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Steel 2018
Types of Detail Drawings - General
Single Part elements - Single Part Detail
Types of Detail Drawings - General
Main Part elements (Assembly ) - Main Part Detail (Assembly )
Types of Detail Drawings - General
Erection / Overview Details
Lets see How it
works in Advance Steel
Chapter 1:
Installation and
introduction
Template Files
As with most applications, when you start a new project or file you should
start with a template file. This file is created with typical layers and settings
to suit the Autodesk® Advance Steel software.
As part of a standard installation, the Autodesk® Advance Steel
software automatically locates the storage location
of the templates when you click (New) (in the Quick
Access Toolbar or in the Application Menu > New > Drawing).
It also automatically lists the available templates (according to the language
that was selected when the software was installed) on the new tab when you
expand the templates option.
You should always select the ASTemplate.dwt template to start your metric
modeling project
2- Project Data
It is recommended that you identify the project in which the file is going to
be used and set some basic settings at the start of any project.
In the Home tab > Settings panel, click (Project Settings).
The Project data dialog box opens
The style of this dialog box and all of the other Autodesk® Advance Steel
dialog boxes is the same. A list of property groups called Tabs is displayed
on the left. Selecting any of them changes the page of settings that is
displayed on the right.
There are many settings that you can customize or properties that you can
complete for any project. For most projects you need to complete as much as
possible in the Project Info 1 and Project Info 2 tabs. This information is used
to complete the title blocks on drawings and the headings on lists later in the
project. You can usually accept the default settings on the other tabs.
Create a Project File
Elements of the 3D model
The Advance Steel 3D model is built from elements such as beams, plates,
structural elements, bolts, welds, features, and joints. Once the model is
finished, checked and numbered, all output like structured BOM, NC data,
general arrangement and detail drawings can be completed.
Creating a Building Grid
Grid
This command creates two sets of four grid lines that are parallel with the
current X- and Y-axes respectively and on the current XY plane. The lines are
equally spaced over the total size entered.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Building Grid).
Please define two diagonal points for grid, origin: Select a point or enter
coordinates for the first corner of your grid.
Second point :_< 18000, 18000>: Select a point or enter coordinates for the
opposite extreme of your grid.
Command finished.
Single Axis
This command creates a single grid line in any direction on the current XY
plane.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Single Axis).
Please define end points of the grid line. Start point: Select a point or
enter coordinates for the start of your line.
End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the end of your grid line.
The line is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.
Grid With Groups By Distance
This command creates as many grid lines as required in one direction only.
This can be in any direction in the current XY plane. Spacing between grid
lines can vary as needed. All of the lines are parallel and of an equal length.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Grid with groups by distance).
Please define end points of the grid line. Start point: Select a point or
enter coordinates for one end of the first grid line. For example, enter 0, 0.
End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the other end of the first
grid line.
Direction of the group: Select a point anywhere on the side of the first grid
line on which you want further grid lines to be added.
Curved Grid Line
This command creates a single curved grid line in the current XY plane.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Curved Grid with single axis).
Start point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the start of your grid
line.
End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the end of your grid line.
Circle point: Select a point or enter coordinates for a point between the
first two that the grid line arc should go through.
The line is drawn and the Curved Grid Line Properties dialog box opens.
Grid Properties
Regardless of the way they are created, all grids of parallel lines have the
same properties and the same dialog box is used to control them. This dialog
box is often automatically opened at the end of the command that creates
the grid.
Level Symbols
The level symbol inserts a small symbol into the model to identify the correct
height at a specific reference point.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Level Symbol).
Please define the insertion point for the level symbol: Select a point at
which to place the symbol.
The level symbol is placed and the Properties dialog box opens
Current tab
o Absolute Level: Global Datum Level plus Relative Level.
o Relative Level: Height above the WCS origin (Z-coordinate).
Global tab
Datum Level: Set the nominal height of the AutoCAD WCS origin.
For example, if your site zero is at 17350 above Sea Level, you would enter
17350 as the global datum level. If you then place a level symbol on some
beams 4500 above the site zero the Relative Level is 4500 and the Absolute
Level is 21850.
