Advance Steel 2017 - Essentials Metric - Training Guide

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ i Chapter 1 – Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Text Conventions ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Main Practice.................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2 - Starting a Project ................................................................................................................. 13 2.1 Template Files................................................................................................................................ 14 2.2 Project Data .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.3 File Structure .................................................................................................................................. 17 Create a Project File ............................................................................................................................ 18 Chapter 3 - Working in 3D CAD ............................................................................................................. 19 3.1 Common CAD Commands........................................................................................................... 20 3.2 Mouse View Commands for 3D................................................................................................... 21 3.3 Viewpoints....................................................................................................................................... 22 3.4 Visual Styles ................................................................................................................................... 23 View Manipulation ................................................................................................................................ 24 Chapter 4 – The Advance Steel User Interface................................................................................... 25 4.1 Selecting Objects ........................................................................................................................... 26 4.2 Advance Properties ....................................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Advance Joint Properties ............................................................................................................. 29 4.4 Joint Boxes ..................................................................................................................................... 30 4.5 Deleting Objects............................................................................................................................. 32 4.6 Undo ................................................................................................................................................ 33 4.7 Object Snaps .................................................................................................................................. 34 4.8 2D/3D Osnap.................................................................................................................................. 35 Chapter 5 – Coordinate Systems........................................................................................................... 36 5.1 3D Coordinates .............................................................................................................................. 37 5.2 World Coordinates ......................................................................................................................... 38 5.3 User Coordinate System .............................................................................................................. 39 5.4 When to Use a UCS ...................................................................................................................... 43 Chapter 6 – Building Grids ...................................................................................................................... 44 i

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric 6.1 Creating a Building Grid ............................................................................................................... 45 6.2 Grid Properties ............................................................................................................................... 49 6.3 Modifying Grids .............................................................................................................................. 51 6.4 Level Symbols ................................................................................................................................ 53 Drawing Grids ....................................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 7 – Basic Structures ................................................................................................................. 56 7.1 Structural Frames .......................................................................................................................... 57 Draw a Portal Frame............................................................................................................................ 61 7.2 Placing Sections ............................................................................................................................ 62 7.3 Beam Properties ............................................................................................................................ 67 Draw Beams and Sections ................................................................................................................. 73 Chapter 8 – Simple Editing ..................................................................................................................... 74 8.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 75 8.2 Layer Management ....................................................................................................................... 76 8.3 Common Basic CAD Editing

Commands ........................................................................... 78

8.4 Transform Elements ...................................................................................................................... 80 8.5 Advance Copy/Rotate/Array ........................................................................................................ 83 8.6 Advance Trim/Extend .................................................................................................................... 84 Chapter 9 – Automatic Joints ................................................................................................................. 86 9.1 Connection Vault ........................................................................................................................... 87 9.2 Joint Properties .............................................................................................................................. 89 9.3 Repeating Joints ............................................................................................................................ 93 9.4 Joint Library .................................................................................................................................... 96 9.5 Joint Groups ................................................................................................................................... 99 Add joints ............................................................................................................................................. 103 Chapter 10 – Beam Features ............................................................................................................... 104 10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 105 Open the Drawing .............................................................................................................................. 106 10.2 Coping or Notching Beams ...................................................................................................... 107 Use a Shorten on a Beam................................................................................................................. 108 10.3 Shorten at UCS .......................................................................................................................... 109 Shorten at UCS ................................................................................................................................. 110 10.4 Cut at Object .............................................................................................................................. 111 ii

Table of Contents Cut at Object ...................................................................................................................................... 112 10.5 Cope ............................................................................................................................................ 113 Cope and Cope, Skewed ................................................................................................................. 116 10.6 Parametric Cope – Joint ........................................................................................................... 117 Create a Parametric Cope – Joint .................................................................................................. 120 10.7 Beam Clearance ........................................................................................................................ 121 Beam Clearance................................................................................................................................ 122 10.8 Contour Features....................................................................................................................... 123 Experiment with Contours ................................................................................................................ 128 10.9 Editing Features......................................................................................................................... 129 10.10 Miter .......................................................................................................................................... 131 10.11 Splitting and Joining Beams .................................................................................................. 132 Modify Columns ................................................................................................................................. 133 Chapter 11 - Plates ................................................................................................................................ 134 Open the Drawing ............................................................................................................................. 135 11.1 Flat Plates ................................................................................................................................... 136 11.2 Plate Properties ......................................................................................................................... 139 11.3 Folded Plates ............................................................................................................................. 140 11.4 Gratings....................................................................................................................................... 146 Remodel Ducting and Add Plates................................................................................................... 149 Chapter 12 – Plate Features ................................................................................................................ 150 12.1 Contour Features....................................................................................................................... 151 12.2 Contour Processing Properties ............................................................................................... 155 Ducting ................................................................................................................................................ 157 12.3 Plate Contour Non UCS Features .......................................................................................... 158 12.4 Chamfers and Fillets ................................................................................................................. 159 12.5 Dividing and Joining Plates ...................................................................................................... 161 Chapter 13 – Connection Elements .................................................................................................... 163 13.1 Bolts ............................................................................................................................................. 164 13.2 Bolt Properties ........................................................................................................................... 167 13.3 Anchors ....................................................................................................................................... 169 13.4 Welds .......................................................................................................................................... 170 13.5 Edit Connected Objects ............................................................................................................ 173 iii

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric Add Bolts and Welds ........................................................................................................................ 174 Chapter 14 – Custom Connections ..................................................................................................... 175 14.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 176 14.2 Modeling the Custom Connection ........................................................................................ 178 14.3 Building Bricks ........................................................................................................................... 179 14.4 Creating a Connection Template ............................................................................................ 181 14.5 Insert a Connection Template ................................................................................................. 184 Chapter 15 – Structural Elements........................................................................................................ 186 15.1 Bracing ........................................................................................................................................ 187 15.2 Stairs ........................................................................................................................................... 189 Create Stairs ...................................................................................................................................... 196 15.3 Hand Rails .................................................................................................................................. 197 Add Railings ....................................................................................................................................... 203 15.4 Cage Ladders............................................................................................................................. 204 Add a Cage Ladder ........................................................................................................................... 206 15.5 Cladding ...................................................................................................................................... 207 15.6 3D Drawing Tips ........................................................................................................................ 210 Add Decking ....................................................................................................................................... 213 Chapter 16 – Other Model Objects ...................................................................................................... 214 16.1 Concrete Objects ....................................................................................................................... 215 Create Concrete Foundations ......................................................................................................... 217 16.2 Special Parts .............................................................................................................................. 218 Insert the Tank ................................................................................................................................... 220 Chapter 17 – Project Explorer .............................................................................................................. 221 17.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 222 17.2 Levels .......................................................................................................................................... 223 17.3 Work Planes and Columns ...................................................................................................... 228 Create Levels ..................................................................................................................................... 230 17.4 Model Views ............................................................................................................................... 231 Create a Model View ........................................................................................................................ 241 17.5 Queries........................................................................................................................................ 242 Saved Query ...................................................................................................................................... 247 17.6 Groups ........................................................................................................................................ 248 iv

Table of Contents Create a Group .................................................................................................................................. 252 17.7 Show All Objects ....................................................................................................................... 253 17.8 Structures ................................................................................................................................... 254 Chapter 18 – Validating a Structure .................................................................................................... 255 18.1 Clash Check ............................................................................................................................... 256 18.2 Object Marking ........................................................................................................................... 259 18.3 Technical Check ........................................................................................................................ 260 18.4 Model Check .............................................................................................................................. 262 18.5 Joint Design................................................................................................................................ 263 Chapter 19 - Numbering ........................................................................................................................ 266 19.1 Model Role ................................................................................................................................. 267 Assign Model Roles ........................................................................................................................... 271 19.2 Numbering .................................................................................................................................. 272 Numbering .......................................................................................................................................... 280 Chapter 20 – Creating Drawings ......................................................................................................... 281 20.1 Quick Documents Palettes....................................................................................................... 281 20.2 Drawing Styles ........................................................................................................................... 285 20.3 Drawing Processes ................................................................................................................... 290 20.4 Cameras ..................................................................................................................................... 294 20.5 Summary of Drawing Procedure ............................................................................................. 298 20.6 View Orientation ........................................................................................................................ 299 20.7 Setting up Documents Palettes............................................................................................. 300 Chapter 21 – Editing Drawings ............................................................................................................ 304 21.1 Document Manager................................................................................................................... 305 21.2 Manipulating Drawings ............................................................................................................. 310 21.3 Drawing Labels and Dimensions ............................................................................................ 319 21.4 Object Properties ....................................................................................................................... 332 Chapter 22 - Lists ................................................................................................................................... 334 22.1 BOM Templates Palette ........................................................................................................... 335 22.2 RDF Viewer ................................................................................................................................ 338 22.3 Selective Lists ............................................................................................................................ 340 22.4 Managing Lists ........................................................................................................................... 348 Chapter 23 – Other Documents ........................................................................................................... 349 v

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric 23.1 NC Files ...................................................................................................................................... 350 23.2 DXF Files .................................................................................................................................... 352 23.3 Sharing Models and Drawings ................................................................................................ 354 23.4 Data Exchange .......................................................................................................................... 361 Appendix A – Drawing Prototypes ....................................................................................................... 364 A.1 Editing a Prototype ...................................................................................................................... 365 A.2 Title Block ..................................................................................................................................... 366 A.3 Drawing Frame ............................................................................................................................ 369 A.4 BOMs on Drawings ..................................................................................................................... 370 A.5 Revision Table ............................................................................................................................. 372 A.6 Other Information ........................................................................................................................ 374 A.7 Printing Setup .............................................................................................................................. 375 Appendix B – BOM Template Editors ................................................................................................. 379 B.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 380 B.2 Element Properties ..................................................................................................................... 381 B.3 Tokens .......................................................................................................................................... 383 B.4 Formatting .................................................................................................................................... 384 B.5 List Structure ................................................................................................................................ 385 B.6 Report Contents .......................................................................................................................... 386 Appendix C – Advance Steel Options ................................................................................................. 388 C.1 Defaults......................................................................................................................................... 389 Appendix D – User Sections................................................................................................................. 396 D.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 397 D.2 Layers and Basic Elements ....................................................................................................... 398 D.3 Key Points .................................................................................................................................... 400 D.4 Generate Sections ...................................................................................................................... 403 Appendix E – Basic CAD Practice ....................................................................................................... 407 Course Preparation ........................................................................................................................... 408 Appendix F – Training Outline .............................................................................................................. 409 F.1 Suggested Four Day Outline ..................................................................................................... 410 F.2

Optional Topics or Further Training ...................................................................................... 415

F.3

Autodesk Links to Forums, Support and FAQ Pages......................................................... 418

vi

Introduction

Chapter 1 – Introduction This chapter contains the following topics: 

Overview  Text Conventions  Main Practice

1

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric

1.1 Overview This training guide is only provided to users who have attended an approved Autodesk® Advance Steel training course. It is intended to give an overview of all of the basic commands that are required to create structures and associated documentation using the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. Not all of the Advance Steel commands are included and not all of the options in the included commands are covered. Not all content of this training guide is necessarily covered during the training course. Instead it focuses on the recommended workflow and the most common commands and options. This training guide can be referred to for alternate commands and extra information. 

This training guide is written using the Autodesk® Advance Steel 2018 software. Therefore, different versions might not match this training guide.

2

Introduction

1.2 Text Conventions This training guide uses the following conventions for formatting text. Autodesk® Advance Steel commands are indicated by bold text. 

Prompts in the Autodesk® Advance Steel Command Line are indicated by italic text.



When describing the location of a command or icon in the Ribbon, it is written as Ribbon tab > Ribbon panel, (Command Name). For example, Home tab > Extended

Modeling panel, click (Connection Vault), prompts you to click the Connection Vault icon in the Extended Modeling panel in the Home tab in the Ribbon. 

When describing the location of a command or icon in a Tool Palette, it is written as Tool Palette Name, Tool Palette category, Command Name. For example, in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click (Select All Marked Objects).



Recommended workflow and important points are displayed in a hint box, which is surrounded by a gray border. There might be several ways of achieving the required outcome, but this indicates the most common or easiest way. However, it can also indicate that there might only be one way to do a task, but that the task is very important.



Practices are placed in their own sections and identified by Practice #x and the practice title (e.g., Practice 1a Opening a Drawing). Follow the instructions to practice and test your skills.



Margin notes are used to provide extra tips or information that is useful but not essential.

3


1.3 Main Practice To provide a coherent plan for the training, the following structure has been created as a training practice. This structure is not intended to be an exemplary design, but a representative structure that demonstrates how to use a broad range of Autodesk® Advance Steel commands in a realistic setting. Unless otherwise stated, all of the user practices in this training guide refer to this training project. All of the important information has been provided in the following drawings. Dimensions or properties that are not defined in the drawings are not critical and can be selected by the user.

Figure 1-1

4

Introduction

Figure 1-2

5


Figure 1-3

6

Introduction

Figure 1-4

7


Figure 1-5

8

Introduction

Figure 1-6

9


Figure 1-7

10

Introduction

Figure 1-8

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Figure 1-9

12

Staring a Project

Chapter 2 - Starting a Project This chapter contains the following topics: 

Template Files  Project Data  File Structure  Create a Project File

13


2.1 Template Files You can modify the template to some extent as needed. For example, you can set a new Home View or change the background and layer colors, etc. DO NOT change the layers or any other settings.

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).

Figure 2.1

If you are using the US English installation of the software, you should use the mm_ASTemplate.dwt template for metric modeling projects and the ASTemplate.dwt template for imperial modeling projects.

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.

14

Staring a Project

Figure 2-2

15


2.2 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.

Figure 2-3

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.

16

Staring a Project

2.3 File Structure Ensure that you store your projects in a location that all users can access and NOT under My Documents, Desktop, Program Data, Program Files, Documents and Settings, or any other user or system folder.

The file that you just opened contains the model of the structure for this project. This is the master file for the entire project. It is recommended that you create a sub-folder that is named after this project in the location in which all of your projects are going to be stored. You should then save the model drawing in the new subfolder and with the same name. As the project continues and you create drawings or other outputs, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software creates many more files in the same location as your master file. The software creates a new folder next to the model file with the same name. In that folder, more sub-folders are created as required for Details (drawings), BOMS, Calculations, NC files, etc. The resulting structure is as follows.

Figure 2-4

17


Practice 2a If you are using the US English installation of the software, you should use the ASTemplate.dwt template for metric modeling projects.

Create a Project File 1. Set up a new Project file for the training structure. 2. Start a new file using the ASTemplate.dwt template. 3. Complete the project data and save the file in the required folder.     

Project = Advance Steel Training Project Number = T123 Client = your company name Designer and Detailer = your name Contractor = Autodesk

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Working in 3D CAD

Chapter 3 - Working in 3D CAD This chapter contains the following topics:     

Common CAD Commands Mouse View Commands for 3D Viewpoints Visual Styles View Manipulation

19


3.1 Common CAD Commands The Autodesk® Advance Steel software contains many similarities to other CAD systems. All of the basic 2D CAD commands and functions are available to Autodesk® Advance Steel users at all times. This training guide is written assuming that you are already familiar with and competent using most typical 2D CAD commands. For example, to effectively use the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, you should be comfortable using the following as a minimum: Line, Arc, Rectangle, Circle, Polyline, Object Snaps (running and single click), Ortho, Move, Copy, Edit Polyline, Extend, Trim, Zoom, Pan, Plot, Grips, and Layers.

20

Working in 3D CAD

3.2 Mouse View Commands for 3D When working in 3D, the normal Pan and Zoom commands remain available, and extra tools are also available. It is generally recommended that you use the mouse shortcuts to manipulate your 3D view as follows: 

Zoom (mouse wheel): To zoom in or out, scroll the mouse wheel back (to zoom out) or forward (to zoom in) as is done in 2D.



Pan (middle mouse button): Press and hold down the mouse wheel or middle button while moving the mouse as is done in 2D.



Orbit ( + middle mouse button): To rotate the model freely in 3D you can hold down while pressing the middle mouse button or wheel and moving the mouse. The model then orbits about an arbitrary center point. Unfortunately, you cannot control the point that is selected. If you have not done this before, you might need to practice to get used to orbiting the model as needed. If objects in the model are selected while rotating in this way, only the selected objects remain visible during the movement.



Zoom Extents (double-click on the middle mouse button): To zoom to extents or display the entire model on screen you can double-click on the middle mouse button.

Zoom, Pan, and Orbit can be used at any time, such as in the middle of a command or when an Advance Steel dialog box is open. When you release the buttons or wheel, the zooming stops and you return to the same point in the command.

21


3.3 Viewpoints To move around in the model and display it from a common viewpoint, select the required view in the View tab, View Manager panel >

or in the top left corner of the model space.

Additionally, you can select various points on the View Cube to change the view angle of the model. The Isometric views provide the best overall view of your structure. Selecting any of the common views that includes zooming to extents (e.g., to display the entire structure) can cancel any active command.

Figure 3-1

22

Working in 3D CAD

3.4 Visual Styles When working with a 3D model it can be helpful to change the way in which the model is displayed. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software can display the model in several different ways called Visual Styles. You can select and change the current visual style at any time using the options in the View tab > Visual Styles drop-down list or in the top left corner of the model space.

Figure 3-2

For most purposes, a solid shaded view is preferred by most users. It corresponds to the Realistic visual style. Sometimes more information can be displayed using a 2D Wireframe visual style. For example, Welds can only be displayed in 2D Wireframe. However, a wireframe style can become confusing when a model is more complex. Unless specified, you can work in any visual style. This training guide only specifies the visual style to use if it is important for the effective use of a command.

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Practice 3a

View Manipulation 1. Open ViewModel-3A.dwg in the C:\Advance Steel Essentials Metric Class Files folder. 2. Try all of the commands in the lecture material to manipulate the view in each of the different visual styles until you are comfortable using them.

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The Advance Steel Interface

Chapter 4 – The Advance Steel User Interface This chapter contains the following topics:        

Selecting Objects Advance Properties Advance Joint Properties Joint Boxes Deleting Objects Undo Object Snaps 2D/3D Osnap

25


4.1 Selecting Objects Regardless of what you are modeling or editing, you can use some common methods and commands that apply to all of the objects. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software often prompts you to Select Objects: in commands. At these points you can use any valid method of selection, such as selecting an object on screen, using selection windows, etc. However, to understand which objects the Autodesk® Advance Steel software wants you to select, you frequently need to read the Command Line above the prompt. For example, when placing a Single Sided End Plate joint, the prompt is Please select the main beam: Select objects:. You should select the Main Beam (i.e., the beam that is not shortened by the joint). The software might seem to permit you to select more than one object, but the top prompt was for a single beam. Therefore, you should only select one item and then right-click or press to accept and move on in the command. (If you select more than one item only the last selected object counts.)

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4.2 Advance Properties All special Autodesk® Advance Steel objects have special properties beyond ordinary CAD objects, such as lines. Autodesk® Advance Steel objects have basic CAD properties, such as color and layers, which you can access and edit as needed (in the Properties palette). However, all of the special Autodesk® Advance Steel properties must be accessed using Advance Properties commands. To access the properties of an individual item, such as a beam or grid, you should do the following: First  

Ensure that no commands are active (prompt = Command:). Ensure that nothing is selected (if in doubt, press twice to clear any existing selections).

Then 

Double-click on the object that you want to edit.

 

Select the object that you want to edit. Right-click and select Advance Properties.

Or

Figure 4-1

27


Or   If the Advance Steel Tool Palette is not

Select the object that you want to edit. In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click

(Advance Steel Properties).

displayed, click (Advance Steel Tool Palette) in the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel. Figure 4-2

This opens the required Properties dialog box for that single object.

Figure 4-3

Most Autodesk® Advance Steel dialog boxes do not have OK or Apply buttons. All of the changes made in the Advance Properties dialog box take effect immediately. You can close the dialog box when ready by clicking the X icon in the top right corner. Note: When changing the value of a text or number box, press or or select another field in the dialog box to indicate to the software that you have finished making the change. If you do not do so, your change might not be applied.

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4.3 Advance Joint Properties The Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes many commands that create or control multiple objects at the same time with intelligent relationships. For example, these could be Portal Frame, Straight Stair, Eaves Haunch, etc. To edit the properties of any such group of objects you must set the following Advance Joint Properties:    

Ensure that no commands are active (prompt = Command:). Ensure that nothing is selected (if in doubt, press twice to clear any existing selection). Select any object in the group that you want to edit. Right-click and select Advance Joint Properties.

Figure 4-4

The related macro dialog box for that group of objects opens.

Figure 4-5

The properties in these dialog boxes are divided into tabs and then grouped into categories. As you select a different category on the left in the dialog box, the tab displayed changes to be the first in that category. 29


4.4 Joint Boxes All of the groups of objects that are created by a macro are enclosed in a gray box called a joint box. This box might not be displayed, but must exist for the objects to be a recognized with Joint Properties. If the joint box encloses the required objects, double-clicking on the joint box opens the Joint Properties dialog box for that group. The joint box is not normally displayed when the objects are first created. However, if the Joint Properties dialog box is opened after the initial creation, the joint box is displayed.

Figure 4-6

The joint box contains the intelligent link between the objects. It is possible to delete the joint box without deleting the objects that it controls (see 4.5 Deleting Objects). If a joint box is deleted the objects within it remain in the model, but no longer have an intelligent link to each other or behave like a joint. Instead, they become independent items. Models can very quickly become cluttered with many joint boxes on display. It is important that you do not delete these boxes. To clear the display, the joint box can be hidden as follows:  

Clear all of the object selections (press twice). In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters



category, click (Joint Boxes). In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views



category, click (Selected objects off). Clear all of the selections (press twice). 30


Note: It is very important to clear the object selection at the end of the command. If this is not done the joint boxes remain selected even though they are hidden. This can cause problems. For example, if you deleted an object as your next action you would delete every joint box in your model, removing the intelligence from every joint in the project.

31


4.5 Deleting Objects To Erase or Delete objects in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software you can do the following: Either    

Ensure that no commands are active (prompt = Command:). Ensure that nothing is selected (if in doubt, press twice to clear any existing selections). Select the items that you want to delete. Press .

Or 

In the Command Line, type E and press to start the AutoCAD Erase command.

Figure 4-7



Select objects: Select the objects that you want to delete and press to complete the command.

Groups: If an object is created as part of an intelligent group (such as an angle cleat in a joint or a post in a railing), selecting the single object and pressing deletes the entire group of objects. Therefore, if you want to erase the group you do not need to select every element of the group, you can just select and delete any member of the group. Any related members that are affected by the deleted group are restored as required (e.g., fixing bolt holes that have been removed).

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4.6 Undo As with most applications an Undo command is available in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. The software commands often perform several operations at the same time. Therefore, you frequently need to perform several Undo commands to reverse one Autodesk® Advance Steel command. However, you need to be careful because there is NO REDO in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. Undo can be accessed in the Quick Access Toolbar, by typing U and pressing in the Command Line, or by pressing +.

Figure 4-8

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4.7 Object Snaps As you use the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, note that it automatically places specific Object Snaps at useful points. For this reason it is recommended that you only have the Node snap active for running objects snaps and use object snaps overrides (+right-click) for any other requirements.

A Node snap is placed at either end of every system line, every corner of a plate, either end of every grid line, and the reference point of every beam or plate feature. A Center snap is placed in the geometric center of a plate (regardless of its shape). The following two Object Snap types are only available in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software.  

Flange Middle: Finds the midpoint of the outer edge of a beam flange. Grid Intersection: Finds the point at which two Autodesk® Advance Steel grid lines cross (ignoring any other object types).

Figure 4-9

To use them, you must press +right-click and select the required snap in the overrides menu or right-click on Osnap in the Status Bar to set the Osnap options.

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4.8 2D/3D Osnap When working in 3D so many snap points can be available that it can be difficult to ensure that you have selected the correct one on the plane on which you are working. To help with this the Autodesk ® Advance Steel software includes a toggle for 2D or 3D snaps. It is located in the Advance Steel Tool Palette. 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views category, click

(2D Snaps off).

The icon and name always display as the same and the mode that you are activating is displayed in the Command Line. 

2D snaps on: While in this mode, regardless of the selected snap point, the Z-coordinate is ignored and replaced with zero (the current UCS). This is indicated on the screen by a yellow symbol displaying the point that you are actually selecting in addition to the Osnap symbol at the point that you are picking.



2D snaps off: This is the normal mode of operation. All object snaps select full 3D locations.

35


Chapter 5 – Coordinate Systems This chapter contains the following topics: 

3D Coordinates  World Coordinates  User Coordinate System  When to Use a UCS

36

Coordinate Systems

5.1 3D Coordinates To locate points in space, the distance from a fixed point is measured in three directions corresponding to the three dimensions of the world. These directions are labeled X, Y and Z. When working in 2D CAD you only use X and Y. In 3D you need to add the Z-direction.

Figure 5-1

When typing coordinates into the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, rather than selecting a point on screen, you can enter a Zcoordinate if it is not zero. To do so, type an extra comma and the distance, such as 20, 10, 50 (i.e., 20 X, 10 Y, 50 Z) or 30, 40 (30 X, 40 Y, 0 Z).

37


5.2 World Coordinates When a file is created, a point is identified as the origin or 0, 0, 0 point (called the origin) and the X-, Y-, and Z-directions are set. This is not changeable and forms a permanent fixed reference. This is called the World Coordinate System or WCS. If you have set a UCS you can return to the WCS at any time using the UCS World icon in the UCS category in the Advance Steel Tool Palette.

Figure 5-1

38

Coordinate Systems

5.3 User Coordinate System It is possible to change the origin point and direction of the three axes at any time, to be more convenient for the current task. When you do this, the new setting is called a User Coordinate System or UCS. The three axes are always at right angles to each other. When coordinates are entered they are always measured using the current user coordinate system. Many commands in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software depend on the UCS position and orientation to determine how to create objects. In these commands the objects are often placed on an imaginary plane between the X- and Y-axes (called the XY plane). It might help you to imagine the XY plane as a piece of graph paper on which you are going to draw while the Z-axis is the pencil.

Figure 5-3

The Autodesk® Advance Steel software provides a range of commands in the UCS Tool Palette for easy control of the UCS.

39


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). In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click



(Rotate UCS around Y). In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click (Rotate UCS around Z).

UCS at Object Use this command to place the UCS on the surface of an existing object in the model. The axes are also aligned according to the object. 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click (UCS at object).



Please identify object: Select a single Autodesk® Advance Steel object on the screen. A number of triads (3D cross-hairs) display in different colors. Each triad represents a possible position for the UCS.

40

Coordinate Systems



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 Xdirection and the shortest line becomes the Y-direction.

When selecting the object at the first prompt, if the entire object is displayed on the screen, the triads are placed around the entire object on key surfaces and points. For example, in an I beam this would be the center of the top surface of the top flange, center of the bottom surface of the bottom flange, center of either surface of the web, and center of each end.

Figure 5-4

Alternatively, if the object is only partially displayed on the screen, six triads are displayed around the exact point that you select.

Figure 5-5

41


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.

42

Coordinate Systems

5.4 When to Use a UCS There are three main options for setting the UCS depending on which Autodesk® Advance Steel command you are using. When relevant, the UCS must always be set before using the other command. To identify how to set the UCS appropriately for the command you are about to use, read the tooltip that displays when you hover over the icon. 

If the tooltip does not mention the UCS it is generally not critical what the current UCS is, although it might still have an influence over the outcome of the command. However, the plate, grating, and feature commands still operate in the current XY plane.



If the tooltip displays ...in the UCS plane... or similar, the objects are always drawn in the current XY plane and you should ensure that it is set correctly before starting the command.

Figure 5-6



If the tooltip displays ...UCS Z axis should be vertical... or similar you usually need to use the WCS for this command. (However, there are a few exceptions that you learn about in this training guide.)

Figure 5-7

43


Chapter 6 – Building Grids This chapter contains the following topics: 

Creating a Building Grid  Grid Properties  Modifying Grids  Level Symbols

44

Building Grids

6.1 Creating a Building Grid One of the first pieces of information that is often provided to a steelwork designer is a building grid to help layout the structure. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software has various tools for creating intelligent building grids rather than using generic AutoCAD lines. These special Grids are recognized and handled appropriately in Autodesk® Advance Steel drawings. If you want to ensure that a grid is drawn on each floor plan, it is generally recommended that you draw a grid (and level symbol) at each floor level.

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



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.

(Building Grid).

Single Axis This command creates a single grid line in any direction on the current XY plane. 




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.

(Single Axis).

45


Grid with 4 Axes This command creates a set of four parallel grid lines in one direction only. It can be in any direction in the current XY plane. The lines are equally spaced. 




Please define end points of the grid line. Start point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the start of your first grid line.



End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the end of your first grid line.



Direction and length of the group: Select a point or enter coordinates. The grid lines are on the selected side of the first grid line. The distance measured from the selected point perpendicular to the first grid line is the overall size of the grid. The last grid line goes through the defined point, but this is not necessarily the end of the line.



The grid is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.

(Grid with 4 axes).

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 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.

(Grid with groups by

46

Building Grids



Distance between grid lines (0.00): Enter the spacing between the first two grid lines (e.g., 4000 for lines ABCD in the training structure).



Distance between grid lines (4000.00): Enter the spacing between each pair of grid lines as you progress. The number in brackets is the total cumulative distance (not the default entry). Repeat as often as needed until the full grid has been defined.



Distance between grid lines (20000.00): Once you have reached the correct overall distance, press without entering a number to finish the grid.



The grid is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.

Sequence of selecting points Figure 6-1

Curved Grid Line This command creates a single curved grid line in the current XY plane. 

