990112

STRUCTURAL CONCRETE SOFTWARE SYSTEM

ADAPT-FLOOR
AutoCad
DXF MODULE
Copyright May, 1999

Dr. Bijan O. Aalami

Structural Engineer
Redwood City, California

and

Allan Bommer
Professional Engineer
Seattle, Washington

In
Canada, Mexico, and United States
distributed by

POST-TENSIONING
INSTITUTE

email: Support@AdaptSoft.com website: http://www.AdaptSoft.com

1733 Woodside Road, Redwood City, California, 94061, USA, Tel: (650) 306-2400 FAX: (650) 364-4678
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ADAPT DXF MODULE

LIST OF CONTENTS

1. GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................ 5

1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5
1.2 INSTALLING THE DXF MODULE ........................................................................... 5
1.3 DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS .................................................................................. 5
2. MODULE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................... 7
2.1 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 DXF FILES ................................................................................................................... 7
3. USER’S MANUAL ................................................................................................................. 9
3.1 THE DXF LAYER........................................................................................................ 9
3.2 USING THE DXF LAYER .......................................................................................... 9
3.2.1 Importing a DXF File ....................................................................................... 9
3.2.2 Viewing a DXF File ........................................................................................ 10
3.2.3 Checking for Unit Compatibility .................................................................... 10
3.2.4 Calibrating the DXF Layer ............................................................................. 11
3.2.5 Tracing Information on the DXF Layer .......................................................... 12
3.2.6 Working with DXF Information ..................................................................... 12
3.3 TRACING PROBLEMS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES ............................................... 13
3.3.1 Reference Lines and their Intersections .......................................................... 13
3.3.2 Rectangular Columns ..................................................................................... 13
3.3.3 Walls ............................................................................................................... 14
3.4 EXPORTING A PLAN VIEW ................................................................................... 14
4. EXAMPLE ............................................................................................................................ 15
4.1 STEP BY STEP EXAMPLE ...................................................................................... 15
4.1.1 Import a DXF File .......................................................................................... 16
4.1.2 Choose What DXF Information Is Visible ..................................................... 16
4.1.3 Check the DXF for Unit Compatibility .......................................................... 17
4.1.4 Trace The DXF Information ........................................................................... 17
4.1.5 Finish the Structural Model ............................................................................ 19

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1. GETTING STARTED

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The ADAPT-Floor DXF Module simplifies significantly the inputting process for
defining the structural model, saving ADAPT-Floor users valuable time in their
design and analysis efforts. The module allows users to import any DXF drawing
from AUTOCAD® or other CAD applications into an ADAPT-Floor document. The
DXF information can then be used as a template for defining the geometry of the
user’s structural model. After completion of the analysis, the module allows the user
to export plan views as DXF files that may then be edited in AUTOCAD®. and in-
serted in project documents.

This manual gives an overview of the capabilities created by adding the DXF Module
to the ADAPT-Floor software package. It also gives detailed instructions, including
an example, to illustrate the efficient use of DXF drawings in an ADAPT-Floor
document.

1.2 INSTALLING THE DXF MODULE

ADAPT-Floor comes with an easy-to-use installation program. Look for the

“ADAPT-Floor Installation Guide” in your software package for instructions on how
to use it to install ADAPT-Floor. The guide provides an easy to read, step-by-step
procedure for the installation of ADAPT-Floor and all optional modules and ex-
amples.

Alternatively, insert the first diskette in the floppy drive and invoke the installation
program provided. Then just follow the instructions on the computer screen.

1.3 DOCUMENT CONVENTIONS

This manual uses the following typographic conventions:

Example Description

Format Italicized Bold Times Roman type

is used for all main menu names.

Plans Italicized Times Roman type is

used for all sub-menus and menu
items, and for all toolbar button
names.

Factored Mx Plan Bold Arial type is used for all

window names.
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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

Needs Recalculation: Courier type is used for all messages

Nothing that are either displayed by the
computer, or in the computer output;
or commands that are required to be
input by the user exactly as shown.

#5 - 60 ksi bars Italicized Courier type is used for all

user-specified and user-selected
information.