All of the level symbols in a model share the same Global Datum Level.
General Arrangement type drawings often automatically place level symbols or
dimensions in the drawings where you have included level symbols in your
models.
Chapter 2 ;
Gable sections tab: Set the section, size, and position of the extra gable
posts.
Gable distances tab: Set the number and spacing of any extra gable posts
that are required.
Mono-pitch Frame
A Mono-pitch frame has a single rafter spanning the entire width rather than
two rafters meeting at an apex, as in the Portal frame.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Mono-Pitch Frame).
Please select base point for the first column: Select a point or enter
coordinates for the base of the first column.
Please select top point for the second column: Select a point or enter
coordinates for the top of the second column.
The frame is drawn with a horizontal rafter and the Mono pitch Properties
dialog box opens.
Set Out tab: Set the frame width and column heights as needed.
Sections tab: Select the section sizes and eaves projections for
the frame.
Position of frame tab: Control the position of the columns
and rafter relative to the selected points.
insert Beam
For a straight beam the method is the same no matter what section type you
want to create, but there are different icons for each generic family of
sections.
Select the required family of sections in the Home tab > Objects panel,
expanding the Rolled I Section drop-down list.
Please locate start point of system axis: Select a start point for the beam.
Please locate end point of system axis: Select an end point for the beam.
A straight beam is drawn between the two points and the Beam Properties
dialog box opens.
Continuous Beam
The Continuous Beam Command allows you to create linked beams
continuously. The command stops if you press the <Esc> or <Enter> keys or if
you click the right button on your mouse.
In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click (Continuous Beam).
Curved Beams
A curved beam of any section can be placed as follows:
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Curved Beam).
Start point: Select a point for one end of the beam.
End point: Select a point for the other end of the beam.
Circle point: Select a point between the other two points for the beam to
go through.
The beam is created in the last section type used. The Beam Properties dialog
box opens enabling you to select the section and other required properties.
An additional Radius option is located in the Positioning tab.
Curved beams display as faceted on the model, but are always recognized as
true curved beams in the drawings. This display is for performance purposes
Beam from Line
If you need to create many beams, you might find it convenient to lay out all
of the beam paths with ordinary AutoCAD elements and then convert them
into beams. Any AutoCAD Line, Arc, or Polyline can be converted into a
beam.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Beam from line).
Please select lines/arcs: Use normal AutoCAD techniques to select as many
arcs, lines, and polylines as required, and then accept.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <N>: If you want to keep your
construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for Yes.
The selected elements are all converted into individual beams with the same
properties. If you selected polylines, each segment of the polyline is an
independent beam (compare this with Beam from Polyline).
Beam from Polyline
If you want to model a beam that has been bent into a shape (other than a
simple arc) you need to use the Beam, polyline command.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Beam, polyline).
Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select the Polyline option.
Please select one or more 2D or 3D polyline(s) to transform into beam(s):
Select the polyline(s) that you want to convert.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <Y>: If you want to keep your
construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for Yes.
Each polyline is converted into a continuous bent beam made from one piece.
Compound Beams and Welded Beams
(Built-up-section)
The Home tab > Objects panel contains two additional drop-down lists: Welded
Beams and Compound Beams.
These create common configurations of beams that are created using flats (welded
beams) or sections (compound beams), and welded together to form new profiles.
These work like normal Straight beams with a slight change in the Properties
dialog box. The Compound Beam Class and Compound Beam Type options in the
Sections & Material tab enable you to select the required configuration of
members. The Sections tab is used to set the type and size of each individual
member. Although made from several members these beams are treated as a
single object as opposed to modeling several individual members with the straight
beam commands.
Cold Rolled Sections
A large range of sections from specific cold rolled suppliers are also available.
These are located in the Slide-out in the Objects tab > Beams panel.
Each icon pre-selects the stated manufacturer, but the rest of the
functionality is the same as any other straight beam.
Beam Properties
No matter how they are created, all members that are created from standard
sections have many common properties available.
Although these commands each have an icon, they behave the same as when
using the command in the Transform Elements command and dialog box. They
also use the last setting of the Include additional connections option in the
Transform Elements dialog box.