In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click 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.

(Curved Grid with

47




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.

48

Building Grids

6.2 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.

Figure 6-2



Total tab: o Use the dimensions to change the overall size of the grid. The spacing of the last grid line(s) is reduced if the size is reduced and extra lines are added if the size is increased. o Use the Automatic Label options to control the default labeling of the lines in this grid.



Group tab: The grid is divided into groups of lines with equal spacing. o Group index selects the group to edit. o Number and Distance indicate how many lines are in the group and the spacing between them.



Single axis tab: Controls the options for individual lines. o Grid Line Index selects which grid line’s properties are displayed. 49


o Name: Enter a new label for the grid line. It does not have an effect if Automatic Label is still selected in the Total tab. o Secondary axis: Select side 1 or side 2 to create an extra grid line related to the main line. Complete the label and distance options as needed. Grid labels are not ordinary text, but are special objects. They resize automatically as you zoom in and out of the model. The size of the text in the model is not the same as the size in a finished drawing view.

The only type of Grid Line that has different properties is a curved Grid Line. The Total tab of the properties is replaced by a Curved tab that is very similar, but displays the radius of the line rather than the overall grid size. The other options in this tab work as they do for straight grid lines. The Sequence and Single Grid Line tabs do not exist.

50

Building Grids

6.3 Modifying Grids Apart from the Grid Properties, there are several commands that enable you to edit grids after they have been drawn.

Delete Axis This command removes a single grid line from a group of lines without affecting the spacing of the remaining lines. 




Please select the grid line to be deleted: Select one existing grid line and accept. The selected line is deleted and the labels for other lines in the group are updated accordingly.

(Delete axis).

Add Axis Adds a number of grid lines into a group. The other lines in the group are moved up by the total size of the new lines. 




Please select the grid axis after which the group is to be inserted: Select an existing grid line. The new line(s) are added after the selected line.



Number of grid lines: Enter the required number of new lines.



Distance between grid lines: Enter the space that is required between the new grid lines.

(Add axis).

The new lines are drawn at the specified spacing. The existing lines are moved up by the total overall size of the new lines (e.g., 3 lines at 1500 = 4500) and the full grid gets larger.

Trim Grid Lines Similar to the AutoCAD Trim command, but used for grid lines, it cuts the end from a grid line back to the selected cutting edge. You cannot cut a section from the middle of a grid line. 




Please select boundary objects: Select existing lines, curves, or a grid line to cut back to and accept. You can only select a

(Trim axis).

51


single grid line, but can select more than one AutoCAD elements. 

Select grid line that is to be cut: Select the portion of the grid lines that you want to cut off and accept. The lines are only cut after you accept.

Extend Grid Lines Similar to the AutoCAD Extend command, but for grid lines, it adds length to an existing grid line to have it meet the selected boundary element. 




Please select boundary objects: Select the lines, curves, or grid lines to which to extend and accept.



Select grid line that is to be extended: Select the grid lines to which to add length and accept. The lines are only extended after you accept.

(Extend axis).

52

Building Grids

6.4 Level Symbols Another type of object that is often closely associated with grids is a Level Symbol. These are used to identify the elevation of a point according to a specific datum (often sea level). The Advance Steel Level Symbols enable you to define a global datum level. This is added to all of the measurements so that your model is kept at the AutoCAD WCS.

Level Symbol The level symbol inserts a small symbol into the model to identify the correct height at a specific reference point. 




Please define the insertion point for the level symbol: Select a point at which to place the symbol.

(Level Symbol).

The level symbol is placed and the Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 6-3



Current tab o Absolute Level: Global Datum Level plus Relative Level. o Relative Level: Height above the WCS origin (Zcoordinate).

53




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.

54

Building Grids

Practice 6a

Drawing Grids 1. Draw the grids in the structure. Draw the main building grid and the different grid for the mezzanine. Grid A1 is at the WCS origin. Ensure that you match the position, directions, and labeling in the drawings.

55


Chapter 7 – Basic Structures This chapter contains the following topics:     

Structural Frames Draw a Portal Frame Place Sections Beam Properties Draw Beams and Sections

56

Basic Structures

7.1 Structural Frames Once you have laid out the basic reference information (e.g., the building grid) you can create the basic structure. Many buildings are based on or include one of three common types of frame. Therefore, before starting to draw individual beams, you can use the macros included in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software to automate the modeling of the common types.

Portal Frame This macro creates four beams that are arranged as a Portal frame based on several input points. The frame can be non-symmetrical if required. 

In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click / Gable Frame).



Please select base point for the first column: Enter coordinates or select a point for the base of one of the columns in the frame.



Please select top point for the second column: Enter coordinates or select a point for the position of the other column in the frame.



Please enter point for the apex height or ngle: Press or right-click. A symmetrical frame is created with a default height. The Portal Frame Properties dialog box opens.

(Portal

Figure 7-1

57




Set out tab o Symmetrical roof: Clear the option if you want to create a non-symmetrical frame. When creating a symmetrical frame, other specific options are disabled.



-

Span of the frame: Should correspond to the coordinates of the first and second points selected. If you change this value column 2 moves to suit.

-

Total Height: The height of the apex where the rafters meet. Changing it adjusts the rafter beams.

-

Eaves Level 1: The height of the top of the rafter directly above a column. Changing it adjusts the height of the columns.

-

Level of Base Plate: If point one was not at the final base plate level of the frame you can adjust for it here. For example, if you selected points on a grid at level 0, but the foundations and base plates were actually at level -500, you should enter -500 here.

Sections tab o Column Size: Select the appropriate section in the library from which you want to create the columns. o Rafter Size: Select the appropriate section from the library from which you want to create the rafters. o Projections: You can add values here for an eaves overhang, but generally you would not do so. The Eaves haunch joint commonly used at such locations enables you to add a stub here and that is usually more correct.



Position tab: Use the options to control the position of the columns and rafters relative to the selected points.

Note: The images in the dialog box help to clarify the available options.

58

Basic Structures

Figure 7-2

Gable Frame A gable frame is a Portal frame with extra columns across its width. 

To create a Gable Frame, first create a Portal frame.



In the Properties tab in the Portal Properties dialog box change the Type option to Gable Frame. Two extra tabs display in the dialog box.

Figure 7-3



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. 59


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 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.

(Mono-

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.

Note: It is not usually necessary to set a projection here because the Eaves Haunch joint typically used in these locations includes options for a stub to be added. 

Position of frame tab: Control the position of the columns and rafter relative to the selected points.

Figure 7-4

60

Basic Structures

Practice 7a

Draw a Portal Frame 1. Continue working in the model that was created in the previous practice. 2. Draw the first Portal frame for the structure. 3. Draw the frame between grids A1 and A3. Ensure that you match the sections and dimensions to the structure.

61


7.2 Placing Sections After drawing any of these frames as needed you need to draw the rest of the structure by placing individual members. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software has an extensive library of standard sections of all types from all over the world. You can select the required section from a list. When drawing beams it is recommended that you use object snaps at logical design points and have the system lines meet each other.

Straight 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.

Figure 7-5



Please locate start point of system axis: Select a start point for the beam. 62

Basic Structures



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.

The beam and column creation commands allow you to create multiple sections without being interrupted by the properties dialog after creating each object. The commands continue until you press the or keys or click the right button on your mouse

Continuous Beam The Continuous Beam Command allows you to create linked beams continuously. The command stops if you press the or keys or if you click the right button on your mouse.



In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click Beam).

(Continuous

Figure 7-5

When you finish the command, a dialog appears, showing the common properties for the sections created in the last instance of the command. Changes made in the properties dialog apply to all sections created in the current command instance.

63


Curved Beams A curved beam of any section can be placed as follows: 

In the Home tab > Objects panel, click



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.

(Curved Beam).

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. 




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]? : If you want to keep your construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for Yes.

(Beam from line).

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).

64

Basic Structures

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. 




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]? : If you want to keep your construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for Yes.

(Beam, polyline).

Each polyline is converted into a continuous bent beam made from one piece.

Compound Beams and Welded Beams The Home tab > Objects panel contains two additional drop-down lists: Welded Beams and Compound Beams.

Figure 7-6

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.

65


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.

Figure 7-7

Each icon pre-selects the stated manufacturer, but the rest of the functionality is the same as any other straight beam.

66

Basic Structures

7.3 Beam Properties No matter how they are created, all members that are created from standard sections have many common properties available.

Figure 7-8

The list of entries displayed in the short list is controlled by a system called Preferred Sizes. Although outside the scope of this training guide, you can customize them to suit your requirements. Contact your Autodesk representative for more information.



Section & Material tab o Section: Select the required section type and size. The first drop-down arrow enables you to select the family of sections (e.g., I, Channel, or Round), the second dropdown arrow selects the section class in the family (e.g., IPE, UK Universal Beam, or JIS H) and the third dropdown arrow enables you to select the size of the beam in the selected section class. The fourth drop-down arrow displays a list of recently selected sections for quicker reselection. o Material: Enables you to select the material from which the beam is to be made. The first drop-down is the type of material (e.g., Steel or Concrete) and the second dropdown is the exact material of the selected type (e.g., S275JR or St37-2). o Coating: Select the required coating/finish for the beam (e.g., Iron Oxide Primer or Galvanised).

67


Note: Each of these drop-down lists is filtered to only display options that are common in your location (depending on the language selected during the installation). If the required option is not displayed in the short list, you can use the All option at the bottom of the list. Selecting it displays the full list of all of the entries that are included in the Autodesk Advance Steel software.



Positioning tab

Figure 7-9

Warning: For nonsymmetrical sections, such as Channels, Angles, and T sections, the positions in the middle of each side line up with the center of gravity and therefore are often NOT in the middle of that side.

o Offset: Select how you want the beam to be positioned relative to the selected points. The image of your beam type has 10 positions from which you can select. Nine of these positions represent the four corners, the middle of the four sides, and the center. The tenth dot represents the Centre of Gravity of the section. Normally vertical members, such as columns, are placed using the Center position. Horizontal members, such as floor beams, are typically placed using the Top Middle position.

Note: A line is drawn between the two selected points. It is called the System Line and does not move when you select these position offsets. The beam moves around the line. Always draw the system line between your nominal design points and enable the Autodesk Advance Steel software to determine the detail. o Angle: Rotates the section about the system line. Select the dot corresponding to 45° increments or enter the required value in the box. When a beam is first placed the 68

Basic Structures If you want to align one beam with another at an unknown angle (such as having roof beams align with rafters), rather than trying to find the correct angle to enter, set the UCS to match the other beam (UCS at Object) before placing this beam. The flanges align automatically.

top flange is parallel with the current UCS XY or YZ plane. The angle setting always displays zero when the dialog box is first opened and this corresponds to the current position of the section. 

Naming tab: Displays the Single Part and Assembly numbers of the part plus additional identification, such as lot/phase and Model Role.

Figure 7-10

o Single Part/Main Part: There are boxes to the left of the Single Part Number and Main Part Number. If the box next to single part is checked, it indicates that the part is a single part. If the box next to Main Part is checked, it indicates that the part is the main part of the assembly. o Model Role: To identify what part a specific object plays in the structure and to assign an appropriate number prefix, the object needs to have a Model Role assigned, such as Beam, Column, Rafter, End Plate, or Railing Post Landing. This is selected in the drop-down list. When an object is created by an Advance Steel macro, the appropriate model role is assigned automatically. When you create an object manually, you must manually assign the model role.

69




Camber Properties tab: If you design a cambered beam you can enter the properties on this tab. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software can then recognize the type of beam so that it is drawn and identified appropriately for manufacture. Only straight beams can be cambered. You might need to manually specify a Cambered Beam drawing style to benefit from this feature.

Figure 7-11



Fabrication data tab: Model Objects (beams, plates, gratings, etc.) and Assemblies (groups of elements joined by certain criteria) have different fabrication information available in the model, depending on the project state.

70

Basic Structures

Figure 7-12

o Assembly properties -

Approval status

-

Approval status code

-

Approval comment

-

Load number - delivery note number

-

Carrier

-

Shipped date

-

Delivery date

Assembly Fabrication Data is available only after you define the assembly (by numbering or using Define as main part from the element properties dialog in the Naming tab). The Assembly Fabrication Data is defined on assembly and is identical for all the assembly components. Approval status, Approval status code and Approval comment mark the modeling status of an assembly. o Object properties -

Fabrication station

-

Supplier 71

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric -

PO number - Purchase Order Number

-

Requisition number - identifier code that is used to reference a particular requisition.

-

Heat number - an identification coupon number that is stamped on a material plate after it is removed from the ladle and rolled at a steel mill.

Object Fabrication Data is always available and is defined on each object, even if some objects have the same Part Mark.

72

Basic Structures

Practice 7b

Draw Beams and Sections 1. Draw the remaining members of the structure. 2. Model all of the remaining beams and sections in the structure (except the bracings). Carefully orient and position each beam on the outside platform correctly.

73


Chapter 8 – Simple Editing This chapter contains the following topics:      

Overview Layer Management Common Basic CAD Editing Commands Transform Elements Advance Copy/Rotate/Array Advance Trim/Extend

74

Simple Editing

8.1 Overview For convenience, the common Autodesk® Advance Steel editing commands are located in the Advance Steel Tool Palette. They are Copy, Copy & Rotate 2D, Copy & Rotate 3D, Copy & Mirror 2D, Copy & Mirror 3D, Copy with Adjustment, Rectangular Array, and Polar Array.

Figure 8-1

Although these commands each have an icon they behave as they would 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.

Advance Trim/Extend It is not always easy to model objects correctly the first time. You might want to move, rotate, or change the length of a section. Alternatively, if you have a number of similar objects it might be easier to make one and copy it rather than modeling each one individually.

75


8.2 Layer Management In CAD it is recommended that you organize the objects in your model onto separate layers. This enables you to control the display by easily identifying objects that are displayed differently and to only hide and display selected objects. When working in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, it is recommended that you work on the layer Standard. Doing so activates the Autodesk® Advance Steel automatic layer management. When you work on this layer, objects that are created by the software are automatically placed on different layers depending on their object type. Normally, the layer on which an object is placed matches the type so that all of the sections are placed on the layer Beams, plates on Plates, bolts on Bolts, etc. If you change the current active layer to anything other than Standard all of the objects are placed on the current layer, regardless of their type. The layer on which an object is placed does not matter to the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, it is only for convenience. You can move objects to different layers as needed using the AutoCAD Properties palette. You can create custom layers using the AutoCAD Layer Properties in the Home tab>Layers panel. You can hide, freeze, and lock layers as needed. However, objects on frozen, hidden, or locked layers cannot be edited.

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Simple Editing

Note: Further automatic layer management can be set up based on an object’s Model Role if it is assigned by a macro. To toggle this option on, click (Management Tools) in the Home tab > Settings panel. In the Advance Steel Management Tools dialog box, expand Defaults > Layer assignment and select the Default layers used for AS objects based on object role option. All of the members of a Railing are then placed on the layer Railings, rather than on Beams and Plates. Objects with their Model Role set to None are placed on the original layers.

Figure 8-2

77


8.3 Common Basic CAD Editing Commands All of the basic editing commands that are common to CAD programs remain available (in the Modify palette). However, these commands do not recognize the extra intelligence of Autodesk ® Advance Steel objects, so they might not always be the best option. It is recommended that you use the basic CAD command if the resulting object does not require any intelligent handling during the operation. If the operation would benefit from the Autodesk® Advance Steel software’s extra intelligence, use an Autodesk ® Advance Steel command to do the edit. Some of the basic CAD commands are also not very suitable to 3D (e.g., Rotate only permits angles in the XY plane). For example, the following operations can be performed using the standard CAD commands: 

Move a beam that does not have any joints or without changing its joints. (Move)



Rotate a plate that is not connected to anything. (Rotate)



Copy a column that does not have any joints to many locations. (Copy)



Move the end of a beam when you missed the snap point during creation. (Drag the grip at the end.)



Change one beam size to match another. (Match Properties)



Move an object to another layer. (Properties)

The following operations should be done using Autodesk ® Advance Steel commands: 

Copy an entire Portal frame with joints. (Use Transform Elements.)



Make a pattern of columns with base plates. (Use Transform Elements.)

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Simple Editing



Extend/trim beams, including the system lines, to the surface of another beam. (Use Advance Trim/Extend.)

It is recommended that you always use an Autodesk® Advance Steel command because it can handle the extra intelligence of the Autodesk® Advance Steel objects properly.

79


8.4 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 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.

If the objects are part of a joint (e.g., the Portal frame) and you want the result to be part of a joint rather than individual elements (i.e., three more Portal frames, rather than many beams) ensure that you select the joint box as part of the operation.

Figure 8-3

80

Simple Editing



Select Include additional connections. If it is not selected, any relationships between the selected elements and others are ignored.

If you want to include joints between beams in the operation, do not select every member of the joint, just select the beams that are between the joints and ensure that this option is selected. 

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.



A prompt might display, such as Select corresponding entity [Skip]:. If you follow the prompt, note the highlighted object in the selected objects. Identify the corresponding object in the new location and select it. If you cannot identify the correct object you can skip it by pressing without selecting anything. However, if you do so the intelligence is lost. Repeat this for all of the prompts.

The edits are done. You can zoom, rotate, and pan as needed to inspect the result, but do not select another command. 

If the result is correct, click the OK button in the Preview bar.



If the result is not correct, click the Modify button to return to the dialog box and adjust the settings.



If the result is wrong, click the Cancel button and everything is restored to before Transform.

All of the new objects that have been created during transform are independent of the originals. Any joints created maintain their full intelligence. Therefore, to copy the complete Portal frame with joints from grid lines A to B, C, and D, you would need to do the following: 81




Clear any selection (press twice).



In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Advanced Copy).



Select Objects: Select the joint box around the Portal frame and the four main beams of the frame and accept.



Select Include additional connections.



Set the action to Copy.



Set the coordinates at the top by clicking the button next to the values and selecting A1 and then B1 (one pitch).



Set the number of copies to 3.



Click Preview.



Select the corresponding elements as prompted (3 x 4 = 12 selections).



If the results are correct, click the OK button.

In each case the Transform Elements dialog box has buttons that enable you to select points or offsets on screen using object snaps. This way you can achieve the correct value according to the current UCS, and have it relate to your operation. Always test your entries using the Preview button rather than clicking OK immediately. If you do need to undo a transformation, a number of Undo commands are required.

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8.5 Advance Copy/Rotate/Array For convenience, the common Autodesk® Advance Steel editing commands are located in the Palette. They are Copy, Copy & Rotate 2D, Copy & Rotate 3D, Copy & Mirror 2D, Copy & Mirror 3D, Copy with Adjustment, Rectangular Array, and Polar Array.

Figure 8-4

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.

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8.6 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 twice).



In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Advanced Trim/Extend).



Please select operation mode [Trim/Extend/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] : 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.



Right-click when finished.

Edits take place immediately as you proceed. All of the changes in one Advanced Trim/Extend command are combined into one undo. If you use the Auto mode to trim a beam, the side of the boundary object that is the shortest is the end that is cut off, regardless of the side that you select. If you use the Trim mode, the beam is cut on the side of the boundary object that you select. In the following example, the blue beam is the cutting boundary. The brown beam is selected to cut at the point at which the cursor is displayed. The result with 84

Simple Editing

Auto mode is shown in the middle. The result with Trim mode is shown on the right.

Figure 8-5

When drawing beams, it is recommended that you use object snaps at logical design points and have the system lines meet each other. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software does not actually need the system lines or beams to meet each other, fall short of each other, or even cross: when a joint is placed it adjusts the lengths of the beams (not the system lines) to suit. You do not need to edit the system lines to the exact length of the finished machined member, although it is preferable if it is close. If one of the members is subsequently edited, the joint automatically adjusts the length of both beams as required. Therefore, you do not need to use this command very often. However, if the system line is noticeably different from the finished beam length it could have a negative effect on drawing quality.

85


Chapter 9 – Automatic Joints This chapter contains the following topics:      

Connection Vault Joint Properties Repeating Joints Joint Library Joint Groups Add Joints

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Automatic Joints

9.1 Connection Vault To attach the beams, various joints must be designed between them. Sometimes a joint can be unique, but usually an engineer selects one of the many standard types of joints. To make a joint, the beams must meet and be shaped around each other as needed. Additional plates, bolts, and welds are also usually required. Rather than repeatedly modeling all of these objects individually, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software has intelligent tools for creating a huge range of recognized joints. The Connection Vault interface is used to organize all of the types of available joints. To place a new joint, it is recommended that you always start with the connection vault.

Figure 9-1

The vault has three panes. The pane on the left contains a list of the many types of joints in a category type structure. Use the category symbols to expand and collapse the groups of related joints. Select a joint name to display images of examples of the joint in the top right pane. (These previews are only examples and not an exhaustive representation of what can be achieved.) The lower right pane displays a description of the joint and some additional information. 87


Making a Connection An intelligent connection is made between two or three beams as follows: 

In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Connection Vault).



Select the required category on the left.



Click the required joint type.



Please select the main beam ~> Select objects: Select the beam that is NOT going to change length.



Please select the secondary beam: Select the beam that is going to be adjusted and shaped around the first.

These are generic prompts. The exact prompts vary depending on the joint that you have selected (e.g., Please identify column: or Please identify rafter:) There can also be a third prompt for some joints. After selecting the inputs, a small alert box might open prompting you that Template values were not found. Take defaults of the connection. This is for information only. Click the OK button to proceed.

Figure 9-2

The joint is created and the joint box is displayed. Note: This information might appear in the command line, depending on the default. In engineering terms, when placing a joint, the secondary beam transfers its load onto the main beam. 88

Automatic Joints

9.2 Joint Properties Every type of joint in the Connection Vault has a different version of the Joint Properties dialog box. In each case, due to the complexity of the joints and the number of parameters that can be varied, a large number of options are displayed in a large number of grouped tabs. It would be overwhelming to try and list every option. Therefore, this training guide provides an overview of some of the common options or properties. To help you to identify the option or parameter that you need to set to adjust a specific dimension or position, each tab in the Properties displays an image of the various numbered dimensions. The property options in that tab have corresponding numbers. Find the numbered dimension in the image and enter the required value in the field with the same number. For example, if the overall length of the end plates is dimension 3 you need to adjust it using the value in the 3. Length: field. Note that various options might be disabled. This is often because of the way in which another option has been set. In the example, 3. Length is disabled because End Plate Length Type is set to Projection. In this option, fields 4 and 5 are valid and the overall length is calculated. If you would rather set the overall height of the plate, you need to change End plate length type to Exact Value from Top or Exact Value from Bottom. Field 3 becomes available, enabling you to enter the required length. Field 4 or 5 is disabled and calculated as needed. Sometimes the options interact over several tabs in the Properties dialog box. Therefore, you might need to change the settings on the other tabs to enable a specific option on a specific tab.

Figure 9-3

89


Sometimes certain types of joints can have unexpected results when applied to non-symmetrical sections, such as Channels or Angles. In most cases the required result can be achieved by trying different options and settings. For example, depending on the section orientation, the Top and Bottom could be swapped when manipulating a joint on a Channel type section.

Plate and Bolt Sizes and Projection Option The various parameters of the plates and bolts are usually on tabs that are grouped together under General or Plates and Bolts. The sizes of the end plates or other plates that are created by a joint can be set in several ways. 

Projections: With this option set you can control the amount by which the plate overhangs the section on each side. If the section is edited and changed later, the plate size and the spacing in the joint change automatically to maintain the same projection dimensions.



By Bolts: This option lays out the bolts according to distances from the sections used in the joint. The plate size is then calculated based on the overall bolt spacing. If the section is edited later, the joint updates automatically to maintain the bolt positions relative to the new section size and the plate size relative to the bolt positions.



Total Size: If you use this option you can directly set the overall size of the plate. If the section to which the plate is fixed changes, the plate size does not update but remains at the set size.

You might want to select Projections or By Bolt so the joint updates when a section changes size. However, there might be problems. Most standard sections do not have a convenient overall size. In many standards, the overall size is not the same as the nominal size. For example, a UK Universal Beam 254 x 146 x 43 actually measures 259.6 x 147.3. If you add a 50 Projection to this, the finished plate would measure 359.6 x 247.3. These are not good dimensions to which to manufacture. In most cases it is preferred, and cheaper to manufacture, if you use dimensions that can be constructed from standard Flat sections. Therefore, in this example, plates measuring 250 wide could be cut 360 long from a Flat 250 x

90

Automatic Joints

10 and a setting of Total sizes of 360 and 250 would be preferred to projections.

Figure 9-4

For Bolt spacing, the equivalent of the Projection option would be the From Section option or a similar option. It is often recommended that you use another option and set the round dimension for the spacing, rather than having bolt centers, such as 309.6 x 197.3. The Bolt type and diameter can be set in the Bolts and Holes tab. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software has pre-defined combinations of nuts, bolts, and washers and you can only select one of them. Select the Bolt Type, such as XOX or Set Screw. Each type of bolt has specific combinations of nuts and bolts (such as Standard or Nut and 2 Washers) that are valid and you must select one of them in the Bolt Assembly box. The bolt diameter can be set in the Diameter field. The bolt length is automatically selected from a list of standard bolt lengths that have been defined in the software. The options and dimensions controlling the plate sizes in joints are often located in the same tabs as those for the bolts. For example, in a Single Sided End Plate Joint the plate sizes are on the Horizontal Bolts and Vertical Bolts tabs along with the bolt options.

Other Options Most joints have options for cutting the plates created and/or the beams involved around other members. In general there is a set of options for Notches that enable you to control the clearances that are required for each case.

91


Figure 9-5

In most cases the plates or other sections that are created as part of a joint are welded to one or another member of the joint. The sizes of these welds might need to vary to suit the section and loading and this can be done in the Welds tab. Many joint types enable extra plates to be welded in to strengthen the joint. These plates follow fixed rules and are controlled by sets of options on tabs called Stiffeners. Depending on the type of joint there might be extra options that are unique to that type of joint. For example, a Base Plate can have a Shear Anchor or Leveling Plates and an Eaves Haunch can have an Additional Rafter to create wider eaves. These options typically have an extra tab in the Joint Properties dialog box. The first option on the tab is generally a tick box to enable the option, although this might be located on another tab.

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Automatic Joints

9.3 Repeating Joints In a specific structure it is common to repeat the same joint, between sections of the same sizes, and with the same parameters in many locations. Rather than having to create each joint and repeatedly set all of the parameters individually, there are several ways to efficiently repeat a joint. Regardless of the method used to create a joint, you can use the Autodesk® Advance Joint Properties to alter its parameters later. All of the joints remain independent of each other.

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 93


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 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.

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Automatic Joints

The Autodesk® Advance Steel software analyzes your selection and places joints at every possible location in your selections (many at the same time). All of the joints that are placed have identical parameters to the one copied. The joint box is not displayed. Note: Be careful when using this with double-sided joints, because it might result in two copies of the joint in the same location. Note: Do not try to place too many of variations in one move. While the command is good at identifying different orientations or configurations, if you include too many in one command, problems can occur.

95


9.4 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.

Figure 9-6

It is possible to turn off the Template values not found alert box so that the message displays in the AutoCAD Command Line instead. To do so, in the Home tab > Setting panel, click (Management Tools).Select Defaults, and clear General > Message box when template values are not found.

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.) If there is more than one possible match in the Library for the current joint, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software applies the first match it finds in the table. If no match is found in the Library, an alert box displays, prompting you: Template values not found Take defaults of the connection. This is not an error. It is information that your joint does not match a pre-defined configuration. If you want to apply a different set of parameters than the Library entry selected by the software, select any line in the Library and the corresponding parameters are applied immediately. To help you locate the required entry in the Library, you can sort the table by any column (e.g., Comment or Section) by selecting the heading of that column. 96

Automatic Joints

There can be a recognized standard for providing set dimensions and sizes that have been defined for a specific load on a specific joint type. The Library is the ideal place in which to define these parameters, so they can be used easily. For example, in the UK, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) publishes a set of standards (commonly called the Green Book because of the color of its cover) defining plate sizes, bolt positions, etc., for several load ranges on many member sizes and many types of joints. These recognized pre-defined settings have been stored in the Library as part of the standard installation. Once applied, there is no link between the joint parameters and the Library. Therefore, you can override any setting without affecting any other joints or the table. To add a custom entry to the joint Library: 

Place the joint that you want to store and set all of its parameters as required.



Select the Library tab in the Joint Properties dialog box.



Click the Save values button.

Figure 9-7



Your settings are added to the table with a dash - in the Comment column.



Click the Edit button. The table editor displays.

97


Figure 9-8

To maximize the power and flexibility of the Table and to minimize similar entries, you can use the % (percent) symbol as a wild card in the section columns. You can also set the preferred default values that can be used when a better match is not found by creating a Default entry in the



Locate your entry in the table. New entries are usually, but not always, at the bottom of the table. New entries display a dash in the Comment column.



Select the Comment box for your entry and enter a recognizable name.



Click the OK button.



Close the Joint Properties dialog box.

The Library entry is now available for use in any future joints of that type. The Library is stored on a specific PC, which remains available for all of the projects and users on that PC.

table. These are outside the scope of this training guide. Ask your Autodesk representative for more information.

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Automatic Joints

9.5 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.



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 99


the required copies, press or right-click without selecting a member.

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.

The Autodesk® Advance Steel software analyzes your selection and places joints at every possible location in your selections (many at the same time). All of the joints that are placed are added to the same group as the original joint. If the original joint was not in a group, it becomes the master of the new group.

100

Automatic Joints

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.

The selected joint becomes an independent joint again.

Add a Joint to a Joint Group If you have independent joints that you want to make into a group you can use this command to do so. 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Add joint to a joint group).



