Advance Steel 2017 - Essentials Metric - Training Guide

2017 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Autodesk Advance Steel 2018

Essentials Metric
Except as otherwise permitted by Autodesk, Inc., this publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form, by any method, for any purpose.
Certain materials included in this publication are reprinted with the permission of the copyright holder.
Trademarks
The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and other countries:
3DEC (design/logo), 3December, 3December.com, 3ds Max, ActiveShapes, Actrix, ADI, Alias, Alias (swirl
design/logo), AliasStudio, Alias|Wavefront (design/logo), ATC, AUGI, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Learning
Assistance, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD Simulator, AutoCAD SQL Extension, AutoCAD SQL Interface,
Autodesk, Autodesk Envision, Autodesk Insight, Autodesk Intent, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Map,
Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Streamline, AutoLISP, AutoSnap, AutoSketch, AutoTrack, Backdraft, Built
with ObjectARX (logo), Burn, Buzzsaw, CAiCE, Can You Imagine, Character Studio, Cinestream, Civil 3D,
Cleaner, Cleaner Central, ClearScale, Colour Warper, Combustion, Communication Specification,
Constructware, Content Explorer, Create>whats>Next> (design/logo), Dancing Baby (image),
DesignCenter, Design Doctor, Designers Toolkit, DesignKids, DesignProf, DesignServer, DesignStudio,
Design|Studio (design/logo), Design Web Format, Design Your World, Design Your World (design/logo),
DWF, DWG, DWG (logo), DWG TrueConvert, DWG TrueView, DXF, EditDV, Education by Design,
Exposure, Extending the Design Team, FBX, Filmbox, FMDesktop, Freewheel, GDX Driver, Gmax, Heads-
up Design, Heidi, HOOPS, HumanIK, i-drop, iMOUT, Incinerator, IntroDV, Inventor, Inventor LT, Kaydara,
Kaydara (design/logo), LocationLogic, Lustre, Maya, Mechanical Desktop, MotionBuilder, Mudbox,
Navisworks, ObjectARX, ObjectDBX, Open Reality, Opticore, Opticore Opus, PolarSnap, PortfolioWall,
Powered with Autodesk Technology, Productstream, ProjectPoint, ProMaterials, Reactor, RealDWG, Real-
time Roto, Recognize, Render Queue, Reveal, Revit, Showcase, ShowMotion, SketchBook,
SteeringWheels, StudioTools, Topobase, Toxik, ViewCube, Visual, Visual Bridge, Visual Construction,
Visual Drainage, Visual Hydro, Visual Landscape, Visual Roads, Visual Survey, Visual Syllabus, Visual
Toolbox, Visual Tugboat, Visual LISP, Voice Reality, Volo, Wiretap, and WiretapCentral.
The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk Canada Co. in the USA and/or Canada
and other countries: Backburner, Discreet, Fire, Flame, Flint, Frost, Inferno, Multi-Master Editing, River,
Smoke, Sparks, Stone, and Wire.
All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Disclaimer
THIS PUBLICATION AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS MADE AVAILABLE BY AUTODESK, INC. AS IS.
AUTODESK, INC. DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE REGARDING THESE
MATERIALS.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ i
Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Text Conventions ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Main Practice.................................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 2 - Starting a Project ................................................................................................................. 13
2.1 Template Files................................................................................................................................ 14
2.2 Project Data .................................................................................................................................... 16
2.3 File Structure .................................................................................................................................. 17
Create a Project File ............................................................................................................................ 18
Chapter 3 - Working in 3D CAD ............................................................................................................. 19
3.1 Common CAD Commands........................................................................................................... 20
3.2 Mouse View Commands for 3D................................................................................................... 21
3.3 Viewpoints....................................................................................................................................... 22
3.4 Visual Styles ................................................................................................................................... 23
View Manipulation ................................................................................................................................ 24
Chapter 4 The Advance Steel User Interface................................................................................... 25
4.1 Selecting Objects ........................................................................................................................... 26
4.2 Advance Properties ....................................................................................................................... 27
4.3 Advance Joint Properties ............................................................................................................. 29
4.4 Joint Boxes ..................................................................................................................................... 30
4.5 Deleting Objects............................................................................................................................. 32
4.6 Undo ................................................................................................................................................ 33
4.7 Object Snaps .................................................................................................................................. 34
4.8 2D/3D Osnap.................................................................................................................................. 35
Chapter 5 Coordinate Systems........................................................................................................... 36
5.1 3D Coordinates .............................................................................................................................. 37
5.2 World Coordinates ......................................................................................................................... 38
5.3 User Coordinate System .............................................................................................................. 39
5.4 When to Use a UCS ...................................................................................................................... 43
Chapter 6 Building Grids ...................................................................................................................... 44
i
Autodesk Advance Steel 2018 Essentials Metric
6.1 Creating a Building Grid ............................................................................................................... 45

6.2 Grid Properties ............................................................................................................................... 49
6.3 Modifying Grids .............................................................................................................................. 51
6.4 Level Symbols ................................................................................................................................ 53
Drawing Grids ....................................................................................................................................... 55
Chapter 7 Basic Structures ................................................................................................................. 56
7.1 Structural Frames .......................................................................................................................... 57
Draw a Portal Frame............................................................................................................................ 61
7.2 Placing Sections ............................................................................................................................ 62
7.3 Beam Properties ............................................................................................................................ 67
Draw Beams and Sections ................................................................................................................. 73
Chapter 8 Simple Editing ..................................................................................................................... 74
8.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 75
8.2 Layer Management ....................................................................................................................... 76
8.3 Common Basic CAD Editing Commands ........................................................................... 78
8.4 Transform Elements ...................................................................................................................... 80
8.5 Advance Copy/Rotate/Array ........................................................................................................ 83
8.6 Advance Trim/Extend .................................................................................................................... 84
Chapter 9 Automatic Joints ................................................................................................................. 86
9.1 Connection Vault ........................................................................................................................... 87
9.2 Joint Properties .............................................................................................................................. 89
9.3 Repeating Joints ............................................................................................................................ 93
9.4 Joint Library .................................................................................................................................... 96
9.5 Joint Groups ................................................................................................................................... 99
Add joints ............................................................................................................................................. 103
Chapter 10 Beam Features ............................................................................................................... 104
10.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 105
Open the Drawing .............................................................................................................................. 106
10.2 Coping or Notching Beams ...................................................................................................... 107
Use a Shorten on a Beam................................................................................................................. 108
10.3 Shorten at UCS .......................................................................................................................... 109
Shorten at UCS ................................................................................................................................. 110
10.4 Cut at Object .............................................................................................................................. 111
ii
Table of Contents
Cut at Object ...................................................................................................................................... 112

10.5 Cope ............................................................................................................................................ 113
Cope and Cope, Skewed ................................................................................................................. 116
10.6 Parametric Cope Joint ........................................................................................................... 117
Create a Parametric Cope Joint .................................................................................................. 120
10.7 Beam Clearance ........................................................................................................................ 121
Beam Clearance................................................................................................................................ 122
10.8 Contour Features....................................................................................................................... 123
Experiment with Contours ................................................................................................................ 128
10.9 Editing Features......................................................................................................................... 129
10.10 Miter .......................................................................................................................................... 131
10.11 Splitting and Joining Beams .................................................................................................. 132
Modify Columns ................................................................................................................................. 133
Chapter 11 - Plates ................................................................................................................................ 134
Open the Drawing ............................................................................................................................. 135
11.1 Flat Plates ................................................................................................................................... 136
11.2 Plate Properties ......................................................................................................................... 139
11.3 Folded Plates ............................................................................................................................. 140
11.4 Gratings....................................................................................................................................... 146
Remodel Ducting and Add Plates................................................................................................... 149
Chapter 12 Plate Features ................................................................................................................ 150
12.1 Contour Features....................................................................................................................... 151
12.2 Contour Processing Properties ............................................................................................... 155
Ducting ................................................................................................................................................ 157
12.3 Plate Contour Non UCS Features .......................................................................................... 158
12.4 Chamfers and Fillets ................................................................................................................. 159
12.5 Dividing and Joining Plates ...................................................................................................... 161
Chapter 13 Connection Elements .................................................................................................... 163
13.1 Bolts ............................................................................................................................................. 164
13.2 Bolt Properties ........................................................................................................................... 167
13.3 Anchors ....................................................................................................................................... 169
13.4 Welds .......................................................................................................................................... 170
13.5 Edit Connected Objects ............................................................................................................ 173
iii
Add Bolts and Welds ........................................................................................................................ 174

Chapter 14 Custom Connections ..................................................................................................... 175
14.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 176
14.2 Modeling the Custom Connection ........................................................................................ 178
14.3 Building Bricks ........................................................................................................................... 179
14.4 Creating a Connection Template ............................................................................................ 181
14.5 Insert a Connection Template ................................................................................................. 184
Chapter 15 Structural Elements........................................................................................................ 186
15.1 Bracing ........................................................................................................................................ 187
15.2 Stairs ........................................................................................................................................... 189
Create Stairs ...................................................................................................................................... 196
15.3 Hand Rails .................................................................................................................................. 197
Add Railings ....................................................................................................................................... 203
15.4 Cage Ladders............................................................................................................................. 204
Add a Cage Ladder ........................................................................................................................... 206
15.5 Cladding ...................................................................................................................................... 207
15.6 3D Drawing Tips ........................................................................................................................ 210
Add Decking ....................................................................................................................................... 213
Chapter 16 Other Model Objects ...................................................................................................... 214
16.1 Concrete Objects ....................................................................................................................... 215
Create Concrete Foundations ......................................................................................................... 217
16.2 Special Parts .............................................................................................................................. 218
Insert the Tank ................................................................................................................................... 220
Chapter 17 Project Explorer .............................................................................................................. 221
17.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 222
17.2 Levels .......................................................................................................................................... 223
17.3 Work Planes and Columns ...................................................................................................... 228
Create Levels ..................................................................................................................................... 230
17.4 Model Views ............................................................................................................................... 231
Create a Model View ........................................................................................................................ 241
17.5 Queries........................................................................................................................................ 242
Saved Query ...................................................................................................................................... 247
17.6 Groups ........................................................................................................................................ 248
iv
Table of Contents
Create a Group .................................................................................................................................. 252

17.7 Show All Objects ....................................................................................................................... 253
17.8 Structures ................................................................................................................................... 254
Chapter 18 Validating a Structure .................................................................................................... 255
18.1 Clash Check ............................................................................................................................... 256
18.2 Object Marking ........................................................................................................................... 259
18.3 Technical Check ........................................................................................................................ 260
18.4 Model Check .............................................................................................................................. 262
18.5 Joint Design................................................................................................................................ 263
Chapter 19 - Numbering ........................................................................................................................ 266
19.1 Model Role ................................................................................................................................. 267
Assign Model Roles ........................................................................................................................... 271
19.2 Numbering .................................................................................................................................. 272
Numbering .......................................................................................................................................... 280
Chapter 20 Creating Drawings ......................................................................................................... 281
20.1 Quick Documents Palettes....................................................................................................... 281
20.2 Drawing Styles ........................................................................................................................... 285
20.3 Drawing Processes ................................................................................................................... 290
20.4 Cameras ..................................................................................................................................... 294
20.5 Summary of Drawing Procedure ............................................................................................. 298
20.6 View Orientation ........................................................................................................................ 299
20.7 Setting up Documents Palettes............................................................................................. 300
Chapter 21 Editing Drawings ............................................................................................................ 304
21.1 Document Manager................................................................................................................... 305
21.2 Manipulating Drawings ............................................................................................................. 310
21.3 Drawing Labels and Dimensions ............................................................................................ 319
21.4 Object Properties ....................................................................................................................... 332
Chapter 22 - Lists ................................................................................................................................... 334
22.1 BOM Templates Palette ........................................................................................................... 335
22.2 RDF Viewer ................................................................................................................................ 338
22.3 Selective Lists ............................................................................................................................ 340
22.4 Managing Lists ........................................................................................................................... 348
Chapter 23 Other Documents ........................................................................................................... 349
v
23.1 NC Files ...................................................................................................................................... 350

23.2 DXF Files .................................................................................................................................... 352
23.3 Sharing Models and Drawings ................................................................................................ 354
23.4 Data Exchange .......................................................................................................................... 361
Appendix A Drawing Prototypes ....................................................................................................... 364
A.1 Editing a Prototype ...................................................................................................................... 365
A.2 Title Block ..................................................................................................................................... 366
A.3 Drawing Frame ............................................................................................................................ 369
A.4 BOMs on Drawings ..................................................................................................................... 370
A.5 Revision Table ............................................................................................................................. 372
A.6 Other Information ........................................................................................................................ 374
A.7 Printing Setup .............................................................................................................................. 375
Appendix B BOM Template Editors ................................................................................................. 379
B.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 380
B.2 Element Properties ..................................................................................................................... 381
B.3 Tokens .......................................................................................................................................... 383
B.4 Formatting .................................................................................................................................... 384
B.5 List Structure ................................................................................................................................ 385
B.6 Report Contents .......................................................................................................................... 386
Appendix C Advance Steel Options ................................................................................................. 388
C.1 Defaults......................................................................................................................................... 389
Appendix D User Sections................................................................................................................. 396
D.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 397
D.2 Layers and Basic Elements ....................................................................................................... 398
D.3 Key Points .................................................................................................................................... 400
D.4 Generate Sections ...................................................................................................................... 403
Appendix E Basic CAD Practice ....................................................................................................... 407
Course Preparation ........................................................................................................................... 408
Appendix F Training Outline .............................................................................................................. 409
F.1 Suggested Four Day Outline ..................................................................................................... 410
F.2 Optional Topics or Further Training ...................................................................................... 415
F.3 Autodesk Links to Forums, Support and FAQ Pages......................................................... 418
vi
Introduction
Chapter 1 Introduction
This chapter contains the following topics:
Overview
Text Conventions
Main Practice
1
1.1 Overview
This training guide is only provided to users who have attended an
approved Autodesk Advance Steel training course. It is intended to
give an overview of all of the basic commands that are required to
create structures and associated documentation using the
Autodesk Advance Steel software. Not all of the Advance Steel
commands are included and not all of the options in the included
commands are covered. Not all content of this training guide is
necessarily covered during the training course. Instead it focuses on
the recommended workflow and the most common commands and
options. This training guide can be referred to for alternate
commands and extra information.
This training guide is written using the Autodesk Advance

