Program Operation

1. Program Data File Locations (Bug 2265)

   Because Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems do not allow write access to the Program Files folders to those users who are not running the program as Administrator, making it impossible for them to save changes to the material database, settings, and default loads, these files are now placed in a new location by WoodWorks.

   It was also necessary for those users who were not administrators on their computers to enter a keycode each time the program was run.

   These restrictions were more severe on Windows 7 than Vista.

   The program now stores the support files for the program in the following folders

   Windows 7/Vista:

   C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\WoodWorks\CWC\USA\9\

   Windows XP

   C:\Documents and Settings\[username\]Local Settings\Application Data\WoodWorks\CWC\USA\9\

   1. The program also saves the files to the following folders:

      Windows 7

      C:\ProgramData\WoodWorks\CWC\USA\9\

      Windows XP

      C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\WoodWorks\CWC\USA\9\

      These are repositories for the files to be copied to each new users’s data folders when they first use the program. This allows a system administrator to install the program, but others to use it without restrictions.

      A more complicated set of procedures for network installations is described in the Sizer Read Me file.

2. Wall Transfer to Concept Mode (Bug 2236)

   When a wall was transferred from concept mode to beam mode, the program issued a Windows "Invalid argument" message, then did not retain a number of the input fields:

• The lateral support info. The checkbox in the Concept groups for lateral support is checked, but when the wall is transferred to beam mode, both lateral support boxes show unbraced.
• The wall height. It shows up as blank.
• It shows the type as Column, not wall.
• The supporting member is also not properly transferred. This is also a more general problem described in bug 2237.

  These issues have been corrected.

  1. Transfer of Supporting Members from Concept Mode (Bug 2237)

     The support conditions were not properly transferred in concept mode to beam mode:

• For beams and joists, the supports are transferred as "Other non wood" rather than what is supporting the member.
• For columns, the input fields are blank. When designed, the program simply ignores supporting member design.
• For walls, an error message appears, the fields are blank, the choices correspond to columns. If you try to change one of the input fields, the program crashes. If you just go ahead and design without changing, it ignores the support bearing design.

  The supporting conditions are now transferred as follows:

• Beam or Joist - Supporting member
• Column - Supporting beam or non-wood if foundation
• Wall - Bottom plate.

  A column is considered to be supporting a beam with the d-face parallel to the beam length. The program does not take into account beams supporting each other on an angle, it is analysed as if they were square.

  1. Settings from Previous Versions (Change 81)*  

     If you chose to retain your settings from previous versions of the program to version 9.0, the program was inconsistent and unreliable in retrieving those settings. This has been corrected.

  2. I-Joist Custom Sections (Change 65)

     Attempting to design a custom sized I-joist section would sometimes crash the program. Now, the program informs you that custom I-Joist sections are not allowed.

  3. Retaining Settings from Previous Installations
     1. Installation Option (Bug 2254)

        For Version 9.0, the Sizer installation no longer allowed you to retain settings from previous installations by indicating during installation that the new factory settings are not to be installed. This has been corrected in the updated Sizer and Design Office installation packages.

     2. Settings from Previous Versions (Change 81)*  

        If you managed to manually retain your settings by saving and copying the sizer.ini file from a previous installation, the program was inconsistent and unreliable in retrieving those settings. This has been corrected.

  4. Default Deflection Limits (Change 70)

     For version 9 of the program, the default deflection limits in the settings were not being written to the initialisation file, so they no longer functioned as defaults. This has been corrected.

  5. Persistence of Start-up Mode Setting (Bug 2256)

     When at least one file was open, and you tried to create another new file, the file created was always Concept mode. It is now the default start-up mode in the design settings.

  6. Column Mode Combine Loads of Same Type Label (Bug 2238)

     In column mode, the "Combine Loads of Same Type in Drawing” checkbox omitted the word "type" that appears in beam mode.

  7. Tool Tip for Settings in Toolbar (Bug 2050)

     The Settings toolbar icon now includes a "tool tip" that appears when you hover over it saying "Settings".

  8. Bearing Length Values in Selection List (Change 67)

     The bearing length selection list was sometimes showing the incorrect bearing length if the length is close-to but not equal to the user entered value.  (e.g. 3” gets switched to 3-1/2”)

  9. Bearing Length Input Activation (Change 68)

     Disabled Bearing length input when None or Other non-wood types are selected in column mode.

  10. Same As Wall Stud Checkbox for Supporting Member Bearing (Change 69)

      Opening a saved wall stud file was always reverting the supporting member's "Same as wall stud" checkbox to checked.