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OpenSteel

User Guide

AVEVA Solutions Ltd

Disclaimer
Information of a technical nature, and particulars of the product and its use, is given by AVEVA
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particulars, or errors in this publication, or any incorrect use of the product, whatsoever.

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The manual and associated documentation may not be adapted, reproduced, or copied, in any material
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reverse engineer, decompile, copy, or adapt the associated software. Neither the whole, nor part of the
product described in this publication may be incorporated into any third-party software, product,
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User Documentation. Unauthorised or unlicensed use of the product is strictly prohibited.
First published June 2008
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, and its subsidiaries
AVEVA Solutions Ltd, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HB, United Kingdom

Trademarks
AVEVA and Tribon are registered trademarks of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its subsidiaries. Unauthorised
use of the AVEVA or Tribon trademarks is strictly forbidden.
AVEVA product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its
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The copyright, trade mark rights, or other intellectual property rights in any other product, its name or
logo belongs to its respective owner.

OpenSteel User Guide

OpenSteel User Guide

Contents

Page

User Guide
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:1
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
Exporting to SDNF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1
Target Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2
Export/Import different SDNF Formats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:4
Auto-detection of SDNF Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:4
Export Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:5

Run Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:8


AVEVA OpenSteel - Export Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:9
Export and Cancel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Export Form Bar Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Export Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Linear Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3:10
3:10
3:10
3:12
3:14
3:16

Testing AVEVA OpenSteel Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:18


Initial Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preparing to Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Creation of Export File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the SDNF Output File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3:18
3:19
3:22
3:22

Import from SDNF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1


Source Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2
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Import Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:4


Run Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:6
OpenSteel - Import Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:9
Import and Cancel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:9
Import Form Bar Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:10
Import Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:10
Comparison and Merging Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:13
The Comparison Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:14
The Merging Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:16
Deleted Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:17

Validation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:18


Highlighting Changes in the Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:19
Highlighting by Import Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:19
Highlighting by Version. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:20

Testing AVEVA OpenSteel - Import . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:21


Initial Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preparing to Import. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Importing the SDNF File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comparing the Imported Model with the Original . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performing a Validity Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4:21
4:22
4:25
4:26
4:26

Bolt Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1


Anchor Bolt Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
Anchor Bolt Quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:2

Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1


SDNF - Structural Steel Detailing Neutral File Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1
Export/Import different SDNF formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto-detection of SDNF formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Packet 00 - Title Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Packet 10 - Linear Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location of Linear Members in Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Packet 30 - Member Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Packet 40 - Connection Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Packet 50 - Grid Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6:1
6:2
6:4
6:5
6:5
6:7
6:7
6:8

Recommended SDNF File Suffix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8


SDNF File Header Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8

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Member ID Numbers at SDNFv3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:9


Using Linear Member Cutbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:10
Exporting
Importing

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:15

Cardinal Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:18


Default Orientations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:19
Mirroring

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:20

Pline Selection Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:21


Use of Pline Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:23

UDAs

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:23

General Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:23


Structural Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:23
Project Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:24

Cross Referencing Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25


Element created in DESIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25
Element created outside DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25

Version Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25


On Transfer from Design:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:26
On Transfer into Design: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:26

Exclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:26
Issues

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:27

Document Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:1


Appendix: Sample SDNF File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A:1
Appendix: Sample Export Log File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B:1
Appendix: Sample Import Log Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:1
Brief Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
Linear Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
Plates
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1

Verbose Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:4

Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D:1

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Introduction

Introduction
AVEVA OpenSteel is the interface for the PDMS DESIGN module which allows the user to
export and import files using the Structural steel Detailing Neutral File (SDNF) format. The
SDNF format was originally defined by the Intergraph FrameWorks user community for the
transfer of steel data. The format is in the public domain and is therefore available to be
considered as a suitable means of transferring data between 3D steel detailing packages
and PDMS DESIGN.
The AVEVA OpenSteel interface uses a large proportion of the information transferable in
SDNF format. Refer to Technical Information describing SDNF, its format and contents.
This version of AVEVA OpenSteel is compatible with PDMS on the Windows XP operating
systems.
The manual is in three main parts: Export, Import and Technical Information.
Glossary

explains terms used in this manual

Exporting to SDNF

explains how to export a steel structure to an SDNF file

Import from SDNF

explains how to import a steel structure from an SDNF file

Bolt Reports

explains how to extract reports of Anchor Bolts from the


model using the Bolt Report templates

Technical Information

contains technical information

Appendix: Sample SDNF


File

gives a brief extract of an SDNF file produced by the AVEVA


OpenSteel interface

Appendix: Sample Export


Log File

gives an example Export Log file

Appendix: Sample Import


Log Files

shows sample log files from an Import process according to


the mode specified

Appendix: Sample Validity


Check Log File

shows a sample log file from an Import validity checking


process to check for duplicate mark numbers

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Introduction

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Glossary

Glossary
This section explains terms used in this manual.
Cardinal Point

An SDNF concept representing points of significance on the


2D profile and mapped in DESIGN onto the Pline (PLIN)
elements in the Catalogue.

External Package

The system with which this interface is communicating. It


may be a 3D steel detailing package, an intermediate format
or system or even some format related to a particular steel
fabricator or producer.

Linear Member

An SDNF Entity mapped to the Design Section (SCTN)


element.

Plate

An SDNF Entity mapped to the Design Panel (PANE)


element.

PML/F&M

The AVEVA PDMS programmable macro language, allowing


users to create their own user interface.

SDNF (Structural Steel


Detailing Neutral File
Format)

Defined by the Intergraph FrameWorks user community for


the transfer of steel data. It is in the public domain and is
therefore available to be considered as a suitable means of
transferring data between 3D steel detailing packages and
DESIGN.

Source Package

The external package from which an imported SDNF file is


coming.

Target Package

The external package for which an exported SDNF file is


destined.

UDA (User Defined


Attribute)

An attribute in DESIGN which the user can define and attach


to specific elements. This interface requires a certain set of
UDAs for storing SDNF-specific data.

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Glossary

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Exporting to SDNF

Exporting to SDNF
This section explains how to export a steel structure to an SDNF file. It gives guidance about
what options are available. For more detailed information refer to Technical Information and
the appendices.
The user can display the main AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form by one of two ways:
On the DESIGN General Application menu bar, select Utilities > General from the drop
down menu, or, if the user is in the Steelwork Application select Utilities > Steelwork. The
User General Utilities menu bar is displayed.

The user will also find the SDNF entry in the Beams & Columns Application, with the
Beams & Columns option under the Utilities menu.
To display the AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form from the User General Utilities menu bar,
select Export>(d) AVEVA OpenSteel.

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Exporting to SDNF

3.1

Target Information
The Export Target Information form contains information about the 3D steel detailing
package to which the SDNF file is to be transferred. This form is displayed by clicking the
Target information button on the main AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form.

The interface requires two external mapping tables for each Target Package to check that
the Target Package can accept the data. It also may use the Profile Orientation mapping

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Exporting to SDNF

table if necessary. The mapping tables are for the Steel Profiles, Materials and for mapping
the Profile Orientations between PDMS and the neutral file. The section on user
customisation in the Installation Guide tells the user how to arrange these files on your file
system and what format they are to be. The interface also needs to know where the external
mapping files are located on your computer network. For this, internal mapping tables are
required. Refer to the AVEVA OpenSteel Installation Guide which explains how to configure
the interface to tell it where all the files are located.
The user may have a generic pair of mapping tables to map between PDMS and SDNF for a
particular steel fabricator, for example, or the user may have a similar pair for each 3D steel
detailing package.
The current file settings are indicated on this form. The user will notice that changing the
Target Package by using the Target Package selector button on the right-hand side of the
form may cause the text to change giving the full path names of the respective files. Do not
be concerned that the path name may be truncated by the insertion of the ellipsis (): it is
modified only for display purposes on the form.
The system also checks that these files are compatible with the Target Package by checking
the identification line at the top of each mapping table. Refer to the AVEVA OpenSteel
Installation Guide for details about the format of these mapping files.
There are two main options on this form: Auto and Manual. These can be activated by
selecting the appropriate toggle button on the left-hand side of the form.
The Auto option causes the interface to select automatically the Profile and Material
mapping tables for the Target Package indicated by the Target Package selector gadget on
the right hand side of the form, according to the system configuration files.
The Manual option activates two other buttons, which are greyed out for the Auto option.
Selecting this option changes the form to be similar to below.

The user can select the file type using the Profiles, Materials or Orient'n toggle buttons
and enter the full path name of the file in the data entry area. The user can also include
system environment variables in the path name as long as they are in the proper AVEVA
PDMS format, e.g. %ENVVAR% being the PDMS representation of the ENVVAR
environment variable.

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Exporting to SDNF

On clicking carriage return, the interface will check for existence of the file and compatibility
with the Target Package indicated by the Package option gadget.
Note: The check is only that the file applies to the Target Package and not that it is a
correct file type.
The user can either choose by hand which mapping file to use by entering its name in the
text data entry field, or by using the Browse option to bring up a File Browser. The user may
use this browser to search for the relevant mapping file.
Once the user has entered all the correct data on the Export Target Information form, click
OK and the interface variables will be updated. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form,
leaving the original interface variables unchanged.
Error and Log File Messages

3.1.1

Internal error

Internal lists are not in step

Cannot find suitable


internal mapping list

Internal mapping files not found.

Suitable Mapping Table File


not found

Mapping table found is not for the correct Target Package,


or it does not exist.

Not a suitable Mapping


Table File

Incorrect format of file, or empty file, or wrong Target


Package.

Bad Map File

Mapping file is not correct format. Possibly it is from


another operating system.

Error on OpenSteel File


Browser form

The user has entered incorrect data on the file browser


form.

Export/Import different SDNF Formats


The interface can read and write SDNF files to both version 2 and version 3 of the format.
The format is described elsewhere, or the user can contact the software supplier for details.
Principally, there are many more records attached to each linear member and the method of
plate definition has changed. The interface does not use this information yet.
On the Export Target Information form there is a drop down list which the user can use to
select which SDNF version to output.

3.1.2

Auto-detection of SDNF Formats


The system can automatically detect which version of the file the user is inputting and set
the import drop down list accordingly.
The user can set up the default SDNF format version in the SDNFUserData.pmlfnc file in
the pml/functions directory. This is the !!SDNFSDNFVersion variable which must be
precisely one of the 2 suggested text strings.

-- Default SDNF file format


-- currently |2.0| or |3.0|
!!SDNFSDNFVersion

= |3.0|

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Exporting to SDNF

The user can inspect the file header as before and an added line will show which SDNF
version it has found.

If the user changes the version setting, the system will not work because it is expecting a file
of a radically different format. However, the interface will fail in a controlled manner
producing a "catch-all" error message.

If the user manually select the wrong SDNF version, the user may also get an error
message in the log file about syntax errors in the incoming file. This is because the Packet 0
records are different.

3.1.3

Export Information
The Export Information form contains information about the actual Export process. This
form is created by clicking the Export information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel Export form.

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The user can either type the full directory path name of the output file, or use the Browse
button to bring up a File Browser. The interface tests to see if the file exists and if it does, the
user will be asked whether to overwrite it. If the file does exist and the user wants to
overwrite it, the file mode beside the Browse button will change from WRITE to
OVERWRITE. The output file is rechecked for write/overwrite status during the actual
Export process. This is because the user can perform repeat Exports without changing the
output file name.
Note: If the user does not enter the full path name and just a plain file name, the output file
will be created in the directory which started PDMS. The user may also include
system environment variables in the path name as long as they are in the proper
PDMS format, e.g. %ENVVAR% being the PDMS representation of the ENVVAR
environment variable.
The SDNF file may have several sections: a header, Packet 00; a set of Linear Members,
Packet 10; a set of Plates, Packet 20; and a set of Connection Details, Packet 40. The
header is compulsory: any other Packets are optional.
Selecting the information to be contained in Packet 00 is performed by navigating to, or
below, the relevant PDMS Design SITE, ZONE or STRU element which contains the
required header information. This is done by using the Members list window at the bottom of
the main Export form. When at or below the correct element, click the Use CE button on
this form and the source text will indicate from where the interface will get the information. If
there is not enough space on the form the element's reference number is output rather than
its name.

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The user can look at the information contained by the chosen header element by clicking
the Inspect button. This brings up the Export File Header Details form.

At first the entry fields are greyed out but the user can read the contents. To modify the
contents of the fields click the Edit button on the Export File Header Details form and the
fields become active allowing the user to enter any revised data. Click Apply and the data
will be transferred back to the chosen header object, overwriting the original data. Clicking
Cancel will leave all the data unchanged.

The Previous Revision and Transfer information, if changed, will be transferred not to the
header object but to the Configuration Site for the specific current MDB/user combination.
During Export or Import AVEVA OpenSteel will inspect all the available Configuration Sites
in order to elucidate the most recent Transfer letter and Revision number. This will then get
stored in the site for the current user. This allow multi-user access to the databases.
Using the toggles on the Export Information form, the user can select whether to export
Packet 10 (Linear Members) and/or Packet 20 (Plates). The user cannot output Packet 40
(End Connections) without outputting Packet 10 (Linear Members). If the user does not
want Packet 10, the sub-options, Linear Members only and Linear Members + End
Connections are inactivated and greyed out.

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The interface will check that the user is attempting to Export something and output a
message accordingly.
Once all the correct data has been entered on the Export Information form, click OK and
the interface variables will be updated. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form, leaving the
original interface variables unchanged.
Error and Log File Messages
Export file already exists

File exists, the user will get the option to overwrite it.