Transform Elements
A number of common editing operations have been combined into one
intelligent Autodesk® Advance Steel command called Transform Elements. It
covers operations that are equivalent to the Move, Copy, Stretch, Array, and
Mirror commands, but with the extra power and intelligence that is relevant
to Autodesk® Advance Steel objects.
Ensure that no objects are selected (press <Esc> twice).
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click
(Advanced Copy).
In the Transform elements dialog box, click (Select Objects) and
select the objects that you want to manipulate using normal techniques. After
accepting the selection you are returned to the dialog box.
Select Include additional connections. If it is not selected, any
relationships between the selected elements and others are ignored.
Select the required operation in the lower left area of the dialog box.
Different operations enable and disable different options in the rest of the
dialog box. Always select the operation before attempting to complete any
other options because the values change when you change the operation.
Complete all of the other options in the dialog box as needed (all of the
coordinates are according to the current UCS).
Click the Preview button.
Advance Trim/Extend
The standard AutoCAD Trim and Extend commands cannot work on Autodesk®
Advance Steel sections. To trim or extend them you must use the Advanced
Trim/Extend command
Clear any selection (press <Esc> twice).
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Advanced
Trim/Extend).
Please select operation mode [Trim/Extend/Auto] <Auto>: If you only want to
trim, select Trim. If you only want to extend, select Extend. If you want to do a
mixture of both, select Auto.
Please select option [System/Centre/Face/Line] <System>: You can trim or
extend to either the system line of another beam, the center line of another
beam, or the nearest face of another beam, or you can select an ordinary line.
Enter the required option.
Please select boundary objects :~> Select objects: Select the beam(s) or line(s)
to which you want to extend or trim and accept. (Note that this prompt is over
two lines. Do not forget to read both lines if the prompt displays Select Objects:).
Select the member to be Trimmed or Extended: Select the beams to trim or
extend near the end that you want to move. Each beam is modified immediately.
You can select individual beams or use a window selection to select multiple
beams. The end nearest to the pick point is changed.
Beam Features
Shorten
The simplest Beam Feature is one that only changes the length of the beam.
This is done using the Shorten command, which can also add length to a
beam. It creates a straight cut across the end of a section and the system line
does not change in length.
To adjust the length of a section:
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category ( Shorten).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the section near the end
where you want to modify the length.
The section immediately changes length and the Shorten Properties dialog box
opens.
Reference: The amount to remove from the beam length (enter a negative
number to increase the length).
Y: Enter a value (in degrees) to rotate the cut about the Y-axis of the
section (zero = perpendicular to the section).
Z: Enter a value (in degrees) to rotate the cut about the Z-axis of the
section (zero = perpendicular to the section).
Shorten at UCS
Beams do not always meet at convenient angles and you might not know the
exact angle at which you want to cut off at the end of the beam. Therefore,
entering the correct value in the Y or Z fields in a Shorten command would
be difficult. Regardless of the angle, the exact amount to cut off to meet
another section perfectly is not always obvious (section sizes are not round
numbers). To overcome this you can use the Shorten at UCS command. Use
UCS at Object or other appropriate command to move the UCS XY plane to
the required position and orientation.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click
(Shorten at UCS).
Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the beam near
the end that you want to cut off and accept.
The beam is cut off immediately at the UCS XY plane.
Cut at Object
The Cut at Object command is easier than the Shorten at UCS command. It is
a one step process rather than two steps and also has other more powerful
options.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click
(Cut at object).
Section to cut against: Select the beam to which you want to cut and
accept.
Section to cut: Select the section that you want to cut and accept.
The second section is cut back to where it meets the flange o the first
Properties tab (Type): If you want to cut to the web of a section, rather than
the edge of the section, you need to use Saw cut – Web.
Cut tab (Create Weld): Select this if you want the two sections to be
welded together with a standard fillet weld.
Cope
The previous commands all cut straight across the section. However, you often need
to be able to only cut a corner from a section, such as when notching around
another beam. You can use the Cope command to do so.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click (Cope).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the flange of the section that
you want to cut near the end to be cut.
