Battery Designer — v3.1.8 — Docs

1. Overview — what’s new in 3.1.8

• Major performance gains — reduced lag; fast frame generation.
• Auto-layout: paint shapes and the algorithm assigns series/parallel groups automatically.
• 3D and vector export: Fast Frame (STL), Cell Punch (STL/SVG/DXF), Cells geometry for 3D assembly.
• Expanded UI: draggable icons (drag from icon only), quick slots, color pickers, hideable bars (Q/M).
• Expanded cell grid controls: X/Y modifiers for non-standard pack shapes.
• Improved simulation: per-cell resistance, voltage-drop, efficiency and power loss charts.

2. Quick start (paint → generate)

1. Choose Paint and pick brush size.
2. Enable Auto Layout (Parameters → Battery → Auto Layout) and paint the battery outline.
3. Right-click to erase; Ctrl + paint to make grey.
4. Check connection consistency & stats. Fix groups or spacing as needed.
5. Generate outputs: Buss Bars, Fast Frame (STL), Cell Punch (STL/SVG/DXF), Cells (3D).
6. Export via Export menu (STL, SVG, DXF, BD3, JSON).

3. Top menu & Quick slots

Drag menu icons (only the icon) into the quick slot. Right-click icons to remove. Use Q to toggle the quick slot, M to toggle the main toolbar.

4. Parameters (panels & controls)

Top-level parameter groups: Frame, Tools, Cell Grid, Case, Table, Buss Bars, Battery.

Frame

• Quality (1–128), Margin (-5 → 10 mm), Type (rounded, contour, square, ...)
• Thickness, Stopper ring height/thickness, Smoothing
• Fast Frame recommended for speed; Frame = legacy slow generator

Cell Grid

• Grid type (linear/offset), rotation, cell diameter/spacing
• X Modifier / Y Modifier — independently squeeze/stretch axes (new)
• Shift up/down, reverse, clear grey cells

Battery

• Cell capacity, max/continuous current, resistance, nominal voltage
• Load current (type any value), config S / config P quick sliders
• Generate Layout (G) and Auto Layout toggle

5. Tools

Primary tools: Move, Paint (default), Fill (experimental), Eraser (right-click also erases), Select.

Painting tips: Use A/D to cycle parallel counts while painting. Use Ctrl to remove paint brush strokes quickly.

6. Generate & Export

• Buss Bars A/B — generate busbar geometry for each side.
• Fast Frame (⚡) — fast STL frame export (recommended).
• Cell Punch — functional negative for cutting holes & stopper rings (STL/SVG/DXF).
• Cells — export individual cell geometry for 3D assembly.
• Export menu: JSON, STL, SVG, DXF, BD3 (full state save).

Tip: To get an SVG or DXF automatically, enable the SVG and/or DXF toggle before running Fast Frame / Cell Punch.

7. Simulation & Performance

Simulation uses per-cell resistance and nominal voltage to compute:

• Voltage drop vs current (realistic curved line)
• Efficiency vs current (red below 90% by default)
• Power loss (W) across currents

Use simulations to compare cell chemistry, parallel counts, or pack geometry. Example: P42A vs MH1 — changing cell resistance shifts the red-efficiency threshold significantly.

8. Tips, gotchas & troubleshooting

• Auto Layout works best when P count ≥ battery width; narrow/triangle shapes can confuse it.
• Frame error color signals incomplete series groups — customize in Settings → UI.
• Negative frame margins are allowed but double-check fit and stopper ring geometry.
• Experimental features (Case, Container, Table) are alpha — expect slow or incomplete output.

9. Keyboard & Shortcuts