Select Joint: Select any member of the joint that you want to add to the group and accept. You can only add ONE joint at a time with this command.



Select Master Joint: Select any member of a joint that you want to link to and accept. If the joint is already in a group, the new joint is added to the same group. If the second joint is not already in a group it becomes the master of the new group.

Upgrade to Master When you want to change the configuration of joints in a group you must edit the master joint because all of the editing of the slave joints is disabled. However, you might not know which joint is the master. If so, you have several options: 

You can use the Search Filter to search for a joint that is a master.

Or 101




You can use the joint properties of any joint in the group and select the Upgrade to Master option on the front page of the Properties dialog box.

Figure 9-9

When you select Upgrade to Master, the current joint becomes the master of the joint group, enabling you to edit any of the properties in the current Joint Properties dialog box.

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Automatic Joints

Practice 9a

Add joints 1. Add joints to the training project. 2. Add all of the required joints to the training project. The project uses the following joint types:    

Base Plate: Enter the name Base Type A in the Joint Name field and make all of the base plates a joint group. Single Sided End Plate, Double Sided End Plate with Safety Bolt on all the horizontal beams Eaves. Haunch to Flange and Apex Haunch on all of the rafters. The Library might sometimes include a matching entry for the joint.

3. Ensure that all of the joints match the dimensions in drawings G100 and G113 from Chapter 1, Introduction.

103


Chapter 10 – Beam Features This chapter contains the following topics:           

Introduction Coping or Notching Beams Shorten at UCS Cut at Object Cope Parametric Cope – Joint Beam Clearance Contour Features Editing Features Miter Splitting and Joining Beams

104

Beam Features

10.1 Introduction When a section is first drawn, it is recommended that it is drawn between easy design points. However, this results in many sections clashing at their intersections. When you place joints from the Connection Vault, the sections are shaped around each other to avoid clashes and space is made for the connection plates. This is done by creating Beam Features that modify the shape of the beam. Although the Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes an extensive range of these intelligent joints, sometimes an automatic joint cannot be used in specific situations. Additionally, beams might need to be shaped around obstacles or each other without forming a joint. In these cases you need to create custom Beam Features.

105


Practice 10a

Open the Drawing 1. Open Feature Practice.dwg in the C:\Advance Steel Essentials - Metric Class Files folder.

Figure 10-1

This file has been created to enable you to practice Beam Features and to demonstrate specific points.

106

Beam Features

10.2 Coping or Notching Beams 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, click



(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.

Figure 10-2

This is not intended to change the nominal length or end point of a beam, but only to adjust the end by a relatively small amount to allow for joint plates, etc.



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).

107


Practice 10b

Use a Shorten on a Beam 1. Try a Shorten on the exposed ends of the brown beams.

108

Beam Features

10.3 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. 




(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.

109


Practice 10c

Shorten at UCS 1. Use Shorten at UCS to cut one of the red beams where it meets the blue beam.

110

Beam Features

10.4 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. 


(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 beam and the Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 10-3



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.

111


Practice 10d

Cut at Object 1. Use Cut at Object where a brown beam meets the blue beam. 2. Use Cut at Object where the other red beam meets the blue beam.

112

Beam Features

10.5 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. 




(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.

Figure 10-4



Shape tab o Width X: Set the amount to cut off the length of the section. o Depth: Set the distance down the beam that is to be cut (measured from the outside surface of the section).



This notch is always square to the section.

Corner Finish tab o Radius: Set the fillet radius for the corner of the cut. o Boring Out: Change the type of relief in the corner of the cut. 113


Cope, skewed If you need a notch that is not square to the section you can use the Notch, skewed command. 




(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.

The cope is applied immediately and the Cope Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 10-5



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.

114

Beam Features o Distance from Axis is measured from the system line. Therefore, if the system line is on the outside face of the beam (most floor beams have the system line in the top center) you need to enter a negative number for the depth.



Axis: Set the angle of rotation about the section’s Y-axis.

Corner Finish tab o Radius: Set the fillet radius for the corner of the cut. o Boring Out: Select the type of relief in the corner of the cut.

115


Practice 10e

Cope and Cope, Skewed 1. Use Cope and Cope, Skewed on the points where the brown and red beams meet the blue beam. 2. Compare this with a Cope, Skewed on the bottom flange of the green beam.

116

Beam Features

10.6 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. 


(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.

Figure 10-6



Use the options in the Parameters tab to set the gap between the two members in each direction. You can also add corner relief for the cuts.



In the Welds tab you can select the option to weld the two beams together.

This creates a shortening and two copes (and other cuts for the corners if needed). These individual features are combined into the Parametric Cope joint.

117


Element Contour - Rule Another way to completely shape one member around another is to use Element Contour - Rule. 


(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.

Figure 10-7



Parameters tab o Welding: Select this option to create a weld between the two members. o Contour Shape: Select this option if you want your cut to match: -

The exact shape of the passing beam (including corner radii and tapers). The standard shape of the passing beam (simplified to parallel flanges and no fillet radii). 118

Beam Features

-

Casing (a box around the passing beam).

o Create Shortening: If this option is selected, the end of the beam is cut off completely. If not selected, the end of the This creates a single shaped cut through the modified beam (and a shortening if that is selected). This joint has more power than the Parametric Cope joint and is the preferred option in most cases.

119


Practice 10f

Create a Parametric Cope – Joint 1. Use Parametric Cope – Joint and Element Contour – Rule where the brown, red, and blue beams meet.

120

Beam Features

10.7 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. 


(Beam clearance).



Select main beam: Select the beam that you do not want to move and press .



Select second beam: Select a second beam to measure from and press .



Select beam to move: Select the beam that should be moved and press .



Enter distance: Type the clearance distance in the Command Line.

The beam moves along the main beam.

121


Practice 10g

Beam Clearance 1. Use Beam clearance to move the second brown beam so that it is within 300 units of the first brown beam.

122

Beam Features

10.8 Contour Features In addition to shaping one beam around another, you might want to create other cut outs in beams to avoid clashes, etc. A variety of additional features can be used to achieve this. Essentially, they all work in the same way. The UCS XY plane must be parallel to the face that you want to cut (the web or flange of the section).

Rectangular Contour, Centre It enables you to create a rectangular cut out using a single reference point to define the location. 

Set the UCS as needed.




(Rectangular Contour, Centre, UCS).



Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the beam that you want to cut.



Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point to position the cut out.

The cut is placed immediately at a default size and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Rectangular Contour, 2 Points It enables you to create a rectangular cut out using two reference points to define the location and size. Set the UCS as needed. 


(Rectangular Contour, 2 points, UCS).






Please define two diagonal points for rectangular contour, first point: Select a point for one corner of the cut out. 123




Second point: Select a point for the opposite corner of the cut out.

The cut is placed immediately at the defined size and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Circular Contour, Centre It enables you to create a circular cut out using a single reference point for the location.  

Set the UCS as needed. In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category, click

(Circular Contour, Centre, UCS).






Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point to position the cut out.

The cut out is placed immediately at a default size and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Circular Contour, 2 Points It enables you to create a circular cut out using two reference points to define the location and size. 





(Circular Contour, 2 points, UCS).






Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point for the center of the cut out.



Circle radius: Select a point for the radius of the cut out.

The cut is placed immediately at the defined size and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens. 124

Beam Features

Polygon Contour It enables you to create a shaped cut out in a beam. The edges of the shape can be straight lines or arcs. 





(Polygon Contour, UCS).






Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select a point for any corner of the required shape.



Please select point or [rc]: Select subsequent points to define the shape.



Please select point or [rc/lose]: After at least three points have been defined, this prompt displays. If you want to have an arc for an edge of the shape, enter A for the Arc option.



Please select point or [econd Point/ine/lose]: When drawing arcs, this prompt displays. Select points to define the arcs as required. Each arc is tangential to the previous segment.



Please select point or [econd Point/ine/lose]: If you want to return to drawing straight edges, enter L for the Line option.



Please select point or [rc/lose]: When you have drawn all of the shape except the last edge, select the Close option and the software automatically connects the last point to the first point.

The shape that you have defined is cut through the beam and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens. You can draw the required shape as a polyline before using this command, if you prefer. At the Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: prompt, enter P for Polyline and select the polyline to cut the predefined shape out of the beam. 125


Contour Processing Properties The Contour Processing Properties dialog box is very similar, but you have created the shape.

Figure 10-8



Shape tab o For rectangular contours, set the Width X and Length Y values to set the size of the cut out. o For a circular contour, set the Radius value for the size of the cut out. o For Polygon contours, this tab is not available.



Positioning tab o This tab does not exist for Polygon Contours. o For rectangular or circular contours you can set the position of the cut out relative to the first selected point.



Contour tab o Gap width: It is often easier to select the corners of objects that you need to cut around than to select points with clearances. This option enables you to set the clearance after defining the shape. Enter a value to expand the shape by that distance in every direction.

126

Beam Features

o Side 1 and Side 2: Select the option to limit the depth of cut in that direction to the value that is displayed in the box. If not selected, the cut is infinitely deep in that direction. 

Corner Finish tab: Set the radii in the corners of the cut out.

When a contour is created it is usually infinitely deep in both directions (Side 1 and Side 2 are not selected). When working on the web of a section, this does not matter. If you are working on the flange of a section the cut goes through both flanges. To only have the cut go through one flange, you need to select one of the Side 1 or Side 2 options and enter a depth (e.g., start with 20). It is not easy to determine the direction of Side 1 or Side 2, so you have to experiment. It does not matter which command was used to create the rectangular or circular contour. The Position relative to the selected point can still be set in the Position tab. Therefore, if you need a cut out but only know one reference point (such as that the middle of one end of the rectangle must line up with the node at the end of a beam), use the By center option to create the cut out and then change the position in the Positioning tab.

The depth is measured from the system line of the section. Therefore, if the system line is on an outer edge of the section (such as the top center of a floor beam) both flanges are on the same side of the system line. In this case to prevent the cut going through the flange nearest to the system line, you need to select one of the sides and enter a negative depth (e.g., -20). The effect of the depth is more apparent if your cut crosses the web of a section.

127


Practice 10h

Experiment with Contours 1. Try using each of the contour features. 2. Try cutting the flange of the blue beam where the yellow beam cuts it. 3. Try cutting the flange of the green beam where the blue beam cuts it. Ensure that you only cut one flange.

128

Beam Features

10.9 Editing Features When features are created they are represented in the model b green shapes. To return to the feature properties and edit them, you must select the green shape and select Advance Properties or Advance Joint Properties when editing an Element Contour – Rule or Parametric Cope – Joint.

Presentation Type The green shape is often not displayed. To edit the feature you must display the shape first. Alternatively, there might be many green shapes in the display and you might want to hide them. The cut out in the beam is always displayed, regardless of whether the green shape is displayed or not. Several options are available for changing the display of the features:

First 

Select the beam with the feature.

Then 

Right-click and select Advance Properties.

Figure 10-9

Or In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Advance Steel properties). In the Display Type tab, select Standard to hide the features or Features to display the green shapes.

129


Figure 10-10

Or 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views category, click (Change presentation type) repeatedly to cycle through the five possible states until the required display state is achieved.

Or If you want to hide the features you can click (Standard presentation) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views category. If you want to hide all of the beam features in the model you can do the following: 

Ensure that nothing is selected.



In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters category, click



(Beam features).

In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Quick Views category, click

(Selected objects off).

130

Beam Features

10.10 Miter Another available joint type is to miter two beams together. This cuts the beams straight across at a bisecting angle and then optionally welds them together. 


(Miter).

Or 

In the Connection Vault, in the Miscellaneous Joints category, click

(Miter).

Figure 10-9



Section to cut against: Select the first beam that you want to edit and accept.



Section to cut: Select the second beam that you want to edit and accept.

The beams are cut at the bisecting angle and the Miter Properties dialog box opens. If you want the beams to be welded together you must select Create Weld in the Cut tab.

131


10.11 Splitting and Joining Beams Split Beams  

In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click (Split Beams). Select beam_~>Select objects: Select the beam that you want to cut.



Select split point or [Gap]: Select a point at which to cut the beam.



Select split point: Continue selecting points at which to cut or press or right-click when finished.

The cuts are made and you are returned to the Command Prompt.

Merge Beams It joins two or more beams into one. The beams must be in line, meet end to end, and be of the same section. 

In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click



Select beam: ~> Select objects: Select all of the beams that you want to make into one and accept.

(Merge beams).

If they meet end to end, the beams are converted into a single object.

132

Beam Features

Practice 10i

Modify Columns 1. Modify Columns C4 and D4 in the training structure. 2. Modify the tops of the top of the RHS columns on grid C4 and D4 ready for the joint, as shown in the drawings.

133


Chapter 11 - Plates This chapter contains the following topics: 

Flat Plates  Plate Properties  Folded Plates  Gratings

134

Plates

Practice 11a

Open the Drawing 1. Continue working in Feature Practice File.dwg for practicing with plates.

135


11.1 Flat Plates Virtually, all structures include many plates, either as parts of joints or as members. Therefore, the Autodesk® Advance Steel has many tools for creating plates of all types according to your needs. Unless otherwise stated, these commands create a flat plate in the XY plane of the current UCS. Therefore, you need to set the UCS as required first.

Rectangular Plate, Centre It enables you to create a rectangular plate using a single reference point for its position. 

In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click Centre)



Please define the center of the plate to be created: Select a point to position the plate.

(Rectangular Plate,

A single plate is created on the XY plane at the selected location with the default dimensions. The Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Rectangular Plate, 2 Points It enables you to create a rectangular plate using two points to define its position and size. 

In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click 2 Points).



Please define the start point of the plate's diagonal line: Select a point for one corner of the plate.



Please define the end point of the plate's diagonal line: Select a point for the opposite corner of the plate.

(Rectangular Plate,

A single plate is created with its corners on the selected points. The Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Rectangular Plate, 3 Points It enables you to create a rectangular plate at any angle to the XY plane using three points to define its position and size.

136

Plates



In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click 3 Points).



Please specify first point of the plate contour: Select a point for the first corner of the plate (on the XY plane).



Please specify second point to define the plate X direction and dimension: Select a point for the next corner of the plate to define the first edge (on the XY plane).



Please specify third point to define the plate plane and Y dimension: Select a third point anywhere in empty space to define the third corner of the plate (diagonally opposite the first corner) and the plate’s angle to the XY plane.

(Rectangular Plate,

A plate is created between the three points and the Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Polygon Plate It enables you to create a plate of any shape with straight edges. 

In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click



Please specify points that define the contour of the plate: Select a point for the first corner of the plate.



Polygon vertex 2: Select a point for the next corner of the plate.



Polygon vertex 3: Select a point for the third corner of the plate.



Polygon vertex 4: Continue selecting the corners of the plate in sequence as needed. When you are finished selecting all the required corners (at least three), press or rightclick to join the last corner to the first.

(Polygon Plate).

A plate is created using the defined shape, the size is defined, and the Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Plate at Polyline It enables you to create a plate of any shape (including curved edges), by converting a standard AutoCAD Polyline. 137




Create an AutoCAD Polyline forming a closed shape for the plate as needed.






Select polyline: Select the polyline that you created and accept.

(Plate at Polyline).

A plate is created matching the shape of the polyline and the Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Circular Plate If you want to create a circular or ring-shaped plate, you can do so with this command. 

In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click Plate).



The Create Circular Plate dialog box opens. Set the Outer Diameter, Inner Diameter, and Thickness as needed and click the OK button.

(Create Circular

Figure 10-1

Your plate is created with its center point at the current UCS origin. The plate that is created is a square plate with plate features for creating the curved edges and hole as required.

138

Plates

11.2 Plate Properties Regardless of how they are created, flat plates all use a similar Properties dialog box.

Figure 11-2



Shape and Material tab o Width X and Length Y: Only used for rectangular plates. Set the length and width of the plate as needed. o Thickness: Set the plate thickness as needed (you can select from the list or enter a value). o Material: Select the required material for the plate. o Coating: Select the required coating or finish for the plate.



Positioning tab o Offset: Regardless of the method used to create the plate you can adjust its position relative to the points selected using these options. o Justification: Decide whether the plate is above, below, or equal to both sides of the plane on which it has been drawn. Use the icons for the three basic options or enter a value in the field if another position is required.

139


11.3 Folded Plates In addition to being able to model simple flat plates, the software can model plates that are folded into complex shapes. A folded plate is considered a single object for drawing and manufacturing purposes. Although very powerful, the software is not a sheet metal package. If a fold does not cover an entire edge, a bend relief is not modeled. Therefore, the fold is modeled as a tear. Corner reliefs are not modeled at any time either.

Folded Plate without Position Adjustment Convert two neighboring plates into a folded plate. 

Create individual flat plates representing each flat face of your finished object. These plates should be positioned with the joined edges touching in the required location.



In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click without position adjustment).



Please identify the plate to connect to: Select the plate that is not going to move when folded.



Please identify the plate to be connected: Select the plate that is going to move when folded.

(Folded plate

A fold is modeled between the plates and the Folded Plate – Fold Line Properties dialog box opens. Any plate features that already exist in the individual pieces of plate are preserved and remain in the correct position relative to the piece of plate.

Folded Plate with Position Adjustment It joins any two plates together into a folded plate. The second plate is moved and rotated so the selected edges are joined and the plates do not have to be touching at the start. 

Create the required flat plate pieces.



In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click position adjustment).

(Folded Plate with

140

Plates



Please identify the plate to connect to near an edge: Select the plate that is not going to not move near the edge that should be joined to the other plate.



Please identify the plate to be connected near an edge: Select the plate that is going to move near the edge to be joined.



Angle: Enter the required fold angle.

The second plate is moved so that the midpoints of the selected edges touch and is then be tilted to the specified angle. The Folded Plate – Fold Line Properties dialog box opens. Any plate features that already exist in the individual pieces of plate are preserved and remain in the correct positions relative to the piece of plate. When setting the sizes of individual plates remember to allow for the plate thickness in your required final dimensions. The individual plates on the left are aligned before the fold is applied.

Figure 11-3

Create Conical Folded Plate It creates a folded plate between any two closed polyline shapes. This was originally used for hoppers or ducting type shapes in which rectangles are converted into round sections. The command can merge any two shapes together. 

Create two closed polyline shapes above each other on different Z planes.

141




In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click folded plate).



Select start shape type [Contour/Beam] : Select the Contour option.



Select contour: Select the polyline for the top of the cone and accept.



Select end shape type [Contour/Beam] : Select the Contour option.



Select contour: Select the polyline for the bottom of the cone and accept.



The Conical Folded Plate dialog box opens. Complete the required options before continuing.

(Create conical

Figure 11-4

o Facets per corner/quadrant: How many flat segments are used to convert a sharp corner into a curve? o Plate thickness: How thick should your plate be? o Plate Justification: Select whether the shapes you drew were the inside or outside edges of the plate or between the two. 

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. 142

Plates



Create the lines, arcs, or polylines that represent the edges of the plate.



In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click 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.

(Create twisted

Figure 11-5

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.

A shaped folded plate is created, merging the selected elements as its edges. A folded plate with flat facets is created to go between the two selected edges. If the shape can be created using fewer facets than you set in the Properties dialog box it is done. If the two elements 143


selected are coplanar, the result is a single flat plate (no facets) of the required shape. With this command you can select Lines, Arcs, Polylines, or 3D Polylines, Splines, or Helixes to create the folded plate. The polylines can include straight or arc segments, but you cannot use a curved polyline (one that uses the Fit or Spline options).

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.

Figure 11-6

o Angle: Enter the angle of fold according to the image. o Justification: Set whether the fold radius should be measured on the inside surface, outside surface, or between the two. o Radius: Enter the required bend radius. If you change the angle the associated plate moves to suit. All of the features in the plate are preserved in the plate segment.

144

Plates

Deleting Folded Plates If you select a flat segment of a folded plate and press the entire folded plate is deleted. If you select the fold between two flat segments of plate and press , the fold is deleted and the flat segments are no longer joined.

Check Unfolding When creating folded plates it would be possible to model something that could not be developed into one sheet of material. To ensure that you have not done so, you can use the Check Unfolding command. 




Please select folded plate: Select the folded plate that you want to check.



Display unfolded representation [Yes/No] : Yes

(Check unfolding).

A green outline of the developed plate is displayed. If the plate cannot be unfolded safely the following prompt displays before the Display unfolded representation [Yes/No] : prompt: Selected folded plate cannot be correctly unfolded! Display unfolded representation [Yes/No] : If you enter Yes a preview of the theoretical unfolded outline displays, enabling you to identify where the overlap would occur. If no message is displayed, the plate can be safely developed into a flat pattern. Once you have finished with the unfolded outline you can remove it from the display by clicking (Clear Marked Objects) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category.

145


11.4 Gratings In the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, a Grating is special kind of plate. There are special commands for drawing the grating, but after creation it can be modified, etc., in the same way as any other plate. Gratings are modeled as a flat plate shape, but are visually distinguished by the hatch pattern that is applied to one surface. The details of the hatch pattern are representative and do not match the exact specification of the grating.

Standard Grating It creates a model of a standard grating panel. 

In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click Grating).



Pick a point to locate the grating: Select a point for the center of the grating panel.

(Standard

A default grating panel is created and the Standard Grating Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 11-7

In the Shape and Connector tab, select the required grating.

146

Plates

Variable Grating, Polygonal It creates a piece of grating of any size and shape. 

In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click Polygonal).



Please specify points that define the grating's contour: Select a point for the first corner of your grating.



Polygon vertex 2: Select a point for the second corner of your grating.



Polygon vertex 3: Select a point for the third corner of your plate.



Polygon vertex 4: You can continue to select as many points as needed. When you have selected at least three points you can finish the grating by pressing or right-click to connect the last point to the first.

(Variable Grating,

A grating is modeled with the straight edges of the shape you have defined and the Variable Grating Properties dialog box opens. Select the required grating specification in the Shape and Connector tab.

Variable Gating, Rectangular Create a rectangular piece of grating of any size. 

In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click Rectangular)



Please define the start point of the grating's diagonal line: Select a point for one corner of your grating.

 

Please define the end point of the grating's diagonal line: Select a point for the diagonally opposite corner of your grating.

(Variable Grating,

A rectangular piece of grating is modeled between the selected points and the Variable Grating Properties dialog box opens.

147


Set the grating specification as required in the Shape and Connector tab.

Span Direction The span direction of the grating (the direction of the largest sections) is indicated by the direction of the hatch pattern and a symbol in the middle of the hatch.

Figure 11-8

For a Standard Grating, the span direction is always parallel to the shortest edge of the panel. For a Variable Grating you can set a custom span direction. When created, a span direction that is parallel to the UCS X-axis is set. You can modify this setting, if required. 

Select the variable grating.



Locate the Span direction symbol near the center of the grating.



Locate the grip at the end of the symbol and select it.



Move the grip until the required span direction is indicated and click again. 148

Plates

Practice 11b

Remodel Ducting and Add Plates 1. Recreate the ducting in the Feature Practice file. 2. Change the AutoCAD layer state to Plate Practice. 3. Remodel the magenta ducting on the end of the brown duct.

Figure 11-9

4. This requires that the four plates be turned into a folded plate and then a conical folded plate be created based on the yellow polyline and circle provided. 5. Add Plates to Platform joints to the training structure. 6. Add plates to the top of the RHS columns on grid C4 and D4, as shown in the drawings.

149


Chapter 12 – Plate Features This chapter contains the following topics:     

Contour Features Contour Processing Properties Plate Contour Features – Non UCS Chamfers and Fillets Dividing and Joining Plates

150

Plate Features

12.1 Contour Features The Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Features category contains plate feature commands that do not include UCS in their names. They are located at the bottom of the palette. These features work in the same way as the UCS versions, but the direction of the cut is always perpendicular to the surface of the plate. As with beams, you might need to cut holes or shapes into plates. This is done using Plate Features. Contour features create cut outs of a closed shape anywhere on your plate. In each case, the contour shape is drawn in the current UCS. Therefore, you always need to ensure that the UCS is set correctly first (usually on top of your plate).

Rectangular Contour, Centre, UCS It enables you to cut a rectangular shape through a plate based on reference point for the position. 

Ensure that the UCS XY plane is on your plate.




(Rectangular contour, center, UCS).



Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the plate that you want to cut.



Please select the center of the cope: Select a point to position the cut out.



A rectangular cut out is placed in your plate at the selected point and with a default size. The Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Rectangular Contour, 2 Points, UCS It enables you to create a rectangular cut out in a plate using two points to define its position and size. 


151





(Rectangular Contour, 2 points, UCS).






Please select two diagonal points for rectangular contour, first point: Select a point for the first corner of your cut out.



Second point: Select a point for the diagonally opposite corner of your cut out.

A rectangular cut out is created in the plate between the two selected points and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Circular Contour, Centre, UCS It enables you to place a circular cut out in a plate using one reference point for the position. 

Ensure that the UCS XY plane is on your plate




(Circular contour, Centre, UCS).






Please select the center of the plate cope: Select a point for the center of your cut.

A circular cut out is created at a default size and centered on the selected point. The Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Circular Contour, 2 Points, UCS Creates a circular cut out in a plate using a center point and radius to control its position and size. 





(Circular contour, 2 Points, UCS). 152

Plate Features

Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the plate that you want to cut. 

Please select the center of the plate cope: Select a point for the center of your cut out.



Circle radius: Select a point to define the radius of your cut out.

A circular cut out is created at the specified position and size and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

Polygon Contour, UCS It creates a cut out of any shape using lines and arcs for edges. 





(Polygon contour, UCS).






Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select a point for one corner of your cut out.



Please select point or [rc]: Select a point for the second corner of your shape.



Please select point or [rc/lose]: If you want to draw an arc for an edge, enter A for the Arc option.

 

Please select point or [econd Point/ine/lose]: Pick a point for the end of the arc. The arc is tangential to the last segment.



Please select point or [econd Point/ine/lose]: To return to straight edges, enter L for the Line option.



Please select point or [rc/lose]: Continue selecting points and drawing edges as needed.

153




Please select point or [rc/lose]: After you have selected at least three points you can finish the shape by pressing or right-click to join the last point with the first.

A cut out of the specified shape is created and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens. Alternatively, you can draw the required shape as a polyline before using this command. At the Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)] prompt, enter P for the Polyline option and select the polyline. Your predefined shape is cut out of the plate.

Element Contour It makes a cut through a plate around a section. 


(Element Contour, UCS).






Please identify the object to cut to: Select the section to cut around.

The cut is created matching the shape of the selected section and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.

154

Plate Features

12.2 Contour Processing Properties Regardless of the contour command that is used to create the shape, the Properties dialog box is basically the same.

Figure 12-1



Shape tab o Width X and Length Y: Only used for rectangular cut outs. Set the size of the cut out. o Radius: Only used for circular cut outs. Set the size of the cut out.



Positioning tab o Offset: Regardless of which method you used to define the cut out, you can adjust the position of the cut out relative to the selected points.



Contour tab o Gap Width: If your shape is drawn to match another object (such as an Element Contour) this can be used to create a minimum clearance. o Side 1 and Side 2: If selected, the depth of cut on that side of the XY plane is limited to the stated distance. Note that the green contour for the cut is drawn on the XY plane of the current UCS. This distance measures from the green shape. o Straight Cut: If the contour is not parallel to the surface of the plate, selecting this option adjusts the cut in the plate so the edges are perpendicular to the surface of the plate 155


while ensuring that the specified shape remains clear all of the way through. If the UCS is not parallel to the surface of the plate, or if using Element Contour and the section is not perpendicular to the surface of the plate, the shape is not square to the plate. The cut is still the defined shape and avoids a clash with the other members. However, for manufacture it is easier to have the edges of the cut perpendicular to the plate surface, so the Straight Cut option is intended to be used in this situation.

156

Plate Features

Practice 12a

Ducting 1. Cut the Duct around the blue beam in the Feature Practice drawing. 2. At the end of the ducting in Feature Practice file, cut a contour around the blue beam with a 5mm clearance.

157


12.3 Plate Contour Non UCS Features Note that the bottom of the palette has plate feature commands that are very similar to those above but do not include UCS in their names. These features work in the same way as those above, but the direction of the cut is always perpendicular to the surface of the plate.

Figure 12-2

158

Plate Features

12.4 Chamfers and Fillets Chamfer and Fillet features cut the edges from your plate and can only be placed on an edge. The UCS position is not important.

Corner Cut Cuts a corner from your plate by selecting near the corner that you want to cut. 




(Corner cut).

Please select the plate near the corner for the fillet creation: Select the plate that you want to cut near the corner of the required chamfer.



Please identify the plate to be modified near the edge towards that which should be cut: Select the other edge of the plate for the Chamfer to go to.

The cut is placed at a default size and the Edge Processing Properties dialog box opens. Set the required size for the chamfer or type of the fillet. The distances are measured from the corner along the edge of the plate.   

Straight: Cuts off the corner with a straight line at the angle and distances set. Convex: Rounds off the corner of a plate with a convex curve (external fillet). Concave: Rounds off the corner of a plate with a concave curve (internal fillet).

Figure 12-2

159


Bevel Cut It Cuts a chamfer along one of the long edges of the plate. 




(Bevel cut).

Please identify object: Select the plate edge that you want to remove.

A chamfer is placed along the edge and the Weld Preparation – Bevel Properties dialog box opens. Enter the required angle and leg length(s) for the chamfer or select the fillet type. Note that Weld preparations are not usually displayed on the model in shaded views. If you want to display them you must set the Display Type of the plate to Exact with Weld Preparations.

Figure 12-3

160

Plate Features

12.5 Dividing and Joining Plates Additional commands are available for dividing a plate into several pieces or joining several plates into one.

