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New Features in TileFlow Version 2.2
Dialog box for no-flow region
The dialog box displays the starting and ending x and y locations of the selected no-flow region. You can change these numbers to move/resize the no-flow region.
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Dialog boxes on demand
In the earlier versions of TileFlow, a dialog box appeared whenever an object was placed
or selected. Often these dialog boxes seemed intrusive. In Version 2.2, the dialog box for an object is displayed only when you request it. For a selected object, you have three choices for invoking the dialog
box:
- Double-click the object
- From the Edit menu, select Properties
- Click the right mouse button, and select Properties
The dialog box, however, will always appear when you click on the Resize Floor button or when you draw a blockage.
If you attempt to invoke dialog box for a selection containing multiple dissimilar objects (e.g., CRAC units and
perforated tiles, or blockages of different shapes), you will get the following warning: “The selection includes dissimilar objects. No properties are available.”
If you attempt to invoke dialog box for a selection containing multiple similar objects (e.g., multiple CRAC units or multiple
blockages of one type), you will get a dialog box. The fields for name and location of the object (if appropriate for the object) will be displayed as gray. The fields for other properties (e.g., style for
CRAC units or diameter for circular blockages) will display the property if it is same for all objects in the selection or will remain blank. You can then use the dialog to apply a common property to all the
objects in the selection.
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Stylebox on the toolbar
The
dialog boxes are often used simply for setting the style of the object (such as CRAC unit or perforated tile). Now, the styles are available in the Style Box on the toolbar. The Style box displays the style of
selected object(s). For a selection containing similar objects with the same style, the Style box will show the style in use. If these objects have different styles, the Style box will remain blank, but you
will have access to the styles. For a selection containing dissimilar objects, the Style box is gray and the styles are not accessible.
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Single-click zoom commands
To zoom in, press and hold the Ctrl key and click on the “+ /=” key on the main keyboard. To zoom out, press and hold the Ctrl key and click on the “—/–” key. These commands
will work on the 3D view or the plan view, whichever is currently active.
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Select menu
The new commands under the Select menu allow you to select all objects, select a specific type of object, or select objects with
a specific attribute (style or shape). The selection can later be used for moving, copying, deleting, or invoking Properties.
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Access to desktop during airflow calculation
In earlier versions, during the “Calculate Airflow” operation, the TileFlow window blocked your access to the desktop
and other open windows. Now the TileFlow window is automatically reduced while airflow is being calculated. You can move this window on the workspace and get access to other icons and documents.
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Above-floor rooms
TileFlow now includes the capability to
represent above-floor rooms. A room can be sealed, that is, it has no connection with other rooms, or connected to the main room via ducts, which may have fans.
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New rack commands
New commands have been added for easy
alignment of server racks. Align Fronts command aligns the front faces of the selected racks. Align Backs command aligns the back or rear faces of the selected racks. Remove Gaps command removes the gaps
between the adjacent racks in the selection and makes these racks contiguous.
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Improved cut-and-past functionality
Now you are required to specify the location for pasting a selection. If you cut or copy a selection and immediately
give the Paste command (without clicking somewhere on the screen), you will get the following message: “Please click at a desired point to indicate the location for pasting.”
When you paste a selection containing a variety of objects, the sizes of individual objects and the relative distances
between the objects are preserved.
When you paste a selection, the lower left corner of the bounding box of the selection is pasted at the clicked location.
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Overriding grid snapping
TileFlow uses a grid for placing
objects on the floor. As you drag or draw an object on the workspace, TileFlow snaps it into alignment with the nearest intersection of gridlines. The spacing of gridlines is one quarter of the tile side
dimension (6 inch for a two-foot tile). To temporarily override the snapping to the grid, press the Alt key as you draw or move an object. At the end, first release the left mouse button and then the Alt key. You
cannot override grid snapping for room rectangles.
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Nudging an object
You can nudge (move slightly) an object by using the four arrow keys. Select the object and press the appropriate arrow key. Every time you
press a key, the object moves by one inch. To move only one end of a blockage, keep the corresponding handle clicked while you press the Alt key. You cannot nudge room rectangles.
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Constraining object movement along the length or width of the floor
By pressing the Shift key while moving, you can now constrain single objects or selections with multiple objects to move only along the length (x
direction) or width (y direction) of the raised floor. Similarly, if you press the Shift key while moving a handle of a blockage, the blockage extends in the x or y direction only.
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Improved rendering of no-flow regions
TileFlow now draws
the no-flow regions as full three-dimensional objects. When you remove the raised floor, you will see the vertical sides of these regions.
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Ability to customize plots
You can customize the color
plots of airflow rates, cooling capacities, and pressures by specifying you own values for the minimum and maximum contour levels. With this feature, you can use the same scale for plotting results for
different scenarios, which will allow you to easily compare the plots generated by different simulations.
Click here to see the new features introduced in Version 2.0.
Click here to see the new features introduced in Version 1.7.
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