The cope is immediately applied and the Cope Properties dialog box opens.
Cope, skewed
If you need a notch that is not square to the section you can use the Notch,
skewed command.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click
(Notch, skewed).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the flange of the section
that you want to cut near the end to be cut.
Shape tab
o Width X: Set the amount to be cut from the length of the section.
o Distance from Axis: Set the distance from the system line of the beam at
which the cut should stop.
o X: Set the angle of rotation about the section’s X-axis.
o Z: Set the angle of rotation about the section’s Z-axis.
cope is applied immediately and the Cope Properties dialog box opens.
Parametric Cope – Joint
As with Shorten, it is not always easy to determine the ideal size and angle of
a cope to shape one section around another. This tool is designed to create an
ideal cut.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click (Parametric
Notch – Joint).
Passing main beam ~> Select objects: Select the beam to which you want to
cut (it is not going to be altered) and accept.
Secondary beam to connect ~> Select objects: Select the beam that you
want to cut and accept.
The coping is applied immediately and the Parametric Cope
Properties dialog box opens.
Element Contour - Rule
Another way to completely shape one member around another is to use
Element Contour - Rule.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click
(Element Contour Rule).
Please select the beam to be modified at a reference end: Select the beam
that you want to cut near the end to be cut and then accept.
Please select the cutting beam: ~> Select objects: Select the beam that you
want to cut around and accept.
The beam is cut immediately and the Element Contour Rule Properties dialog
box opens.
Beam Clearance
Beams often need to have a specific clearance between them. You can use
the Beam Clearance command to move a beam along a main beam to the
required distance.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click
(Beam clearance).
Select main beam: Select the beam that you do not want to move and press
<Enter>.
Select second beam: Select a second beam to measure from and press
<Enter>.
Select beam to move: Select the beam that should be moved and press
<Enter>.
Contour Features
Move UCS
This command moves the current origin to a new location.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click
(Move UCS).
Specify a new origin point <0, 0, 0>: Select a new origin point on the screen
or enter the coordinates of the required new position.
Rotate the UCS about X, Y, or Z
These three commands all rotate the UCS without changing its current
position. The designated axis does not change, but the other two axes are
rotated 90° clockwise about the selected axis. It is not possible to go anti-
clockwise. Click the command repeatedly until the required orientation is
achieved.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click
(Rotate UCS around X).
Please Select CS: Select ONE of the displayed triads and right-click. The origin
is placed at the point of the triad. The longest line pointing away from the
surface becomes the positive Z-direction. The medium length line becomes
the X-direction and the shortest line becomes the Y-direction.
UCS View
This command sets the UCS so that it matches the current view. This is useful
to know when using the Autodesk® Advance Steel software to create
isometric views in drawings.
First
Orientate the model on the screen as needed.
Then
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click
(UCS View).
The UCS is rotated so that the Z-axis points straight out of the screen at the
viewer and the X-axis points to the right.
Place a UCS at a Curved Beam
A dedicated coordinate system tool is available for curved beams. This tool
places an object coordinate system at any point of a curved beam (Z-axis
follows the radial line). The additional point does not need to lie on the
beam. Thus, a UCS can be set on a curved beam at the exact location of an
approaching beam for constructing a connection at this location.
To access the command
Repeat Rule
If you want to create another joint of the same type, but not necessarily with
the same parameters, you can use the Repeat Rule command instead of using
the Connection Vault again.
In the Extended Modeling tab > Joint Utilities panel, click (Repeat Rule).
Proceed per the normal Joint command as though you have clicked a joint
type in the Connection Vault.
This places the joint and opens the Joint Properties dialog box I which you can
set the required parameters.
Joint Copy
If you want to add another joint with the same type and parameters as an
existing joint to your model, you can use the Create by template command.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Create
by template).
Select connection part: Select any member of the existing joint that you want
to copy and accept.
Please identify column: The prompts from the original placement of the
joint type are repeated and should be followed.