Steel 2018 software. Therefore, different versions might not
match this training guide.
2
Introduction
1.2 Text Conventions

This training guide uses the following conventions for formatting text.
Autodesk Advance Steel commands are indicated by bold text.
Prompts in the Autodesk Advance Steel Command Line are

indicated by italic text.
When describing the location of a command or icon in the

Ribbon, it is written as Ribbon tab > Ribbon panel, <image>
(Command Name). For example, Home tab > Extended
Modeling panel, click (Connection Vault), prompts you

to click the Connection Vault icon in the Extended Modeling
panel in the Home tab in the Ribbon.
When describing the location of a command or icon in a Tool

Palette, it is written as Tool Palette Name, Tool Palette
category, Command Name. For example, in the Advance
Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

(Select All Marked Objects).
Recommended workflow and important points are displayed

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

Practice #x and the practice title (e.g., Practice 1a Opening a
Drawing). Follow the instructions to practice and test your
skills.
Margin notes are used to provide extra tips or information that

is useful but not essential.
3
1.3 Main Practice

To provide a coherent plan for the training, the following structure
has been created as a training practice. This structure is not intended
to be an exemplary design, but a representative structure that
demonstrates how to use a broad range of Autodesk Advance Steel
commands in a realistic setting.
Unless otherwise stated, all of the user practices in this training guide
refer to this training project. All of the important information has been
provided in the following drawings. Dimensions or properties that are
not defined in the drawings are not critical and can be selected by
the user.
Figure 1-1
4
Introduction
Figure 1-2
5
Figure 1-3
6
Introduction
Figure 1-4
7
Figure 1-5
8
Introduction
Figure 1-6
9
Figure 1-7
10
Introduction
Figure 1-8
11
Figure 1-9
12
Staring a Project
Chapter 2 - Starting a Project
Template Files
Project Data
File Structure
Create a Project File
13
2.1 Template Files

You can modify the As with most applications, when you start a new project or file you
template to some extent should start with a template file. This file is created with typical layers
as needed. For and settings to suit the Autodesk Advance Steel software.
example, you can set a
new Home View or As part of a standard installation, the Autodesk Advance Steel
change the background software automatically locates the storage location of the templates
and layer colors, etc. when you click (New) (in the Quick Access Toolbar or in the
DO NOT change the Application Menu > New > Drawing).
layers or any other
settings.
Figure 2.1
If you are using the US It also automatically lists the available templates (according to the
English installation of language that was selected when the software was installed) on the
the software, you new tab when you expand the templates option.
should use the
mm_ASTemplate.dwt You should always select the ASTemplate.dwt template to
template for metric
start your metric modeling project.
modeling projects and
the ASTemplate.dwt
template for imperial
modeling projects.
14
Staring a Project
Figure 2-2
15
2.2 Project Data

It is recommended that you identify the project in which the file is
going to be used and set some basic settings at the start of any
project.
In the Home tab > Settings panel, click (Project Settings).
The Project data dialog box opens.
Figure 2-3
The style of this dialog box and all of the other Autodesk Advance
Steel dialog boxes is the same. A list of property groups called Tabs
is displayed on the left. Selecting any of them changes the page of
settings that is displayed on the right.
There are many settings that you can customize or properties that
you can complete for any project. For most projects you need to
complete as much as possible in the Project Info 1 and Project Info
2 tabs. This information is used to complete the title blocks on
drawings and the headings on lists later in the project. You can
usually accept the default settings on the other tabs.
16
Staring a Project
2.3 File Structure

Ensure that you store The file that you just opened contains the model of the structure for
your projects in a this project. This is the master file for the entire project. It is
location that all users recommended that you create a sub-folder that is named after this
can access and NOT project in the location in which all of your projects are going to be
under My Documents, stored. You should then save the model drawing in the new sub-
Desktop, Program folder and with the same name.
Data, Program Files,
Documents and As the project continues and you create drawings or other outputs,
Settings, or any other the Autodesk Advance Steel software creates many more files in
user or system folder. the same location as your master file. The software creates a new
folder next to the model file with the same name. In that folder, more
sub-folders are created as required for Details (drawings), BOMS,
Calculations, NC files, etc. The resulting structure is as follows.
Figure 2-4
17
Practice 2a Create a Project File

If you are using the 1. Set up a new Project file for the training structure.
US English installation
of the software, you 2. Start a new file using the ASTemplate.dwt template.
should use the
3. Complete the project data and save the file in the required
ASTemplate.dwt
template for metric folder.
modeling projects.
Project = Advance Steel Training
Project Number = T123
Client = your company name
Designer and Detailer = your name
Contractor = Autodesk
18
Working in 3D CAD
Chapter 3 - Working in 3D CAD
Common CAD Commands

Mouse View Commands for 3D
Viewpoints
Visual Styles
View Manipulation
19
3.1 Common CAD Commands

The Autodesk Advance Steel software contains many similarities
to other CAD systems. All of the basic 2D CAD commands and
functions are available to Autodesk Advance Steel users at all
times.
This training guide is written assuming that you are already familiar
with and competent using most typical 2D CAD commands. For
example, to effectively use the Autodesk Advance Steel software,
you should be comfortable using the following as a minimum: Line,
Arc, Rectangle, Circle, Polyline, Object Snaps (running and single
click), Ortho, Move, Copy, Edit Polyline, Extend, Trim, Zoom, Pan,
Plot, Grips, and Layers.
20
Working in 3D CAD
3.2 Mouse View Commands for 3D

When working in 3D, the normal Pan and Zoom commands remain
available, and extra tools are also available. It is generally
recommended that you use the mouse shortcuts to manipulate your
3D view as follows:
Zoom (mouse wheel): To zoom in or out, scroll the mouse

wheel back (to zoom out) or forward (to zoom in) as is done
in 2D.
Pan (middle mouse button): Press and hold down the

mouse wheel or middle button while moving the mouse as is
done in 2D.
Orbit (<Shift> + middle mouse button): To rotate the model

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

To zoom to extents or display the entire model on screen you
can double-click on the middle mouse button.
Zoom, Pan, and Orbit can be used at any time, such as in the middle
of a command or when an Advance Steel dialog box is open. When
you release the buttons or wheel, the zooming stops and you return
to the same point in the command.
21
3.3 Viewpoints
To move around in the model and display it from a common
viewpoint, select the required view in the View tab, View Manager
panel > or in the top left corner of the model space.
Additionally, you can select various points on the View Cube to

change the view angle of the model. The Isometric views provide the
best overall view of your structure.
Selecting any of the common views that includes zooming to extents

(e.g., to display the entire structure) can cancel any active command.
Figure 3-1
22
Working in 3D CAD
3.4 Visual Styles

When working with a 3D model it can be helpful to change the way
in which the model is displayed. The Autodesk Advance Steel
software can display the model in several different ways called Visual
Styles. You can select and change the current visual style at any time
using the options in the View tab > Visual Styles drop-down list or in
the top left corner of the model space.
Figure 3-2
For most purposes, a solid shaded view is preferred by most users.

It corresponds to the Realistic visual style. Sometimes more
information can be displayed using a 2D Wireframe visual style. For
example, Welds can only be displayed in 2D Wireframe. However,
a wireframe style can become confusing when a model is more
complex. Unless specified, you can work in any visual style. This
training guide only specifies the visual style to use if it is important
for the effective use of a command.
23
Practice 3a View Manipulation

1. Open ViewModel-3A.dwg in the C:\Advance Steel Essentials -
Metric Class Files folder.
2. Try all of the commands in the lecture material to manipulate the
view in each of the different visual styles until you are comfortable
using them.
24
The Advance Steel Interface
Chapter 4 The Advance Steel

User Interface
Selecting Objects
Advance Properties
Advance Joint Properties
Joint Boxes
Deleting Objects
Undo
Object Snaps
2D/3D Osnap
25
4.1 Selecting Objects

Regardless of what you are modeling or editing, you can use some
common methods and commands that apply to all of the objects.
The Autodesk Advance Steel software often prompts you to

Select Objects: in commands. At these points you can use any valid
method of selection, such as selecting an object on screen, using
selection windows, etc.
However, to understand which objects the Autodesk Advance

Steel software wants you to select, you frequently need to read the
Command Line above the prompt. For example, when placing a
Single Sided End Plate joint, the prompt is Please select the main
beam: Select objects:.
You should select the Main Beam (i.e., the beam that is not
shortened by the joint). The software might seem to permit you to
select more than one object, but the top prompt was for a single
beam. Therefore, you should only select one item and then right-click
or press <Enter> to accept and move on in the command. (If you
select more than one item only the last selected object counts.)
26
4.2 Advance Properties

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

grid, you should do the following:
First
Ensure that no commands are active (prompt = Command:).
Ensure that nothing is selected (if in doubt, press <Esc> twice
to clear any existing selections).
Then
Double-click on the object that you want to edit.
Or
Select the object that you want to edit.
Right-click and select Advance Properties.
Figure 4-1
27
Or
Select the object that you want to edit.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category,
If the Advance Steel
Tool Palette is not click (Advance Steel Properties).
displayed, click
(Advance Steel Tool
Palette) in the Home
tab > Extended
Modeling panel.
Figure 4-2
This opens the required Properties dialog box for that single object.
Figure 4-3
Most Autodesk Advance Steel dialog boxes do not have OK or

Apply buttons. All of the changes made in the Advance Properties
dialog box take effect immediately. You can close the dialog box
when ready by clicking the X icon in the top right corner.
Note: When changing the value of a text or number box, press

<Tab> or <Enter> or select another field in the dialog box to
indicate to the software that you have finished making the
change. If you do not do so, your change might not be applied.
28
4.3 Advance Joint Properties

The Autodesk Advance Steel software includes many commands
that create or control multiple objects at the same time with intelligent
relationships. For example, these could be Portal Frame, Straight
Stair, Eaves Haunch, etc.
To edit the properties of any such group of objects you must set the
following Advance Joint Properties:
to clear any existing selection).
Select any object in the group that you want to edit.
Right-click and select Advance Joint Properties.
Figure 4-4
The related macro dialog box for that group of objects opens.
Figure 4-5
The properties in these dialog boxes are divided into tabs and then
grouped into categories. As you select a different category on the left
in the dialog box, the tab displayed changes to be the first in that
category.
29
4.4 Joint Boxes

All of the groups of objects that are created by a macro are enclosed
in a gray box called a joint box. This box might not be displayed, but
must exist for the objects to be a recognized with Joint Properties. If
the joint box encloses the required objects, double-clicking on the
joint box opens the Joint Properties dialog box for that group.
The joint box is not normally displayed when the objects are first
created. However, if the Joint Properties dialog box is opened after
the initial creation, the joint box is displayed.
Figure 4-6
The joint box contains the intelligent link between the objects. It is
possible to delete the joint box without deleting the objects that it
controls (see 4.5 Deleting Objects). If a joint box is deleted the
objects within it remain in the model, but no longer have an intelligent
link to each other or behave like a joint. Instead, they become
independent items.
Models can very quickly become cluttered with many joint boxes on
display. It is important that you do not delete these boxes. To clear
the display, the joint box can be hidden as follows:
Clear all of the object selections (press <Esc> twice).

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters
category, click (Joint Boxes).

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views
category, click (Selected objects off).

Clear all of the selections (press <Esc> twice).
30
Note: It is very important to clear the object selection at the end of

the command. If this is not done the joint boxes remain selected
even though they are hidden. This can cause problems. For
example, if you deleted an object as your next action you would
delete every joint box in your model, removing the intelligence
from every joint in the project.
31
4.5 Deleting Objects

To Erase or Delete objects in the Autodesk Advance Steel software
you can do the following:
Either
to clear any existing selections).
Select the items that you want to delete.
Press <Delete>.
Or
In the Command Line, type E and press <Enter> to start the
AutoCAD Erase command.
Figure 4-7
Select objects: Select the objects that you want to delete and
press <Enter> to complete the command.
Groups: If an object is created as part of an intelligent group (such

as an angle cleat in a joint or a post in a railing), selecting the single
object and pressing <Delete> deletes the entire group of objects.
Therefore, if you want to erase the group you do not need to select
every element of the group, you can just select and delete any
member of the group. Any related members that are affected by the
deleted group are restored as required (e.g., fixing bolt holes that
have been removed).
32
4.6 Undo
As with most applications an Undo command is available in the
Autodesk Advance Steel software. The software commands often
perform several operations at the same time. Therefore, you
frequently need to perform several Undo commands to reverse one
Autodesk Advance Steel command. However, you need to be
careful because there is NO REDO in the Autodesk Advance Steel
software.
Undo can be accessed in the Quick Access Toolbar, by typing U and

pressing <Enter> in the Command Line, or by pressing <Ctrl>+<Z>.
Figure 4-8
33
4.7 Object Snaps

As you use the Autodesk Advance Steel software, note that it
automatically places specific Object Snaps at useful points.
For this reason it is A Node snap is placed at either end of every system line, every
recommended that corner of a plate, either end of every grid line, and the reference point
you only have the of every beam or plate feature.
Node snap active for
running objects snaps
A Center snap is placed in the geometric center of a plate
and use object snaps
overrides (regardless of its shape).
(<Shift>+right-click) for
any other The following two Object Snap types are only available in the
requirements. Autodesk Advance Steel software.
Flange Middle: Finds the midpoint of the outer edge of a
beam flange.
Grid Intersection: Finds the point at which two Autodesk
Advance Steel grid lines cross (ignoring any other object
types).
Figure 4-9
To use them, you must press <Shift>+right-click and select the

required snap in the overrides menu or right-click on Osnap in the
Status Bar to set the Osnap options.
34
4.8 2D/3D Osnap

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

The icon and name always display as the same and the mode that
you are activating is displayed in the Command Line.
2D snaps on: While in this mode, regardless of the selected
snap point, the Z-coordinate is ignored and replaced with zero
(the current UCS). This is indicated on the screen by a yellow
symbol displaying the point that you are actually selecting in
addition to the Osnap symbol at the point that you are picking.
2D snaps off: This is the normal mode of operation. All object

snaps select full 3D locations.
35
Chapter 5 Coordinate Systems
3D Coordinates
World Coordinates
User Coordinate System
When to Use a UCS
36
Coordinate Systems
5.1 3D Coordinates
To locate points in space, the distance from a fixed point is measured
in three directions corresponding to the three dimensions of the
world. These directions are labeled X, Y and Z. When working in 2D
CAD you only use X and Y. In 3D you need to add the Z-direction.
Figure 5-1
When typing coordinates into the Autodesk Advance Steel

software, rather than selecting a point on screen, you can enter a Z-
coordinate if it is not zero. To do so, type an extra comma and the
distance, such as 20, 10, 50 (i.e., 20 X, 10 Y, 50 Z) or 30, 40 (30 X,
40 Y, 0 Z).
37
5.2 World Coordinates

When a file is created, a point is identified as the origin or 0, 0, 0 point
(called the origin) and the X-, Y-, and Z-directions are set. This is not
changeable and forms a permanent fixed reference. This is called
the World Coordinate System or WCS.
If you have set a UCS you can return to the WCS at any time using
the UCS World icon in the UCS category in the Advance Steel Tool
Palette.
Figure 5-1
38
Coordinate Systems
5.3 User Coordinate System

It is possible to change the origin point and direction of the three axes
at any time, to be more convenient for the current task. When you do
this, the new setting is called a User Coordinate System or UCS. The
three axes are always at right angles to each other.
When coordinates are entered they are always measured using

the current user coordinate system.
Many commands in the Autodesk Advance Steel software depend

on the UCS position and orientation to determine how to create
objects. In these commands the objects are often placed on an
imaginary plane between the X- and Y-axes (called the XY plane). It
might help you to imagine the XY plane as a piece of graph paper on
which you are going to draw while the Z-axis is the pencil.
Figure 5-3
The Autodesk Advance Steel software provides a range of

commands in the UCS Tool Palette for easy control of the UCS.
39
Move UCS
This command moves the current origin to a new location.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the UCS category, click
(Move UCS).
Specify a new origin point <0, 0, 0>: Select a new origin point
on the screen or enter the coordinates of the required new
position.
Rotate the UCS about X, Y, or Z

These three commands all rotate the UCS without changing its
current position. The designated axis does not change, but the other
two axes are rotated 90 clockwise about the selected axis. It is not
possible to go anti-clockwise. Click the command repeatedly until the
required orientation is achieved.
(Rotate UCS around X).