Wrong place in database

The user is most likely at the WORLD element in the


database.

Illegal Transfer letter

The user can only use transfer letters between A and Z.

Nothing to export

The user has deselected both the Linear Members and


Plates options.

Cannot decrement Transfer The user can not decrease the Transfer letter, only
letter
increment it.

3.2

Run Information
On the Run Information form the user can choose whether to be offered to see the Log
File after the Export process is complete. The user can also choose between Brief or
Verbose messages. The form is created by clicking the Run information button on the
AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form

The Test Run? option allows the user to suppress the updating of all the Export flags. This
is so that the user can see if there will be a successful Export of the model. The user may
find that the Profile or Material mapping files are not quite up to date which might cause a
failure in the Export process. Therefore, the user can select this option to define this as a
test run.
After the Export process has completed, the Test Run? button is reset to false. This is so
that the user is forced to state categorically each time the model is Exported that the run is a
trial.

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Once all the correct data has been entered on the Run Information form, click OK and the
interface variables will be updated. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form, leaving the
original interface variables unchanged.

3.3

AVEVA OpenSteel - Export Form


On the main AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form the Members list may be used to navigate
around the database hierarchy.
The user must enter the elements to be exported, but need not select only SCTNs (Linear
Members) or only PANEs (Plates). The interface will locate all SCTNs and PANEs contained
in, or implied by, the Export list. If the user adds something to the Export list and has the
item on display in a 3D Volume View it will be highlighted by changing its colour. The Export
list is managed such that duplicate elements are removed and that items are exported only
once.
Note: Partial model transfers are supported by the interface, however, the user must be
aware of how the Import process handles partial model transfers. Refer to
Comparison and Merging Processes.
There are several methods of adding elements to the Export list.
Add CE just adds the current element to the list. This also implies all items below the
current element in the database hierarchy. The WORL can not be added to the list.
The Add by Pick option allows the user to select an item from the 3D Volume View. It is
similar to other PDMS DESIGN pick functions. Selecting this option brings up a Status form
and puts the user into a mode where an item from the 3D Volume View can be picked. The
user can also pick a sequence of items in succession to add to the Export list. Click the Esc
key when complete. If the user does not want to continue, click the Esc key.
Add Structure will attempt to climb to the Structure owning the current element and add
that to the Export list. A warning will be displayed if there isn't an owning Structure.
There is also a set of methods by which the user can remove items from the Export list.
These options work only on entries in the Export list, rather than in the model. As with
adding to the Export list, removing from the Export list will cause the item or items removed
to be returned to the default colour as defined by this interface.
Note: This colour may be different from the colour in which it may have originally been
added to the Drawlist.
Remove CE looks for the name of the current element in the list and removes it if present.
Remove by Pick allows the user to select something from the 3D Volume View and, if it is
present in the Export list, the name will be removed. As with the Add by Pick option, the
user may select a series of items to attempt to remove from the Export list until the Esc key
is clicked.
Remove Selected is a means by which the item selected in the Export list is subsequently
removed. Select the item first in the list, then click the Remove Selected button.
Clear just removes everything from the list.
The user may find that items are shown in the Export list do not exist, or have been
renamed. The Export process will determine all the valid entries in the Export list and
prepare the data accordingly. Clearing the list, or removing individual items will be
performed as expected.

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Error and Log File Messages

3.3.1

Can't export the WORLD

the user cannot export the WORLD

No owning Structure

Cannot climb to Structure element from current location in


database.

Export and Cancel


Cancel removes the AVEVA OpenSteel Export form from the screen.
Export executes the Export process. As it proceeds the user is kept informed of the
progress.

3.3.2

The Export Form Bar Menu


The Control item on the Export form has just two options; Re-initialise and Exit. Changing
any mapping files or any other variables, Re-initialise will reload these files to save the user
having to rebuild the whole user interface from scratch. The Exit command will remove all
forms and menus and global variables associated with the interface.
The General item has one option, Highlight. This will bring up the Highlighter form
enabling the user to highlight new, changed and deleted items in the model. This has more
relevance to the Import process and is described in more detail in Highlighting Changes in
the Design.

3.3.3

The Export Process


Exporting from PDMS all items are exported using millimetres as the distance units.
All reference data, such as any pre-existing reference model, is removed before exporting
anything. Refer to Import from SDNF on Importing for details about saving the reference
model.
Prior to any Export process, all form fields are checked for validity.

Is the output file named?

Are we going to export anything?

Are the mapping tables compatible with the Target Package?

Have we a valid Steel Standard table?

In addition, there is an OpenSteel-specific UDA, :SDNFEXCLUDE, attached to certain


PDMS elements by which the user can define whether the item is to be exported or not.
Setting this logical flag to true will exclude the item from the Export process. Refer to UDAs.
Before continuing, the Export process polls all the Configuration objects for the high water
mark on Transfer and Revision numbers. It then updates the object applicable to the current
MDB and user to contain the latest Transfer value.
The list of all items listed in the Export list is then stored on Header element
After verifying that all the form data is correct and valid, the external program is called. The
interface waits for a certain time until the program is finished. This waiting time is user
configurable. If there are errors raised by the external program the user is notified and more
detailed information is placed in the log file. If the waiting period expires without the interface
detecting that the external program has completed - it may have crashed, or even not exist,
the user will be asked if to carry on waiting for another time unit.

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Click YES and the interface will wait for another period of time. Clicking NO will cause the
interface to stop where it is. Finally the system will indicate its completion, whether
successful or not. This completion message should be read in conjunction with the log file, if
any errors are indicated.

The above indicates a successful completion, while the below represents some problem
encountered in the external program.

On completion of the external program, the status file is inspected and, if the result is
favourable, the user will then be asked whether or not to look at the log file, if that option has
been selected on the Run Information form.

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To inspect the log file later, save it with the File > Save as option in the OpenSteel File
Viewer window which will bring up a File Browser, or by clicking the Save as button to the
suggested filename. Either way, if the file already exists, the user will be asked whether to
overwrite it. The log file window may then be closed by the Cancel button.

If the Brief mode has been chosen on the Run Information form for displaying the log file,
the form displaying the log file will filter out all Warning messages, leaving only the Error
messages. Saving the log file, however, all messages will be retained in the file.
Error and Log File Messages
File does not exist

3.3.4

Somehow there is no log file. Are there issues regarding


access rights to the %PDMSWK% directory?

Exporting Linear Members


A series of checks are made before a Linear Member is output.

Is the SPRE set?

Is it a zero length member?

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Does it have a valid material?

Is the Justification Pline mappable to a Cardinal Point if it is not a Cardinal Point itself?

Are the start and end points valid?

If any of the above criteria is not satisfied, the linear member does not even get exported to
the SDNF output file.
Note: This will have an effect on the subsequent import process as the member will appear
to have been deleted by the external steel detailing package since its export. In fact,
the linear member never made the transfer to the Target Package in the first place.
If the Linear Member is connected, the interface will determine the offset each end from its
associated node.
Once the Linear Member has been output, the relevant UDAs specific for the interface
associated with Export are updated. These are the mark numbers, the export date and time
and transfer and revision numbers.

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Error and Log File Messages


Illegal or unset SPRE - Not SPRE must be valid.
exported
Zero length Linear Member - Length less than user definable tolerance.
Not exported
No material information - Cannot determine material properties for member.
Not exported
No material match for nnnn. SDNFMGRADE cannot be matched with a material in the
- Unknown material
Properties database.
No material property match

As above

Inconsistent material
specification

The element's MATR and :SDNFMGRADE attributes are


not consistent.

Multiply defined entries in


Material Table

Either a material to be mapped or a mapped profile


appears more than once in the material file.

No match for material

The material is not in the material file

Syntax Error

Other, less specific, errors.

Unrecognised Parse State

This should not occur. If it does then it indicates a system


error. Although the error is non-fatal it should be reported.
A number representing the parse state will also be output.

No match for Cardinal Point Pline or Cardinal Point not recognised. Neutral axis
nnnn
(Cardinal Point 10) assumed.
No Cardinal Point nnnn

JUSL unset.

Bad Cardinal Point nnnn

Cardinal Point/Pline identified is not valid. Does it exist?


Neutral axis (Cardinal Point 10) assumed.

Problem exporting entity

Other errors found.

Profile cannot be mapped

The profile is not in the profile mapping file.

Profile is not in the standard The profile is in the profile mapping file but is not in any
one of the set of standards.

3.3.5

Profile is not the default

The profile is in the profile mapping file and is in one of


the set of standards, but not the default standard.

Multiply defined entries in


Profile Table

Either a profile to be mapped or a mapped profile appears


more than once in the profile mapping file.

Exporting Plates
Panels in PDMS are to be transferred as Plates using Packet 20. This will cover stiffeners,
floor and toe plates. Bent plates will also be transferred if they are expressed as their
component flat plates. If Bent Plates are to be treated as Angle linear members then they
should be modelled as such.
If the PDMS Design Penetration Application is used to generate Catalogue holes, the
resultant holes, kicker plates and stiffeners will not be exported because they are contained

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in a Catalogue definition. Neither are holes or negative primitives transferred from the
design.
The Description attribute will be used to store the flooring type, such as grating or chequer
plate. This is passed as the type field (up to 24 characters).
The Material Grade transferred in Packet 20 represents the material type. This is a text
attribute, rather than the number field in PDMS. Therefore a User Defined Attribute (UDA),
:SDNFMGRADE, has been defined within PDMS to store this information.
Note: Any edge preparation details and modelling, such as grinding, will be lost in the
transfer operation.
A basic series of tests is performed before the Plate is exported.

Is there any geometry?

Is the height valid?

Is it justified correctly?

Does it have a valid material?

Are there enough vertices?

If any of the above criteria is not satisfied, the plate does not get exported in the SDNF
output file.
Note: This will have an effect on the subsequent import process as the plate will appear to
have been deleted by the external steel detailing package since its export. In fact, the
plate never made the transfer to the Target Package in the first place.
Once the Plate has been output, the relevant UDAs specific for the interface associated with
Export are updated. These are the mark numbers, the Export date and time and transfer
and revision numbers.
Note: In Exporting a Plate, it has to be converted to the SDNF standard of being defined in
a clockwise direction relative to the plane normal. Thus Importing a Plate previously
defined in DESIGN, the user may find the order of vertices to have been reversed.
This is because DESIGN is more tolerant about the ways in which the user can
define a plate.

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Error and Log File Messages


No geometry information - No PLOO element. Plate cannot be exported.
Not exported
Plate too thin - Not exported Thickness less than user defined minimum. Plate not
exported.
Not enough vertices - Not
exported

Fewer than 3 vertices. Cannot define valid geometry so


Plate is not exported.

No material information - Cannot determine material properties for member. A


Not exported
matching set of :SDNFMGRADE and Matref cannot be
determined.

3.3.6

No material match for nnnn

Unknown material. :SDNFMGRADE cannot be matched


with a material in the Properties database.

No material property match

As above

Inconsistent material
specification

The element's MATR and :SDNFMGRADE attributes are


not consistent.

Multiply defined entries in


Material Table

Either a material to be mapped or a mapped profile


appears more than once in the material mapping file.

No match for material

The material is not in the material mapping file.

Syntax Error

Other, less specific, errors.

Unrecognised Parse State

This should not occur. If it does then it indicates a system


error. Although the error is non-fatal it should be reported.
A number representing the parse state will also be output.

Problem exporting entity

Other errors found.

Exporting Connections
End connections and base plates will be modelled in DESIGN Catalogue items and
transferred to the SDNF file using end coding information stored in the CTYA attribute of the
Catalogue component. A mapping table is required to enable the information to be
transferred in order that a corresponding entity to be created in the external 3D steel
detailing package. Once the end has been detailed, the resultant geometry may be returned
to DESIGN as Plate members in Packet 20 for graphical and clash checks. In PDMS Joint
selection is controlled by specification.

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As it exports Connections (PJOI and SJOI elements) the system initially checks that the
SPRE attribute is set. If so, the CTYA of the relevant Catalogue component is checked
against the Connection mapping table. If it is valid, the local CTYS or CTYE attribute of the
attached SCTN is set for the sake of consistency. As it is doing so, the interface also checks
that the connectivity references are consistent. The CTYA attribute is then matched against
the required text for output in the SDNF file.
The interface also determines the identifier and end of the Linear Member to which the joint
is attached.

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Error and Log File Messages


Illegal or unset SPRE

SPRE must be valid.

No Connection Type - Not Cannot determine CTYA attribute. Joint cannot be


exported
exported.
Inconsistent connectivity - Connectivity not consistent, so the joint cannot be
Not exported
exported. There is probably something more
fundamentally wrong with your model.
Problem exporting entity

3.4

Other errors found.

Testing AVEVA OpenSteel Export


The following test can be performed after installing the AVEVA OpenSteel product to make
sure that the installation is complete and correct. All the required testing material can be
found below the sub-directory test/export.
The test described below creates an SDNF model file output.
The supplied databases for the TST project are compatible with AVEVA PDMS (Series 12).