Split Plate by Two Points It cuts a plate into two pieces with a straight cut between two defined points. 

In the Home tab > Objects panel, click points).



Select plate: Select the plate that you want to cut.



Select first point of split line or [Gap]: Select a point at one end of the cut.



Select second point of split line: Select a point at the other end of the cut.

(Split plate by 2

The plate is immediately divided into two pieces with the specified cut.

Split Plate at Lines It cuts a plate into two pieces with a cut that is created by AutoCAD elements. 

Draw the required cut on the surface of your plate using AutoCAD lines, arcs, or polylines.






Select plate ~> Select objects: Select the plate that you want to cut and accept.



Select line or [Gap]: Select the AutoCAD lines, arcs, or polylines that you want to use for the cut and accept.

(Split plate at lines).

The plate is immediately cut into two pieces along the selected line(s).

161


Merge Plates It combines multiple plates with common edges into a single plate. 




Select plate ~> Select objects: Select the plates that you want to combine and accept.

(Merge Plates).

The plates immediately become one single plate. Note that each plate must share at least one edge with one of the other selected plates.

162

Connection Elements

Chapter 13 – Connection Elements This chapter contains the following topics:     

Bolts Bolt Properties Anchors Welds Edit connected Objects

163


13.1 Bolts To connect separate objects together when manufacturing or assembling structures welds and bolts must be used. Various tools can be used to create them in your Autodesk® Advance Steel models. The commands for placing Bolts are also used to place Anchors, Empty Holes, or Shear Studs. The type of object that is currently placed depends on the setting of the switch. The icon next to the switch indicates which mode is active. In the Objects tab > Switch panel, click (Switch Bolts/ Anchors/Holes/Shear Studs) repeatedly until Bolts is the active mode. It is recommended that you ensure that the UCS XY plane is on the surface of the objects that you want to join before using these commands. When a bolt pattern is created, the holes to be used by the bolts are created automatically.

Rectangle, 2 Points Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on two points that define the position and spacing. 

In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Rectangle, 2 Points).



Please select the parts to be connected ~> Select objects: Select all of the parts that you want to bolt together and accept.



Lower left corner: Select a point for one corner of your bolt pattern.



Upper right corner: Select the diagonally opposite corner of your bolt pattern.

A pattern of bolts is placed and the Bolts Properties dialog box opens.

164

Connection Elements

Rectangle, Corner Point Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on one corner to define the position and spacing. 

In the Objects tab>Connection Objects panel, click (Rectangle, Corner Point).



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)



Please select the parts to be connected~>Select objects: Select all of the parts that you want to bolt together and accept.



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 parts to be connected~>Select objects: Select all of the parts that you want to bolt together and accept.



Centre of circle: Select a center point for the bolt pattern. 165




Radius of circle: Select a radius for the bolt pattern.

A circular pattern of bolts is placed and the Bolt Properties dialog box opens.

Shift Bolts/Holes Sometimes, depending on how the sections were created, a bolt pattern might display in the wrong flange of a section. This can be corrected using this command. 

In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click Bolts / Holes).



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.

(Shift

The bolts immediately move to the correct flange.

166

Connection Elements

13.2 Bolt Properties Regardless of how it is placed, similar properties are available for a bolt group.

Figure 13-1



Definition tab o Type: Select the required type of bolt connection. o Grade: Select the required bolt grade. o Bolt Assembly: Select the required set of objects, such as Standard = Bolt, Washer & Nut or N+2W = Bolt, Washer, Washer, or Nut. o Diameter: Select the nominal diameter of the bolt. o Hole Tolerance: Set the required general hole clearance. For example, a 20mm bolt with 2mm tolerance = a 22mm diameter hole. o Inverted: Select this option to switch the bolt and nut so that the head of the bolt is at the other side of the connection.

167


o Finish Calculation at Gap: Usually selected so that a bolt only goes through one flange in a section. For RHS sections this can mean that the bolt heads or nuts can be in inaccessible places. Clear the option to have the bolt go through the section so that the Head or Nut are easily accessible on the outside of the section. 

o Number X and Number Y: Sets the number of bolts in that direction.

If you want to place a single bolt in the middle of an area, but there is no center point to snap to, use Rectangle, 2 Points instead. Select the corners of the area in which you want to place the bolt and set the Number X and Number Y values to 1. One bolt is added to the middle of the area. For threaded holes, a hole tolerance of zero must be set to ensure that the correct thread is displayed on the drawings. However, a zero clearance hole displays as a clash during Collision Checks. You have to recognize and ignore these clashes.

Distance tab: Only used for rectangular patterns.

o Total Length and Total Width: The size of the area that you have defined. o Intermediate Distance X and Y: The space between the bolts in each direction. o Edge Distance X and Y: The distance from the edge of the selected area to the first bolt. o Changing one value recalculates the others. Total Length = (Number X * Intermediate Distance X) + (2 * Edge Distance X). You would not normally want to change the Total sizes, but can use the other values to create the required bolt pattern in the specified area. 

Size tab: Only used for Circular patterns. Set the Radius and Number of Bolts.



Hole Definition tab: Overrides the general hole tolerance and hole type for a specific member of the joint. o Part: Select the part in which you want to change the hole. The selected part is highlighted in red in the model. o Type: Select the required type of hole.



Depending on the type of hole selected different options are available for controlling. Set these other options to suit your needs.

168

Connection Elements

13.3 Anchors Anchors work in the same way as bolts. When using a Base Plate type joint, Anchors are placed automatically instead of bolts. You can place anchors directly as with bolt groups:

If you have bolts or welds that do not connect to anything in your model, they can be located when you do a Technical Check.



In the Objects tab > Switch panel, click (Switch Bolts/ Anchors/Holes/Shear Studs) repeatedly until Anchors is the active mode.



Use one of the bolt placement commands.

The range of Anchors includes hooked anchors of various shapes. To control the direction in which the hook is added you can edit the Anchor group and change the setting in the Orientation tab.

169


13.4 Welds Although the weld beads are not actually modeled it is vital that welds are identified correctly in the model to be able to add the correct information to drawings and to identify fabricated assemblies. Welds are identified in the model by pink crosses. They are only displayed in the 2D Wire Frame visual style.

Weld Point 

To insert a weld manually, use the Weld Point command.



In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Weld Point).



Please select the parts to be connected ~> Select objects: Select all of the parts that you want to weld together and accept.



Please define insertion point of the weld: Select a point on the correct edge of your parts. The selected point is used in the drawings to locate the weld note.

A weld is placed and the Weld Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 13-2

170

Connection Elements



Weld main tab: Defines the symbol for a weld placed on the arrow side.

 o Main weld type: Select the required type of weld. o Weld thickness and Weld length: Set the size of the weld. o Pitch: specify distance between centers of intermittent welds. o Weld text: Set a user custom text. o Weld location: Select Site or Shop to indicate where the weld is to be created. o Continuous checkbox: Select this box to toggle on the All Round symbol on the weld symbol in drawings. o Surface Shape: Select the required shape for the top of the weld bead. o Weld Preparation: Select the required weld preparation. o Root opening: set the root opening size. o Effective throat: Set the groove weld size. o Preparation depth: Set the depth of bevel. o Prefix: Allows users to indicate a weld dimension with a letter. 

Weld double tab: Defines the symbol for a weld placed on the far side of the arrow. o Double weld Type: Cannot change this if a double-sided weld is selected in the Upper Weld – Weld Type box. Set to None if a lower weld is not required. o Distance from upper: Thickness of the material being welded on both sides (e.g., gap between the upper and lower bead)

171




Additional data tab o Text Module: Enter any extra comments or notes in the text box and they are displayed in the drawings.

172

Connection Elements

13.5 Edit Connected Objects If your bolt or weld does not currently connect the required objects you can adjust the included objects using these commands.

Add Connection Objects It adds additional objects to a connection. If the connection is a bolt group the grip is adjusted to include the new object(s). 

In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Connection, add objects).



Please select connecting element (bolt or weld): ~> Select objects: Select the bolt group or weld to adjust and accept.



Select the parts (beam or plate) of the connection to be inserted or removed ~> Select objects: Select the object(s) to add to the join and accept.

The connection is immediately adjusted to suit.

Remove Connection Objects Removes selected objects from a connection. If the connection is a bolt group the grip is adjusted accordingly. 

In the Objects tab>Connection Objects panel, click (Connections, disconnect objects).



Please select connecting element (bolt or weld): ~> Select objects: Select the bolt group or weld to adjust and accept.



Select the parts (beam or plate) of the connection to be inserted or removed. ~> Select objects: Select the object to remove from the connection and accept.

The connection is immediately adjusted to suit.

173


Practice 13a

Add Bolts and Welds 1. Add Bolts and Welds to the top joints of columns C4 and D4. 2. Add the required Bolts and Welds to the joints at the top of the RHS columns on grid C4 and D4, as shown in the drawings.

174

Custom Connections

Chapter 14 – Custom Connections This chapter contains the following topics:     

Introduction Modeling the Custom Connection Building Bricks Creating a Connection Template Insert a Connection Template

175


14.1 Introduction It is not always possible to use a joint from the Connection Vault for your situation. However, while the situation might be uncommon in the industry, you might want to use that configuration many times. To do so you can create a Custom Connection to suit your needs. For example, a conservatory manufacturer wants to have concealed connections between members and designs a special joint for this purpose. Although this special joint is not part of the Autodesk ® Advance Steel Connection Vault they want to use the joint frequently. Therefore, they create a Custom Connection. You can also use a Custom Connection when you have a common arrangement of several beams and joints that are often repeated, such as the bottom of a hip rafter. Different people have different solutions for connecting the bottom of the hip rafter. One variation would be to create a cross beam at an angle, add a simple connection on either end of the cross beam, and then add a simple connection between the hip rafter and the cross beam. The entire arrangement of cross beam and three joints could be created as a custom connection so that it is quick and easy to place in future. In this example you can go from this…

Figure 14-1

176

Custom Connections

… to this in one move.

Figure 14-2

In this example the red members are part of the Custom Connection, which has a blue joint box rather than a gray one.

177


14.2 Modeling the Custom Connection The first step in creating a custom connection is to manually model a typical example of the joint. To do so you can use any of the modeling methods available in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. This can include other joints from the Connection Vault if your custom joint is a combination of common elements. When modeling your sample joint, do so in a separate file rather than in the actual project model. This file becomes a library file for custom connections. Ensure that you use good modeling practices, such as ensuring that system lines meet and assigning model roles to all of the parts. Do not number the parts unless you want the part to have the same number when it is used, regardless of the model content.

178

Custom Connections

14.3 Building Bricks To help model the sample joint efficiently and include some intelligent variation options, the software contains a number of Building Bricks. These are similar to micro-joints. Each one only creates one or two simple objects, but those objects have some simple intelligence, such as automatically putting a plate on both flanges of a beam. In this example, you might model a plate manually on each flange, setting the size and position of the plates. However, when these plates are included in a Custom Connection, the position and size of these plates is fixed relative to the joint. If the beam in one use was a different size to another use, the plates would be in the wrong place at least once. Instead, you could use one of the Building Bricks in the Custom Connections Palette. In this example, you would select the Plate Along Beam Flange brick. It places one or two plates on the flanges of a beam at the selected end. The plate size and position is controlled in the Properties dialog box and the gap between the plates is self-adjusting to the two flanges of the beam.

Figure 14-3

179


When this is used in a Custom Connection and placed on beams of different sizes the two plates are always placed correctly on the flanges of each beam. The range of Building Bricks available is going to be expanded in future releases of the software.

Figure 14-4

180

Custom Connections

14.4 Creating a Connection Template Once you have modeled all of the components for your connection you need to convert them into a Connection Template before they can be used as a single joint. Ensure that all of the features and joint boxes related to the objects in your joint are displayed. 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Custom Connection category, click



(Create Connection Template).

Select the appropriate definition method for future joint placement.

Figure 14-5



Depending on the selected definition method, select and accept the appropriate beams and members as prompted.



The User Template dialog box opens.

181


Figure 14-6



Enter an appropriate name for your joint to be able to recognize it in future.



Click the Select output objects button and select ALL the objects that relate to your connection, including beams, plates, features, welds, bolts, and joint boxes.

Figure 14-7



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.

182

Custom Connections

Figure 14-7

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.

183


14.5 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.

Figure 14-8



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. The User Template Properties dialog box contains the Allow Object Modification option.

Figure 14-9

If you select this option you can use most of the editing functions on any part in the joint. For example, you can move the cross beam up 184

Custom Connections

or down in the Hip Rafter joint example. You can also access the Joint Properties for any Building Bricks or full Joints that are included in the User Template and edit the properties as required, such as changing the bolt spacing. If the Allow object modification option is not selected you cannot edit anything inside the joint. If you select the blue joint box or any part in the custom joint and select Custom Connection Properties, the User Template dialog box opens, enabling you to toggle Allow object modification on or off. After placing your first User Connection you can use the Joint Copy and Joint Group commands as required, to work efficiently when placing the joint in multiple locations. The following example shows the same joint in four locations covering different beam sizes and with different stiffener dimensions in one position.

Figure 14-11

185


Chapter 15 – Structural Elements This chapter contains the following topics:      

Bracing Stairs Hand Rails Cage Ladders Cladding 3D Drawing Tips

186

Structural Elements

15.1 Bracing In addition to the Portal Frame and Mono-Pitch Frame tools discussed in Chapter 7, Basic Structures, many other useful macros are available for creating common structural elements. This command can be used to create bracing in a specific area. It has the option of creating many common configurations, such as crossed, single angle, or multiple pitch from any sections. Set the UCS XY plane to the plane in which you want the bracing to be located. Ensure that X is horizontal and Y is vertical. 

In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Bracing).



Please select first point: Select the bottom left corner of the area that you want to brace.



Please select second point: Select the top right of the area that you want to brace.

The default bracing is created and the Bracing Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 15-1



Type and Section tab o Bracing Type: Select whether you require Crossed, Single, or Inserted style bracing. 187


o Member Type: Select simple (one member in each direction), double mirrored (two members in each direction per the image on the left), or flipped (two members in each direction per the image on the right). o Member Split: Only used for Crossed Bracing. Select whether to split in one or the other direction or both into two lengths. o Section size: All of the members are the selected size. o Gap: Set the gap between passing members.  When adding bracing between building columns you can pick an area beneath floor beams or eaves ties by selecting the node points as normal and using Offset from top or Offset from Bottom to move the corners of the bracing into a clear space.

Geometry tab o Number of fields: Set the number of sets of bracing that you want to have within the selected area. o Offset from top or bottom: Set this value to move the top or bottom of your bracing up or down from the edge of the area. This is used to make the bracing miss a beam at the top or bottom of your area.

188

Structural Elements

15.2 Stairs Stairs are such common and important parts of a structure that the Autodesk® Advance Steel software has several macros for creating different types of stairs. In all cases ensure that the UCS is set with Z vertical. You can use the WCS for all stairs.

Straight Stair It creates a straight flight of stairs with an optional landing at thetop and bottom. This is defined using two points at either end ofthe flight of stairs (the angled portion, not the landings).

Figure 15-2



In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Straight Stair).



Give the first point for the stair: Select a point for the bottom of the flight.



Give the second point for the stair: Select a point for the top of the flight



Align stair: Left=0, Middle=1 (default), Right=2: If you stand at the bottom of the stairs looking up, on which side of the points should the flight be built? Enter 0 for left, 1 for middle, or 2 for right.

A flight of stairs is modeled and the Straight Stair Properties dialog box opens.

189


Figure 15-3



Distances, Stringer tab o Length, Width, Height: Set the required dimensions for the stair, excluding the landings. Some of the stair treads have a fixed width so the width of the stair might be fixed until you change the tread type. If you change the width or height, the bottom point that you have selected remains fixed and the stair adjusts about it. o Stringer Prof. Size Front and Back: Select the section from which you want the stringer to be created.



Step – General>Tread Size tab o Size from formula (2R+G): The rise and going of a stair flight is usually calculated with the formula 2R+G=value. The target value is set in Management Tools>Defaults. On installation, the target is 630. Clear the option if you want to override the default Rise and Going values.



Step – General>Tread Type tab o Tread Type: You can select from 24 basic types of tread. Types 1 to 4 are made of grating or wood and can have a fixed shape and size, depending on the selected manufacturer. Types 5 to 21 are folded plates and you can define almost any dimension for them. Types 22 to 24 are custom user-defined treads and are outside the scope of this training guide. 190

Structural Elements

When modeling a stair case in which each flight is the same, you can save a lot of work using Transform Elements. Model one flight and only turn on the front or rear landing stringer (depending on direction of the stair case) top and bottom. Then use Transform Elements to copy the flight up and rotate the flights into the required positions. The landing stringers can then be joined by a few extra beams and cover plates to complete the stair case.



Step – General>Tread Dimensions 1 tab: Set the properties and sizes for the tread. The exact options vary depending on the tread type.



Step – General > Tread Dimensions 2 tab: Set the properties for the tread mounting bracket. The exact options vary depending on the tread type.



Step Top tabs: If activated, the top tread can be different to the other treads on your flight. These tabs work as they do for Step – General, but only apply to the top tread.



Step – Bottom tabs: If activated, the bottom tread can be different to the other treads on your flight. These tabs work the same as for Step – General, but only apply to the bottom tread.



Landings > Top Landing prof. tab: Can turn on a front and/or rear stringer for a landing and set the required section from which they are to be created.



Landings > Top Landing tab: Set the length of the landing stringers. Create Lat Tread activates a tread at the landing level and the Step – Top group of tabs.



Landings > Top Cover tab: Set the properties for a cover plate for the top landing.



Landings > Top Cover Angle tab: Set the properties for the mounting angle for the top cover if required.



Landings > Bottom... tabs: As for the Landings>Top tabs, but applied to the bottom landing.

As with any macro you can store your preferred settings in the Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.

Saddle Stair It creates a flight of stairs with the stringers below the steps rather than at the side. It is based on four input points.

191


Figure 15-4



In the Extended Modeling tab > Structural Elements panel, click

(Saddle Stair).



Please select the lower left corner in plan: Select point d1 in the diagram.



Please select the lower right corner in plan: Select point d2 in the diagram.



Please select the upper left corner in plan: Select point d3 in the diagram.



Please select the top left corner in elevation: Select point d4 in the diagram.

A flight of stairs is created and the Saddle Stair Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 15-5

192

Structural Elements



Treads tab o Tread Thickness, Depth and Width: Set the size of the treads on the stair. o Stair Section: Select the required section for the stringer from the list provided.



Slope tab: Add further dimensions for the treads and stringers.

As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.

Spiral Stair This command models a complete spiral or helical stair based on a center point, height, direction, and radius. 

In the Extended Modeling tab > Structural Elements panel, click

(Spiral Stair).



Please select center point of the spiral: Select a point for the center at the bottom of the flight.



Please select a point to define the spiral height: Select a point to define the height of the flight.

 

Do you want to specify the irst step or the ast step? (F/L): Decide whether you want the top tread or bottom tread to be in a fixed position. Enter F for first or bottom tread and L for top or last tread. The angle of the fixed tread does not change. The angle of the other treads and total flight are calculated based on the parameters in the Properties dialog box.



Please select start point at the outer edge: Select a point to define the direction and outside radius for the first or last tread (as specified in the previous step).

A spiral stair is created as specified and the Spiral Stair Properties dialog box opens. The spiral stair always includes a handrail on the outside edge.

193


Figure 15-6



Column & Stringers > General Properties tab. o Outer and Inner Radius of Stair: Set the required sizes. The inner radius is disabled if you have a center post, so you must toggle it off first to enable this setting. o Stair direction: Select Clockwise or Anti-clockwise.



Column & Stringers>Central Post tab o Create central post: If selected the idle of the stair is created from a large post or tube and you can select the section in the list. If not selected an inside stringer is modeled from a twisted section.



Column & Stringers>Cover Plate tab: If you want to add a cap plate to your central post, you can use this tab to define it.



Column & Stringers>Stringer tab: Set the required properties of the outside stringer and inside stringer if activated. o Steps tab group: Set the dimensions and properties for the treads. o Tread Connections tab group: Set the dimensions and properties for how the treads connect to the stringer(s) and central post. o Posts tab group: Set the properties of the handrail posts. 194

Structural Elements

o See Handrails for more information. o Handrails tab group: Set the properties for the top and middle handrails. See Handrails for more information. o Post Connection tab group: Set the properties defining how the handrail posts are fixed to the stringer. As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.

Stair Joints There are two special joints in the connection vault for stair footings. They are Stairs and Railings > Stair Anchor Base Plate and Stair Anchor Angle. These are used normally, but have different options to a normal base plate joint, which are appropriate to the bottom of stringers. The joint’s Stair – Endplate with notching and Stair – Angle at the top are intended for use on the top of the stair stringers, but in many cases ordinary end plate or fin plate joints can be used.

195


Practice 15a

Create Stairs 1. Create the stairs in the training structure. 2. Model the stairs in the training structure according to the drawings and apply the appropriate joints at the top and bottom of the stringers.

196

Structural Elements

15.3 Hand Rails It creates a full railing that is mounted on selected beams and with many configuration options as needed. The rail must be placed on existing sections in your model. The railing does not have to cover the full length of the selected sections. Railings can be created on slopes (such as stair stringers) or horizontal beams. They can be straight or curved and go around corners. 

In the Home tab>Extended Modeling panel, click railing).



Select base beams for railing ~> Select objects: Select the sections to which you want to add the railing. They do not have to be exactly end to end, but must make a sensible and obvious path for the rail to follow.



Select start point of railing: Select the point at which you want the railing to start (it does not have to be the end of a beam).



Select end point of railing: Select the point at which you want the railing to finish (it does not have to be the end of a beam).



Do you want to select a nosing point relative to the start point? [Yes/No] : If going up a stair you might want to measure the railing dimensions from the nosing point of the stair instead of from the stringer top. If so, enter Yes and select a nosing point. Otherwise, enter No.

(Hand-

The default railing is created along the specified path and the Railing Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 15-7



Post > Post tab 197


o Section: Select the section from which you want to create the railing posts. o Alignment of post: Set the required position of the railing posts relative to the beams on which the railing sits. o Post offset along rail axis: Normally the railing posts are equally spaced, but if you need to move one post to avoid an obstacle you can use this option to do so. 

Post > Set out of posts tab o Prefer distance 1 and 2: Which value is more important to you, the spacing between the posts or the distance of the first and last posts from the end of the rail? o Prefer max dist. between posts: If selected, the number of posts is calculated to create an equal spacing no larger than the defined max. distance. If cleared, a fixed number of posts are created at the resulting spacing. o Calculate dist. for each beam: If working on more than one beam and this option is selected, a start and end post on each beam and more posts are added according to the rules above. If cleared, the entire length of the rail is used to calculate the spacing and quantity of posts, even if the space goes around a corner. o Move start or end base point: When picking start and end points it is often easiest to pick nodes on the ends of beams. If this would cause a clash (e.g., with a column) you can adjust the end positions using these values. Enter a negative value to make the rail shorter.



Post > Post – top handrail tab: Select the joint between the posts and the top rail. It can be fitted, flush, or cap & stool.



Post > Post – middle handrail tab: Select the joint between the posts and the middle handrail(s).



Post > Post – kickrail tab: Select the joint between the posts and the kickrail, if there is one.

198

Structural Elements



Handrail > Top handrail tab o Section: Select the required section from which to create the top handrail. o Distance from top of beam: Sets the height to the top handrail from the top of the beam on which it is placed. If using a tube for the top rail, the distance is measured to the center line of the tube. If using another section, the distance is measured to the top of the section. o Distance from top of sloped beam: You can set a different height for the handrails on a slope.



Handrail > Middle Handrail – horizontal tab o Section: Select the section from which to create the middle rail(s). o Distance from bottom handrail: Set the height of the bottom rail from the beam on which the railing is based (the horizontal railing). o Number of middle handrails: You can have as many equally spaced middle rails as needed. o Distance between axis: Set the spacing of the middle rails on a horizontal railing. o Start and End extra length: Set where the middle rail should end relative to the top hand rail. You can also select to end at the last rail post.



Handrail>Middle handrail – Sloped tab: Spacing of middle rail(s) on a sloped portion of railing.



Handrail>Balusters tab: Set the section and distances for the baluster posts. o Create Balusters: If selected, vertical balusters are created between the bottom and top middle rails. If there is only one middle rail, the balusters go to the top handrail.



Handrail > Kick plate tab: Select the section and spacing for your kick rail. You can select whether to have a rail at all on the horizontal or sloping sections of the rail. 199




Handrail > Handrail – Handrail tab: Select the joint between each section of rail when it is based on more than one beam.



Handrail>End of handrail – start or End tabs: Set the type of ending you want to have at the start or end of your rail. You can select from None, Downstand, Radius, Return, Loop, or Loop Return and set the properties of each as needed.



Post Fixing tab group: Set the parameters for how the railing posts fix to the beams on which the railing is based.



Hang off rail tab group: Set the parameters for a hang off rail if you want to add one.

Any railing created with the macro is constructed as a set of fabricated assemblies, one per each beam selected. The top rail is one length per assembly, regardless of how long that is. If you have short railings going round a corner you can make that into one piece by setting the Weld Type option in the Handrail > Handrail – handrail tab to Shop. As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the Table to you do not have to input the settings each time. If the table has an entry for the section size that is selected when placing the rail, it automatically selects that specification of railing. When selecting end points for the railing, special grips are placed at these points. Alternatively, you can adjust the overall length of your railing by moving these grips.

Figure 15-8

200

Structural Elements

Handrail Joint If you create two independent hand railings and then want to have a smooth transition between them, you should use Stairs & Railings > Handrail Joint in the Connection Vault. 

In the Connection Vault, in the Miscellaneous category, click (Railing joint handrail).

Figure 15-9



Select first beam ~> Select objects: Select the first handrail that you want to join and accept.



Select second beam ~> Select objects: Select the second handrail that you want to join and accept.

The rails are adjusted and the Handrails Joint Properties dialog box opens.

201


Figure 15-10

Select the type of joint that you want to use: Miter cut or Elbow, and complete the properties as needed. If you select Elbow, the inserted curved piece of beam matches the section of the first piece of rail.

202

Structural Elements

Practice 15b

Add Railings 1. Add all of the railings to the training structure. 2. Add all of the railings to the training structure according to the drawings. Select the appropriate parameters that match the drawings where specified or shown. Try to ensure that all of the joints are smooth and avoid clashes in all of the locations.

203


15.4 Cage Ladders The Autodesk® Advance Steel software also has a macro for creating cage ladders. Set your UCS so that Z is vertical and Y is pointing toward the person climbing the ladder. 

In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Cage ladder).



Please select the start point of the ladder: Select a point for the middle of the ladder at the bottom.



Please select the point to define the ladder height: Select a point for the middle of the ladder at the exit height.

A ladder is created and the Cage Ladder Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 15-11



Ladder > Ladder tab: Set the basic sizes of the ladder.



Ladder > Sections tab: Select the required sections for the stringer and rungs.



Ladder > Rung Distances tab: Set the spacing of the rungs.



Ladder > Wall connection tab: Initially the ladder is placed exactly on the selected points. If these points are on a wall or in line with beams in your structure you need to move the 204

Structural Elements

ladder away and create connections to the supporting objects. Use the settings on this tab to do so. The Wall distance option moves the ladder away from the selected points. 

Ladder > Ladder Exit tab: Six styles of ladder exit shape are available, including Straight.



Ladder > Edit Dimensions tab: If you are not using a straight exit you can set the properties here.



Cage > General tab: You can have no cage or use one of the four shapes of cage on your ladder. Select the type and properties on this tab. o Finish Cage at Exit Level: If this is not selected the cage goes all the way up the ladder. If selected the cage stops at the exit height and enables you to use separate settings for an exit cage.



Cage > Brace.... tabs: Use these tabs to set the properties of the horizontal straps of the cage.



Cage > Bands... tabs: Use these tabs to control the properties of the vertical straps of the cage.



Exit > Top Cage tab: If the main ladder cage exists but stops at exit level you can use a different top cage around the ladder exit. You can also select a cage that has exits on the side of the ladder, rather than in front of the climber.

At this time the top cage can only exist if the ladder exit is set to Straight. As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the table so that you do not have to input the settings each time.

205


Practice 15c

Add a Cage Ladder 1. Add a cage ladder to the training structure. 2. Create the cage ladder in the training structure as shown in the drawings. Select your own properties where they are not defined in the drawings.

206

Structural Elements

15.5 Cladding Many steel buildings are covered with standard cladding panels. Similar standard panels can also be used for decking. These panels are often complex shapes and must be placed at fixed pitches. To model these objects easily, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software has a three-stage process for creating cladding.

Define Cladding Area The first stage of the cladding process is to define the area to clad. This area can be any shape, but must be in a single plane. 

Draw an AutoCAD closed polyline representing the area that you want to clad.



In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click Cladding Area).



Do you want to select supporting beams? [Yes/No] : Enter No. (If you enter Yes, the panel length splits at the supporting beams.)



Create area [Rectangular/from Polyline] : Enter P for from Polyline.



Please select a polyline: Select the polyline that you have created and accept.



Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? : Enter Yes.

(Define

A Cladding Area Object is created that matches the polyline. Always delete the selected object. If you do not do so, a Cladding Area Object and a Polyline are created on top of each other making it difficult to select the correct item later.

Define Cladding Opening If you want to have openings in your cladding you must define them as the second stage of the process. 

Draw an AutoCAD closed polyline representing the shape of the required opening. Note that this shape must be in the same plane as the cladding area. 207




In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click Cladding Opening).



Create opening [Rectangular/from Polyline] : Enter P for from Polyline.