(Rotate UCS around Y).

(Rotate UCS around Z).
UCS at Object
Use this command to place the UCS on the surface of an existing
object in the model. The axes are also aligned according to the
object.
(UCS at object).
Please identify object: Select a single Autodesk Advance

Steel object on the screen. A number of triads (3D cross-hairs)
display in different colors. Each triad represents a possible
position for the UCS.
40
Coordinate Systems
Please Select CS: Select ONE of the displayed triads and

right-click. The origin is placed at the point of the triad. The
longest line pointing away from the surface becomes the
positive Z-direction. The medium length line becomes the X-
direction and the shortest line becomes the Y-direction.
When selecting the object at the first prompt, if the entire object is
displayed on the screen, the triads are placed around the entire
object on key surfaces and points. For example, in an I beam this
would be the center of the top surface of the top flange, center of the
bottom surface of the bottom flange, center of either surface of the
web, and center of each end.
Figure 5-4
Alternatively, if the object is only partially displayed on the screen,

six triads are displayed around the exact point that you select.
Figure 5-5
41
UCS View
This command sets the UCS so that it matches the current view. This
is useful to know when using the Autodesk Advance Steel software
to create isometric views in drawings.
First
Orientate the model on the screen as needed.
Then
(UCS View).
The UCS is rotated so that the Z-axis points straight out of the screen
at the viewer and the X-axis points to the right.
42
Coordinate Systems
5.4 When to Use a UCS

There are three main options for setting the UCS depending on which
Autodesk Advance Steel command you are using. When relevant,
the UCS must always be set before using the other command.
To identify how to set the UCS appropriately for the command you
are about to use, read the tooltip that displays when you hover over
the icon.
If the tooltip does not mention the UCS it is generally not

critical what the current UCS is, although it might still have an
influence over the outcome of the command. However, the
plate, grating, and feature commands still operate in the
current XY plane.
If the tooltip displays ...in the UCS plane... or similar, the

objects are always drawn in the current XY plane and you
should ensure that it is set correctly before starting the
command.
Figure 5-6
If the tooltip displays ...UCS Z axis should be vertical... or

similar you usually need to use the WCS for this command.
(However, there are a few exceptions that you learn about in
this training guide.)
Figure 5-7
43
Chapter 6 Building Grids
Creating a Building Grid

Grid Properties
Modifying Grids
Level Symbols
44
Building Grids
6.1 Creating a Building Grid

One of the first pieces of information that is often provided to a
steelwork designer is a building grid to help layout the structure. The
Autodesk Advance Steel software has various tools for creating
intelligent building grids rather than using generic AutoCAD lines.
These special Grids are recognized and handled appropriately in
Autodesk Advance Steel drawings. If you want to ensure that a grid
is drawn on each floor plan, it is generally recommended that you
draw a grid (and level symbol) at each floor level.
Grid
This command creates two sets of four grid lines that are parallel with
the current X- and Y-axes respectively and on the current XY plane.
The lines are equally spaced over the total size entered.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Building Grid).
Please define two diagonal points for grid, origin: Select a

point or enter coordinates for the first corner of your grid.
Second point :_< 18000, 18000>: Select a point or enter

coordinates for the opposite extreme of your grid.
Command finished.
Single Axis
This command creates a single grid line in any direction on the
current XY plane.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Single Axis).
Please define end points of the grid line. Start point: Select a
point or enter coordinates for the start of your line.
End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the end of

your grid line.
The line is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.
45
Grid with 4 Axes

This command creates a set of four parallel grid lines in one direction
only. It can be in any direction in the current XY plane. The lines are
equally spaced.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Grid with 4 axes).
point or enter coordinates for the start of your first grid line.

your first grid line.
Direction and length of the group: Select a point or enter

coordinates. The grid lines are on the selected side of the first
grid line. The distance measured from the selected point
perpendicular to the first grid line is the overall size of the grid.
The last grid line goes through the defined point, but this is not
necessarily the end of the line.
The grid is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.
Grid With Groups By Distance

This command creates as many grid lines as required in one
direction only. This can be in any direction in the current XY plane.
Spacing between grid lines can vary as needed. All of the lines are
parallel and of an equal length.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Grid with groups by
distance).
point or enter coordinates for one end of the first grid line. For
example, enter 0, 0.
End point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the other end
of the first grid line.
Direction of the group: Select a point anywhere on the side of

the first grid line on which you want further grid lines to be
added.
46
Building Grids
Distance between grid lines (0.00): Enter the spacing between

the first two grid lines (e.g., 4000 for lines ABCD in the training
structure).
Distance between grid lines (4000.00): Enter the spacing

between each pair of grid lines as you progress. The number
in brackets is the total cumulative distance (not the default
entry). Repeat as often as needed until the full grid has been
defined.
Distance between grid lines (20000.00): Once you have

reached the correct overall distance, press <Enter> without
entering a number to finish the grid.
The grid is drawn and the Grid Properties dialog box opens.
Sequence of selecting points

Figure 6-1
Curved Grid Line
This command creates a single curved grid line in the current XY
plane.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Curved Grid with
single axis).
Start point: Select a point or enter coordinates for the start of

your grid line.

your grid line.
47
Circle point: Select a point or enter coordinates for a point

between the first two that the grid line arc should go through.
The line is drawn and the Curved Grid Line Properties dialog
box opens.
48
Building Grids
6.2 Grid Properties

Regardless of the way they are created, all grids of parallel lines have
the same properties and the same dialog box is used to control them.
This dialog box is often automatically opened at the end of the
command that creates the grid.
Figure 6-2
Total tab:
o Use the dimensions to change the overall size of the grid.
The spacing of the last grid line(s) is reduced if the size is
reduced and extra lines are added if the size is increased.
o Use the Automatic Label options to control the default

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

group and the spacing between them.
Single axis tab: Controls the options for individual lines.
o Grid Line Index selects which grid lines properties are

displayed.
49
o Name: Enter a new label for the grid line. It does not have
an effect if Automatic Label is still selected in the Total
tab.
o Secondary axis: Select side 1 or side 2 to create an extra

grid line related to the main line. Complete the label and
distance options as needed.
Grid labels are not The only type of Grid Line that has different properties is a curved
ordinary text, but are Grid Line. The Total tab of the properties is replaced by a Curved tab
special objects. They that is very similar, but displays the radius of the line rather than the
resize automatically as overall grid size. The other options in this tab work as they do for
you zoom in and out of straight grid lines. The Sequence and Single Grid Line tabs do not
the model. The size of exist.
the text in the model is
not the same as the
size in a finished
drawing view.
50
Building Grids
6.3 Modifying Grids

Apart from the Grid Properties, there are several commands that
enable you to edit grids after they have been drawn.
Delete Axis
This command removes a single grid line from a group of lines
without affecting the spacing of the remaining lines.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Delete axis).
Please select the grid line to be deleted: Select one existing

grid line and accept. The selected line is deleted and the
labels for other lines in the group are updated accordingly.
Add Axis
Adds a number of grid lines into a group. The other lines in the group
are moved up by the total size of the new lines.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Add axis).
Please select the grid axis after which the group is to be

inserted: Select an existing grid line. The new line(s) are
added after the selected line.
Number of grid lines: Enter the required number of new lines.
Distance between grid lines: Enter the space that is required

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

Similar to the AutoCAD Trim command, but used for grid lines, it cuts
the end from a grid line back to the selected cutting edge. You cannot
cut a section from the middle of a grid line.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Trim axis).
Please select boundary objects: Select existing lines, curves,

or a grid line to cut back to and accept. You can only select a
51
single grid line, but can select more than one AutoCAD
elements.
Select grid line that is to be cut: Select the portion of the grid
lines that you want to cut off and accept. The lines are only
cut after you accept.
Extend Grid Lines

Similar to the AutoCAD Extend command, but for grid lines, it adds
length to an existing grid line to have it meet the selected boundary
element.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Extend axis).
Please select boundary objects: Select the lines, curves, or

grid lines to which to extend and accept.
Select grid line that is to be extended: Select the grid lines to

which to add length and accept. The lines are only extended
after you accept.
52
Building Grids
6.4 Level Symbols

Another type of object that is often closely associated with grids is a
Level Symbol. These are used to identify the elevation of a point
according to a specific datum (often sea level).
The Advance Steel Level Symbols enable you to define a global
datum level. This is added to all of the measurements so that your
model is kept at the AutoCAD WCS.
Level Symbol
The level symbol inserts a small symbol into the model to identify the
correct height at a specific reference point.
In the Objects tab > Grid panel, click (Level Symbol).
Please define the insertion point for the level symbol: Select a
point at which to place the symbol.
The level symbol is placed and the Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 6-3
Current tab
o Absolute Level: Global Datum Level plus Relative Level.
o Relative Level: Height above the WCS origin (Z-

coordinate).
53
Global tab
Datum Level: Set the nominal height of the AutoCAD

WCS origin.
For example, if your site zero is at 17350 above Sea Level, you would
enter 17350 as the global datum level. If you then place a level
symbol on some beams 4500 above the site zero the
Relative Level is 4500 and the Absolute Level is 21850.
All of the level symbols in a model share the same Global Datum
Level.
General Arrangement type drawings often automatically place level

symbols or dimensions in the drawings where you have included
level symbols in your models.
54
Building Grids
Practice 6a Drawing Grids

1. Draw the grids in the structure.
Draw the main building grid and the different grid for the mezzanine.
Grid A1 is at the WCS origin. Ensure that you match the position,
directions, and labeling in the drawings.
55
Chapter 7 Basic Structures
Structural Frames
Draw a Portal Frame
Place Sections
Beam Properties
Draw Beams and Sections
56
Basic Structures
7.1 Structural Frames

Once you have laid out the basic reference information (e.g., the
building grid) you can create the basic structure. Many buildings are
based on or include one of three common types of frame. Therefore,
before starting to draw individual beams, you can use the macros
included in the Autodesk Advance Steel software to automate the
modeling of the common types.
Portal Frame
This macro creates four beams that are arranged as a Portal frame
based on several input points. The frame can be non-symmetrical if
required.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Portal

/ Gable Frame).
Please select base point for the first column: Enter

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

coordinates or select a point for the position of the other
column in the frame.
Please enter point for the apex height or <A>ngle: Press

<Enter> or right-click. A symmetrical frame is created with a
default height. The Portal Frame Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 7-1
57
Set out tab
o Symmetrical roof: Clear the option if you want to create

a non-symmetrical frame. When creating a symmetrical
frame, other specific options are disabled.
- Span of the frame: Should correspond to the

coordinates of the first and second points selected. If
you change this value column 2 moves to suit.
- Total Height: The height of the apex where the rafters

meet. Changing it adjusts the rafter beams.
- Eaves Level 1: The height of the top of the rafter

directly above a column. Changing it adjusts the height
of the columns.
- Level of Base Plate: If point one was not at the final

base plate level of the frame you can adjust for it here.
For example, if you selected points on a grid at level 0,
but the foundations and base plates were actually at
level -500, you should enter -500 here.
Sections tab
o Column Size: Select the appropriate section in the library

from which you want to create the columns.
o Rafter Size: Select the appropriate section from the library

from which you want to create the rafters.
o Projections: You can add values here for an eaves

overhang, but generally you would not do so. The Eaves
haunch joint commonly used at such locations enables
you to add a stub here and that is usually more correct.
Position tab: Use the options to control the position of the

columns and rafters relative to the selected points.
Note: The images in the dialog box help to clarify the available
options.
58
Basic Structures
Figure 7-2
Gable Frame
A gable frame is a Portal frame with extra columns across its width.
To create a Gable Frame, first create a Portal frame.
In the Properties tab in the Portal Properties dialog box

change the Type option to Gable Frame. Two extra tabs
display in the dialog box.
Figure 7-3
Gable sections tab: Set the section, size, and position of the
extra gable posts.
Gable distances tab: Set the number and spacing of any extra
gable posts that are required.
59
Mono-pitch Frame
A Mono-pitch frame has a single rafter spanning the entire width
rather than two rafters meeting at an apex, as in the Portal frame.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Mono-
Pitch Frame).
Please select base point for the first column: Select a point or
enter coordinates for the base of the first column.
Please select top point for the second column: Select a point
or enter coordinates for the top of the second column.
The frame is drawn with a horizontal rafter and the Mono pitch
Properties dialog box opens.
Set Out tab: Set the frame width and column heights as
needed.
Sections tab: Select the section sizes and eaves projections

for the frame.
Note: It is not usually necessary to set a projection here because

the Eaves Haunch joint typically used in these locations includes
options for a stub to be added.
Position of frame tab: Control the position of the columns and

rafter relative to the selected points.
Figure 7-4
60
Basic Structures
Practice 7a Draw a Portal Frame