3.4.1

Initial Configuration
Enter DESIGN.
Set the test project variables:
Project: TST
User Name/Password: SYSTEM/XXXXXX
MDB: DEMO
Enter the DESIGN module, if necessary by answering YES to the question "Leave Session
Manager and enter 3D Design Constructor?"
When the default set of windows, menus, bar menus and forms appears configure the
screen as follows:
Select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns from the General Application menu
This displays the Beams & Columns Application menu.
To display the Drawlist, right-click on the Drawlist button
pop-up menu.

and select Drawlist from the

Select Utilities > Beams & Columns


Choose the SITE to export to SDNF by selecting SITE /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE from the
Drawlist form. On this form click Add CE to add it to the Drawlist, answering YES to the
question "Are you sure you want to add a site?"
When that is finished, bring the SITE into view by adjusting the view limits in the 3D Volume
View window.
Change the view in that window by selecting View > Isometric > Iso 3.
The user can add the border sliders to the view window using the View > Settings >
Borders menu option.

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3.4.2

Preparing to Export
On the User Beams & Columns Utilities form select Export>(d) AVEVA OpenSteel which
will bring up the main AVEVA OpenSteel Export form.
On this form and associated forms, fill in the details prior to Export.
Target Information Form
Click the Target information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form to display the
Export Target Information form.
Select the Auto mode toggle option and select "PDMS" from the list of Target Packages on
the Target Package selector gadget on the right hand side of the form. This causes the
system to automatically detect the Target Package's Profile mapping table and Material
mapping table.
When the details are correct click OK.
Export Information Form
Click the Export information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form to display the
Export Information form.
In the output file name field enter "SDNF-Test.sdn"
Check that the SDNF file header (Packet 00) is coming from /SDNF-CONFIG-DEMOSYSTEM. Use the navigator and browser if necessary.
Select which SDNF Packets to export: Packet 10 (Linear Members), Linear Members +
End Connections and Packet 20 (Plates).
When the details are correct click OK.

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Run Information Form


Click the Run information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form to display the
Run Information form.
Select the Log File? option and choose Verbose for the message mode.
Do not select the Test Run? option as this is not a test run.
When the details are correct click OK.
The Main Export Form
To add the SITE to be exported to SDNF, Select SITE /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE in the
form's Members list. Click Add CE. This will cause all the members in the 3D Volume View
window change colour to indicate they are being exported.
The AVEVA OpenSteel - Export forms look similar to this.

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3.4.3

Creation of Export File


On the AVEVA OpenSteel - Export form, click the Export button.
The status line displays the progress of the task.
When the process is complete, the user will be asked whether to inspect the log file. The
user can then save it with the File > Save as option on the OpenSteel File Viewer window to
bring up a File Browser, or by clicking the Save as button to the suggested filename. The
log file window may then be closed by the Cancel button.

3.4.4

Checking the SDNF Output File


Compare the SDNF-Test.sdn file produced with the one supplied in the test/results/export
directory.

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Import from SDNF


This section explains how to import a steel structure from an SDNF file. It gives guidance
about what options are available, for more detailed information refer to Technical
Information and the appendices.
The user can display the main AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form by one of two ways:
On the DESIGN General Application menu bar, select Utilities > General from the drop
down menu, or, if the user is in the Steelwork Application select Utilities > Steelwork.
The User General Utilities menu bar is displayed.

The user can also find the SDNF entry in the Beams & Columns Application, with the
Beams & Columns option under the Utilities menu.
On the User General Utilities menu bar select Import>(d) AVEVA OpenSteel to display
the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form.

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4.1

Source Information
The Source Information form contains information about the 3D steel detailing package
from which the SDNF file is to be transferred. Click the Source information button on the
AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form to display the Import Source Information form.

The interface requires two external mapping tables for each Source Package to check that
the design can accept the data. It also may use the Profile Orientation mapping table if
necessary. The mapping tables are for the Steel Profiles, Materials and for mapping the
Profile orientations between DESIGN and the Neutral File. The section on user
customisation in the Installation Guide explains how the user can arrange these files on the
file system and what format they are to be. The interface also needs to know where the
external mapping files are located on your computer network. For this internal mapping
tables are required. Refer to the Installation Guide which explains how the user can
configure the interface to let it know where all the files are located.
The user can have a generic pair of mapping tables to map between PDMS and SDNF for a
particular steel fabricator, for example. Or the user can have a similar pair for each 3D steel
detailing package.
The current file settings are indicated on this form. The user will notice that changing the
Source Package by using the Source Package selector button on the right hand side of the
form may cause the text to change giving the full path names of the respective files.
Note: Do not be concerned that the path name may be truncated by the insertion of the
ellipsis (): it is modified only for display purposes on the form.
The system also checks that these files are compatible with the Source Package by
checking the identification line at the top of each mapping table. Refer to the AVEVA
OpenSteel Installation Guide for details about the format of these mapping files.
There are two main options on this form: Auto and Manual. These can be activated by
selecting the appropriate toggle button on the left hand side of the form.
The Auto option causes the interface to select automatically the Profile and Material
mapping tables for the Source Package indicated by the Source Package selector gadget
on the right hand side of the form, according to the system configuration files. When the
user comes to execute the Import process, the Auto flag will cause the correct mapping files

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to be used based on the Issue field in the Input file header. Refer to Technical Information
for details about the format of the header of an SDNF file.
The Manual option activates two other buttons, which are greyed out for the Auto option.
Selecting this option changes the form to be similar to below.

The user can select the file type using the Profiles/Materials/Orient'n toggle buttons above
the text data entry field and enter the full path name of the file in the data entry area. The
user can also include system environment variables in the path name as long as they are in
the proper PDMS format, e.g. %ENVVAR% being the PDMS representation of the ENVVAR
environment variable.
On clicking carriage return, the interface will check for existence of the file and compatibility
with the Source Package indicated by the Package option gadget.
Note: The check is only that the file applies to the Source Package and not that it is a
correct file type.
The user can either choose by hand which mapping file to use by entering its name in the
text data entry field, or by using the Browse option to bring up a File Browser. Use this
browser to search for the relevant mapping file.
Once all the correct data has been entered on the Source Information form, click OK and it
will update the interface variables. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form, leaving the
original interface variables unchanged.

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Error and Log File Messages


Internal error

Internal lists are not in step.

Cannot find suitable


internal mapping list

Internal mapping files not found.

Suitable Mapping Table File Mapping table found is not for the correct Source
not found
Package, or it does not exist.

4.2

Not a suitable Mapping


Table File

Incorrect format of file, or empty file, or wrong Source


Package.

Bad Map File

Mapping file is not correct format. Possibly it is from


another operating system.

Error on OpenSteel File


Browser form

The user has entered incorrect data on the file browser


form.

Import Information
The Import Information form contains information about the actual Import process. Click
the Import information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form to display the
Import Information form.

The user either type the full directory path name of the input file, or use the Browse button
to bring up a File Browser. The use of this form is as described in the section above. The
interface tests to see if the file exists and if it does not the user will be warned. As well as
testing for the existence of the file, it is also tested for being a valid SDNF file by inspection
of its header details.

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Note: If the user does not enter the full path name, the input file will be assumed to be in
the directory from which started PDMS. The user can also include system
environment variables in the path name as long as they are in the proper AVEVA
PDMS format, e.g. %ENVVAR% being the PDMS representation of the ENVVAR
environment variable.
In addition to the basic check for the input file being in SDNF format, the initial comments
are scanned for the presence of a data table, which may list the Packets to follow and the
number of items to be transferred in each one. If this table is present, it will be analysed and
the buttons determining which Packets may be Imported will be activated or inactivated
accordingly. This table is described in Technical Information.
On entering the name of the file, if it is from a recognised SDNF Source Package and if
Auto mode is set on the Source Information form, the Profile and Material mapping files will
be selected automatically and indicated in the Source Information form, if it is currently
shown, along with the updated Source Package selector gadget.
The user can view the SDNF Header (Packet 00) of the chosen input file by clicking the
Inspect button. This displays the Input File Header Details form with which the user can
determine whether the file is the correct one to Import.

Using the toggles on the Import Information form, if they are active, the user can select
whether to import Packet 10 (Linear Members) and/or Packet 20 (Plates).
Note: The user cannot import Packet 40 (Connection Details) with this version of the
interface. The interface will check that the user is attempting to Import something if
both options are unchecked!

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Once all the correct data has been entered on the Import Information form, click OK and
the interface variables will be updates. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form, leaving the
original interface variables unchanged.
Error and Log File Messages

4.3

Import file does not exist

File specified does not exist.

Not an SDNF File

File specified is not an SDNF file. This may also arise if


the file the user is inspecting has been transferred across
hardware platforms.

Nothing to import

The user deselected both the Linear Members and Plates


options.

Cannot autodetect Source


Package

If the AUTO option is on, the header of the Input file does
not contain the Source Package information. The
mapping table information has to be set by hand.

Run Information
On the Run Information form the user can choose whether to be offered to see the Log File
after the Import process is complete. The user can also choose whether to display Brief or
Verbose messages. Click the Run information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import
form to display the Import Information form.

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As part of the Import process a reference model is constructed against which comparisons
will be made. The Save Reference Model button allows the user to keep this. Otherwise it
will be deleted on completion of the Import process.
Note: This reference model will be deleted next time the user Exports or Imports anything
and that it is only transient data. Also, it may not be a complete model as some items
may already have been transferred into the main model on merging.
After the Import merging process has been performed, the user can sort all new items into
FRMW (Framework) elements according to their Material type. This option is selected by
clicking the Sort on Material Type option.
During the Import process, comparisons are made for Linear Members and Plates between
the existing model data and the imported model data. The default AVEVA OpenSteel system
configuration compares all the relevant data entries transferred in the SDNF file between the
models. However, the user can select which attributes may be ignored by the comparison
process by clicking the Edit Attribute Comparison List button.

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Using this form the user can deselect attributes for comparison but must be aware that
strange results may occur especially if the user ignores positional and rotational attributes.
Finally, there are two validity checks the user can perform on the incoming data which to
ensure a subsequent Import run will have a chance of success. Activating these options
overrides completely the Import choices made on the main form. With these validity checks
the user will be able to see a log file before any data is merged whatsoever.
The Profile Mapping? button enables the user to see if the incoming Linear Member Profile
specifications will be successfully mapped between systems. This is a relatively fast
transaction as the SDNF file is just passed through the external program without any
subsequent import or comparison in PDMS. the user will then be able to see the log file
produced and take appropriate action.
There is a risk in the external detailing package that entity mark numbers may be duplicated.
The Duplicate Mark numbers selector gadget enables the user to check for duplicate
numbers in the incoming model. There are three options: NONE, NEW and GLOBAL.
NONE deactivates the gadget and no checks are made. The import process just goes
through unhindered. The NEW option allows the user to check only the new imported items
for duplicate mark numbers, while the GLOBAL option enables the user to search all the
available DESIGN databases for duplicate numbers. Obviously these searches may involve
a certain amount of time, but for the sake of validity, they would be worth using.

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Once all the correct data has been entered on the Run Information form, click OK and the
interface variables will be updated. Clicking CANCEL will remove the form, leaving the
original interface variables unchanged

4.4

OpenSteel - Import Form


On the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form the Members list can be used to navigate around
the database hierarchy.
The user must state where the Imported model is to be located. This must be a SITE, ZONE
or STRU element. Using the Members list, navigate round the database to the correct
storage location and click the Store in: CE button. The form text indicates where the
Imported model will reside. If there is not enough space on the form, the SITE's reference
number is output rather than its name.
The Import process is essentially a three phase operation. First a reference model is built
which is then compared with the original model identified during the Store in: CE operation.
Then, if required, the changes, additions and deletions encountered in the comparison
phase are transferred to the actual model. Thus, using the Operations toggles, the user can
control how the Import process is to proceed.
Note: These options may be completely overridden if the user wants to perform a validity
check as on the Run Information form.
The user should be aware of how the model manages partial model transfers and where
temporarily imported data goes before it is merged into the pre-existing model. See the
sections describing the Import, Comparison and Merging processes.
Compare ( + Merge ) will import the model and compare the reference model with the
location chosen to be the storage area. At this point the user will be asked whether to merge
the models. Clicking YES will continue with the merge process and complete the Import.
Compare + Merge just goes through the complete Import process - i.e. the import,
comparison and merging are all completed without any interaction with the user. This is only
to be performed if the user is absolutely sure that they will get the desired result.
Merge from File takes a merge command file produced during the current DESIGN session
only and imports it directly into the model. The reference model must not have been deleted
beforehand. Otherwise, the user may lose any elements added to the model by the external
detailing package.
This is a very quick option and there are no checks, except what the user wants to do it.
Error and Log File Messages
Bad element type

4.5

The user is not trying to store imported data at a SITE,


ZONE or STRU element.

Import and Cancel


The Control item on the Import form has just one option, Exit, which will remove all forms
and menus and global variables associated with the interface.
Cancel removes the AVEVA OpenSteel Import form from the screen.

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Import executes the Import process. As it proceeds the user is kept informed of the
progress.

4.6

Import Form Bar Menu


The Control item on the Import form has just two options; Re-initialise and Exit. If the user
changes any mapping files or any other variables, Re-initialise will reload these files to
save the user having to rebuild the whole User Interface from scratch. The Exit command
will remove all forms and menus and global variables associated with the interface.
The General item has one option, Highlight. This will bring up the Highlighter form
enabling the user to highlight new, changed and deleted items in the model.

4.7

Import Process
After clicking OK the fields in the form are checked for validity:

Is the storage location valid?

Is there a valid input file?

Do we need to convert the file across platforms?