Select area object: Select the Cladding Area Object that represents the cladding in which you want add the opening. DO NOT select the polyline for your opening.



(Define



Please select a polyline: Select the polyline that represents the opening and accept.



Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? : Enter Yes.

A Cladding Opening Object is created that matches the polyline. Always delete the selected objects or you create an opening area object that is on top of the polyline.

Create Claddings The third and final stage is to create the cladding in the defined areas.  In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Create Claddings). 

Select area: ~> Select objects: Select the Cladding Area Object that was created above and accept.

The cladding panels are created and the Cladding Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 15-12

208

Structural Elements



Section Properties tab: Select the required cladding or decking section in the list. The orientation and finish properties can also be set.



Cladding General Properties tab o Cladding Direction: Select the Horizontal or Vertical panels. o Cladding Orientation: Select the end of your area in which to start laying panels. The last panel width is reduced accordingly to fit the area.



Upper/Right and Lower/Left level and offset tabs o Upper/Right or Lower/Left level: If set to Same level for all panels the cladding panels are all the same length regardless of the shape of the area. If set to Level according to slope the panel lengths vary to fit the shape of the area. o Upper/Right or Lower/Left cut according to slope: If set to Straight Cuts the cladding panels are cut square regardless of the shape of the area. If set to Sloping Cuts the panels are cut at an angle (this is always a straight cut) to best fit the defined area. o Offset: Sets the amount by which the panels overhang the area.

209


15.6 Modeling Tips Cladding is usually added to a structure. Therefore, it is not unusual for the cladding area to be drawn on top of existing beams. In these situations, various tools are available to help you when drawing and selecting such objects.

2D/3D Osnaps When using snap points, to ensure that they are all on the current drawing plane, use the 2D/3D Snap toggle 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views category, click

(Turn 2D Snaps On/Off).

With 3D snaps active, the Osnaps work as normal. In 2D Osnap mode, when you hover the cursor over an Osnap point, an additional symbol displays in line with the point but on the current XY plane (i.e., ignoring the Z-coordinate). When you select an Osnap in this mode the point is located on the XY plane.

Cycle Select After drawing the polyline it might be hard to select it when it is on top of other objects. You can turn layers off to make this process easier. You might also want to become familiar with AutoCAD (Selection Cycling) in the Status Bar, located in the bottom right side of the workspace. If you want to toggle it on, click (Customization) to expand the menu in the Status Bar and select Selection Cycling.

Figure 15-13

210

Structural Elements

Project Explorer – Model Views If you are still having trouble displaying the required objects clearly, you might want to limit what is on screen to just the relevant objects in the required area. You can do so using Model Views. When active, a Model View hides everything but the selected area. When turned off everything is displayed. The Project Explorer is a tool that manages Model Views and other objects. To create a model view: 

In the Home tab > Project panel, click

(Project Explorer).

Figure 15-14

A new panel opens, usually on the left of the screen. 

If you want to display everything below a specific elevation, click Create Level. The Create Level dialog box opens.

Figure 15-15

o Enter the WCS Z-coordinate for the top of your level in the Altitude dialog box.

Figure 15-16

o Click the OK button.

211


Or 

If you want to select a specific area to include in the view, click Create New Model View.

Figure 15-17



Select a definition method by clicking the appropriate icon in the dialog box.



Select the objects or points as prompted to define the 3D volume that you want to include in your view.



Enter the view depths as prompted.



Give view name: Enter a name for your view.



Please select default view direction: A box is drawn around the defined area and a colored arrow is displayed pointing at each face of the box. Select the arrow that is pointing in the direction that you want to use for your view and accept.

The view is added to the Model Views list in Project Explorer. Levels are activated immediately but other Model Views are not. To activate a Model View, click the Light Bulb icon next to the name in Project Explorer to toggle it on. Click the Light Bulb icon again to toggle it off and everything should be displayed.

Figure 15-18

To ensure that no other settings are hiding objects and that the entire structure is displayed, click Show All Elements.

Figure 15-19

You can close Project Explorer by clicking the small X in the top right corner of the panel.

212

Structural Elements

Practice 15d

Add Decking 1. Add some decking to the mezzanine level in the training structure. 2. Use the Project Explorer to create a Level at the mezzanine floor level (3000). 3. Create a cladding on the mezzanine with an opening around the tank. 4. Select your own parameters.

213


Chapter 16 – Other Model Objects This chapter contains the following topics: 

Concrete Objects  Special Parts

214

Other Model Objects

16.1 Concrete Objects To complete the model there are a few other types of objects that you might want to include. Many structures are a mixture of concrete and steel. Most steel structures are placed on concrete foundations. Although it is not normally your responsibility to design the concrete items it can be useful to display the basic shapes to make the models and drawings more complete. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software contains the following tools that can be used to model basic concrete shapes: Wall, Polygon Wall, Rectangular Slab, Polygon Slab, Concrete Beam, Concrete Curved Beam, Concrete Column, Isolated Footing, and Continuous Footing. These are located in the Home tab > Objects panel or Objects tab > Other objects panel.

Figure 16-1

They all work in the same way as steel beams and plates with the following exceptions.

215


Figure 16-2



Section shape and size: The generic shape is selected in the drop-down list, but there are no preset sizes. Instead, you select the size field and enter the required dimensions. When you hover the cursor over the size field, a formula is displayed, indicating how to enter the dimensions relative to the preview in the field. By default, all of the concrete dimensions are in centimeters. For example, for Square Hollow the formula is C|b|s|r1|r2. Therefore, you could enter C60|10|10|20 for a 600mm square beam with 100mm thick walls, a 100mm inside radius, and a 200mm outside radius. In this example, the I section formula is overall height x web thickness + top flange width x top flange thickness + bottom flange width x bottom flange thickness.



Fitting: Walls and some other concrete objects automatically cut around or merge with each other according to specific rules. Generally, if the finished shape is correct it does not matter to your design how the fitting is done. Properties for controlling this are located in the Automatic Fitter tab in the Advance Properties, but that is outside the scope of this training guide.

216

Other Model Objects

Practice 16a

Create Concrete Foundations 1. Model the concrete foundations in the training structure. 2. Create Continuous and Isolated footings in the training structure, similar to those shown in the drawings.

217


16.2 Special Parts Many steel structures are designed around other existing buildings or equipment. It would be useful to display these objects in the model so you can avoid clashes and to help in communication. Alternatively, you might sometimes want to include special proprietary parts in your structures. It might not be appropriate to model these items out of Advance Steel objects, but you can still include them in your model as Special Parts. 

Start with a plain AutoCAD solid model of the objects in a DWG file. The WCS origin in this file should be placed in a useful location because it becomes the insertion point of the part.



In your Autodesk® Advance Steel model, click (Advance Steel Special Part) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category.



Central point: Select a point at which to insert the part (this matches the WCS origin in the part file).



If the prompt “The field ‘Block name’ cannot contain a zerovalue. Please enter a name in this field” displays, click the OK button.



The Special Part Properties dialog box opens.

Figure 16-3

218

Other Model Objects



Section & Material tab o If this is the first time you are going to use the part, click the browse button and locate the DWG file. If you have already used the part in this model, you can select its name in the Block Name drop-down list. o Weight: By default, the weight of all of the special parts is set to zero. If you want to include the weight of the part in your model (e.g., for lifting purposes) you should enter the correct weight here.



Behavior tab: In most cases these parts are not the responsibility of the structure designer, they are displayed for completeness and clash check. Therefore, to ensure that these parts do not get part numbers or display in the Bills of Materials, you should clear the Used for numbering and Used for bill-of-material options as required.

When you close the Properties dialog box the part is inserted. The WCS axis in the part file is aligned with the current UCS in your model. Anything that can be turned into an AutoCAD solid object in a DWG file can be used as a special part. This can be any kind of 3D model that AutoCAD can import. A very common file format that is recommended for the transfer of 3D models between systems is ACIS (*.sat) files. Most, if not all 3D modeling systems on the market can export to this format and the AutoCAD software can import it using the ACISIN or Import commands.

Special Parts in your model are included in part numbering, bills of materials, and weight calculations depending on the properties that have been set. In the model you can only snap to the insertion point of the part (using the Insertion Point or Node Osnaps). If you need other snap points, such as mounting hole centers, you can place AutoCAD points in the special part file at the required points before inserting it into your model. These points are then available as Osnaps in the Autodesk® Advance Steel model. When creating drawings, Special parts only display in assembly or general arrangement drawings depending on the drawing style Automatic dimensions are only created to the insertion point, but you can add extra manual dimensions to other points as needed. Detail drawings of Special Parts cannot be created.

219


Practice 16b

Insert the Tank 1. Insert the tank into the training structure. 2. The tank on the outside platform is a special part that is located in Mechanical Part.dwg. Insert it into the model correctly.

220

Project Explorer

Chapter 17 – Project Explorer This chapter contains the following topics:        

Introduction Levels Work Planes and Columns Model Views Queries Groups Show All Objects Structures

221


17.1 Introduction When working on a project, you often need to display specific parts of the structure without worrying about other parts. For example, you might be working on a level in the middle of a structure and find that it does not display clearly with the rest of the structure displayed. Alternatively, you might want to isolate a wing of a building to display it from all angles without the rest of the building being in the way. You can use the Project Explorer to do this. It contains tools for isolating selected objects on the screen based on various conditions. Isolating the objects on screen makes it easier to see what you are working on, reduces the processing load for handling the graphics of the structure on screen, and makes it easier to select the required objects when editing. To display the Project Explorer panel in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software, click panel.

(Project Explorer) in the Home tab > Project

Figure 17-1

The Project Explorer panel can float anywhere on your screen or on a second screen if you have one. The panel can also be docked to the left or right of your normal working area. You can move the panel by dragging the title bar (in the example it displays Structures).

222

Project Explorer

17.2 Levels The first type of view that is listed in the Project Explorer is Levels. These are used to create a slice through your structure based on the height in the WCS. They are useful in structures that have multiple stories that each have a flat floor, such as mezzanines, racking, or buildings.

Creating a Level 

To create a level, click the Project Explorer.



In the dialog box that opens, enter the details that are required for the level.

(Create Level) on the top part of

Figure 17-2



Above/Below: Select whether you are adding the level above or below the building. Below the building would suit basements or cellars. o The Name defaults to Level x where x is the next available level number. However, you can rename the level as needed, such a Basement, Roof, or Elevation +12315. o The default spacing for levels is 3000 above the previous level. You can change this as needed. You can set the Altitude (absolute height above the WCS origin in the Zaxis) or Height (distance from the base level to this level). The other value is recalculated automatically.

223


o Base Level defaults to the highest existing level (or lowest if it is below the building). You can change this to None if you want to measure from the WCS origin. 

When you click the OK button, the level is created.

When a new level is created, it is immediately displayed and Active.

224

Project Explorer

Displaying a Level The existing levels in your structure are listed on the top part of the Model Views area in the Project Explorer.

Figure 17-3

Each level displays a Light Bulb icon in front of its name. Clicking the Light Bulb icon toggles it on or off. When it is toggled ON, the level is displayed. When a level is displayed, only the model objects between the selected level and its base level are displayed. Objects that extend outside this height range are cropped. Special parts are not cropped.

Figure 17-3

225


When more than one level has its light bulb toggled on, all of the elements between the highest displayed level and the lowest base level are displayed with everything in the middle. Therefore, displaying Level 0 and Level 3 in a structure would display everything from the WCS origin to Level 3, including Level 1 and Level 2 without toggling them on. Displaying levels makes it easier to clearly display what you are working on in specific areas. Hidden objects cannot be directly selected by selecting them or using selection windows, but ALL of the parts remain selectable using tools, such as selection filters. Note that your edits might unexpectedly affect hidden objects.

Active Levels When a new level is created it immediately becomes Active. An Active level causes all of the sections drawn using the beam commands, such as Rolled I Section, to have both ends of the system line locked to the active level. When drawing these objects you can select Osnap points with any Z-coordinate and the Z is replaced with the current active level. For example, if you are drawing a mezzanine floor you can activate a level at the required height and then rotate it to a plan view. You can then draw the floor beams in a plan view, selecting snaps at the column center lines. You do not need to determine whether the snap is at the top or bottom of the column because your beam is at the defined height. Other object types are not affected by active levels. If you double-click on a level name in Project Explorer the level becomes active and the model rotates to a plan view of the structure. If you edit the level later and change the altitude, all of the beams associated that are with that level automatically move to the new altitude. Any joints, etc., that have been applied to those beams move as well to stay with the beams. Therefore, it is possible to change the height of a floor and make all of the required edits in the model quickly. To restore normal modeling behavior you should deactivate the level. To activate or deactivate a level, right-click on the level and select Activate or Deactivate as required.

226

Project Explorer

Figure 17-4

Activating or deactivating is unique to levels.

227


17.3 Work Planes and Columns The Project Explorer has a second tab called Work Planes. It can be accessed by clicking Work Planes at the bottom of the Project Explorer panel. In the Work Planes tab there are two boxes with arrows pointing at a column symbol. These specify the level on which a column top and bottom should be placed. Therefore, it is possible to create columns and walls that are intelligently locked to the required height.

Set the Required Height To set the required height of a column or a wall, you can select the required planes. Each Level that is created in the Structures tab in Project Explorer automatically includes a matching work plane. 

Click the top level button.

Figure 17-5



In the list, select the required work plane for the top of a column or wall.



Click the Bottom Level button.

228

Project Explorer



In the list, select the required work plane for the bottom of a column or wall.

Placing Columns and Walls The top and bottom levels are set when you use the Column, Concrete Column, or Wall commands and the resulting object is automatically placed between the designated levels. If the level properties change, the tops or bottoms of these objects automatically adjust to follow. Therefore, you cannot only place horizontal beams in the plan view, but can only work in plan view while drawing these object types having determined that they are the correct height.

Figure 17-6

Click the circle symbol at the end of the top or bottom level icons to clear that option. If there are no entries for the top and bottom, the default value is used. This is normally zero to 3000mm in the WCS Z-axis.

229


Practice 17a

Create Levels 1. Create levels in the training structure at the Finished Floor level, Mezzanine level, and Eaves level. 2. Create a new platform of four beams and columns at the mezzanine level while working in a plan view. 3. Change the mezzanine level properties and verify that the platform changes accordingly.

230

Project Explorer

17.4 Model Views Another way to visually isolate objects is to use Model Views. Rather than being based on the vertical position, a Model View is used to isolate objects in a specific 3D volume. The display of a model view can be toggled on or off using the Light Bulb in front of the name. When a model view is displayed, only model objects, in the defined view volume, are displayed. Objects that are partially inside the defined area are cropped to only display the relevant portion. Turning on multiple model views displays everything in the extremes of all of the views combined, rather than in several isolated areas. Model views do not have an equivalent of activating a level, they are a display tool that is used to reduce the amount of data on screen, improving clarity and performance. As with levels, hidden objects can still be selected by commands, such as selection filters. If you double-click on a Model View name the view display is toggled on and the model rotates to the selected Default View direction. Model Views display in Project Explorer under the Model Views group, but in a different collection to Levels.

Figure 17-7

There are four ways in which a model view can be defined, each with slightly different properties.

231


One Point in the UCS If you want a model view to be centered about a specific point, this is the easiest tool to use. 

In the Project Explorer, click



One Point in UCS

(Create new Model View).

Figure 17-8

Please select point: Select a point anywhere in the space at which you want the center of your Model View area to be placed. 

Give view name: Type a name for the view and press .

Please select default view direction: A box opens in your model displaying the Model View area. By default, this is a 1m cube. Six colored arrows point at the cube, one in the center of each face.

232

Project Explorer

Figure 17-9

Select one of the arrows and accept. 

Your model view is created and displays in Project Explorer.

Figure 17-10

Two Points in the UCS The second option for Model View is Two Points in UCS + front and rear depth. This is ideal if you want to define a view around a 233


specific area of your model that is not otherwise distinguished. For example, this could be around a mezzanine floor or balcony in your building. 




Two points in UCS + Front and Rear Depth.


Figure 17-11



Please select first point: Select one corner of the required view in the XY plane.



Please select second point: Select the opposite corner of the required view in the XY plane.



Front depth(500.00): Enter a depth in mm in the positive Zdirection to include in your view (e.g., 1500).



Rear depth(500.00): Enter a depth in mm in the negative Zdirection to include in your view (e.g. 4000).



Give view name: Enter the required name for your view (e.g., Balcony).



Please select default view direction: Select one of the six direction arrows and accept.

234

Project Explorer

Figure 17-12

Your model view is created in Project Explorer.

Figure 17-13

235


At Grid Line If you have an Autodesk® Advance Steel grid in your model, you can create a model view directly based on one of the grid lines. In this case, the length of the grid line defines the width of the view. The depth of the view defaults to 500 on either side of the grid line. The height of the view is unlimited. 




At grid line.


Figure 17-14



Please select grid line: Select the required grid line or its label and accept.



Give view name: Enter a name for the view (e.g., Grid C).



Please select default view direction: Select one of the direction arrows.

Your view is created in Project Explorer

236

Project Explorer

Figure 17-15

At Joint Box You might want to work on a specific joint and note that it is clearly in isolation. This Model View is based on the joint box that is created around any macro driven objects, such as Connection Vault joints, User Connections, Stairs, Railings, etc. 




At joint box.


Figure 17-16



Please select joint box: Select the joint box around the required objects.



Give view name: Enter a name for your Model View (e.g., Stairs). 237




Please select default view direction: Select one of the colored arrows for the required view direction and accept.

The model view is created in Project Explorer

Figure 17-17

Editing a Model View You can edit various model views in various ways. If you want to change the name, right-click on the Model View name in Project Explorer and select Rename. If you right-click on the model view name in Project Explorer and select Properties you can edit the size of the Model View box. Any changes here are always applied equally about the center point of the view.

238

Project Explorer

Figure 17-18

However, it is much easier to change the size of a Model View box using grips. Select the Model View box on the screen to display each modifiable point. Click once on the required grip to activate it, move to the required location, and click again to place the grip Changes are often made equally about the center depending on the type of view. Changes can also be made while the Model View is displayed. In this way you can adjust the view to display it correctly as required. The size of the Model View is not restricted to the original creation dimensions. Therefore, the four creation methods can be selected based on the convenience of getting close to the required volume and the box can then be adjusted.

239


Figure 17-19

Model View boxes can be hidden or displayed using the tools in Quick Views palette, as with any other AS object. They can also be moved to other layers to help control the display of the objects.

240

Project Explorer

Practice 17b

Create a Model View 1. Create one of each type of model view. You can use the examples from the text above or create custom examples.

241


17.5 Queries When working on a structure, you might need to locate various objects based on specific properties. For example, you might want to select all of the glass objects, all of the beams of a specific size, all of the objects in a specific lot of phase, or all of the objects that do not have a Model Role. To achieve this you should use the Search Filter tool. If you want to save the search to use again, you can store it in the Queries area in Project Explorer.

Search Filter The Search Filter tool is used to search for objects in your model that have specific properties. All of the Autodesk® Advance Steel properties of any given object type can be searched for. For example, you can search for all of the objects in Lot 1. 

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Search Filter).

Or 




The Search Filter dialog box opens.

(Create new Query).

o General tab: Usually you select Complete Model and New Marking. The other options are self-explanatory and enable you to search in the existing selections (Current Selection) or existing results (Current Marked Set) and to add or remove the new results from the previous ones. o Objects tab: Select all the object types that you want to search for. For example, if you are searching for glass panels you need to search for plates and possibly folded plates, but not any other object type. In the example of searching for Lot 1, you need to find all of the object types to which a lot or phase might have been assigned. Therefore, you would select the following objects.

242

Project Explorer

Figure 17-20



Other tabs: Depending on the type of property that you want to search for, you can find it in different tabs. Properties unique to plates, gratings, walls, or slabs, such as thickness, are located in the Planar Elements tab. The section size of a beam would be in the Beams tab. Many object types can have a have a lot or phase assigned to them, which is located in the Common Properties tab. To search for a criterion you must first select the box to the left of that criteria name. If the box is not selected, any value that is displayed in the property box is irrelevant. After selecting the start of the line you can enter the required value in the box for which to search. Complete the required search criteria as needed.

Note that the criteria boxes have a NOT column in front of them. It is possible to search for all of the objects that do not match specific criteria. Therefore, you could search for everything that is NOT made of glass by selecting the Material search box, selecting the NOT box and selecting Glass as the material for which to search. 

If you click the OK button the search is executed immediately.



Instead of clicking the OK button you can click the Save button and enter a search name in the small dialog box, such as Lot 1. Click the OK button.

243


Figure 17-21

This saves the search in the Queries list in the Project Explorer. When you return to the Search Filter dialog box it remembers the previously used search criteria. The tabs in which the search criteria have been set are displayed in bold. You can execute the search again by clicking the OK button or start a new search by clicking the Reset Dialog button. When a search is executed, the objects that fulfill the criteria are Marked in red in the model. These marked objects can be selected by clicking (Select all marked objects) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category. When you have finished with the search results you can remove the red marking on the objects by clicking (Clear marked objects) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category.

Using a Saved Query Once your Query has been saved in the Project Explorer, it is displayed in the Queries list. You can use it in two ways. Double-click on the name of the query to execute the query immediately. The matching objects are marked in red as usual.

244

Project Explorer

Figure 17-22

If you click the Light Bulb icon, the search is executed and all of the objects in the model that do not match the results are hidden, leaving only the matching objects displayed. Object marking is not done and any existing marking is not affected. Toggling the Light Bulb off restores the display of all of the objects on the screen.

Figure 17-23

Each time you execute the search the full model is searched again and the results are new and current. If you change the properties of objects while the results of a search are displayed, the results do not update until you execute the search again in one of the two ways above.

245


Editing a Saved Query If you want to change the name of a saved query you can right-click on the name and select Rename. Enter the new name as required. If you want to edit the search criteria you can right-click on the name and select Properties. The Search Filter dialog box opens and has been completed according to the saved search. Change the search criteria as needed and click the Save button to update the properties of the saved query. If you change the criteria and click the OK button without clicking the Save button, the saved query does not change.

246

Project Explorer

Practice 17c

Saved Query 1. Create a saved Query for all of the 20mm thick plates. 2. Try each method of use.

247


17.6 Groups The third and final collection in the Structures tab in Project Explorer is Groups. These enable you to select any collection of objects by any means and associate them to each other. For example, this could be one wing of a building, all of the railings, etc.

Create a Group Create a new empty group as follows: 




Enter the required group name in the dialog box.

(Create new Group)

Figure 17-24




The group name displays in the Groups list in Project Explorer. The group itself is empty.

Figure 17-25

248

Project Explorer

Group Contents Model objects must be added to a group after the group has been created. 

Select the required objects in any way.



Right-click on the group name in Project Explorer and select Add Elements.

Figure 17-26

If you accidentally add incorrect elements to a group they can be removed from the group. 

Select the model objects.



Right-click on the group name and select Remove Elements.

249


Figure 17-27

Objects can be added or removed from a group at any time. Controlling the group contents is a manual task because the group might contain a random collection of objects that are otherwise unrelated.

Using Groups In a group, select the group name to access several options. 

Mark Elements: Marks all of the members of the group in red.



Select Elements: Selects all of the members of the group directly (without marking).



Check-out or Partial Check-out: Checks out all of the members of the group at the same time when working with multi-users.

250

Project Explorer

Figure 17-28

If you toggle on the Light Bulb icon next to a group name, all of the objects that do not belong to the group are hidden from display.

Figure 17-28

251


Practice 17d

Create a Group 1. Create a group that contains all of the components of the mezzanine and balcony. 2. Use the group to select all of the parts and assign them to Lot 2.

252

Project Explorer

17.7 Show All Objects It is possible to turn on light bulbs from several collections at the same time to combine their effects. A quick way to toggle off all of the light bulbs is to click Objects) in the Project Explorer.

(Show All

253


17.8 Structures If you have a large or complex model, you might want to create different levels, queries, or groups for different parts of the structure. This can be done using Structures. 

To display the structures in the Project Explorer, click (Structure).



Click the Plus sign to add a new structure to the list. Each structure can maintain its unique contents for the rest of the Project Explorer. Double-click on a structure name to activate it.

Figure 17-29

254

Validating a Structure

Chapter 18 – Validating a Structure This chapter contains the following topics:     

Clash Check Object Marking Technical Check Model Check Joint Design

255


18.1 Clash Check The Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes many tools for easily creating complex structures. However, the responsibility for the structure being correct remains with the user. To ensure that problems are minimized, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes a range of additional tools to help you to validate your model. 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:

Figure 18-1

Unfortunately, it is probably more likely that there are going to be some clashes and the results are as follows:

256


Figure 18-2

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 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.

(Display Clash

257


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. The Autodesk Advance Steel’s clash check includes checking for Tool clearances around all of the bolt heads and nuts. The size of the tool head to allow for is set in Management Tools > Defaults. When displaying the clash volume, a clash of this type looks like part of a hexagon head that is larger than the nearest nut or bolt.

Figure 18-3

Rather than trying to fix many clashes at the same time, it is recommended that you rerun the clash check after one or two fixes.

258


18.2 Object Marking When the clash volume is displayed in red it is a form of Object Marking in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. Since clashes are usually small it is often hard to find the red volume in your model without help. Several tools are provided to assist with this.

Search for Marked Objects Use this command to find the red volume wherever it is in your model. 


(Search for Marked objects).

A large colored arrow is drawn on screen pointing at any object or volume that is currently marked.

Zoom to Marked Object Use this to quickly zoom in on a marked object. 




(Zoom to marked object).

Select objects: Select an arrow on the display from a Search for Marked Objects and accept.

The display is zoomed in to display the marked object filling the view. The display is not rotated.

Clear Marked Objects After fixing a clash the marked volume remains. Marking can also be used for other purposes. To ensure that previously marked objects and volumes do not confuse future commands you need to remove the marking. 


(Clear Marked objects).

All the object marking is removed, but the objects themselves are not affected.

259


18.3 Technical Check Where clash checking looks for items that overlap, you can also use a Technical Check to look for other design factors, such as bolts that are too close to the edge of the material.

Technical Check Use this command to check the entire model for technical criteria. 

In the Home tab > Checking panel, click Construction Technical Checking).

(Steel

Figure 18-4

A Steel check palette displays the results of the check.

Figure 18-5

For each error the following information is provided: 

Index number of error. Parent part type and handle.

260




Description of error and handle of connection element causing the error.

In this example, you need to note the handle of the connection object to be able to find and fix the error. You can then close the report.

Mark Object To identify the connection element causing the error, use this command. 


(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.

261


18.4 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).



The verification is done automatically for the whole model.



After the automatic verification the notification panel is displayed.

Figure 18-6

You can highlight and fix each error entry using the controls from the bottom right side of the panel.

262


18.5 Joint Design The last kind of validation you can perform in the Autodesk ® Advance Steel software is Joint Design to validate the strength of a joint. IMPORTANT: Using the Joint Design functionality in the software is not a replacement for certified approval from a qualified Structural Engineer. This check is intended to reduce the iterations that might be required to get a joint right, but all of the final stress and strength calculations should be carried out and certified by a qualified Structural Engineer in accordance with the appropriate legislation that applies to the project. 

Open the Joint Properties dialog box.



Change to the Joint Design tab.

Figure 18-7



NSA module: Select the standard in which you are working.

Enter the appropriate loads in the M, N, and V boxes. (Note that the moment load M is only enabled in appropriate types of joints that are officially recognized as suitable for moment loads.) 

Click the Check button.

263


After checking, the results are displayed in the Status window and title. An instant check and the most recent check results are also displayed on the front page of any Joint Properties dialog box.

Figure 18-8

If the joint passes a check to the selected standard the status displays OK in green. If the joint fails the check, the status displays Checking failed in red and a list of failed criteria is displayed. For more information, click Report to display a full report indicating each criteria that has been checked, the formula used, and the result for your model. The report can be generated in the RTF or HTML formats and is automatically saved in the calculations sub-folder of the project folder. This report can be displayed in the Joint Design tab in either the Long or Short format. Click the Settings button in the Joint Design tab and select Short or Long. The Short format only displays the failed criteria as a list of names and the Long format displays the complete report in the window. This setting does not affect the output file that is saved on your hard drive or what is displayed when clicking the Report button.

264


Figure 18-9

265


Chapter 19 - Numbering This chapter contains the following topics: 

Model Role  Numbering

266

Numbering

19.1 Model Role Many possible numbering systems are in use around the world and the Autodesk Advance Steel software has many options and settings enabling different systems to be created. However, to avoid confusion this training guide concentrates on the most common system that is used by the software after a standard installation. If you want to learn how to use different numbering systems please contact your Autodesk representative for more information.

You can assign a role to many objects at the same time if they are of the same type (e.g., beam, plate, and grating). Select all of the required objects and only those objects. Rightclick and select Advance Properties or Advance Multi Edit > Beam Properties as needed. Make the edit as for one part and all of the selected parts are updated.

Before any documentation can be created for your structure, the structure must be numbered. The numbering function carries out several vital processes that are closely related. 

Analyses the structure to identify equal parts and determine quantities.



Analyses the relationships between parts to identify assemblies and main parts.



Assigns part and assembly numbers to objects in the structure.

These tasks would be very difficult to do accurately manually, but are easy if you do them using the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. In most number systems, parts and assemblies are assigned a prefix to the actual unique number. This prefix usually indicates the type of part or assembly. For example, parts are usually M for Main Part or F for Fitting. Assemblies can be B for Beam, C for Column, R for Rafter, etc. 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.

267


Figure 19-1



Close the Properties dialog box.

Search Filter When modeling it is easy to forget to assign model roles as you proceed. To find all of the parts without a Model Role you can use the Search Filter command. Ensure that nothing is selected (press twice). 