1. Continue working in the model that was created in the previous
practice.
2. Draw the first Portal frame for the structure.
3. Draw the frame between grids A1 and A3. Ensure that you match
the sections and dimensions to the structure.
61
7.2 Placing Sections

After drawing any of these frames as needed you need to draw the
rest of the structure by placing individual members. The Autodesk
Advance Steel software has an extensive library of standard sections
of all types from all over the world. You can select the required
section from a list.
When drawing beams it is recommended that you use object

snaps at logical design points and have the system lines meet
each other.
Straight Beam
For a straight beam the method is the same no matter what section
type you want to create, but there are different icons for each generic
family of sections.
Select the required family of sections in the Home tab >
Objects panel, expanding the Rolled I Section drop-down list.
Figure 7-5
Please locate start point of system axis: Select a start point

for the beam.
62
Basic Structures
Please locate end point of system axis: Select an end point

for the beam.
A straight beam is drawn between the two points and the

Beam Properties dialog box opens.
The beam and column creation commands allow you to create

multiple sections without being interrupted by the properties dialog
after creating each object. The commands continue until you press
the <Esc> or <Enter> keys or click the right button on your mouse
Continuous Beam
The Continuous Beam Command allows you to create linked beams
continuously. The command stops if you press
the <Esc> or <Enter> keys or if you click the right button on your
mouse.
In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click (Continuous

Beam).
Figure 7-5
When you finish the command, a dialog appears, showing the

common properties for the sections created in the last instance of
the command. Changes made in the properties dialog apply to all
sections created in the current command instance.
63
Curved Beams
A curved beam of any section can be placed as follows:
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Curved Beam).
Start point: Select a point for one end of the beam.
End point: Select a point for the other end of the beam.
Circle point: Select a point between the other two points for
the beam to go through.
The beam is created in the last section type used. The Beam
Properties dialog box opens enabling you to select the section and
other required properties. An additional Radius option is located in
the Positioning tab.
Curved beams display as faceted on the model, but are always
recognized as true curved beams in the drawings. This display is for
performance purposes.
Beam from Line
If you need to create many beams, you might find it convenient to lay
out all of the beam paths with ordinary AutoCAD elements and then
convert them into beams. Any AutoCAD Line, Arc, or Polyline can
be converted into a beam.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Beam from line).
Please select lines/arcs: Use normal AutoCAD techniques to

select as many arcs, lines, and polylines as required, and then
accept.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <N>: If you want to keep

your construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for
Yes.
The selected elements are all converted into individual beams with
the same properties. If you selected polylines, each segment of the
polyline is an independent beam (compare this with Beam from
Polyline).
64
Basic Structures
Beam from Polyline

If you want to model a beam that has been bent into a shape (other
than a simple arc) you need to use the Beam, polyline command.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Beam, polyline).
Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select the

Polyline option.
Please select one or more 2D or 3D polyline(s) to transform

into beam(s): Select the polyline(s) that you want to convert.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <Y>: If you want to keep

your construction lines, enter N for No, otherwise enter Y for
Yes.
Each polyline is converted into a continuous bent beam made from

one piece.
Compound Beams and Welded Beams

The Home tab > Objects panel contains two additional drop-down
lists: Welded Beams and Compound Beams.
Figure 7-6
These create common configurations of beams that are created

using flats (welded beams) or sections (compound beams), and
welded together to form new profiles. These work like normal Straight
beams with a slight change in the Properties dialog box. The
Compound Beam Class and Compound Beam Type options in the
Sections & Material tab enable you to select the required
configuration of members. The Sections tab is used to set the type
and size of each individual member. Although made from several
members these beams are treated as a single object as opposed to
modeling several individual members with the straight beam
commands.
65
Cold Rolled Sections

A large range of sections from specific cold rolled suppliers are also
available. These are located in the Slide-out in the Objects tab >
Beams panel.
Figure 7-7
Each icon pre-selects the stated manufacturer, but the rest of the
functionality is the same as any other straight beam.
66
Basic Structures
7.3 Beam Properties

No matter how they are created, all members that are created from
standard sections have many common properties available.
Figure 7-8
The list of entries Section & Material tab

displayed in the short
list is controlled by a o Section: Select the required section type and size. The
system called first drop-down arrow enables you to select the family of
Preferred Sizes. sections (e.g., I, Channel, or Round), the second drop-
Although outside the
down arrow selects the section class in the family (e.g.,
scope of this training
guide, you can IPE, UK Universal Beam, or JIS H) and the third drop-
customize them to down arrow enables you to select the size of the beam in
suit your the selected section class. The fourth drop-down arrow
requirements. displays a list of recently selected sections for quicker re-
Contact your selection.
Autodesk
representative for o Material: Enables you to select the material from which
more information. the beam is to be made. The first drop-down is the type of
material (e.g., Steel or Concrete) and the second drop-
down is the exact material of the selected type (e.g.,
S275JR or St37-2).
o Coating: Select the required coating/finish for the beam

(e.g., Iron Oxide Primer or Galvanised).
67
Note: Each of these drop-down lists is filtered to only display

options that are common in your location (depending on the
language selected during the installation). If the required option is
not displayed in the short list, you can use the All option at the
bottom of the list. Selecting it displays the full list of all of the entries
that are included in the Autodesk Advance Steel software.
Positioning tab
Figure 7-9
Warning: For non- o Offset: Select how you want the beam to be positioned
symmetrical sections, relative to the selected points. The image of your beam
such as Channels, type has 10 positions from which you can select. Nine of
Angles, and T these positions represent the four corners, the middle of
sections, the the four sides, and the center. The tenth dot represents the
positions in the
Centre of Gravity of the section. Normally vertical
middle of each side
line up with the center
members, such as columns, are placed using the Center
of gravity and position. Horizontal members, such as floor beams, are
therefore are often typically placed using the Top Middle position.
NOT in the middle of
that side.
Note: A line is drawn between the two selected points. It is called
the System Line and does not move when you select these
position offsets. The beam moves around the line. Always draw
the system line between your nominal design points and enable
the Autodesk Advance Steel software to determine the detail.
o Angle: Rotates the section about the system line. Select

the dot corresponding to 45 increments or enter the
required value in the box. When a beam is first placed the
68
Basic Structures
If you want to align top flange is parallel with the current UCS XY or YZ plane.
one beam with The angle setting always displays zero when the dialog
another at an box is first opened and this corresponds to the current
unknown angle (such position of the section.
as having roof beams
align with rafters),
Naming tab: Displays the Single Part and Assembly numbers
rather than trying to
find the correct angle of the part plus additional identification, such as lot/phase and
to enter, set the UCS Model Role.
to match the other
beam (UCS at
Object) before
placing this beam.
The flanges align
automatically.
Figure 7-10
o Single Part/Main Part: There are boxes to the left of the

Single Part Number and Main Part Number. If the box
next to single part is checked, it indicates that the part is a
single part. If the box next to Main Part is checked, it
indicates that the part is the main part of the assembly.
o Model Role: To identify what part a specific object plays

in the structure and to assign an appropriate number
prefix, the object needs to have a Model Role assigned,
such as Beam, Column, Rafter, End Plate, or Railing
Post Landing. This is selected in the drop-down list.
When an object is created by an Advance Steel macro, the
appropriate model role is assigned automatically. When
you create an object manually, you must manually assign
the model role.
69
Camber Properties tab: If you design a cambered beam you

can enter the properties on this tab. The Autodesk Advance
Steel software can then recognize the type of beam so that it
is drawn and identified appropriately for manufacture. Only
straight beams can be cambered. You might need to manually
specify a Cambered Beam drawing style to benefit from this
feature.
Figure 7-11
Fabrication data tab: Model Objects (beams, plates,

gratings, etc.) and Assemblies (groups of elements joined by
certain criteria) have different fabrication information available
in the model, depending on the project state.
70
Basic Structures
Figure 7-12
o Assembly properties
- Approval status
- Approval status code
- Approval comment
- Load number - delivery note number
- Carrier
- Shipped date
- Delivery date
Assembly Fabrication Data is available only after you define the

assembly (by numbering or using Define as main part from the element
properties dialog in the Naming tab). The Assembly Fabrication Data is
defined on assembly and is identical for all the assembly components.
Approval status, Approval status code and Approval comment mark the
modeling status of an assembly.
o Object properties
- Fabrication station
- Supplier
71
- PO number - Purchase Order Number

- Requisition number - identifier code that is used to
reference a particular requisition.
- Heat number - an identification coupon number that is
stamped on a material plate after it is removed from the
ladle and rolled at a steel mill.
Object Fabrication Data is always available and is defined on each

object, even if some objects have the same Part Mark.
72
Basic Structures
Practice 7b Draw Beams and Sections

1. Draw the remaining members of the structure.
2. Model all of the remaining beams and sections in the structure

(except the bracings). Carefully orient and position each beam
on the outside platform correctly.
73
Chapter 8 Simple Editing
Overview
Layer Management
Common Basic CAD Editing Commands
Transform Elements
Advance Copy/Rotate/Array
Advance Trim/Extend
74
Simple Editing
8.1 Overview
For convenience, the common Autodesk Advance Steel editing
commands are located in the Advance Steel Tool Palette. They are
Copy, Copy & Rotate 2D, Copy & Rotate 3D, Copy & Mirror 2D,
Copy & Mirror 3D, Copy with Adjustment, Rectangular Array,
and Polar Array.
Figure 8-1
Although these commands each have an icon they behave as they

would when using the command in the Transform Elements
command and dialog box. They also use the last setting of the
Include additional connections option in the Transform Elements
dialog box.
Advance Trim/Extend
It is not always easy to model objects correctly the first time. You
might want to move, rotate, or change the length of a section.
Alternatively, if you have a number of similar objects it might be
easier to make one and copy it rather than modeling each one
individually.
75
8.2 Layer Management

In CAD it is recommended that you organize the objects in your
model onto separate layers. This enables you to control the display
by easily identifying objects that are displayed differently and to only
hide and display selected objects.
When working in the Autodesk Advance Steel software, it is

recommended that you work on the layer Standard. Doing so
activates the Autodesk Advance Steel automatic layer
management. When you work on this layer, objects that are created
by the software are automatically placed on different layers
depending on their object type. Normally, the layer on which an
object is placed matches the type so that all of the sections are
placed on the layer Beams, plates on Plates, bolts on Bolts, etc.
If you change the current active layer to anything other than

Standard all of the objects are placed on the current layer,
regardless of their type.
The layer on which an object is placed does not matter to the

Autodesk Advance Steel software, it is only for convenience. You
can move objects to different layers as needed using the AutoCAD
Properties palette. You can create custom layers using the AutoCAD
Layer Properties in the Home tab>Layers panel. You can hide,
freeze, and lock layers as needed. However, objects on frozen,
hidden, or locked layers cannot be edited.
76
Simple Editing
Note: Further automatic layer management can be set up based on

an objects Model Role if it is assigned by a macro. To toggle this
option on, click (Management Tools) in the Home tab >
Settings panel. In the Advance Steel Management Tools dialog box,
expand Defaults > Layer assignment and select the Default
layers used for AS objects based on object role option. All of the
members of a Railing are then placed on the layer Railings, rather
than on Beams and Plates. Objects with their Model Role set to
None are placed on the original layers.
Figure 8-2
77
8.3 Common Basic CAD Editing

Commands
All of the basic editing commands that are common to CAD programs
remain available (in the Modify palette). However, these commands
do not recognize the extra intelligence of Autodesk Advance Steel
objects, so they might not always be the best option.
It is recommended that you use the basic CAD command if the

resulting object does not require any intelligent handling during the
operation. If the operation would benefit from the Autodesk
Advance Steel softwares extra intelligence, use an Autodesk
Advance Steel command to do the edit. Some of the basic CAD
commands are also not very suitable to 3D (e.g., Rotate only permits
angles in the XY plane).
For example, the following operations can be performed using the

standard CAD commands:
Move a beam that does not have any joints or without

changing its joints. (Move)
Rotate a plate that is not connected to anything. (Rotate)
Copy a column that does not have any joints to many

locations. (Copy)
Move the end of a beam when you missed the snap point
during creation. (Drag the grip at the end.)
Change one beam size to match another. (Match Properties)
Move an object to another layer. (Properties)
The following operations should be done using Autodesk Advance

Steel commands:
Copy an entire Portal frame with joints. (Use Transform

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

Elements.)
78
Simple Editing
Extend/trim beams, including the system lines, to the surface

of another beam. (Use Advance Trim/Extend.)
It is recommended that you always use an Autodesk Advance Steel

command because it can handle the extra intelligence of the
Autodesk Advance Steel objects properly.
79
8.4 Transform Elements

A number of common editing operations have been combined into
one intelligent Autodesk Advance Steel command called
Transform Elements. It covers operations that are equivalent to the
Move, Copy, Stretch, Array, and Mirror commands, but with the
extra power and intelligence that is relevant to Autodesk Advance
Steel objects.
Ensure that no objects are selected (press <Esc> twice).
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click

(Advanced Copy).
In the Transform elements dialog box, click (Select

Objects) and select the objects that you want to manipulate
using normal techniques. After accepting the selection you
are returned to the dialog box.
If the objects are part of a joint (e.g., the Portal frame) and you
want the result to be part of a joint rather than individual elements
(i.e., three more Portal frames, rather than many beams) ensure
that you select the joint box as part of the operation.
Figure 8-3
80
Simple Editing
Select Include additional connections. If it is not selected,

any relationships between the selected elements and others
are ignored.
If you want to include joints between beams in the operation, do

not select every member of the joint, just select the beams that are
between the joints and ensure that this option is selected.
Select the required operation in the lower left area of the

dialog box. Different operations enable and disable different
options in the rest of the dialog box. Always select the
operation before attempting to complete any other options
because the values change when you change the operation.
Complete all of the other options in the dialog box as needed

(all of the coordinates are according to the current UCS).
Click the Preview button.
A prompt might display, such as Select corresponding entity

[Skip]:. If you follow the prompt, note the highlighted object in
the selected objects. Identify the corresponding object in the
new location and select it. If you cannot identify the correct
object you can skip it by pressing <Enter> without selecting
anything. However, if you do so the intelligence is lost. Repeat
this for all of the prompts.
The edits are done. You can zoom, rotate, and pan as needed to
inspect the result, but do not select another command.
If the result is correct, click the OK button in the Preview bar.
If the result is not correct, click the Modify button to return to

the dialog box and adjust the settings.
If the result is wrong, click the Cancel button and everything

is restored to before Transform.
All of the new objects that have been created during transform are
independent of the originals. Any joints created maintain their full
intelligence.
Therefore, to copy the complete Portal frame with joints from grid
lines A to B, C, and D, you would need to do the following:
81
Clear any selection (press <Esc> twice).