Are the Profile and Material mapping files valid for the Source Package as identified in
the Header of the input file?

After verifying that all the form data is correct and valid, the external program is called. The
interface waits for a certain time until the program is finished. This waiting time is user
configurable. If there are errors raised by the external program the user is notified and more
detailed information is placed in the log file. If the waiting period expires without the interface
detecting that the external program has completed - it may have crashed, or not exist, the
user will be asked if they want to carry on waiting for another time unit.

Click YES and the interface will wait for another period of time. Clicking NO will cause the
interface to stop where it is. Finally the system will indicate its completion, whether
successful or not. This completion message should be read in conjunction with the log file, if
any errors are indicated.
The user will be alerted to unsuccessful runs by the external program by the following form
after which the process exits.

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If the external program successfully completes, the processed SDNF file will be imported
into DESIGN. Any reference data which may have been retained by the user before will
have been deleted beforehand.
The status line will inform the user of the progress on importing the data. As a rough guide,
the length of the input macro is about 25 times the number of elements. Thus a file
transferring 300 members will be about 7500 lines long.
After the Import of everything, the material properties are reconciled with the
:SDNFMGRADE attribute and, if possible, the MATR is also set to point to the appropriate
property in the Properties database.
At this point, if the user has chosen to be asked whether to Merge after the Compare
operation, the prompt form below is shown.

Clicking YES will cause the interface to continue with the Merge process.
Click NO and the Import process will skip the Merging, but the user will then be given a
chance to store the Merging commands in a file for use later on only in the current AVEVA
PDMS session. The user cannot use a file from a previous OpenSteel session as the
Import data may be incorrect.

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The user can save the Merge command file and then be prompted whether to see the
Import log file. This Merge command file may then be used in the Merge from File option on
the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form. This later option needs the reference model from this
run to be kept. Therefore, the user does not have the option below.
If the user has Merged the models, they will then be asked if they want to keep the reference
model, verifying the option selected on the Run Information form.

Finally, the user will then be asked whether to look at the log file, if they have chosen that
option on the Run Information form.

If the user wants to inspect the log file, they can then save it with the File > Save as option
in the OpenSteel File Viewer window which will bring up a File Browser, or by clicking the
Save as button to the suggested filename. If the file exists, the user will be asked whether
they want to overwrite it. The log file window can then be closed by the Cancel button.

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If the user has chosen Brief mode on the Run Information form for displaying the log file,
the form displaying the log file will filter out all Warning messages, leaving only the Error
messages. To save the log file, however, all messages will be retained in the file.
Clicking on a line containing an PDMS reference number will cause all graphical views to
zoom in to the chosen item and to highlight it. The interface will also navigate to the item in
the database and leave the user there to perform any queries or operations.
Error and Log File Messages

4.8

File does not exist

Somehow there is no log file Are there issues regarding


access rights to the %PDMSWK% directory?

Input file name not


specified

Something strange here. The name of the Design macro


generated has been forgotten.

Import file does not exist

Something strange here. The DESIGN PDMS macro file


has not been generated or it has been deleted, or is not
found in the expected directory. Are there issues
regarding access rights to the %PDMSWK% directory?

Data store unset

The data store variable is unset or the SITE the user had
intended to store the imported data in is invalid. Has it
been deleted since the user set the store variable?

Comparison and Merging Processes


The Import, Comparison and Merge process involves three stages. First, the model is
imported. The user then has the option of comparing the imported model with the original
model, after which they may merge the new data into the old model, or the comparison and
merge process can be performed as one with no user interaction. Though the user can tell
the system to Import, Compare and Merge the model straight away this should only be

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performed if the user is sure of the end result. It is advised that the user Compares the
models first and inspect the results before Merging.
The user can decide to keep the imported reference model as has been described above but is warned that this is only to be regarded as transitory information. It may also not be a
complete representation of the data imported as some of it will get transferred to the real
design area.

4.8.1

The Comparison Process


There are three conditions the AVEVA OpenSteel looks for:

items in the imported file that are not in the original model - Added items;

items in the original model that are not in the imported file - Deleted items;

items that it can match between the imported file and the original model and checks for
modifications - Changed items.

The fact that an item is in the imported file and not in the original model is indicative of one
of two cases: that the item has indeed been added by the external steel detailing package;
or that the item was never exported in the first place for some reason. This latter case might
also occur if the original model has had items added to it since the export happened.
Further, items may appear to have been deleted and their likes imported when the import
store location is not the same as it was for the export process.
Below is a diagram illustrating the route through which the data is imported, compared and
merged. New items are green, changed items are orange and deleted items are red.

It is clear from the above diagram that the interface supports partial model transfer as it just
highlights those new or changed items. Anything indicated as deleted is more an indication
that the item is not present in the Imported SDNF file. It is not deleted from the Original
Model during the Merge process: "Deleted" items are simply moved to another SITE to

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enable the user to recover them if necessary. So parts of models can be merged into the
original model with no loss of data.
Note: The Reference Model which is created is named according to the user session, so
that several user Reference Models could coexist at the same time. As they are
named according to session, the user is advised to take care to manage them and
not to leave too many versions around to fill up your disk space.
The Comparison process allows any potential changes, additions and deletions to the
original model to be detected and highlighted in a 3D Volume View window, if there is one
present and if the items are in the current Drawlist.
As for both Linear Members and Plates the user can select which attributes are significant
for Comparison. This is performed using the Comparison Checklist form which is a child of
the Import Run Information form. By default, all the attributes transferred through the
SDNF file are compared.
Comparing Linear Members
The following data attributes are compared between the original model and the reference
model:

Start and end of Pline defined by Cardinal Point

Orientation and Beta angle

Specification Reference

Start and End releases

Material grade and reference

Hold and Paint Spec UDAs

Importing a Linear Member also sets the Import date and time UDAs. On merging members
the revision number, transfer number and code are updated.
The log file messages recording any differences are of two formats: in Brief mode the
results are presented on one line; in Verbose mode the user is told what the old value was
and the new value is so that they can see how the model has been changed. Refer to Brief
Format for details about the brief log file format.
The user may get a lot of apparent changes which may be caused by the failure to map the
profile types between systems. The log file will indicate which profiles have not been
mapped. It is advised that the user resolves the Profile Mapping issues first before
becoming too concerned with other changes recorded in the log file.
During the Import phase, an attempt is made to map the SDNF Cardinal Points (SNFA to
SNFN) in the incoming model with existing Plines that have been mapped onto them. Refer
to the Installation Guide.
Comparing Plates (PANE)
The following data attributes are compared between the original model and the reference
model:

Position, orientation

Material grade and reference

Hold and Paint Spec UDAs

Panel loop height and justification

Number of vertices

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Vertex positions compared to within the user definable tolerance as described in the section
on user customisation of the interface.
Importing a Plate also sets the Import date and time UDAs. On merging members the
revision number, transfer number and code are updated.
The log file messages recording any differences are of two formats: in Brief mode the
results are presented on one line; in Verbose mode the user is told what the old value was
and the new value is so that they can see how the model has been changed. Refer to Brief
Format for details about the brief log file format.
Note: In Exporting a Plate, it has to be converted to the SDNF standard of being defined in
a clockwise direction relative to the plane normal. Thus Importing a Plate previously
defined in DESIGN the user may find the order of vertices to have been reversed.
This is because DESIGN is more tolerant about the ways in which the user can
define a plate.

4.8.2

The Merging Process


See the diagram in Section 4.8 illustrating the route by which information is transferred from
the Import, through the Comparison and on to the Merging processes.
The AVEVA OpenSteel interface manages the Comparison and Merging of imported
models so that other important engineering data is not lost or overwritten. However, other
data, including connectivity may be lost.
The user can separate the Comparison and Merging processes, so that they are able to
view the log file in between operations. If the user chooses the Merge from File option on
the main OpenSteel Import form, the Comparison process is deemed to have been
completed and so all that remains to be done is the actual Merging. This is why the
reference model for the current session must still be available. The user will be prompted for
confirmation.

If, during the Merge phase, items are to be merged, then the lists of added and deleted
items are reconciled with the original model - by being deleted or transferred from reference
model. The storage SITE header details are then merged with the information in the SDNF
header (Packet 00).
After the main model Merging has been completed, if the user has chosen the Sort on
Material Type option on the Import form, any new items will be sorted into FRMW groups
according to their material type as specified by the :SDNFMGRADE attribute.
The version numbering system is described below, in Technical Information.

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Additional Items
Items added to the model are recorded as such; they are highlighted by changing their
colour, a suitable message is output to the log file and they are then transferred to a special
area. Merging will transfer all the added items from the reference model to the original
model. If required, they are then sorted according to material type.
The new items are gathered together into a site whose name is constructed from the
Transfer and Revision Numbers so that the user can easily locate all items added at a
specific version or date.
For example, a new STRU may be created with the name of /SDNF-NEW-DEMO-SYSTEM/
A.1 under the container element as specified in the Store in: field on the OpenSteel
Import form. The components of this name are as follows:
/SDNF-

the system prefix

NEW-

identification of new element container

<mdb name>-

the current MDB, e.g. /DEMO

<user name>-/

the current user name, e.g. SYSTEM

<transfer nr>.

the current Transfer letter, e.g. 'A'

<revision nr>

the current revision number, e.g. '1'

The user would thus be able to find all the added items to this MDB at this version.

4.8.3

Deleted Items
Deleted items in the model are recorded as deleted during the Compare phase and remain
in the reference model to be deleted later if not required. This separation of operations is so
that the user can see what will be deleted during the Merge process. Before deletion the
objects are changed in colour so that they may be highlighted.
Note: An item is not actually deleted from the original model. The apparent deletion may, in
fact, be because the item was never transferred to the external detailing package in
the first place due to some reason. Alternatively it may have been created in
DESIGN since the initial Export process had taken place.
'Deleted' items are disconnected from the old model and transferred from the current part of
the database into a STRU created under the special 'Deleted' SITE as described in Refer to
the AVEVA OpenSteel Installation Guide.
As with the added items, the STRU is named out of components, thereby enabling the user
to determine at which version items may have been removed from the model.
For example, a new STRU may be created with the name of /SDNF-OLD-DEMO-SYSTEM/
A.1 under the special SITE /SDNF-OLD-DEMO-SYSTEM. The components of this name
are as follows:
/SDNF-

the system prefix

OLD-

identification of new element container

<mdb name>-

the current MDB, e.g. /DEMO

<user name>-/

the current user name, e.g. SYSTEM

<transfer nr>.

the current Transfer letter, e.g. 'A'

<revision nr>

the current revision number, e.g. '1'

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The user would thus be able to find all the 'deleted' items to this MDB at this version.
Changed Items
In merging Plates the interface tries to keep the original vertices as they may have been
used for locating dimensions on drawings: it may be that just the positions have been
changed. However, the comparison only works in list order: the interface does not look
around for another vertex in the same physical place, although it may be in a different list
position. Extra unwanted vertices are deleted on merging and all new vertices are added to
the end of the list. A totally new Plate is just imported directly.
Changed objects are highlighted as such by a change in colour.
Error and Warning Messages

4.9

WARNING: Reference SITE


nnnn contains transient
data

The reference SITE is likely to be deleted some time.

Model comparison
completed

Process was successful.

Failed to compare models

Do they both exist?

Validation Process
As has been described in Section 4.8 there are two validation checks the user can perform
prior to the full import and merging of models.
The first option is for profile mapping. The Profile Mapping? Option on the Run
Information form turns this on. The Import process initialises normally and calls the
external program to process the incoming SDNF file. In so doing it checks for a complete
mapping of the profiles in the mapping tables. A log file is produced. No further Import
actions are undertaken with this option.
Second, the user can check that there are not any duplicate external mark numbers. This
can quite easily come about if the user copies members in the external detailing package
without creating unique mark numbers for them. When they are imported into PDMS, the
Comparison process may fail as it could be uncertain as to which member it is supposed to
be comparing.
The options for this check are NEW and GLOBAL. NONE turns the facility off. NEW checks
among all this run's imported members contained in the reference model for duplicate mark
numbers, while GLOBAL checks the whole structural database, both imported and existing
elements. These can be quite slow options as the reference model must be created and
compared anyway.
As this option also calls the external program which checks the mapping of profile names
between systems, the user will see that the log file may also list any problems with the
mapping tables. So this option is actually a combination of this and the previously
mentioned validity checking option.
See Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File for a sample log file.

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4.10

Highlighting Changes in the Design


The user can display an OpenSteel Highlighter form from either the Import or Export
forms by the General > Highlight menu bar option. This form allows the user to highlight in
a graphical window whatever they want, either according to Import date, or by Transfer/
Revision number combinations. The Select by toggle switches the form into the appropriate
mode. Both these options work from the start element selected and will highlight only those
items that are in the drawlist.

4.10.1

Highlighting by Import Date


The form below allows the user to choose what to highlight on the screen according to the
Import Date of an item.

In the Selected items box, the user can select any combination of Added, Changed, or
Deleted Items for highlighting, according to the date range described below.
By selecting the inclusive dates defining the limits of the range using the From and To date
selector gadgets the user can highlight on the screen those items in the current drawlist
which have been changed, added or deleted.

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Note: As the 'deleted' elements are relocated in the database after Merging, the area
where they are finally located should also be in the drawlist if the user wants to see
what has been 'deleted'.

4.10.2

Highlighting by Version
The form below allows the user to choose what to highlight on the screen according to the
Version of an item.

