prosteel manual

ProSteel 3D Version 17

Training Courseware – February 2005

® C o p y r i g h t 2 0 0 5 A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d

Chapter 01-1

Chapter 01 Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

In this chapter, you learn about the key features and structural steel design tools of ProSteel 3D.

Objectives In this chapter, you wi l l :

Learn about Windows mouse button techniques.

Some important AutoCAD system variables.

Some important ProSteel 3D sett ings and options.

Some common ProSteel 3D dialog box buttons.

Learn about the ProSteel 3D / AutoCAD template f i le.

Learn of the suggested ProSteel 3D f i le naming strategy.

This manual presents fundamental concepts you need to know about the model ing process in ProSteel 3D The tutorial is not necessari ly best practice of structural steel design but focuses on using various ProSteel 3D commands.

ProSteel 3D 17 Gett ing Acquain ted w i th ProStee l 3D

Chapter 01-2

Windows Mouse Button Techniques Clicking is pressing and releasing the left button on the mouse. This usual ly selects something. Double-clicking is cl icking twice in quick succession, and this usual ly selects something and init iates some action, such as running a program. Right-clicking is cl icking the right mouse button, and this usual ly causes a context-menu to appear. The context-menu is also known as a pop-up menu.

Checking AutoCAD System variables for ProSteel 3D A few AutoCAD variables should be checked and modif ied i f necessary before start ing a ProSteel 3D work session.

MEASUREMENT = 1 specif ies whether to use the imperial or metric system (0 = imperial, 1 = metric)

PROXYGRAPHICS = 0 controls whether proxy graphics are to be created in addit ion to the ProSteel 3D objects when working with ProSteel 3D. These proxy graphics enable viewing of the ProSteel 3D objects when using only raw AutoCAD by itself to load the drawing. 0 = create no proxy graphics, 1 = create proxy graphics

Checking ProSteel 3D Options A few default sett ings have to be speci f ied for ProSteel 3D as wel l , which control the display of these objects. Of course, any of these default sett ings for ei ther individual or mult iple objects may also be edited after the insertion.

Right-cl ick whi le the cursor is located within the drawing area to navigate to the “ProSteel 3D Options” dialog. First select “ProSteel 3D” on the context sensit ive menu and then the f lyout cel l named “Options”.

Gett ing Acquainted w i th ProSteel 3D ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 01-3


Chapter 01-4

Some Typical ProSteel 3D dialog box buttons There are at least 5 buttons that are typical to most ProSteel 3D 17 dialog boxes. The button icons are as shown & explained below:

This is the OK button. Use i t to accept and OK al l user information when using any ProSteel 3D dialog box. This button wi l l f inish a ProSteel 3D command and close the dialog box.


Chapter 01-5

This is the CANCEL button. Use i t to break out of any ProSteel 3D command that you do not want to complete.

This is the HELP button. Use it to f ind ProSteel 3D Help on the topic that relates to the dialog box being used.

This is the TEMPLATE button. Use this button to store and retrieve dialog box sett ings that you wish to use on future projects, or re-use from previous projects.

These are the SWITCH ON ROLLOVER, and the SWITCH OFF ROLLOVER buttons. These are used to automatical ly minimize and maximize the dialog boxes, al lowing you to see more of your ProSteel 3D model.

The ProSteel 3D / AutoCAD Template file The instal lat ion of ProSteel 3D wi l l automatical ly create a prototype drawing, which wi l l be used as a template for further work. This f i le copied to the template directory of AutoCAD during instal lat ion is cal led a template and is named “PS170_Metrisch.dwt”.

This template contains a few sett ings specif ic to ProSteel 3D such as text styles and dimensioning styles. If the user wishes to alter default sett ings, this template can be modif ied with the corresponding sett ings and saved again as a new template f i le e.g. CompanyInit ials_Metric.dwt

This drawing is an isometric view of the ProSteel 3D model that we wi l l create during this training course.


Chapter 01-6

EXERCISE 01-1 CREATE A NEW PROSTEEL 3D DRAWING

In this exercise, you learn to create a new ProSteel 3D drawing, based on an exist ing template, and you wi l l save the drawing with an appropriate name.

1. Start ProSteel 3D by double-cl icking the corresponding ICON on the windows desktop.

2. Once AutoCAD has started, and the ProSteel 3D software completed loading, from the AutoCAD FILE pul ldown menu, choose New (you could also type NEW at the command l ine, or use the QNEW icon located on the AutoCAD Standard Toolbar)

3. You wi l l now see the “Create New Drawing” AutoCad dialog box. Pick the “Use a Template” icon from here, and from the l ist of templates shown, choose “PS170_Metrisch.dwt”. You wi l l now be in a brand new drawing ready for you to start crating your ProSteel 3D model for the remainder of this course.

Note: When start ing ProSteel 3D from the desktop icon, the default drawing opened is already using the template “NZ_Metric.dwt”. You can view the propert ies of the ProSteel 3D desktop icon to check this. Right-cl ick on the ProSteel 3D desktop icon and check the Propert ies. The template used is def ined after the /t argument.


Chapter 01-7

4. Use the AutoCAD SAVE command to save your drawing with the name “1234_Model1.dwg”. The f i rst t ime you use the SAVE command within a new AutoCAD drawing, you wi l l actual ly be presented with the “Save Drawing As” dialog box. Save the drawing in the MyJobs folder found on the desktop.

5. If your new ProSteel 3D drawing has been started correctly, you should see a 3D UCSICON in the bottom left hand area of model space. As per AutoCAD, ProSteel 3D wi l l have created 2 paperspace layouts for you, cal led Layout1 and Layout2. These 2 layouts need to be setup using the AutoCAD Page Setup dialog box i f you wish to have paperspace views of your 3D models.

6. Your drawing should now be saved as C:\Documents & Sett ings\Student\Desktop\1234_Model1.dwg Leave your drawing open, ready for the next chapter.

Chapter 01-8

Chapter 02-1

Chapter 02 The Drawing Information Table

In this chapter, you learn about the Drawing Information Table feature of ProSteel 3D.


Get an overview of the Drawing Information Table.

Fi l l out the Drawing Information Table ready for your f irst ProSteel 3D project.


ProSteel 3D 17 The Drawing Informat ion Table

Chapter 02-2

The Drawing Information Table

The Drawing Information Table is a command which behaves just l ike a Job Card or Project Reference Sheet. When using this command, you can populate project information within your model drawing. This information wi l l be directly read into ProSteel part l ists and ProSteel 2D drawings.

The Drawing Information Table icon is located on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar. Alternatively, you could type the command PS_DWG_INFO at the AutoCAD command l ine.

The Drawing Information Table icon is located under this f lyout portion of the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar.

The Drawing Informat ion Table ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 02-3

EXERCISE 02-1 POPULATING THE DRAWING INFORMATION TABLE

In this exercise, you wi l l populate the Drawing Information Table with values that relate to your particular project.

1. Click the “Drawing Information Table” command from the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar and you wi l l be presented with the ProSteel 3D Drawing Information Table dialog box. The values which we wi l l set in this dialog box relate to common Project Information needed for Part l ists and Detai l Drawings created from your current 3D model. Use values simi lar to those shown below:

2. Notice that there is a Template button on this dialog box. This wi l l al low you to store information relating to common projects or favourite cl ients for later retrieval, or to insert previously saved values. Use the Help button on the dialog box to learn more about the Drawing Information Table feature. The Drawing Information Table dialog box retains values used from the last session of ProSteel 3D.

ProSteel 3D 17 The Drawing Informat ion Table

Chapter 02-4

Chapter 02-5

Chapter 03-1

Chapter 03 Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

In this chapter, you learn about creating workframes and selecting views defined via the workframes


Get an overview of Workframes.

Create a Workframe for your ProSteel 3D model

Learn how to select views based on the workframe, and get an overview of c l ipping planes.


ProSteel 3D 17 Creat ing Workf rames and Select ing Views

Chapter 03-2

Setting the Work Frame

Any ProSteel 3D model creation should be started by creating one or several so-cal led Workframes .

These workframes faci l i tate easy spatial 3D orientation because they can depict the basic system dimensions (e.g., axes dimensions) in the form of design aid objects as wel l as automatical ly creating the associated UCS system for each of the views as def ined by the work frame.

Users simply select the mouse button to change the view.

ProSteel 3D for AutoCAD offers the parametric creation of rectangular shapes and tradit ional hangar/portal frames as wel l as the creation of cyl indrical, segmented, pyramidal or tapered steel frames. (Some predefined workframes are also avai lable via the Template button within the Workframe dialog box.)

It is possible to create multiple work frames and their associated UCS systems within one model drawing. This requires a dif ferent group name (Workframe name) for each work frame system.

Creat ing Workframes and Select ing Views ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 03-3

EXERCISE 03-1 1S T RECTANGULAR WORKFRAME

In this exercise, you learn to create a rectangular workframe as a base for the platform area of your ProSteel 3D model.

1. Open your previously started ProSteel drawing cal led 1234_Model1.dwg, and from the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, choose the Workframe icon, or pick Workframe from ProSteel 3D / Addit ions pul ldown menu.

2. When prompted for the Workframe origin point, use the point 0,0,0 as a source. Enter the X-axis as requested by pointing, with Ortho set to on.

3. The “WORKFRAMES” command uses a dialogue box for the input of design data. Create the Workframe using the fol lowing values:

4. Create an axis label as wel l to improve the orientation within the workframe. Use the fol lowing values:


Chapter 03-4

The result of the Workframe command can be seen in the screenshot above. Selecting a magenta-colored l ine shows that we are deal ing with areas and not s imple l ines. These areas can be edited as ProSteel 3D objects. If such an object is moved or copied, the associated propert ies and UCS system are retained. The workframe is located on the PS_FRAME layer, which is write protected ( locked) by default.

5. Unlock layer PS_FRAME, then cl ick on one of the magenta-colored areas and then right-cl ick to the context menu and cl ick “ProSteel 3D Properties”

Only those options are checked in the LAYOUT folder, which are selected as the default in the Options. Any addit ional information to be displayed for the selected element can be specif ied here subsequently.

6. Select options on the LAYOUT folder of each Workframe Properties dialog box to view diagonals, cutt ing plane, source, etc. for a work frame and track any of the changes directly on screen.

Load the PROPERTIES of the ProSteel 3D Workframes and construction l ines to effect subsequent parametric changes for a work frame.

Dif ferently shaped workframes that cannot be defined with these dialog boxes can be def ined with the help of normal AutoCAD l ines. The associated def ini t ion areas for the UCS systems can be created subsequently using ProSteel 3D commands.


Chapter 03-5

7. Adjust the PROPERTIES of your ProSteel 3D Workframes to ref lect the fol lowing values (change the Name box under the Data folder): Change Zone1_Front to Zone1-GridA, Change Zone1_Side_L to Zone1_Grid1, Change Zone1_Side_R to Zone1_Grid2, Change Zone1_Top to Zone1_Platform_level (Refer back to Exercise 03-1, part 6 for adjust ing workframe propert ies)

8. Now SAVE your ProSteel 3D model before moving on to the next exercise.


Chapter 03-6

EXERCISE 03-2 2ND RECTANGULAR WORKFRAME

In this exercise, you wi l l add a rectangular workframe as the portal frame / hangar area of your ProSteel 3D model.

1. While in the current drawing cal led 1234_Model1.dwg, and from the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, choose the Workframe icon again, or pick Workframe from ProSteel 3D / Addit ions pul ldown menu.

2. When prompted for the new Workframe origin point, pick rear bottom left point of the exist ing workframe as a source. Enter the X-axis as requested by pointing, with Ortho set to on, to the current X direction shown by the UCSICON.

3. Fi l l in the values on the ProSteel 3D Workframes dialog box as shown below.


Chapter 03-7

4. Ensure that the 5000 height to the hangar area has 2 unequal divisions, by unticking the Height button, and f i l l ing in the values as shown to the Height Axis Distance area of the dialog box, as shown below:

5. Within the Axis Descript ions tab, ensure that the Y-Axis start value is set to B.

6. Now adjust the PROPERTIES of your new workframe (as you did in exercise 03-1) to ref lect the fol lowing values: Change Zone2_Front to Zone2-GridB, Change Zone2_Y_1 to Zone2_GridC, Change Zone2_Back to Zone2_GridD, Change Zone2_Side_L to Zone2_Grid1, Change Zone2_Side_R to Zone2_Grid2, Change Zone2_Bottom to Zone2-Lower_Level, Change Zone2_Z_1 to Zone2_Mid_Level, Change Zone2_Top to Zone2_Top_Level, Change Zone2_Roof_L to Zone2_Roof_Left, Change Zone2_Roof_R to Zone2_Roof_Right. (Refer back to Exercise 03-1, part 6 for adjust ing workframe propert ies) In recent versions of ProSteel 3D, you are also able rename workframe names via AutoCADs Properties dialog box. You may wish to test this.

7. Now SAVE your ProSteel 3D model before moving on to the next exercise.

The result of this second Workframe command can now be seen in the screenshot at left.


Chapter 03-8

Selecting Views

Use this command (the “ProSteel 3D Select View” command) to select the views def ined via the work frames or add new views to the selection l ist.

Once a view is selected, ProSteel 3D places the UCS into the selected work plane and displays the 3D model as i f this plane is viewed vertical ly. The specif ied cutt ing planes are activated at the same time so that only the objects within this area are visible.

Note from the “Choose View” dialog box shown above, that you can either set views, or set UCS.

The SET VIEW button al igns your viewpoint so that you are looking perpendicular at the selected view, and i t sets the UCS square to that view.

The SET UCS button only changes the UCS orientation, i t does not re-al ign the view.

Note also from the “Choose View” dialog box shown above, that you can delete exist ing Workframe views and create new workframe views from any direction.


Chapter 03-9

EXERCISE 03-3 SELECTING VIEWS

In this exercise, you learn to navigate to your workframe selected views, with or without a relevant UCS

1. From the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, choose the Select View icon, or pick Choose View from ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pul ldown menu.

2. Check that your Choose View dialog box has view names that match those in the diagram below:

3. Try the fol lowing cl ickable commands within the Choose View dialog box, after select ing a named view:

Set View: Sets the selected view (the relevant cutting plane is activated)

Set UCS: Sets the selected UCS only (the current view remains the same)

4. From the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, choose the Isometric Overview icon, or pick Isometric Overview from ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pul ldown menu.

Note the black arrow in the corner of the icon above. If you cl ick and hold this icon, you wi l l be presented with 5 alternative Isometric View icons, which al low you to view your workframe or model from 5 dist inct isometric locations.

5. Save your drawing 1234_Model1.dwg to your MyJobs folder.


Chapter 03-10

The Clipping Plane Working with a 3D model can quickly become complex, especial ly i f many parts are spatial ly stacked or overlap one another. ProSteel 3D offers a command to hide parts in front of and behind the current work plane – the so cal led cl ipping plane.

This faci l i tates the design process since only those objects are visible that are close to the same work plane and prevents the accidental manipulation of stacked shapes. The term ‘approximately’ is here used in the sense that only the objects within the cutting plane distance of 500mm specif ied in the “work frame” are visible to the front and rear. If one of the def ined views or an object view is selected, the hide option is activated as the default sett ing unless the command has been deactivated global ly.

Sometimes i t is however also reasonable to look at al l component parts of the model in the depth – to have an overal l or ientation. This is the reason why this function can be switched on and off.

Cl ipping planes (or cut planes) can be turned on or off, adjusted for distance, or f l ipped by using the Cl ipplane command under the ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pul ldown menu.

Alternatively you could try the icons avai lable under the Cl ip Planes Toolbar

Chapter 03-11

Chapter 04-1

Chapter 04 Shapes and Plates

In this chapter, you learn about inserting and creating structural shapes and plates (polyplates)


Get an overview of ProSteel 3D Shapes and Plates.

Create structural shapes and orientate them

Create plates and polyplates


ProSteel 3D 17 Shapes and Plates

Chapter 04-2

Inserting Shapes

Here are a few basics concerning the insert ion of shapes, before starting with the construction of your sample model:

Shapes can be accessed by picking the Shape button on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or by picking Shapes under the ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

You are then presented with the fol lowing dialog box:

For STRAIGHT SHAPES, f irst, select a shape type and size – the desired shape cross-section appears in the preview area, together with the insertion points. The selected insertion point is displayed in red. The drop down l ist of materials is avai lable for use with the shapes, and user shapes.

There are two dif ferent methods of inserting shapes:

- Cross-section of the shape is located within the current UCS; the length is specif ied with parameters.

- Shape is def ined by indicat ing start and end points (via coordinates, cl icking, object snap, or l ine specif ication)

The posit ion of the shape can be preset via the basic posit ion, 90 degrees, etc. or directly on screen when insert ing the shape i f the “Orientate after Insertion”, and the “Dynamic” t ick boxes are t icked on the OPTIONS tab.

Shapes and P lates ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 04-3

Bent Shapes (shapes that are bent to form a curve) can be achieved by using the BENT SHAPES tab on the “ProSteel 3D Shapes” dialog box:

Bent shapes can be placed by picking exist ing AutoCAD arcs , or by picking 3 points to def ine center of arc, start and f inish of arc.

Orientation of shapes can be control led at the t ime of placing shapes by careful ly sett ing options on the OPTIONS tab of the “ProSteel 3D Shapes” dialog box:


Chapter 04-4

EXERCISE 04-1 INSERTING SHAPES

In this exercise, you learn to select and insert shapes, and orientate them to their desired posit ion.

1. First orientate your sample model view into an isometric overview. Remember, you are using drawing 1234_Model1.dwg, in case i t needs to be opened.

2. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Shape icon, or pick Shapes from ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

3. Insert a shape by cross-sect ion by sett ing the “Length” to 1000 and then cl icking the “Insert Shape as Cross-Section with Specif ied Length” button.

Pick the Shape Base Point in your model, and when prompted at the command l ine, choose the 2 Point method to orientate the shape. Cl ick the 2 points on screen and the shape is now inserted in a negative Z direction.

4. Confirm the orientation of the shape by cl icking the left mouse button several t imes after the shape appears. Confirm your desired orientation with a r ight mouse button cl ick. To f inish the command, you need to cl ick the OK button on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box.

5. Now insert a second shape. Set the “Length” to 0 and this t ime exit the dialog with the “2 Points” button.

Now pick two points on screen and again orientate the shape as desired by left mouse button cl icks. When the dialog box returns to the screen, f inish the command by cl icking the OK button.


Chapter 04-5

6. Insert a third shape paral lel to a l ine, e.g. the front perpendicular l ine of the current work frame. Execute the “Shape” command and cl ick the “Line” button.

Now pick the desired AutoCAD l ine or work frame. Again use several left mouse button cl icks to orientate, and then f inish the command with the OK button.


Chapter 04-6

Creating Plates and Polyplates

Plates with any desired form are cal led Polyplates by ProSteel 3D and can be inserted into the model in addit ion to the preset standard shapes.

The plate dimensions can be def ined either by picking points or by adopting an existing polyl ine. If a polyl ine is adopted, plate contours containing radi i are possible as wel l . The plate dimensions, when deal ing with rectangular plates, can be created parametrical ly in the LENGTH/WIDTH f ield as wel l . This also enables the defini t ion of an insertion point for the plate.

Plates can be accessed by picking the Plates button on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or by picking Plates/Plates under the ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

For STRAIGHT PLATES, f i rst, select a plate size – the desired plate plan-view appears in the preview area, together with the insert ion points. The selected insertion point is displayed in red.A drop down l ist of Materials and Labels is avai lable for Plate cal l-up.

Arc Plates (plates that are extruded to form a curved plate) can be achieved by using the ARC PLATES tab on the “ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates” dialog box:


Chapter 04-7

Arc Plates can be placed by picking existing AutoCAD arcs , or by picking 3 points to def ine center of arc, start and f inish of arc.

