VTube 4.6 Build 1963 - July 24, 2026

1 - NEW CAPABILITY - During parametric data rebuild from imported models, VTube-STEP will now automatically copy the new MASTER XYZ data to MEASURED and MEASURED-ALIGNED XYZ data when the MEASURED data is not yet configured.

• This capability makes the initial setup of linear dimensions that rely on MEASURED-ALIGNED data much easier. Space Object Linear Dimensions are often attached to the MEASURED-ALIGNED tube data, and rely on the MEASURED-ALIGNED tube data being in its approximate final orientation and location during the initial setup.
• During the setup phase of a VTube-LASER project in which a MASTER model has been imported, there is typically no MEASURED or MEASURED-ALIGNED data. VTube-STEP checks for MEASURED and MEASURED-ALIGNED data with either no coordinates or all-zero coordinates. When it finds these conditions, it automatically copies the new MASTER to the other two tube types.
• This automation only works when building parametric data from collected surface data or when Autobuilding parametric data. It does not work when users manually enter new MASTER data.  For manual entry, users can use the VTube-LASER Data Handling menu to copy MASTER to the other two tube data types.
• The automation can be enabled and disabled in the System Options>Project Setup>Auto Propagation menu. It is ENABLED by default.

2 - NEW CAPABILITY - The momentary banner can now stack up messages from multiple processes.

• We added this so that previous messages are not cleared if multiple messages are sent to the banner when it is still visible.
• This gives you time to read all the messages when they stack up.

VTube 4.5 Build 1962 - July 21, 2026

1 - NEW CAPABILITY - VTube can now work with imported tubes that are kilometers or miles from the viewport origin.

Some customer applications require VTube to import pipe models with coordinates in the kilometer/mile range. We've enhanced the internal logic of VTube to allow for this.

2 - IMPROVEMENT and FIX - The centerline projection logic for extending each tube's straight cylinder to its surface-point ends has been debugged and improved.

This improves the reliability of VTube-STEP in finding the tangent points and model end surfaces in imported model straights.

VTube 4.5 Build 1961 - July 15, 2026

1 - VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER now have a new SERIAL value field in the PART SETUP menu.
 

• The new value/field is available in the part setup menu for VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER.
• We added a new report token named “serial.”  Use the new token to add the serial value to reports.
• The value type is a text string.  Type any alphanumeric value in this field.
• The value is stored in the VTube project files.
• A new version of the VTube project file structure was created to hold this new value.  If you use multiple installations of VTube, be sure you upgrade all of them at the same time to keep the project files compatible with all your installations.

VTube 4.5 Build 1960 - July 9, 2026

1 - The VTube-STEP unbent model is now automatically moved away from the main model in 3D space.

This allows a better view of the unbent model, especially after drilling the tube.

• The unbent model move direction is calculated as the single normal vector of the averaged bend-plane normal vectors. 
• The unbent model move distance is controlled by values in the Math > Unbent Model tab in the System Options window.
• You can control the offset away from the bent model by a factor of the OD. For example, a value of 3 means “move the unbent tube away from the bent tube by 3 x the diameter.”
• You can also control offset away from the bent model by a fixed distance.

2 - The viewport mode buttons (above the viewports - both STEP and LASER) change to a green shade when their modes are active.

• This provides a quick visual cue for users when these modes are active.
• Above the VTube-LASER viewport are these buttons: Perspective, Hidden Lines, Transparency, Wireframe.
• Click on any one of them to toggle their state and change the button color.
• Also, when VTube-LASER is connected to the measuring system, the Measuring Device button shades green, like Measuring Device: HEXAGON Arm

3 - A new Unbend All viewport mode button is in VTube-STEP that allows you to turn the unbent model on and off with one click.

• This makes toggling the unbent model easier and quicker in VTube-STEP.
• Above the VTube-STEP viewport are these buttons: Unbend All, Perspective, Hidden Lines, Transparency, Wireframe
• The Unbend All button is only available in VTube-STEP mode.

4 - An automatic slight transformation (rotation by an angle) of the unbent model occurs to help with drilling.

• When any centerline straight of the unbent tube model falls on a major axis, the model engine has difficulty drilling holes in the unbent tube.
• This is fixed by rotating the entire unbent model so that all drill bosses are slightly off the axis.
• This process happens automatically by default and is controlled in the Math > Unbent Model tab in the System Options window.

VTube 4.5 Build 1959 - July 3, 2026

1 - Parametric Tube Build Improved for End Projections

• The image on the left shows the result of a parametric tube built with coping prior to this version.
• The tube on the right shows the improved result.  The tube end point is now on the end of the coping, which is ideal for tube cutting and unbending.

This improved projection logic also ensures that bend radii are calculated more reliably.

2 - Model Drilling for Coping and Holes Significantly Improved

Drilling copes and holes is now more reliable with our improved drilling logic.

VTube 4.5 Build 1958 - July 2, 2026

1 - Keyboard typing issues were repaired.
 

If you experience issues with keyboard entry, then this update is critical for you. Keyboard entry would sometimes slow down and/or lock up. Repeated Ctrl-L presses could attempt to load a file-open modal dialog after it had already been opened. These issues have been fixed.

VTube 4.5 Build 1957 - July 1, 2026

1 - VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER now have a new QUANTITY value.
 

• The new value/field is available in the part setup menu for VTube-STEP and VTube-LASER.
• We added a new report token named “quantity.”  Use the new token to add the quantity value to reports.
• The value type is a text string.  Type any alphanumeric value in this field.
• The value is stored in the VTube project files.
• A new version of the VTube project file structure was created to hold this new value.  If you use multiple installations of VTube, be sure you upgrade all of them at the same time to keep the project files compatible with all your installations.

2 - The VTube-STEP PART SETUP MENU can now be REORGANIZED by Reordering and Hiding Unused Fields.

• You can now remove VTube-STEP part setup fields that you don't need to see in the user interface.
• You can also reorder the part setup fields on the screen to emphasize the more important ones.
• The configuration is stored in the global configuration file. Changes will take effect for all projects after the configuration is applied.
• This capability was already present in VTube-LASER. Customers requested that we add it to VTube-STEP.
   

3 - Auto-repeating logic for the Enter key in the keyboard handler logic was reintroduced to give the ability to move items up and down in their list quickly by holding the Enter key.

4 - We fixed a minor refresh problem for when the Comment 1 and Comment 2 values are changed.

• The Comment fields would not automatically refresh when exiting the comment editors. This has been fixed.