The rules of selecting the changed, deleted or added items are the same as for the previous
section, Highlighting by Import Date.
By selecting the versions defining the limits of the range using the From and To version
selector gadgets the user can highlight on the screen those items in the current drawlist
which have been changed, added or deleted.
Note: As the 'deleted' elements are relocated in the database after Merging, the area
where they are finally located should also be in the drawlist if the user wants to see
what has been 'deleted'.

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Error and Warning Messages

4.11

Bad date input

The configuration of day, month and year is illegal. Or is


the start date after the end date?

Bad version input

Is the start version after the end version?

Nothing to highlight

Nothing satisfies the selection criteria.

Testing AVEVA OpenSteel - Import


The following test can be performed after installing the AVEVA OpenSteel product to make
sure that the installation is complete and correct. This test must follow immediately the
Export test described in Testing AVEVA OpenSteel Export. The user will find all the required
testing material below the sub-directory test/import.
The test described below imports an SDNF model file.
The supplied databases for the TST project are compatible with PDMS12.

4.11.1

Initial Configuration
Enter DESIGN.
Set the test project variables:
Project: TST
User Name/Password: SYSTEM/XXXXXX
MDB: DEMO
Enter the DESIGN module, if necessary by answering YES to the question "Leave Session
Manager and enter 3D Design Constructor?"
When the default set of windows, menus, bar menus and forms appears configure the
screen as follows:
Select Design > Structures > Beams & Columns from the General Application bar menu
This displays the PDMS DESIGN - Beams & Columns Application bar menu.
To display the Drawlist, right-click on the Drawlist button
pop-up menu.

and select Drawlist from the

Select Utilities > Beams & Columns


Choose the SITE to export to SDNF by selecting SITE /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE from the
Drawlist form. On this form click Add CE to add it to the Drawlist, answering YES to the
question "Are you sure you want to add a site?"
When that is finished, bring the SITE into view by adjusting the view limits in the 3D Volume
View window.
Change the view in that window by selecting View > Isometric > Iso 3.
The user can add the border sliders to the view window using the View > Settings >
Borders menu option.

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4.11.2

Preparing to Import
On the User Steelwork Utilities form select Import>(d) AVEVA OpenSteel to display
AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form.
On this form and associated forms, the user now need to fill in the details prior to Import.
Source Information Form
Click the Source information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form to display the
Source Information form.
Select the Auto mode toggle option and select "PDMS" from the list of Source Packages on
the Source Package selector gadget on the right hand side of the form. This causes the
system to automatically detect the Source Package's Profile mapping table and Material
mapping table.
When the details are correct click OK.
Import Information Form
Clicking the Import information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form to display
the Import Information form.
In the input file name field enter "%TSTIMP%/SDNF-Test.sdn"
Select which SDNF Packets to import: Packet 10 (Linear Members) and Packet 20
(Plates).
When the details are correct click OK.
Run Information Form
Clicking the Run information button on the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form to display the
Run Information form.

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Select the Log File? option and choose Verbose for the message mode to get a verbose
log file.
Select the Save Reference Model? option in order to safe any reference model.
Finally, we will sort any new members added to the model by material type. Select the Sort
on Material type? option.
If the user wants to perform a validity check on the incoming data prior to importing it, refer
to Performing a Validity Check.
When the details are correct click OK.
The Main Import Form
Select the SITE into which the SDNF file is to be imported. Select SITE /TEST-SDNFINTERFACE in the form's Members list and click the CE button by Store in:.
We will then want to perform a two stage import, Comparing the models first before Merging.
So, select the Compare (+ Merge) radio button.
The AVEVA OpenSteel - Import forms should now look similar to this.

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Note: In the above form the environment variable %TSTIMP% has been automatically
replaced by its expanded value.

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4.11.3

Importing the SDNF File


On the AVEVA OpenSteel - Import form, click the OK button.
The status line will then keep the user informed of the progress of the task.
After the first stage of Import has take place, the user will be asked by a Prompt form with
the following message. "OpenSteel (Confirm) - Model comparison completed. OK to merge
models?". Click the YES button to continue with the Merge process.
When the process is complete the user will see the following message:

The user will then be asked if they want to inspect the log file. If they do, they can save it
with the File > Save as option in the OpenSteel File Viewer window to bring up a File
Browser, or by clicking the Save as button to the suggested filename. The log file window
may be closed by the Cancel button.

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4.11.4

Comparing the Imported Model with the Original


The supplied test project also contains an original reference model /ORIG-TEST-SDNFINTERFACE which can be used to visually compare the imported model with the original.
The user can do this by adding the original model to the Drawlist in a different colour so that
it will be superimposed on the modified model. The user can then inspect the 3D Volume
View closely for the differences recorded in the log file.
The user can then Export the merged model to a file SDNF-Test-Mrg.sdn and compare the
new SDNF file with the one provided in the test/results/import directory.

4.11.5

Performing a Validity Check


If the user wants to perform a validity check on the incoming data before they actually import
it bring up the Run Information form from the main Import form. Select GLOBAL for the
Duplicate Mark Number search criterion. Click OK on that form and fill in all the details on
the main form as described above.
Once all the details are correct on the Import form, click OK. The validation process will be
performed and in due course the user will be prompted to view the log file. Save the log file
as SDNF-Test-Vfy.log and compare it with the results supplied in the test/results/import
directory.

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Bolt Reports

Bolt Reports
This section explains how to extract reports of Anchor Bolts from the model using the Bolt
Report templates supplied with the interface. This is useful for comparing Import and Export
models, locating anchor bolts and purchasing.
The report templates are to be found in the directory reports/templates under the main
directory which is created on installation of the interface.
Modelling of anchor bolts will be by Linear Members, i.e. SCTN elements, in the correct
location. Therefore, the anchor bolt report templates assume that:

the Catalogue component name defining an anchor bolt profile contains a '-AB' suffix;

the start (POSS) of the SCTN is the lower end of the SCTN.

To change these assumptions, refer to the Reporting Reference Manual on how to modify
the report templates.
To select and run the report the user must choose the Utilities>Reports>Run option from
the Application Menu Bar. This brings up a File Browser which the user can use to navigate
to the correct directory and select the correct report template. This will then go and create
the report.
The user will be prompted to enter the top of the member hierarchy under which the search
for anchor bolts is to take place and will also be prompted for the output file.

The values proposed are the default ones which the user can override.

5.1

Anchor Bolt Locations


The user can produce a report of all anchor bolt locations using the report template
SDNFBoltLocRep.tmp which creates a file which is called by default
SDNFBoltLocation.rep in the current directory, i.e. the directory from which the user
initiated PDMS.
Below is a part of an anchor bolt location report:

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Bolt Reports

AVEVA OPENSTEEL
ANCHOR BOLT LOCATION REPORT
============================================================
Date of Report: 2 Jun 2008
Time of Report: 15:21
Selection from: /*
============================================================
Bolt type

RefNo

/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M20-AB
/M24-AB
/M24-AB

=15322/225
=15322/1517
=15322/226
=15322/1518
=15322/223
=15322/1515
=15322/221
=15322/1513
=15322/211
=15322/1503
=15322/212
=15322/1504
=15322/224
=15322/1516
=15322/222
=15322/1514
=15322/185
=15322/1477

/M24-AB

=15322/187

Easting
(mm)
151200
151200
151200
151200
155150
155150
155150
155150
155200
155200
155200
155200
155250
155250
155250
155250
123900
123900

123900

Northing
(mm)
147940
147940
148060
148060
147925
147925
148075
148075
153925
153925
154075
154075
147925
147925
148075
148075
157000
157000

163000

Base level
(mm)
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170
100170

100170

The report is sorted according to bolt type and then according to the East, North, Up values
of the position of the start of the bolt in the world coordinate system.

5.2

Anchor Bolt Quantities


The user can count the number of each bolt type using the SDNFBoltLisRep.tmp report
template. This produces a file which is called by default SDNFBoltListing.rep in the current
directory, i.e. the directory from which the user initiated PDMS.
Below is a report of bolt quantities in the test model.
AVEVA OPENSTEEL
ANCHOR BOLT LISTING REPORT
================================================================
Date of Report: 2 Jun 2008
Time of Report: 15:17
Selection from: /*
================================================================

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Bolt Reports

Bolt Type
/M20-AB
/M24-AB
/M30-AB
unset

Quantity
16
56
8
2

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Bolt Reports

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Technical Information

Technical Information
This section contains technical information which is not immediately specific to PDMS but of
which the user should be aware in order to get the best out of the interface.

6.1

SDNF - Structural Steel Detailing Neutral File Format


This section describes the format of the SDNF file.
It appears that all of the related Packets must be output at the same time. We cannot export
a set of Linear Members and some time later another set.
Comments may be inserted anywhere through the file. They are indicated by the '#' symbol
as the first character.
Lines, apart from the Packet identifications, are free formatted delimited by blanks, up to a
maximum length of 132 characters.
Text or character, values are enclosed in double quotation marks, '"'.

6.1.1

Export/Import different SDNF formats


The interface can read and write SDNF files to both version 2 and version 3 of the format.
The format is described later this section.
On the Export Information form there is a drop down list which the user can use to select
which SDNF version to output.

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6.1.2

Auto-detection of SDNF formats


The system can automatically detect which version of the file the user is inputting and set
the import drop down list accordingly. The user should need to do no more.
The user can set up the default SDNF format version in the SDNFUserData.pmlfnc file in
the pml/functions directory. This is the !!SDNFSDNFVersion variable which must be
precisely one of the 2 suggested text strings.

-- Default SDNF file format


-- currently |2.0| or |3.0|
!!SDNFSDNFVersion

= |3.0|

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The user can inspect the file header as before and an added line will show which SDNF
version it has found.

If the user changes the version setting, the system will not work because it is expecting a file
of a radically different format. However, the interface will fail in a controlled manner
producing a "catch-all" error message such as

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[Error] - Fatal processing error in external program.

If the user manually selects the wrong SDNF version, they may also get an error message in
the log file about syntax errors in the incoming file. This is because the Packet 0 records are
different.

6.1.3

Packet 00 - Title Packet


This Packet is the SDNF file header. Only 1 Packet of this type must be included. It
describes the run for the data transfer. Its record structure is as follows:
Record
Record
Record
Record
Record
Record
Record
Record
Record

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Packet header
Engg Firm Id
Client Id
Structure Id
Project Id
Date/Time
Rev #, Issue Code
Design Code
Nr of Load Records

6:4

Fixed
C80
C80
C80
C80
C30,C30
I, C64 16
C80
I

Packet 00
ABB
XYZ
Building 1
Project XYZ
14/11/9709:30
StruCad
Design Code name
1

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Technical Information

Record 10 Load #, Type, Desc

I, I, C64

1 1 Live and Wind

repeat Record 10 as stated in Record 9

Note: The Issue Code (Record 7) holds the Source Package of the SDNF file.

6.1.4

Packet 10 - Linear Members


Linear Members are the elements represented in DESIGN by SCTNs - straight prismatic
profiles. They are described in the SDNF file as follows:

There are several ways of defining a Linear Member using different combinations of the
above data elements, some of which will not be interpretable by other systems. The method
of interpretation of these fields is defined below.

6.1.5

Location of Linear Members in Space


Close and rigorous study of the definition of Linear Members in SDNF will reveal that there
are many ways in which a Linear Member may be located in space. Combinations of
information stored in records 5 to 7 per Linear Member will determine its location. The main

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Technical Information

requirement is that the Cardinal Point is to be used to draw the lines in schematic drawings
such that, where possible, a connected model may be deduced.
More generally, the interpretation is as follows:
Record 6 is ignored completely - (2D offsets)
The Start and End cutbacks (Record 5) are ignored by default, but see section 6.5 Using
Linear Member Cutbacks for how to enable them.
The Start and End Position of the Member (Record 5) is the start and end position of the
'real length of steel' located on the line described by the Cardinal Point (Record 3).
The 3D Start and End Eccentricities (Record 7) then define the real start and end of the
Cardinal Point 'Line' relative to the Node, if any. Thus, using Record 7 with Record 5, the
Node position could be determined. AVEVA OpenSteel would export this value, but could
not do much with it on import at the moment.
Note: The sense of this eccentricity is a vector from the end of the member to the node
position.
All packages are assumed to export the start and end positions of the Linear Member's
Cardinal Point Line.
Rotation and Orientation Vector
The Rotation and Orientation Vector attributes of a Linear Member determine the orientation
of the element about its axis. The Orientation Vector defines the default orientation of the
member before any rotation has been applied to it.
The Rotation is then taken as a right handed rotation about the axis from that default vector
as one looks along the member from start to end - the local Z axis.
Packet 20 - Plates
Plates are represented in PDMS by PANE elements as loops on the upper and lower faces.
No enclosed holes are transferable using SDNF.

Below are the rules of interpretation of these fields.

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Technical Information

Order of Vertices
When exporting, the vertices describing a Plate are assumed to be defined in a manner
according to the "Right Hand Screw Rule", where the vertices are in a clockwise order when
viewed along the normal to the Plate plane.
When importing, the vertices may be defined in either direction.
Plate Origin
The Plate Origin is taken to be the position of the first vertex.
Plate Orientation
The vector from the first vertex to the next vertex is taken as the local X axis. Knowing the
fact that the plate is defined in a Right Hand Screw Rule manner, the plane normal can be
determined. This will determine the local Z axis. The Y axis then becomes the vector cross
product of the Z and X axes.
Ignored Plate types
OpenSteel can partially cope with new plate types. Plate type 0 is treated, as in previous
versions, with straight edges. Plate type 1 is partially handled by placing the vertices, but
ignoring the corner radius (connection number). This is because we would have to generate
more vertices on the loop for import into PDMS. Plate type 2 (circular plates) are ignored.

