New Shapes
A new ‘Panel Dimension’ can be instantly created using a convenient right
click menu on a wall, curved wall, or tank. This panel dimension shows the
number and size of panels along a straight run of panels. You can choose to
draw a panel dimension on the right or left side of the wall. There are also
options to display the wall length and height.
There’s also a new aligned dimension that can be used instead of the
controller dimension. The default dimension for section and elevation
drawing now uses this new aligned dimension, which eliminates the ‘ghost’
directional arrow from printing.
Customized Stacking
In Handset 2007 you can selectively edit the stackup for each formwork
component in a convenient stackup dialog box. When in formwork edit mode you
simply highlight a formwork shape, right click, and select Edit Stackup on
the right click menu. You can also select multiple formwork shapes and set
their stackup at the same time.
Automated Conversions
When overlaying AutoCAD lines with walls there is now the option to have a
dimension and/or guide automatically placed on the wall that’s drawn.
Easier Size Maintenance
The width for steel fillers can now be set via a dropdown list in custom
properties.
Improved Accuracy
The new option for setting decimal places of tie lengths allows you to
customize the accuracy. The default value is 2 decimal places for 1/4
accuracy (i.e., 0.25) and the maximum accuracy is 1/16 (4 decimal places).
Selective Stagger
New option for when panels are vertically stacked to indicate whether or not
you’d like the panels intersections staggered (intersection between panels
occurs at differing elevations) on the elevation views.
Easier Pilasters
You can now set the wall justification to Centered. When set to centered
your reference line will appear at the midpoint of the end of the wall. This
feature makes it easier to align wall center points to pilasters. There have
also been various improvements with formwork drawing on pilasters.
Accurate Drawing
Panel intersections on polygonal slab formwork are now placed directly
across from each other. This allows straight ties to be placed.
A new connection point has been added to the center of the steel filler that
allows for easier tie snapping to this point when adding custom ties. This
is particularly useful for slab shapes and slab polygons.
Quality with Visio and Windows Vista
A fix specifically for Avontus from Microsoft allows walls and corner
intersections to be created less than 10 inches in length. Previously the wall
start and end points would snap to each other, creating a zero length wall.
This fix from Microsoft is included in Visio 2007 and a patch is available
for Visio 2003.
  
All files are digitally signed for use in Windows Vista. Handset Designer is
certified by Microsoft and tested on Windows XP and Vista, as well as Visio 2007.
For those wanting to provide their customers with detailed estimates for the formwork project, the integration between Handset Designer and Avontus BidMaker R3 has also been enhanced. The customer in the title block of your drawing now automatically appears in the summary information of the bid, along with the typical addresses and contact information. Driving directions have also been updated to use Google™ Maps, giving you a satellite view of the directions if desired.
Help and Support
Handset Designer now has automatic updates to check for, automatically download, and install newer versions. The defaults are to check every 4 weeks.
There's a support option on the Formwork menu to provide feedback to Avontus as well as a completely updated help file.
 | Avontus is committed to helping everyone learn Handset Designer. A new Quick Start guide is included in the extensive help file. This guide dramatically reduces the learning curve by giving you numerous skills up front. Other learning tools, such as a tip of the day when you start the software, have been added. The support staff at Avontus is extremely knowledgeable and always available for questions.
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