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DFX Module

2. MODULE DESCRIPTION

2.1 OVERVIEW

The ADAPT-Floor DXF Module, in conjunction with the ADAPT-Floor program,

can reduce considerably the time and effort required to define the geometry of a
structural model and virtually eliminate inputting geometry-related errors in ADAPT-
Floor analysis or design documents.

Geometry definition is perhaps the most time consuming step in any ADAPT-Floor
analysis or design session. The user must accurately define such structural features as
the slab shape and thickness, the location and size of openings and support elements,
and the boundary conditions of the structure. For large floor systems, especially those
with complex geometric features such as slab steps, drop panels and irregular column
layouts, this step leaves considerable room for error and requires considerable time
and effort. However, the ADAPT-Floor DXF Module goes a long way towards
reducing the time required for geometry definition, and the errors that may result, by
providing a “template” for the user to follow.

The module allows the user to import a DXF file of a floor system plan view. Then,
during the geometry definition process, the user may “trace” such structural elements
as the outline of the slab, the support elements and other features, while using
ADAPT-Floor’s snapping tools for accuracy. The resulting structural model is inher-
ently accurate because the dimensions and geometry of the model are linked to the
actual structural drawings.

The module also allows the user to export a plan window view as a DXF file. At any
time during an ADAPT-Floor session a plan window view of the structure or any
other analysis result may be exported and then edited in AUTOCAD or compatible
drafting design software. This feature allows seemless insertion of ADAPT-Floor
results into project documents.

2.2 DXF Files

The DXF file format (Drawing Interchange Format) is a widely published file format
used by AUTOCAD® and many of the other CAD or graphics programs to create a
broadly recognized ASCII description of a CAD drawing. The format is used to exchange
graphical drawing data between software applications. The DXF Module uses this format
to import a CAD drawing for use in an ADAPT-Floor document. The imported DXF file
cannot be edited using ADAPT-Floor; it can only be displayed. The DXF files created
(exported) by the DXF module are in the same format and can be imported into other
applications such as AUTOCAD®.

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3. USER’S MANUAL

3.1 THE DXF LAYER

The DXF Layer is where all imported DXF information is stored in ADAPT-Floor.
The DXF layer can be viewed just like any other layer. The DXF information on this
layer cannot be edited (except to scale, rotate or move all of the DXF information
together). However, the DXF information that is available can be selectively dis-
played by using the Eyeglasses button .

There is only one DXF layer in any ADAPT-Floor document.

3.2 USING THE DXF LAYER

3.2.1 Importing a DXF File

Importing a DXF file into an ADAPT-Floor document is usually the first step
in any analysis or design session that utilizes the DXF module. Remember,
only one DXF file can be imported into any ADAPT-Floor document at a
time.

To import a DXF file do the following:

A. choose Import DXF File... from the File menu and select the desired
file in the dialog window that opens.

B. Another dialog box will open, listing the units in which the DXF file
was created. Choose the appropriate units (the units selected for
importing should be the same as the units used for dimensioning on the
corresponding DXF drawing; for example if dimensions are in feet on
the DXF drawing, choose feet; if in meters, choose meters). Select OK
and the program will begin importing the selected information. The
actual importing of the file can be somewhat time consuming, depending on
the complexity of the file and the speed of the computer.

C. The program will inform the user when the file has been successfully im-
ported. Select OK.

D. It is always prudent to save the ADAPT-Floor document after import-

ing the DXF file.

Note that the importing unit will affect the scale of the imported DXF infor-
mation and, if incorrect, will cause it to be incompatible with the units used in
the ADAPT-Floor environment. However, DXF information imported in the wrong
units can still be scaled correctly after importing as described in section 3.2.4.

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

Note also that importing a DXF file will erase any previously imported information
stored on the DXF layer. The user may also delete DXF information from an
ADAPT-Floor document by using the procedure outlined below.

To delete the imported DXF file do the following:

A. Choose Delete Imported DXF File... from the File menu.

B. The DXF file will be deleted from the document.

Once imported, the DXF information will automatically be saved and opened
with the ADAPT-Floor file.