Please identify rafter: Follow the prompts to select the members in the
new location. When all of the required members have been selected, the
joint is placed with identical parameters to the copied joint. The Joint
Properties dialog box does not open
Please identify column: The command loops, repeating the prompts to
select members, and places as many copies of the joint as needed (one at a
time). When you have placed all of the required copies, press <Enter> or
right-click without selecting a member.
Joint Copy, Multiple
If you have many identical or similar situations in which you want to repeat a joint
(such as 25 Cold Rolled Floor Beams to the Hot Rolled Supporting Beam), you can
use the Create by template, multiple command.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Create by
template, multiple).
Please select source joint: Select any member of the joint that you want to copy
and accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (1/3) ~>Select
objects: You must know the first input for the selected type of joint. For example,
on a Double Sided End Plate the first of the three inputs was the Main Beam. You
should select all of the main beams for all of the required locations to which you
want to copy the joint and then accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (2/3) ~>Select
objects: You must know the second input that is required for the type of joint. For
example, in a Double Sided End Plate it is one of the secondary beams. You should
select one secondary beam in each location to which you want to copy the joint
and then accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (3/3) ~>Select
objects: If the joint type requires it, you are prompted for the third input as well.
As with the first and second input, select the appropriate members in each
location to which you want to copy the joint and then accept.
Joint Library
To avoid having to set multiple parameters when you use a joint you can store
preferred configurations in the Library for quick recall or Automatic placement.
The Library is located on a tab in the Joint Properties dialog box. It includes
columns for every parameter in the joint. In each case the table includes
columns stating the class and size of the member(s) on which the joint was
placed and a comment or name for the entry.
Each time a joint is placed, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software searches for
the same combination of member sizes in the Library. If it finds a match, it
applies the settings stored with that entry in the Library. The selected line in the
table is normally highlighted in blue. Therefore, you do not need to set multiple
parameters each time you place the joint. (The software does not search the
table when you are using Create by template or Create by template, multiple
because these commands are designed to copy the same parameters as the
selected example joint.)
Joint Groups
When you use the Create by template commands, the joints created are all
independent from each other. Sometimes, you might need to link a number of
joints together so that if one changes, they all change together and continue
to match. In this case you can use the joint group commands.
When joints are in a joint group, one joint is the master and the others in the
group are slaves and must always match the master. Any changes to the
master joint are immediately applied to all of the slave joints. If you open the
Advance Joint Properties dialog box for a slave joint you can note all of the
settings for the options, but they are all grayed out and disabled to prevent
editing.
Create a Joint in a Joint Group
This command operates in the same way as Create by template, except that any
new joints that are created are slave joints in a joint group. In the first
example, the selected joint is already a slave or master joint. This is not
changed and the new joints are added to the same group and linked to the same
master. If the sample joint is not a master or slave joint it becomes the master
of a new group.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Create
joint in a joint group).
Select connection part: Select any member of the existing joint that you want
to copy and accept.
Please identify column: The prompts from the original placement of the joint
type are repeated and should be followed.
Please identify rafter: Follow the prompts to select the members in the new
location as normal.
When the required members have been selected, the joint is placed with
identical parameters to the copied joint. The Joint Properties dialog box does
not open.
Create Joint in a Joint Group, Multiple
This is the Joint group equivalent of Create by template, multiple. This command is
useful if you have many identical situations in which you want to repeat a joint (such
as 25 Cold Rolled Floor Beams to the Hot Rolled Supporting Beam).
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Create joint
in a joint group, multiple).
Please select source joint: Select any member of the joint that you want to copy
and accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (1/3) ~>Select
objects: You must know the first input for the selected type of joint. For example, on
a Double Sided End Plate, the first of the three inputs was the Main Beam. You should
select all of the main beams for all of the required locations to which you want to
copy the joint and then accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (2/3) ~>Select
objects: You must know the second input that is required for the type of joint. For
example, in a Double Sided End Plate it is one of the secondary beams. You should
select one secondary beam in each location to which you want to copy the joint and
then accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input (3/3) ~>Select
objects: If the joint type requires it, you are prompted for the third input as well. As
with the first and second inputs, select the appropriate members in each location to
which you want to copy the joint and then accept.