6.1.6

Packet 30 - Member Loading


Loading of elements is not transferred by this interface.

No loads along the member are catered for.

6.1.7

Packet 40 - Connection Details


The Connection Details attached to one or each end of a Linear Member are described
here. In DESIGN terms they are modelled by Primary or Secondary Joints. The mechanism
by which the description text in record 3 is obtained is detailed above. The record structure
is as follows:

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Technical Information

This is only a textual description. No geometry is passed here, especially concerning


sniping etc.

6.1.8

Packet 50 - Grid Packet


Grid Packets are not transferred in this interface.

6.2

Recommended SDNF File Suffix


Although it is not critical for this interface, the recommended suffix for the SDNF files is to be
'.sdn'.

6.3

SDNF File Header Information


As has been described in the Installation Guide, all the internal maps are exported in the
SDNF file as comments for information purposes only. Appendix B gives an example file.
Note: All these tables represented in the form:

#
#
#
#
#
#

STARTTABLE nnnn
data
data
ENDTABLE

with STARTTABLE and ENDTABLE as the keywords.


However, a special PACKET table is to be included in the header which indicates how many
objects of each Packet are contained in the following SDNF file. In this way, any system
importing the file will be able to give some progress feedback as it will know how many
items are expected without having to read the whole file at the beginning. An example is

#
# STARTTABLE PACKET
# 10 39

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Technical Information

# 20 1
# 40 0
# ENDTABLE
#
This example is indicating that there are 39 Linear Members in Packet 10, 1 Plate in Packet
20 and no Connection Details in Packet 40.
This interface uses this table to modify the behaviour of the Import forms.

6.4

Member ID Numbers at SDNFv3


The SDNFv3 specification describes the member ID as consisting of 2 components in the
format xxxyyyyy: 'xxx' represents the model number and 'yyyyy' represents the member id
number. It appears that not every system will output member identification marks according
to this format. The interface takes this into account, decomposing the id number, if possible
and storing them in the right data slots. Exporting to SDNFv3 will produce id numbers to the
required format.
For Export, the model number that is output in the SDNF file is retrieved from the header
object and can be set using the modified dialogs illustrated below.

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Technical Information

On Import the components of a member ID number are stored in the NUMB attribute.

6.5

Using Linear Member Cutbacks


The interface can handle cutbacks as entered in Record 5 of Packet 10 of the SDNF file
Refer to Packet 10 - Linear Members.
The start and end 3D eccentricities in Record 7 are ignored as in previous releases.
The default setting is not to use cutbacks for compatibility with previous versions of
OpenSteel. If the user wants to change the default setting, this is set in the
sdnfUserData.pmlfnc file in the directory pml/functions.

-- Flag to handle a supplied trimmed model or one


where cutbacks must be used
-- |CP| = trimmed positions;
-- |WP| = worked out positions
!!SDNFModelType

= |CP|

The interpretation of the SDNF record data for Linear Members and their cutbacks is
illustrated below. Here is an SDNF description of a Linear Member.

1 10 0 0 "ANG" "15322/826" 0
"L60x6" "Steel, carbon" 180.0000 0 0
-287.3480 0.0000 957.8260 138100.0000 166000.0000
106000.0000 140796.5000 166000.0000 106808.9530 10.0000
30.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000 20.0000 0.0000 10.0000 -50.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
In the above data the fields are interpreted as shown:

Orientation vector = ( -287, 0, 958 )

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Technical Information

Start position = ( 138100, 166000, 106000 )


End position = ( 140796, 166000, 106809 )
Start cutback = 10
End cutback = 30
Start eccentricity = ( 0, 0, 20 )
End eccentricity = ( 0, 10, -50 )

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Technical Information

Diagram showing each interpretation. The text below describes this diagram in more detail.

6.5.1

Exporting
The use of the Use Cutbacks option will be the same for exporting a PDMS model in either
SDNF format, i.e. v2.0 or v3.0.
When the Use Cutbacks checkbox is left unchecked the start and end positions entered in
Record 5 will be the start and end positions of the Justification Pline of the member.
Where the member is connected, i.e. the Joistart and/or Joiend attributes are set, the start
and/or end cutback value will be set to be the absolute length of the vector between the
node position and the Justification Pline position as projected along the member's axis. In
effect, this calculates a virtual node. For simple, orthogonal structures which have not been
manipulated too much, this will tend to be at the same position as the attached node.
Where the member is unconnected, i.e. either the Joistart and/or Joiend attributes are
unset, the start and/or end cutback value will be set to zero.

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Technical Information

When the Use Cutbacks checkbox is checked the start and end positions entered in
Record 5 will be the positions of the virtual nodes derived from the nodes to which the start/
end is connected. The start and end cutbacks will be set to be the distance between the
virtual node position and the Justification Pline position.
If either or both member ends are unconnected the start and/or end position in Record 5 will
be start and/or end position of the Justification Pline and the cutbacks will be zero.

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Technical Information

Below is the relevant Export dialog with the Use Cutbacks option indicated.

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Technical Information

6.5.2

Importing
The use of the Use Cutbacks option will be the same for importing a model in either SDNF
format, i.e. v2.0 or v3.0.
When the Use Cutbacks checkbox is left unchecked the start and end positions of the
member will be set to the start and end positions given in Record 5. Any cutback values in
Record 5 will be ignored.

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Technical Information

When the Use Cutbacks checkbox is checked the Start and End positions of the member
will be 'trimmed' in accordance with the start and end cutback values in Record 5.

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Technical Information

Below is the relevant Import dialog with the Use Cutbacks option indicated.

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Technical Information

6.6

Cardinal Points
Below is a diagram illustrating the positions of the Intergraph FrameWorks Cardinal Points.
FrameWorks cannot handle Cardinal Points above Point 10, but for this interface it is
imperative that all interfaces in this project are able to handle all 14 illustrated below. This is
because, especially for unequal angle profiles, the first 10 Cardinal Points are not sufficient.
On transfer between systems, the Cardinal Point imported should be retained for later
export. This is because it is likely to be a source of confusion when a member originally laid
out on Cardinal Point 14 (Top of Steel) is returned on the Cardinal Point 10 (Neutral Axis).
Additionally, it will cause minor problems in model versioning and comparisons.

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6.7

Default Orientations
There is a definition of the default orientation of profile shapes associated with the SDNF
Specification produced by the Intergraph FrameWorks User Group. This is closely based on
the AISC standard. It is proposed that each software package will translate to this format on
export and from this format on import. This would then provide a standard interpretation of
the mirroring flags associated with Linear Members (Record 4). The main issue here
concerns angle profiles on import to Design.
Below is a diagram showing the FrameWorks default orientations of the Catalogue profiles.

Note: The FrameWorks coordinate system defining the Profiles is left-handed. The
difference between this and the coordinate system used in PDMS is illustrated by the
diagram below.

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6.7.1

Mirroring
Although the FrameWorks documentation mentions mirroring about both the X and Y axes,
it can only handle mirroring about the Y axis. The results of mirroring about the Y axis are
shown below.
Note: This also mirrors the Cardinal Points about the Y axis as well.
This interface does not handle mirroring about the X axis either. However, any desired result
can be achieved just by rotations and mirroring about the Y axis.

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6.8

Pline Selection Rules


The user can define which Plines are identifiable or selectable using the supplied DESIGN
Appware. Saving the rules generates a file in the default directory. This is later automatically
picked up on re-entry into DESIGN. Then, these rules become applicable to various
operations in the standard Steelwork Appware.
From the DESIGN - Steelwork Application bar menu select Settings>Pline Rules This
will bring up a form listing the currently available rules for filtering Plines. This will be similar
to the picture below.

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Technical Information

Clicking the Define Rules button will bring up a form on which the user can create their
own. Above is the form filled in for the supplied AVEVA OpenSteel Pline filter rule. The
operation of the form is fairly self explanatory.
The supplied Pline rule filter file, called des-pline-rules.pmldat, is listed below. Should the
user want to use it, copy it from the pml directory to your log in directory as identified by the
%PDMSUSER% environment variable and it will be accessible to the user the next time
they enter PDMS.
#-- Data file containing pline rule definitions
!rule
!rule.name
!rule.rule
!rule.types
!rule.description

=
=
=
=
=

object RULE()
|OpenSteel Plines|
|(match( ( attrib PKEY ), 'SNF' ) gt 0)|
||
|OpenSteel Plines with PKEY = SNF[A-N].|

!!tmpRuleArray.append(!rule)

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6.8.1

Use of Pline Filters


The default drawing flags for the Plines have been changed to LEVEL 99 99, CLFLAG
TRUE and TUFLAG TRUE. In the AVEVA PDMS DESIGN Steelwork Application The user
can choose which Pline filters to use using the following method.
From the main Bar Menu select Settings>Pline Rules which brings up the Pline Rule filter
box.
Select which rule set the user wants to use by highlighting it.
Click OK. This rule set then becomes available for use when using Appware functionality
only.
Note: Direct querying, such as "q idpl @" does not access this rule set.

6.9

UDAs
This section lists the UDAs defined for this interface.
We have attempted to keep the unique abbreviation to 6 characters. The UDAs for this
interface are:

6.9.1

6.9.2

General Data

Name

Type

Len

On

Description

:SDNFED/ATE

TEXT

20

SCTN PANE

Date of Export

:SDNFET/IME

TEXT

20

SCTN PANE

Time of Export

:SDNFID/ATE

TEXT

30

SCTN PANE

Date of Import

:SDNFIT/IME

TEXT

30

SCTN PANE

Time of Import

:SDNFRE/VNO

INT

SCTN PANE SITE

Revision Nr (0)

:SDNFTRA/NO

INT

SCTN PANE SITE

Transfer index(1)

:SDNFTRR/VNO

TEXT

10

SCTN PANE SITE

Revision Text

:SDNFEX/CLUDE

LOG

SCTN PANE SJOI PJOI

Exclude flag (f)

:SDNFSTA/TUS

TEXT

10

SCTN PANE

Status text

Name

Type

Len

On

Description

:SDNFHO/LD

INT

SCTN PANE

Hold Status (0)

:SDNFPS/PEC

INT

SCTN PANE

Paint Spec (0)

:SDNFMG/RADE

TEXT

24

SCTN PANE FRMW

Material Grade

Structural Data

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6.9.3

Name

Type

Len

On

Description

:SDNFMA/RK

TEXT

24

SCTN PANE

Object Mark Nr.

:SDNFEMA/RK

TEXT

24

SCTN PANE

External Mark

Name

Type

Len

On

Description/default

:SDNFEF/ID

TEXT

80

SITE ZONE STRU

'Engineering Firm Id'

:SDNFCL/ID

TEXT

80

SITE ZONE STRU

'Client Id'

:SDNFSTI/D

TEXT

80

SITE ZONE STRU

'Structure Id'

:SDNFPR/ID

TEXT

80

SITE ZONE STRU

'Project Id'

:SDNFDE/CODE

TEXT

80

SITE ZONE STRU

'Design Code'

:SDNFSO/URCE

TEXT

64

SITE ZONE STRU

Data Source

:SDNFTA/RGET

TEXT

64

SITE ZONE STRU

Target Contractor

:SDNFEL/IST

REF

100

SITE ZONE STRU

Export Item List

:SDNFED/ATE

TEXT

20

SITE ZONE STRU

Date of Export

:SDNFET/IME

TEXT

20

SITE ZONE STRU

Time of Export

:SDNFID/ATE

TEXT

30

SITE ZONE STRU

Date of Import

:SDNFIT/IME

TEXT

30

SITE ZONE STRU

Time of Import

Project Data

:SDNFEXCLUDE is a flag the user can set on the items indicated. It is using this flag that
the user can control what is exported to the SDNF output file. By default the flag is false, i.e.
the item is not excluded from the Export process.
:SDNFEMARK is the reference number by which the external 3D steel detailing system
identifies the item. If the item originated in AVEVA Design then this value will be the PDMS
reference number with the leading equals sign, '=', removed.
:SDNFMARK is the DESIGN reference number. It may not be the same as :SDNFEMARK if
the entity originated in the external system.
:SDNFSTATUS is used to give the user a view of the current status of the element. It has 4
different settings: PDMS to signify the item originated in DESIGN; ADDED indicates that the
item has been added to the model externally, by Merging; CHANGED means that the item
has been modified externally; and DELETED means that the item was in the original
DESIGN model but has not returned from the external model. This last case may occur for
one of several reasons. The item may not have been exported in the first place; it may have
been added after the model was exported or it was deleted by the external system for some
reason.
On Export, the :SDNFELIST attribute on the Header element is amended to contain a list of
all elements exported. This is the list that appears in the Export List window on the main
AVEVA OpenSteel Export form. It is not the final expanded list of SCTN and PANE elements
to appear in the SDNF output file.

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6.10

Cross Referencing Models


This is the mechanism by which we may be able to identify members in different models
other than by visual comparison. There are two scenarios: one where an element is created
in DESIGN; the other is where it was created in any other system, but is to be imported into
DESIGN. The Id field in the SDNF file is not a reliable identifier as it tends to be only a
sequential item count produced on the generation of the SDNF file.