3.2.2 Viewing a DXF File

DXF information is stored on the DXF layer and can be viewed in any plan
window chosen by the user.

To view the imported DXF information on a plan do the following:

A. Open the plan window where the DXF layer is to be viewed.

B. Click on the Eyeglasses button in the Action Buttons (the Show

on Plan dialog window will open).

C. Change the Layer control to DXF. The dialog window will redraw to
show numerous checkboxes for the object types stored on the DXF
layer.

D. Check the items that are to be displayed and click on the OK button.

E. Click on the Zoom Extent button in the Action Buttons.

In the Show on Plan dialog window there are two sets of checkboxes for the DXF
layer. The first set of checkboxes lists types of “entities” in the DXF file, such as
points, lines, circles and text. The second set of check boxes is a list of the DXF
file layers (not to be confused with the ADAPT-Floor layers) on which the entities
were originally contained. The only DXF entities that are displayed in a plan are
those that have both their entity type and DXF layer checked.

3.2.3 Checking for Unit Compatibility

The information stored on the DXF layer is useful only if the DXF units are compat-
ible with the units of the corresponding ADAPT-Floor document. For example, if

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DFX Module

the distance between two columns is 12 meters on the DXF drawing, then the
distance between the same two columns should be 12 meters on the DXF layer.

Typically, drawings in AUTOCAD or other CAD applications are created in

a scale of 1:1 in the CAD environment and then plotted in a much smaller
scale. However some drawings may be created in another scale in the CAD
environment. Generally, the DXF drawings that were created with a scale of
1:1 will have units that are compatible with those used in the ADAPT-Floor
environment, provided the matching unit is selected for importing the file (see
section 3.2.1). On the other hand, DXF files drawn in other scales may not be
compatible. These DXF files may need to be scaled to calibrate the units of
the DXF file to match those used in the ADAPT-Floor environment (see
section 3.2.4). Therefore, before starting to define the geometry of a model,
the user should always verify that the DXF units are compatible with the
ADAPT-Floor environment.

To check unit compatibility, do the following:

A. Click on the Units button , located in the main toolbar, to open the
Units window. Note the default unit used for the plan dimensions
(This unit is the same one used in the mouse coordinates shown on the
floating palette). Close the Units window.

B. Click on the Snap Other Layer button in the Action Buttons.

C. Choose two points of known dimension on the drawing. Move the

mouse cursor to the first point and note the coordinates. Then move
the cursor to the second point and note the coordinates.

D. The distance between the two coordinate points should be the same as
the known dimension.

If the distance between the two coordinate points does not match the known
dimension, the user can calibrate, or scale, the existing DXF layer as shown in
the following section..

Alternatively, the user can try to importing the DXF file again, and select a
different unit in which to import the information when prompted (for example,
if the DXF file was first imported in feet, try inches; if it was first imported in
meters, try centimeters or millimeters).

3.2.4 Calibrating the DXF Layer

If the DXF file imported into ADAPT-Floor is not compatible as discussed above,
the user will have to calibrate the scale of the DXF information.

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

To calibrate the scale of a DXF:

A. Open the DXF Review Plan.

B. Use the Eyeglasses button in the Action Buttons (the Show on

Plan dialog window will open) to select the appropriate items to show
on the plan.

C. Click on the DXF Scale tool in the drawing palette.

D. Click on the plan at the two ends of a line of known length (don’t type
coordinates because you want to enter points based on the current scale
of the DXF file).

E. A dialog window will open. Enter the length of the line and click on
the Calibrate button. The plan will now redraw at the correct scale.

F. Close the DXF Review Plan.

3.2.5 Tracing Information on the DXF Layer

Typically information on the DXF layer is traced (by drawing the structure,
loadings etc. on their respective layers). This method of drawing can speed the
modeling of a structure tremendously without sacrificing accuracy. Tracing
can be done in many different ways, using any of the element drawing tools
chosen by the user.

The use of snapping tools, alone or in combination, is critical for maintaining

both speed and accuracy while tracing. Snapping tools help to ensure that
support elements and other structural features are drawn in their exact loca-
tions and that adjacent slab elements are compatible.