An OPTIONS tab is included with addit ional functional i ty


Chapter 04-8

EXERCISE 04-2 CREATING PLATES AND POLYPLATES

In this exercise, you learn to create plates using several di f ferent methods

1. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Plates icon, or pick Plates/Plates from ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

2. Create an 800 x 400 x 20 thick plate simply by entering values in the appl icable cel ls in the Straight Plates tab of the ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates dialog box. Choose a relevant insertion point from the preview panel at the r ight of the dialog box, and ensure Grid is unticked. Now cl ick the “Inserts a Rectangular Plate on a Insertion Point”, and fol low the prompts at the command l ine to place the plate.

When the dialog box returns, f inish the command by cl icking the OK button at the bottom left of the dialog box.

3. Create a 4 sided plate by cl icking the “Inserts a Plate by Four Points” button. Be sure to fol low the prompts for corner points on the AutoCAD command l ine, as the order is not sequential .

When your plate looks correct, be sure to f inish with the OK button.

4. Draw a closed polyl ine of any shape, containing at least 6 straight l ine segments. The polyl ine may contain f i l lets or arcs i f you wish. Now cl ick on the “Inserts a Plate by Selected Polygon, Circle or Arc” button in the Straight Plates tab of the ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates dialog box.and fol low the command l ine prompts. Finish by cl icking the OK button

and

Chapter 04-9

Chapter 05-1

Chapter 05 ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

In th is chapter , you learn about enqui r ing as to the propert ies of shapes, and about modi fy ing e lements wi th ProStee l 3D ed i t ing features.

Objectives In th is chapter , you wi l l :

Get an overv iew of ProStee l 3D Object Propert ies .

Get an overv iew of the ProStee l 3D Modify E lement command

Th is manual presents fundamenta l concepts you need to know about the model ing process in ProStee l 3D The tutor ia l i s not necessar i ly best pract ice of s t ructura l s tee l des ign but focuses on us ing var ious ProStee l 3D commands.

ProSteel 3D 17 ProSteel Object Proper t ies and Modi fy ing Elements

Chapter 05-2

Properties Around s ix index cards are ava i lab le as tabs i f the ProStee l 3D propert ies of a shape or p late are quer ied. They are: Layout , Shape Type, Data, Pos i t ion, Ass ignment and Analys is V iew.

ProStee l 3D users can query the propert ies of any ProStee l 3D object by double-c l ick ing the object . You wi l l be presented wi th the appropr iate ProStee l 3D d ia log box. (Ensure that Double C l ick Ed i t i s enabled on the Opt ions tab of the ProStee l 3D Opt ions d ia log box)

Another method to query the propert ies of a shape, i s to c l i ck the shape to h igh l ight i t , then r ight-c l i ck your mouse to invoke the context sens i t ive r ight-c l ick menu, s imi lar to that shown:

C l ick the PS3D Propert ies command on the r ight-c l i ck menu to invoke the re levant Propert ies d ia log box.

Layout : Change the shape type, s ize, and d isp lay mode by se lect ing the des i red va lue in the pul l -down menu.

D isp lay: S ix d i f ferent d isp lays are poss ib le for ind iv idua l or any number of shapes, WITHOUT any loss of informat ion (see i l lust rat ions be low)

Only center l ine

Bounding box

Edges outs ide

Edges ins ide

With arcs

As sketch

Holes: As needed, dr i l l ho les can a lso be shown in d i f ferent d isp lay leve ls or may be ignored a l l together . The in format ion i tse l f remains in tact , of course. There are 5 set t ings for d isp lay of ho les . Holes that have bo l ts through them wi l l genera l ly be shown

ProSteel Object Proper t ies and Modi fy ing Elements ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 05-3

as “Extruded C i rc le” . Holes that have no bo l ts , such as at a basep late, are genera l ly d isp layed as “Rea l Holes” .

Opt ions: In addi t ion, i t is a lso poss ib le to d isp lay a var iety of add it ional informat ion, as shown in the d ia log box d isp layed on the prev ious page. Part Labe ls ( text ind icat ing part type) can be d isp layed, part center l ines can be turned on, etc ,etc .

Shape Type / Posit ion : The shape may be exchanged wi th another shape type and/or another shape s ize at any t ime. The d imens iona l s izes of p lates can be a l tered. A l l manipu lated e lements such as dr i l l ho les , po lycuts , r ibs , p lates , etc. , are taken into account automat ica l ly

You can a lso add a s lope to a Shape Type by us ing the Conica l tab.

Data : A l l data with re levance to the parts l i s ts are dep icted here, and i f needed, may be supplemented or changed. Any shape modif icat ion resu l ts in an automat ic reca lcu lat ion of the data. See the d ia log boxes d isp layed be low.


Chapter 05-4

Posit ion : Pos i t ion, insert ion po int or po ints , and rotat ion angle can be subsequent ly changed and ed i ted for any a l ready inserted shapes. Th is makes i t easy to correct an incorrect ly inserted shape at any t ime. See the d ia log boxes d isp layed be low.

Assignment : You can change the ass igned deta i l s ty le , d isp lay c lass , area c lass and part fami ly of the shape from th is tab.


Chapter 05-5

Analysis View: The analys is tab permits you to modify the s tat ic ef fect l ines of the shapes to get an opt imum export for the t ransfer to s tat ic programs. You can force the output of ana lys is d isp lay at the d i f ferent in terfaces, and these ef fect l ines def ined by you are exported instead of the center l ines of the shape.

More on Properties I f a shape has been modi f ied af ter i ts insert ion, by apply ing dr i l l ho les , cutouts , out lets (gaps/notches) , Boolean operat ions or i f the shape has been ass igned to a construct ion group, add i t iona l tabs appear on the Shape Propert ies d ia log for every type of e lement modi f ier . The manipu lat ion data can then be v iewed, ed i ted or deleted.

Due to the ut i l i zat ion of st ructured d ia log boxes, i t i s poss ib le to t rack any changes d i rect ly on the screen whi le enter ing the change when ed i t ing a manipulat ion. The propert ies of the component parts are event contro l led, which means that the ind iv idua l tabs are on ly ava i lab le when the component part has been manipu lated or ed i ted.

As one can see, a lmost any type of in format ion about a g iven object can be contro l led comfortab ly wi th in one s ing le d ia log box.

A context–sens i t ive on l ine he lp is a lways at your f ingert ips . P lease use the he lp buttons located on some ProStee l 3D d ia log boxes, and on the pu l l -down menu.

Element Modify


Chapter 05-6

A var iety of comfortab le and easy to use ed i t ing commands are ava i lab le in ProSteel 3D as wel l as the poss ib i l i ty of manipu lat ing a l l component parts v ia AutoCAD commands.

A l l manipulat ion commands are arranged c lear ly wi th in the “E lement Modi f icat ion” d ia log box, and can be accessed indiv idual ly on the “Modi fy 1” and “Modi fy 2” toolbars . The range of ed i t ing commands can a lso be accessed v ia the ProStee l 3D / Manipu late pu l l down menu.


Chapter 05-7

EXERCISE 05-1 SOME SIMPLE MODIFYING COMMANDS

In th is exerc ise, you learn to use some of the ed i t ing commands on the E lement Modif icat ion d ia log box.

1 . F i rs t or ientate your sample model v iew into an isometr ic overv iew. Remember, you are us ing drawing 1234_Model1.dwg, in case i t needs to be opened.

2 . Draw a 3000mm length of 360UB45 beam, down on the ground next to your bu i ld ing model . Use any pos i t ion po int on the UB that you l ike.

3 . Open the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log box v ia the icon shown be low. You can a lso f ind many of the commands to be used in th is exerc ise by choos ing ed i t ing commands from the ProStee l 3D / Manipu late pu l ldown menu.

4 . Under the Div ide/Connect area of the Common tab of th is d ia log box, set the d is tance to 25, then c l i ck the DIVIDE button. When asked at the command l ine to choose the shape to be d iv ided, p ick the 360UB. When asked to p ick the Div id ing Po int , osnap to the midpoint of any edge of the 360UB. The 360UB is now d iv ided into two separate shapes, with a 50 gap between them (2 x 25), as shown be low.

Th is button is on the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log Common tab.

5 . Use the Lengthen Shapes command to lengthen the new r ight hand shape. Set the defau l t to 200, c l i ck the LENGTHEN SHAPE BY DEFAULT VALUE button, and then lef t c l i ck the r ight hand end of the r ight hand shape 5 t imes in a row. The 360UB should now be 1000 longer (5 x 200).

Th is button is on the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log Shapes tab.

6 . Now use the Shorten Shapes command to shorten the lef t hand shape. Set the defau l t va lue to 100, c l ick the SHORTEN SHAPE BY DEFAULT VALUE button, and then le f t c l i ck the le f t hand end of the le f t hand shape 5 t imes in a row. The 360UB shou ld now be 500 shorter (5 x 100).



Chapter 05-8

7. The 360UB’s shou ld now appear as shown be low.

8 . Now draw two 360UB transverse beams, each 2000 long, and both at 90 degrees to the prev ious beam. P lace them as shown be low. Do not t ry to adjust the beam intersect ions just yet .

9 . Now choose the CUTS 2 OBJECTS TO BI-ANGULAR CUT USING OPENING ANGLE BETWEEN BOTH button (The Angle B isect Button) f rom the Mi t re Cuts area of the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log box to c lean up the le f t hand beam intersect ion. When you are asked for the F i rs t Shape to Anglecut , and the Second Shape to AngleCut , c l i ck the two lef t hand beams near the ends where they meet, and the beams wi l l now meet as i f they were Mi t re Cut.


10. Now we wi l l cope the end of the r ight hand long beam to f i t the prof i le of the r ight hand short beam. P ick the ENABLES TO COPE ONE SHAPE TO ANOTHER button (Cope Button) f rom the Other area of the Shapes tab of the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log box.


When asked to p ick the Second Shape to add a Cope, le f t c l ick the long beam near the r ight hand end. When asked to se lect the Shape on Which to Add a Cut , lef t c l ick the short r ight hand beam. A cope is now appl ied to the f i rs t beam, but you wi l l be presented wi th the ProStee l 3D Cope d ia log box in order to sort out d imensions. Set the va lues as at le f t . Now c l ick the OK button on the d ia log box to complete th is

task. I f you do not ach ieve the wanted resu l ts af ter sett ing the va lues as shown, use the AutoCAD UNDO command to erase the Cope, and then t ry the command again.

11. Now draw a 2000 length of 150x9.0 SHS beam, and p lace i t in the locat ion shown


Chapter 05-9

below:

12. We wi l l now create a 10mm wide vert ica l notch at the r ight hand end of the SHS. Zoom to th is r ight hand end, and now p ick the ENABLES TO CUT AN OBJECT BY USING OUTLETS button (Notch button) f rom the Other area of the Shapes tab on the E lement Modi f icat ion d ia log box.


Se lect the SHS at the r ight hand end when prompted. When prompted for the Insert ion Point for Notch, osnap to the bottom midpoint edge at the r ight hand s ide. When you now see the ProStee l 3D Notch d ia log box, f i l l in the va lues as shown be low: (as you change the va lues, the notched end of the SHS is v isua l ly be ing created)

C l ick the OK button to f in ish the command.

13. The r ight hand notched end of your SHS shou ld now look l ike th is .

I f you wish you cou ld try and add a 10 th ick c leat as i f was welded into the notch, but you would need to rotate your AutoCAD UCS f i rs t . I f you are not fami l iar wi th rotated AutoCAD UCS’s , ignore th is and move on to the last part of th is exerc ise. I f you understand UCS’s , then you could use the ProStee l PLATE command to create the c leat .

14. We wi l l now add a 6mm th ick sea l p late to the le f t hand end of the 150 SHS. Zoom to the lef t hand end of th is beam f i rst . Now p ick the COVER PLATE button on the P lates Toolbar . You wi l l a lso f ind th is button bur ied under the P late button on the ProSteel


Chapter 05-10

3D E lements Toolbar . (You can a lso f ind COVER PLATE as a command on the ProStee l 3D / P lates pu l ldown).

15. When you use th is command, you wi l l be presented wi th the Create Cover d ia log box. Change the Thickness va lue to 6, make the of fset -4, and then c l ick the Create button. When prompted, c l ick the SHS at the lef t hand end, and the 6mm th ick end p late wi l l be created as shown be low.

16. This now completes the E lement Modi fy exerc ise. You may now wish to use the AutoCAD ORBIT command to not on ly shade the beams created above, but to revo lve around them. When us ing the ORBIT command, the r ight c l i ck context sens i t ive menu a l lows you to not on ly shade, or perform h idden l ine removal on your model , but you can a lso d isp lay your model on Isometr ic mode or in Perspect ive mode. Save your 1234_Model1.dwg f i le back to d isk before moving to the next chapter . You can de lete your beams before do ing th is is you wish.

Chapter 05-11

Chapter 06-1

Chapter 06 3D Modeling – Part 1

In this chapter, you wi l l complete 3D model ing to Gridl ine A and Gridl ine B of your sample model.


Add column and beam component shapes.

Add end plates with logical l inks.

Add Bracing components

Add Base plates to columns


ProSteel 3D 17 3D Model ing – Par t 1

Chapter 06-2

EXERCISE 06-1 INSERTING SHAPES

In this exercise, you wi l l add beam and column shapes to your 3D model.

1. Erase al l temporary shapes and plates you have added to your model to date (i f you have not already done so), but do not erase any Workframe l inework. View your model isometrical ly (as explained on Exercise 03-3, i tem 4)

2. Add two 200UB30 columns to the front frame, Grid A, and insert a 250UB31 beam above. The center point of the outer f lange of the column should be i ts insertion point. The center point of the upper f lange of the beam should be i ts insertion point.

3. Save your drawing.

3D Model ing – Par t 1 ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 06-3

End Plates

The “End Plate” command offers a variety of connection types for connecting two shapes.

Endplates Normal Endplates

Spl iced Endplates Flanged Endplates

Endplates with haunches or Bottom Trains

When using the End Plate command, pick the shape where the end plate is to be connected (end section). The next prompt asks for the support shape or complete the command using “ENTER” or “spacebar” or r ight mouse button. If a support shape is selected, a cut based on the plate thickness is automatical ly made on the shape, the end plate is added, and a dri l l hole f ield is attached to the support shape, i f one was selected. The corresponding plate is created at the end section of the support shape i f no support shape is selected.

Logical Links An important work saving feature in ProSteel 3D are the l inks between individual components and parts, also cal led " logical l inks." These l inks are another characterist ic of the object-oriented structure of the program.

Since working with these l inks requires a certain level of ski l l we recommend that novice users f i rst focus on the basic functions such as creating and manipulating shapes and creating automatic connections.

What Are Logical Links ?

Logical l inks are l inks between ProSteel 3D objects and their modif ications. If you modify a component using another component, al l components involved know of this "action." When you now modify one of these components, al l others wi l l adjust accordingly. You can also change the entire modif ication sett ings by accessing the corresponding l ink.

Logical l inks can save an enormous amount of work when creating 3D connections as long as the same ‘design laws’ ( ie., the type of joint) also apply to the modif ication. If this is the case, just delete the corresponding l ink and change the connection manual ly – the l inks are an aid but do not have to be used at al l t imes.

Active and Passive Links

There are two types of l inks l isted in the dialog entries: act ive and passive l inks.

Passive l inks indicate that component A belongs with component B. For example, st i f feners and shapes are connected with passive l inks because the sti f feners do not effect any change at the shape and the shape does not directly affect the sti f feners ei ther.

Active l inks indicate that component A physical ly changes or modif ies component B. For example, a mitered cut connects both shapes with active l inks.


Chapter 06-4

EXERCISE 06-2 ADDING END PLATES WITH LOGICAL LINKS

In this exercise, you wi l l add end plate connections to your shapes on Grid A

1. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Endplate icon, or pick Endplates Normal from ProSteel 3D / Connection /Endplates pul ldown menu.

2. Pick the 250UB31 beam (at the Grid 1 end) to be used as the connection shape, and the 200UB30 column (at the Grid 1 top end) as the support shape. Automatical ly a connection is created using the last used values, however we wi l l edit these values to our new requirements.

3. Adjust the connection values in the dialog box to match those shown in the dialog boxes below.


Chapter 06-5

Note that in this instance the values in the Bt. Train folder do not apply as nothing in the Select Haunch pul ldown l ist is t icked on.

4. Save the current plate connection as a template before exit ing the dialog box, so that i t is possible to reuse those connection values again at another t ime and place without re-keying. You wi l l need to give the template a sensible name.

Use the Template button at the bottom left area of the ProSteel 3D Endplates dialog box.

5. Apply the same plated connection at the Grid 2 end of the same frame. Your beam ends should look l ike this:

6. Now insert three shapes to Grid B to match those on Grid A. (200UB30 columns with 250UB31 beam) You wi l l need to use the INSERT SHAPE USING 2 POINTS button on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box to insert the columns, rather than attach by the INSERT SHAPE ON SELECTED LINE button.


Chapter 06-6

7. Create haunched connections to both ends of the beams with the fol lowing values:

8. We can now edit the haunch connections by using the Logical L inks faci l i ty.


Chapter 06-7

9. Highl ight the 250UB31 beam at Grid B, then cl ick PS3D Properties on the context-sensit ive r ight mouse button menu. (or you could just double-cl ick the beam) In the Shape Properties dialog box, go to the LogLinks tab, and cl ick the left or r ight arrows button unti l the left 200UB30 column is highl ighted in white, then cl ick the EDIT CURRENT LOGICAL LINK button.

The ProSteel 3D Endplates dialog box is opened for that connection, and you are able to edit the values. Change the values to create 4 rows of 2 bolts, and change the haunch length to 300. Do the same to both ends of your beam. You should now have a 3D model which looks something l ike this: (save your model to your hard disk)


Chapter 06-8

EXERCISE 06-3 ADDING BRACING COMPONENTS AND BASEPLATES

In this exercise, you wi l l add bracing components to your model at Grid A, and Baseplates to al l columns.

BRACING: The Bracing command uses system l ines and boundary edges to def ine the geometry of the f inal brace.

1. Draw a normal AutoCAD l ine, on an appropriate layer, diagonal ly from the lower left to upper r ight junction points, and vice versa. The lower junction point should be 100mm above the bottom of the column, and direct ly midway across the face of the inside f lange of the column. The upper junction point should be at the point where the underside of beam, and face of endplate meet, and midway across the underside of the beam.

2. You should now have a Grid A layout which looks l ike this:

Ensure that the diagonal l ines are al igned perfectly to Grid A, by viewing Grid A from al l angles. Adjust the end points using normal AutoCAD commands i f required.

3. Use the ProSteel 3D Select View tool to set your view to Gid A. Now from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Bracing icon, or pick Static Bracing from ProSteel 3D / Connection pul ldown menu. (Ensure your view is set to the Grid A view)


Chapter 06-9

4. You are now presented with the “ProSteel 3D Bracings” dialog box. Ensure the values for your bracing matches those shown in the dialog box below.

Pick the bracing button at the bottom left corner of the dialog box. You are now prompted to pick a system l ine for your brace (Pick one diagonal l ine only, that running lower left to upper r ight). Next pick the three border l ines of brace members used in this case, they are shown on the diagrams below. After picking the border l ines, and hitt ing enter, you are presented with a Shape Length Standard dialog box. Round off the Selected Shape Length to something appropriate. (In this case try 4300). At the next prompt, choose Return for End, to accept the previous border l ines. Hit enter again, and the bracing cleats and brace members are created and bolted together.

5. Create a similar brace member and cleats in the opposite direct ion as wel l . When insert ing the brace member, ensure that the shape is not inserted at the “front”, but at the “back” of the cross-braced system, so that the two angle members do not col l ide.

BASEPLATES: Baseplates are to be attached to the two columns of the frame at Grid A. The values are entered into the “ProSteel 3D DSTV BasePlate” dialog box. The command can also be used to shorten the support shapes by the value of the base plate thickness automatical ly, or to add holding down bolts (t ie bolts).

Note: These bracing components are not logical ly l inked, and as such cannot be modif ied by double cl icking the brace member to get to the dialog box shown at left.


Chapter 06-10

6. View your drawing isometrical ly by using the ProSteel icon with the airplane. Now zoom to the base of the columns at grid A. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the BasePlates acc DSTV icon, or pick BasePlates DAST from ProSteel 3D / Connection / Baseplates pul ldown menu.

