released April 2010
We released TPC Desktop 2010 in September 2009 (v11.0), but didn't receive the AutoCAD 2010 drivers from Open Alliance until November 2009. That's why we are now releasing v11.5.
Version 11.5 includes the drivers for AutoCAD 2010. You can now import these files directly into TPC and write files using this new file format.
AutoCAD 2007 - 2009 used the same basic file format. AutoCAD 2010 however, has made significant changes to accomodate Civil3D. TPC does not try to reproduce all of the Civil3D conventions but it does read / write the files and unsupported entities can always be exploded into their component parts.
Version 11.5 writes DGN files directly from drawings.
The DGN files TPC writes are not as complete as the DWG files it writes. Some hatching and line types are not reproduced well in the DGN files. Also, raster images are not always scaled properly. As a result, you may want to try writing a couple of drawings to a DGN file and examining them in your DGN application.
We still recommend writing a DWG file and importing it into your Bentley application.
We've added an option to include cammas as separators when you combine directin, distance and grade on a single line.
We also added new leader options to Split individual items onto single lines like we do for curve labels or put everything on a Single line. See Control Settings.
Version 11.5 imports / exports surfaces from CAD files. In DWG files, PolyFaceMeshs are supported. In DGN files, MeshFaceLoops are supported.
Once imported, a CAD surface is locked so the faces don't change. Contours are then derived from those locked faces.
Exporting TPC's surfaces to a DWG or DGN file means that the architect or engineer you are working for will have the surface ready to use when they open your DWG file. They will appreciate the surface information being available this way.
Version 11.5 includes an updated Traverse PC PDF driver. It automatically detects 64-bit operating systems and installs properly on them. It also writes better pattern line types, like dashes and dots.
The Drawing Data Manager has also been optimized so that it creates searches for drawing information only when an item is expanded. If you expand the Layers node, TPC searches the drawing for layer information. On large drawings, this makes the Drawing Data Manager work much faster.
It also provides additional information for some items like blocks.
We added a new delineation you can turn on/off in the Drawing View. This one delineates any survey generated labels you have manually edited (modified). You may want to check and make sure these still accurately match the survey data they represent.
It also provides additional information for some items like blocks.