Options

Bend-Tech 7x Wiki :: Main Menu Bar :: Tools :: Options

The Options menu contains default settings, visual preferences, and general settings for each area within the software.

This menu can be accessed by clicking the Tools option on the main menu bar and selecting Options from the drop down menu.

Additionally, when adjusting any of these settings, be sure to click the Save button at the bottom of the frame to apply the new defaults or settings. When any default settings are changed, any designs that are currently open will not be affected. Any new designs or designs opened after changes were made will have these settings applied.

General Tab

Default Items

• Default Die: In the Default Die menu, a die can be chosen and set as the default. Once a die is set as the default, it will be the die that is initially selected when a new single part is created. To set a default die, click the drop down menu and select a die from the list.

• Default Tube/Pipe: In the Default Tube/Pipe menu, a tube/pipe material can be chosen and set as the default. Once a material is set as the default, it will be the material that is initially selected when a new single part is created.

• Default Plate: In the Default Plate menu, a plate material can be chosen and set as the default. Once a plate material is set as the default, it will be the material that is initially selected when a new plate is created.

• Default Machine: In the Default Machine menu, a machine can be chosen and set as the default. Once a machine is set as the default, it will be the machine that is initially selected when a new part is created.

File Storage

The file storage locations will determine where data (die, material, plate, etc.) libraries and part files will be stored.

To choose a new location for the data libraries, click the Browse button below the data libraries location.

To choose a default location for part files, click the Browse button below the parts location. This will be the folder that is initially opened when a part is being saved.

Tolerances

The decimal tolerance for the lengths, angles, and rotations can be adjusted here. The decimal tolerance controls how many digits will be allowed after decimals points for length, angle, and rotation. In the tolerance options, each digit place is represented by an n.

For example, if the angle tolerance is set to n.nn and the actual angle is 90.539°, the angle will be rounded to 90.54°. If the angle tolerance is set to just n, then the angle would be rounded to 91°.

• Rotation Angle: To change the decimal tolerance for part rotation values, click the drop down menu and select a tolerance option from the list.

• Bend Angle: To change the decimal tolerance for bend angle values, click the drop down menu and select a tolerance option from the list.

• Lengths: Length values can be displayed in either fractional or decimal format. To change the format and/or tolerance for lengths, click the drop down menu and select an option from the list.

Unit of Measure

The measurement units can be set to either inches or millimeters. Once a unit of measure is chosen, it will be the unit of measure that is initially chosen wherever units of measure can be adjusted throughout the software.

PickPoint Selection Method

The PickPoint Selection Method will determine how pickpoints can be selected in the plate and assembly interfaces. The Selected Point option will require a point to be directly clicked on in order to be selected. The Closest Point option will select whichever point is closest to the cursor when it is clicked.

Auto-Save Frequency

Using the Auto-Save Frequency menu, the time interval between auto saves can be adjusted or the auto-save function can be turned off. This setting will affect any open designs throughout the software.

Display Quality

The quality of the graphical representation of parts, plate designs, or assemblies can be adjusted. To change this setting, click on the drop down menu and choose either Low, Medium, or High.

Input/Interface

The type of input device being used with the software can be specified here. If a standard computer and keyboard is being used, the Keyboard option would be appropriate. If a touchscreen computer/computer without a keyboard is being used, select the Touch Screen option. When this option is chosen, a keyboard/number pad will open on-screen whenever text or a numerical value is needed to be entered. See the images below.

Undo/Redo

The number of steps allowed for redo/undos can be adjusted here. For example, if 10 is set as the number of steps, the undo button can be hit 10 times before it no longer has an affect on the plate or assembly design. There is a limit to 100 steps.

Invert Mouse Wheel Zoom

Check this setting box to reverse the zoom direction from the default (scrolling up to zoom out and scrolling down to zoom in) to the inverted setting (scrolling up to zoom in and scrolling down to zoom out).

Disable Automatic Updates

When this checkbox is clicked, automatic software updates will be disabled.

Disable Wireframe Mode

When this checkbox is clicked, wireframe mode will not be available.