7. Fol low the prompts at the AutoCAD command l ine, “Select Shape to Connect”, and after selecting the column near the bottom, the ProSteel 3D DSTV BasePlate dialog box wi l l appear. Attach a base plate to each of the two front columns on Grid A, using the values in the fol lowing dialog box, to produce the base plate i l lustrated. (ignore the Data & Dowels tabs this t ime)


Chapter 06-11

8. Your 3D model should now look similar to that shown below. Save your drawing to your hard disk.

Note: On the Connect tab of the “ProSteel 3D DSTV Baseplate” dialog box, the WITH TIE BOLTS cel l may need to be t icked off then on again, in order for the t ie bolt symbols to be inserted on the correct AutoCAD layer (they should turn cyan in colour)


Chapter 06-12

Chapter 06-13

Chapter 07-1


In this chapter, you wi l l complete 3D model ing to Gridl ine D of your sample model.


Add a Portal Frame components to Grid D of your model.

Add Base Plates to your Portal Frame columns

Add sti f fener plates to the apex point and knee points of the Portal Frame

Add spl ice plates with logical l inks.



Chapter 07-2

EXERCISE 07-1 CREATING PORTAL FRAMES

In this exercise, you wi l l add Portal Frame components and connections to your 3D model at Grid D.

1. View your model isometrical ly (as explained on Exercise 03-3, i tem 4) and zoom closer to the Grid D area.

2. Insert 2 columns and 2 raking rafters to the workrame l ines at Grid D to form a Portal Frame structure. Use 310UB40 shapes, and al ign the outside mid f lange points to the workframe l ines. Note: ProSteel 3D does include a Portal Frame generation command, however we are not using it in this case, as our Zone 2 Workframe already has l inework that can be used for constructing our model. If you would l ike to explore the Portal Frame generator, you could type the command PS_FRAME, or cl ick the FRAMES button on the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects Toolbar. (It can also be found under the Structural Objects area of the ProSteel 3D Elements Toolbar)

3. Now add a base plate to each of your Grid D Portal Frame columns and use the fol lowing values to achieve the result shown.

The information on the Data and Dowels tabs are not important in this case.


Chapter 07-3

4. We now need to t idy up the Portal Frame knees and apex before adding st i f fener plates. Use the ANGLE BISECT command avai lable under the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pul ldown menu. Fol low the prompts to pick two shapes each time to bisect.

(You could alternatively use the “Cut 2 Objects to Bi-Angular Cut using Opening Angle Between Both” button (the ANGLE BISECT button), under the Mitre Cuts area of the Shapes tab, on the “Element Modif icat ion” dialog box. You may need to zoom to the relevant areas of your model to achieve these mitred cuts. When completed, you should have knees and an apex as shown below:

5. We now need to add sti f fener plates to each side of the portal frame apex joint where the two 310UB40 raking rafters meet. To do this we wi l l use the “Sti f fener at Angle” command. Choose the “Sti f fener at Angle” icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar.

Note that the icon shown above may be located as a f lyout from the “Sti f fener” icon as shown below.


Chapter 07-4

6. The “Sti f fener at Angle” command wi l l prompt you for several points. Choose the points as shown in the diagram below.

Use the fol lowing values for the sti f feners in the ProSteel 3D Stif fener dialog box to achieve the result shown.

a. Pick shape where you wish to create sti f feners.

b. Pick insertion midpoint of st i f feners

c. Pick the posit ion l ine of st i f feners

Note: Do not enter an ANGLE value on the OPTIONS tab, as this is automatical ly read into the cel l by the use of the STIFFENER AT ANGLE command.

To f inish the command, ensure that you cl ick the OK button at the bottom left of the ProSteel 3D Sif fener dialog box.


Chapter 07-5

7. Now add sti f fener plates to each side of the portal frame knee joints where the 310UB40 raking rafters and columns meet. To do this use the same “Sti f fener at Angle” command technique used in i tem 5 and 6 of this exercise. Use the same values for these sti f feners as shown in the previous page dialog boxes to achieve the result shown below.

8. Your 3D model should now appear as shown below:

Note: When using this command, you wi l l be asked at the command l ine to “Select Shape at posit ion to create Sti f feners”. Answer this by cl icking the column shape, not the sloping rafter. This wi l l mean that the logical l ink formed wi l l be the sti f feners to the column (The column structural ly is a more important member than the sloping rafter)


Chapter 07-6

EXERCISE 07-2 ADDING SPLICE CONNECTIONS TO PORTAL FRAMES

In this exercise, you wi l l divide your Portal Frame rafter components and add spl ice connections to your 3D model at Grid D.

1. Use the SET THE CURRENT UCS ACCORDING TO THE SELECTED WORKFRAME button on the Select View dialog box to set your current UCS to be al igned to Grid D. This UCS is control led by your previously created workframe. Remember that in this instance your new UCS is al igned as i f you were working from the outside rear side of your model. Now draw an AutoCAD l ine that runs from the midpoint knee f lange junction on the left hand side of the portal frame, and f inish it perpendicular to the workframe l ine above. Then offset this l ine 400 to the r ight. Use the diagram below to achieve this:

The l ine shown at Step 3 above wi l l be used to divide the rafter into two pieces, and for locating the required Spl ice Connection. Use the AutoCAD mirror command to create two similar l ines at the right hand end of the portal frame.

2. Leave your current UCS set to Grid D. Now we can add the f irst spl ice connection to the right hand rafter. Zoom to the relevant r ight hand rafter area f irst. Now cl ick the Spl ice icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar to invoke the SPLICE command. (You can also f ind this command under the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Spl ice Connections pul ldown (SPLICE DAST).

Fol low the prompts, Select the shape (the r ight sloping rafter), now right c l ick to enter because there is no second shape to connect. When asked for the point at which to divide the shape, osnap to the end point of the previously drawn temporary l ine (i t is the l ine 400 away from the portal knee, and paral lel to the rafter). The rafter is now divided, and the spl ice created, but you wi l l need to alter the values in the ProSteel 3D Spl ice Connection dialog box to the values shown on the fol lowing page:


Chapter 07-7

Your r ight hand rafter should now be shown divided with a 10mm gap, and the completed spl ice should be a canti levered diagonal spl ice consisting of 3 plates (one for seating purposes) and 10 bolts. It should appear as shown below:

Note: You may need to untick and then retick some cel ls to force ProSteel to change the values. The SINGLE SIDE box is a good example in this case.

Note: Check al l welds shown, you may need to erase some welding runs shown around the vertical plates. Weld runs are general ly shown as red arrowed l ines.

If your mitred cut at the rafter / column junction is deleted, just repeat the Mitre Cut command here to repair.


Chapter 07-8

3. Leave your UCS al igned to Gridl ine D and we wi l l now add the second spl ice connection to the left side of the portal frame. Before doing this you wi l l need to re-orientate the direction of the left sloping rafter (This is because the next spl ice connection runs in the opposite direct ion as the previous one). Double cl ick the left sloping rafter. You wi l l be presented with the Shape Properties dialog box. From the Posit ion tab, cl ick the turn button.

This re-orientates the rafter so that i t now runs in the opposite direction.If the cuts to each end of the sloping rafter are corrupted, then delete them from the CUTS tab of the Shape Propertes dialog box, then use the MITRE CUT command to redo them. If the knee joint st i f feners or apex sti f feners rotate off normal, erase them and then replace them using the method described in Exercise.07-1

4. You can now place the second spl ice connection at the left sloping rafter in a similar manner as was done in part 3 of this exercise. Use similar values as before to achieve the fol lowing result, but make sure the vertical plate is shi fted from the left s ide to the r ight side:

5. View your model isometrical ly (as explained in Exercise 03-3, i tem 4) and zoom closer to the Grid D area. The Grid D area of your 3D model should now appear as shown below:

Note: Check al l welds shown, you may need to erase some welding runs shown around the vertical plates. Weld runs are general ly shown as red arrowed l ines.

If your mitred cut at the rafter / column junction is deleted, just repeat the Mitre Cut command here to repair.

Chapter 07-9

Chapter 08-1

Chapter 08 Drilling

In this chapter, you wi l l add Baseplates to columns at Gridl ine B, and create holes in them by dri l l ing.


Add a Baseplate to columns at Gridl ine B.

Dri l l holes through these baseplates, ready for holding down bolts.


ProSteel 3D 17 Dri l l ing

Chapter 08-2

Drilling We can create holes, or patterns of holes, in any shape or plate, to any location, using the ProSteel 3D Dri l l command. The Dri l l icon can be found on the “ProSteel 3D Edit” toolbar, or alternatively the “Dri l l” command can be found under the ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

It is important to note that the current UCS must be paral lel to the plate being dri l led, or the portion of the shape being dri l led, when dri l l ing is used.

Most dri l led holes wi l l have bolts passing through them, so the Dri l l command wi l l al low you to automatical ly place bolts as wel l ( i f needed), via the ProSteel 3D Dri l l dialog box.

To set the UCS current to the object, use one of the fol lowing icon commands:

“Object UCS Centered” and “Object UCS at Point” commands al low for orientation of a new UCS al igned to the Steel Plate or portion of the Steel Shape to be dri l led.

“Face UCS Centred” and “Face UCS at Point” commands commands al ign the users UCS with any Bodyface by select ing and edge.

To set your current view al igned to the object, use one of the fol lowing icon commands:

“Object View Centered” and “Object View at Point” commands al low for the orientation of your current view to be al igned with the Steel Plate or portion of the Steel Shape to be dri l led.

“Faceview Centred” and “Faceview at Point” commands commands al ign the users view with any Bodyface by selecting and edge.

The Object UCS icons, and Object View icons shown above, can be found on the “ProSteel 3D Viewtools” toolbar, or on the “Object UCS” and “Object View” toolbars. Alternatively, al l four commands can be found under the ProSteel 3D – Zoom/Views pul ldown menu.

When using the above commands you are presented with a 6 pointed, 6 colored compass type screen icon. Choose the endpoint, or colored end, which is equal to the face of the plate or portion of the shape to be dri l led.

Dri l l ing ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 08-3

EXERCISE 08-1 DRILLING

In this exercise, you wi l l add a Baseplate to to each of the columns at Gridl ine B, and you wi l l dri l l them each with 4 holes to suit.

1. View your model isometrical ly, and zoom closer to the base of the left column at Gridl ine B.

2. Shorten each of the columns at Gridl ine B by 20mm. Use the “Shortens a Shape by asking for the Value” button, located on the SHAPES tab of the “Element Modif ication” dialog box. When prompted for the Specify Modif ication Length after picking the column, enter a value of 20. Use the “Modify 1” or “Modify 2” icons to get to the “Element Modif ication” dialog box, or choose “Shorten via Offset” from the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pul ldown menu.

3. Create an Endplate as a base plate for each column. Use the values shown below, and ensure that “Without Holes” is t icked for the Dri l l Pattern. You can get to the “ProSteel 3D Endplate Connection” dialog box by picking the Endplate icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or by choosing Endplate from the ProSteel 3D / Connection pul ldown menu.

As there is no Bottom Train or St i f feners to our baseplate, then the BT.Trian, Sti f fener and Sti f feners tabs are not used in this case. On the Group tab, ensure that Create Group, and With Welds cel ls are t icked, and do not t ick any of the Safety cope cel ls. Leave the Assignment tab for the t ime being.

ProSteel 3D 17 Dri l l ing

Chapter 08-4

4. Use one of the “Object UCS” or “Object View” commands to orientate the UCS paral lel to the top face of the baseplate. Remember you are choosing the plate surface where we wi l l be dri l l ing.

or

5. Use the “Dri l l” command to invoke the ProSteel 3D Bolt ing dialog box. Fi l l in the values as shown below, then select the “Insert Holes to an Object” button to execute this pattern.

and then

Now select the Object to be Dri l led as prompted, (the baseplate) and then pick the Insertion Point of the Dri l l Pattern as prompted. In this case use the “PS Shapepoints” object snap option as an insertion point. It can be located on the “ProSteel 3D Osnap” toolbar.

Dri l l ing ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 08-5

Now choose the bottom end/mid point of the column as the insertion point. You wi l l see a yel low asterisk osnap icon showing you have found the mid point. Left cl ick to accept the Osnap point, then cl ick the “OK” button on the dialog box to f inish the “Dri l l” command. You should now have a Baseplate dri l l pattern which looks l ike this:

Dri l l a simi lar pattern at both Grid B column baseplates.

6. More on dri l l ing: The cel ls “Shape/X Dir” and “Cross/Y Dir” in the “Dri l l” dialog box def ine the dri l l hole pattern. The numerical values in front of the * indicate the number of dri l l holes and the spacing of the dri l l holes is specif ied behind the *. If groups of dri l l holes with dif ferent spaces are to be separated from one another, i t is necessary to enter the corresponding value separated by a comma from the dri l l hole groups. Although this sounds a bit complex in theory, the practical appl ication is quite easy. Example below:

Shape/X Dir: 2*60,200,1*,200,3*40 Cross/Y Dir: 2*100

Chapter 08-6

Chapter 09-1

Chapter 09 Groups

In this chapter, you wi l l group parts together ready for the creation of parts l ists.


Group together exist ing components at Gridl ine A.

Group together exist ing components at Gridl ine B.

Group together exist ing components at Gridl ine D.


ProSteel 3D 17 Groups

Chapter 09-2

Groups

We wi l l now perform the massing of interconnected parts into groups. This is especial ly important for the creation of parts l ists and the automatic detai l ing process. When you choose to perform grouping wi l l depend on the complexity of your model, and grouping wi l l quite often be performed more than once.

The Groups toolbar is shown below:

The Administer Groups dialog box is shown below:

ProSteel 3D creates construction groups automatical ly for many straightforward cases. For example, this appl ies for endplates, st i f feners etc. i f the “Create Group” option has been ticked on the appropriate dialog box tab when creating those i tems.

A construct ion group always consists of ONE primary component, and as many secondary components as desired. Groups cannot be nested, which means that a group cannot be a secondary part of another group.

Note also that Group Selection from within ProSteel 3D can be toggled on and off with CTRL+H. This uses the AutoCAD “PICKSTYLE” command. 0 = No Group Selection, 1 = Group Selection.

Groups ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 09-3

EXERCISE 09-1 GROUPS

In this exercise, you wi l l check al l current groups within your 3D model, and add to, or create new groups as necessary.

1. View your model isometrical ly (as explained in Exercise 03-3, i tem 4)

2. Use the “Group” command by choosing the “Group” icon from the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar or Group toolbar, or choose “Dialog” from the ProSteel 3D / Groups pul ldown menu.

You are now presented with the “Administer Groups” dialog box. Cl ick on the “Check Groups” button, located on the Veri fy tab. Ensure that “Mark Orphans” is t icked on. Al l parts belonging to a group in your current 3D model are now temporari ly hidden. The remaining displayed parts are the component parts NOT belonging to a group. The remaining parts at this stage of our model ing, should be the 4 cleats / shear plates related to our bracing at Gridl ine A. There should be one shear plate per end of each brace. They may be highl ighted in a cyan color. (This depends on your ProSteel Options) There may also be some odd welding runs which have not yet been grouped automatical ly.

3. The hidden component parts become visible again after selecting the “ProSteel 3D Regen” icon, located on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or the Display Classes toolbar. Holding down the ALT key whi le selecting the “ProSteel 3D Regen” icon wi l l leave orphans highl ighted in an alternative colour unti l they are added to a construction group using the “Add to Group” button on the “ProSteel 3D Group Manager” dialog box.

4. Choose the “Add Elements” button on the Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box to add the top two bracing cleats at Gridl ine A and their bolts to the exist ing group which has the 250UB31 beam as its primary part. Fol low the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command l ine area.

5. Choose the “Add Elements” button on the “Administer Groups” dialog box to add the bottom left bracing cleat at Gridl ine A and its bolts to the exist ing group which has the left 200UB30 column as i ts primary part. Fol low the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command l ine area.

6. Choose the “Add Elements” button on the “Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box to add the bottom right bracing cleat at Gridl ine A and i ts bolts to the existing group which has the right 200UB30 column as its pr imary part. Fol low the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command l ine area.

7. Choose the “Release” button on the Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box to explode the top left side 310UB40 rafter beam Group on Gridl ine D into i ts individual components. This needs to be done before trying to add these components to the top r ight side 310UB40 rafter beam group, because as explained earl ier in this chapter, any group can only contain ONE primary part.

ProSteel 3D 17 Groups

Chapter 09-4

8. Choose the “Add Element” button on the Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box add to al l of the previous top left s ide 310UB40 rafter beam components on Gridl ine D to the exist ing top right side 310UB40 rafter beam group. Be sure to include al l relevant plates and bolts when doing this. Fol low the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command l ine area.

9. Choose the “Release” button on the Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box to explode the bottom left side 310UB40 rafter beam Group on Gridl ine D (the knee extension) into its individual components. This needs to be done before trying to add these components to the left column group, because as explained on page 08-6, any group can only contain ONE primary part.

10. Choose the “Add Element” button on the Admin tab of the “Administer Groups” dialog box add al l of the previous knee extension components on Gridl ine D to the exist ing left side column group. Be sure to include al l relevant plates and bolts when doing this. Fol low the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command l ine area.

11. Repeat step 9, but for the r ight hand portal frame column and knee.

12. Repeat step 10, but for the r ight hand portal frame column and knee.

13. After completing this amount of Grouping, unGrouping and reGrouping, you can check whether al l desired components have been correctly assigned to a group by using the “Hide Group” command for individual groups, or “Check Groups” as previously explained. The “Hide Group” command icon is located on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or the Display Classes toolbar.

14. You can also enquire as to the parts of any group, by double cl icking any group component. When the Shape Propert ies dialog box appears, go to the Group tab, and you wi l l now see that al l group components are now highl ighted in di f ferent colours, yel low for the main group component, magenta for al l other sub components. After cl icking OK on the dialog box, the components wi l l revert back to their original colours. Try double cl icking some of your groups to see how this method of checking groups works.

15. All component parts should now be combined in construction groups as i l lustrated in the drawing below. The bracing bars are maintained as individual parts.

Groups ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 09-5

Chapter 09-6

Chapter 10-1


In this chapter, you wi l l complete 3D model ing between Gridl ine A and Gridl ine D of your sample model.


Delete part of your model at Grid B.

Copy Grid D portal frame to Grids B and C.

Add 3 transverse beams between Grids A and B.

Learn to use Col l is ion Detection

Add shear plate connections to ends of beams.



Chapter 10-2

EXERCISE 10-1 DELETING, COPYING AND ADDING PARTS

In this exercise, you wi l l delete exist ing parts at Gridl ine B, you wi l l copy the exist ing portal frame from Gridl ine D, to Gridl ines B and C, and you wi l l add some transverse beams between Gridl ines A and B. You also add some new components back at Gridl ine D

1. View your model isometrical ly (as explained previously).

2. Now delete al l components at Gridl ine B, except the 250UB31 beam.Use the AutoCAD ERASE command to do this. Select most objects with the window selection method. Note that when you erase al l plates, bolts etc from this grid, that there wi l l no longer be any logical l inks associated with the beam. But cuts may remain at the ends of the beam. Double cl ick the beam to invoke the Shape Properties dialog box, and i f there is a CUTS tab, you wi l l see that there are 2 cuts. You can use the Arrow buttons to highl ight cuts one at a t ime, and then use the “Deletes the Actual Cut” button to delete them one at a t ime.

3. Copy the Portal frame and al l of i ts components at Gridl ine D, to produce 2 addit ional portal frames located at Gridl ines B and C. Use the workframe endpoints as your points of reference when copying. Use AutoCads standard COPY command. Also copy the horizontal 250UB31 beam at Gridl ine B back to Gridl ine D using simi lar reference and posit ioning points.

4. Now adjust the length of the 250UB31 beam at Gridl ines B and D. Use “Grips” to drag the beam shape end point back to being perpendicular to the appropriate column f lange face. Do this for both ends of both horizontal beams.