6.10.1

Element created in DESIGN


When an element is created in DESIGN it gains a unique internal reference number of the
form "=<integer>/<integer>", e.g. =13/2305. On export from Design this value, excluding the
initial '=' character, will be passed through in Packet 10 or 20 in the Mark fields. These are
text strings on Records 3 and 3a respectively. Any system importing this file should be able
to take this value and store it, or use it to allow the user of the detailing system to identify the
DESIGN member in the external steel detailing package. On Export back to PDMS, for any
member which has this Mark attribute set, the original imported Mark value will appear again
in the SDNF file. Thus a user of DESIGN will be able to spot any changes to the model. The
AVEVA OpenSteel Import system, then allows the user to modify the existing structure,
rather than just replacing it with a copy. In this way, any drawings for example, which may
have been produced between Export from and Import back to DESIGN, will retain their
logical relationships to the steel members.

6.10.2

Element created outside DESIGN


A member created outside DESIGN will not have the Mark field set to be a PDMS internal
reference number. The AVEVA OpenSteel interface would therefore know that it was
importing a new element and would create it accordingly, whilst recording the external Mark
number as well.

6.11

Version Numbering
The management of the attributes relevant to version numbering and revision control, i.e.
:SDNFREVNO, :SDNFTRANO and :SDNFTRRVNO, is all performed in the PDMS user
interface. The values of these attributes are not taken from the SDNF file. The header,
Packet 00, is used to transfer the main TransferLetter for the Configuration object, but the
individual items are managed as described below.
The Configuration object should not be confused with the Header object. The former is used
to store transfer indices - counts of Transfer Numbers and Revision numbers. These are for
the whole database. The latter is used to store specific information pertaining to the transfer
in question - e.g. Source or Target package or client information.
Because of the fact that PDMS may be multi-user and that several users may be
concurrently accessing the design databases at any one time, there may be several
Configuration objects, one for each possible MDB:User combination. At the start of the
Export or Import process, a poll is taken of ALL these Configuration objects to determine
which is the highwater mark. That is, which is the highest Transfer Number, or Revision
Number. We then take that and modify the Configuration object for the current MDB:User. In
this way, by polling all objects, we can determine the latest values.
The rules of precedence for the Transfer and RevisIon numbers are that a Transfer is
higher. So that "A.2" is later than "A.1" and "B.1" is later than "A.9".

6:25

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Technical Information

Note: The UDA, :SDNFTRANO, is actually an index into a character string returning the
equivalent character as the TransferLetter.
Note: This TransferLetter is cycled. As it passes 'Z' it will be succeeded by 'A'.
If there are more than 26 Transfers, the letter is recycled so that there may be slight
problems at the wrap around.
Below are the rules by which the revision numbering is handled by the interface.
1. Each Transfer has a Letter - A...Z
2. Each Revision has a Number - 1,2,3...
3. Each SITE, SCTN and PANE has 3 UDAs attached
4. A TransferLetter e.g. 'C',
5. A RevisionNumber e.g. '2'
6. A TraRevNumber - A character-wise concatenation of the previous two, e.g. 'C.2'

6.11.1

On Transfer from Design:


1. Increment the element's TransferLetter at the SITE level, eg 'A' to 'B'.
2. Reset the SITE's RevisionNumber to '0' and generate the new TraRevNumber -> 'B.0'.
3. If an entity (SCTN or PANE) has not been transferred from PDMS before, its own
TransferLetter is set to be the owning SITE's TransferLetter. This is only done once.

6.11.2

On Transfer into Design:


1. If an entity (SCTN or PANE) has been changed or is new, set its TransferLetter to be
that of the owning SITE and note that there is at least 1 changed item.
2. Update the entity's (SCTN or PANE) RevisionNumber to be the incremented value of
that of the owning SITE, because we haven't yet changed the latter.
3. Increment the SITE's RevisionNumber, e.g. '0' to '1' if any imported entities have
changed.

6.12

Exclusions
This section lists the exclusions which have been identified because the interface is using
SDNF as the means of data transfer.
Note: The exclusions listed here are mainly a result of the format of the SDNF file used. A
later SDNF format addresses several of these issues.
Penetration Holes: SDNF does not allow the description of holes within Linear Members or
Plates.
Additional data: SDNF is a poor transfer format as the user has few means by which extra
information can be transferred between systems.
Nodal Model: Connectivity is difficult to reconstruct once lost. SDNF does not transfer the
information.
Curved Members/Curved Plates: This version of the SDNF format does not contain the
description for them. Curved members may be exported in SDNF using Packet 10 as a
series of straight segments.
Templates: Templates and Catalogues are not covered by SDNF.

6:26

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Technical Information

Non-prismatic end details: SDNF Packet 10 cannot describe any details at member/cleat
ends apart from full orthogonal cuts. Hence, all sloped cuts, notches, etc. will be
approximated from minimum to maximum local longitudinal co-ordinate, which should be
conservative regarding clash detection. SDNF Packet 20 can describe only fully prismatic
Plates. Hence, the Plate cuts/intersections which are not fully orthogonal to the Plate's local
plane cannot be mapped to SDNF. Such Plates will be exported 'uncut', which again should
be conservative for clash detection.

6.13

Issues
SDNF allows only for the transfer of a character descriptor for a Profile or Connection Detail.
For a successful data transfer, there will need to be co-ordination between users of each
package to ensure that the geometric description associated with the catalogue name is
identical and that there is a means of correlation between the packages.
In DESIGN, the structural model may contain two views of the data: one view defined by
logical connectivity by references to the connecting items; and the physical view defined by
the relative location of items. So, while we may logically relate two items, they may not
necessarily be physically close to each other. In external 3D steel detailing packages the
means of determining connectivity may be by proximity. Thus, transferring the PDMS model
will necessarily involve the loss of real connectivity information which will be difficult to
reconstitute correctly on Import.
The interface will output a warning message when packets are met which cannot be
handled or are unexpected.

6:27

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Technical Information

6:28

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Document Revision History

Document Revision History

Issue Nr.

Issue Date

Contents / Amendments

1st January 1999

First release of PDMS OPEN STEEL DETAIL


EXCHANGE 1.1.1

28th February 1999

Profile Orientation Mapping Tables added (v1.1.2)

27th July 2000

Major Upgrade to PDMS11.3 (v1.2.1)


Product renamed PDMS OpenSteel

30th November 2003

Upgrade interface and documentation to


VANTAGE Plant Design OpenSteel 1.3/
VANTAGE PDMS 11.5.SP1

2nd June 2008

Upgrade to v.1.5
Product renamed to AVEVA OpenSteel
Merged with OSDE-Bulletin1.4.doc

7:1

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Document Revision History

7:2

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

Appendix: Sample SDNF File


This appendix gives a brief extract of an SDNF file produced by the AVEVA OpenSteel
interface.

#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#

Target Contractor: Target Contractor


STARTTABLE PACKET
10 281
20 6
40 65
ENDTABLE

STARTTABLE ANYANYCON
Default Connection
BP macro BasePlate
TP TP
EP EP
EPF EPF
MCT MCT
MCB MCB
MCTB MCTB
MCL MCL
MCR MCR
MCLR MC
SWA SWA
SWB SWB
SWC SWC
SWD SWD
SWE SWE
SWF SWF
SWG SWG
FWA FWA
FWB FWB

A:1

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#

FWC FWC
FWD FWD
FWE FWE
FWF FWF
FWG FWG
FPWB FPWB
FPWC FPWC
ACD ACD
SHE SHE
RECT RECT
ENDTABLE

STARTTABLE ANYMAT
STRUCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/StruCad/StruCadMat.map
XSTEEL %SDNFMAIN%/maps/XSteel/XSteelMat.map
STEELCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/SteelCad/SteelCadMat.map
PDMS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/PDMS/PDMSMat.map
FRAMEWORKS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/FrameWorks/FrameWorksMat.map
ENDTABLE

STARTTABLE ANYPRF
STRUCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/StruCad/StruCad.map
XSTEEL %SDNFMAIN%/maps/XSteel/XSteel.map
STEELCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/SteelCad/SteelCad.map
PDMS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/PDMS/PDMS.map
FRAMEWORKS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/FrameWorks/FrameWorks.map
ENDTABLE

STARTTABLE ANYORI
STRUCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/StruCad/StruCadOri.map
XSTEEL %SDNFMAIN%/maps/XSteel/XSteelOri.map
STEELCAD %SDNFMAIN%/maps/SteelCad/SteelCadOri.map
PDMS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/PDMS/PDMSOri.map
FRAMEWORKS %SDNFMAIN%/maps/FrameWorks/FrameWksOri.map
ENDTABLE

STARTTABLE ANYSTD
EUR Euronorm
BRI British

A:2

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

#
AME American
#
GER German
#
CAN Canadian
#
JAP Japanese
#
DIN European
# ENDTABLE
#
#
# STARTTABLE STATUS
#
0 Undefined
#
1 Fixed
#
2 Provision
#
3 Other
# ENDTABLE
#
#
# STARTTABLE CLASS
#
0 Undefined
# ENDTABLE
#
#
Packet 00
"Engineering Firm Id"
"Client Id"
"Structure Id"
"Project Id"
"30 Nov 2003" "09:58"
3 "PDMS"
"Design Code"
0
Packet 10
"MM" 281
1 8 0 0 "BEAM" "15322/100" 0
"HE300A" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 0.0000 1000.0000 112000.0000 159822.3900 115000.0000
112000.0000 160177.6090 115000.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 10 0 0 "SCTN" "15322/1003" 0
"HANDRAIL" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 0.0000 1000.0000 137050.0000 179400.0000 105275.0000
137050.0000 182100.0000 105275.0000 0.0000 0.0000

A:3

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

0.0000 0.0000
-100.0000 100.0000 100.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 10 0 0 "SCTN" "15322/1008" 0
"HANDRAIL" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 0.0000 1000.0000 134350.0000 181150.0000 105275.0000
134350.0000 181825.0000 105275.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 10 0 0 "SCTN" "15322/1009" 0
"HANDRAIL" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 0.0000 1000.0000 134350.0000 179400.0000 105275.0000
134350.0000 180350.0000 105275.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 10 0 0 "SCTN" "15322/1012" 0
"HANDRAIL" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 0.0000 1000.0000 137050.0000 179400.0000 105275.0000
136100.0000 179400.0000 105275.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 -1650.0000 100.0000 100.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
more Linear Members
282 1 0 0 "ANG" "15322/998" 0
"L80x8" "Steel, carbon" 180.0000 0 0
0.0000 -684.3460 729.1570 148200.0000 160105.0000 100368.4370
148200.0000 165993.4370 105895.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 -105.0000 -105.0000 0.0000 6.5625 6.5625
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
283 10 0 0 "BEAM" "15322/999" 0
"HE220A" "Steel, carbon" 0.0000 0 0
0.0000 707.1070 707.1070 148200.0000 165895.0000 107105.0000
148200.0000 160105.0000 112895.0000 0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 0.0000
0.0000 105.0000 105.0000 0.0000 -105.0000 -105.0000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Packet 20
"MM" "MM" 6
284 -1 0 0 "PANE"

A:4

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

"15322/1015" "Steel, carbon" 25.0000 6


137050.0000 182100.0000 104249.5850
134575.0000 182100.0000 104251.8750
134575.0000 181875.0000 104251.7960
134350.0000 181875.0000 104252.0070
134350.0000 179400.0000 104251.1870
137050.0000 179400.0000 104248.6870
285 -1 0 0 "PANE"
"15322/1104" "Steel, carbon" 10.0000 6
144575.0000 169625.0000 104250.0000
144575.0000 169400.0000 104250.0000
147050.0000 169400.0000 104250.0000
147050.0000 172100.0000 104250.0000
144350.0000 172100.0000 104250.0000
144350.0000 169625.0000 104250.0000
more Plates
290 0 0 0 "PANE"
"15322/722" "Steel, carbon" 100.0000 4
155080.0000 214000.0000 100169.6710
155079.6090 214000.0000 104010.0000
151319.9370 214000.0000 104010.0000
151320.0000 214000.0000 100170.0850
Packet 40
65
295 120 1 "Base Plate 250 250 0 0"
296 118 1 "Base Plate 250 250 0 0"
305 128 1 "Base Plate 250 250 0 0"
309 139 1 "Base Plate 150 250 0 0"
310 138 1 "Base Plate 300 300 0 0"
311 138 2 "TP"
312 141 1 "Default Connection"
more Connection Details
708 151 1 "Moment Connection Bottom"
709 172 1 "Moment Connection Bottom"
710 172 2 "Moment Connection Top + Bottom"

A:5

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample SDNF File

A:6

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Export Log File

Appendix: Sample Export Log File


This appendix gives an example Export Log file.