Design Settings

Rotation

The rotation settings control how rotation values are displayed in the results table. Rotation can be measured in incremental or absolute terms. Each rotation angle range can also be chosen.

• Incremental: Rotation angles will start from the end of the previous bend's rotation. Click the incremental rotation option to select it.

• Absolute: Rotation angles will always start from the very beginning of the angle scale. Click the absolute rotation option to select it.

• Angle Scale: The rotation scale will determine what the rotation angles will range between. The rotation scale will show where the angle measurements begin and where they end. Choose a rotation scale by clicking on one of the scale options. The rotation scales available are 0 - 360, 360 - 0, (-180) - 180, and 180 - (-180). The 0 - 90 - 0 - 90 - 0 and 0 - 90 - 0 - 90 - 0 Reversed options will be added when the Absolute option is chosen.

Display Settings

In the bottom left corner there will be a list of checkbox options to control the display options for the results table on single part designers.

• Display parentheses () for negative values: Check this box to have all negative values enclosed in parentheses.

• Display Degree Symbol: Check this box for angle values to have degree symbols shown next to them.

• Display Feet/Meters: Check this box for large length values to be displayed in terms of feet or meters (feet will be used if inches are used as the units and meters will be used if millimeters are the units.)

• Display Minutes/Seconds: Check this box for angle values to be displayed in terms of minutes and seconds instead of decimal values.

• Display Fractions and Decimals:

• Display Spring Angles: Check this box for spring angle values to be included in the results table.

• Display Length of Bend: Check this box to have length of bend values included in the results table.

Length/Location

The lengh/location setting will determine how the bend location will be calculated in the results table.

• Distance from Start: Bend locations will be measured from the starting edge of the tube.

• Distance from End: Bend locations will be measured from the ending edge of the tube.

• Length of Straight Tube: Bend location values will be the amount of straight tube between each bend.

• Table Location: Bend locations will be based on index table values. If this option is used, the offset distance between the table and the bend will need to be supplied as well as scale length of the table. Check the Indexing Begins at Die option if the scale begins at the die.

• Dimension Location: This option determines where the bend location marks will be placed in reference to the bend. Bend locations can be placed at the start, center, or end of each bend.

Reverse Design - Length

This setting will determine how inputted part lengths are interpreted when creating a reverse design part.

• Incremental: Entered length values start from the previous bend.

• Absolute - Start: Entered length values are the distance from the starting edge of the tube to the starting edge of each bend.

• Absolute - End: Entered length values are the distance from the ending edge of the tube to the ending edge of each bend.

• Absolute - Center: Entered length values are the distance from the starting edge of the tube to the center of each bend.

• Absolute - Start(Reversed): Entered length values are the distance from the end of the part to the start of each bend.

• Absolute - End(Reversed): Entered length values are the distance from the end of the part to the end of each bend.

• Absolute - Center (Reversed): Entered length values are the distance from the end of the part to the center of each bend.

Reverse Design - Rotation

This setting will determine how rotations will be calculated in the results table when creating a reverse design part.

• Incremental: Entered rotation values start from the end of the previous rotation.

• Incremental - Reversed: Entered rotation values start from the end of the previous rotation with a reversed direction.

• Absolute: 0 to 360: Entered rotation values always start from the beginning of the angle scale (0) at each rotation.

• Absolute: 360 to 0: Entered rotation values always start from the beginning of the angle scale (360) at each rotation.

• Absolute: 180 to -180: Entered rotation values always start from the beginning of the angle scale (180) at each rotation.

• Absolute: -180 to 180: Entered rotation values always start from the beginning of the angle scale (-180) at each rotation.

Single Parts Tab

Features to Display

These settings will determine the kind of features will be displayed on the part model in any of the single part design interfaces. Click the check boxes next to the features you want to have shown.

• Dimensions: Length measurement values will be displayed on the part lengths.

• Cut-Off: If any cut-off is added to the part, it will be represented on the part display.

• Apex Guides: For each bend, guidelines will extend from the part model to the verification points.