5. Add an end plate connection to each end of your 250UB31 beams at Grids B and D where they meet the portal frame columns. Use the fol lowing values:


Chapter 10-3

6. Now draw a temporary l ine from the midpoint of the top f lange of the 250UB31 beam at Gridl ine A, to the midpoint of the top f lange of the 250UB31 beam at Gridl ine B. Use the midpoint of the top workframe l ines at these grids as reference points, as they are easy to f ind. These temporary l ines can remain on Layer 0 i f that is your default drawing layer.

7. Create a 200UB30 beam along the temporary l ine drawn in the previous step. Al ign the top midpoint of the 200UB30 shape with the temporary l ine. The ends wi l l c lash with the 250UB beams in the other direct ion, but we wi l l deal with this later.

8. Create 2 more 200UB30 beams at the same height, this t ime along Gridl ines 1 and 2. (Between the members at Gridl ines A and B) These beams wi l l be 4000 long. Al ign the top outside edge of the top f lange of these members with the workframe l ines already created. The ends wi l l c lash with the columns at each end. We wi l l sort this out in the next exercise.

9. Now draw a temporary l ine from the midpoint of Gridl ine D workframe l ine, at Ground Level, to the midpoint workframe l ine above. (Remember the l ine above is used as the setout point of the 250UB beam). This vertical l ine wi l l be used to place a vertical column. (See the next page f irst)


Chapter 10-4

Note: You may wish to use the Isometric Overview 3 button before placing this l ine. This wi l l give you a view of your model from the rear left corner of the structure, along easier placement of new components.

10. Create an 89x6.0 SHS column on the temporary l ine drawn in step 9. Use the centrepoint of the SHS shape as the setout point when placing the shape. Notice now that the SHS column clashes with the existing beam at the top end. Shorten the column at the top by the same method as the beams were shortened in step 4 of this exercise.

11. Now add a baseplate to the bottom of the SHS column, use the values as shown below when using the Baseplate acc DSTV command:

12. As in previous exercises, i t may be worth changing the holes in the baseplate created in the previous step to real holes so that they can be seen when the model is shaded (they do not need to be real holes for detai l ing purposes). Change the holes to real holes via the Shape Propert ies dialog box, Layout tab.

Note: Welding runs can be deleted or copied as necessary here to create a weld run for each side of the SHS

The Data and Dowels tabs of the ProSteel 3D DSTV Baseplate dialog box are not important for us in this instance only, as we are using Tie Bolt symbols only.


Chapter 10-5

13. Now we need to add an endplate and sti f fener as a connection at the top of the SHS column. Zoom to this area, and then cl ick the Endplate command icon. (or you could use the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Endplates / Endplates Normal pul ldown menu. Cl ick the SHS as the Shape to Connect, then the beam as the Support shape, and when you are presented with the ProSteel 3D Endplate Connection dialog box, f i l l out the values as shown below:

Note: A sti f fener plate cannot be created automatical ly above the post with this dialog box, because the SHS column has no f langes. So the Sti f fener, Sti f feners and Bt. Train tabs are not appl icable here.

Welding runs can be deleted or copied as necessary here to create a weld run for each side of the SHS


Chapter 10-6

14. The st i f fener plates need to be added above the endplate in a manual method. Choose the Sti f fener icon, or use could use the ProSteel 3D / Addit ions / Sti f feners pul ldown menu. When prompted for the Shape to Create Sti f feners, pick the 250UB beam, and when prompted for an insert ion point, osnap to the end of the temporary vertical l ine used for placing the column. When the Sti f fener dialog box appears, f i l l in the values as shown below:

15.

16. Now view your model isometrical ly from the original viewing point. Use the Isometric Overview 1 button to achieve this. This button may be hidden under another of the Isometric Overview buttons (the ones with the airplanes on them). You model should now look l ike that shown below:

Note: The values in the Options tab do not need to be altered in this case, as the sti f feners are not on an angle, and we wi l l not change any Assignment values this t ime.


Chapter 10-7

EXERCISE 10-2 COLLISION DETECTION, AND SHEARPLATES

In this exercise, you wi l l check for col l is ion of beams at Gridl ines A and B. You wi l l also create more shear plate end connections where needed.

1. View your model isometrical ly and zoom into the Gridl ine A and B area.

2. Col l is ion detection can be carried out at this point on the 3 new beams created in exercise 10-1, and you wi l l notice that the new beams clash with the columns and beams on Gridl ines A and B.

The “Col l is ion Detection” command icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar, and on the ProSteel 3D Col l is ion Detection toolbar, or choose “Col l is ion Detection” from the ProSteel 3D / Addit ions pul ldown menu. Zoom to each end of each of the three 200UB30 beams, and execute “Col l is ion Detection”. Pick the objects concerned (use a crossing selection window), and when you see the appl icable Col l is ion Detection dialog box, leave the Col l is ion Body Volume as 500mm3. Now cl ick the “Lets You Select parts to Check for any Col l is ions” button on the dialog box

The “Lets You Select parts to Check for any Col l is ions” button

The col l iding members wi l l be greyed out, and the col l is ion volume highl ighted in another colour, probably magenta. The result ing col l is ion volume is normal ly deleted, but because i t is created on a separate layer (PS_CRASH) this layer can be turned off when needed. If you wish to completely erase al l or any of the col l is ion bodies, cl ick the “Deletes al l exit ing Col l is ion Bodies” button on the dialog box.

The “Deletes al l exit ing Col l is ion Bodies” button.

If necessary, you can reinstate the original shape colours after executing Col l is ion detection by using the PS_REGEN command. “ProSteel 3D Regen” is explained in Exercise 08-2, part 3.

3. Now add shearplate connections to both ends of the central transverse beam in the platform area of the model. Use the values shown in the dialog box shown on the next page. After picking the 200UB30 as the shape to connect, choose the 250UB31 beam as the support shape.

Use the “SchearPlate” icon, located on the “ProSteel 3D Elements” toolbar, or choose Schearplates from the ProSteel 3D / Connection /Schearplates pul ldown menu.


Chapter 10-8

You may need to force shearplates to left or r ight sides of the beam web to al low for site erection, via the Posit ion Selection drop down l ist on the Shape tab. Take note also that the Gap value (on the Shape tab) general ly needs to be calculated before using this command, especial ly in this s ituation where the gap is from a web, not a face of member.


Chapter 10-9

4. Now add shear plate connections to each of the remaining 200UB30 beam ends. Use the same values as shown in the dialog box at step 4 above. The dialog box wi l l have correct values already set, i f i t has not had values change since that step, but you wi l l need to Change the “Gap” value to 95. Use the sequence as indicated at step 4. After picking the 200UB30 as the shape to connect, you then choose the portal frame column at Gridl ine B, or the 200UB30 column at Gridl ine A as the support shape.

At Grid A column At Grid B column Again, whi le placing shearplate connections to both ends of beams, you may need to force the shearplates to the left or r ight sides of the beam web to al low for site erection, via the Posit ion Selection drop down l ist on the Shape tab on the ProSteel 3D Shearplate Connections dialog box.


Chapter 10-10

Chapter 10-11

Chapter 12-1

Chapter 12 Center of Gravity

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how to ascertain the weight center of individual parts or construct ion groups.


Learn how use the Center of Gravity command.


ProSteel 3D 16.5 Center o f Grav i ty

Chapter 12-2

EXERCISE 12-1 DETERMINING CENTER OF GRAVITY

In this exercise you wi l l learn to use the “Center of Gravity” command.

1. View your model isometrical ly as explained previously and zoom into the Gridl ine D area.

2. Use the “Center of Gravity” command to ascertain the weight center of one or several picked objects.

The “Center of Gravity” command icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar, and the ProSteel 3D Col l is ion Detection toolbar, or choose “Center of Gravity” from the ProSteel 3D / Addit ions pul ldown menu. The center of gravity of components is marked graphical ly by an “info” bubble or sphere. The co-ordinates can be read in reference to the UCS. The spheres can be deleted after use, or because they are created on a separate layer, this layer can be frozen or turned off i f not needed.

3. Use the Display Classes feature as described in Exercise 11-1 to temporari ly hide al l components of your model except those at Gridl ine D.

4. Determine the weight center of the complete portal frame, and of the individual components, as indicated below. (Display al l classes when f inished)

Chapter 12-3

Chapter 13-1


In this chapter, you wi l l complete 3D model ing between Gridl ine A and Gridl ine D of your sample model.


Remove the spl ice connections at Gridl ine C.

Change the size of columns and rafters at Gridl ine C.

Add new spl ice connections at Gridl ine C.



Chapter 13-2

EXERCISE 13-1 DELETING CONNECTIONS & LOGICAL LINKS

In this exercise, you wi l l delete existing spl ice connections at Gridl ine C, and delete dri l l holes and cuts associated with those connections. This is so that we can change the size of the column and rafter members without being constrained by the current spl ice connection.

1. View your model isometrical ly (as explained on previously).

2. Hide al l parts, except parts on Gridl ine C. This makes i t easier to see al l the components that we wi l l be deal ing with in this exercise only. To hide those parts, cl ick the “Hide Except Group” button, found on the Display Classes toolbar, and then cl ick the 3 groups drawn on Gridl ine C (2 kinked legs, and one kinked rafter)

This is the “Hide Except Group” button.

3. Now erase al l parts associated with the left side spl ice connection by using a standard AutoCAD window selection method. Ensure that you include al l relevant plates, bolts and welds. Now erase al l of the similar components at the right s ide spl ice connection. You wi l l not ice that al l four rafter components sti l l have bolt holes. The AutoCAD erase command wi l l not remove bolt holes as they are not separate enti t ies.

4. To remove bolt holes from the columns and rafters at Gridl ine C, we need to use the holes tab on the Shape Propert ies dialog box. Double cl ick the top lefthand side 310UB40 rafter to invoke the Shape Properties dialog box. From the holes tab, you wi l l see that there are 2 holef ields, one containing 4 holes, the other containing 2 holes. You can toggle between the selection of each holef ield via the arrow buttons at the bottom of this dialog box. Cl ick the “Removes the Actual Holef ield from the Element” button for each selected holef ield. You wi l l instantly see them disappear from the rafter.

This is the “Removes the Actual Holef ield from the Element” button.

5. Repeat delet ing holef ields for the top r ighthand side 310UB 40 rafters, and for both portal knee projections, also 310UB40’s. You should now be left with portal frame rafters with have no holes at al l , only sti f feners at joints, and a 10mm gap at the previous spl ice location.

6. Delete the logical l inks to the previous spl ice connection locations. Double cl ick the each longer rafter at Gridl ine C, and from the LogLinks tab of the Shape Properties dialog box, use the arrow buttons to f ind the Connecting Shape logical l inks, and delete them. Cl ick the “Removes the Actual Logical L ink and Al l Parts Belonging to It” button to delete them.

This is the “Removes the Actual Logical Link and Al l Parts Belonging to It” button

Now double cl ick each shorter rafter at Gridl ine C, and from the LogLinks tab of the Shape Properties dialog box use the arrow buttons to f ind the Spl ice Connection logical l inks, and delete them.


Chapter 13-3

EXERCISE 13-2 CHANGING EXISTING SHAPE SIZES

In this exercise, you wi l l change the size of the existing columns and rafters at Gridl ine C from 310UB40’s to 200UB30’s. This wi l l ready us for inserting new spl ice connections.

1. View your model isometrical ly and zoom into the Gridl ine C area.

2. Double cl ick the left side column, and from the Shape Properties dialog box, use the Shape Type tab to change the Shape Size from 310UB40 to 200UB30. This wi l l leave a messy portal knee connection at the top of this column, but i t wi l l be r ighted when the portal knee rafter size is changed.

3. Double cl ick the right side column and change it also from a 310UB40 to a 200UB30. The column baseplates wi l l also need changing in size. We wi l l do this after changing the rafter sizes.

4. Now double cl ick ( in turn) each 310UB40 rafter and change to 200UB30 rafters, al l exist ing knee joint and apex joint connections with sti f feners should be altered correctly once al l of these members are changed.

5. Now zoom to the left column baseplate area at Gridl ine C. Cl ick the baseplate once to highl ight i t, and then right cl ick to envoke the right cl ick menu. From that menu choose “PS3D Change Connection” to change the plate size to 300 x 300, and the bolt spacings to 150 x 100. Also change the plate thickness to 12mm. You may also wish to display the bolt holes as Real Holes.

6. Change the baseplate size and values to the right column as for step 5. Your Gridl ine C portal frame is now ready for new spl ice connections.


Chapter 13-4

EXERCISE 13-3 ADDING NEW SPLICE CONNECTIONS

In this exercise, you wi l l add new spl ice connections to the changed rafters at Gridl ine C.

1. View your model isometrical ly and zoom into the Gridl ine C area. Leave your UCS set to world.

2. Click the SPLICE icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar to invoke the spl ice command and fol low the prompts. Select the two right sloping rafters, short segment and then long segment. Remember that there is already a 10mm break between them. The spl ice connection wi l l be instantly created but you wi l l need to adjust the values within the Spl ice Connection dialog box to match those shown below:

(Note: If your spl ice connection orientation is 180 degrees to what you would expect, you may need to re-orientate your rafter. See Exercise 7-2 step 4 to change the direction of the rafter i f needed)


Chapter 13-5

You may need to untick and then re-tick the SINGLE SIDE box in the above dialog to force the diagonal spl ice. You should also check al l welds for any unwanted welding runs.

3. Repeat the Spl ice command at the two left sloping rafters. Pick the short rafter f i rst, then the longer rafter. When presented with the ProSteel 3D Spl ice Connection dialog box, repeat the values as shown on the previous page, but you may need to change the vert ical plate from the r ight side, to the left side. This can be done on the Layout tab of the “ProSteel 3D Spl ice Connection” dialog box. Aagin you wi l l need to check for redundant welding runs.

4. Check that al l bolts are GROUPED correctly. If not use some of the Group tools to ungroup fromsome assemblies, and Group to the correct assemblies.

5. Your portal is now complete, turn on al l Display Classes, view your complete model isometrical ly, and save to hard disk.


Chapter 13-6

Chapter 13-7

Chapter 14-1

Chapter 14 Structural Element – Purlin Course

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how to quickly create mult iple instances of structural shapes over a regular pattern, such as roof purl in layouts, and f loor joist layouts. After placing the purl in courses, we can edit the individual members for end connections.


Add a roof Purl in Course to the Portal Frames between Gridl ines B and D.

Add f loor joists to the platform area between Gridl ines A and B using the Purl in Course feature.


ProSteel 3D 17 Structural E lement – Pur l in Course

Chapter 14-2

EXERCISE 14-1 PURLIN COURSE AT ROOF

The Purl in Course feature is normal ly used for the layout of purl ins and girts. But this feature of ProSteel 3D can also be used to quickly create multiple instances of structural shapes over a regular pattern, such as in our case, the platform f loor joists.

The Purl in Course command icon is found on the “ProSteel 3D Elements” toolbar, or on the “ProSteel 3D Structural Objects” toolbar menu.

Yel low structural system l ines wi l l be created when forming a Purl in Course. If Draw Diagonal is t icked on the ProSteel 3D Purl in dialog box, the structural element l ines are easier to f ind. The propert ies of the structural element can be loaded and edited subsequently by selecting the blue l ines. Furthermore, the dimensions of the purl in course can be changed as wel l by cl icking i ts grips.

In this exercise you wi l l add a purl in course to the portal frame area of your current 3D model.

1. Hide some Classes such that only the beams and main columns at Gridl ines B, C and D are displayed. This wi l l make the roof area easier to work on.

2. Since the al ignment of the Purl in Course members is always paral lel to the x-axis of the current UCS, and our roof is on a slope, the next step consists of correctly posit ioning the UCS.

Create a new AutoCAD UCS (User Co-ordinate System) where the x direction is al igned to the Gridl ine 2 side of the roof, and the y-direction is al igned to the top of the right sloping portal frame rafter at Gridl ineB.

Use the ends of the sloping portal frame workframe l ines as reference points when creating the new UCS, and when prompted for Purl in Course setout points. Use the UCS 3-point method to choose 3 reference points. The 3 point UCS icon can be found on the AutoCAD UCS Toolbar. Or you could choose 3 Point from the AutoCAD Tools/New UCS pul ldown menu.

Your new origin wi l l be at the Grid B, Grid 2, knee intersection, for new x-direction osnap to the Grid D, Grid 2, knee intersect ion and for the new y-direct ion osnap to the Grid B apex point.

3. Now choose the Purl in Course command, and fol low the prompts to pick 2 diagonal ly opposite points to def ine the rectangular area for the Purl in Course. Those 2 points are at the previously chosen new UCS origin on Gridl ine B, and at the apex point back on gridl ine D.

You wi l l now be presented with the ProSteel 3D Purl in dialog box. Fi l l in the dialog box values as shown on the next page:

Structural Element – Pur l in Course ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 14-3

4. We wil l need to break the purl ins at the middle portal frame, and add purl in c leats to al l portal frames, but we wi l l do this at a later stage. For the t ime being, create a new UCS on the other side of the roof, al igned with Gridl ine1, and place some more purl ins using the Purl in Course command. Use similar values within the dialog box, as used in step 3 of this exercise. (If you wish you can choose to mirror the new purl ins and their associated structural elements (system l ines) from the Gridl ine2 side of the roof, to the Gridl ine1 side, but you wi l l need to check that you have achieved the wanted result. Your UCS in this case wi l l need to be set to World)


Chapter 14-4

EXERCISE 14-2 PURLIN COURSE AT PLATFORM LEVEL

In this exercise you wi l l add a grid of joists to the platform area of your current 3D model.

1. Turn on al l previously hidden classes, and turn off others such that only the platform area columns and beams between Grids A and B are displayed. It may pay to assign al l currently drawn roof purl ins to the Purl ins class beforehand.

2. View the GridA to GridB platform area of your model isometrical ly.

3. Create a new UCS which is at the platform level of your model, and al igned so that the x-direction is along Gridl ineA, and the y-direction is along Gridl ine1. Use the original workframe l ines created back at the beginning of our 3D model, as reference points for the new UCS, and when prompted for Purl in Course setout points. Remember that these l ines are al igned to the top face of al l beams at this platform level.

4. Choose the Purl in Course command, and fol low the prompts to pick 2 diagonal ly opposite points to def ine the rectangular area for the Purl in Course. Those 2 points are at the previously chosen new UCS origin on Gridl ine A, and at the diagonal ly opposite point back on gridl ine B. Now f i l l in the dialog box values as shown below:

Structural Element – Pur l in Course ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 14-5

5. Now turn on al l Display Classes and assign the 3 new platform beams and their blue system l ines to the Joists class. We wi l l divide the new beams, and add end plates in the next chapter. You could also assign al l previously created roof purl ins and their blue system l ines to the Roof display class. Your ProSteel 3D model should now look l ike this:


Chapter 14-6

Chapter 14-7

Chapter 15-1

Chapter 15 Dividing Joists and Purlins

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how to divide structural shapes such as joists and purl ins at supporting members, and you wi l l add some more shear plate connections to each end.


Divide the platform f loor joists into shorter segments and add shear plate connections to each end.

Divide the portal frame area roof purl ins into shorter lengths, and add purl in cleat connections.


ProSteel 3D 17 Dividing Jois ts and Pur l ins

Chapter 15-2

EXERCISE 15-1 DIVIDING SHAPES AND ADDING SHEAR CONNECTIONS

In this exercise you wi l l divide the platform f loor joists at the central support beam, and add shear plate connections to their supporting members. You wi l l a lso divide the roof purl ins at Gridl ine C, and add f ix ing cleats at al l purl in to rafter locat ions on Gridl ines B, C and D.

1. View your model isometrical ly and zoom into the platform area between Gridl ine A and B.

2. The 150UB18 f loor joists need to be broken or divided at the 200UB30 central support beam. To do this, choose the “Divide One Object in Two Independent Ones” button on the Common tab of the Element Modif ication dialog box. But set the Distance value below the button to 15 before choosing the Divide button.

and then When prompted to select the shapes to divide, pick al l 3 f loor joists. When prompted for a dividing point, choose the l ine option, and then pick the setout l ine which was used to create the 200UB central support beam. (You may need to zoom in much closer to choose this l ine). The joists are now broken, and the new gap between the ends is 30mm (2 x 15). The ends can now be connected with shearplates.

