SDT 5.0
The SDT 5.0 release introduces
- A major rework of Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) allow graphical editing of many properties (FEM model properties and plots, test data tests, ...)
- A major upgrade of the finite element tools as a result of the OpenFEM project. This release introduces compiled versions of volume elements, new volume and 2-D elements, proper support of volume and surface loads.
- Finite element models are now stored in a data structure that allows more structured access to materials, element properties. The new case data structure that declares boundary conditions, loads and varying physical parameters.
- A major revision of the manual, to introduce many short self-contained examples for easier learning.
- The spfmex sparse matrix library (introduced in SDT 4.1p1) provides extremely performant computational speeds for in core computations. This library is now the default static solver for the skyline object.
SDT 5.0 is developed for MATLAB R12 and R13. It is compatible with MATLAB 6.0 (with minor restrictions on graphics linked to MATLAB bugs). Most functions run under MATLAB 5.3 but there are significant limitations on graphics and eigenvalue solvers, so that support for MATLAB 5.3 is not included in the standard distribution. SDT 5.0 is not compatible versions of MATLAB older than 5.3.
Currently licensed users can download the distribution from ftp.sdtools.com/sdt50_dis.p and submit a license request. For instructions please refer to www.sdtools.com/faq/Release.html.
SDT 5.0 news on Nov 04, 2002
The problems listed below have been identified since the initial SDT 5.0 release.You can download a patch from ftp.sdtools.com/s50p1_patch.p and install it by running s50p1_patch under MATLAB. If you have downloaded SDT 5.0 after Nov. 4, 2002, you do not need to install the patch.
- Openfem in path : the default path modified at installation failed to include $matlabroot/toolbox/sdt/openfem. sdtcheck was fixed in the Oct 8, 02 distribution.
- Case names containing uppercase letters were not properly handled. This resulted in incomplete reading of NASTRAN Cases by FEMLink. fe_case was fixed in the Oct 8, 02 distribution.
- Multiple sessions : problems with SDT default setting for multiple simulatneous MATLAB sessions were detected. sdtdef was fixed in the Oct 8, 02 distribution.
- Frequency band selection : frequency band selection showed some inconsistencies between command line and mouse/button selection. iicom was fixed in the Oct 17, 02 distribution.
- An installation problem with the extraction of the ffindstr was fixed in the Nov 04, 02 distribution. This affected FEM model reading capabilities.
Common problems with SDT 5.0
- db : at installation I have a name conflict with the signal/db.m function. Solution : if you want to call the SDT sdt/db.m make sure toolbox/sdt appears before toolbox/signal in your toolbox/local/pathdef.m file. Otherwise move the sdt/db.m file to sdt/private.
- Simple demos like d_ubeam crash MATLAB. This is due to incompatibilities between MATLAB and your graphics card when using OpenGL rendering. You can avoid OpenGL rendering by feplot using
sdtdef('DefaultFeplot',{'Renderer' 'zbuffer' ...
'doublebuffer' 'on' 'paperpositionmode' 'auto'})