• Tri-Star: The XYZ axis will be shown on the graphical display.

• Wall Thickness: The thickness of the material will be shown on the 3D part model.

• Verification Points: Points will be displayed at the apex of each bend.

• Bend Highlight: The current bend will be highlighted in red on the 3D part model.

• Orientation Axis: The orientation axis will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the part display.

Defaults

• Cut-Off Color: This will be the default color that will be used to represent the sections of cut-off on the 3D part model.

• Tri-Star Scale: The default scaling value for the XYZ axis.

• Dimension Size: The default dimension size.

• Grid Spacing: The default grid spacing size for the Sketch 2D and Sketch 3D part interfaces.

• Dim Type: The default dimension type that will be selected in the Dim Type menus for each bend.

• Notes: The default notes that will be generated in the notes area for new part designs.

Setup Sheet

• Print Transitions:

• Print Design Instructions: By default, the design instructions chart will be included on the print out.

• Print Tri-Star: By default, the part model will have the tri-star included on the print out.

• Print Dimensions: By default, the part model will have the dimension markers and values included.

Cut-Off

The default cut-off start and end values can be defined here. Each new part will automatically have these cut-offs initially applied.

Custom Part - Reverse Rotation

Check this box to reverse the rotation direction while using the Custom Part design interface.

Flat Layout - Abbreviations

These settings will determine the abbreviations used for angle, rotation, centerline radius, and spring angles in Flat Layout.

Flat Layout - Sizes

These settings will determine the sizes for text, stand-off dimension, angle, rotation, and CLR values in Flat Layout. To change the size, enter a value into the size fields.

Flat Layout - Colors

These settings will determine the colors for tubes, bends, extensions, and text in Flat Layout. To change the colors, click the corresponding button to change the color of a specific feature.

Assembly Tab

Dimensions

Using these settings, the size for the text, line and arrow width, arrow length, and extension offset and stand-off can be determined. To change these sizes, enter a value into the fields. The arrow type determines the kind of arrow that will be used on the dimension markers. To change the arrow type, click the arrow type menu and select a type. The tolerance will determine the format and/or tolerance of the dimension values. To change the tolerance, click the tolerance menu and choose an option.

Tri-Star

These options will control how the tri-star will appear in the assembly designer. The tri-star can be directional (labeled with ceiling/floor, front/back, left/right), XYZ (labeled with X, Y, and Z), Lines Only, or not shown at all. The default scale value can also be defined here.

Printing Scale

The printing scale for cutting wrapper print outs can be determined here. Enter a value into the vertical and/or horizontal fields to apply a scale.

PickPoint Colors

The colors of the different PickPoint types can be chosen here. To change the color of a PickPoint, click the corresponding button and select a color.

Dimension Colors

The colors of the dimension marker, extensions, and values can be chosen here. To change the colors of any of these features, click on the corresponding button and select a color.

Defaults

• Auto Zoom: While auto zoom is on, the screen will automatically zoom out if any features being added are outside the current frames boundaries.

• Display Wall Thickness: While this option is activated, the wall thickness of the tube will be displayed if the 3D shaded or 3D wireframe options are chosen.

• Display Tubes as Cut:

• Display Orientation Axis: While this option is enabled, the orientation axis will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the assembly display.

• Auto Switch to Line Mode: This option will automatically switch the mode to line mode when PickPoints are being placed.

• Prompt for Part Names: While this option is enabled, whenever new parts are added to the assembly, a prompt will appear where the new part can be given a name.

• PickPoint Size: The default size of the PickPoints can be chosen here.

Cursor Help Text

Cursor help text is displayed next to the cursor while the assembly to help guide the user through certain tasks in the interface. Check the box next to Display Cursor Help Text to have these instructions shown. The text color option will change the color of the cursor help text. Click the color button to adjust this setting.

Main Display

The background of the display frame in the assembly interface can be set to a plain white background, a custom color, or an image.