(Search Filter).

The Search Filter dialog box opens. 

General tab: Click the Reset Dialog button.



Select Complete model and New Marking.



Objects tab: Select the appropriate objects for which to search.

268

Numbering

Figure 19-2



Common Properties tab: Select Model Role and then select None in the selection list.




All of the objects matching the search (i.e., of the selected object types and without a Model Role) are highlighted in red.

Project Explorer - Saved Searches When using the Search Filter command, a Save button is available at the bottom of the dialog box. If you click it you are prompted to enter a name for the search. You can use this to save multiple different searches, rather than having to redefine them each time you want a specific search. To reuse a previously saved search: In the Home tab > Project panel, click 

(Project Explorer).

Expand the Queries list if needed.

Figure 19-3

269


Either 

Double-click on the search name to carry out the specified search and mark the results.

 

Click the Light Bulb icon next to the search to toggle it on. Every object that does not match the search criteria is hidden.

Or

This is ideal for the Model Role = None search in the example. The results are not totally dynamic because they are only updated when the light bulb is toggled off and then on again. Therefore, if you edit the beam properties the parts do not disappear until the search is run again. To ensure that no other settings are hiding objects and that the entire structure is displayed, click

(Show All Elements).

You can close the Project Explorer by clicking the small X in the top right corner of the panel.

270

Numbering

Practice 19a

Assign Model Roles 1. Assign Model roles to the structure. 2. Ensure that no parts are left in the structure that are set to Model Role = None.

271


19.2 Numbering Number This command does the numbering process. 

Ensure that nothing is selected (press twice). If you have any parts selected, only those parts are considered. Normally, it is best to consider the entire structure to avoid possible problems later.



In the Home tab > Document panel, click The Numbering dialog box opens.



Select all of the required options and click the OK button.

(Numbering).

Several reports of the results are displayed. These might be of interest, but can be closed otherwise. In the reports, note any parts or assemblies with a None prefix, indicating that they do not have a Model Role.

Figure 19-4

For typical basic numbering, the following options in the Numbering dialog box are useful.

272

Numbering



General tab o Post Number Method: Select the required system for the numbering (see below for an explanation of the options). o Single Part – Start: This is the lowest number that is used for individual parts. o Assembly – Start: This is the lowest number that is used for assemblies. Many users want assemblies to start at 1 while parts start at 1000.

Numbering with tokens You can assign new information to elements mark using tokens. 1. Project data information: Project Name, Project Number, Building 2. Elements naming information: Prefix, Lot/Phase, Commodity Number 3. Elements shape information: Thickness 4. Model Name 5. Method Number

Figure 19-5

273




It might be tempting to try to edit the numbering manually to get the required results. However, this is very error prone and leads to many support calls.

Special tab o Reuse unused marks: If you edit a model after numbering and a part number is no longer used it should be reassigned when renumbering. If you have already issued the deleted part you might want to record that it has been deleted and not reuse its number. Therefore, you would clear this option. o Use Column orientation for assemblies: If selected, two otherwise identical columns in different orientations are assigned two different numbers. If not selected they are assigned the same number. o Take released objects into account: The released objects are taken into account at numbering. o Exclude Bolts: The bolts are not taken into account at numbering. o Exclude anchors: The anchors are not taken into account at numbering. o Exclude connector: The connectors are not taken into account at numbering. o Exclude concrete elements: The concrete elements are not taken into account at numbering. o Exclude timber elements: The timber elements are not taken into account at numbering. o Use geometry for preliminary numbering: If the same type of elements are geometrically different, they will receive different part numbers. o Allow changes of preliminary numbers: If checked, you can change the preliminary numbers. o Assign the same preliminary number to all parts from the same assembly: If not checked, the parts receive their own different preliminary number. o Exclude not marked as "Structural member" for preliminary numbering: Elements that are not marked as 274

Numbering

structural members in the Behavior tab of their properties are not taken into account at numbering.

Part Types For the purposes of numbering and detailing, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software identifies each object as one of three types of part:

Standalone parts can be treated as parts, assemblies, or both for drawing purposes. The Management Tools > Defaults > Drawing General > Standalone Part - Detailing Behavior setting controls the type(s) of drawing that you want the Autodesk Advance Steel software to produce for these parts.



Main Part: The heaviest (and therefore usually largest) part of any assembly. It is considered the most important part. It affects the numbering, but the affect varies depending on the selected Post Number Method. Assembly drawing views are oriented according to the main part so that the main part is usually horizontal (depending on the Drawing Style).



Single Part: All of the remaining parts that are not main parts.



Standalone Part: A part that does not have any other parts fixed to it in the workshop or an assembly of only one part. This can affect the numbering depending on the selected Post Numbering Method.

Post Number Methods A post number method is a rule that is applied after the initial numbering has been completed to obtain the required results. There are four possible options: 

None: No extra rule is implemented. Part numbers and assembly numbers are not related in any way. For example, the Beam assembly B26 might contain the parts M1000 (the beam), F1089, F1094, and F1104 (the plates). A piece of the Angle Bracing standalone part could be Assembly Number BR1 and Part number M1001.

275


Figure 19-6



SP Number (for main part) = Assembly Number: For each assembly the main part has its part number changed to match the assembly number. Therefore, the B26 assembly in the example would contain parts B26, F1089, F1094, and F1104 while the same angle bracing standalone part would be Assembly Number BR1 and part number BR1.

Figure 19-7



SP Number (for standalone part) = Assembly number: For each standalone part (not the main parts of other assemblies) the part number is changed to match the assembly number. The beam would then be assembly B26 with parts M1000, F1089, F1094, and F1104 while the angle bracing standalone part would be assembly BR1 and part number BR1. 276

Numbering

Figure 19-8



Assembly Group: This setting assigns part numbers for all of the parts relative to the assembly where they are first located. The main part is assigned the assembly number for its part number. The single parts are assigned the fitting prefix F followed by the number of the part in the first assembly in which it was found. In an assembly, parts are numbered with letters. Therefore, this example would be beam B26 with parts B26, Fa-B1, Fa-B26, and Fe-C3. Plate Fa-B1 was the first plate in assembly B1, plate Fa-B26 is the first unique plate that was found in this assembly (B26), and plate Fe-C3 is the fifth unique plate that was first found in assembly C3. The standalone angle bracing part would be assembly BR1 with part BR1.

Figure 19-9

277


Renumber When a user refers to renumbering a model they want you to use the Number command again. The options and settings used to number the model previously are remembered and set by default. Do not change these options unless you want to change every part number in the structure. When you edit a model after it has been numbered it is difficult to determine whether the change could affect the numbers. Important: ALWAYS RENUMBER THE MODEL AFTER COMPLETING THE EDITS. When renumbering, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software only changes a number of a part if required (i.e., if one of the following conditions is met): 

The part no longer matches other parts of the same number.



The numbering options or settings have been changed since the last numbering.

Therefore, it is not only recommended but important to renumber a model after making changes.

Object Naming After part numbers have been assigned, you can find the information for each object in the Naming tab in the Advance Properties dialog box.

278

Numbering

Figure 19-10

You can assign parts to different lots or phases for construction purposes. You can determine whether this also influences the assigned part numbers. For more information on Assigning Lot/Phase Numbers contact your Autodesk representative.



Single Part Number: The number allocated to this part.



Single Part Prefix: The prefix allocated to this part (normally



M or F unless using a Post Number Method).



Assembly Mark: The number assigned to this assembly.



Assembly Prefix: The prefix assigned to this assembly. It is selected against a set of rules based on the Model Role.



Main Part/Single Part: There is a box in front of the Single part number and Main part number lines. If the box next to Single part number is shaded this part is a Single Part. If the box next to Assembly number is shaded this is a Main Part. Normally, this is automatically controlled by the software and this is an indication for the user.

279


Practice 19b

Numbering 1. Number the structure. 2. Apply numbering to the structure with the Post Numbering Method set to None.

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Creating Drawings

Chapter 20 – Creating Drawings

This chapter contains the following topics:       

Quick Documents Palettes Drawing Styles Drawing Processes Cameras Summary of Drawing Procedure View Orientation Setting up Quick Documents Palettes

20.1 Quick Documents Palettes The main interface for creating new documents from the Autodesk® Advance Steel software are the Quick Documents palettes. 281


The Quick Documents palettes provide quick access to a selected set of drawing styles, drawing processes and list templates. The set of available drawing styles, drawing processes and templates can be customized. There are three Quick Documents palettes: 1. Drawing Styles palette 2. Drawing Processes palette 3. BOM Templates palette The palettes allow you to quickly browse and use drawing styles and drawing processes for drawing creations as well as list templates for BOM list creations. The categories are represented by intuitive images. The Quick Documents Palettes can be opened using the buttons located either: 

On the Home tab > Documents panel.

Figure 20-1



On the Output tab > Documents panel.

Figure 20-2

Palette

Quick Documents Palette name

282

Creating Drawings

Drawing Styles Palette

Drawing Processes Palette

283


BOM Templates Palette



Drawing Styles: Individual styles for creating individual drawing or drawing views.



Drawing Processes: Automated processes for creating many drawings based on sets of rules.



Templates: Document styles for creating Bills of Materials and other lists from your model rather than from drawings.

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Creating Drawings

20.2 Drawing Styles All of the drawings created by the Autodesk® Advance Steel software are created based on a complex set of rules. These rules are called Drawing Styles. Each Drawing Style is set up to create a drawing that is ideal for a specific purpose, such as a Single Part detail for a plate, assembly of a rafter, or general arrangement section through a structure. Although part and assembly drawings can be created using Drawing Styles, in most cases it is recommended that you use a process. Normally, Drawing Styles are only selected directly for General Arrangement (GA) type drawings or when a specific style is required, rather than the normal option. For example, the Parts drawing processes select a simple general drawing for most tubes, but if you want to use a wrap-around template you could request it by selecting the style directly. The method of creating a drawing using a drawing style (such as a GA view) is: 

Set the UCS as required: Many styles base the view orientation on the UCS. If using the GA styles, the view is always created as though the Z-axis is pointing directly at the viewer and X is pointing right, regardless of the name of the drawing style. Most of the Assembly and Part styles base the view orientation on the main part, rather than on the UCS.



In the Output tab > Documents panel, click Styles) to open the Drawing Styles Palette.



Select the required Drawing Style from the palette.



The Create detail dialog box opens.

(Drawing

285


Figure 20-3



From this dialog you can choose between two options to create the detail: o Create with default settings: this option will also show a small, non-editable list containing those default settings (prototype, drawing name and scale), to easily see what options the drawing style uses when creating the detail. When you select this option the drawing creation phase will start directly. At this point, you may be prompted to choose different options related to the view parameters, depending on how the drawing style is configured. For example, an elevation drawing style that prompts you for the xOy viewport, will prompt you to select the viewport after you had selected the Create with default settings option.

o Modify settings: when you select this option, the Select Destination File dialog appears, containing a set of override settings for the detailing procedure:

Figure 20-4

286

Creating Drawings

Note: By default, the settings in this dialog have values read from the Advance Steel defaults (e.g. drawing number, prototype) or from the drawing style configuration (e.g. scale). Once modified, these settings are saved for future use. 

Select a scale, in the Scale field.



Enter a view title.



Click OK.



Select the destination.



Select a suitable drawing prototype in the Prototype (template) tab of the Select Destination File dialog.



Verify that the File Name is correct (you must not edit the path, but you should verify that the name at the end reflects the correct sheet size).



OR if you want the view to be added to an existing drawing:



Change to the Existing Drawings tab in the Select Destination File dialog.



Select either the required drawing in the list on the left or another view of the required drawing in the list on the right.




Your drawing view is created in the specified file. There are several variations of this procedure depending on the selected style. PICKBOX: Some styles are based on using a Pickbox to define the area that is displayed in the view. If the style displays ALL it displays everything. However, if the style is based on a Pickbox you are prompted to select the area that you want to display in the drawing. This prompt is a typical case of selecting two points to define the rectangular area that you want to display. You are prompted after clicking the OK button in the Select File Destination dialog box. With or without Labels: The Drawing Style defines the parts that should be labeled in a view and how they are labeled. Some of the 287


styles include many labels that might produce a cluttered drawing. In other styles all of the labels have been turned off so that you can add custom labels later as needed. Selected parts: Some of the styles prompt you that they are for selected parts (e.g., 3D view, selected – with labels). These styles only draw the parts that you have selected. This is ideal if you only want to provide an enlarged detail of a joint or other view of a selected detail. It is recommended that you select the required components before starting the Quick Documents command. However, if this is not done, you are prompted to do so later. The normal object selection methods apply. WARNING: If you create a view that is based on selected parts and edit the drawing in the future, creating new parts or moving parts into the view area, the view NEVER displays the new or moved parts because they were not selected when the view was created. Your only option would be to delete and recreate the view. Use this type of view with caution and only for cases in which the parts in the view would never need to change. To create a new 3D view you need to set the UCS to point in the correct direction. To do so, orient your view on screen as needed and then set the UCS to view (UCS>UCS View).

Hot or Cold Rolled: Some styles specify that they are only for Hot Rolled parts (such as Floor plan, hot rolled – all). If you select these styles all of the cold rolled components of your structure are NOT drawn. Where there is a Hot rolled style there is usually a Cold Rolled style to go with it (such as Floor plan, cold rolled – All). If you select the Cold Rolled style all of the hot and cold rolled objects are drawn, but only the cold rolled is labeled and dimensioned. You can use Drawing Styles directly to create drawings of parts or assemblies as needed. Generally, it is more efficient to use a process. You might want to select a Style directly if you want to specify that a specific style be designed for a specific type of part, such as a stringer, but these should be handled by a well-defined process. While drawings can be edited after creation, a careful selection of the correct drawing style for your purpose minimizes future editing and finishing requirements. For example: 

3D view - selected+ pickbox, Assembly lab: Creates a view on the UCS of only the selected parts, displaying only the defined area, and with only the main parts labeled with the assembly numbers. 288

Creating Drawings



3D Detailview All – Pickbox, visible + lab: Creates a view on the UCS of ALL parts but only displaying the selected area. Only the visible edges are drawn. All of the parts are labeled with their part number and section size.



3D Detailview All – Pickbox, vishidden + lab: Creates a view on the UCS of ALL parts but only displays the selected area. Both visible and hidden edges are drawn. All of the parts are labeled with their part number and section size. Review the sample image and read the description at the bottom of Quick Documents carefully to understand the differences between the styles.

Drawing Prototype A Prototype is a blank drawing sheet. Each prototype already has the drawing border, title block, and BOMs if required, a Revision table, and default notes that are appropriate for the drawing type (such as a foundation bolt description). When you create a drawing using a Drawing Style you should select the appropriate prototype for your drawing. Therefore, for a Stanchion Plan a Foundation prototype would be appropriate, but you would not use an A1 Assembly prototype with notes about hole sizes and welds for a GA drawing.

289


20.3 Drawing Processes A Drawing Process steps through all of the selected objects, selects a suitable Drawing Style, creates a drawing of the object, and moves on to the next object. This way many drawings of many objects can be created quickly and easily. The basic procedure is:

.



Select the objects that you want to draw.



In the Output tab > Documents panels, click Processes).



Select the required Process from the palette.



The Process Properties dialog box opens. Generally, you do not need to change any options in this dialog box. However, one option that you might want to use is Arrangement. It controls the order in which the selected items are drawn. For example, the sequence could be based on the distance from the WCS origin, Beam length, or Plate thickness.

(Drawing

Figure 20-5

290

Creating Drawings



Click OK and wait for the activity to finish (the Command Line stops at Command:).



The drawings are created.

Typical options that are available when selecting a Drawing Process are: 

Parts or Assemblies/fabrications: Select the process, which is named accordingly.



Single or Multi Sheet: Single Sheet drawings only have views of ONE component or assembly (or one GA view). Multi sheet drawings have views of MULTIPLE components or assemblies (or GA views). If the selected process is a Multi Sheet process it continues to place parts on the same drawing sheet until the sheet is full and to then start the next drawing. If the process is a Single Sheet process, every part has its own drawing.



BOM or No Bom: You might want to add a Bill of Materials to the drawing that contains the displayed parts. This is possible in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software and is generally controlled by the drawing prototype on which you place a drawing. Processes with BOM select prototypes with BOMs and Processes without BOMs select prototypes without BOMs. All of the other outputs are the same.



Sheet size: Each Process name indicates the sheet size(s) it’s going to create. For the processes that could create multiple sizes the drawing is tested on the smallest size sheet first and then the sheet size is increased until a fit is found.

Regardless of the selected process, it typically does the following as well: 

Selects an appropriate drawing style based on the object type and model role.



Selects an appropriate drawing prototype.



Gives the file the required name.



Tests several drawing scales to find the best fit on the sheet. The actual scales tried are defined in the Process. If multiple sizes are permitted, all of the scales are attempted on the 291


smallest sheet first and then all of the scales on the next sheet size, etc. If a single sheet size is selected and none of the scales fit the border, the views are created at the smallest scale on a specific sheet. Some examples of typical drawings that have been created in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software are as follow. The first is a typical Multi-sheet part drawing of some plates. The second is typical single-sheet drawing of a part. In this case, it is column A1 in the training structure. The third drawing is a typical assembly drawing, containing one of the rafters in the training structure.

Figure 20-6

292

Creating Drawings

Figure 20-7

Figure 20-8

293


20.4 Cameras Cameras are objects that you can place in your model to define the required drawing views in a visible and editable way. You can then create drawings from the cameras using drawing processes and edit the cameras later to adjust the resulting drawing views.

Creating a Camera To create a camera, follow this procedure: 

Set the UCS as though creating the required view (XY in plane of required view with Z pointing at the viewer).



In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click (Create Camera, UCS).



Select the location that should be the center of the required view.

The camera is created and the Camera Properties dialog box opens. 

Properties tab: Basic properties of the camera. o Camera Type: Select the appropriate category for your camera. The drawing processes can be set to draw all of the cameras of a selected type or any camera. o Description: This value is only displayed in this dialog box, but can be useful for recognizing the correct camera later when editing the model.



Detail Box tab: Define the content of your view. o Z-viewport, Front and Rear: If these boxes are selected, the view depth in this direction is limited to the distance in the property. If the box is not selected, the view depth is infinite in that direction. Front is toward the viewer and Rear is away from the view relative to the plane of the camera. o XY-Viewport– Automatic: This results in the entire structure being included in your view (according to Z depth above).

294

Creating Drawings

o XY-Viewport – Fixed: Enter the required values in the X Delta and Y Delta for the width and height of the area to include in your drawing view. These values are always calculated equally about the center of the view. For example, a value of 1500 results in value of 750 on each side. o Drawing Style: Use the Style drop-down list to select a view type. These views are the same as the views in the drawing styles. Note that although the drawing styles define the view area during normal use, the Camera Viewport properties completely override these settings. Therefore, you can select any view that has the required presentation and dimensioning rules regardless of whether it is usually based on the UCS or part orientation, a pickbox or all, etc.

Figure 20-9

Cameras always have a fixed geographical area that they include in the view. All of the objects in the defined area are included in the view subject to the drawing style presentation strategy. You cannot define a camera based on a pick-box or selected parts. Once created, the Camera object has a grid drawn in the view plane and some bounding boxes are displayed according to the camera settings. A thick arrow indicates the view direction.

295


Editing a Camera To edit a camera you can select it, right-click and select Advance Properties. This opens the original Camera Properties dialog box, enabling you to adjust any of its properties. If you want to adjust the area covered by a camera, select the camera and move the grips. If the view depth is limited, the front and back planes of the camera can be moved to adjust this. If the view depth is unlimited the camera only displays the grid. If a fixed XY Viewport is defined it can be adjusted using the grips on the grid, but the adjustment is always equal about the center point. Moving the center grip moves the entire camera to a new position. If the XY Viewport is set to Automatic, grips do not display on the edges of the grid. All of the normal tools for editing objects can also be used, enabling you to copy a camera to another location.

Creating Drawings from Cameras To create drawings from cameras you need to select a Drawing Process that is designed for this purpose. Typically, variations on the processes enable you to draw all of the cameras of a specific type, just selected cameras, etc.

Figure 20-10

These processes are located in the Drawing Processes palette and are used in the same way as any other process.

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Creating Drawings

Cameras versus Drawing Styles Two methods are described above for creating GA type views. Creating a GA view directly using a Drawing Style is slightly quicker if you are confident that you can create the correct view the first time or if you need to use a pick box or selected parts type view. However, most of the time, it is recommended that you use a camera to create your GA views. Cameras have the advantage of being an object that can be modified if required. Therefore, if your view needs to change size you have precise and simple control over that. You can even change the selected drawing style if needed. Another benefit of a Camera view is that it can be accessed from the right-click menu to provide quick access to the drawings. When you select a part and right-click, the menu provides options for opening any Part, Assembly, or Camera views in which the part is displayed. Other GA views that have been created directly from Drawing Styles do not display in this way.

Figure 20-11

Additionally, because Camera views can be created using Drawing Processes, the software can experiment with different scales and paper sizes depending on the process set up. If you are creating manual views you have to select the paper size and view scale so it can be difficult to get a good selection the first time.

297


20.5 Summary of Drawing Procedure To summarize the procedure that is generally required for creating all of the necessary drawings, there are three fundamental stages that you can perform in any order. These are Parts, Assemblies, and GAs. Therefore, for an entire structure you would do the following: 

Parts Drawings: o Select objects. o Quick Documents o Select a Drawing Process for parts.



Assembly Drawings: o Select objects. o Quick Documents o Select a Drawing Process for Assemblies.



GAs o Decide on the required views and for each view: o Set the UCS as required. o Create a Camera for each view. o Quick Documents o Select and use Drawing Processes for cameras.

The drawings are all stored in the Details sub folder, in the Project folder.

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Creating Drawings

20.6 View Orientation When an Autodesk® Advance Steel object is created in the model, it has its own internal UCS. This is roughly aligned with the current UCS when the object is created. When a part drawing is created, the internal UCS of the part defines the view orientation. The TOP view is defined as Z pointing toward the viewer and X as pointing right. If you create an assembly drawing, the internal UCS of the Main Part is the one that decides the view orientation. Some special assembly styles are based on the UCS. They are designed for cases in which you might want the main part to be displayed in a specific position other than horizontal. For example, Handrailing - Stairs, UCS. For these styles, set the UCS so that the XY plane is oriented as you would want the paper to be oriented relative to the object in your view. Therefore, for the stair example, having X horizontal along the ground in line with the stair and the Y vertical, provides a side view of the stair in the real slope orientation rather than a horizontal stringer. For GA styles, the current UCS defines the view orientation. Regardless of the description of the style, such as Elevation, Roof Plan, 3D View, etc., the view always looks down the Z-axis with X pointing right.

299


20.7 Setting up Documents Palettes The Documents Palettes contain a list of the available drawing styles and processes. This list does not display all of the styles or processes that are available in the system, but it is rather a list of preferred items. The full lists of available Styles or Processes are located in the respective manager systems that are used to define them. You can access the Documents palettes from the Output tab > Documents panel.

Figure 20-12

The Styles and Processes provided with the software are designed to be suitable for general manufacture and changing them is not recommended unless it is absolutely necessary. If you want to edit the existing entries, or create your own, a separate training guide is offered to cover this complex subject. Please contact your Autodesk Representative for more information.

Drawing Styles are defined in the Drawing Style Manager. The definition of a Drawing Style is very complex, with six levels of settings that are layered on top of each other. It is not recommended that you change any of the settings in these styles without very careful thought and planning. To display the full list of available styles and identify the ones that should be visible in the palettes, follow this procedure: 

In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click (Drawing Style Manager).

Figure 20-13

300

Creating Drawings

Figure 20-14



Ensure that Drawing Styles is selected in the top left.



Expand the Advance or User list as needed.



Select the required group of styles.



In the right pane a list of styles is displayed with boxes next to them. Select only the styles that you want to display in the Drawing Styles palette.



Click the OK button to close the Drawings Style Manager.



In the Home tab > Settings panel, click

(Update Defaults).

Drawing Processes are a system that selects and applies drawing styles for you. As with Drawing Styles, all of the available Drawing Processes in the Drawing Processes palette are not always displayed, just the preferred ones. To display the full list of the available processes and select the ones that are displayed in the Documents palette, follow this procedure:  In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click (Drawing Process Manager).

301


Figure 20-15



Expand the Advance or User list as needed.



Expand the Drawing Processes folder.



Select the required category for the processes.



In the right pane, a list of styles with tick boxes is displayed in front of each one. Select only the styles that you want to display in the palette.



Click the OK button to close the Drawings Style Manager



In the Home tab>Settings panel, click

(Update Defaults).

Although not as complex as Drawing Styles, it is recommended that you do not attempt to edit Drawing Processes without careful thought and planning. The Documents palettes are designed to only display the preferred styles and processes for quick access and general use. If you occasionally require a different style in the list, you do not have to add it to the palettes before using it. Instead do the following: 

Output > Document Manager > Drawing Style Manager or Drawing Process Manager.



Locate the required style or process in the list of those available. 302

Creating Drawings



Click the USE button.



Proceed with normal drawing creation.



After the drawing has been created you are returned to the Manager dialog box. Click the OK button.

303


Chapter 21 – Editing Drawings This chapter contains the following topics: 

Document Manager  Manipulating Drawings  Drawing Labels and Dimensions  Object Properties

304

Editing Drawings

21.1 Document Manager The main interface for accessing and controlling all of the documents that you create from your model is the Document Manager. To open the Document Manager, in the Home tab > Documents panel, click (Document Manager) and the dialog box opens.

Figure 21-1

The left pane displays a list of document types. Drawings are located in the Details area. When you first try to expand this list it might flash and disappear again. This is not an error but is part of the process in which the Autodesk® Advance Steel software checks the current status of each drawing to ensure that it is up to date. The drawing files are listed according to their file names. If you are using the default naming and numbering system all of the file names, include a prefix indicating the type of drawing: 

[S] = Single Part drawing



[MP] = Multi sheet part drawing



[A] = Assembly drawing



[MA] = Multi sheet assembly drawing



[G] = GA type drawing.

Single sheet part and assembly drawings are named after the part or assembly mark of the object that they display. Multi sheet and GA 305


drawings have a drawing number. The drawing sheet size is also included. The right pane in Document Manager displays details of the views on the drawing(s) that are selected on the left or a preview of the selected drawing. To display the preview, select the Preview tab. The preview is a live preview of the actual file and can be zoomed or panned in the dialog box. Once you have located the required drawing you can open it by double-clicking on the file name or clicking the Open Drawing button.

Right-click to Open Drawings As a convenience feature, it is possible to select an object in your model and right-click to open drawings directly, without using the Document Manager. When you right-click on a selected object, any drawings in which that object is displayed are listed. Part Drawings, Assembly Drawings, and Camera Views are listed, but GA views that were created directly from the Drawing Styles are not listed. If the drawing is out of date that is also indicated in the menu.

Figure 21-2

This is provided to make opening drawings faster (there is no need to know the part/assembly/drawing number). You cannot update the drawings this way.

Keeping Up to Date The Autodesk® Advance Steel software can track all of the changes in a model since it was created and knows when a drawing or other document is out of date. If documents are found to be out of date they are placed in a separate folder in the left pane in the Document Manager. To update these documents you have two options, depending on whether you want the change to be recorded.

306

Editing Drawings

To update the documents without recording the change:



In the Home tab > Documents panel, click Manager).



Select the document(s) in the left pane.



Click the Force Update button.

(Document

Figure 21-3

Wait for the activity to finish. The documents are updated and listed in the Up to date folder in the left pane. If you WANT the update to be recorded as a formal issue of the file, use the Revision system as follows: 




Select the document(s) in the left pane.



Click the Update Revision button.

(Document

Figure 21-4



An Add Revision Mark dialog box opens.

307


Figure 21-5



If updating a single document, click the Add button. (If updating multiple documents this step is not needed.)

Figure 21-6

o A Revision Details dialog box opens. o Complete the details and click the OK button. 

OR if updating multiple documents, complete the revision details in this dialog box. o Ensure that the Index option is set to Next available index for each document unless you want to change them all to the same issue, regardless of previous issues.




Wait for the activity to finish. The documents are updated and listed in the Up to date folder in the left pane. The revision index displays in the left pane after the file name. The file name is also changed to include the revision index. 308

Editing Drawings

The previous revision of the document (immediately before you select Update) is moved to a Backup folder in the Project\Details folder.

Revision System in Drawings If you select the Update Revision option to update the drawings, the Revision is recorded in the drawing as follows:

If the revision table in the drawing includes the Rev Details column, the Autodesk Advance Steel software automatically completes this column with a generic description of the changes in the drawing.



A note is added to the Revision table containing the information that you entered in the Revision Details dialog box.



The main revision in the title block is updated.



Any previously existing revision clouds are deleted.



A revision cloud is drawn around any dimensions or labels that change.



A revision cloud is drawn around the changed part or feature.



An index mark is placed next to the revision clouds.

The use of revision clouds is controlled by a number of options in Management Tools > Defaults. The exact results depend on these settings. The default options might vary depending on your installation.

309


21.2 Manipulating Drawings A number of tools are provided to manipulate the drawing views and other drawing content after creation. All of these commands are carried out in an open drawing, rather than in the model.

Update Detail It forces an immediate update of a specific drawing detail. A detail can contain several drawing views. It is NOT recorded as a drawing revision. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click (Update detail and keep revision).

Figure 21-7



Select detail view: Select any element in the drawing detail to update.

The Updates Take Place Immediately. Update the Page Header. This is an exception to the rule about only working in the drawings. When a drawing is created, the title block is populated with details from the Project Information dialog box. If the project information changes, after the drawing has been created, you need to use this command to update the title blocks. 