Remove a Joint from a Joint Group
If you have a joint that is a member of a group but needs to be different from
other members of the group you can remove it from the group, enabling it to be
edited independently.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Remove Joint
from a joint group).
Select connection part: Select any part of the connection that you want to
remove from the joint group and accept.
Click the OK button when you have set the required options.
A shaped folded plate is created, merging the two selected shapes.
Create Twisted Folded Plate
It creates a twisted, folded plate between any two lines, arcs, or polylines.
Create the lines, arcs, or polylines that represent the edges of the plate.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Create twisted folded plate).
Please select two entities (arcs, lines, polylines, and splines) close to the
end from where the creation of the folded plate should begin. ~> Please
select the first entity: Select the element for one edge of your plate near one
end.
Please select the second entity: Select the element for the other edge of
your plate near the same end.
The Twisted Folded Plate Properties dialog box opens. Complete the
required settings before continuing.
o Number of division points: How many folds should be used to create the
finished plate?
o Plate Thickness: Set the thickness of your plate.
o Justification: Set the side of the selected elements on which the plate
should be located.
o Radius Factor: The fold radius is set to this value multiplied by the plate
thickness.
Click the OK button when you have set the required values.
Fold Line Properties
After it has been created, the folded plate is treated as a single object. After
creation you cannot return to the Conical Folded Plate Properties dialog box.
Selecting Advance Properties opens the Plate Properties or Fold Line
Properties dialog box, depending on what was selected.
If you select a flat piece of plate and select Advance Properties the normal
Plate Properties dialog box opens.
If you select the curved portion of plate between two flats and select
Advance Properties the Fold Line Properties dialog box opens.
Please select the parts to be connected ~> Select objects: Select all of the
parts that you want to bolt together and accept.
Start point: Select a point for one corner of your bolt pattern. A pattern of
bolts is placed and the Bolts Properties dialog box opens.
Rectangle, Centre Point
Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on a center point to define the
position and spacing.
In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Rectangle,
Centre Point)
Central point: Select a point for one corner of your bolt pattern.
A pattern of bolts is placed and the Bolts Properties dialog box opens.
Circular, Centre Point
Places a circular pattern of bolts based on a center and radius.
In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Circular, Center
Point).
Please select the bolt/hole pattern you want to move: ~> Select objects:
Select the bolt pattern that you want to move and accept.
Please select the element (beam or plate) that defines the reference area:
Select the correct flange for the section.
Enter the required prompts at the Driver selection prompts. Each prompt
starts with Select. Therefore, if you enter Hip Rafter, the prompt would be
Select Hip Rafter.
When finished with the input, close the dialog box. A blue joint box should
display around the sample joint.
Before you can use the new Custom connection in another model, you must
save the model with the sample connection in the following path (this
example is for USA, for other country installations, the folder name changes
from USA to INT, AUS, GBR, etc.):
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel
2018\USA\Shared\ConnectionTemplates
You can model a number of custom connections in the same file as the library
file, but this should not be an actual project model
Name the file with a recognizable name so that you can easily identify it
later.
Insert a Connection Template
To use a custom connection that you have previously created, you can use the
Insert Connection Template command.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Custom Connection category, click
(Insert Connection Template).
In the Connection Template Explorer, select the required library file and joint
and then click the OK button. It only displays the files in the path.
Select the appropriate members as prompted. The prompts were defined when
you created the template.
The joint is placed. In the limits of the joint definition and the parts it contains,
the joint works in any orientation and updates according to the members on it
has been placed.
Chapter 6
Prefix and Numbering
Setting up Advance Steel to provide element numbering for both assembly and
parts requires a mix of configuration and workflow adjustments, to allow
automatic rules to create the part marks following a set of parameters during
the automatic identical part detection and numbering process.
Prefixes
There are two manual prefix methods that can be used on demand if some
specific objects require a distinct prefix that can’t be covered by a generic
rule. In addition to these, Advance Steel provides a configuration page where
prefixes for all objects can be set, and then automatically used during the
numbering process.
The prefix configuration also requires a workflow adjustment during 3D
modeling in Advance Steel, where certain model role attributes need to be
set for steel beams and plates.
