610 N. Whitney Way, Suite 160 Madison, WI 53705, U.S.A. Phone: (608) 238-2171, Fax: (608) 238-9241 Email: info@powline.com
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Winter 2010 Newsletter

In this issue:

1. Version 10.40 Released
2. Upcoming Classes and Events
3. Web Site Additions and Revisions
4. Current Versions

Version 10.40 released

PLS-CADD 10.40 makes it easier to work with data in different survey coordinate systems including live coordinates from a GPS. In addition to supporting Windows 7, PLS-CADD now integrates with its new Location & Sensors API and when used with a compatible device can track your movements in real time with options to create survey points or annotation at your current position. We can also work with imagery, DXF and shape file (*.shp) attachments that are in different coordinate systems than your project. Finally, we can reproject your entire project if the need to change coordinate systems arises.

PLS-CADD graphics have also been improved with new options to include inset cross section and structure views on your profiles and sheets, better control over display of TIN and attachments in inset plan views and cross section view interface improvements.

On the structural analysis side we have finalized support for the recently published ASCE 74-2009 (replaces the ASCE 74-2006 draft option previously available). We've also added an ANSI O5.1.2008 wood pole design check to PLS-POLE as well as the corresponding Online Library downloads.

It was a pleasure meeting with so many of you at the tremendously successful ASCE/SEI conference in November. We were surprised by the degree of interest shown in our CAISSON foundation design software and as a result we have modernized the program's graphics and reports bringing them up to the same standard that you have come to expect from PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER. If you missed us at the ASCE conference in Ft. Worth then please stop by our booth (#922) at the IEEE T&D in New Orleans so that we can demonstrate these latest enhancements in person.

For more information on these and other version 10.40 improvements please see the Recent Program Improvements.

Classes and Events

• Analysis and Design of Transmission Towers Using TOWER (includes 28 PDHs), February 23-26, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations March 15-19, 2010 in Las Vegas, NV (Check availability)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) March 22-26, 2010 in Las Vegas, NV (Check availability)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (includes 32 PDHs), April 6-9, 2010 in Madison, WI (Space still available)
• Design of Transmission Line Structures and Foundations November 8-12, 2010 in Madison, WI (Check availability)
• Design of Overhead Transmission Lines using PLS-CADD (Organized by the University of Wisconsin) December 6-10, 2010 in Orlando, FL (Check availability)
• Please visit with us in booth 922 at the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition in New Orleans, April 20-22, 2010.

Web Site Revisions and Additions

• Online Library: Additional AFL Telecommunications OPGW PLS-CADD cable models are available
• Online Library: ANSI O5.1.2008 PLS-POLE component files are now available
• Online Library: Sabre Tubular Structures wood pole equivalent steel pole library was updated in 2009
• Online Library: Resin Systems' RStandard Fiber Reinfored Polymer pole library for PLS-POLE is now available
• Online Library: The Hughes Brothers Brace Library has been updated and now includes laminated wood braces
• The handouts from the 2009 Advanced Training and User Group Meeting are now available for download
• Spanish editions of the PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE and TOWER manuals may now be downloaded using the Help/Check For Updated Manual command in those programs.

Current Versions

The current shipping versions of our software are listed below. These versions support Windows XP, Vista and 7 (both 32 and 64 bit). We recommend you run a 64 bit edition of Windows so that you may take advantage of the enormous investment we have made in the x64 Edition.

We strongly encourage you to upgrade to the current release of all the applications you own. To do so please use the Help/Download Upgrade command built into your PLS software. This would also be a good time to use the Help/Check for Updated Manual command to make sure you have the latest edition of the manuals. As always, we welcome your suggestions and comments on our software.

Staff of Power Line Systems, Inc.