame Slider - Windows 11
- IM-816094 Exception when changing project properties with D_TNAME translation column
- IM-816097 Inserting master layers should perform a zoom extents
- IM-816103 Stripper Tool, Slot detection visibility toggle seems causes access violation
- IM-816145 Stripper Creator Hangs after Removing DSC
- IM-816153 GLTF export exception - under unlimited texture resolution
- IM-816177 Some COM methods aren't respecting user units
- IM-816188 Stripper tool bug - changing a component offset against a restriction becomes greyed out
- IM-816278 Impact machine driver problem with "Radius Mode"
- IM-816283 Stripper creator placing pins outside of the waste area
- IM-816306 Stripper Bug placing frees sometimes becomes unlocked
- IM-816316 Machine Attributes - Tool Settings should resize fields.
- IM-816391 More Impact Explorer Repainting Issues (V12 and later)
- IM-816418 Create 3D Model Wizard doesn't auto update the board materials when selecting the board materials option
- IM-816485 Problem Parametric File
- IM-816562 Substitute %<ProjectCode> no longer working (again)
- IM-816574 Database Administration User lists `Working Projects` column sorts alphabetically
- IM-816577 Dimension text labels for Postscript (.ps) exports appear in the wrong position
- IM-816588 Check table relationship syntax working for all code substitution
- IM-816707 File Export - explode (palette composition) removes bridges from Cut/Crease entities
- IM-816722 Tidy Gaps Problem with Sub-blocks
- IM-817022 Impact failing to update the design Canvas after using Transform tools inside sub blocks
- IM-817083 Crash creating automatic profile with the Matrix creator
- IM-817186 Palette Database not nServer (COMPLUS) compatible
- IM-817293 Layer with selected entity always needs saving