You can adjust the prefix configuration using the Prefix settings, located in
the Output tab > Part marks panel:
In addition to the Advance category that stores out-of-the-box prefix settings,
any customer setting needs to be stored in one of the two other existing
categories: User or Project.
User: settings are stored in Advance Steel files, and can be reused at any
point by the same user on multiple projects. Also, as the settings are stored in
a database, they are available to anyone within the company that connects to
the same configuration files.
Project: the configuration is stored within the model file itself. Any change
done to the project category will not affect the Advance Steel configuration
files. Therefore, this is not shared with other projects or other users. Instead,
the entire prefix configuration will be available when opening the respective
model file on any computer (inside or outside the company).
The prefix settings categories can be used as follows, to ensure the best
possible output and also to easily exchange these settings from project to
project, when prefix requirements need to be adjusted:
Use the same prefix rules for all projects. To do this, it is best to use the
default User category that contains all the prefix configurations in the out-of-
the-box Advance one. All modifications can be made in the user category set
as the current profile.
When you need different prefix settings based on various projects, you can
set multiple prefix profiles inside the User category. You can then easily
switch between them by right clicking and choosing Set as current profile.
The profiles can have any names.
For prefix rules that are unique to a specific project, you can use the
Project category.
This category cannot be set as preferred, and it will always be used when
numbering is applied to the respective model, and all the prefix settings
within it are used with priority. The current profile is used only for prefix
configurations that are missing from the Project settings.
Set up a prefix configuration profile
1. Identify the complexity of the prefix rules from the customer requirements. Scan through
the documents and group the different object types and extract the prefixes from the part
marks.
The most common example is where based on structural or construction role the objects get
a different part mark:
Single parts:
Clip angles - a
Shear plates – p
Base plate – BP
Assemblies:
Column – C
Rafter beam – B
Because the prefix is different between identical objects – steel beams and plates, an
additional level of filtering is needed within the objects to allow Advance Steel to
differentiate between a column steel beam and an angle steel beam (used as Clip angles).
Use the the Model Role, an object property that defines the role of each object in the model,
regardless of its geometric characteristics.
Model Role
To assign the correct prefix to each part, the software must determine what the object
represents in your structure. This is achieved using the Model Role property that is in
every section and plate. When a part is created using a macro, such as the Railing
macro, it is automatically assigned an appropriate Model Role. For parts that have been
created manually, you need to set the Model Role manually.
To set the Model Role for an object:
Select the object.
Right-click and select Advance Properties.
Select the Naming tab.
o Model Role: Select the most suitable role in the selection list.
Activate a profile:
3. Edit the prefix configuration rule.
The prefix rule is structured based on a set of criteria.
The first is the object type. The object type is the base type of the
element, not influenced by any model roles or other object attributes
The counter can be a small letter, capital letter or number, and it represents the position of the
drawing on the sheet, so
o It’s always 1, A or a for single-sheet drawings
o It can be 1, 2,3 and so on for multi-sheets
“Start with first counter” will reset the counter for each sheet. If left unchecked,
then the counter will “Grow” with each sheet, leading to drawing numbers like:
A100, B101, C102 and so on.
- The drawing number automatically assigned to the sheet is then used to replace
the #internal1000 placeholder part mark. The process is done automatically during
detailing, so once the drawings are created the part marks are updated to match
the new drawing numbers.
None: no post-numbering method, and the numbering will only relay on the main
methods to define the numbering
Assembly Group: this post-numbering method will change all the single part
marks to match the assembly part marks, together with an “identifier” to
generate a unique part mark.
Example of how it works:
A model has 3 different assemblies numbered: B100, B101 and B102.
- Assembly B100 has the attached parts: p1000, p1001
- Assembly B101 has the attached parts: p1000, p1002
- Assembly B102 has the attached parts: p1002, p1005
All those marks were a result of a standard numbering, without any post-numbering method.
Applying the “Assembly Group” post-numbering method will result in the following:
The model will still have the three assemblies: B100, B101 and B102, unmodified
The two attached parts from B100 : p1000 and p1001 will change their single part marks to : pa-B100 and pb-B100, where :
o “p” is the prefix (p1000)
o “a” and “b” are counter marks that trigger a difference between the two elements
o “-B100” is the assembly mark from which those two plates belong.
