General improvements

New custom menu

You can now create a custom menu to provide quick access to your commonly used modeling tools and menu options. Any tool, menu command, or plug-in that can be added to a custom shelf can also be added to the custom menu. After creating a custom menu, it displays in the Alias main menu between the Utilities and Help menus. Use a custom menu to combine the tools and commands you routinely use to help streamline your workflow.

For more information see Create a custom menu.

Alias Dynamo and Dynamo Player updates and additions

Alias updated to Dynamo 2.8

We've updated Alias to Dynamo version 2.8. This version of Dynamo now ships with Python 3 libraries. Python 2 libraries are no longer included with Dynamo due to possible security risks. Any Dynamo scripts using Python 2 need to be updated to Python 3 or they will not execute.

For information about updating your scripts, see Migrate scripts to Python 3.

Sample scripts additions

• We've added more Dynamo and Dynamo Player sample scripts to the Dynamo Player directory in Alias. They include the following:

  • Graph-Mapper-2021.3.7.dyn - This Dynamo script generates non-linear distribution of objects or components.

  • Scale-from-Center-Point-2021.3.2.dyn - This Dynamo Player script scales one or more objects from the object center point.

  • Subdiv-Distribute-and-Rotate-along-a-Curve-2021.3.8. - This Dynamo Player script generates multiple copies of a closed subdivision body along a curve.

  • Rim-Support-and-Radial-Scaling-2021.3.1_cpython3.dyn - Use this Dynamo Player script to aid your design and creation of wheel spokes from subdivision geometry.

    For more information, see Dynamo Player sample scripts.

• We've migrated all the Dynamo and Dynamo Player sample scripts from Python 2 to Python 3. To access the scripts:

  • Browse to the Sample Files folder located in your Alias installation directory. For example:

    C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AliasAutoStudio2021.3\Dynamo\Sample Files\

    Or

  • Download them from the Alias Sample Files webpage.

Reference Manager additions

A new ImportRMSReference plug-in lets you import Reference Manager Session (RMS) files directly into the Reference Manager. RMS files are used by Dassault Systèmes® ICEM Surf™ to save an assembly. Note that .kddat and .icem files are not supported by the plug-in.

You can access the ImportRMSReference plug-in from the Alias Plug-in Manager (Utilities > Plug-in Manager). After the plug-in is loaded, use File > Import > Import RMS References to import RMS files to the Reference Manager.

You can then load the reference data by selecting File > Update All in the Reference Manager menu.

We've also provided the ImportRMSReference plug-in as an example plug-in. You can access it in the OpenAlias\examples folder of your Alias installation directory. For example: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AliasAutoStudio2021.3\ODS\OpenAlias\examples\ImportRMS.cpp.

For more information, see Reference Data plug-in example.

Other additions

You can now use Promote Shader to promote switch shaders in your reference data.

Modeling tool improvements

Fillet Flange tool

We've improved the way that Fillet Flange outputs are grouped in the Object Lister. A fillet surface and its flange extension are now grouped together under a parent group. When you want to modify or delete both fillet and flange, you just select the fillet flange group. In previous releases, the fillet and flange extensions were stored in different groups.

Deviation tools

We've made some changes to the Curve to Curve, Surface to Surface, Curve to Surface, and Mesh to Surface Deviation tools. The updates include the following:

• You can now change the Comb Step value directly in the Information Window independently of the Min Comb Step value in the tool control window.
• We've renamed Max Comb Density to Min Comb Step to be consistent with the Information Window. This value still controls the minimum increment size of the comb samples.
• We've added a new Max Comb Step option for controlling the maximum increment size of the comb samples. Note that the Min Comb Step and Max Comb Step controls set the range when adjusting the comb step value in-canvas using the MMB and RMB.

What's New in Learning

We have added a new two-part course to the Industrial and Transportation Design learning section of the Autodesk Customer Success Hub. The ICEM Surf to Alias Class A transition guides Part 1 and Part 2 are specifically tailored to help Class A surface modelers transition from ICEM Surf™ to Alias.

After going through this course, you should be able to:

• Have a grasp on the tools and UI settings in Alias.

• Learn how Alias sets up usage of the mouse, keyboard, hotkeys and shortcuts

• Understand how typical workflows in ICEM Surf translate in Alias

• Become competent in creating Class A surfaces in Alias

See ICEM Surf to Alias Class A Transition Guide.

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