Close ALL of the drawings for this project.



In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click (Update page header)

310

Editing Drawings

Figure 21-8

After the activity finishes, ALL of the drawings have their title blocks updated with the latest Project Information. This change is not recorded as a revision.

Update Lists It forces an immediate update of a BOM or other list in a drawing. In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click (Update list)

Figure 21-9

All of the BOMs or lists in the drawing are immediately updated. This change is not recorded as a revision.

Rearrange all of the Details If you have manually added views to a drawing they might display in odd places in the first instance. This command attempts to rearrange all of the details in the drawing to fit in the drawing border. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Rearrange all details).

Figure 21-10

No input is required. All of the details are rearranged immediately. 311


Rearrange all of the Views in a Detail If you have added views to a detail they are initially stacked vertically. If you use this command it rearranges the views in the selected detail. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Rearrange all views in detail).

Figure 21-11



Select detail view: Select any element in the detail.

Change Detail This opens the Detail Properties dialog box. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Change Detail).

Figure 21-12



Select detail view: Select any element in the detail to edit.

Alternatively, double-click on the outer green frame around a detail. In the Edit Detail dialog box you can change the scale of your detail (all of the views match the scale) and the title of your detail. Although the Autodesk® Advance Steel software selects all of the required views for you, you can override this as needed.

312

Editing Drawings

Figure 21-13



The top left part of this dialog box displays a list of the available automatic views. Select the view that you want to use and change the Properties tab to View State.



To turn the view on, select Always on.



To hide a view that you do not want to use, select Always off.




Note that if you override the view options like this, they are no longer capable for modification if required to suit the edits to the members. Sometimes, beams can have long distances without any interesting features. To minimize wasted paper these views are typically clipped (drawn shorter than they would normally be) to remove the unnecessary areas. If you want to change what has happened in a view you can do so here.

313


Figure 21-14



Select the required view at the top left of the dialog box.



Set the Properties tab to Clip.



If the X clipping or Y clipping boxes are checked, clipping is permitted in that direction. Clear the box to toggle clipping off and force the full length to be drawn.



The three values indicate how much to draw and how much to cut out of the member.



Clipping Type: No clipping line means the clip is only drawn as a small break in the outline of the part. This can be hard to recognize. Normal Clipping means a clipping line is drawn on either side of the cut. The line is a standard AutoCAD Linetype. Custom Clipping draws a clipping line with a single zig-zag in the middle.





Clipping Line Type: The AutoCAD Linetype to use for the clipping line if Normal Clipping is selected in Clipping Type.

Change Prototype File If you want to have a drawing on a different prototype (usually to change the sheet size) you can use this command to change the background sheet without affecting the detail(s). 314

Editing Drawings



In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Change prototype file).

Figure 21-15



A small dialog box opens displaying a list of the available prototypes.

Figure 21-16



[Optional] If you click the Settings button, the Overwrite page settings dialog opens. Here you can select the properties of the old prototype that you want to keep and those to take from the new prototype.

Figure 21-17

315




Select the required new prototype and click the OK button. The drawing is updated immediately. You might need to clean up the BOMs, sheet notes, and revision tables in the final drawing.

Move View You can move a view by selecting any element of the view and dragging the mouse. Alternatively, you can use the AutoCAD Move command or the following command: 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Move View).

Figure 21-18



Select detail view: Select any element in the view to move.



Move detail view from point: Select a start point for your move.



To point: Select an end point for your move.

The benefit of using this command or the AutoCAD Move command is that, by using Osnaps and Osnap tracking, you can align the views. When you move a view, all of the associated annotation moves as well.

Delete View To delete a view, you can select the inner green frame around it and press . Alternatively, you can use this command. • In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Delete view).

Figure 21-19



Select detail view: Select any element of the view to delete.

316

Editing Drawings



The view is successfully deleted.

Any annotation that is associated with the view is also deleted.

Create Cut View Use this command to simply select the view where the manual cut is to be created and the cut position and depth. All the available overrides will be optional and accessible using a shortcut key at the view selection step. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel click (Create cut view).

Figure 21-20



Please select detail view or [Settings]: Select the view from which you want to project your new view.



First corner of detail window: Select a point for one end of your section line/cutting plane.



Second corner of detail window: Select a point for the other end of your section line



Please specify cut depth or [Unbounded/Zero]: Select a point on the correct side of your section line (the arrow on the screen indicates which way the view oriented.

The new view is created immediately and placed under the existing views (not in line).

Renumber Cut Views If you have created extra cut views or deleted cut views, the letters might not run in the required sequence. Use this command to rearrange the letters, identifying the views into the required sequence. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click (Renumber cut views). 317


Figure 21-21



Select detail view: Select any element in the detail.

All of the section views are renamed, starting at A.

Create Callout View The workflow is similar to the cut view workflow - where you can create a new view directly from the drawing, using a manually selected size and a custom drawing style. This allows you to create views that have the role of highlighting small areas of a more generic drawing, using a higher level of detail, such as node information callouts on an elevation drawing. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel click

(Create callout view).

Figure 21-22



Please select detail view or [Settings]: Select the view from which you want to project your new view.



First corner of detail window: Select a point for one end of your section line/cutting plane.



Second corner of detail window: Select a point for the other end of your section line

The new view is created immediately.

318

Editing Drawings

21.3 Drawing Labels and Dimensions Once you have created all of the required views you can use the tools in this palette to edit the annotation of the drawing. You cannot use the standard AutoCAD Dimension and Annotation tools because they do not have the extra intelligence that comes with the Autodesk® Advance Steel tools.

Insert Weld Symbol It adds a weld symbol to the drawing. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Insert Weld Symbol)

Figure 21-23



Please select detail: Select any element in the view.



Please select the reference point of the symbol on the detail: Select the point at which you want the leader line to be placed (the position of the weld).



Please select placing point for the symbol: Select a point to place the symbol.

A symbol is drawn and the Weld Symbol dialog box opens. Close the dialog box when finished. The weld note in the drawing prototypes is not intelligent. If you change the setting for the standard weld type in Management Tools you must manually edit the prototypes to suit or there are many errors.

The dialog box works as it does for placing welds in the model. Note that Management Tools > Settings > Defaults has options stating that a specific standard weld size does not need to be used. It is assumed that there is a note in the drawing stating All welds 6mm Fillet Unless Otherwise Stated. All of the welds that do not match this standard definition are automatically displayed in the drawing if they are in the model. Manually placed weld symbols do not display a size if they match the standard size.

319


Manually placed weld symbols are not linked in any way to the welds in the model, even if they are pointing at the same location.

Insert Label It inserts a leader line pointing at an object that contains intelligent text about that object. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Insert Label).

Figure 21-24



Select object you want to label (hange label, ultiple selection): Select the object that you want to label.



Please select the label start point: Select the position to which the leader should point.



Start point of the text: Select a point to place the text.



Angle of the text (RETURN for parallel): Select a point to set the angle of the text or press or right-click to have the text parallel to the object.



Select object you want to label (hange label, ultiple selection): The command repeats. If you have finished placing labels, press or right-click.

A default label is placed as specified. If you prefer, you can place many labels at the same time as follows: 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Insert Label).



Select object you want to label (hange label, ultiple selection): Enter M for Multiple.



Please select objects: Select the objects that you want to label and accept. 320

Editing Drawings

A label is placed for each object and positioned automatically. To edit a label that you have placed and change the text, doubleclick on it. The Label and Symbols dialog box opens. The text that is currently displaying in the label displays in the text box. However, this is not ordinary text. You can enter any text in this box, but if you want some of the text to be intelligently linked to the model object, you should select the required property in the Tokens drop-down list. When you select the property in the list the appropriate text is inserted. The intelligent link is also maintained if the model is edited.

Figure 21-25

If you want to add a frame or balloon around any of your text, select the text first and then select the type of frame in the Frame dropdown list. The other formatting tools are as you would expect for text. A large number of tokens are available in the Autodesk ® Advance Steel software and storing all of these values for all of the parts in all of the drawings could have a negative effect on performance. To minimize this effect you might find that some of the values or tokens are not available in every drawing. If this happens and the required token is not available, you can use the Label Information Manager to load the missing tokens as needed. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Label content manager)

321


Figure 21-26



Select detail view: Select the view that you want to label.



Select the tokens that you want to have available in this drawing detail.

Level Symbols 

It inserts a level symbol to identify the elevation of a point in the model.



In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click Level Symbol).

(Insert

Figure 21-27



Please select detail: Select any element in the view in which to place the symbol.



Please select the reference point of the symbol on the detail: Select the point to dimension



Please select placing point for the symbol: Select a position at which to draw the symbol.

The level symbol is placed with the appropriate elevation already completed.

Slope Symbol It inserts a triangle type slope symbol. In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click Symbol).

(Insert Slope

322

Editing Drawings

Figure 21-28



Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type): (Slope): Select any element in the view.



Start point of the 0o line: Select an apex point for measuring your angle (one end of the line that you want to measure).

 

End point of the 0o line: Select a point to set to zero degrees. Enter dimension point: Select another point on the line to measure its slope.



Placing of the dimension line: Select a point at which to place the triangle.



Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type): (Slope): This command repeats. Press or right-click when done.

Your slope triangle is drawn.

Linear Dimension You have a single command for both horizontal and vertical dimension lines. Depending on how you handle the dimension in the preview stage - before placing it in the detail - it will be created as either a horizontal or a vertical dimension. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click

(Linear).

323


Figure 21-29



Please select a view: (horizontal linear dimension): Select any element in the view that you want to dimension.



First dimension point: Select the first point of your chain.



Enter dimension point: Select the second point of your chain.



Enter point to specify the dimension line’s placement or orizontal, ertical: Select a point through which to draw the dimension line and define the direction.



Enter dimension point: Select additional points for this chain to dimension.



Enter dimension point: When you have finished selecting points for this chain, press or right-click.

The dimension chains are drawn as you proceed. At this point the Dimension Properties dialog box opens.

324

Editing Drawings

Figure 21-30



Dimension Chain tab o Presentation: Select whether you want absolute or relative dimensions of different styles. o Group equal distances: If selected, consecutive dimensions of the same length are grouped into one, such as 3 x 385.



Close the Properties dialog box when finished.

Note that if you do not follow the command through to the dialog box, but press or select another command before you have finished properly, the dimensions that you have just drawn are not displayed. All of the new dimensions work similarly, but with various prompts depending on their type. Follow the prompts carefully and always proceed to the Properties dialog box or you the required dimensions are not created.

Insert Dimension Point If you want to insert an extra point in an existing dimension chain, use this command. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click (Insert Point).

325


Figure 21-31



Select dimension where you want to insert a point: Select the dimension chain and accept.



Enter dimension point: Select the new point to which to dimension.



Enter dimension point: Keep selecting points as required. Right-click when finished.



Select dimension where you want to insert a point: This command loops. Press or right-click when finished.

The existing dimension chain is adjusted to include the new point(s).

Delete Dimension Point Use this command to remove one point from an existing chain of dimensions. 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click (Delete point).

Figure 21-32



Select the dimension line you want to remove: Select the witness line to the point that you want to delete from the chain and accept.



Select the dimension line you want to remove: This command loops. Press or right-click when finished.

The chain is adjusted with the selected point removed. 326

Editing Drawings

Linear Sloped Dimension It places a dimension that is aligned as specified rather than horizontal or vertical. 


(Linear Sloped).

Figure 21-33



Please select a view: (slope linear dimension): Select any element in the view to dimension.



First point for direction: Select a point to define the direction of your dimension not to measure to.



Second point for direction: Select a second point to define the direction of your dimension not to measure to. The dimension created measures in a straight line parallel to an imaginary line between these two points.



First dimension point: Now select the first point for your dimension chain.



Enter dimension point: Select the point to which to measure.



Enter point to specify the dimension line placement: Select a point through which the dimension line is going to be drawn.



Enter dimension point: Select additional points to which to dimension. 327




Enter dimension point: When done, press or rightclick.



Please select a view: (slope linear dimension): This command loops. When done, right-click again to open the Dimension Properties dialog box.

Arc Dimension It places a dimension measuring the length along an arc, rather than an angle. In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click (Arc).

Figure 21-34



Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type): (arc): Select any element in the view to dimension.



Circle center point (3P/2P/Radius): Select the center point for the arc to dimension.



Point on the circle: Select the first point on the arc to dimension. Placing of the dimension line: Select a point through which to draw the dimension line.

  

Enter dimension point: Select the point to which to measure. Enter dimension point: Select additional points to which to measure or right-click when done. 328

Editing Drawings



Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type): (arc): Create another dimension or right-click when done to open the Dimension Properties dialog box.

Angle Dimension It places an angular dimension. In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click (Angle).

Figure 21-35



Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type) : (angle): Select any element in the view to dimension.



Start point of the 0o line: Select one end of the object to dimension.



End point of the 0o line: Select a reference point to be zero degrees.



Placing of the dimension line: Select a point through which to draw the dimension line.



First imension point or point for second ine: Dimension point: Select the other end of the line to dimension. Enter dimension point: Select additional points to dimension or right-click when done.



329




Please select a view (iameter, , , yle, type): (angle): This command loops. Place another chain or right-click when done.

Radial Dimension 

It places a dimension indicating the Radius of an element.




(Radial).

Figure 21-36



Please select a view (, , , yle, type) : (diameter): Select any element in the view to dimension.



Circle center point (3P/2P/Radius): Select the center point for your dimension to measure from.



Point on the circle: Select the point to which to measure.



Placing of the dimension line: Place the dimension leader line.



Please select a view (, , , yle, type): (diameter): Place another dimension or right-click when done.

Smart Dimensions The Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes a Smart Dimension engine to recognize when a dimension point moves and then updates the dimension correctly. To use smart dimensions means 330

Editing Drawings

that when you update a drawing fewer of the manual dimensions are lost. Smart Dimensions only work when they use recognized key points on elements in your views, such as End Points of lines or Center Points of holes. To assist in selecting only valid traceable points, there is a special Autodesk® Advance Steel Object Snap called Preferred for Manual Dimensions. If you use this snap at all times when working with dimensions or labels, the CAD engine only locks onto valid traceable points. If you select a dimension point that cannot be traced through updates the prompt Error: Unable to recognize all points. Some Points will be deleted after update, displays in the Command Line when you finish the dimension chain. A red circle is also drawn around each point that cannot be recognized. If displayed, this indicates that not all of the selected points can be recognized by the Smart Dimension engine and that the dimensions to that point are going to disappear during a drawing update. You might want to double-check the selected points. Some manually placed dimensions are deleted during an update to avoid the risk of having an incorrect dimension in a drawing. In some systems, all of the dimensions might remain but if a hole moves by 5mm this might not be visible at the drawing scale. If the dimension cannot be updated to point at the new position of the hole (as Smart Dimensions do) it would display the wrong value. If objects were manufactured to the dimensions they would be wrong. To avoid this situation, if Smart Dimensions cannot be certain that a dimension is accurate after a drawing has been updated it deletes the dimension. If the uncertain point is singular in a chain, the rest of the dimension chain remains.

331


21.4 Object Properties The way an object is drawn in a view is controlled by the drawing styles. If you want to adjust this you can edit the properties of any object in the drawing using the Advance Properties dialog box. To open it, double-click on the object or select it, right-click and the select Advance Properties. For example, to turn off the labels at one end of a grid line: 

Double-click on the grid.

Figure 21-37



Remove the tick from one end of the symbol in the dialog box.

To hide a decking panel to display the beams underneath: 

Double-click on the panel in the view.



In the Properties dialog box, select the Display type tab.

332

Editing Drawings

Figure 21-38



Select Off.



When the view is updated the beams behind the panel display.

You can change the color and hatching properties of most of the objects in your drawing views as needed. Note that it is recommended that you turn off the presentation of an object rather than deleting it. If you select it and delete it, it returns when the view is updated. If you turn the presentation of an object off it stays off during an update. DO NOT FORGET TO SAVE YOUR DRAWINGS AFTER EDITING THEM. For your changes to be remembered you must save the drawing files after finishing your edits.

Objects that have been turned off are moved to a different layer called Objects Off and are still displayed on screen. Freeze the Objects Off layer to avoid displaying them on screen. This layer does not print and is not displayed in the finished drawing output, even if displayed on screen. You can select the objects on this layer and turn them back on again as needed.

333


Chapter 22 - Lists This chapter contains the following topics: 

BOM Templates Palette  RDF Viewer  Selective Lists  Managing Lists

334

Lists

22.1 BOM Templates Palette All of the types of lists in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software are created in the same way, whether they are Bills of Materials, Drawing Lists, Loading Lists, etc. It only takes a few seconds to generate a list in the software. Saved lists can be opened and reused. If you save them in the correct path you can also display them and update them in the Document Manager. However, there is no revision control on lists in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software so the update is not recorded or indicated in the file in any way. Some lists have the items grouped by specific criteria while others produce a single run in the list. This is controlled by the List Template. Therefore, the results depend on which list you produce. The preferred way of creating a list is to use the BOM Templates palette. 

In the Output tab > Documents panel, click Templates)

(BOM

Figure 22-1



Select the required list from the available templates.

335


Figure 22-2



You list is generated and displayed immediately in the RDF Viewer.



All lists created in this way are generated from nothing based on the entire structure in the file.

Setting Up the BOM Templates Palette As with drawings, the BOM Templates palette does not display an exhaustive list of every possible type of list. If the type of list you require is not displayed (or if no lists are currently displayed) in the BOM Templates palette, you can select the lists that should be available as follows: 

In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click Editor)

(BOM

Figure 22-3

336

Lists



Wait for the BOM editor to display (it might take a few seconds).



In the top right corner, select the category of list that you want to use.

Figure 22-4



In the middle, select the box next to each type of list that you want to display in the BOM Templates palette.



Click OK.

When you next open BOM Templates palette, the selected lists will be available. Note that a list of existing drawings is categorized as a Derived Documents list. The category called Drawing is for the BOM types that actually display in drawings, rather than being generated as stand-alone lists.

337


22.2 RDF Viewer All of the stand-alone lists are displayed in a stand-alone application called the RDF Viewer. Once the resulting list has been displayed you can determine how it should be used. Only one page is displayed at a time and you should use the green arrows at the top to change pages. If you double-click on the main display, all of the pages are displayed. Double-click on one of the pages again to only display that page.

Figure 22-5

It is recommended that you save the list file in the BOM sub-folder of the project folder. You need to do so manually using the Save button in the top left. The file is saved in RDF format and cannot be viewed by any other application. If saved in the correct location the list is displayed in the Document Manager. If you locate the list in the Document Manager you can update it as needed and display a preview of the list. In the preview you can view or print the list. Since RDF is a special format it is also possible to export the list to other popular formats for easy viewing and distribution. 

Click



In the Export Format drop-down list in the Report Export dialog box, select one of the six different formats.

(Export) at the top.

o RTF: Rich text file. Formatted text that can be edited in a word processor. o PDF: Portable Document Format. This is the world leading document distribution format, viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar software. This is a non-editable format. 338

Lists

o HTML: The basic format of web pages that is viewable in any web browser. o XLS: Microsoft Excel. It is formatted into columns and lines, useful for manipulating large amounts of data or importing into 3rd party systems. o TIF: Tagged image format. It is a picture of your list. o Text: Unformatted text that is editable with Notepad or similar software. 

Click OK.



Select a file name and path and click Save.

When you have finished with the list on screen, close the RDF Viewer. In addition to accessing the files through the Document Manager, you can locate the file in Windows Explorer and double-click to open it again in the RDF Viewer.

339


22.3 Selective Lists When created using the BOM Templates interface, the list is based on the entire structure. Different list types only include specific types of items, such as only beams, only bolts, etc., but they include all of the beams or bolts in the structure. If you require a list that only includes items that match specific criteria, such as in Phase 1, a different procedure is used to create the list.

Create Lists The Create Lists command creates a data file called a BOM Extract that contains the list properties of the defined items. The required list is then generated from this extract rather than from the entire model. 

In the Home tab > Documents panel, click



The BOM Extract dialog box opens. If this is not the first extract for this model, the previously used properties are displayed and cannot be changed.

(Create Lists).

Figure 22-6

340

Lists



If you want to create a new extract with the same properties (and up to date data) you can click the Next button.



OR if you want to create a new extract with different properties, click the New button in the top left, enter a name, and click the Next button.

Figure 22-7



Complete model: If this box is selected, the entire model is searched for objects that match the other criteria. If this is not selected, only the selected objects are searched or considered for inclusion in the BOM. If you only want the selected objects, you should select them before starting the Create Lists command.



Based on Assembly: This should always be selected to ensure that all of the parts know the assemblies to which they belong. If you do not select the option this assembly information is not collected. o Include derived documents information: If you want to display information regarding drawings you must select this box; otherwise you can leave it empty. o In the rest of the dialog box, selecting any other option restricts the items included in the BOM to those that match those criteria. o Click the Next button.



You are prompted with a name for the extract that is based on the current date and time.

Figure 22-8

341




The default name is fine, but it might help to edit it to make it more recognizable regarding its purpose or contents.



Click the Create Lists button.

The BOM Template Editor displays.

BOM Template Editor The BOM Template editor enables you to define custom templates for generating lists. That is outside the scope of this training guide Contact your Autodesk representative for more information. Custom title block – company logo 

In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click Prototypes)

(Edit

Figure 22-9



Select a prototype and open it.

Figure 22-10

342

Lists



Select the title block, right-click and choose Block Editor from the menu.

Figure 22-11



Select and delete the Autodesk logo text.



Click in the title block and type “TEXT” in the command line.

Figure 22-12



Define the start point and height of your text and type your own custom one.

343


Figure 22-13



In the Labels and Dimensions tab, Text panel, click the small arrow to edit the text style.



You can also add a new custom one, by clicking the New button.

Figure 22-14



If you right-click on the added text you can access the text properties, such as text type, color etc.

344

Lists

Figure 22-15



You can also type “IMAGE” in the command line to insert an image in the title block (e.g. your company logo).

Figure 22-16

Figure 22-17

345


The BOM Template Editor also contains the complete list of templates that are already available from which you can generate a list. You can open the BOM Template Editor by clicking (BOM Editor) in the Output tab > Document Manager panel and then generate lists from existing BOM extracts. Alternatively, you can access the BOM Template Editor after creating an extract.

Figure 22-18



In the top right pane, select the required list format that you want to generate.



The template for this list is displayed in the main central pane.



Click Use in the bottom right corner.



In the Select Model Extract dialog box, select the required extract on which to base the list and click the OK button.

346

Lists

Figure 22-19

Your list is immediately generated and displayed in the RDF Viewer.

You must have a BOM Extract created before you can create a list using the BOM Template Editor.

347


22.4 Managing Lists If you save the RDF files for your lists in the BOM sub-folder of your project folder the list is displayed in the List area in the Document Manager.

Figure 22-20

Every time the Document Manager is opened, it checks whether each list is up to date. If a list is not up to date, it is listed as Update Required. Revision control is not available for lists, so the only option for updating an existing list is to select it and click the Force Update button. The existing list is updated as is any BOM Extract on which it was based (a new extract is not created, so the time and date in the file name of the extract are now meaningless). If you change the central pane to the Preview tab you can display the BOM and print it using the icon at the top. However, it cannot be opened or exported.

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Chapter 23 – Other Documents This chapter contains the following topics: 

NC Files  DXF Files  Sharing Models and Drawings  Data Exchange

349


23.1 NC Files Drawings and Lists are not the only types of file that the Autodesk® Advance Steel software can create. Several other file types that might be useful are also available. Modern manufacturing machinery is often computer controlled. Providing programs for these machines that are produced directly from your model can help reduce errors (resulting from human input to the machines). The program files are typically known as NC files (NC = Numeric Control) and the content of these files can be complicated. The content is defined by a standard called DSTV that is recognized by the machinery. Creating the DSTV files for your model in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software is quick and easy. 

In the Home tab > Documents panel, click

(NC).

Figure 23-1



An individual file is created for each section or plate in your model. A report of errors in your NC files might also display.

If you have not selected anything, NC files for the entire structure are created. If you only want to produce specific parts you should select them before starting the NC command. There are certain standards regarding the limits of NC manufacture. Criteria are defined, such as to how close a hole can be drilled to the edge of the material. These are considered when creating the NC files and anything that does not meet the standard is flagged as an error. Ideally you can adjust the model so that no such errors occur. The actual NC file is correct according to the model even if it says these errors exist. The NC files are automatically created and stored in the path Project folder\DStV\NC. The files are also controlled by the Document Manager and are located in DStV file\DStV-NC. The text contents of the file are displayed in the Preview tab. 350

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Figure 23-2

The DSTV standard permits specific selections and options. Some machine manufacturers work differently or interpret the standard differently to others. The NC files produced by the Autodesk Advance Steel software are strictly according to the DSTV standard at all times. It might be necessary to adjust some settings in Management Tools > Settings > Defaults to suit a specific manufacturer’s machinery.

The Document Manager prompts you if a file is out of date and enables you to Force Update the file. There is no revision control on NC files. To use the NC file for manufacture, send the manufacturer all of the *.NC files in the NC folder. NC Files that have an error have the file extension *.NC.ERR. If you remove the *.ERR from the end of the file name, the file can still be used in an NC machine (at your discretion). The lines in the Error files that cause the problem start with two asterisks **. Although the lines are identified for you it is not recommended that you try to edit the NC files directly. If you want to fix the errors you should adjust the model accordingly and update the NC file.

351


23.2 DXF Files Another type of file that is used with computer controlled machinery, especially for profiling plates, is a DXF file. As NC files, these are extremely quick and easy to produce in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. 

In the Home tab > Documents panel, click objects)

(DXF (all

Figure 23-3



OR In the Output tab > NC & DXF panel, click (plates) as required.

(DXF

Figure 23-4

DXF files for all of the selected objects are produced in a few seconds. If you do not have anything, the selected files for the entire structure are produced. The resulting DXF files have the file extension *.DXF and are saved in the file path project folder\DSTV\NC. You can send these files to the manufacturer.

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Other Documents

Figure 23-5

The Document Manager controls these files as well, enabling you to update them as needed. They are located in DSTV-NC-DXF. There is no revision control for these files. The Preview tab displays the contents of the file (a simple outline with a label).

353


23.3 Sharing Models and Drawings Autodesk® Advance Steel 3D models and 2D drawings can be opened in plain AutoCAD 2018 or AutoCAD LT 2018 once the Advance Steel 2018 object enabler has been installed on the computer. This object enabler is automatically installed with Advance Steel 2018, but you need to download & install it from the Autodesk Knowledge Network on computers where Advance Steel 2018 is not installed. You might also want to share your model with the structural engineer for structural analysis, with the plant designers for plant layout or with the BIM manager for coordination. The software has several ways of achieving these needs.

Export Advance Steel Model to Autodesk® Navisworks If you want to provide someone with a viewable model, perhaps for coordination, the standard 3D DWF format file can be used. For example you can export the Advance Steel model to Navisworks, using the 3D DWF: 

Click the

(Application Menu) > Export > 3DWF.

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Other Documents

Figure 23-6



In the dialog box, enter the required file path and name or click the Browse button.



Click Save.



Click (Export to Navisworks), in the Export & Import tab > Navisworks panel.

OR

Figure 23-7



The 3DWF file is automatically opened in Navisworks (if installed on your computer).

355


Navisworks allows users to open and combine 3D models, navigate around them in real-time and review the model using a set of tools including comments, redlining, viewpoint, and measurements. The 3D DWF file created out of the Advance Steel 3D model supports transfer of both object geometry and associated metadata, such as information about the part mark, the weight, the section size, etc … The DWF can also be marked up electronically and sent back. Therefore, they can be useful for approval purposes.

Figure 23-8

Explode to ACIS If you want to give your model to use in another 3D modeling package you need to convert the objects to ACIS solids. ACIS is a neutral format for modeling 3D solids. Ensure that you do this in a safe copy of your model file because you cannot undo after the explode and all of the Autodesk Advance Steel intelligence is going to be lost. The easiest way to convert all of the appropriate Autodesk® Advance Steel objects to ACIS is: 

Delete all of the joint boxes.  Select any Joint Boxes around the stairs and delete.

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Other Documents



In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters category, click

 

(Joint Boxes).

Press .

Explode to ACIS. o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Search Filter).

o In the General tab, click the Reset selection button o In the Objects tab, select the required modeled objects.

Figure 23-9

o Click OK. o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Select Marked Objects).

o Right-click and select Explode to ACIS.

357


Figure 23-10



Explode the remaining Autodesk® Advance Steel parts (if you have any).

o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Clear Marked Objects).

o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Search Filter).

o In the Objects tab, select at least the required objects.

Figure 23-11

If the objects from the previous step remain selected as well it should not matter as long as they are now selected.

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Other Documents

o Click OK. o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Select Marked Objects).

o Enter the Explode command in the Command Line. The exploded model should look identical but all of the Autodesk ® Advance Steel intelligence is removed and the objects are just solids. This file could now be used in the AutoCAD software or exported as an ACIS *.SAT file for importing into any other solid modeling software, such as the Autodesk Inventor software or Solid Edge. Note: With the Advance Steel Object Enabler you can open the DWG files directly into the solid modeling software.

Exploding Drawings If you want to explode your 2D drawings to DWG files containing only CAD entities, you need to follow this procedure.






Locate the drawings that you want to share and select them (you can use and to select more than one file).



Click the Add to Explode button.

(Document

Figure 23-12



You can check the file that you have added to the explode list in the new Batch Explode folder in the selection tree.

359


Figure 23-13



If you have added a file to the list by mistake you can remove it by right-clicking on it and selecting Remove Item from list. When you have added all of the required files to the Explode list click OK.



