Preferences
Description
This form is used to modify preference settings for the program and is accessed through Options | Preferences in the main menu.
Preferences are set using the check-boxes and fields in each of the tabs.
Preferences are applied (and their effect observed) using the Apply button.
Preferences are saved using the OK button.
Form Graphic
Field Help
General
Display Overview form when file is opened
If this box is checked then an Overview form and Graphic is displayed on opening a new file.
My Templates Folder
Company Templates Folder
Refer to Using Templates for general information regarding templates.
Click on the folder button to change the template collection location.
Java path for PDF creation
This will show the path to the Java executable if installed. PDF reports can not be generated if Java is not installed.
To override tick the box and click on the folder button to change the location. This path will need to be manually set if using OpenJDK. Refer to the Java topic for additional information.
Reset 'Don't show again' Messages
Certain program messages have a 'Don't show me again' box to avoid seeing the message again. Click this button to reset all messages so they will appear again.
Reset Application Settings
To reset all application settings, e.g. unit preferences, form positions, history lists, etc., click this button and restart application.
Appearance
Look and Feel Style
The selection made only affects the application theming. No results or data are changed.
Display the current file name in the main form
By default the Structure Title defined in the Titles form is shown in the caption line of the main form.
However, if this box is checked then the file name is shown instead. (Or 'New' if the file is not yet saved).
Graphics
Enable Hardware Acceleration
Turning on hardware acceleration improves graphics performance. If unexpected problems are appearing with specific video cards and drivers, turn hardware acceleration off by unchecking this box. A change will require a software restart.
Reverse direction of plotted bending moments
Checking or unchecking this box toggles the direction of the bending moments (My and Mz) shown in graphics results. This box does not change the direction of torsion moments (Mx).
Enable Auto Redraw by default (Refined Analysis only)
Checking this box sets Auto-Redraw mode on whenever the graphics is displayed.
Apply Transitional Effects on View Change (Refined Analysis / Beam only)
Check to animate view changes. This applies to the 3D Elements View only.
Reverse Dynamic View spin direction
Check to reverse the direction the model spins when in Dynamic View mode.
Highlight Colour
Set default colour used for highlighting objects in the graphic display.
Chart Colours
The colours used for the chart data series can be user defined or set to the default value here. The noncompliant colours is used, for example, for the design data series when the design value exceeds the permissible value at any point along the data series.
Experimental
Enable AS5100 (2017) Errors and omissions update (Unofficial)
This option toggles a number of fixes which unofficially address errors and omissions in Australian Standards 2017 Amendment 1. See here for detailed information.