3. Now add shear plate connections to each end of al l 150UB18 f loor joists. Pick the SchearPlates icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar,

or choose Schearplates from the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Schearplates pul ldown menu. Pick the steel shapes as prompted, and f i l l in the values as shown below when the ProSteel 3D Shear Plate Connection dialog box is presented.

Dividing Joists and Pur l ins ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 15-3

The shear plate connection is automatical ly generated. Add shearplates to al l joist ends. Adjust the for Left or Right s ide posit ion on the shapes tab of this dialog box when adding Shear Plate Connections so that the 2 plates to each beam are both on the same side of the beam web. This is for erect ion purposes.

4. The Z15012 roof purl ins need to be broken or divided at the central Portal Frame at Gridl ine C. To do this, choose the “Divide One Object in Two Independent Ones” button on the Common tab of the Element Modif ication dialog box. But set the Distance value below the button to 3 before choosing the Divide button.

and then (Ensure that you are zoomed to the Gridl ine C portal frame roof area before continuing any further) When prompted to select the shapes to divide, pick al l 6 roof purl ins. When prompted for a dividing point, pick a workframe l ine end point nearest the portal frame knee. You may f ind that you cannot pick the workframe apex point. The purl ins are now broken, and the new gap between the ends is 6mm (2 x 3).

5. We wil l now connect the purl in ends to the top of the raking portal frame members with cleats and bolts. Before doing this, delete the purl in group system l ines. There are two sets of system l ines, one for each side of the roof, they are the blue l ines with diagonals. Now choose the Purl in Connection icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar.

The Purl in Connection command wi l l ask you to choose purl ins to connect, and the members that they wi l l connect to. Pick the twelve purl in ends nearest Gridl ine C, and then pick the portal frame rafters at the same gridl ine as the supporting members. Remember there are 4 portal frame rafters, 2 long lengths, and 2 short lengths at knees. You are now presented with the ProSteel 3D Purl in Connection dialog box. Pick the Purl in Cleat tab, then f i l l out the values as shown in the next dialog box. (Note that the Bolt ing tab, Purl in Shoe tab and the Purl in Shape tab are not used in this instance, as these are di f ferent types of purl in connections not normal ly used in New Zealand.

ProSteel 3D 17 Dividing Jois ts and Pur l ins

Chapter 15-4

Six purl in c leats with bolts and f i l let welds should now be added to the portal frame at Gridl ine C. If you are happy with the results, c l ick the OK button to accept them.

6. Repeat the procedure in step 5, but this t ime for the 6 purl ins and 4 portal frame rafters at Gridl ine D. When you are at the Purl in Connection dialog box, pick the cleat tab. The values from last t ime you used this command are sti l l retained. Some of them need to be changed, as we are using single purl in cleats here, not double url in cleats. Change the LENGTH value from 150 to 80. Change the W3 value from 90 to 0, and this wi l l produce one column of 2 bolts, not 2 columns of 2 bolts. Cl ick the OK button, and six purl in cleats with bolts and f i l let welds should now be added to the portal frame at Grid D.

7. Repeat the procedure in step 6, but this t ime for the 6 purl in ends which connect to the portal frame rafters at Gridl ine B. Choose OK, and six purl in c leats with bolts and f i l let welds should now be added to the portal frame at Grid B.

8. The bulk of our 3D model ing is now complete. Save your drawing to disk, we wi l l add some stairs and handrai ls in the next chapter. We wi l l then add some concrete parts after that. We can then start creating parts l ists, and detai l ing parts.

Chapter 15-5

Chapter 16-1

Chapter 16 Structural Elements – Stairs & Handrails

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how to quickly add a steel staircase, and some handrai l ing around the platform area of your 3D model.


Use the Structural Element – Stairs command to add a staircase to the side of the platform area.

Use the Structural Element – Handrai ls command to add some handrai l ing around the perimeter of the platform area.

Learn how to adopt dr i l l patterns to supporting members, and add bolts when needed.


ProSteel 3D 17 Structural E lements – Sta i rs & Handra i ls

Chapter 16 -2

EXERCISE 16-1 ADDING A STAIRCASE

A Staircase is to be created on the right s ide of the platform structure. In this exercise we wi l l use another structural element, the Staircase. The structural element bounding box (the yel low system l ines) may be deleted and the staircase can then be altered to your individual needs.

In the example used in this exercise, we wi l l need to add a supporting beam and column at the Gridl ine B end of the stair.

1. Add a 200UB29.8 support beam to the Portal Frame column at the Gridl ine B, Gridl ine 2 intersect ion. Use the dimension shown in the diagram below, and ensure that the top surface of the new beam matches the top surface level of the current beams around the platform area. Use an appropriate grouping command to group the new beam to the column on Gridl ine B.

2. Zoom in or out of the 3D model unti l you can see al l of the Grid A to Grid B platform area. Then select the Stairs command icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects toolbar.

The Stairs command wi l l prompt you to Pick a Startpoint for the Stairs. Choose the absolute co-ordinate point 4925,-1000,0 as the start point for the stairs. When prompted for the stair direction, choose a point towards the rear of the platform. Ensure ortho is set to on when choosing this point.

3. When using the Stair command, a staircase is created using the last entered dimensions. In the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box, change the values to those as shown on the six tabs below:

Note: Not al l values need to be input in the cel ls of the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box. Some values wi l l be set automatical ly. For instance, the Riser and Going values may be automatical ly input because of values already set for Length, Height, Riser Count and Angle.

Structural Elements – Sta i rs & Handra i ls ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 16 -3

Note: Handrai l sett ings are best managed by the use of Templates. As you wi l l see via the diagram at left, the Handrai l sett ings have been stored and recal led via the “Stair-Handrai ls” template.

Note: Bolts used for Handrai l Stringers and Treads in this instance are 4.6/S bolts. If you cannot f ind these on the dropdown l ist avai lable in the Shapes tab, then you wi l l need to “add the bolt style def init ion” using the button on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box (BOLTING command).


Chapter 16 -4

4. The handrai ls are automatical ly drawn along with the stairs, because the handrai ls tab on the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box has values set which request the handrai ls.

5. Cl ick the “Enables to Edit the settings for the Handrai ls” button on the Handrai ls tab of the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box, and set the fol lowing values:

Note: Use the fol lowing Shape values:

Handrai l = 42.2x3.2 CHS

Posts = 48.3x3.2 CHS

Upper Rai l = 33.7x3.2 CHS

Mid Rai l (not used)

Lower Rai l (not used)

Kick Plate= 100x8 FLAT

Fi l l ing Rods (not used)


Chapter 16 -5

6. You can now delete some of the handrai l posts and rai ls at the top inside of the stairs, so that someone using the stairs can get access to the platform area.

Make sure that i f you erase some posts, that you erase the appropriate post baseplate at the same time. You wi l l be left with some holes in the top side of the stair str ingers. You can remove the holes by zooming to the str inger, highl ighting the str inger by picking i t, and choosing PS3D Properties from the right cl ick mouse button menu.

You are now presented with the Shape Properties dialog box, go to the Holes tab on that dialog box, highl ight the appropriate hole using the arrow buttons on the bottom of the Holes tab, then hit the Delete button on the Holes tab. (Note the acquired holes wi l l show as red holes, other holes on the same shape wi l l show as white whi le on the holes tab) The holes can be deleted l ike this, one hole at a t ime per shape.

7. The stair str ingers need to be connected to the 200UB30 support beam that we created at step 1 of this exercise.

Choose the Schearplate command icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, fol low the prompts to choose the stringer shape and i ts support shape then set the values as shown below. This needs to be done for each


Chapter 16 -6

str inger. See the dialog box on the next page for the relevant values.

8. Now check each stair handrai l post baseplate. These may need to be shortened or adjusted for size, some bolts may need to be added or deleted, and some holes may need to be dri l led or deleted. Use the commands you have learnt up to this stage to achieve this.

9. If you wish to you can add a support post under the end of stair support beam. Use a 75x5.0 SHS shape as the post. The post should be seated 150mm back from the outside end of the 200UB29 support beam. Add a 300 x 150 x 20mm thick baseplate to the post, with two 28mm dia holes at 150 crs, for two M24 tie bolts, and al low for 40mm grout under. Add a top connection to the underside of the 200UB29 support beam. Use an endplate connection with the fol lowing values. 240 x 140 x 12mm thick endplate, dri l l both parts for four M168.8/S bolts. Bolt spacing to be 70 x 150mm. Now check al l of the members related to the stair, and adjust them if necessary. You may wish to shade your model and view from many angles using AutoCADs 3D Orbit feature. Save your 3D model to your hard disk.


Chapter 16 -7

EXERCISE 16-2 ADDING SOME HANDRAILS

The platform structure of your 3D model needs a handrai l structure around the perimeter. For just this type of si tuation, ProSteel 3D offers the Structural Element – Handrai l , a handy tool for quickly creating the skeletal structure of handrai ls.

An AutoCAD polyl ine is the foundation of every ProSteel 3D handrai l . This l ine can reside on a single f lat plane (UCS) as wel l as spatial ly (3D) across di f ferent UCS’s. A handrai l can thus be constructed easi ly and without problems across several planes.

A Handrai l is generated in a simi lar manner as for the purl in course. Dimensions and appearance of the handrai l can be changed either by pul l ing on the grips on screen or by altering the values of parameters in the Handrai l dialog box. Al l Handrai l objects can be individual ly entered into the parts l ist and detai led.

1. Check that al l recently added parts have an assigned Display Class and Area Class. Then turn off some Display Classes and Area Classes such that only the Zone1 area only of your model is showing.

2. View the Zone1 platform area of your model isometrical ly.

3. Create a polyl ine located 50mm offset from the top outside edge of the platform members. Draw the polyl ine on a layer which can be frozen off at a later stage. (The Prosteel 3D Layers cal led PS_Object and PS_Frame contain workframe l ines and object layout l ines which are normal ly frozen off before presenting the 3D model for presentation purposes, or before printing). Use dimensions as shown on the diagram on the next page when creating the polyl ine:

4. Ensure that the PS_Object layer is on and thawed before drawing handrai ls.

Choose the Handrai l command from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects toolbar. Pick the polyl ine drawn at step 3, and the handrai l system wil l automatical ly be drawn, and the ProSteel 3D Handrai l dialog box is displayed. The values should be as for those used in Exercise 16-1 (Adding a Staircase). Change only the values as shown below.If the handrai l needs to be further modif ied from the results presented, then the yel low structural system l ines should be deleted, and then modif ications carried out.

Note: The polyl ine as shown for handrai l setout is 50mm back from the outside top f lange edge of the beams to each side of the platform area.


Chapter 16 -8

5. The handrai l post baseplates need to bolted to the platform. A pre-requisite for the bolt ing to work, is that dr i l l holes must exist in both component parts. If component parts are located directly on top of each other, then there is no need to def ine a dri l l hole pattern, as the dri l l hole pattern can be mirrored to any adjacent part. The button to execute this command is located in the “Dri l l” dialog box and is labeled “Adopt”.

and then View the handrai l you have drawn isometrical ly, and zoom into a handrai l post baseplate. Open the “Dri l l” dialog box at the Dimensions tab and select the “Takeover Dri l ls of Selected Objects to Other selected Objects” button, pick the baseplate of the handrai l posts f i rst, and press “Enter”. Now select the shape underneath (upper f lange only) which is going to have the hole pattern mirrored to i t , and press “Enter” and then pick “OK” on the open Dri l l dialog box. Do this for each set of handrai l post.

Note that some holes wi l l interfere with the sti f feners at the top of columns to Grid A. Delete these holes. You wi l l need to use the Release button before select ing and delet ing. These buttons are on the Holes tab on the Shape Propert ies dialog box.

6. Most of the plate connections created up to now have offered the option of adding bolts automatical ly. However, in the handrai l case, no bolts can be placed automatical ly. For this situation, manual bolt ing can be used. With manual bolt ing, ProSteel 3D can check the selected component parts for concentric holes of the same diameter and i f the calculated bolt length corresponds with the avai lable bolt length as l isted in the bolt database table, a bolt wi l l be inserted. Bolt propert ies can be viewed l ike any other ProSteel 3D object. Just r ight cl ick the object, choose PS3D Properties from the contecxt sensit ive r ight cl ick menu, and you wi l l be presented with the relevant ProSteel 3D dialog box. Now add bolts to each handrai l baseplate bolt hole. Choose the Bolt ing icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or pick Bolts from the ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu.

You are now presented with the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box. Apply the fol lowing values within the Bolt ing dialog box. (see next page)


Chapter 16 -9

Now cl ick the “Bolts al l Selected Parts Automatic” button on the Bolt ing tab of the dialog box shown above, and then fol low the prompts at the AutoCAD command l ine area to choose the parts that are to be bolted together

Note: The Bolts used for the Handrai l posts in this instance are 8.8/S bolts. If you cannot f ind these on the dropdown l ist avai lable in the Shapes tab, then you wi l l need to “add the bolt style def ini t ion” using the button on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box (BOLTING command).

To do this , on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog boxgo to the Sort tab, and cl ick the “Add a Bolt Style Defini t ion from Slected Fi le at the Actual Defini t ion” button. This wi l l then al low you to use a windows browsing method to f ind the correct 8.8/S.bsy f i le (bolt style f i le) from your computer. The correct folder which contains the f i le is probably the fol lowing:

C:\Program Fi les\Kiwi Software GmbH\ProSteel3D\R17.0\AutoCAD 2006\Styles\BoltStyles

Substi tuting your own AutoCAD version


Chapter 16 -10

The bolts are now appl ied to the holes. Repeat the process for al l holes at handrai l baseplates.

7. Now that your handrai l ing has been modeled, you should then create meaningful construction groups, and combine al l handrai l components into new Display Classes and Area Classes. A display class cal led Handrai ls should have been setup at Exercise 11-1. You need to assign parts to these Display Classes and Area Classes. You could also do the same thing i f you wish for al l Stair components. When you now view your model, i t should look l ike this:

Now save your drawing to hard disk.

Chapter 16-11

Chapter 19-1

Chapter 19 The DetailCenter

In this chapter, you learn about the functions and processes of 2D detai l creation using the ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter.


Get an overview Component Parts

Get an overview of Detai lStyles

Create a new Detai lStyle for later use

Learn how to l ink Component Parts with Detai lStyle

Get an overview of Views used for 2D detai l ing

Learn about Inserting 2D detai l blocks into detai l drawings


ProSteel 3D 17 The Deta i lCenter

Chapter 19-2

The DetailCenter The ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter is a parts browser interface that acts as the central switching station between the 3D model and i ts derived 2D shop drawings. The Detai lCenter is a dockable AutoCAD dialog in a Windows Explorer l ike style. From Detai lCenter, the user controls al l processes of 2D detai l drawing creation.

Parts and Groups can be viewed in a number of di f ferent styles by using f i l ters and various browser controls accessed from the Detai lCenter tools button, or by right cl icking anywhere within the Detai lCenter dialog box.

The Detai lCenter command is located as an icon on the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, (or on the Detai ls toolbar) or can be found as a command under the ProSteel 3D / 2D pul ldown menu.

The Detai lCenter dialog box contains four main tabs: Parts, Views, Insert and Globa.

Component Parts Overview

F i l ters can be used to l imit the part l ist ing. Once a f i l ter has been set in the Detai lCenter “Settings for Display” dialogue box, i t can be activated by placing a t ick in the “Use Fi l ter” t ickbox in that dialog box..

This is the button for the Detai lCenter “Settings for Display” doalog box.

The PARTS tab is the f i rst visible tab on screen after opening the Detai lCenter. See the i l lustration at left:

The upper panel - “Current Detai lStyles” shows al l Detai l Styles in the current drawing. When using a ProSteel 3D drawing template, these are the Detai lStyles OVERVIEW and STANDARD.

A tree structure visible in the lower panel displays al l parts and groups, with sub parts nested under the main part of any group avai lable.

A symbol precedes every Part description in the tree to provide quick part type identi f icat ion. The symbol clearly identi f ies every part ei ther as a plate, shape, group or view.

The Deta i lCenter ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 19-3

The Detai lCenter Part Settings icon is located above the Current Styles window on al l 3 of the tabs (Parts, Views and Insert).

Cl icking this button on each tab presents you with 3 di f ferent dialog boxes that controls Detai lCenter part sett ings.

DetailStyle If a component part or construction group is to be detai led automatical ly, this is carried out by using a specif ic Detai lStyle. The Detai lStyle offers a vast variety of parameters, which may be used to adjust sett ings for scale, direction of view, dimensioning, label ing, etc.

The combination of these many sett ings can be saved with its own name. For example, i t is possible to create a Detai lStyle with four smal ler scale views, or a Detai lStyle for individual parts with only two, larger scale views.

The “Construction Group” style is then assigned to the entire construct ion groups and the style “Individual Parts” to the individual component parts.

Note: The new Global tab on the ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter dialog box also controls sett ings:


Chapter 19-4

EXERCISE 19-1 CREATING A NEW DETAILSTYLE

In this exercise, you wi l l create a new Detai lStyle to be used at a later stage for the construction group detai l ing.

1. Pick the Detai lCenter command from the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, the Detai l toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D / 2D pul ldown menu.

2. After select ing the STANDARD Detai lStyle (from the upper browser area on the Parts tab), use the right-cl ick menu to access “Save Detai lStyle As”. At the “Save Detai lStyle AS” dialog box, enter the name CONSTRUCTION GROUP. Ensure that the new Detai lStyle wi l l be saved in the correct windows folder. (C:\Program Fi les\KiwiSoft\ProSteel3D\R17.0\AutoCAD 2005\Styles\Detai lStyles). After the new detai lstyle has been created, r ight c l ick in the upper browser area of the Part l ist tab again, and from the context menu, choose “Load Detai lstyle” At the next window, browse to the folder containing the new detai lstyle, highl ight i t, and then cl ick the OPEN button. The Detai lStyle “CONSTRUCTION GROUP” is now added to the Current Detai lStyles l ist.

3. Now select CONSTRUCTION GROUP from the Current Detai lStyles l ist on the ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter, Parts tab by left cl icking the name. Then right-cl ick, and from the resultant r ight-cl ick menu, choose Edit Detai lStyle. You are now presented with the “Actual Style” dialog box. In this case the dialog box relates to the Construction Group Detai lStyle only. The values on the various tabs within this dialog box are based on the Standard Detai lStyle. You can now edit the values as desired.

4. Some of the tabs included on the Actual Style dialog box are shown below.


Chapter 19-5


Chapter 19-6

Note that from the bottom of the ProSteel 3D Detai lStyle dialog box, that a descript ion can be added or al tered, that describes what this particular detai l style could be used for.

There are also buttons on the dialog box that can be used to save the edited detai lstyle to your hard disk, and for the SAVEAS type function.


Chapter 19-7

Manually Linking Component Parts with DetailStyles To assign a Detai lStyle to a component part from the component part l ist ( lower browser window) just use a drag and drop process to pul l the part to the desired style l isted in the Detai lStyle overview (upper brwser window). Use “LOAD Detai lStyles” to add Detai lStyles from other drawings to the STANDARD and OVERVIEW Detai lStyles.

The fol lowing appl ies to construction groups: If the “Recursive Selection” button is cl icked, then the desired Detai lStyle is appl ied to al l individual parts within this construction group as wel l .

this is the Recursive Selection button on the Parts tab of Detai lCenter

You can query the Detai lStyle by selecting the component part in the lower browser and right-cl icking. Component parts already l inked with a style are identi f ied in the component parts l ist with a checkmark.

To break a component part l ink, just use drag & drop to pul l the component part away from the detai l center. Detai lStyles can be assigned subsequently by pul l ing the selected component part to the desired style. The original Detai lStyle wi l l be replaced with the new one.

Component parts may be write-protected by activating the WRITE-PROTECT AT ONCE option on the Detai lCenter Tools dialog.