(Error) - SCTN 2 of SBFRAMEWORK /SB3/PB1/5/ELV4.2 - Zero


length Linear Member - Not exported.
(Error) - SCTN 7 of SBFRAMEWORK /SB3/STR1/A/ROW - Illegal or
unset SPRE - Not exported.
(Error) - PANEL 1 of SBFRAMEWORK /SB3/PB1/7/ELV4.2 - Plate too
thin - Not exported.
AVEVA OpenSteel (pdms2sdnf v1.5) (May 22 2008 : 16:41:06)
(c) Copyright 1974 to 2008 AVEVA Solutions Limited
Issued to Quintic Ltd
***Warning***: License Feature PDMS2SDNF will expire in 14
days time.
START PROCESSING at 02-Jun-2008,

Monday, 11:08:18

The following materials were mapped


Steel, carbon has
287 occurrences
All materials were mapped
The following profiles were mapped
CAGEF500 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-40 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-50 has
1 occurrences
HANDRAIL has
6 occurrences
HE120A has
6 occurrences
HE140A has
1 occurrences
HE160A has
14 occurrences
HE180A has
32 occurrences
HE180B has
2 occurrences
HE200A has
35 occurrences
HE200B has
4 occurrences
HE220A has
43 occurrences

B:1

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Export Log File

HE240B has
HE280A has
HE300A has
HL1100R has
INP160 has
L60x6 has
L80x8 has
LADDER_TS has
M20-AB has
M24-AB has
M30-AB has
OD193.7x5 has
OD323.9x6.3 has
RHS200x200x8 has
RHS300x300x8 has
ST-STAN has
T140 has
TRED has
UNP180 has

3
13
11
1
3
12
11
1
8
28
4
4
2
3
2
2
2
22
2

occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences

All profiles were mapped


The following profiles were not in the specified standards
HP200x54 has
1 occurrences
All mapped profiles were in the default standard
END PROCESSING at 11:08:26
======================================
Files used...
=============
Output file
: .\SDNF-Test.sdn
Profile Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMS.map
Material Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSMat.map
Standards Table file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\tstdflts\OSDE\sdnftststd.map
Profile Orientation file: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSOri.map

B:2

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

Appendix: Sample Import Log Files


This appendix shows sample log files from an Import process according to the mode
specified.

C.1

Brief Format
In order to minimise the size of log files, especially when large models are being compared
the user can ask the interface to output Verbose or Brief log files. In Verbose log files, full
details of the comparison will be listed. In Brief log files, details of the comparison will be
condensed onto a single line per item. This will be in the form of the following:

C.1.1

Linear Members
LINMEM <mark> <state> <point> <hold> <pspec> <size>
<material> <rotation> <start> <end> <startRel> <endRel>
e.g.
LINMEM =1234/5678 C Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y
The mark field will contain the mark attribute by which the model components are to be
identified between systems. The state field may contain on of three options, A for added, D
for deleted or C for changed. The other fields contain either a Y or N indicating whether the
attribute at that location has been changed or not.

C.1.2

Plates
PLATE <mark> <state> <point> <hold> <pspec> <height>
<material> <pos> <vertexCount> <changedVertex>
The rules for values in each of the above fields are as for the Linear Members.
Below is a sample log file in brief format following an Import:

AVEVA OpenSteel (sdnf2pdms v1.5) (May 22 2008 : 16:34:01)


(c) Copyright 1974 to 2008 AVEVA Solutions Limited
Issued to Quintic Ltd
***Warning***: License Feature SDNF2PDMS will expire in 14
days time.
START PROCESSING at 02-Jun-2008,

C:1

Monday, 11:56:26

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

The following materials were mapped


Gold, pure cast has
2 occurrences
Steel, carbon has
285 occurrences
All materials were mapped
The following profiles were mapped
CAGEF500 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-40 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-50 has
1 occurrences
HANDRAIL has
6 occurrences
HE120A has
6 occurrences
HE140A has
1 occurrences
HE160A has
14 occurrences
HE180A has
33 occurrences
HE180B has
2 occurrences
HE200A has
35 occurrences
HE200B has
4 occurrences
HE220A has
42 occurrences
HE240B has
3 occurrences
HE280A has
13 occurrences
HE300A has
11 occurrences
HL1100R has
1 occurrences
INP160 has
3 occurrences
L60x6 has
12 occurrences
L80x8 has
11 occurrences
LADDER_TS has
1 occurrences
M20-AB has
8 occurrences
M24-AB has
28 occurrences
M30-AB has
4 occurrences
OD193.7x5 has
4 occurrences
OD323.9x6.3 has
2 occurrences
RHS200x200x8 has
3 occurrences
RHS300x300x8 has
2 occurrences
ST-STAN has
2 occurrences
T140 has
2 occurrences
TRED has
22 occurrences
UNP180 has
2 occurrences
All profiles were mapped
The following profiles were not in the specified standards
HP200x54 has
1 occurrences

C:2

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

All mapped profiles were in the default


======================================
LINMEM =15322/254
C
Y
Y
Y
Y
LINMEM =15322/447
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/448
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/450
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/451
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/877
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/951
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/952
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/997
C
Y
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/998
C
Y
N
N
N
PLATE =15322/1104
C
N
N
N
N
PLATE =15322/296
C
Y
Y
Y
Y
LINMEM =15322/2682
A
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/2683
A
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/2684
A
N
N
N
N
PLATE =15322/2767
A
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/423
D
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/628
D
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/632
D
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/644
D
N
N
N
N
LINMEM =15322/878
D
N
N
N
N
PLATE =15322/1015
D
N
N
N
N
PLATE =15322/553
D
N
N
N
N

standard
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N

N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N

N
N
N
N
N

Files used...
=============
Input file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\results\import\SDNF-Test.sdn
Profile Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMS.map
Material Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSMat.map
Standards Table file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\tstdflts\OSDE\sdnftststd.map
Profile Orientation file: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSOri.map

C:3

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

C.2

Verbose Format
Below is a verbose log file of the same Import as above:

AVEVA OpenSteel (sdnf2pdms v1.5) (May 22 2008 : 16:34:01)


(c) Copyright 1974 to 2008 AVEVA Solutions Limited
Issued to Quintic Ltd
***Warning***: License Feature SDNF2PDMS will expire in 14
days time.
START PROCESSING at 02-Jun-2008,

Monday, 11:45:10

The following materials were mapped


Gold, pure cast has
2 occurrences
Steel, carbon has
285 occurrences
All materials were mapped
The following profiles were mapped
CAGEF500 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-40 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-50 has
1 occurrences
HANDRAIL has
6 occurrences
HE120A has
6 occurrences
HE140A has
1 occurrences
HE160A has
14 occurrences
HE180A has
33 occurrences
HE180B has
2 occurrences
HE200A has
35 occurrences
HE200B has
4 occurrences
HE220A has
42 occurrences
HE240B has
3 occurrences
HE280A has
13 occurrences
HE300A has
11 occurrences
HL1100R has
1 occurrences
INP160 has
3 occurrences
L60x6 has
12 occurrences
L80x8 has
11 occurrences
LADDER_TS has
1 occurrences
M20-AB has
8 occurrences
M24-AB has
28 occurrences
M30-AB has
4 occurrences
OD193.7x5 has
4 occurrences

C:4

1.5

OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

OD323.9x6.3 has
RHS200x200x8 has
RHS300x300x8 has
ST-STAN has
T140 has
TRED has
UNP180 has

2
3
2
2
2
22
2

occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences

All profiles were mapped


The following profiles were not in the specified standards
HP200x54 has
1 occurrences
All mapped profiles were in the default standard
(Warning) - END PROCESSING at 11:45:19
======================================

CHANGES to mapped entities in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE


SCTN =15322/254 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Profile 'HE180A' changed from 'HE220A'
Rotation 'N WRT /*' changed from 'W WRT /*'
Start 'E 155200 N 149000 U 100170 WRT /*' changed from 'E
155200 N 148000 U 100170 WRT /*'
End 'E 155200 N 149000 U 104250 WRT /*' changed from 'E
155200 N 148000 U 104250 WRT /*'
Just 'TOS' changed from 'NA'
Srel ' DX DY DZ RX RY RZ' changed from ''
Erel ' DX DY DZ RX RY RZ' changed from ''
:SDNFHold '1' changed from '0'
:SDNFPspec '1' changed from '0'
Matr '=15326/30' changed from '=15326/21'
Mgrade 'Gold, pure cast' changed from 'Steel, carbon'
SCTN =15322/447 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/448 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/450 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/451 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/877 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE

C:5

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Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'


SCTN =15322/951 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/952 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/997 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
SCTN =15322/998 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Just 'TOAY' changed from 'TOAX'
PANE =15322/1104 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
Vertex count '5' changed from '6'
PANE =15322/296 in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE
:SDNFHold '1' changed from '0'
:SDNFPspec '1' changed from '0'
Matr '=15326/30' changed from '=15326/21'
Mgrade 'Gold, pure cast' changed from 'Steel, carbon'
Heig '50' changed from '25'
Just 'TOP' changed from 'DBOT'
Vertex 4 'E 155290 N 159890 U 104350 WRT /*' changed from
'E 155290 N 159890 U 104250 WRT /*'
===========================
CHANGES >>>> 28 detected

ADDITIONS to mapped entities in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE


LINMEM =15322/3023 has been
LINMEM =15322/3024 has been
LINMEM =15322/3025 has been
PLATE =15322/3108 has been
===========================
ADDITIONS >>>> 4 detected

added.
added.
added.
added.

DELETIONS to mapped entities in /TEST-SDNF-INTERFACE


LINMEM
LINMEM
LINMEM
LINMEM
LINMEM
PLATE
PLATE

=15322/423 has been deleted.


=15322/628 has been deleted.
=15322/632 has been deleted.
=15322/644 has been deleted.
=15322/878 has been deleted.
=15322/1015 has been deleted.
=15322/553 has been deleted.

C:6

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OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

===========================
DELETIONS >>>> 7 detected
Files used...
=============
Input file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\results\import\SDNF-Test.sdn
Profile Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMS.map
Material Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSMat.map
Standards Table file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\tstdflts\OSDE\sdnftststd.map
Profile Orientation file: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSOri.map

C:7

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Appendix: Sample Import Log Files

C:8

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OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File

Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File


This appendix shows a sample log file from an Import validity checking process to check for
duplicate mark numbers.

AVEVA OpenSteel (sdnf2pdms v1.5) (May 22 2008 : 16:34:01)


(c) Copyright 1974 to 2008 AVEVA Solutions Limited
Issued to Quintic Ltd
START PROCESSING at 02-Jun-2008,

Monday, 08:59:59

The following materials were mapped


Gold, pure cast has
2 occurrences
Steel, carbon has
285 occurrences
All materials were mapped
The following profiles were mapped
CAGEF500 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-40 has
1 occurrences
Earthing-Boss-Dia-50 has
1 occurrences
HANDRAIL has
6 occurrences
HE120A has
6 occurrences
HE140A has
1 occurrences
HE160A has
14 occurrences
HE180A has
33 occurrences
HE180B has
2 occurrences
HE200A has
35 occurrences
HE200B has
4 occurrences
HE220A has
42 occurrences
HE240B has
3 occurrences
HE280A has
13 occurrences
HE300A has
11 occurrences
HL1100R has
1 occurrences
INP160 has
3 occurrences
L60x6 has
12 occurrences

D:1

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OpenSteel User Guide


Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File

L80x8 has
LADDER_TS has
M20-AB has
M24-AB has
M30-AB has
OD193.7x5 has
OD323.9x6.3 has
RHS200x200x8 has
RHS300x300x8 has
ST-STAN has
T140 has
TRED has
UNP180 has

11
1
8
28
4
4
2
3
2
2
2
22
2

occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences
occurrences

All profiles were mapped


The following profiles were not in the specified standards
HP200x54 has
1 occurrences
All mapped profiles were in the default standard
(Warning) - END PROCESSING at 09:00:08
======================================

Checking GLOBAL Duplicate Mark Numbers in /*


Mark Number ( 12345 ) found on =15322/3358
and =15322/3359
Mark Number ( 67890 ) found on =15322/3360
and =15322/3443
===========================
GLOBAL Duplicate Mark Numbers >>>> 2 detected
Files used...
=============
Input file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\results\import\SDNF-Test.sdn
Profile Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMS.map
Material Mapping file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSMat.map
Standards Table file
: Z:\Aveva3010\Dev\osde150\test\tstdflts\OSDE\sdnftststd.map
Profile Orientation file: Z:\Aveva3-

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Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File

010\Dev\osde150\maps\PDMS\PDMSOri.map

D:3

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Appendix: Sample Validity Check Log File

D:4

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OpenSteel User Guide

Index

Anchor Bolt
locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1
quantities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:2
AVEVA OpenSteel - Export Form . . . . . . 3:9

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:1
Grid Packet
Packet 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8

I
B
Bolt Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:1

C
Cardinal Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:18
Comparison and Merging Processes . . 4:13
Connection Details
Packet 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7
Cross Referencing Models . . . . . . . . . . 6:25

Import from SDNF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:1


Import Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:4
Import Log Files
sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C:1
Import Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:10

Linear Member
using cutbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:10
Linear Members
Packet 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:5

Default Orientations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:19

Member Loading
Packet 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:7

Export Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:5


Export Log File
sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B:1
Exporting Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:16
Exporting Linear Members . . . . . . . . . . 3:12
Exporting Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:14
Exporting to SDNF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:1

O
OpenSteel - Import Form . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:9
OpenSteel Export
testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:18

P
Pline Selection Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:21

Index page 1

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OpenSteel User Guide

R
Run Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:8, 4:6

S
SDNF
file header information . . . . . . . . . . . 6:8
recommended file suffix . . . . . . . . . . 6:8
sample file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A:1
Source Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:2

T
Target Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:2
Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:1
The Export Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:10

U
UDAs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:23

V
Validity Check Log File
sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D:1
Verbose Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C:4
Version Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:25

Index page 2

1.5

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