(Advanced Copy).
Select Objects: Select the joint box around the Portal frame
and the four main beams of the frame and accept.
Select Include additional connections.
Set the action to Copy.
Set the coordinates at the top by clicking the button next to

the values and selecting A1 and then B1 (one pitch).
Set the number of copies to 3.
Click Preview.
Select the corresponding elements as prompted (3 x 4 = 12

selections).
If the results are correct, click the OK button.
In each case the Transform Elements dialog box has buttons that
enable you to select points or offsets on screen using object snaps.
This way you can achieve the correct value according to the current
UCS, and have it relate to your operation. Always test your entries
using the Preview button rather than clicking OK immediately. If you
do need to undo a transformation, a number of Undo commands are
required.
82
Simple Editing
8.5 Advance Copy/Rotate/Array

For convenience, the common Autodesk Advance Steel editing
commands are located in the Palette. They are Copy, Copy &
Rotate 2D, Copy & Rotate 3D, Copy & Mirror 2D, Copy & Mirror
3D, Copy with Adjustment, Rectangular Array, and Polar Array.
Figure 8-4
Although these commands each have an icon, they behave the same
as when using the command in the Transform Elements command
and dialog box. They also use the last setting of the Include
additional connections option in the Transform Elements dialog
box.
83
8.6 Advance Trim/Extend

The standard AutoCAD Trim and Extend commands cannot work
on Autodesk Advance Steel sections. To trim or extend them you
must use the Advanced Trim/Extend command.
Clear any selection (press <Esc> twice).

(Advanced Trim/Extend).
Please select operation mode [Trim/Extend/Auto] <Auto>: If

you only want to trim, select Trim. If you only want to extend,
select Extend. If you want to do a mixture of both, select
Auto.
Please select option [System/Centre/Face/Line] <System>:

You can trim or extend to either the system line of another
beam, the center line of another beam, or the nearest face of
another beam, or you can select an ordinary line. Enter the
required option.
Please select boundary objects :~> Select objects: Select the

beam(s) or line(s) to which you want to extend or trim and
accept. (Note that this prompt is over two lines. Do not forget
to read both lines if the prompt displays Select Objects:).
Select the member to be Trimmed or Extended: Select the

beams to trim or extend near the end that you want to move.
Each beam is modified immediately. You can select individual
beams or use a window selection to select multiple beams.
The end nearest to the pick point is changed.
Right-click when finished.
Edits take place immediately as you proceed. All of the changes in

one Advanced Trim/Extend command are combined into one undo.
If you use the Auto mode to trim a beam, the side of the boundary
object that is the shortest is the end that is cut off, regardless of the
side that you select. If you use the Trim mode, the beam is cut on the
side of the boundary object that you select. In the following example,
the blue beam is the cutting boundary. The brown beam is selected
to cut at the point at which the cursor is displayed. The result with
84
Simple Editing
Auto mode is shown in the middle. The result with Trim mode is
shown on the right.
Figure 8-5
When drawing beams, it is recommended that you use object

snaps at logical design points and have the system lines meet
each other.
The Autodesk Advance Steel software does not actually need the
system lines or beams to meet each other, fall short of each other,
or even cross: when a joint is placed it adjusts the lengths of the
beams (not the system lines) to suit. You do not need to edit the
system lines to the exact length of the finished machined member,
although it is preferable if it is close. If one of the members is
subsequently edited, the joint automatically adjusts the length of both
beams as required. Therefore, you do not need to use this command
very often. However, if the system line is noticeably different from the
finished beam length it could have a negative effect on drawing
quality.
85
Chapter 9 Automatic Joints
Connection Vault
Joint Properties
Repeating Joints
Joint Library
Joint Groups
Add Joints
86
Automatic Joints
9.1 Connection Vault

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

available joints. To place a new joint, it is recommended that you
always start with the connection vault.
Figure 9-1
The vault has three panes. The pane on the left contains a list of the
many types of joints in a category type structure. Use the category
symbols to expand and collapse the groups of related joints.
Select a joint name to display images of examples of the joint in the

top right pane. (These previews are only examples and not an
exhaustive representation of what can be achieved.) The lower right
pane displays a description of the joint and some additional
information.
87
Making a Connection
An intelligent connection is made between two or three beams as
follows:
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click

(Connection Vault).
Select the required category on the left.
Click the required joint type.
Please select the main beam ~> Select objects: Select the
beam that is NOT going to change length.
Please select the secondary beam: Select the beam that is

going to be adjusted and shaped around the first.
These are generic prompts. The exact prompts vary depending on

the joint that you have selected (e.g., Please identify column: or
Please identify rafter:) There can also be a third prompt for some
joints.
After selecting the inputs, a small alert box might open prompting you
that Template values were not found. Take defaults of the
connection. This is for information only. Click the OK button to
proceed.
Figure 9-2
The joint is created and the joint box is displayed.
Note: This information might appear in the command line,

depending on the default.
In engineering terms,
when placing a joint,
the secondary beam
transfers its load onto
the main beam.
88
Automatic Joints
9.2 Joint Properties

Every type of joint in the Connection Vault has a different version of
the Joint Properties dialog box. In each case, due to the complexity
of the joints and the number of parameters that can be varied, a large
number of options are displayed in a large number of grouped tabs.
It would be overwhelming to try and list every option. Therefore, this
training guide provides an overview of some of the common options
or properties.
To help you to identify the option or parameter that you need to set
to adjust a specific dimension or position, each tab in the Properties
displays an image of the various numbered dimensions. The
property options in that tab have corresponding numbers. Find the
numbered dimension in the image and enter the required value in the
field with the same number. For example, if the overall length of the
end plates is dimension 3 you need to adjust it using the value in the
3. Length: field.
Note that various options might be disabled. This is often because of

the way in which another option has been set. In the example, 3.
Length is disabled because End Plate Length Type is set to
Projection. In this option, fields 4 and 5 are valid and the overall
length is calculated. If you would rather set the overall height of the
plate, you need to change End plate length type to Exact Value from
Top or Exact Value from Bottom. Field 3 becomes available,
enabling you to enter the required length. Field 4 or 5 is disabled and
calculated as needed.
Sometimes the options interact over several tabs in the Properties

dialog box. Therefore, you might need to change the settings on the
other tabs to enable a specific option on a specific tab.
Figure 9-3
89
Sometimes certain types of joints can have unexpected results when

applied to non-symmetrical sections, such as Channels or Angles.
In most cases the required result can be achieved by trying different
options and settings. For example, depending on the section
orientation, the Top and Bottom could be swapped when
manipulating a joint on a Channel type section.
Plate and Bolt Sizes and Projection Option

The various parameters of the plates and bolts are usually on tabs
that are grouped together under General or Plates and Bolts.
The sizes of the end plates or other plates that are created by a joint
can be set in several ways.
Projections: With this option set you can control the amount
by which the plate overhangs the section on each side. If the
section is edited and changed later, the plate size and the
spacing in the joint change automatically to maintain the same
projection dimensions.
By Bolts: This option lays out the bolts according to distances

from the sections used in the joint. The plate size is then
calculated based on the overall bolt spacing. If the section is
edited later, the joint updates automatically to maintain the
bolt positions relative to the new section size and the plate
size relative to the bolt positions.
Total Size: If you use this option you can directly set the
overall size of the plate. If the section to which the plate is
fixed changes, the plate size does not update but remains at
the set size.
You might want to select Projections or By Bolt so the joint updates

when a section changes size. However, there might be problems.
Most standard sections do not have a convenient overall size. In
many standards, the overall size is not the same as the nominal size.
For example, a UK Universal Beam 254 x 146 x 43 actually
measures 259.6 x 147.3. If you add a 50 Projection to this, the
finished plate would measure 359.6 x 247.3. These are not good
dimensions to which to manufacture. In most cases it is preferred,
and cheaper to manufacture, if you use dimensions that can be
constructed from standard Flat sections. Therefore, in this example,
plates measuring 250 wide could be cut 360 long from a Flat 250 x
90
Automatic Joints
10 and a setting of Total sizes of 360 and 250 would be preferred to

projections.
Figure 9-4
For Bolt spacing, the equivalent of the Projection option would be

the From Section option or a similar option. It is often recommended
that you use another option and set the round dimension for the
spacing, rather than having bolt centers, such as 309.6 x 197.3.
The Bolt type and diameter can be set in the Bolts and Holes tab.
The Autodesk Advance Steel software has pre-defined
combinations of nuts, bolts, and washers and you can only select
one of them. Select the Bolt Type, such as XOX or Set Screw. Each
type of bolt has specific combinations of nuts and bolts (such as
Standard or Nut and 2 Washers) that are valid and you must select
one of them in the Bolt Assembly box. The bolt diameter can be set
in the Diameter field. The bolt length is automatically selected from a
list of standard bolt lengths that have been defined in the software.
The options and dimensions controlling the plate sizes in joints are
often located in the same tabs as those for the bolts. For example, in
a Single Sided End Plate Joint the plate sizes are on the Horizontal
Bolts and Vertical Bolts tabs along with the bolt options.
Other Options
Most joints have options for cutting the plates created and/or the
beams involved around other members. In general there is a set of
options for Notches that enable you to control the clearances that are
required for each case.
91
Figure 9-5
In most cases the plates or other sections that are created as part of
a joint are welded to one or another member of the joint. The sizes
of these welds might need to vary to suit the section and loading and
this can be done in the Welds tab.
Many joint types enable extra plates to be welded in to strengthen

the joint. These plates follow fixed rules and are controlled by sets of
options on tabs called Stiffeners.
Depending on the type of joint there might be extra options that are
unique to that type of joint. For example, a Base Plate can have a
Shear Anchor or Leveling Plates and an Eaves Haunch can have
an Additional Rafter to create wider eaves. These options typically
have an extra tab in the Joint Properties dialog box. The first option
on the tab is generally a tick box to enable the option, although this
might be located on another tab.
92
Automatic Joints
9.3 Repeating Joints

In a specific structure it is common to repeat the same joint, between
sections of the same sizes, and with the same parameters in many
locations. Rather than having to create each joint and repeatedly set
all of the parameters individually, there are several ways to efficiently
repeat a joint.
Regardless of the method used to create a joint, you can use the
Autodesk Advance Joint Properties to alter its parameters later. All
of the joints remain independent of each other.
Repeat Rule
If you want to create another joint of the same type, but not
necessarily with the same parameters, you can use the Repeat Rule
command instead of using the Connection Vault again.
In the Extended Modeling tab > Joint Utilities panel, click

(Repeat Rule).
Proceed per the normal Joint command as though you have

clicked a joint type in the Connection Vault.
This places the joint and opens the Joint Properties dialog box I
which you can set the required parameters.
Joint Copy
If you want to add another joint with the same type and parameters
as an existing joint to your model, you can use the Create by
template command.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click
(Create by template).
Select connection part: Select any member of the existing

joint that you want to copy and accept.
Please identify column: The prompts from the original

placement of the joint type are repeated and should be
followed.
Please identify rafter: Follow the prompts to select the

members in the new location. When all of the required
93
members have been selected, the joint is placed with identical

parameters to the copied joint. The Joint Properties dialog box
does not open
Please identify column: The command loops, repeating the

prompts to select members, and places as many copies of the
joint as needed (one at a time). When you have placed all of
the required copies, press <Enter> or right-click without
selecting a member.
Joint Copy, Multiple

If you have many identical or similar situations in which you want to
repeat a joint (such as 25 Cold Rolled Floor Beams to the Hot Rolled
Supporting Beam), you can use the Create by template, multiple
command.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Tools category, click
(Create by template, multiple).
Please select source joint: Select any member of the joint that
you want to copy and accept.
Please select beams corresponding to the source joints input

(1/3) ~>Select objects: You must know the first input for the
selected type of joint. For example, on a Double Sided End
Plate the first of the three inputs was the Main Beam. You
should select all of the main beams for all of the required
locations to which you want to copy the joint and then accept.

(2/3) ~>Select objects: You must know the second input that
is required for the type of joint. For example, in a Double Sided
End Plate it is one of the secondary beams. You should select
one secondary beam in each location to which you want to
copy the joint and then accept.

(3/3) ~>Select objects: If the joint type requires it, you are
prompted for the third input as well. As with the first and
second input, select the appropriate members in each location
to which you want to copy the joint and then accept.
94
Automatic Joints
The Autodesk Advance Steel software analyzes your selection and

places joints at every possible location in your selections (many at
the same time). All of the joints that are placed have identical
parameters to the one copied. The joint box is not displayed.
Note: Be careful when using this with double-sided joints, because

it might result in two copies of the joint in the same location.
Note: Do not try to place too many of variations in one move. While
the command is good at identifying different orientations or
configurations, if you include too many in one command, problems
can occur.
95
9.4 Joint Library

To avoid having to set multiple parameters when you use a joint you
can store preferred configurations in the Library for quick recall or
Automatic placement. The Library is located on a tab in the Joint
Properties dialog box. It includes columns for every parameter in the
joint. In each case the table includes columns stating the class and
size of the member(s) on which the joint was placed and a comment
or name for the entry.
Figure 9-6
Each time a joint is placed, the Autodesk Advance Steel software

searches for the same combination of member sizes in the Library.
If it finds a match, it applies the settings stored with that entry in the
Library. The selected line in the table is normally highlighted in blue.
Therefore, you do not need to set multiple parameters each time you
place the joint. (The software does not search the table when you
are using Create by template or Create by template, multiple
because these commands are designed to copy the same
It is possible to turn parameters as the selected example joint.)
off the Template
values not found If there is more than one possible match in the Library for the current
alert box so that the joint, the Autodesk Advance Steel software applies the first match
message displays in it finds in the table. If no match is found in the Library, an alert box
the AutoCAD displays, prompting you: Template values not found Take defaults of
Command Line the connection. This is not an error. It is information that your joint
instead. To do so, in
does not match a pre-defined configuration.
the Home tab >
Setting panel, click
If you want to apply a different set of parameters than the Library
(Management entry selected by the software, select any line in the Library and the
Tools).Select corresponding parameters are applied immediately. To help you
Defaults, and clear locate the required entry in the Library, you can sort the table by any
General > Message column (e.g., Comment or Section) by selecting the heading of that
box when template column.
values are not found.
96
Automatic Joints
There can be a recognized standard for providing set dimensions

and sizes that have been defined for a specific load on a specific joint
type. The Library is the ideal place in which to define these
parameters, so they can be used easily. For example, in the UK, the
British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) publishes a set
of standards (commonly called the Green Book because of the color
of its cover) defining plate sizes, bolt positions, etc., for several load
ranges on many member sizes and many types of joints. These
recognized pre-defined settings have been stored in the Library as
part of the standard installation.
Once applied, there is no link between the joint parameters and the
Library. Therefore, you can override any setting without affecting
any other joints or the table.
To add a custom entry to the joint Library:
Place the joint that you want to store and set all of its
parameters as required.
Select the Library tab in the Joint Properties dialog box.
Click the Save values button.
Figure 9-7
Your settings are added to the table with a dash - in the

Comment column.
Click the Edit button. The table editor displays.
97
Figure 9-8
Locate your entry in the table. New entries are usually, but not
always, at the bottom of the table. New entries display a dash
in the Comment column.
Select the Comment box for your entry and enter a

recognizable name.
Click the OK button.
Close the Joint Properties dialog box.