Going to assembly B101, the two attached parts that it previously had: p1000 and p1002 will change to : pa-100 and pa-B101. The reason is :
o “p1000” that was also attached to this assembly will switch is mark to “pa-B100”, because this attached plate already got a part mark from
the previous assembly. As the element is still identic to the attached part from assembly B100, it will keep its name.
o “p1002” is a “new” part mark that didn’t belong to the other assembly, so it will get a single part mark that contains the B101 assembly
mark : pa-B101
For assembly B102, the two attached parts: p1002 and p1005 will change to pa-B101 and pa-B105, using the same logic as above.
The attached parts will take the assembly mark in an ascending number order, and once set – it gets reused for all the other assemblies. If the
attached parts would be different as single part marks between assemblies, then this rule would allow a very good grouping of part marks,
where just by checking the attached part mark would give direct information of which assembly it belongs to.
Sp NO (for main part) = Assembly No: This method will assign to the element
that represents the main part in the assembly the same single part mark as
the assembly mark.
Example of how it works:
A column assembly C100, has from numbering the single part mark: c1000 for
the column beam, and p1000 for the base plate. Applying this post-numbering
method will change the single part mark for the column beam to C100,
leaving the base plate as p1000.
This method is very useful if the numbering is done with “With Drawing
Number” method, and the process is configured to not create single part
drawings for the main element in the assembly. Due to this, the main element
in the assembly (for example the column beam element) will not get a single
part drawing to generate its single part mark, so it will remain as #internal.
Sp No (for standalone part) = Assembly No : the method only applies to
standalone elements (e.g. bolted purlins, claddings), and the method will
simply set the same single part mark as the main part mark, regardless of the
single part main numbering method.
Chapter 7
checking of the model and Lists /
Bills of materials
Clash Check
The first type of validation you can do is a Clash or Collision check to ensure that no
parts go through any others.
The first step is to start the clash check.
If you only want to check specific parts, select those parts. If nothing is selected,
the entire model is checked.
In the Home tab > Checking panel, click (Clash Check).
A Clash check palette displays the checking results.
The intention is to not have any clashes in your model. In this example, the result is
displayed above the Command Line:
Unfortunately, it is probably more likely that there are going to be some clashes and
the results are as follows:
For each collision found the following data is displayed:
Index number.
First clashing part number: section size: model role.
Second clashing part number: section size: model role.
Coordinates of the center of the clash volume.
Clash volume.
The most important information to help fix the clash is the index number.
You can close the text window when you have noted the index number of the clash
that you want to fix.
Display Clash Checking Results
To locate an actual clash you need to use this command. It is most effective in the
2D Wire Frame visual display.
In the Home tab > Checking panel, click (Display Clash Checking Results).
Please enter the index number of the collision to view: Enter the index number
of the clash that you want to view and fix.
The clash volume is displayed in red on your model. You need to study the shape
and position of the volume to understand what is wrong and then take the
appropriate corrective action.
If you have trouble finding the clash volume, use the following marking tools.
Although the number of clashes listed might seem high, it is probably not as bad as
it seems. Often the action you take to correct one clash, such as adjusting the bolt
spacing in a joint, fixes several clashes; one per bolt in this case.
Object Marking
Search for Marked Objects
Use this command to find the red volume wherever it is in your model.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click (Search for
Marked objects).
A large colored arrow is drawn on screen pointing at any object or volume that is
currently marked.
Mark Object
To identify the connection element causing the error, use this command.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click (Mark object).
Handle/Id: Enter H for Handle.
Please specify the object handle: Enter the handle that you noted previously (it is not
case-sensitive).
The object is highlighted in red. As with Clash Check, you need to determine and take
the appropriate corrective action.
Model Check
The model check command performs audit verifications that are related to
modeling errors for an Advance Steel model. The information resulted from this
verification is displayed in the notification panel, through comprehensive error
messages.
To access the Model Check command located in the Extended Modeling tab,
Checking panel, click (Model Check).