Plate/Sheet Tab

Selection Mode

If confirm is chosen, every time features are to be deleted, moved, scaled, or copied, a window will appear to confirm the action before it is actually executed. Otherwise, the action will be performed immediately.

Design Cursor

The type of cursor used while creating a plate design can be chosen. Default will be the standard cursor, Small is a cross shape, small diagonal is an X shape, and large is a cross-hair style cursor that fills the whole design frame.

Dimension Colors

The colors of the extensions, dimension markers, and dimension text in the plate designer can be determined using these options. To change the color of any of these features, click on the corresponding button and select a color.

Dimensions

Using these settings, the size for the text, line and arrow width, arrow length, and extension offset and stand-off can be determined. To change these sizes, enter a value into the fields. The arrow type determines the kind of arrow that will be used on the dimension markers. To change the arrow type, click the arrow type menu and select a type. The tolerance will determine the format and/or tolerance of the dimension values. To change the tolerance, click the tolerance menu and choose an option. The angle tolerance will determine the decimal places allowed for angle measurements. To change the angle tolerance, click the angle tolerance menu and select an option from the drop down menu.

Colors

The colors of the features and background can be adjusted using these settings. To change the color of either of these, click on the corresponding button and select a color.

Default DXF Output

The output for DXF files can be determined here. These files will be output as PolyLines or as Lines, Arcs, and Text.

Abbreviations

The abbreviations for dimensions in the plate design interface can be determined here. When any of these features are labeled with a dimension, this abbreviation will be used to identify it.

Text

The size, font, and text path precision of dimensions can be determined here. To change the text size, enter a value into the size field. To change the font, click on the drop down menu and select a font from the list. The path text precision can be adjusted by clicking the drop down menu and selecting an option from the list.

Holes

The default width, angles, lengths, corner radii, and maximum number of holes to draw in a grid can be supplied here for each hole type. These are only the default settings and can be changed within the plate interface.

Extra Options

• Create Points at Intersections: Check this option to have points automatically created at any line intersections in plate designs.

• Allow Selection of End Points: This option will allow of the ends of features to be selected.

• Exclude External Holes: Check this option to ignore all holes outside the plate's boundary lines while the plate is being defined

• Dim Display for Free Select: Check this option to have the display frame dimmed to a grey shade whenever free select is activated.

• Automatically Switch to Design View: Check this option to have the display mode automatically switched back to 'Design' if it is in any other mode and any attempts are made to edit the design.

Header Design Tab

Dimensions

Using these settings, the size for the text, line and arrow width, arrow length, and extension offset and stand-off can be determined. To change these sizes, enter a value into the fields. The arrow type determines the kind of arrow that will be used on the dimension markers. To change the arrow type, click the arrow type menu and select a type. The tolerance will determine the format and/or tolerance of the dimension values. To change the tolerance, click the tolerance menu and choose an option. The angle tolerance will determine the decimal places allowed for angle measurements. To change the angle tolerance, click the angle tolerance menu and select an option from the drop down menu.

Simulation

In the Simulation tab, the default travel, bend, rotation, and animation speed, as well as the default bender type, simulation quality and POB bracket color can be set. These settings are only defaults and can be adjusted while viewing the simulation.

Speeds

The default speeds of the travel, bending, rotation, and animation can be adjusted independently. To adjust the speeds, click and drag the point back and forth.

Bender

The bender chosen here will determine the type of bender used in simulation. The bender options available are: center compression, rotary compression - clockwise, rotary compression - counter clockwise, rotary compression - vertical, rotary draw - clockwise, rotary draw - counter clockwise, and rotary draw - vertical.

Quality

The display quality of the simulation animation can be adjusted here. To adjust the simulation, click on the drop down menu and choose a quality option.

POB Bracket Color

The default color of the POB bracket shown in the simulation can be determined here. To change the color, click on the button and select a color.

Misc Options

File Import - dxf/dwg

These settings will effect any dxf or dwg files that are imported into the software. If the Convert Polylines to Arcs option is checked, imported files with polylines that meet the minimum number of lines supplied in the field below will be converted to a single arc.