To maximize the The Library entry is now available for use in any future joints of that
power and flexibility type. The Library is stored on a specific PC, which remains available
of the Table and to for all of the projects and users on that PC.
minimize similar
entries, you can use
the % (percent)
symbol as a wild card
in the section
columns. You can
also set the preferred
default values that
can be used when a
better match is not
found by creating a
Default entry in the
table. These are
outside the scope of
this training guide.
Ask your Autodesk
representative for
more information.
98
Automatic Joints
9.5 Joint Groups

When you use the Create by template commands, the joints created
are all independent from each other. Sometimes, you might need to
link a number of joints together so that if one changes, they all
change together and continue to match. In this case you can use the
joint group commands.
When joints are in a joint group, one joint is the master and the others
in the group are slaves and must always match the master. Any
changes to the master joint are immediately applied to all of the slave
joints. If you open the Advance Joint Properties dialog box for a slave
joint you can note all of the settings for the options, but they are all
grayed out and disabled to prevent editing.
Create a Joint in a Joint Group

This command operates in the same way as Create by template,
except that any new joints that are created are slave joints in a joint
group. In the first example, the selected joint is already a slave or
master joint. This is not changed and the new joints are added to the
same group and linked to the same master. If the sample joint is not
a master or slave joint it becomes the master of a new group.
(Create joint in a joint group).
Select connection part: Select any member of the existing

joint that you want to copy and accept.
Please identify column: The prompts from the original

placement of the joint type are repeated and should be
followed.
Please identify rafter: Follow the prompts to select the

members in the new location as normal.
When the required members have been selected, the joint is

placed with identical parameters to the copied joint. The Joint
Properties dialog box does not open.
Please identify column: The command loops, repeating the

prompts to select members, and places as many copies of the
joint as needed (one at a time). When you have placed all of
99
the required copies, press <Enter> or right-click without

selecting a member.
Create Joint in a Joint Group, Multiple

This is the Joint group equivalent of Create by template, multiple.
This command is useful if you have many identical situations in which
you want to repeat a joint (such as 25 Cold Rolled Floor Beams to
the Hot Rolled Supporting Beam).
(Create joint in a joint group, multiple).
Please select source joint: Select any member of the joint that
you want to copy and accept.

(1/3) ~>Select objects: You must know the first input for the
selected type of joint. For example, on a Double Sided End
Plate, the first of the three inputs was the Main Beam. You
should select all of the main beams for all of the required
locations to which you want to copy the joint and then accept.

(2/3) ~>Select objects: You must know the second input that
is required for the type of joint. For example, in a Double Sided
End Plate it is one of the secondary beams. You should select
one secondary beam in each location to which you want to
copy the joint and then accept.

(3/3) ~>Select objects: If the joint type requires it, you are
prompted for the third input as well. As with the first and
second inputs, select the appropriate members in each
location to which you want to copy the joint and then accept.
The Autodesk Advance Steel software analyzes your selection and

places joints at every possible location in your selections (many at
the same time). All of the joints that are placed are added to the same
group as the original joint. If the original joint was not in a group, it
becomes the master of the new group.
100
Automatic Joints
Remove a Joint from a Joint Group

If you have a joint that is a member of a group but needs to be
different from other members of the group you can remove it from
the group, enabling it to be edited independently.
(Remove Joint from a joint group).
Select connection part: Select any part of the connection that

you want to remove from the joint group and accept.
The selected joint becomes an independent joint again.
Add a Joint to a Joint Group

If you have independent joints that you want to make into a group
you can use this command to do so.
(Add joint to a joint group).
Select Joint: Select any member of the joint that you want to
add to the group and accept. You can only add ONE joint at a
time with this command.
Select Master Joint: Select any member of a joint that you

want to link to and accept. If the joint is already in a group, the
new joint is added to the same group. If the second joint is not
already in a group it becomes the master of the new group.
Upgrade to Master
When you want to change the configuration of joints in a group you
must edit the master joint because all of the editing of the slave joints
is disabled. However, you might not know which joint is the master.
If so, you have several options:
You can use the Search Filter to search for a joint that is a
master.
Or
101
You can use the joint properties of any joint in the group and
select the Upgrade to Master option on the front page of the
Properties dialog box.
Figure 9-9
When you select Upgrade to Master, the current joint becomes the
master of the joint group, enabling you to edit any of the properties
in the current Joint Properties dialog box.
102
Automatic Joints
Practice 9a Add joints

1. Add joints to the training project.
2. Add all of the required joints to the training project.
The project uses the following joint types:
Base Plate: Enter the name Base Type A in the Joint

Name field and make all of the base plates a joint group.
Single Sided End Plate, Double Sided End Plate with
Safety Bolt on all the horizontal beams Eaves.
Haunch to Flange and Apex Haunch on all of the rafters.
The Library might sometimes include a matching entry
for the joint.
3. Ensure that all of the joints match the dimensions in drawings

G100 and G113 from Chapter 1, Introduction.
103
Chapter 10 Beam Features
Introduction
Coping or Notching Beams
Shorten at UCS
Cut at Object
Cope
Parametric Cope Joint
Beam Clearance
Contour Features
Editing Features
Miter
Splitting and Joining Beams
104
Beam Features
10.1 Introduction
When a section is first drawn, it is recommended that it is drawn
between easy design points. However, this results in many sections
clashing at their intersections. When you place joints from the
Connection Vault, the sections are shaped around each other to
avoid clashes and space is made for the connection plates. This is
done by creating Beam Features that modify the shape of the beam.
Although the Autodesk Advance Steel software includes an

extensive range of these intelligent joints, sometimes an automatic
joint cannot be used in specific situations. Additionally, beams might
need to be shaped around obstacles or each other without forming a
joint. In these cases you need to create custom Beam Features.
105
Practice 10a Open the Drawing

1. Open Feature Practice.dwg in the C:\Advance Steel
Essentials - Metric Class Files folder.
Figure 10-1
This file has been created to enable you to practice Beam Features
and to demonstrate specific points.
106
Beam Features
10.2 Coping or Notching Beams

Shorten
The simplest Beam Feature is one that only changes the length of
the beam. This is done using the Shorten command, which can also
add length to a beam. It creates a straight cut across the end of a
section and the system line does not change in length.
To adjust the length of a section:

In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Features category,
click (Shorten).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the section

near the end where you want to modify the length.
The section immediately changes length and the Shorten Properties

dialog box opens.
Figure 10-2
This is not intended to Reference: The amount to remove from the beam length
change the nominal (enter a negative number to increase the length).
length or end point of
a beam, but only to Y: Enter a value (in degrees) to rotate the cut about the Y-axis
adjust the end by a of the section (zero = perpendicular to the section).
relatively small
amount to allow for
joint plates, etc. Z: Enter a value (in degrees) to rotate the cut about the Z-axis
of the section (zero = perpendicular to the section).
107
Practice 10b Use a Shorten on a Beam

1. Try a Shorten on the exposed ends of the brown beams.
108
Beam Features
10.3 Shorten at UCS

Beams do not always meet at convenient angles and you might not
know the exact angle at which you want to cut off at the end of the
beam. Therefore, entering the correct value in the Y or Z fields in a
Shorten command would be difficult. Regardless of the angle, the
exact amount to cut off to meet another section perfectly is not
always obvious (section sizes are not round numbers). To overcome
this you can use the Shorten at UCS command. Use UCS at Object
or other appropriate command to move the UCS XY plane to the
required position and orientation.
click (Shorten at UCS).
Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the

beam near the end that you want to cut off and accept.
The beam is cut off immediately at the UCS XY plane.
109
Practice 10c Shorten at UCS

1. Use Shorten at UCS to cut one of the red beams where it
meets the blue beam.
110
Beam Features
10.4 Cut at Object

The Cut at Object command is easier than the Shorten at UCS
command. It is a one step process rather than two steps and also
has other more powerful options.
click (Cut at object).
Section to cut against: Select the beam to which you want to

cut and accept.
Section to cut: Select the section that you want to cut and
accept.
The second section is cut back to where it meets the flange o the first
beam and the Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 10-3
Properties tab (Type): If you want to cut to the web of a

section, rather than the edge of the section, you need to use
Saw cut Web.
Cut tab (Create Weld): Select this if you want the two
sections to be welded together with a standard fillet weld.
111
Practice 10d Cut at Object

1. Use Cut at Object where a brown beam meets the blue
beam.
2. Use Cut at Object where the other red beam meets the blue
beam.
112
Beam Features
10.5 Cope
The previous commands all cut straight across the section. However,
you often need to be able to only cut a corner from a section, such
as when notching around another beam. You can use the Cope
command to do so.
click (Cope).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the flange

of the section that you want to cut near the end to be cut.
The cope is immediately applied and the Cope Properties dialog

box opens.
Figure 10-4
Shape tab
o Width X: Set the amount to cut off the length of the

section.
o Depth: Set the distance down the beam that is to be cut
(measured from the outside surface of the section).
Corner Finish tab
o Radius: Set the fillet radius for the corner of the cut.
This notch is always o Boring Out: Change the type of relief in the corner of the
square to the section. cut.
113
Cope, skewed
If you need a notch that is not square to the section you can use
the Notch, skewed command.
click (Notch, skewed).
Please select the beam at a reference end: Select the flange

of the section that you want to cut near the end to be cut.
The cope is applied immediately and the Cope Properties dialog box
opens.
Figure 10-5
Shape tab
o Width X: Set the amount to be cut from the length of the

section.
o Distance from Axis: Set the distance from the system line
of the beam at which the cut should stop.
o X: Set the angle of rotation about the sections X-axis.
o Z: Set the angle of rotation about the sections Z-axis.
114
Beam Features
o Axis: Set the angle of rotation about the sections Y-axis.
Distance from Axis Corner Finish tab

is measured from the
system line. o Radius: Set the fillet radius for the corner of the cut.
Therefore, if the
system line is on the o Boring Out: Select the type of relief in the corner of the
outside face of the cut.
beam (most floor
beams have the
system line in the top
center) you need to
enter a negative
number for the depth.
115
Practice 10e Cope and Cope, Skewed

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

the green beam.
116
Beam Features
10.6 Parametric Cope Joint

As with Shorten, it is not always easy to determine the ideal size and
angle of a cope to shape one section around another. This tool is
designed to create an ideal cut.
click (Parametric Notch Joint).
Passing main beam ~> Select objects: Select the beam to

which you want to cut (it is not going to be altered) and accept.
Secondary beam to connect ~> Select objects: Select the

beam that you want to cut and accept.
The coping is applied immediately and the Parametric Cope

Figure 10-6
Use the options in the Parameters tab to set the gap between
the two members in each direction. You can also add corner
relief for the cuts.
In the Welds tab you can select the option to weld the two
beams together.
This creates a shortening and two copes (and other cuts for the
corners if needed). These individual features are combined into the
Parametric Cope joint.
117
Element Contour - Rule

Another way to completely shape one member around another is to
use Element Contour - Rule.
click (Element Contour Rule).
Please select the beam to be modified at a reference end:

Select the beam that you want to cut near the end to be cut
and then accept.
Please select the cutting beam: ~> Select objects: Select the
beam that you want to cut around and accept.
The beam is cut immediately and the Element Contour Rule

Figure 10-7
Parameters tab
o Welding: Select this option to create a weld between the

two members.
o Contour Shape: Select this option if you want your cut to

match:
- The exact shape of the passing beam (including

corner radii and tapers).
- The standard shape of the passing beam (simplified
to parallel flanges and no fillet radii).
118
Beam Features
- Casing (a box around the passing beam).
o Create Shortening: If this option is selected, the end of

the beam is cut off completely. If not selected, the end of
the
This creates a single shaped cut through the modified beam (and a
shortening if that is selected). This joint has more power than the
Parametric Cope joint and is the preferred option in most cases.
119
Practice 10f Create a Parametric Cope Joint

1. Use Parametric Cope Joint and Element Contour Rule
where the brown, red, and blue beams meet.
120
Beam Features
10.7 Beam Clearance

Beams often need to have a specific clearance between them. You
can use the Beam Clearance command to move a beam along a
main beam to the required distance.
click (Beam clearance).
Select main beam: Select the beam that you do not want to
move and press <Enter>.
Select second beam: Select a second beam to measure from

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

and press <Enter>.
Enter distance: Type the clearance distance in the Command

Line.
The beam moves along the main beam.
121
Practice 10g Beam Clearance

1. Use Beam clearance to move the second brown beam so
that it is within 300 units of the first brown beam.
122
Beam Features
10.8 Contour Features

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

It enables you to create a rectangular cut out using a single reference
point to define the location.
Set the UCS as needed.
click (Rectangular Contour, Centre, UCS).

beam that you want to cut.
Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point to

position the cut out.
The cut is placed immediately at a default size and the Contour

Processing Properties dialog box opens.
Rectangular Contour, 2 Points

It enables you to create a rectangular cut out using two reference
points to define the location and size.
click (Rectangular Contour, 2 points, UCS).