Make sure “Points” are shown on the DXF layer if you wish to use the snap-
ping tools. The snappable points are shown as small squares.

3.2.6 Working with DXF Information

The information on the DXF layer can be moved or rotated in a manner

similar to the moving and rotation of objects on other layers. However, all of
the information on the layer must be moved or rotated in unison.

To move all DXF information:

A. Open the DXF Review Plan.

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DFX Module

B. Click on the DXF Move tool in the drawing palette.

C. Click on the plan, the reference point from which the move will be
made (typing coordinates is also OK).

D. Click on a new position (typing coordinates is OK also) for the point

clicked in step C. It may take ADAPT-Floor a noticeable amount of
time to complete the move operation.

E. Close the DXF Review Plan.

To rotate all DXF information:

A. Click on the DXF Rotate tool in the drawing palette.

B. Click on the plan the center of rotation point (typing coordinates is OK

also).

C. Click on a second point on plan. The line from the center of rotation
point to this point will define the start of rotation angle. (typing a start
angle is OK also)

D. Click on a third point (typing an end angle is OK also). The angle

between the lines (a) from point 1 to point 2 and (b) from point 1 to
point 3 will be the rotation angle. It may take ADAPT-Floor a notice-
able amount of time to complete the rotate operation.

3.3 TRACING PROBLEMS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Sometimes an imported DXF file will not have a snappable point at a location where you
want to make an accurate mouse click. There are a few techniques which you can use to
quickly create snappable points at these locations.

3.3.1 Reference Lines and their Intersections

The intersection of any two reference lines and the end points of any reference line
are snappable points. By drawing, moving and rotating these reference lines you will
be able to graphically calculate any location that you need. When using this tech-
nique remember to turn on the Snap-This-Layer and Snap-Other-Layer buttons.

3.3.2 Rectangular Columns

Circular columns will automatically have a snappable point at their center point, but
rectangular columns will not. Since columns are created with a single mouse-click at
their center points a snappable center point must be created for rectangular col-

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

umns. Drawing two reference lines across the column, from corner to opposite
corner will create a reference line intersection at the column center point; this
intersection point can then be snapped too.

3.3.3 Walls

Walls in imported DXF files will typically be drawn as an outline, but ADAPT-Floor
needs two end points at the centerline of the wall. There are many different tech-
niques for graphically calculating these points; which technique to use may depend
on the particular situation. Two of these techniques are discussed below.

The X and Copy Technique - if the wall does not have any turns (it is a simple
rectangle), then the centerline endpoints can be simply calculated. First draw
reference lines on all four sides of the wall and across the two diagonals. Next copy
one of the long sides (parallel to the wall centerline) with a click on its endpoint (a
wall corner) and a mouse click on the intersection of the two diagonals (the center
of the wall); this will create a centerline along half of the wall. Repeat the copy for
the other half of the centerline. The centerline segments will intersect the outline
segments and create the desired snappable points.

The Offset Technique - If the width of the wall is known another technique is
possible. First draw a single reference line along one edge of the wall. Then move
that reference line halfway across the wall; it will now be the wall centerline.

3.4 EXPORTING A PLAN VIEW

Any plan view can be exported using the following simple procedure:

A. Open the desired plan window and edit which objects are to be visible, using the
the Eyeglasses button .

B. Select the Export Drawing as DXF File...item from the Drawings menu. A
dialog box will open up.

C. Type in the file name and select the subdirectory in which it is to be saved.

D. Press Save. A checkbox will open up asking which units the file should be saved
in.

E. Select the same units in which you want the DXF File to be generated and press
Export. The file will be created and saved in the selected subdirectory.

A DXF file may be created of any plan window created by ADAPT-Floor, including model
views, line contour plots and color contour plots. The created DXF files may be imported
into any DXF compatible graphics software for editing or insertion into other graphics files.

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4. EXAMPLE

4.1 STEP BY STEP EXAMPLE

The following example gives step by step instructions for the efficient use of DXF informa-
tion. The DXF drawing used in the example is shown below. A DXF file of the drawing
has been included on the installation diskettes.