Chapter 19-8

Views List for Manual Detailing In the Detai lCenter Settings for Parts dialog box,i f the feature cal led “Take over to view l ist”, is activated, then al l component parts with the views required by the assigned Detai lStyle are l isted automatical ly in the views l ist.

Pul l the selected component parts on to the IMPORT TO VIEWS LIST button to send component parts to the view l ist at any t ime.

If i t should become apparent that some of the views checked may no longer be required, they can then be removed by drag & drop. Another option avai lable is to change the Detai lStyle for that view, this can be easi ly done by selecting the view and using a r ight-cl ick.

A preview of the component part with i ts current Detai lStyle properties can be displayed at any t ime. It is thus possible to check the effects of the assigned detai lStyle before f inal detai l ing. If the result is not satisfactory, the Detai lStyle can be modif ied.


Chapter 19-9

EXERCISE 19-2 ASSIGNING DETAILSTYLES AND PREVIEWING VIEWS

In this exercise, you wi l l assign Detai lStyles to parts in the current 3D model, and you wi l l preview the 2D views of those parts.

1. From within the current project drawing (our 3D model of the stage / platform structure) open the Detai lCenter from the ProSteel 3D pul ldown menu, or from the Detai lcenter icon on the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar.

2. From the ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter dialog box, assign the CONSTRUCTION GROUP Detai lStyle to al l of the construction groups l isted in the Current Parts window. Construction Groups are pref ixed BG by ProSteel within the Current Parts window (BG means Bui lding Groups). The associated individual parts are to receive the STANDARD style.

3. Assign al l s ingle parts in the Current Parts window with the STANDARD Style.

4. Now make the View tab on Detai lcenter the current one. Right cl ick any part l isted to envoke the r ight-cl ick menu. Choose Preview from the menu to preview the 2D views of the chosen part.

5. Preview the entire construction group and individual component parts views. Any view can be saved as a .dwg f i le i f required. Change any Detai lStyles assigned to parts and groups i f required. To re-assign a dif ferent Detai lStyle to an exist ing part, just drag and drop the part to the newly desired Detai lStyle, and i t wi l l overwrite the old Detai lStyle.


Chapter 19-10

Chapter 19-11

Chapter 20-1

Chapter 20 2D Detailing – Manual Method

In this chapter, you learn about automatic detai l ing and processing of detai l blocks.


Get an overview of Automatic 2D Detai l ing (Manual Method)

Learn how to Insert Detai l Blocks into new drawings.


ProSteel 3D 16.5 2D Deta i l ing – Manual Method

Chapter 20-2

2D Detailing – Manual Method

Once al l of the desired views of the component parts are l inked with the optimal Detai lStyle from within ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter, automatic detai l ing can be performed. This can be done from the Views tab within Detai lCenter, by dragging and dropping al l of the selected component parts to the gey 2D button.on the top left of Detai lCenter

The processing of 2D blocks may take some t ime depending on the number of parts within your 3D model, and the speed of the computer being used for processing. After the detai l ing process has concluded, the f inished 2D detai ls are l isted in the Insert tab from within Detai lCenter. These detai l blocks are combined into a detai l catalog, which has the same name as the 3D model drawing.

The tree structure created by the automatic detai l ing phase clearly shows al l information of the construction group or part. Information about each of the detai led detai l blocks can be viewed via a r ight-mouse-cl ick context sensit ive menu.

When you switch back to the Views tab after performing automatic detai l ing, you wi l l not ice that al l component groups and individual parts which have been processed for detai l ing wi l l have checkmarks against the named views

2D Detai l ing – Manual Method ProSteel 3D 16.5

Chapter 20-3

Manual Drawing Method - Inserting

Before the f inished detai l blocks can be inserted into a new 2D drawing, i t is necessary to create a new drawing f i le. Open a new drawing and save it with the name C:\CAD_Projects\DETAIL1.dwg. (Use the PS3D_Metrich template as the basis of your new f i le, and type the command PLAN at the command l ine, to view the drawing in plan mode, not 3D mode)

On any new detai l drawing you wi l l need to add a drawing border, and normal ly this would be a pre-drawn company standard drawing border. The INSERT DRAWING BORDER command is used to perform this task.

The INSERT DRAWING BORDER icon is found on the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, (or Detai ls toolbar) or the command can be found on the ProSteel 3D / 2D pul ldown menu. For our purpose, we wi l l add an A1 drawing border to the modelspace area of our drawing. The most appropriate drawing border size needs to be assigned when f irst creating the drawing. Drawing borders are normal ly located in the C:\Program Fi les\KiwiSoft\ProSteel3D\R17.0\AutoCAD 2005\Format folder.

The f inished 2D detai ls are now to be added to this drawing frame. Select the corresponding detai ls and pul l them to the INSERT button.

Note: The dialog boxes shown here are for the older version of ProSteel 3D, (version 16.5) as the newer version dialogs were not working working correctly at the t ime of creation of this manual.


Chapter 20-4

The detai ls st ick to the cursor and thus can be placed anywhere. Inserted detai ls are then identi f ied in the detai l catalog with a checkmark.

Switch back to the component part overview. Detai led and inserted component parts are now l isted with a green background symbol.

2D Detai l ing – Manual Method ProSteel 3D 16.5

Chapter 20-5

EXERCISE 20-1 INSERT 2D DETAILS

In this exercise, you wi l l create a new drawing and load a drawing frame, then add detai ls to i t using ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter.

1. Begin a new ProSteel 3D drawing, and save the drawing with the name C:\CAD_Projects\Detai l1.dwg.

2. Use the INSERT DRAWING BORDER icon to insert an A1 size predrawn drawing border. (INSERT DRAWING BORDER can also be found on the ProSteel 3D / 2D pul ldown menu.)

3. Now place some detai led detai ls from a construction group, by selecting them from the Detai lCenter, Insert tab, and dragging them to the INSERT button.

4. Zoom to a detai l block and activate the grips. Since the default sett ing specif ies that an AutoCAD group is created from every detai l block, the group command has to be deactivated for any further detai l ing using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+A.

5.

3D to 2D Update The ProSteel 3D designer is immediately informed about the status of the 2D workshop drawings when changes to the 3D model are made. If an already detai led and inserted component part is changed within the 3D model, the selection color changes from green to red after the detai l center has been opened again.

Use a r ight-cl ick to adjust detai l blocks marked in red (=no longer needed blocks) to the modif ied 3D model automatical ly.

The 2D drawing is updated when opened.

Creating a 2D cut on 2D detail drawings You can use the CREATE 2D CUT command to create a cut vertical ly to the drawing plane in already detai led detai l blocks. You may wish to do these to indicate the shape or prof i le of a part. See the exercise on the next page to learn more about this ProSteel 3D feature.


Chapter 20-6

EXERCISE 20-2CREATE A 2D CUT

In this exercise, you wi l l create a 2D cut of a member already inserted on the Detai l1.dwg drawing from Exercise 20-1.

1. Open the previously created drawing Detai l1.dwg i f i t is not already open. Ensure that your AutoCAD PICKSTYLE is set to 0 (Off, so that we can select individual l ines, not groups).

2. Zoom to a detai led ProSteel 3D shape within the drawing, and then execute the CREATE CUT command.

The CREATE 2D SECTION icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, the Detai ls toolbar or pick CREATE CUT from the ProSteel 3D / 2D pul ldown menu. When you execute the command, you wi l l be presented with the fol lowing dialog box.

3. The dialog box al lows you to place Section Marks Symbols, both custom or ProSteel generated, and Section Mark Text. For the purpose of this exercise, we wi l l place Section Mark Symbols with values as shown above.

4. After adjusting the values in the dialog box, cl ick the bottom left button, and you wi l l then be asked at the command prompt to choose al l parts for the section. Pick an appropriate part on your Detai l1.dwg drawing.You are now asked to Pick the Sect ionLine. Because we have not drawn a temporary section l ine, we wi l l use the Points option, to choose 2 points (which represent the section l ine), one each side of the chosen part.You are now asked to choose how far the project ion should be. If you picked a vertical cut l ine, choose a point to the left or r ight of the part. If you picked a horizontal cut l ine, choose a point above or below the part. After placing the Cut Section, the Section Mark Symbols are inserted at the cut l ine.

Placed Cut Section

Chosen Part

Placed Section Mark Symbols

Chapter 21-1

Chapter 21 Auxiliary Views

In this chapter, you learn about adding manual auxi l iary views to your 2D drawings


Get an overview of Auxi l iary Views


ProSteel 3D 17 Auxi l iary V iews

Chapter 21-2

Auxiliary Manual Details Automatic detai l ing can be used to create a majori ty of the required shop drawings, however special detai l points, views, or isometric total overviews need to be created using a manual detai l ing technique. The model is rotated to the desired view and al l addit ional information such as dimensions, labels, posit ion f lags, weld symbols, etc. are attached by hand.

Then a 2D detai l is created from the view on screen.

The method for attaching posit ion f lags, height indicators, weld symbols, and dimensions is explained in chapters 33, 34 and 35.

First, create an isometric view as an overview drawing. Rotate the model to the desired view and then arrange the UCS so that i t is paral lel with the screen area.

To create a manual detai l i t is necessary to specify a Detai lStyle as a so cal led DEFAULT STYLE. This default style wi l l be ut i l ized during the subsequent detai l ing phase.

Auxi l iary Views ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 21-3

EXERCISE 21-1 CREATE AN ISOMETRIC MANUAL DETAIL

In this exercise, you wi l l create a new isometric view, and insert this view as a manual detai l .

1. View your exist ing 3D Prosteel drawing / model from any direction. Use the AutoCAD ORBIT command to do this, or choose one of the preset AutoCAD or ProSteel 3D views to do this. Once you have the model viewed from the appropriate direction, you wi l l need to adjust your UCS so that i t is square to the screen. To al ign your UCS to the screen, choose the View UCS option from the AutoCAD UCS toolbar, or answer V when prompted for an option when entering the UCS command. Or you could choose View from the Tools / New UCS pul ldown menu.

2. Now from the ProSteel 3D Detai lCenter dialog box, choose the Parts Tab, select the OVERVIEW Detai lStyle from the upper browser area, and specify this style as the DEFAULT STYLE using the right cl ick menu.

3. Now switch to the Views tab of the Detai lCenter dialog box. Select DETAIL VIEWS from the l ist, and from the right mouse cl ick menu execute the ADDITIONAL VIEWS command. You wi l l now see the “Addit ional Views: Inval id Selection” dialog box.

ProSteel 3D 17 Auxi l iary V iews

Chapter 21-4

In the dialog box shown above, you must select a Detai lstyle from the CHOOSE dropdown l ist, in order to make the Manual Detai l button, and the Given Views area avai lable. Now select the MANUAL DETAIL button at the bottom right of the dialog box.At the next dialog box name the new manual view ISOMETRIC1, and then cl ick the OK button.

Since the UCS is already al igned to the screen, reply with ESC to the next question in the AutoCAD command l ine. Pul l a selection box across the entire model, or answer with al l when prompted for selection. The manual detai l now appears in a preview window, and you wil l again see the ADD VIEW dialog box. Press the avai lable 2D CREATION button to import i t as a 2D detai l drawing with hidden l ines removed. Save and close the created 2d drawing f i le.

4. Now you can switch to the previously created Detai l1.dwg drawing and open the INSERT folder in the Detai lCenter (browse to your 1234_Model1 detai ls folder in the top browser area). The manual ly created detai l is now avai lable in the lower browser area and can be inserted into the drawing just l ike any automatical ly created detai ls.

5. After completeing this insertion, save and close Detai l1.dwg, and then return to your original 1234_Model1.dwg. You need to set the UCS back to world co-ordinates, or you could use the Isometric Overview 1 button to return to your overal l v iew, with world UCS set.

Chapter 21-5

Chapter 30-1

Chapter 30 Paperspace Layouts for ProSteel 3D Models

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how to quickly create AutoCAD Paperspace Layouts containing 3D views, plan views and elevations at each frame of your 3D model.


Use AutoCAD commands and menus to create 3 – A1 sized paperspace layouts ready for views of your ProSteel 3D model.

Use ProSteel commands to project your model views through viewports to the Paperspace Layouts.

Learn how to adjust viewports so that your model views are scaled correctly, and locked to avoid scal ing mishaps.


ProSteel 3D 17 Paperspace Layouts for ProStee l 3D Models

Chapter 30-2

Paperspace Layouts Paperspace Layouts are typical ly used nowdays by Consult ing Engineers to manage the presentation and plott ing processes of their design projects.

The AutoCAD® window provides two paral lel working environments represented by the Model and layout tabs. Working on the Model tab, you draw a model of your subject. On the layout tabs, you can arrange multiple "snapshots" of the model. Each layout represents a drawing sheet that can display one or more views of the model at various scales.

The Model tab accesses a l imit less drawing area. In model space, you draw at 1:1 scale, and you decide whether one unit represents one inch (for a bracket) or one meter (for a bridge).

Layout tabs access virtual drawing sheets. When you set up a layout, you tel l AutoCAD the sheet size you want to use. The layout represents the drawing sheet. This layout environment is cal led paper space.

In a layout, you can create and posit ion viewports, and you can add dimensions, a t i t le block, or other geometry. Viewports display a drawing's model space objects, that is, the objects you created on the Model tab. Each viewport can display the model space objects at a specif ied scale.

You can create mult iple layouts in a drawing; each layout can contain di f ferent plot sett ings and paper sizes.

By default, a new drawing starts with two layout tabs, Layout1 and Layout2. If you use a template drawing, the default layout configuration in your drawing may be dif ferent.

You can create a new layout from scratch. Use the Create Layout wizard, or import a layout from a template drawing. When you create a layout from scratch, the f irst t ime you select the layout, you are prompted for page setup information.

You can right-cl ick a layout tab to display a shortcut menu with options to:

Create a new layout

Import a layout from a template drawing

Delete a layout

Rename a layout

Change the order of the layout tabs

Create a new layout based on an existing layout

Select al l layouts

Create a page setup for the current layout

Plot a layout

Paperspace Layouts for ProSteel 3D Models ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 30-3

EXERCISE 30-1 SETTING UP THE PAPERSPACE LAYOUTS

We wil l now setup and create 3 Paperspace Layouts, ready for plott ing our drawing sheets.

1. Ensure that your ProSteel 3D project drawing is open, and from near the bottom left of your AutoCAD window, left cl ick the tab “Layout 1” to make that Paperspace Layout the act ive one. The Page Setup Manager dialog box may now be visible. If not, r ight cl ick the Layout 1 tab, and from the context sensit ive menu provided, choose “Page Setup”.

2. You wi l l now see the AutoCAD 2005 “Page Setup Manager” manager, and the browser window within i t has two Current Page Setups l isted. They should be “Layout1” and “Layout2”. (These are the 2 default Page Layouts suppl ied by default by AutoCAD on any new drawing)

Highl ight the “Layout1” page setup, then cl ick the Modify button.

(Note that the page setup manager dialog box is new to AutoCAD 2005. If you are using an older version of AutoCAD, then step 2 of this exercise is not appl icable)

3. You are now presented with the “Page Setup – Layout1” dialog box, and this wi l l be used to setup the Paperspace Layout ready for Viewports, Views, and for Plott ing purposes.

Insert the values according to the i l lustration shown on the next page:


Chapter 30-4

Our plot device in this case wi l l be a virtual printer, the DWF6 ePlot. This virtual device wi l l produce DWF plot f i les, s imilar in nature to Adobe PDF f i les, but purpose bui lt for AutoCAD drawings. DWF f i les can be viewed using the new “Autodesk DWF Viewer”, which can be downloaded free from the Autodesk website. The viewer wi l l more than l ikely already be instal led on your computer i f you are using AutoCAD 2004 or AutoCAD 2005. The ISO ful l bleed A1 paper size wi l l al low us to plot draw almost to the edges of the paper. A1 paper is plotted to an A1 device at ful l size, hence the 1:1 Plot Scale. And the plot area is set to Layout, because we are deal ing with a Paperspace Layout. We wi l l for this exercise use a ProSteel 3D .ctb f i le as shown, however at some stage you may want to consider using your own .ctb f i le for Pen Setting purposes (pen sett ings or l ineweights on the paper plot) When you OK the dialog box, you should then see a Paperspace Layout that looks something l ike the fol lowing:


Chapter 30-5

4. Now repeat part 2 of this exercise, but this t ime for Layout 2. You should then end up with 2 paperspace layouts named Layout 1, and Layout 2, and the 2 layouts should look identical . Now left cl ick the tab “Layout 1” to make that Paperspace Layout the active one, then r ight cl ick the Layout 1 tab, and from the context sensit ive menu provided, choose “Rename”. Please now rename the Paperspace Layout as S01 (for Structural Sheet number 1). Do the same for Layout 2, but rename it as S02.

5. The smal l “Viewports” that have been automatical ly created on each Paperspace Layout should ideal ly be on an independent layer. Now create a new cal led VPORTS, and ensure that the viewports sit on that Layer. You could possibly use the AutoCAD Properties dialog box to move the viewports onto the VPORTS Layer. You could also turn that layer off from printing by forcing a slash over the printer icon located to the right of the VPORTS layer, inside the “Layer Propert ies Manager” dialog box.

6. We wil l now create a third Paperspace Layout, simi lar to the other two. Left c l ick the layout tab cal led S02, then right c l ick the S02 tab, and from the context sensit ive menu provided, choose “Move or Copy”.

A new layout tab is now created, and cal led S02 (2). You should now rename that layout tab as S03 (refer to part 3 of this exercise). Now eft c l ick the layout tab cal led S03, then right c l ick the S03 tab, and from the context sensit ive menu provided, choose “Move or Copy” again. This t ime left cl ick the words “(move to end)” inside the dialog box provided, and you layout tabs should now be ordered in sequence. This makes for good CAD management inside your AutoCAD drawing f i le. You should now have three Paperspace Layouts that look similar, and have the same PAGE SETUP settings.


Chapter 30-6

EXERCISE 30-2 ADDING VIEWPORTS TO PAPERSPACE LAYOUTS

In a paperspace layout, you can create and posit ion viewports. Viewports display a drawing's model space objects, that is, the objects you created on the Model tab. Each viewport can display the model space objects from a specif ic location, and at a specif ied scale.

We wi l l now add more viewports to each of our paperspace layouts, and we wi l l set the viewports such that they look at out ProSteel 3D model from di f ferent viewpoints or locations.

1. Make layout tab S01 your current Layout by left cl icking it. You can zoom and pan around your layout just l ike you can down in modelspace. Cl ick the only viewport shown on Layout S01 once, to invoke the AutoCAD “Grips” for this object. There should be one grip at each corner of the viewport. Using the Grips, resize the Viewport so that i t is just smal ler than ¼ the size of the A1 Paperspace Layout. Now double cl ick into the viewport, such that the viewport al lows you to work through i t and on the model down in modelspace. Now do a zoom extents, and then a double left cl ick on the paper, to al low you to work back up in Paperspace. Now use the AutoCAD COPY command to copy the viewport 3 more t imes onto the same paperspace layout. You should now have a paperspace Layout that looks l ike this:

Ensure that enough room is left outside you viewports so that you could insert a company border and t i t leblock onto the surface of the Paperspace Layout, should you need one. We wi l l not use a border or t i t leblock in our case.


Chapter 30-7

2. We now need to set each of the 4 viewports on layout S01 to look at our 3D model from dif ferent directions. The ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar al lows us to look at our model from several predetermined viewpoints, by using the Isometric Overview tool. (You may need to refer to Exercise 03-3, part 4, to recal l where to f ind this tool and how to use i t)

There are 5 predetermined viewpoints avai lable. Double cl ick into each of the 4 viewports (one viewport at a t ime) and use the Isometric Overview pul ldown to recal l a di f ferent view. An automatic zoom extents is performed when using the Isometric Overview tool. When f inished with al l 4 viewports, double cl ick back on to the surface of the paperspace layout. You might now l ike to add some text headings under each of the viewports describing the views. Use an appropriate text style, and text size (you probably have company standards for this). The text headings should probably be on their own individual layer. When this is done, you should now have a layout that looks something l ike this:

We have not yet set these isometric views to any specif ic scale. We wi l l do this in exercise 30-3.

