1. TRB (64-bit)

Business Background
According to feedback from users, even if they are equipped with computers based on the recommended configuration requirements, the problems like “out of memory” still occur when performing Summary Calculate, 3D View and other operations. The TRB application is 32-bit, which cannot fully utilize the computer configuration. Only 64-bit applications can maximize the advantages of 64-bit system.

Make TRB a 32-bit application to fully utilize the computer configuration, so as to solve the problems such as “out of memory”. 
Note: The new 64-bit TRB application can only be installed on 64-bit systems.

2. Efficiency Optimization

2.1 Improve the efficiency of exporting schedules

Business Background
The amount of data on schedules are the most among all reports, and the export of schedule data is time-consuming. In addition, for project with large amounts of data, the problems like “not responding”, “export error” and so forth appear occasionally.

In this version, we enhance the schedule export by improving the efficiency 6-8 times. The data on large projects can also be exported rapidly. Take the improvement of actual projects efficiency as examples: 
 

2.2 Improve the efficiency of calculating wall steel fabrics

The efficiency of calculating wall steel fabrics is low, which affects the overall time for calculating walls. The efficiency is improved 1+ times after enhancements.

2.3 Improve the efficiency for New Project

The efficiency of creating projects is low, which affects the user experience. The efficiency is improved 25% after enhancements.

3. Experience Optimization

3.1 Interface Optimization

Business Background

1) No TRB logo exists in the interface.

2) The functions such as Merge Other Projects, Import TAS Project, and Export to PDF are placed in the Start view, but they are usually performed in the Modeling view, so you need to switch between different views when using them.
3) In addition, it is necessary for the Start view to be the guidance of TRB, and for the interface, be more attractive.

After enhancement:

1) Add the TRB logo to the upper left corner.

2) Move BIM-related Functions to Modeling.

3) Adjust the overall interface. Provide guidance for those who use TRB for the first time before creating projects.

  

3.2 Calculation Rules Prompts

When there are multiple (>= 2) calculation rules, you may forget to check the rule used. If you find out that the rule was selected incorrectly after completing the project, there is no way to modify the rule. 
To prevent you from selecting calculation rules incorrectly, add a Confirm window after clicking Confirm. 
 

3.3 Enhance the display of element names

Business Background
When exporting PDF floor plans or 3D rebar drawings for future presentation or marketing, the following problems occur:

1) Display Setting (F12 or Shift+Shortcut key)

Besides element names, other element info such as section size, reinforcement info and so on is also shown. 
Therefore, the information shown in the interface is miscellaneous and overlapping, thus the visual effect is not good.

2) The info on slab bars is always shown, independent from the Display Settings. In 3D view, overlapping info leads to bad visual effect.

 

After enhancement:

1) Only show element names, not other element info when using Display Settings.

2) Control the display of slab bars by pressing F12.

 

3.4 Enhance Validity Check

Business Background
It always occurs that some prompts appear when using the application, and the messages conveyed make you feel confused about what to do. 
In this version, we enhance the window that appears after pressing F5 to check validity or calculation: 
Add problem classification (waring message and error message; add detailed problem descriptions and suggested treatments. 
 

1) Inconsistent elevations

Remove excessive confirmation messages when calculating; 
See new problem descriptions in the new window; add Ignore All, and the principle of ignoring is the same as that of the previous Confirm window. 

 

2) Other prompts are all shown according to enhanced window structure.

E.g., overlapping entities, the calculated length of column rebar not greater than 0, the left and right support bar are both 0, invalid horizontal bar length, failed to arrange slab rebar/raft foundation rebar on slabs, incorrect parameters of beam supports, and other error messages. 
 

3.5 Enhance Install & Uninstall

Business Background
The Cubicost products are installed separately and he Start view varies with different products, which is inconvenient for users to install applications and unfavorable for us to build brand.

Integrate Install and Uninstall of applications to facilitate product use and promote Cubicost brand.

1) On the Start menu, place TRB install program under Cubicost folder.

2) Place TRB uninstall program in the Uninstall tool, to realize uniform and rapid operating.

3.6 Enhance common editing

Business Background
A Confirm window appears every time performing Delete, Break or Merge, which brings bad user experience. 
Enhancement: Remove the Confirm windows for Delete, Break and Merge. 
 

3.7 Adjust foundation-related elements

Move the commonly-used element up to make it convenient for users to select. 
 

3.8 Modify the default method of arranging slab bars: When clicking Arrange Main Bar, no slab is selected.

 

3.9 Delete functions in Floor Settings: Move Up/Move Down, Copy floor/Paste floor

 

3.10 When performing Rebar Layout, select Display rebar name by default.

 

3.11 Add icon names to drawing functions including Point, Lint and Rectangle.

 

4. Business Optimization

4.1 Enhance complicated elements

Business Background
For pile caps and other complicated elements, you can build multi-unit elements. However, in actual business, the multi-unit elements are rare. 
Current Method:

1) Difficult to understand (you need to know the concepts of whole and unit).

2) Difficult to use (e.g., you need two steps to create an element, i.e., create the whole element, and then create units; it is inconvenient to distinguish the whole and units when performing some operations).

Enhancement: Make it consistent with other elements; remove the distinction between the whole and units, merge attributes and optimize the use of operations. 
Elements involved: Pile Cap 
 

4.3 Enhance the vertical rebar in wall sections

Business Background
In actual drawings (Hong Kong: Sun Hung Kai), there are wall sections with different reinforcements. The current method of calculating the number of vertical bars is rounding + 1 for each section, which may lead to one more vertical bar is incorporated at the conjunction of sections.

Enhance the method of calculating walls comprising three wall sections: rounding up + 1 for the two end sections, and rounding up - 1 for the middle section. 
 

4.4 Add parametric drawings for stairs

Business Background
The commonly-used stair parametric drawings are different due to different business requirements in various regions.

We provide new parametric drawings commonly used in Hong Kong. 
In Single Element, add parametric drawings, and deal with the calculation accordingly, so as to help users calculate the quantities of stairs rapidly. 
 

4.5 Enhance the elevations of raft foundations

Business Background
In actual drawings, the top elevations of raft foundations may be given directly. The raft foundations in TRB are positioned by bottom elevation, and only one elevation option, Floor_Bottom_Elevation is provided, so it is inconvenient to deal with the mentioned drawings.

Add Elevation Positioning Method; add Floor_Top_Elevation to the elevation options. 
Change the default value for Top Elevation to Floor_Bottom_Elevation. 
 

4.6 Change the default value for Densified zone length of column from 0 to Hn/4.

When the default value is 0, no quantity can be generated even if the info on links in densified zone are entered, which makes users confused. The default value is given to meet business requirements, and you can modify it as needed. 
 

4.7 Change the value range for relative bottom elevations of pile caps, strip foundations and pad foundations to [-10, 10].

The default unit is m, and the original range is [-5000, 5000]. In actual projects, such large values do not exist.

4.8 If Yes is selected for Edit Section, the values entered in Links Adjustment will be effective.

 

4.9 Localize element names

Auxiliary Axis > Secondary Axis 
Column Cap > Drop Panel 
Foundation Beam > Ground Beam 
Column Pier > Pier 
Isolated Foundation > Pad Foundation

5. Everest Requirements/ Bug Fixing