FIGURE 4.1-1

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

4.1.1 Import a DXF File

A. Create a new ADAPT-Floor document using SI units as described in the

ADAPT-Floor manual.

B. Choose Import DXF File... from the File menu and input the file
ADPTDX01.DXF in the dialog window that opens.

C. In the units dialog box that opens choose meters and press OK.

D. When the importing operation is complete, save the document.

4.1.2 Choose What DXF Information Is Visible

A. Open the Structure window from the Plans item of the Drawings menu.

B. Click on the Eyeglasses button in the Action Buttons (the Show

on Plan dialog window will open).

C. Change the Layer control to DXF. The dialog window will redraw to
show numerous checkboxes for the object types stored on the DXF
layer.

D. Check the items to be visible, making sure that the points item is
checked, and press OK. Usually all items are selected except text.

E. Click on the Zoom Extent button in the Action Buttons.

F. Click on the Zoom tool and zoom in so that the slab outline fills
the screen (see Figure 4.1-2).

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DFX Module

FIGURE 4.1-2

4.1.3 Check the DXF for Unit Compatibility

To check that the units of the DXF information match the units of the structure do
the following:

A. Open the DXF Review Plan.

B Click on the Units button , located in the main toolbar, to open the
Units window. Make sure the plan dimensions unit is set to meters.
Close the Units window.

B. Click on the Snap This Layer button in the Action Buttons.

C. The length of the right edge of the slab is checked to verify units. This
edge is 50 meters long. Place the mouse pointer on the lower right
corner of the slab and note the Y coordinate. Then place the mouse
pointer on the upper right corner of the slab and, again, note the Y
coordinate.

D. The difference between the two mouse coordinates should be 50.

4.1.4 Trace The DXF Information

There are many ways that the DXF information can be traced while still
obtaining a satisfactory solution with ADAPT-Floor. The instructions below show

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ADAPT USER’S MANUAL DXF Module

one approach to tracing the information. Only a portion of the slab is traced to
show the general method. The rest of the slab and supports can be defined in a
similar fashion.

Define slab elements:

A. Click on the Zoom tool in the Drawing tools and zoom in so that
the right half of the slab fills the view.

B. Click on the Snap Other Layer and the Snap This Layer tools.
Points will be snapped to features on the DXF layer, or to the nodes of
previously drawn, adjoining slab elements.

C. Double-Click on the Quadrilateral Mesh tool in the Drawing Palette.

An editing window will appear for initial slab values.

D. Change the slab thickness to 200 mm. Close the editing window by
clicking on OK.

E. When generating slab elements remember that wall elements must be

located along slab element edges and column elements must be located
at slab element nodes (corners). Draw a quadrilateral mesh of slab
elements by clicking on the center points of the four columns in the
lower right corner of the slab (see Figure 4.1.3). Make sure the points
snap to the center of each column on the DXF layer. Divide each side
of the quadrilateral into 8 elements when prompted by the program.

F. Fill in the rightmost slab strip with quadrilateral or other elements as needed,
using the DXF drawing as a guide and making sure that all adjoining ele-
ments are compatible (see Figure 4.1-4).

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FIGURE 4.1-3

Define support elements:

A. Double Click on the Wall Below tool in the Drawing tools. An

editing window will appear for initial wall element values.

B. Change the wall thickness to 300 mm. Close the editing window by
clicking on OK. Refer to Section 3.3 for additional information.

C. Draw a line of wall elements at each wall location shown on the DXF
layer, using the methods outlined in the ADAPT-Floor manual, and
snapping to the wall endpoints.

D. In a similar manner, use the Column Below tool to draw columns

(600 mm x 600 mm) at all locations shown on the DXF layer, making
sure they are snapped to column center points (see Figure 4.1-4).

4.1.5 Finish the Structural Model

The rest of the slab and support elements are traced in a similar manner, by
snapping to features on the DXF layer, or to previously drawn points located on the
active layer. After all tracing is completed the rest of the structure is defined and
analyzed as outlined in the ADAPT-Floor manual.

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FIGURE 4.1-4

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