You are prompted to confirm the explode in a dialog box. Click OK.

The drawings are exploded. The exploded drawings are located in the DetailsExploded sub-folder of the project folder. The drawing files in this folder contain standard AutoCAD elements and all of the Autodesk® Advance Steel intelligence has been lost. The original Autodesk® Advance Steel drawings have not changed.

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Other Documents

23.4 Data Exchange If you want to share files with users of other specialist steelwork software for analysis or design purposes, a number of different file standards are available. Using the Export & Import panel, the following special formats are available in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software. 

SMLX: For sharing with other Autodesk software, such as Autodesk® Revit software or Autodesk® Robot Structural Analysis Professional.



CIS/2: File extension is *.stp.



SDNF: It stands for Steel Detailing Neutral File



STD: Native StaadPro file format



IFC: IFC2x3 standard. File extension is *.IFC.



PSS: File extension is *.stp.



KISS: Export only. File extension is *.kss.



PML: Export only. File extension is *.txt.



3D DWF: For import into the Autodesk® Navisworks software.



SFR: Export model information from Advance Steel to FabTrol.

Figure 23-14

Although many systems can read or write many of these file types, the preferred option varies depending on the system. In each case the file contains data describing the position, section/size, material, 361


coating, etc. Therefore it contains more information than the Sharing Models and Drawings methods. When reading or writing one of these files, the Autodesk® Advance Steel software compares the data to a list in its database to be able to translate it. If the data is not found in the list you are prompted to enter or select the appropriate translation. For example, if the PSS file prompts you that the material is Steel, you are prompted to select an appropriate grade of steel. The selection is then added to the list and you are not prompted again. Note: Depending on the use of the model it might be constructed in a different way or specific properties might be entered differently (e.g., materials, section names, or axes). In some cases the result of the data exchange might not be very useful. This is not an error, but is the result of different requirements in different systems. If data is exchanged regularly, rework can be minimized by taking other users’ needs into account with the way the model is constructed.

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363


Appendix A – Drawing Prototypes This chapter contains the following topics:       

Editing a Prototype Title Block Drawing Frame BOMs on Drawings Revision Table Other Information Printing Setup

364

Drawing Prototypes

A.1 Editing a Prototype The Appendices in this training guide cover topics that might be of interest to beginners or are closely related to topics that have already been covered, but are outside the scope of the essential training. This information is primarily provided as a reference, but can be covered during the course at the discretion of the course instructor. The drawing prototypes are blank drawing sheets that are used to create the drawing views. The Autodesk® Advance Steel software comes with a set of typical drawing sheets, but it is common to want to customize some aspects to suit your company needs. The prototypes are stored in the installation folder of the Autodesk® Advance Steel software on your hard drive. The easiest way to open a prototype for editing is: 

In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click Prototypes).

(Edit

Figure A-1



A normal file open window displays, which has already navigated to the correct path for your prototypes.



Select the file that you want to edit and click the Open button. The prototype opens for editing as needed.

365


A.2 Title Block The title block in any drawing prototype is an AutoCAD block called HYPERSTEELPAGEHEADER. DO NOT change the name of this block. You can edit the block to any required geometry and replace the logo with your company logo as needed. Note: Although the block has the same name in all of the prototypes, it is not actually the same block. Do not copy the block from one file to another. In the title block, Attributes are used for the drawing information. If you want the Autodesk Advance Steel software to complete the value of an attribute with intelligent text, such as the Project Data that is completed when creating a new Project file, you must use an attribute tag from the list of recognized Tokens. When creating a drawing, the software completes all of the attributes, using recognized tokens as tags. The recommended procedure for editing a title block in a prototype file is as follows: 

Open the prototype.



Select the block HYPERSTEELPAGEHEADER, right-click and select Block Editor.

Figure A-2

366

Drawing Prototypes



In the Block Editor, edit the geometry and general text as needed.



In the Block Editor, edit the attributes as needed. Use tokens where you want the software to complete the value for you.

Figure A-3



Close the Block Editor, ensuring that you save the block as you exit.

The following tokens can be used in title blocks:

Be careful when using the token for the drawing number. It needs to be either POS_NUM for a single sheet part and assemblies or DRAWING_NO for other drawings.

Token PROJECT PROJECT_NO CLIENT BUILDING BUILDING_LOCATION CONTRACTOR DATE_ORDER DATE_CONSTR DESIGNER DETAILER MODEL_DWG DRAWING_NO POS_NUM DATE_DRAW SCALE

Description Project Name Project No. Client Name Building Name Location of the building Contractor Name Date of Order Dare of construction Checked by Detailed by Name of model.dwg. Drawing number Piece mark of the object Date of created drawing Scale used for detail 367

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials – Metric MATERIAL REVISION_INDEX REVISION_AUTHOR REVISION_DATE REV_COMMENT COATING PHASE FILENAME ROLE NAME OBJECTYPE QUANTITY USERATTR1-USERATTR10 USERPROJATTR1 USERPROJATTR2 USERPROJATTR3 USERPROJATTR4 USERPROJATTR5 REV_DETAILS GRIDREFERENCE SINGLEPARTPOSNUM DRAWING_NO_PREFIX APPROVAL_STATUS APPROVAL_DATE APPROVAL_COMMENT

Material of the object Revision index Revision created by Revision date Revision description Coating of the object Phase/Lot of the object The name of the DWG file Model role Description of the part Object Type / Section Name Quantity of the part required User Attributes 1-10 Project user attribute 1 Project user attribute 2 Project user attribute 3 Project user attribute 4 Project user attribute 5 Revision Details The object position reported to grid Single part mark of object The object prefix Drawing Approval Status Drawing Approval Date Drawing Approval Comment

368

Drawing Prototypes

A.3 Drawing Frame The drawing frame is an AutoCAD block called HYPERSTEELPAGEFRAME. You can edit the geometry of this frame as needed, but must not change the name of the block.

369


A.4 BOMs on Drawings To use a list on a drawing it is recommended that you place it in the prototype file as follows: 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click (Insert a drawing list).



First point: Select one corner of the area where you want the BOM to be located.



Second point: Select the diagonally opposite point of the area where you want the BOM to be located.



The BOM Properties dialog box opens.

The system for the templates of lists in drawings has been updated to improve performance by up to 50% and to increase flexibility. The templates in the BOM template editor are in the old system. In your prototype, if the BOM displays a diagonal line and Update Required it is an old style BOM. If it displays geometry and tokens it is a new style BOM. Ask your Autodesk representative for more information.

Figure A-4

o Layout tab: The BOM can change size to suit the information it contains. If you do not want a corner to move, select the corresponding box in this tab. You usually leave either both top or both bottom boxes cleared. Otherwise the list cannot change length to suit the number of lines required. o Template tab: Select the BOM template that you want to use for the BOM. 

Close the dialog box. 370

Drawing Prototypes

The BOM is empty or displays tokens rather than proper information if the prototype is not linked to any specific parts.

Update Lists This command, in the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, (Update lists), updates the lists in the BOM on drawings.

Figure A-5

To update a list 

Select a previously created frame.



Use the Update lists command.

The list is automatically updated with the information from the model.

371


A.5 Revision Table All of the prototypes already include revision tables. However, if you want to use different ones, you can insert a new one as follows: 

In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click (Revision Table).

Figure A-6



Lower left corner: Select the corner of the area where you want the table to be located.



Upper right corner: Select the opposite corner of the area where you want the table to be located.



The Revision Table Properties dialog box opens.

Figure A-7

372

Drawing Prototypes



Columns tab: Select the columns that you want to display in your table.



Column Format tab: Set the formatting for each column’s data.



Heading tab: Set the formatting for the column headings.



Layout tab: Select the layout that you want to use for your table and set the number of rows of revision history that you want to display.



Close the dialog box.

373


The existing notes about standard weld or hole sizes are not intelligent. If you change the settings in Management Tools > Settings > Defaults you have to edit the notes manually.

A.6 Other Information You can place any other text or geometry that you want to use in your prototypes. For example, many prototypes have notes about standard bolts, holes, or welds.

374

Drawing Prototypes

A.7 Printing Setup To take advantage of the batch print facility in the Document Manager you should set up the correct printing options in each prototype file. Pre-defined printers are not provided in the prototypes. To set up the default printing settings, complete the following procedure in each prototype. 

Open the prototype. The quickest way to do so is to use (Edit Prototypes) in the Output tab > Document Manager panel.

Figure A-8



At the bottom left side, right-click on a tab.

Figure A-9



Select Page Setup Manager.



In the dialog box verify whether the required print settings are already in the list. If they are, skip the next four steps. 375


Figure A-10



Click the New button in the dialog box.



Enter a name for the setup (e.g., A3 Laserjet).

Figure A-11



Set the plot settings as if you were plotting manually. Ensure that you select AdvanceSteel.ctb as the Pen Table to plot in black and white with the correct line thicknesses based on the default AS color scheme. 376

Drawing Prototypes

Figure A-12



Click the OK button and your new setup should display in the list.



Select your preferred default setup in the list and click the Set Current button.

377


Figure A-13



Close the Page Setup Manager dialog box.



Save and close the prototype.

Once this process has been completed any new drawings that you create inherit the default print settings. The Batch Plot in the Document Manager uses the current print setup for each file when plotting.

378

BOM Template

Appendix B – BOM Template Editors This chapter contains the following topics:      

Introduction Element Properties Tokens Formatting List Structure Report Contents

379


B.1 Introduction As with drawing prototypes you might need to adjust some basic elements of the BOM templates to suit your company needs. The most obvious adjustment would be to replace the standard logo with your company logo. To access the BOM Template Editor, click Output tab > Document Manager panel.

(BOM Editor) in the

Figure B-1

Locate the template that you want to edit in the top right pane. You cannot edit templates in the Advance area in the list.

Figure B-2

380

BOM Template

B.2 Element Properties All of the boxes and elements in the template can be edited. Select the element in the template that you want to edit and the lower right pane displays a list of properties, such as fonts and colors. You can adjust these properties to suit your needs.

Figure B-3

Images To change the image in the logo, select the Image line in the Properties and then click the ellipses symbol (...) at the end of the line. You can select a file that is in any common image format, up to a maximum of approximately 200kb in size.

Figure B-4

381


Text To change plain text you can edit the contents in the Text box in the Properties pane. The font properties can also be set here.

Figure B-5

382

BOM Template

B.3 Tokens To change intelligent text, right-click on the box and select Field Content. Select the required token in the list on the left side of the dialog box.

Figure B-6

383


B.4 Formatting To edit the border of a cell, right-click on it and select Format Border. Edit the border properties in the dialog box as needed.

Figure B-7

Note that this editor contains more than is described here. It is possible to create virtually any format of list with a huge range of information that can be included. For more information on creating custom list templates please contact your Autodesk representative.

Cosmetic elements, such as lines and shapes, can be added by dragging from the palette on the left. Elements can be aligned using the icons in the toolbar at the top. When using these icons the last element selected is the one that does not change and the others change to suit.

Figure B-8

You can also set the foreground and background color of any box. However, lists are normally printed in black and white so you should select colors that are going to print clearly. If you export the list to Microsoft Excel, a new column is added to the left and right edges of every box in the report. Therefore, if a cell in the report header overlaps the Weight column in details, two columns are displayed in Excel. To avoid this, line up the left and right edges as much as possible across the entire report.

384

BOM Template

B.5 List Structure Each list is divided into various sections controlling the structure of the output. The top level of the structure is ReportHeader and ReportFooter, which only display at the top of the first page and end of the last page respectively. PageHeader and PageFooter are repeated at the top and bottom of each page. GroupHeaderX and GroupFooterX enclose the groups in the list. For example, an assembly list would be grouped by the assembly. Therefore, GroupHeader1 might contain information about the assembly and GroupFooter1 would display the total weight of the assembly. Groups can be nested inside other groups and can be tracked using the counter. Correct grouping can be difficult to achieve so it is recommended that you copy a list that is already grouped in the required fashion and then edit the other contents. The Detail line is repeated for every element on the list. This is the line on which you can enter each part’s name, quantity, weight, etc.

385


B.6 Report Contents Each BOM template can filter the data for specific types of objects, such as bolts, beams, or plates. To control this you can use the Report Contents box. 

Open the BOM Editor.



Ensure that the template for the required list is displayed.



Right-click on the template name in the tree structure at the top right.



Select Report Contents from the menu.

Figure B-9



In the Report Contents box, select the object types that you want to include on the BOM.

Figure B-10

386

BOM Template






Save the template.

Note that there are entries for Exploded Bolt and Exploded Anchors as well as Bolts, Site Bolts, Anchors, and Anchors on Site. The Bolts and Anchors entries provide the full bolt assembly details as one entry (e.g., M20x50 CSK 8.8 – Bright Zinc Plated – Standard) and you are expected to understand the meaning of standard in terms of nuts and washers. If the Exploded versions are selected, the list displays each bolt, nut, and washer as separate items (e.g., M20 x 50 CSK – 8.8, M20 Hexagonal Nut – Gr8, and M20 Flat Steel Washer). It is also important to note that bolts and anchors are normally fitted on site, so you should include both Bolts and Site Bolts in your lists and do the same for Anchors. Some entries that are available in the Report Contents box are subsets of other groups of items. For example, Straight Beams include all of the Beams with saw cuts and Beams with holes. Therefore, you cannot select both options at the same time. The later options are only for listing those specific objects rather than every beam.

387


Appendix C – Advance Steel Options This chapter contains the following topics: 

Defaults

388

Advance Steel Options

C.1 Defaults The system for setting options in the Autodesk® Advance Steel software is different to other programs. The system is called Management Tools and the basic program settings are located in Defaults. You access these settings as follows: 

In the Home tab > Settings panel,

(Management Tools)

The Management Tools interface opens. 

Select Defaults.

Figure C–1



A window opens displaying a navigation tree, etc.

389


Figure C–2



For each option o Use the arrow symbols to expand or collapse the sections in the tree and select the sub-group in each section. o Locate and select the required settings in the panel on the right. o A description displays in a tooltip if you hover the cursor over the name of the setting and the possible values on the right. o Select the new value or required option.

390

Advance Steel Options

Figure C–3



Once you have changed all of the required settings, click Load Settings in Advance.

Figure C–4



Close the Management Tools.

If you do not click Load Settings in the Management Tools, the changes do not take effect until the next time you start the Autodesk Advance Steel software. There are over 1500 options in total. To help you find the required entry you can use the Filter.

391


Figure C–5



Select the Use Filter option in the bottom left.



Enter the search term in the Filter line (avoid plurals).



When you press the settings list is filtered to only display those entries that contain the search term.

Some of the more common settings to adjust include the following:

Group

Default

Explanation

Beam

Coating for Sections

Coating for beams. Possible values are available in the Coating table.

Section Material

Collision Control

Minimum volume of the collision solid.

Material for beams. Possible values are available in the Material table.

Minimum volume of the collision solid that is recognized in a collision check [mm3]. If this value is small, all of the collisions are displayed in a collision check report. If the value is large, the volumes of collision under this value are not displayed in the collision report.

Tool Diameter

392

Advance Steel Options The scale factor applied to the bolt diameter when checking for tool clearance. Compass

Connecting Elements

Drawing – Dimensioning

East axis text for compass.

Text displayed in the compass in the model and in drawings.

North axis text for compass.

Text displayed in the compass in the model and in drawings.

Bolt assembly

Parts of a bolt assembly (e.g., Na2W means nut and two washers).

Bolt/Anchor name

General name of a bolt or anchor (e.g., used on drawings and in lists).

High strength bolt diameter

Standard high strength bolt diameter of all manually created bolts.

High strength bolt type

High strength bolt type or standard. Possible values are available in the Norm table.

Hole tolerance

Hole tolerance for all bolts and anchors.

Representation type of the bolt

Bolt representation during first creation in model.

Treat special parts as normal objects

Treat special parts as normal objects for bolt length calculation.

Dimension style for…

Name of the AutoCAD dimension style used for that type of dimension in details.

Running dimension

393


Drawing – Labeling

shows negative dimension.

Ordinate dimensions display negative dimensions relative to the RD point.

Standard hole diameter on drawings.

Diameter for standard holes.

Do not display labels for standard holes.

Do not display labels for holes with standard diameter (diameter specified by Default diameter for the standard holes default).

Reference length for the slope triangle.

Reference length for slope triangle.

Drawing – Presentation

Color of…

Color of specified line type in drawings.

Drawing – General

Use the new BOM on Drawing.

Select whether to use the new or old BOM templates in drawings. Ensure that it matches your prototypes.

Allow Duplicate workshop drawings.

If set to zero you cannot produce more than one drawing per part or assembly.

Standalone part – detailing behavior.

Select whether standalone parts should be treated as parts, assemblies, or both.

Numbering

Assign Unused Numbers

If set to 1 any numbers that are unused (e.g., part deleted) are reused. Set to 0 to prevent this.

Layer Assignment

Default layers used for AS objects based on object role.

Activate more automatic layer management based on the Model Role of an object.

General

Message box when template values not found.

Select whether the Template values not found alert box

394

Advance Steel Options should be displayed when placing joints.

Revision Control

Derived documents are copied on Save As.

Select whether your drawings and BOMs are copied when you do a Save As on a model file.

Elongation for unfolding calculation method.

Select the method used for calculating the size of a developed plate.

Revision control cloud marking method.

Select whether to put a cloud around the part, the dimension, or both.

Show the revision index.

Select whether the revision index should be labeled next to each cloud.

395


Appendix D – User Sections This chapter contains the following topics: 

Introduction  Layers and Basic Elements  Key Points  Generate Sections

396

User Sections

D.1 Introduction The Autodesk® Advance Steel software includes a library of hundreds of different section types from all over the world. Each of the section types includes many different sizes. Therefore, the library includes many thousands of standard sections. However, sometimes you might need to create a customized section or to use a proprietary section from a manufacturer. The software has tools that enable you to create such sections and to use them like the standard sections. A User Section can be created and then used in the same way as any other section in the system. All of the joints in the Connection Vault work, as do the structural elements macros. A few of the macros and joints are specialized and work from a restricted list of appropriate sections. Therefore, they might not work with your user section because that would not be appropriate. Creation of a user section is done in the following stages: 

Draw the section on specific layers.



Define the key points.



Generate in the library.

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D.2 Layers and Basic Elements In simple terms, sections are defined by drawing the section on specific layers and importing them into the Autodesk Advance Steel software. Each part of the section must be drawn on the correct layer to be recognized by the software when generated. Therefore, as you draw each part of your section you must first select the appropriate layer in the Extended Modeling tab, User Section panel, by clicking

(Layer drop down list).

Figure D-1

The following describes the available layers: 

Frame: If defining a range of sections or sizes you can draw the entire range in one DWG file. Each individual section must be enclosed in a frame. The frame should be a rectangle that surrounds the section drawing and labels.



Outer Contour: All of the sections must have an outer contour or shape. On this layer you should draw the exact outer shape of your section with precise dimensions. This layer is for the approximate section, so you should not include fillet radii or other small details (see Exact Outer Contour below).



Inner Contour: If your section is hollow, such as a rectangular hollow section, you should draw the shape of the hollow on this layer. As with the outer contour, this is the simplified shape, without fillet radii or similar objects.



Exact Outer Contour: This layer should contain a precise drawing of your section, including all of the small details, such

398

User Sections

as fillet radii. This drawing should be on top of the simplified Outer Contour. 

Exact Inner Contour: This is the precise hollow, if needed, including any fillet radii or other small details.



Section Class: On this layer you should place a single piece of text, which is the name of the section class for your section. This is equivalent to UK Universal Column or GUSChannel 8240-97.



Section Name: This layer should also contain a single piece of text that is the actual name of this section and size. Existing examples would include RB 1 5/16 or HEA360.

The required elements can be drawn using standard AutoCAD commands. The four contours must be closed polylines. The simplified inner and outer contours are used most of the time in the model to maximize performance. The exact inner and outer contours are used when creating element contours and clash checking. Examples of each element are as follows. For clarity the exact contours have been moved away from the simplified ones, but you should draw them on top of each other.

Figure D-2

399


D.3 Key Points After the section has been drawn you must identify the key points used by the Autodesk Advance Steel software for placing the system line and coordinate systems.

Reference Axis First you must define the nine possible locations of the system line in the profile. Do the following for each of the nine points in turn: 

In the Extended Modeling tab > User Section panel, click (Reference Axis drop-down list).



Snap to the outer contour at the point to insert a reference axis: Select the appropriate point.

Figure D-3

These points can only be placed on the snap points of lines. Therefore, you might need to draw construction lines to identify the key point. This would apply to the center-center point in the example. The construction line can be on any layer other than the special ones that are used to define the section or you can delete the line after placing the reference axis. The construction line must not remain on one of the special layers when generating the section or it can cause errors.

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User Sections

The reference axis symbols are oriented according to the element on which they are placed: this is frequently not oriented correctly. The orientation of the symbol does not matter, only the location matters.

Figure D-4

Add Coordinates Finally, you should define the surfaces in which the UCS systems can be placed using the UCS at Object command. To define these surfaces: 

In the Extended Modeling tab > User Section panel, click (Add Coordinates).

Figure D-5



Select an outer contour face at which to define a coordinate system. Select any point on the outer contour edge to which you want to add a possible UCS.



Repeat as required.

Each possible UCS displays as a magenta symbol of two arrows at 90°. In the example there are four obvious outer contour edges on which to place coordinates.

401


Figure D-6

402

User Sections

D.4 Generate Sections You have now defined all of the details that are required for the section. To add the section to the Autodesk Advance Steel library, you need to generate it. If you only have one section in your drawing, you can use: 

In the Extended Modeling tab > User Section panel, click (Generate Selected Section).

Figure D-7



Select objects: Select the frame around your section and accept.

OR if you have more than one section in your drawing you might prefer to use: 

You should keep the DWG drawing file of your section in a safe place. If you want to use the same section on another computer or to do anything to the Autodesk Advance Steel installation (i.e., reinstall or upgrade) you need to generate the section(s) again on each computer on which you want to use them.

In the Extended Modeling tab > User Section panel, click (Generate All Sections).

Figure D-8

This also works if there is only one section in your drawing. If you have many sections, the command might seem to be jumping from one section to another in a strange sequence, but this does not have an effect on the final result. After generating the section a confirmation message that the section was successfully created should display.

403


Figure D-9

Using User Sections After it’s generated, a user section can be used in the same way as any other standard section in any dialog box in which you can select the section type. First select Other Sections in the Type drop-down list.

Figure D-10

Then select your class name in the Class drop-down list.

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User Sections

Figure D-11

The section name(s) display in the Size drop-down list for selection. Your section is placed and used as for any other section. The Standard display type displays the simplified section shape while the Exact display type displays the exact contours that have been defined.

Figure D-12

405


Figure D-13

The nine offset points in the Positioning tab match the nine points that you have defined. The center of gravity point is calculated for you. If you use the UCS at Object command on this section only the faces that you have defined display UCS triads for the selection

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Basic CAD Practice

Appendix E – Basic CAD Practice

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Practice E1

Course Preparation As a warm up for the training course and to give you a chance to experience the Autodesk® Advance Steel CAD Platform, you can complete the following practice. 1. Start a new blank file in the Autodesk Advance Steel software and recreate the following training drawing, including the three views and dimensions (no logo or border) and only using standard 2D CAD commands. 2. It can be drawn in approximately 20 minutes by an experienced CAD user. If you require more than 30 minutes you might consider updating or improving your general CAD skills.

Figure E-1

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Training Outline

Appendix F – Training Outline This chapter contains the following topics: 

Suggested Four Day Outline  Optional Topics or Further Training  Autodesk Links to Forums, Support and FAQ Pages

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F.1 Suggested Four Day Outline The material in this training guide is provided for reference after completing the training course. Therefore, the information is grouped into related topics and might not be in the same sequence that was used in training. Each group being trained has different needs and is starting from different levels of experience. The trainer takes these factors into account and adjusts the training guide to suit. Therefore, every course can be slightly different. Nevertheless, certain subjects and topics are required by all of the users of the Autodesk® Advance Steel software and need to be covered in every training guide. Therefore, as a starting point, here is a suggested outline for a four day course covering all of the essential topics. The timings are approximate and the subjects and breaks can be rearranged to suit the needs of the group.

DAY 1



Warm Up/Basic CAD Skills Test: Maximum time 30 minutes. It provides students with a chance to focus their minds ready for training while giving the trainer a chance to assess their basic skills.



Getting Started. o o o o o o o o



Start with a template. Project Data. File structure on disk. Practice: Start training project, complete project data, and save file. Drawing Grids. Using Coordinate Systems. Viewing Tools. Practice: Draw grids for training project.

Basics o o o o

Beams Plates Connections (Bolts, Anchors, and Welds) Concrete elements

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Training Outline

LUNCH 

Basic Structure o o o o o o o o



Concrete Portal Frame Practice: Draw first Portal frame. Transform Elements. Copy/Mirror, etc. Practice: Copy Portal frame. Individual Beams. Practice: Draw all remaining sections in place.

Joints

Connection Vault Joint Tables Joint Copy Create all of the standard joints in a structure.

DAY 2



Beam Features

Shorten Notch Contours Advance Trim/Extend Practice: Work in Feature Practice file and try the various features described in Chapter 10, Beam Features. 

Plates

Flat Plates Folded Plates

LUNCH 

Plate Features

Chamfer/Fillet Contours Practice: Practice according to instructions in Chapter 11, Plates and Chapter 12, Plate Features.

411




Connection Elements

Bolts Welds Practice: Practice in Feature Practice file. 

Create Manual Joints at tops of columns C4 and D4.



Structural Elements o o o o o o

Bracing Practice: Add bracing to the training model. Stairs Practice: Add stairs to the training model. Railing Practice: Add railing to the training model (except round outside platform). o Cage Ladder o Practice: Add ladder and outside railing to the training model.

DAY 3



Other Model Objects o o o o

Concrete Practice: Add concrete foundation to our model. Special Parts Practice: Add Mechanical Part.dwg as special part in model.

LUNCH 

Validating Model o Collision Check o Find Results/Marking o Practice: Students fix some clashes and technical errors on their own.



Model Roles o Significance o Search Filter and Saved Searches.

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Training Outline

o Practice: Create saved search for no model role and use it. Ensure that all parts have appropriate model role. 

Numbering o Numbering methods. o Practice: Number the training model.



Creating Drawings o Cameras/GA Views o Drawing Processes o Practice: Create Gas

DAY 4



Creating Drawings (continuation) o Parts o Assemblies o Practice: Create part and assembly drawings from the training structure. o Document Manager

LUNCH 

Editing Drawings o o o o



Lists o o o o



Editing Views Adding sections. Adding/editing annotation. Practice: Make some changes to training drawings.

Creating BOMs through Quick Documents. RDF Viewer Creating BOMS from Extracts and BOM Editor. Practice: Create some lists from the training model.

BOM Templates o Replacing logo. o Report contents.

413




NC & DXF Files



Practice: Create NC files for all of the parts and DXF files for



Revision/Update Management o Show how Document Manager controls revisions o Show revision clouds, etc. o Practice: Makes some change to model and revise documents.



Management Tools - Defaults

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Training Outline

F.2

Optional Topics or Further Training

The following topics can be covered if there is time and it is considered appropriate for the students. It is at the discretion of the trainer if and when to add these topics. Whether or not they are covered in the course, all of the main topics are contained in this training guide for personal review. 

Joint Groups o o o o



Create joint in joint groups. Adding and removing existing joints to or from groups. Master joints. Link all of the associated joints together as joint groups (e.g., all of the Eaves Haunches). Locate the master and change it to a different joint. Edit one joint in the group and show the other change together.

Project Explorer o Levels o Create a level for 0m and 3m. Create some extra floor beams with the 3m level Active (or use the floor beams shown in main practice if they have not already been created). Show that the beams move if the level height changes. o Model views o Create one example of each type of model view. o Saved Searches o Create a search for all of the parts without a model role. o Groups o Create a group containing all of the parts of the mezzanine floor.



Further Plates o Twisted folded plate. o Conical plate.

415


o Draw a hopper with a square top and circular bottom. Add mounting flanges to two horizontal beams around the end of the hopper top. Split the hopper into two sections so that it can be manufactured more easily from smaller plates. 

Special Parts o Show how to use proprietary parts in the model, such as Key Clamp fittings in the railings. o Use the provided Key Clamp library to add suitable fittings to the rail and create an assembly drawing with the fittings included.



Cladding o Add decking to the mezzanine floor and leave an opening around the water tank.



Technical Check o What is the Technical Check and how to use it. o Finding results. o Perform a technical check and fix a number of the issues that are found.



Lotting and Phasing o Assembly Weight calculations. o Saved searches or Groups in Project Explorer (if not already covered). o Split the model into sensible lots with a maximum of five tones each.



Editing Drawing Prototypes o Replace the Autodesk logo and change/add a token in the title block of one prototype. Create a drawing using that prototype and prove that it works correctly.



Management Tools o Projects o Preferred Sizes 416

Training Outline

o Object Properties 

Joint Design



User Sections o How to define a user section. o Create a custom user section and place it in a model.

417


F.3

Autodesk Links to Forums, Support and FAQ Pages

The Autodesk Knowledge Network was created to give Autodesk users additional assistance. You can use it to gain support, additional learning, and become part of the community of users.

Advance Steel Documentation & FAQs

In the product help, you can learn about the main features of the Autodesk Advance Steel software, which include: What’s New, a Getting Started section, extended guides and workflows, and frequently asked questions. http://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSTPR/2018/ENU/

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Advance Steel 2017 - Essentials Metric - Training Guide

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