Please define two diagonal points for rectangular contour, first

point: Select a point for one corner of the cut out.
123
Second point: Select a point for the opposite corner of the cut
out.
The cut is placed immediately at the defined size and the Contour
Circular Contour, Centre

It enables you to create a circular cut out using a single reference
point for the location.

click (Circular Contour, Centre, UCS).

Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point to

position the cut out.
The cut out is placed immediately at a default size and the

Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.
Circular Contour, 2 Points

It enables you to create a circular cut out using two reference points
to define the location and size.
click (Circular Contour, 2 points, UCS).

Please select the center of the beam cope: Select a point for
the center of the cut out.
Circle radius: Select a point for the radius of the cut out.
The cut is placed immediately at the defined size and the Contour
124
Beam Features
Polygon Contour
It enables you to create a shaped cut out in a beam. The edges of
the shape can be straight lines or arcs.
click (Polygon Contour, UCS).

Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select a point

for any corner of the required shape.
Please select point or [<A>rc]: Select subsequent points to

define the shape.
Please select point or [<A>rc/<C>lose]: After at least three

points have been defined, this prompt displays. If you want to
have an arc for an edge of the shape, enter A for the Arc
option.
Please select point or [<S>econd Point/<L>ine/<C>lose]:

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

you want to return to drawing straight edges, enter L for the
Line option.
Please select point or [<A>rc/<C>lose]: When you have

drawn all of the shape except the last edge, select the Close
option and the software automatically connects the last point
to the first point.
The shape that you have defined is cut through the beam and the
You can draw the required shape as a polyline before using this
command, if you prefer. At the Please specify start point or select
[Polyline(s)]: prompt, enter P for Polyline and select the polyline to
cut the predefined shape out of the beam.
125
Contour Processing Properties

The Contour Processing Properties dialog box is very similar, but you
have created the shape.
Figure 10-8
Shape tab
o For rectangular contours, set the Width X and Length Y

values to set the size of the cut out.
o For a circular contour, set the Radius value for the size of
the cut out.
o For Polygon contours, this tab is not available.
Positioning tab
o This tab does not exist for Polygon Contours.
o For rectangular or circular contours you can set the

position of the cut out relative to the first selected point.
Contour tab
o Gap width: It is often easier to select the corners of

objects that you need to cut around than to select points
with clearances. This option enables you to set the
clearance after defining the shape. Enter a value to
expand the shape by that distance in every direction.
126
Beam Features
o Side 1 and Side 2: Select the option to limit the depth of

cut in that direction to the value that is displayed in the box.
If not selected, the cut is infinitely deep in that direction.
Corner Finish tab: Set the radii in the corners of the cut out.
When a contour is created it is usually infinitely deep in both
directions (Side 1 and Side 2 are not selected). When working on
the web of a section, this does not matter. If you are working on the
flange of a section the cut goes through both flanges. To only have
the cut go through one flange, you need to select one of the Side 1
or Side 2 options and enter a depth (e.g., start with 20). It is not easy
to determine the direction of Side 1 or Side 2, so you have to
experiment.
It does not matter The depth is measured from the system line of the section.
which command was Therefore, if the system line is on an outer edge of the section (such
used to create the as the top center of a floor beam) both flanges are on the same side
rectangular or circular of the system line. In this case to prevent the cut going through the
contour. The Position flange nearest to the system line, you need to select one of the sides
relative to the and enter a negative depth (e.g., -20). The effect of the depth is more
selected point can still
apparent if your cut crosses the web of a section.
be set in the Position
tab. Therefore, if you
need a cut out but
only know one
reference point (such
as that the middle of
one end of the
rectangle must line up
with the node at the
end of a beam), use
the By center option
to create the cut out
and then change the
position in the
Positioning tab.
127
Practice 10h Experiment with Contours

1. Try using each of the contour features.
2. Try cutting the flange of the blue beam where the yellow beam
cuts it.
3. Try cutting the flange of the green beam where the blue beam
cuts it. Ensure that you only cut one flange.
128
Beam Features
10.9 Editing Features

When features are created they are represented in the model b green
shapes. To return to the feature properties and edit them, you must
select the green shape and select Advance Properties or Advance
Joint Properties when editing an Element Contour Rule or
Parametric Cope Joint.
Presentation Type
The green shape is often not displayed. To edit the feature you must
display the shape first. Alternatively, there might be many green
shapes in the display and you might want to hide them. The cut out
in the beam is always displayed, regardless of whether the green
shape is displayed or not. Several options are available for changing
the display of the features:
First
Select the beam with the feature.
Then
Right-click and select Advance Properties.
Figure 10-9
Or

(Advance Steel properties).
In the Display Type tab, select Standard to hide the features or

Features to display the green shapes.
129
Figure 10-10
Or
category, click (Change presentation type) repeatedly to

cycle through the five possible states until the required display
state is achieved.
Or
If you want to hide the features you can click (Standard

presentation) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views
category.
If you want to hide all of the beam features in the model you can do
the following:
Ensure that nothing is selected.
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters
category, click (Beam features).
In the Advance Tools Tool Palette, in the Quick Views
category, click (Selected objects off).
130
Beam Features
10.10 Miter
Another available joint type is to miter two beams together. This cuts
the beams straight across at a bisecting angle and then optionally
welds them together.
click (Miter).
Or
In the Connection Vault, in the Miscellaneous Joints category,

click (Miter).
Figure 10-9
Section to cut against: Select the first beam that you want to
edit and accept.
Section to cut: Select the second beam that you want to edit
and accept.
The beams are cut at the bisecting angle and the Miter Properties
dialog box opens. If you want the beams to be welded together you
must select Create Weld in the Cut tab.
131
10.11 Splitting and Joining Beams
Split Beams
In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click (Split Beams).
Select beam_~>Select objects: Select the beam that you want
to cut.
Select split point or [Gap]: Select a point at which to cut the

beam.
Select split point: Continue selecting points at which to cut or

press <Enter> or right-click when finished.
The cuts are made and you are returned to the Command
Prompt.
Merge Beams
It joins two or more beams into one. The beams must be in line, meet
end to end, and be of the same section.
In the Objects tab > Beams panel, click (Merge beams).
Select beam: ~> Select objects: Select all of the beams that
you want to make into one and accept.
If they meet end to end, the beams are converted into a single object.
132
Beam Features
Practice 10i Modify Columns

1. Modify Columns C4 and D4 in the training structure.
2. Modify the tops of the top of the RHS columns on grid C4 and
D4 ready for the joint, as shown in the drawings.
133
Chapter 11 - Plates
Flat Plates
Plate Properties
Folded Plates
Gratings
134
Plates
Practice 11a Open the Drawing

1. Continue working in Feature Practice File.dwg for practicing
with plates.
135
11.1 Flat Plates

Virtually, all structures include many plates, either as parts of joints
or as members. Therefore, the Autodesk Advance Steel has many
tools for creating plates of all types according to your needs.
Unless otherwise stated, these commands create a flat plate in the

XY plane of the current UCS. Therefore, you need to set the UCS as
required first.
Rectangular Plate, Centre

It enables you to create a rectangular plate using a single reference
point for its position.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Rectangular Plate,

Centre)
Please define the center of the plate to be created: Select a

point to position the plate.
A single plate is created on the XY plane at the selected location with

the default dimensions. The Plate Properties dialog box opens.
Rectangular Plate, 2 Points

It enables you to create a rectangular plate using two points to define
its position and size.

2 Points).
Please define the start point of the plate's diagonal line: Select
a point for one corner of the plate.
Please define the end point of the plate's diagonal line: Select
a point for the opposite corner of the plate.
A single plate is created with its corners on the selected points. The
Plate Properties dialog box opens.
Rectangular Plate, 3 Points

It enables you to create a rectangular plate at any angle to the XY
plane using three points to define its position and size.
136
Plates

3 Points).
Please specify first point of the plate contour: Select a point

for the first corner of the plate (on the XY plane).
Please specify second point to define the plate X direction and

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

dimension: Select a third point anywhere in empty space to
define the third corner of the plate (diagonally opposite the
first corner) and the plates angle to the XY plane.
A plate is created between the three points and the Plate Properties
dialog box opens.
Polygon Plate
It enables you to create a plate of any shape with straight edges.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Polygon Plate).
Please specify points that define the contour of the plate:

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

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

plate.
Polygon vertex 4: Continue selecting the corners of the plate

in sequence as needed. When you are finished selecting all
the required corners (at least three), press <Enter> or right-
click to join the last corner to the first.
A plate is created using the defined shape, the size is defined, and
the Plate Properties dialog box opens.
Plate at Polyline
It enables you to create a plate of any shape (including curved
edges), by converting a standard AutoCAD Polyline.
137
Create an AutoCAD Polyline forming a closed shape for the

plate as needed.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Plate at Polyline).
Select polyline: Select the polyline that you created and

accept.
A plate is created matching the shape of the polyline and the

Plate Properties dialog box opens.
Circular Plate
If you want to create a circular or ring-shaped plate, you can do so
with this command.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Create Circular

Plate).
The Create Circular Plate dialog box opens. Set the Outer
Diameter, Inner Diameter, and Thickness as needed and
click the OK button.
Figure 10-1
Your plate is created with its center point at the current UCS origin.
The plate that is created is a square plate with plate features for
creating the curved edges and hole as required.
138
Plates
11.2 Plate Properties

Regardless of how they are created, flat plates all use a similar
Figure 11-2
Shape and Material tab
o Width X and Length Y: Only used for rectangular plates.

Set the length and width of the plate as needed.
o Thickness: Set the plate thickness as needed (you can

select from the list or enter a value).
o Material: Select the required material for the plate.
o Coating: Select the required coating or finish for the plate.
Positioning tab
o Offset: Regardless of the method used to create the plate

you can adjust its position relative to the points selected
using these options.
o Justification: Decide whether the plate is above, below,

or equal to both sides of the plane on which it has been
drawn. Use the icons for the three basic options or enter a
value in the field if another position is required.
139
11.3 Folded Plates

In addition to being able to model simple flat plates, the software can
model plates that are folded into complex shapes. A folded plate is
considered a single object for drawing and manufacturing purposes.
Although very powerful, the software is not a sheet metal package. If
a fold does not cover an entire edge, a bend relief is not modeled.
Therefore, the fold is modeled as a tear. Corner reliefs are not
modeled at any time either.
Folded Plate without Position Adjustment

Convert two neighboring plates into a folded plate.
Create individual flat plates representing each flat face of your

finished object. These plates should be positioned with the
joined edges touching in the required location.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Folded plate

without position adjustment).
Please identify the plate to connect to: Select the plate that is
not going to move when folded.
Please identify the plate to be connected: Select the plate that

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

It joins any two plates together into a folded plate. The second plate
is moved and rotated so the selected edges are joined and the plates
do not have to be touching at the start.
Create the required flat plate pieces.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Folded Plate with
position adjustment).
140
Plates
Please identify the plate to connect to near an edge: Select

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

the plate that is going to move near the edge to be joined.
Angle: Enter the required fold angle.
The second plate is moved so that the midpoints of the selected

edges touch and is then be tilted to the specified angle. The Folded
Plate Fold Line Properties dialog box opens.
Any plate features that already exist in the individual pieces of plate
are preserved and remain in the correct positions relative to the piece
of plate.
When setting the sizes of individual plates remember to allow for the
plate thickness in your required final dimensions. The individual
plates on the left are aligned before the fold is applied.
Figure 11-3
Create Conical Folded Plate

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

different Z planes.
141
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Create conical

folded plate).
Select start shape type [Contour/Beam] <C>: Select the

Contour option.
Select contour: Select the polyline for the top of the cone and
accept.
Select end shape type [Contour/Beam] <C>: Select the

Contour option.
Select contour: Select the polyline for the bottom of the cone
and accept.
The Conical Folded Plate dialog box opens. Complete the

required options before continuing.
Figure 11-4
o Facets per corner/quadrant: How many flat segments

are used to convert a sharp corner into a curve?
o Plate thickness: How thick should your plate be?
o Plate Justification: Select whether the shapes you drew
were the inside or outside edges of the plate or between
the two.
Click the OK button when you have set the required options.
A shaped folded plate is created, merging the two selected shapes.
Create Twisted Folded Plate

It creates a twisted, folded plate between any two lines, arcs, or
polylines.
142
Plates
Create the lines, arcs, or polylines that represent the edges of

the plate.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Create twisted

folded plate).
Please select two entities (arcs, lines, polylines, and splines)

close to the end from where the creation of the folded plate
should begin. ~> Please select the first entity: Select the
element for one edge of your plate near one end.
Please select the second entity: Select the element for the
other edge of your plate near the same end.
The Twisted Folded Plate Properties dialog box opens.

