Release notes for SDT and FEMLink 7.0

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1.8 Release notes for SDT and FEMLink 7.0

1.8.1 Key features

SDT 7.0 is the only version compatible with MATLAB 9.2 (2017a), 9.3 (2017b) and 9.4 (2018b) mostly due to ongoing improvements of MATLAB graphics. Key changes of this release are

A full rewrite and major extension of modal analysis graphical interfaces and documentation detailed in section 2.2. Step-by-step tutorials, such as section 2.2.1, include buttons of the form Run which you can use to execute a step. LSCF and stabilization diagrams are now supported.
The new notion of docks corresponds to MATLAB docks where multiple figures are combined for a typical use. Currently supported docks are
- Id : for experimental modal analysis see section 2.2
- TestFEM : topology correlation see section 3.1
- MAC : test/FEM correlation see ii_mac.
A major update of SDT GUI with most existing tabs ported to Java mode and necessary in docks. You can set the default tab to Java mode using sdtdef('JavaUI',1) or turn it off with sdtdef('JavaUI',0). User documentation of tabs can be found in section 8.2. Developer level documentation of GUI functions is now included in section 8.
Use sdtweb('feplot','webbrowser') to bypass the not yet fixed MATLAB bug where the links within pages are not called appropriately.

Key changes for FEMLink are

ans2sdt improved import of .cdb and support of contacts.
nasread Direct import of EXTESOUT output to SDT superelement format. Continued enhancements of bulk and op2 reading. Initial support of .op2 format writting of responses.
abaqus continued enhancements of .INP reading in particular for composites and superelements, contact, ... Significant writing enhancements.
GUI import of models is supported with the FEMLink tab, section 8.2.2.

For MATLAB compatibility see section 1.8.3.

1.8.2 Detail by function

This list is not yet complete.

basis	Clarified error for repeated BasId. New methods for multibody transformations.
cbush	major rewrite of documentation and introduced support commands for non-linear applications.
comgui	comgui gui command clarifies robust opening of feplot, iiplot figures linked to projects. Robustness in presence of mixed MATLAB/Java figures was improved.
fe_case	robustness enhancements in name matching. getFixDof implemented as subfunction to allow external calls.
fe_cyclic	compatibility with multi-physic periodic problems was enhanced.
fe_curve	Improved sweep generation and many minor improvements
fe_def	many detail improvements on silent operation and robustness. SubResample command implements optimized resampling.
fe_eig	tolerance strategy was changed in solver 5 for improved convergence.
fe_exp	underwent a major revision allowing the use of MDRE and MDRE-WE algorithms with the use of reduced models as well as proposing associated energy displays.
fe_load	Improved generality of DofSet case entries.
fe_mk	Improved support of orientation maps in particular for stress computations.
fe_quality	introduced a clean command to clean meshes in particular by straightening edges.
fe_range	major improvement of GUI operations and stat commands.
fe_reduc	Improved compatibility with parametric models, performance for large models, static correction in poorly conditionned cases.
fe_sens	Major rewrite of TestBas tab section 8.2.4 and associated commands.
	TdofTable now supports callbacks Distance view and SensorZoom selection.
FEMLink	GUI operation is now supported.
fe_stress	Corrected stress computation problems in bar1 elements.
fesuper	SeRestit was enhanced for restitution of multibody results.
id_rc	Robustness enhancements for QualTable, see section 2.5.2
id_rm	new commands such as PermuteIO, ...
ii_mac	Significant enhancements of GUI, context menus and docked operations.
iimouse	Robustness enhancements in particular for multi-figure interactivity used in docks
m_elastic	Continued extensions of orthotropic material support with orientation maps.
polytec	Official support of Polytec file access interfacing.
p_piezo	Bug correction in cases with material orientation.
p_beam	Revised handling of 3D section views.
sdtroot	Robustness enhancements for project handling and export to Word/PowerPoint.
	Evolution of Java tables with MATLAB changes.
ufread	Support of GUI operation.

1.8.3 Notes by MATLAB release

MATLAB 8.0 (2012b) to 9.3 (2017b). SDT & FEMLink 7.0 are developed for these versions of MATLAB and are fully compatible with them. Minor incompatibilities with 9.4 (2018a) are associated with the new complex number handling in MATLAB and and will be fixed with SDT 7.1.
For best performance, using MATLAB 9.0 (2016a) and higher is advised.
For efficient FEM rendering, it is strongly advised to use HG2 (Matlab 8.4, R2014b).
MATLAB 7.6 (2008a) to 7.14 (2012a). SDT & FEMLink 7.0 are being phased out but can be used for a number of operations.
Earlier MATLAB releases are no longer supported.
MATLAB 8.5 has known bugs in the handling of colorbar.