3. We now need to set the viewports on layout tabs S02 and S03. S01 represents our Isometric Overviews drawing. S02 wi l l be for Plan views and some Perspective views. S03 wi l l be for Framing Elevations and some smal l Detai ls Make layout S02 your active layout by a left cl ick on the layout tab. Resize the exist ing viewport, then copy it , as we did in parts 1 and 2 of this exercise, such that we wi l l be able to have an overal l plan of our bui lding, plus a perspective view. Leave enough room for 2 further plans, and 1 extra perspective views (we wil l end up with a total of 5 viewports on this layout).


Chapter 30-8

Double cl ick through one of the viewports and invoke the ProSteel 3D Plan View command. It is on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, and when used, you should see an overal l plan view of your ProSteel 3D model. We wi l l set a scale for this view later.

Now double cl ick through the second viewport, and invoke the AutoCAD ORBIT command. As you already have an isometric view of your model here, just r ight cl ick to use the Orbit context sensit ive menu, and choose the Perspective command from the Projection f lyout. This wi l l now give you a perspective view of your model. Now double cl ick back up onto the paper, and add text headings as you did in part 2 of this exercise. (You could cut and paste headings from layout S02, and then edit them to the correct wording) You should now have a layout that looks something l ike this:

We have not yet set the plan view to any specif ic scale. We wi l l do this in exercise 30-3.

4. Now make layout S03 your active layout by a left cl ick on the layout tab. Resize the exist ing viewport, then copy i t, as we did in parts 1 and 2 of this exercise, such that we wi l l be able to have a front view of our bui lding, plus a side view. Leave enough room for 2 further elevations, and 1 extra detai l (we wi l l end up with a total of 6 viewports on this layout).

Double cl ick through one of the viewports and invoke the ProSteel 3D Select View command. It is on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar. Choose the Zone2-Grid2 view from the l ist of views in the ProSteel 3D Select View dialog box. You wi l l now see the cl ipped view in your viewport, you can zoom to f i l l the viewport i f you wish. In the second viewport on your layout, invoke the Select View command and choose the Zone2-GridB view.


Chapter 30-9

5. Now copy the second viewport containing the view of the Zone2-GridB frame. Resize this viewport so that i t is much smal ler. Double cl ick into this new viewport, and zoom in to the left-side, beam to column connection at the platform level. This wi l l form the basis for our connection detai l . Now add some text headings as you did in the last part of this exercise, and you should now have a layout that looks something l ike this:

We have not yet set the views to any specif ic scale. We wi l l do this in Exercise 30-3. Save your f i le to hard disk before we attempt the next exercise.


Chapter 30-10

EXERCISE 30-3 ADJUSTING VIEWPORTS TO APPROPRIATE SCALE

Paperspace viewports can be set so that they display your model to an appropriate drawing scale. Although the ProSteel 3D model has been drawn to ful l size, a scale of 1:1, the model can be set to appear at say a scale of 1:100, or 1:50 for al l plan and elevational views, and possibly 1:10 or 1:20 for detai l views.

The viewports can then be locked so that the views cannot accidental ly be zoomed out of scale, and the viewports can also be used to control the plotted appearance of the view. For instance views can remain as wire frame views, can be plotted with hidden l ines removed, or possibly as shaded views. To enable us to set views to correct scales, we wi l l need to use the AutoCAD “VIEWPORTS” toolbar:

This is the AutoCAD VIEWPORTS toolbar.

Please ensure this toolbar is displayed as a horizontal toolbar.

The drop-down l ist at the right hand side of the toolbar has a l ist of common drawing scales, metric and imperial. These scales wi l l be used to set our viewports. If an appropriate scale cannot be found on the l ist, you can swipe the scale displayed and the top of the l ist, and you can then type your required scale.

1. Make layout tab S01 your current Layout by left cl icking it. Then double cl ick into the top left viewport on this layout, to make that viewport your active one. Now from the dropdown l ist of scales on the Viewports Toolbar, select 1:50. This isometric view of your model is now displayed at exact ly 1:50. You could also pan your view so that i t si ts in the middle of your viewport. You need to avoid zooming whi le inside the viewport, otherwise you could put the view out of scale. To ensure that the viewport is not put out of scale, you need to double cl ick back up onto paperspace, now left c l ick the top left viewport once to invoke i ts grips, (cl ick the viewport edge, not the empty space inside the viewport). Now right c l ick to invoke the context sensit ive r ight cl ick menu., and choose Properties from the menu. You wi l l now see the AutoCAD 2004 Properties dialog box. (The Properties dialog box is shown on the next page). The AutoCAD 2004 Propert ies dialog box, l ike many others in AutoCAD 2004, is resizeable in both directions. The Properties dialog tel ls us many things about AutoCAD objects that we are interested in. We can also change the Properties of objects from within this dialog box, such as the Layer the object is drawn on, the color i t was drawn with, and we can even change the geometric values of many objects from here. We are going to change the locking value, and plott ing properties of our viewport from here. Under the “Misc” area of the Propert ies disalog box, f ind “Display Locked”. If you cl ick into the cel l just to the right of “Display Locked”, you wi l l have access to a drop down l ist, and you wi l l be able to change the value from NO to YES. A value of YES wi l l lock the viewport so that i t cannot be put out of scale. If you now double cl ick back into the viewport, and apply a zoom whi le the viewport is locked, you wi l l see that paperspace zooms along with modelspace. The viewport cannot be put out of scale.


Chapter 30-11

From the same Properties dialog box, (and whi le st i l l enquiring into the properties of the top left viewport) set the SHADE PLOT property to HIDDEN. This now means that although the viewport displays as wireframe on the computer monitor, the viewport wi l l actual ly plot as hidden l ines removed.

2. Repeat step one of the exercise for the other 3 viewports on Layout S01. You should end up with 4 viewports set to a viewport scale of 1:50. Al l 4 viewports wi l l be locked, and al l 4 wi l l be set such that Shade Plot is HIDDEN. Viewports can be resized, even after locking. Resizing can be done by turning invoking the grips for the viewport, and then using the grips to stretch the viewport bigger or smaller. You may need to do this after you have set the viewport scale to 1:50 so that you can see al l of your isometric view.You may also need to move the text headings to a better location i f needed.

3. Now make Layout S02 the current Layout. Double cl ick into your only viewport showing a plan view of your ProSteel 3D model, and as you did in part 2 of this exercise, set the viewport scale to 1:50. You may need to resize the viewport. Al low enough room outside the plan for dimensions to be added at a later stage. Do not lock the viewport just yet. Now copy this viewport across to the right 2 more t imes. Ensure that ORTHO is on so the viewports l ine up. We wi l l use these addit ional viewports for plans at di f ferent levels of the bui lding. Also copy the viewport with the perspective view one more t ime. You should now have 5 viewports on Layout S02.

4. Double cl ick into the top middle viewport to make i t current, then from the ProSteel 3D Select View dialog box, make the view Zone2_Mid_Level current. You wi l l now see a plan at the platform level within this viewport. Viewports 2 and 3 should sti l l l ine up nicely, and sti l l be scaled to 1:50. You should now LOCK these 2 viewports, and set Shade Plot to HIDDEN, as was done in part 2 of this exercise.

5. The top left viewport (viewport 1) should have a plan view of our ProSteel 3D model at baseplate level, so that we have a typical set of structural plan views. Al l ProSteel 3D Workframes al low for a view at the bottom level of models, but the view typical ly looks from underneath the model, rather than a top down view at baseplate level. So we wi l l have to create a new named ProSteel view.


Chapter 30-12

From modelspace only, and whi le looking from an isometric viewpoint (Isometric Overview 1), copy the magenta frame only at the platform level only, 2900mm towards the baseplate level of your model. The PS_FRAME layer may need to be unlocked before you can copy this frame. You wi l l now have a new frame 100mm above the baseplate level of your model. Double cl ick this new frame to invoke the Workframe Properties dialog box, and from the Data tab of this dialog box, rename the frame to Zone2_Baseplates. OK the dialog box, then lock layer PS_FRAME. If this new view does not show up in the Select View dialog box, and whi le you are in model space, you could use the Select View dialog box to create a new view. Left cl ick onside the left portion of the Select View dialog box. This wi l l free up the CREATE button in the dialog box. Now type Zone2_Baseplates_50 in the NAME area. Then hit the CREATE button. You wi l l be asked to select the lower left and upper r ight areas of the new frame. OSNAP to those points on the copied frame which is 50mm above the baseplate level . Now from layout S02, double cl ick through the top left viewport, and use the Select View dialog box to make Zone2_Baseplates, or Zone2_Baseplates_50 the view for this viewport. If you need to, adjust the viewport scale to 1:50, then lock the viewport, and make i ts Shade Plot HIDDEN.

6. Double cl ick through the 5th viewport (bottom right), invoke the AutoCAD ORBIT command, and change the second perspective view so that you look at your Prosteel 3D model from a dif ferent vantage point. Perspective views of models cannot have a f ixed viewport scale, so we can only zoom into each of the 2 perspective views to make them larger or smal ler. When you have done this, LOCK both perspective viewports, and then set the Shade Plot for both of these 2 views to RENDERED. This wi l l al low the viewports to plot as SHADED / RENDERED views. Now add more text headings to the Layout, or copy and modify the exist ing text headings on the layout, so that you end up with view names for Baseplate Level , Platform Level and Roof Level , and Perspective View 1 and Perspective View 2. I f you were now to plot this drawing, you would end up with 3 plans views with hidden l ine removed, and 2 di f ferent perspective and shaded views. The plotted example is shown on the next page.


Chapter 30-13

7. Use similar techniques shown in al l parts of this exercise to al ter layout S03, so that i t has 4 viewports showing 1:50 elevations of the ProSteel 3D model, and 2 viewports showing 1:5 detai ls of portions of the portal frame at Gridl ine B. A plotted example of layout S03 is shown below.

You now have three Paperspace Layouts setup to show plans, elevations, detai ls, isometric views and perspective views of your ProSteel 3D model, and these layouts are ready for plott ing. We have sti l l to annotate our model so that member sizes, welding symbols, dimensions and elevation symbols are al l shown as would be on a typical set of Consult ing Engineers construct ion documents. We wi l l learn how to do al l of this over the next few chapters. Now save your ProSteel 3D model to hard disk.


Chapter 30-14

Chapter 30-15

Chapter 31-1

Chapter 31 ProSteel 3D Annotation in MODELSPACE

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how add Posit ion Flags, in modelspace, to the Plan and Elevational Views of your model.


Learn how to add ProSteel Annotation to your Plan Views and Elevations.


ProSteel 3D 17 ProSteel 3D Annotat ion in MODELSPACE

Chapter 31-2

EXERCISE 31-1 ADDING POSITION FLAGS TO PLAN VIEWS

The majority of annotation on typical consult ing engineers drawings consists of labels indicating structural member sizes, and possibly mark numbers as wel l . Mark numbers as we know them are cal led Posit ion numbers inside ProSteel 3D. Posit ion numbers can be generated in ProSteel 3D automatical ly using the “Posit ioning” command.

For this exercise, we wi l l not be adding posit ion numbers to our model.This should have been done in an earl ier chapter.

However, the ProSteel 3D Posit ioning dialog box al lows us to manual ly add Posit ion Flags (leader l ines with member sizes attached) to our model views.

1. From model space only, view your ProSteel 3D model in plan view at the platform level . Use the ProSteel Select View command to do this, select the view enti t led Zone1_Platform-Level, and then zoom unti l you only see the platform area of your model.

Since the viewports on layout S02 display the plan views at a scale of 1:50, we can now temporari ly set the global scale for our model to this scale by using the ProSteel 3D Scale command. When you left cl ick this button, you wi l l be asked at the command l ine to enter a new ProSteel 3D default scale. Type 50. This wi l l ensure that our Posit ion Flags are sized for 1:50 views.

Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Posit ioning dialog box, by cl icking the POSITIONING button on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar.

There are many tabs, buttons and cel ls on this dialog box that are used when Posit ioning members and producing shop detai l drawings. Since we are producing consultants drawings with manual posit ion f lags, we only at this stage need to ensure that the Apply Style area of the dialog box is set to appropriately. Notice also that the Scale 1:x is set at 50, due to the ProSteel 3D Scale command set previously.

2. We now need to define the style of f lag to be used when manual ly inserting posit ion f lags. In this case we wi l l create a new Posit ioning Style to use cal led “AEC-Consult ing”.

ProSteel 3D Annotat ion in MODELSPACE ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 31-3

Cl ick the STYLE button on the Sort tab of the ProSteel 3D Posit ionf lags and Posit ioning dialog box, and then on the result ing dialog box, Enter the Name of the new Posit ionf lag Style.as AEC-Consult ing. Cl ick the OK button on this dialog box, and the new style is added to the SORT tab.

Now that we have a new Posit ionflag style, we need to def ine it so that i t shows the correct type of information. Go to the Layout tab of the ProSteel 3D Posit ionflag and Posit ioning dialog box, and choose AEC-Consult ing from the Sti l dropdown l ist.

Now cl ick the “Enables sett ing of the Posit ionf lag Style” button. It is to the r ight of the label, Created Geometry.

Cl ick the OK button at bottom left when you have defined the new style.

Note: It is worth considering saving the Posit ion Flag sett ings as a ProSteel 3D template f i le for use in future projects

You wi l l need to f i l l out the values in the resultant Posf lag Defini t ion” dialog box, as per those shown in the diagram at the right. This wi l l provide you with Posit ion Flags that include member sizes (Element Name), a text size of 2.5mm (x 50), and arrows on the ends of leader l ines.


Chapter 31-4

3. You are now back at the ProSteel 3D Posit ionf lags and Posit ioning dialog box. Go to the INSERT tab of this box, and cl ick the “Set Posit ion Flag Styles” button. This feature wi l l be used to tel l ProSteel 3D which posit ionflag styles to use for various parts of your model. On the result ing dialog box, f i l l out the values as shown below.

Cl ick the OK button at bottom left when f inished.

4. Now back on the ProSteel 3D Posit ionflags and Posit ioning dialog box, c l ick the “Attach Posit ion Flag to Single Part” button to add the f i rst Posit ion Flag to your model, at the platform level. At the command l ine, you are asked to Select the Part to be Posit ioned. Left cl ick any part of the beam at Gridl ine B, as you move your cursor away from the beam, and providing ORTHO is not on, you wi l l be able to place the posit ion f lag such that the member is annotated. Repeat this procedure for al l of the beams at the platform level, and you should now have a plan view that looks something l ike this:

5. We wil l now add some Posit ion Flags to the Roof Plan view of the model. From modelspace, invoke the Select View dialog box, and select Zone2_Top_Level as your current view. Now add plenty of Posit ion Flags as you did in part 4 of this exercise, such that your Roof Plan of your model looks something l ike the diagram shown above right.

You may need to temporari ly change the posit ion f lag style to al low for vertical al ignment of posit ion f lags, rather than for horizontal al ignment. This works wel l for the posit ion f lags to purl ins on this model.


Chapter 31-5

6. You may now l ike to add some posit ion f lags to the columns and baseplates shown on the baspelate layout plan. Whi le in modelspace only, make the baseplate level view your current view, then add posit ion f lags just as you have done for the previous parts of this exercise.

7. If you now view your overal l model from an isometric viewpoint, you may notice that al l of the posit ion f lags placed so far are visible in the model. Al l of the f lags have been placed on a ProSteel layer cal led PS_POS. This is OK from a normal layer management point of view, but ideal ly we need posit ion f lags placed on di f ferent layers, so that we can control the visibi l i ty of the f lags at di f ferent areas of the model, through the various paperspace viewports. We wi l l learn how to do this in Exercise 31-2.

Visibility of Position Flags at plotting time Placement of Posit ion Flags needs to be considered for the f inal outcome of your drawing f i les, the plotted Paperspace Layouts. Posit ion Flags need to be on layers that can be control led such that the f lags are visible in the relevant paperspace viewports, and invis ible through non-relevant viewports.

If you now look at the layout S02, you wi l l see that the f lags are visible through al l of the plan style viewports (the 3 at the top of your page), and that the text of the f lags, when measured on paperspace appears at 3mm high.

But i f you now plot paperspace layout S02 (just try a ful l preview at this stage), you wi l l see that the Posit ion Flags do not now show on the paper. This is because our viewports are set to a Shade Plot of HIDDEN, and by default, ProSteel does not display Posit ion Flags on plotted HIDDEN views. We need to force ProSteel 3D to plot the f lags.

From the ProSteel 3D options dialog box, we can turn on the vis ibi l i ty of Posit ion Flags, and other 2D objects, for plott ing purposes. Go to the Display tab of the dialog box, and change the sett ings to the values shown below:

As the paperspace layouts have viewports on them, i t is essential that Ful l Support is turned on. You may need to turn this off though when continuing to model your project, and back on again when i t comes to plott ing. Posit ion Flags at Shade needs to be on, and Workframe at Shade needs to be on i f you want plotted workframe l ines.

Note: After you change these values, you may need to close ProSteel down, then restart again to force the changes to occur.


Chapter 31-6

EXERCISE 31-2 ADDING POSITION FLAGS TO ELEVATIONAL VIEWS

As you have seen in the previous chapter, when adding Posit ion Flags to your model, whi le in model space only, al l f lags are created on the layer PS_POS. This wi l l not give us enough control over visibi l i ty of f lags through several paperspace viewports. So we wi l l now add Posit ion Flags whi le reaching through paperspace viewports. This wi l l al low the Posit ion Flags to be created on unique layers, specif ical ly matched to each paperspace viewport.

Note: Each viewport has a unique identi f ication number. Use the AutoCAD LIST command to display information about a particular viewport, and you wi l l see that there is a term cal led HANDLE, with a relevant handle code. Every object drawn in AutoCAD has a unique handle code. ProSteel 3D makes use of this handle code for a viewport, and creates a unique layer which has a name similar to the viewport handle code.

1. Make paperspace layout S03 your current layout, and ensure that you are in paperspace. Now zoom closer to the top left viewport, the one showing a side elevation of your ProSteel 3D model, such that the viewport almost f i l ls the drawing area. Now double cl ick over the viewport. This wi l l “open” the viewport so that you can draw through it. This is something that we would not normal ly do in a consultants off ice, as we now have a smal ler drawing area, or viewport, to draw through. But because we have previously LOCKED the viewport, we wi l l not accidental ly put i t out of i ts zoomed scale of 1:50. When we perform a zoom or pan inside this viewport, paperspace zooms and pans with the viewport. You can now attach Posit ion Flags to al l of the main structural members inside this viewport, just as you did in the previous exercise. Take note also, that the Posit ion Flags are drawn on a unique layer, in this case layer PD-1941. The handle code for this viewport happens to be 1941. Note: Your handle code and unique layer name may dif fer to the names shown in this exercise.

2. Repeat part 1 one this exercise, but for the three other viewports that have elevational views. Each time you double cl ick into a viewport to make it active, the Posit ion Flags attached inside the viewport wi l l be on unique layers related to the viewport. Note: The Posit ion Flags on dif ferent layers gives you more f lexibi l i ty over the way that you can plot your ProSteel 3D model. Each t ime you add Posit ion Flags you also need to think about the Style for the f lag. Should the text be horizontal or vertical? Does the ProSteel 3D Scale need to be changed to suit di f ferently scaled viewports?

3. We do not want any of the current Posit ion Flags to show through the Isometric or Perspect ive viewports on layouts S01 and S02. Notice that i f you make S01 your current layout, that you can see al l of the Posit ion Flags currently drawn for the whole model, in al l of the viewports. To turn freeze the layers containing the f lags, double cl ick into a viewport, then invoke the AutoCAD “Layer Propert ies Manager” dialog box, (the LAYER command) then from the r ight side of the layer dialog box, under the “Current VP Freeze” heading, freeze off al l of the layers that contain Posit ion Flags. (You may need to repeat this procedure at a later stage i f you add more f lags through new viewports). Repeat this procedure for al l of the viewports on layout S01.


Chapter 31-7

4. Now repeat step 3, but this t ime for the viewports with perspect ive views on layout S02. If you were now to plot al l three layouts, they would look something l ike this:

Note for al l plotted layouts shown to left:

The ProSteel 3D Workframe Lines have plotted on al l sheets. If you do not want the Workframe l ines showing in the Isometric and Perspective viewports, then the layers PS_FRAME and PS_OBJECT need to be frozen off in those current viewports only.

Some consult ing engineers prefer to draw a Grid System that suits their bui lding on separate layers, rather than use the ProSteel 3D Workframe and i ts inherent grid bubbles. You may wish to consider this.

Current company pen settings (or .CTB f i les) may need to be considered for plott ing purposes. You may need to create a specif ic .CTB f i le for ProSteel models that suit your company style of plott ing.

Always save to disk your ProSteel model after every major step in your model ing process.


Chapter 31-8

Chapter 31-9

Chapter 32-1

Chapter 32 ProSteel 3D Annotation in PAPERSPACE

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how add Posit ion Flags, in paperspace, to the Isometric Views of your model.


Learn how to add ProSteel Annotation to your Isometric Views only on layout S01.


ProSteel 3D 17 ProSteel 3D Annotat ion in PAPERSPACE

Chapter 32-2

EXERCISE 31-1 ADDING POSITION FLAGS TO ISOMETRIC VIEWS

General ly speaking, in countries such as New Zealand and Austral ia, consult ing engineers have placed al l annotation on their AutoCAD drawings down in modelspace. By “al l annotation”, we mean al l dimensions, al l gr idl ines, al l detai l bal ls, section marks and text such as member sizes, text headings and leader l ines with attached notes.

The reason for al l this annotated model ing, is primari ly because in the bui lding design industry, we tend to share drawings. For example the Structural Consultant may use the Architects CAD drawings to construct his documents, and the Electr ical designers and HVAC designers may in turn use the Consult ing Engineers drawings to construct their drawings. Because not al l CAD users have AutoCAD, (some may have other CAD software), and because most of the better CAD programs al low you to open or insert an AutoCAD drawing, anything that is not drawn in Modelspace in the AutoCAD drawing, may not be vis ible in the other CAD program.

Paperspace is a unique concept which is part of Autodesk products only, and as such, normally only drawing borders and tit leblocks are drawn on Paperspace.

This att i tude towards what is drawn on Modelspace, and what is drawn in Paperspace is beginning to change though, as more and more people are moving to drawing 3D models, and to present and plot these models eff ic iently, we need the power of Paperspace and i ts inherent Viewports.

We wi l l now add Posit ion Flags to our isometric views, and since the f lags need to be al igned to the paper, and not the various elevations of the model, we wi l l place the f lags in Paperspace.

1. Make layout S01 the current layout, ans since we wi l l be placing Posit ion Flags on Paperspace, set the ProSteel 3D Scale command to 1:1. Paperspace layouts are almost always plotted at 1:1 scale, and objects drawn on paperspace, such as text headings and ti t leblocks, are of course drawn at ful l size, 1:1.

Now make the top left viewport current, by double cl icking inside the viewport. We can now draw down on the model, whi le reaching through the viewport. Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Posit ioning dialog box, by cl icking the POSITIONING button on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar.

We can leave the sett ings for the POSITIONING dialog box as they were set in the last chapter. But we do need to make one change. In the bottom left corner of INSERT tab of the dialog box, the “At Paperspace” option needs to be t icked on. (In older versions of ProSteel 3D you can only t ick this on when reaching through a viewport) The “At Paperspace” option wi l l ensure that even though we choose objects within the modelspace viewport to have f lags, the Posit ion Flags wi l l be placed in Paperspace, and not Modelspace. The “Scale 1: x “ area of thedialog box becomes greyed out, because al l paperspace objects are placed at 1:1 anyway, and the posit ioning STYLE of course controls the appearance and size of the f lag.

ProSteel 3D Annotat ion in PAPERSPACE ProStee l 3D 17

Chapter 32-3

2. Now place Posit ion Flags as you did in the previous chapter, to al l main members on the model, and the f lags wi l l actual ly end up on Paperspace, and are al igned with the Paper. You can check this after you have placed the f lags, by trying to cl ick them, or checking their properties whi le remaining in moselspace. You wi l l see that you cannot select the f lag unti l such time as you are up in paperspace. On the ProSteel 3D Posit ioning Styles dialog box, f i l l in the values as shown below. This wi l l provide you with Posit ion Flags that include member sizes (Element Name), a text size of 2.5mm (x 50), and arrows on the ends of leader l ines. The f lags that are created whi le reaching through this viewport, are automatical ly placed on a unique layer, related to the viewport handle, just as was done in the last chapter.

3. Repeat placing f lags in the other three viewports on this layout. Of course the f lags wi l l actual ly appear in Paperspace because of the Posit ioning dialog box sett ings.

4. We wil l now add some Posit ion Flags to the Roof Plan view of the model. From modelspace, invoke the Select View dialog box, and select Zone2_Top_Level as your current view. Now add plenty of Posit ion Flags as you did in part 3 of this exercise, such that your Roof Plan of your model looks something l ike this. If you were to plot your layout S01 after placing f lags, i t might look l ike this:

ProSteel 3D 17 ProSteel 3D Annotat ion in PAPERSPACE

Chapter 32-4

Changing existing Position Flags With most modern versions of AutoCAD, i f you double cl ick an AutoCAD object, you wi l l be presented with some form of dialog box, eg, Properties dialog, Mtext editor, Reference editor etc.

The same thing appl ies with ProSteel 3D. Double cl ick a ProSteel 3D object and you wi l l see the ProSteel 3D Shape Propert ies dialog box. But double cl ick a Posit ion Flag, which is a 2D object, and you wi l l see the Pos. Flag Properties dialog box.

As is shown below for a typical Posit ion Flag, the dialog box has two tabs, one which controls the viewed f lag, and the other indicating the data of the 3D object at the start point of the f lag.

The text port ion of the f lag can be resized using “Text Size”. The text can include a length for members i f “Dimensions” is t icked on. “A l ine with Arrow” can be replaced with “A l ine with Dot” or no arrow included i f Arrow Type is set to “Normal Line”.

Please experiment with the sett ings in the dialog to determine a Posit ion Flag that suits your style of Consult ing Engineers drawings. You may be able to match your current company standards by experimenting with Posit ion Flags.

Note: Once you have determined your best posit ion Flag style, i t is best to set this using the Posf lag Defini t ion dialog box, avai lable from the ProSteel 3D Posit ionf lags and Posit ioning dialog box. Dif ferent STYLES can be saved and recal led as style templates by using the TEMPLATE. It is better practice to place correct styles when placing f lags, then to change the f lag information at a later stage of your model ing.

Note that the dialog box tabs shown to the left have pleny of dorp-down l ists and buttons for sett ing values.

Note also that the vertical sl iders on both tabs give you access to many more sett ings.

Chapter 32-5

Chapter 34-1

Chapter 34 Welding Symbols on ProSteel 3D Models

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how add welding symbols to the di f ferent detai ls of your 3D model.


Learn how to use ProSteel commands to add Welding Symbols to your ProSteel 3D Model


ProSteel 3D 17 Welding Symbols on ProSteel 3D Models

Chapter 34-2

EXERCISE 34-1 ADDING WELDING SYMBOLS

Welding Symbols

This command can be used to insert Welding Symbol f lags for component parts onto ProSteel 3D models, and to insert welding seams to connected parts (where ProSteel 3D connection dialogs do not provide for ). The information entered into the WELD SYMBOL dialog box is saved in the corresponding symbol in both cases.

The ProSteel Welding Symbol dialog box is used to place the f lags, draw the weld seams, and there are buttons that can be used to import information about a weld f lag from already created weld seams.

1. Use the previously described methods to view your model isometrical ly, by c l icking the Isometric Overview 3 button. Then zoom to the baseplate at the bottom of the right hand side column at Gridl ine D. There are already some welding seams shown on this baseplate, as the baseplate command al lows for welds to be displayed at the t ime of baseplate creation. We need to delete these welds before adding new ones. We can delete them via the dialog box original ly used to create the baseplate. Left cl ick the baseplate to highl ight i t, then right cl ick for the AutoCAD context sensit ive menu.

Welding Symbols on ProSteel 3D Models ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 34 -3

Choose PS3D Change Connection from that menu, and you wi l l then see the ProSteel 3D PS3D DSTV Baseplate dialog box, with the correct values of that baseplate. Go to the CONNECT tab, and in the Weld Settings area, untick the Weld Flange Side, and Weld Web Side cel ls. Finish by cl icking the OK button on this dialog box, and you wi l l now see that the welds have disappeared from the baseplate.

Remove al l other welds from al l other baseplates at Gridl ine D using the same method as described above.

2. We wil l now add some new 6mm fi l let weld seams to the inside of the f langes of our baseplate connection.

Zoom back to the baseplate at the Gridl ine 2 and D intersection. Now cl ick the Welding Symbols icon located on the ProSteel 3D uti l i t ies toolbar You wi l l now see the ProSteel 3D Weld Styles dialog box. Ensure that the size values and options within the tabs on the dialog box are set as shown on the diagrams on the previous page.

Now go to the “Weld Style Display” tab, and cl ick the “Enables you to Set Flag Specif ic Sett ings” button, located in the Created Geometry area of the tab. On the result ing dialog box, f i l l out the values as shown below:

Finish the dialog by cl icking the bottom left OK button

Now again go to the “Weld Style Display” tab, and cl ick the “Enables you to Set up the Flag Topside” button, located in the Created Geometry area of the tab. On the result ing dialog box, f i l l out the values as shown below.

The Weld thicknesses shown in the dialog box at left are set to 6mm, and Symbol set to Fi l let Weld, because 6mm fi l let welds are commonly used in NZ condit ions.


Chapter 34-4

3. Now go to the INSERT tab of the ProSteel 3D Weld Styles dialog box and cl ick the ADDS A WELD button. You are asked at the command l ine to Pick the Start Point, and Pick the End Point of the weld. The weld is placed using a l inetype that has arrows occur along the l ine. The weld is usual ly coloured red, and automatical ly placed on a unique layer cal led PS_WELD. ProSteel al lows you to place many welds at the same time by leaving the dialog box displayed, just keep cl icking the ADDS A WELD button to place more weld seams. When you are done, cl ick the OK button. Note that i f you do not see arrows along the seam, it is probably because the Scale option in the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols dialog box is not set to 1. Our model is drawn at ful l size (1:1), therefore the weld seams should also be drawn at ful l s ize (Scale of 1)

4. Add weld seams to al l baseplate at Gridl ine D. You should add one seam to each UB f lange (outside edges), and one weld to one side only of the UB web. You can add weld seams to al l sides of the SHS column bottom edges. You should match the fol lowing:

5. We wil l now add some Welding Symbol Flags. Remain with your current 3D view (Isometric Overview 3), but use the ProSteel 3D Select View command to set the UCS to Gridl ine D. DO NOT set your view to Gridl ine D, only the UCS. Then check that your ProSteel 3D Scale command is set to 20. This was previously done back in Exercise 33-1, part 1. Now Zoom to the left hand side baseplate at Gridl ine D, and cl ick the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols icon, to invoke the welding symbols command. Change the Scale option on the INSERT tab of ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols dialog box to 20.

Now cl ick the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button on the INSERT tab of the dialog box. At the command l ine you are asked to Specify the Origin Point of Weld Symbol. Osnap onto any of the weld seams, and as you move your cursor away, you wi l l see the Welding Flag with al l of the correct information. You wi l l have better control over placing the f lag i f you do not have ORTHO on. ProSteel asks you to Move the Flag to the Desired Posit ion. ProSteel al lows you to place many welding symbol f lags at the same time by leaving the dialog box displayed, just keep cl icking the FLAG button to place more welding symbol f lags. When you are done, cl ick the OK button. Notice that when placing the Welding Symbol Flags, that the f lag is al igned with the current UCS. When placing the f lags, the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button places a f lag that has displayed data which has been stored in the Welding Symbols dialog box. This data is non-associative, i t is independent of the welding seam.

I f you wish to place a f lag that has data which is dependent of that held in the welding seam, then use the ADDS A FLAG TO AN EXISTING WELD button, rather than the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button. The information displayed in the f lag is now associative. If you change the

Welding Symbols on ProSteel 3D Models ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 34 -5

seam, the f lag data changes. Be aware though that the DISPLAY button may cause seams to be redrawn without arrows on the seams. This is not desirable.

6. Add welding symbol f lags to al l welding seams previously drawn at the baseplates at Gridl ine D. You should add one f lag to every drawn seam at UB columns. You can add one welding symbol f lag to one side only of the SHS column bottom edges. You should match the fol lowing:

Note that the middle detai l shown above has the words “Each side” added. To do this double cl ick the welding symbol which has been drawn here. You wi l l now see the Weld Symbol Properties dialog box.

On the LAYOUT tab, in the Options area, t ick on the option TAIL

On the TOPSIDE PARAMETER tab, cl ick on the word COMMENT, and write Each Side in the cel l to the r ight of this.

Finish the dialog box via the OK button, and you should now the welding symbol as shown above

7. Care should be taken with use of the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbol command. It should be noted that most welding seams are placed automatical ly when using such commands as Endplates, Shearplates, Spl ice etc. But welding f lags are not placed automatical ly, as these f lags do not normal ly need to appear on your model. They do however need to appear on the Detai l Drawings (shop drawings), and this wi l l normal ly occur automatical ly depending on your Detai lStyle used. If you are a consult ing engineer using ProSteel 3D, you need to ask yourself do you need al l welds shown on your model, because many welds can be covered by a simple note on your drawings, such as “Al l welds 6mm fi l let welds unless noted otherwise”. This type of note means you wi l l not have to draw many welds, ei ther manual ly, or automatical ly. Any weld seams or weld f lags which appear on your model and shop drawings, can be double-cl icked to invoke the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbol Propert ies dialog box. You can now edit the appearance of the weld seam or weld symbol i f you wish.


Chapter 34-6

Chapter 34-7

Chapter 35 -1

Chapter 35 Dimensions on ProSteel 3D Models

In this chapter, you wi l l learn how add dimensions to the dif ferent plans and elevations of your 3D model.


Learn how to use ProSteel commands to add dimensions to your ProSteel 3D Model


ProSteel 3D 17 Dimensions on ProSteel 3D Models

Chapter 35 -2

EXERCISE 35-1 ADDING PROSTEEL 3D DIMENSIONS

ProSteel 3D Dimensions

or or

This command can be used to add ProSteel 3D dimensions to component parts or groups, ei ther automatical ly or manual ly, to ProSteel 3D models or detai l drawings. ProSteel 3D Dimensions behave in a simi lar way to AutoCAD dimensions, and in fact are control led by the use of Detai lStyles when creating shop drawings. The Detai lStyles in turn use AutoCAD Dimension Styles to control the appearance of the dimensions within those shop drawings.

(It should be noted here, that dimensions are automatical ly added to 2D detai l drawings and shop drawings at the t ime that they are created, usual ly with Detai l center Express. The dimensions are added and control led through the use of Detai lStyles)

The ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box is avai lable from the pul ldown menu by choosing ProSteel 3D / Dimension / Dialog, or by choosing the Dialog icon on the ProSteel 3D Uti l i t ies toolbar, or the Dimension 1 toolbar.

Individual dimension str ings, or complete part dimensioning can be added to your component parts or drawings by choosing the appropriate Sett ings, and appropriate button from the dialog, or dimensions could be added by choosing the appropriate icon from the two ProSteel 3D toolbars cal led Dimension1 and Dimension2.

Dimensions can also be added by choosing the appropriate command under the ProSteel 3D / Dimension pul ldown menu.

1. Cl ick the Overview 3 button on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or ProSteel 3D Overview toolbar, to make your current view from the right rear side of the bui lding.

Dimensions on ProSteel 3D Models ProSteel 3D 17

Chapter 35 -3

Your UCS wi l l be set to World UCS by cl icking this button. Zoom to the central SHS column at Gridl ine D, and use the AutoCAD COPY command to copy this column with al l of i ts component parts (top plate and baseplate), to a location somewhere wel l to the right of the bui lding you have already modeled. Then zoom closer to the Baseplate area of this copied column.

2. Before placing the ProSteel 3D dimensions on the model, i t is important to ensure that your UCS is set appropriately. Al ign your UCS such that X is along the top long leading edge of the baseplate to SHS, and Y is along the top left edge. The origin point should be to the top, front, left corner of the baseplate. You could use the AutoCAD UCS command to do this, or use the one of the ProSteel 3D Object UCS tools (as described in chapter 08) to do this.

3. Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box, and ensure that the values in the dialog box match those shown in the diagram on the previous page. Global Scale is set at 1:20 because that is the current ProSteel 3D Scale command setting. Set the Detai lStyle.

Now cl ick the DIMENSIONS SINGLE PARTS AUTOMATIC button on the ProSteel 3D Dimensio dialog box. You are asked at the command l ine to Select Objects. Select the baseplate only, and many dimensions wi l l be added outside the baseplate. Cl ick the OK button on the dialog box to f inish the command (the dialog box normal ly remains open so that you can keep adding dimension strings). The dimensions that have been added to the drawing are each completely separate dimensions. You can delete any dimensions not needed, or edit the text locations and extension l ine origins by “Grip Edit ing” where necessary. Very smal l dimensions may often need the dimension text re-located by this grip edit ing process. You should now have a baseplate with dimensions that look something l ike this:

4. Now zoom to the end plate at the top of the SHS post. We wi l l add some dimensions here. Ensure that you set your UCS to be al igned to the top of the plate at this level (If you do not al ign your UCS, any dimensions placed wi l l be in a location that suits the previous UCS, which of course was al igned to the baseplate).

5. We wil l now place these new dimensions one at a t ime. Invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box. In the sett ings area, ensure that only Direction Horizontal is set.

Now cl ick the ADD SINGLE DIMENSION button on the dialog box.At the AutoCAD command l ine you may be asked to SELECT THE ASSIGNOBJECT. Pick the endplate, then you are then asked at the command l ine to PICK THE 1 DIMENSIONPOINT. Osnap to the Top Front Left corner of the endplate. When asked to PICK THE 2 DIMENSIONPOINT, osnap to the Top Front Right

ProSteel 3D 17 Dimensions on ProSteel 3D Models

Chapter 35 -4

corner of the endplate. When asked to PICK POSITION OF THE DIMENSIONCHAIN, choose a point somewhere to the front of the endplate, and the dimension wi l l be appropriately placed. Keep the dialog box open, and cl ick the ADD SINGLE DIMENSION button again to place a dimension to the right of the baseplate. You wi l l need to change the dimension sett ings to Direction Vertical within the Settings area of the dialog box in order to place vertical dimensions. Now add dimensions to the front and the right of the baseplate that would locate al l baseplate holes. Once f inished placing the dimensions cl ick the OK button on the dialog box to close i t. You may need to do some “Grip Edit ing” of these dimensions to relocate dimension texts. You should now have an endplate with dimensions that looks l ike this:

6. Now zoom away from the endplate so that you can see al l of the SHS column, with the baseplate, endplate al l dimensions added in this exercise. We wi l l now add some dimensions that cover al l of the vertical dimensioning. As the column and plates were or iginal ly created as a GROUP, they should have remained grouped when copied. (You can conf irm this by double-cl icking the SHS, and looking for a Groups tab on the ProSteel 3D Propert ies dialog box suppl ied.

Now set your UCS such that i t is vertical ly al igned to the front of the SHS. Use methods simi lar to part 2 of this chapter. Invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box, leave the sett ings as before, but this t ime cl ick the DIMENSION GROUPS AUTOMATIC button. You are asked at the command l ine to SELECT ONE PART OF THE GROUP. Pick the SHS post, and al l necessary dimensions are now added to the drawing. You should now see a SHS post and plates dimensioned as shown right:

7. You are encouraged to experiment with al l of the sett ings and buttons on the ProSteel 3D Dimensions dialog. Try adding dimensions to the Workframe used for our model. Cl icking the HELP button on the dialog wi l l a l low you to read and learn more about this feature r ich ProSteel 3D command.

Chapter 35 -5

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