Complete the required settings before continuing.
Figure 11-5
o Number of division points: How many folds should be

used to create the finished plate?
o Plate Thickness: Set the thickness of your plate.
o Justification: Set the side of the selected elements on
which the plate should be located.
o Radius Factor: The fold radius is set to this value
multiplied by the plate thickness.
Click the OK button when you have set the required values.
A shaped folded plate is created, merging the selected elements as

its edges.
A folded plate with flat facets is created to go between the two

selected edges. If the shape can be created using fewer facets than
you set in the Properties dialog box it is done. If the two elements
143
selected are coplanar, the result is a single flat plate (no facets) of
the required shape.
With this command you can select Lines, Arcs, Polylines, or 3D

Polylines, Splines, or Helixes to create the folded plate. The
polylines can include straight or arc segments, but you cannot use a
curved polyline (one that uses the Fit or Spline options).
Fold Line Properties

After it has been created, the folded plate is treated as a single
object. After creation you cannot return to the Conical Folded Plate
Properties dialog box. Selecting Advance Properties opens the
Plate Properties or Fold Line Properties dialog box, depending on
what was selected.
If you select a flat piece of plate and select Advance Properties the
normal Plate Properties dialog box opens.
If you select the curved portion of plate between two flats and select
Advance Properties the Fold Line Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 11-6
o Angle: Enter the angle of fold according to the image.

o Justification: Set whether the fold radius should be
measured on the inside surface, outside surface, or between
the two.
o Radius: Enter the required bend radius. If you change the
angle the associated plate moves to suit. All of the features in
the plate are preserved in the plate segment.
144
Plates
Deleting Folded Plates

If you select a flat segment of a folded plate and press <Delete> the
entire folded plate is deleted.
If you select the fold between two flat segments of plate and press
<Delete>, the fold is deleted and the flat segments are no longer
joined.
Check Unfolding
When creating folded plates it would be possible to model something
that could not be developed into one sheet of material. To ensure
that you have not done so, you can use the Check Unfolding
command.
In the Objects tab > Plates panel, click (Check unfolding).
Please select folded plate: Select the folded plate that you
want to check.
Display unfolded representation [Yes/No] <Y>: Yes
A green outline of the developed plate is displayed.
If the plate cannot be unfolded safely the following prompt displays

before the Display unfolded representation [Yes/No]
<Y>: prompt:
Selected folded plate cannot be correctly unfolded!
Display unfolded representation [Yes/No] <Y>:
If you enter Yes a preview of the theoretical unfolded outline

displays, enabling you to identify where the overlap would occur.
If no message is displayed, the plate can be safely developed into a
flat pattern.
Once you have finished with the unfolded outline you can remove it
from the display by clicking (Clear Marked Objects) in the

Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category.
145
11.4 Gratings
In the Autodesk Advance Steel software, a Grating is special kind
of plate. There are special commands for drawing the grating, but
after creation it can be modified, etc., in the same way as any other
plate. Gratings are modeled as a flat plate shape, but are visually
distinguished by the hatch pattern that is applied to one surface. The
details of the hatch pattern are representative and do not match the
exact specification of the grating.
Standard Grating
It creates a model of a standard grating panel.
In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click (Standard

Grating).
Pick a point to locate the grating: Select a point for the center
of the grating panel.
A default grating panel is created and the Standard Grating

Figure 11-7
In the Shape and Connector tab, select the required grating.
146
Plates
Variable Grating, Polygonal

It creates a piece of grating of any size and shape.
In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click (Variable Grating,

Polygonal).
Please specify points that define the grating's contour: Select

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

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

plate.
Polygon vertex 4: You can continue to select as many points

as needed. When you have selected at least three points you
can finish the grating by pressing <Enter> or right-click to
connect the last point to the first.
A grating is modeled with the straight edges of the shape you have
defined and the Variable Grating Properties dialog box opens.
Select the required grating specification in the Shape and Connector

tab.
Variable Gating, Rectangular

Create a rectangular piece of grating of any size.
In the Objects tab > Grating panel, click (Variable Grating,

Rectangular)
Please define the start point of the grating's diagonal line:

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

Select a point for the diagonally opposite corner of your
grating.
A rectangular piece of grating is modeled between the selected

points and the Variable Grating Properties dialog box opens.
147
Set the grating specification as required in the Shape and Connector

tab.
Span Direction
The span direction of the grating (the direction of the largest sections)
is indicated by the direction of the hatch pattern and a symbol in the
middle of the hatch.
Figure 11-8
For a Standard Grating, the span direction is always parallel to the

shortest edge of the panel.
For a Variable Grating you can set a custom span direction. When
created, a span direction that is parallel to the UCS X-axis is set. You
can modify this setting, if required.
Select the variable grating.
Locate the Span direction symbol near the center of the

grating.
Locate the grip at the end of the symbol and select it.
Move the grip until the required span direction is indicated and
click again.
148
Plates
Practice 11b Remodel Ducting and Add Plates

1. Recreate the ducting in the Feature Practice file.
2. Change the AutoCAD layer state to Plate Practice.
3. Remodel the magenta ducting on the end of the brown duct.
Figure 11-9
4. This requires that the four plates be turned into a folded plate
and then a conical folded plate be created based on the yellow
polyline and circle provided.
5. Add Plates to Platform joints to the training structure.
6. Add plates to the top of the RHS columns on grid C4 and D4,
as shown in the drawings.
149
Chapter 12 Plate Features
Contour Features
Contour Processing Properties
Plate Contour Features Non UCS
Chamfers and Fillets
Dividing and Joining Plates
150
Plate Features
12.1 Contour Features

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

plate. In each case, the contour shape is drawn in the current UCS.
Therefore, you always need to ensure that the UCS is set correctly
first (usually on top of your plate).
Rectangular Contour, Centre, UCS

It enables you to cut a rectangular shape through a plate based on
reference point for the position.
Ensure that the UCS XY plane is on your plate.
click (Rectangular contour, center, UCS).

plate that you want to cut.
Please select the center of the cope: Select a point to position

the cut out.
A rectangular cut out is placed in your plate at the selected

point and with a default size. The Contour Processing
Rectangular Contour, 2 Points, UCS

It enables you to create a rectangular cut out in a plate using two
points to define its position and size.
151
click (Rectangular Contour, 2 points, UCS).

Please select two diagonal points for rectangular contour, first

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

of your cut out.
A rectangular cut out is created in the plate between the two selected
points and the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.
Circular Contour, Centre, UCS

It enables you to place a circular cut out in a plate using one
reference point for the position.
Ensure that the UCS XY plane is on your plate
click (Circular contour, Centre, UCS).

Please select the center of the plate cope: Select a point for
the center of your cut.
A circular cut out is created at a default size and centered on the

selected point. The Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.
Circular Contour, 2 Points, UCS

Creates a circular cut out in a plate using a center point and radius
to control its position and size.
click (Circular contour, 2 Points, UCS).
152
Plate Features
Please identify the object which is to be modified: Select the plate

that you want to cut.
Please select the center of the plate cope: Select a point for
the center of your cut out.
Circle radius: Select a point to define the radius of your cut

out.
A circular cut out is created at the specified position and size and the
Polygon Contour, UCS

It creates a cut out of any shape using lines and arcs for edges.
click (Polygon contour, UCS).

Please specify start point or select [Polyline(s)]: Select a point

for one corner of your cut out.
Please select point or [<A>rc]: Select a point for the second

corner of your shape.
Please select point or [<A>rc/<C>lose]: If you want to draw an

arc for an edge, enter A for the Arc option.
Please select point or [<S>econd Point/<L>ine/<C>lose]:

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

return to straight edges, enter L for the Line option.
Please select point or [<A>rc/<C>lose]: Continue selecting

points and drawing edges as needed.
153
Please select point or [<A>rc/<C>lose]: After you have

selected at least three points you can finish the shape by
pressing <Enter> or right-click to join the last point with the
first.
A cut out of the specified shape is created and the Contour

Alternatively, you can draw the required shape as a polyline before

using this command. At the Please specify start point or select
[Polyline(s)] prompt, enter P for the Polyline option and select the
polyline. Your predefined shape is cut out of the plate.
Element Contour
It makes a cut through a plate around a section.
click (Element Contour, UCS).

Please identify the object to cut to: Select the section to cut
around.
The cut is created matching the shape of the selected section and
the Contour Processing Properties dialog box opens.
154
Plate Features
12.2 Contour Processing Properties

Regardless of the contour command that is used to create the shape,
the Properties dialog box is basically the same.
Figure 12-1
Shape tab
o Width X and Length Y: Only used for rectangular cut

outs. Set the size of the cut out.
o Radius: Only used for circular cut outs. Set the size of the
cut out.
Positioning tab
o Offset: Regardless of which method you used to define

the cut out, you can adjust the position of the cut out
relative to the selected points.
Contour tab
o Gap Width: If your shape is drawn to match another object

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

of the way through.
If the UCS is not parallel to the surface of the plate, or if using

Element Contour and the section is not perpendicular to the surface
of the plate, the shape is not square to the plate. The cut is still the
defined shape and avoids a clash with the other members. However,
for manufacture it is easier to have the edges of the cut perpendicular
to the plate surface, so the Straight Cut option is intended to be used
in this situation.
156
Plate Features
Practice 12a Ducting

1. Cut the Duct around the blue beam in the Feature Practice
drawing.
2. At the end of the ducting in Feature Practice file, cut a

contour around the blue beam with a 5mm clearance.
157
12.3 Plate Contour Non UCS Features

Note that the bottom of the palette has plate feature commands that
are very similar to those above but do not include UCS in their
names. These features work in the same way as those above, but
the direction of the cut is always perpendicular to the surface of the
plate.
Figure 12-2
158
Plate Features
12.4 Chamfers and Fillets

Chamfer and Fillet features cut the edges from your plate and can
only be placed on an edge. The UCS position is not important.
Corner Cut
Cuts a corner from your plate by selecting near the corner that you
want to cut.
click (Corner cut).

Please select the plate near the corner for the fillet creation:
Select the plate that you want to cut near the corner of the
required chamfer.
Please identify the plate to be modified near the edge towards
that which should be cut: Select the other edge of the plate for
the Chamfer to go to.
The cut is placed at a default size and the Edge Processing

Properties dialog box opens. Set the required size for the chamfer or
type of the fillet. The distances are measured from the corner along
the edge of the plate.
Straight: Cuts off the corner with a straight line at the angle
and distances set.
Convex: Rounds off the corner of a plate with a convex curve
(external fillet).
Concave: Rounds off the corner of a plate with a concave
curve (internal fillet).
Figure 12-2
159
Bevel Cut
It Cuts a chamfer along one of the long edges of the plate.
click (Bevel cut).
Please identify object: Select the plate edge that you want to
remove.
A chamfer is placed along the edge and the Weld Preparation

Bevel Properties dialog box opens. Enter the required angle and leg
length(s) for the chamfer or select the fillet type.
Note that Weld preparations are not usually displayed on the model
in shaded views. If you want to display them you must set the Display
Type of the plate to Exact with Weld Preparations.
Figure 12-3
160
Plate Features
12.5 Dividing and Joining Plates

Additional commands are available for dividing a plate into several
pieces or joining several plates into one.
Split Plate by Two Points

It cuts a plate into two pieces with a straight cut between two defined
points.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Split plate by 2

points).
Select plate: Select the plate that you want to cut.
Select first point of split line or [Gap]: Select a point at one

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

end of the cut.
The plate is immediately divided into two pieces with the specified
cut.
Split Plate at Lines

It cuts a plate into two pieces with a cut that is created by AutoCAD
elements.
Draw the required cut on the surface of your plate using

AutoCAD lines, arcs, or polylines.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Split plate at lines).
Select plate ~> Select objects: Select the plate that you want
to cut and accept.
Select line or [Gap]: Select the AutoCAD lines, arcs, or

polylines that you want to use for the cut and accept.
The plate is immediately cut into two pieces along the selected
line(s).
161
Merge Plates
It combines multiple plates with common edges into a single plate.
In the Home tab > Objects panel, click (Merge Plates).
Select plate ~> Select objects: Select the plates that you want
to combine and accept.
The plates immediately become one single plate.
Note that each plate must share at least one edge with one of the
other selected plates.
162
Connection Elements
Chapter 13 Connection Elements
Bolts
Bolt Properties
Anchors
Welds
Edit connected Objects
163
13.1 Bolts
To connect separate objects together when manufacturing or
assembling structures welds and bolts must be used. Various tools
can be used to create them in your Autodesk Advance Steel
models.
The commands for placing Bolts are also used to place Anchors,
Empty Holes, or Shear Studs. The type of object that is currently
placed depends on the setting of the switch. The icon next to the
switch indicates which mode is active.
In the Objects tab > Switch panel, click (Switch Bolts/

Anchors/Holes/Shear Studs) repeatedly until Bolts is the active
mode.
It is recommended that you ensure that the UCS XY plane is on the

surface of the objects that you want to join before using these
commands.
When a bolt pattern is created, the holes to be used by the bolts are
created automatically.
Rectangle, 2 Points
Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on two points that define
the position and spacing.
In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click

(Rectangle, 2 Points).
Please select the parts to be connected ~> Select objects:

Select all of the parts that you want to bolt together and
accept.
Lower left corner: Select a point for one corner of your bolt
pattern.
Upper right corner: Select the diagonally opposite corner of

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

opens.
164
Connection Elements
Rectangle, Corner Point

Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on one corner to define
the position and spacing.
In the Objects tab>Connection Objects panel, click

(Rectangle, Corner Point).

accept.
Start point: Select a point for one corner of your bolt pattern.
opens.
Rectangle, Centre Point

Places a rectangular pattern of bolts based on a center point to
define the position and spacing.

(Rectangle, Centre Point)
Please select the parts to be connected~>Select objects:

accept.
Central point: Select a point for one corner of your bolt pattern.

opens.
Circular, Centre Point

Places a circular pattern of bolts based on a center and radius.

(Circular, Center Point).
Please select the parts to be connected~>Select objects:

accept.
Centre of circle: Select a center point for the bolt pattern.
165
Radius of circle: Select a radius for the bolt pattern.
A circular pattern of bolts is placed and the Bolt Properties dialog box
opens.
Shift Bolts/Holes
Sometimes, depending on how the sections were created, a bolt
pattern might display in the wrong flange of a section. This can be
corrected using this command.
In the Objects tab > Connection Objects panel, click (Shift

Bolts / Holes).
Please select the bolt/hole pattern you want to move: ~>

Select objects: Select the bolt pattern that you want to move
and accept.
Please select the element (beam or plate) that defines the

reference area: Select the correct flange for the section.
The bolts immediately move to the correct flange.
166
Connection Elements
13.2 Bolt Properties

Regardless of how it is placed, similar properties are available for a
bolt group.
Figure 13-1
Definition tab
o Type: Select the required type of bolt connection.
o Grade: Select the required bolt grade.
o Bolt Assembly: Select the required set of objects, such

as Standard = Bolt, Washer & Nut or N+2W = Bolt,
Washer, Washer, or Nut.
o Diameter: Select the nominal diameter of the bolt.
o Hole Tolerance: Set the required general hole clearance.

For example, a 20mm bolt with 2mm tolerance = a 22mm
diameter hole.
o Inverted: Select this option to switch the bolt and nut so

that the head of the bolt is at the other side of the
connection.
167
o Finish Calculation at Gap: Usually selected so that a bolt

only goes through one flange in a section. For RHS
sections this can mean that the bolt heads or nuts can be
in inaccessible places. Clear the option to have the bolt go
through the section so that the Head or Nut are easily
accessible on the outside of the section.
Distance tab: Only used for rectangular patterns.
If you want to place a o Number X and Number Y: Sets the number of bolts in
single bolt in the that direction.
middle of an area, but
there is no center o Total Length and Total Width: The size of the area that
point to snap to, use you have defined.
Rectangle, 2 Points
instead. Select the
corners of the area in
o Intermediate Distance X and Y: The space between the
which you want to bolts in each direction.
place the bolt and set
the Number X and o Edge Distance X and Y: The distance from the edge of
Number Y values to the selected area to the first bolt.
1. One bolt is added
to the middle of the o Changing one value recalculates the others. Total Length
area. = (Number X * Intermediate Distance X) + (2 * Edge
Distance X). You would not normally want to change the
For threaded holes, a
Total sizes, but can use the other values to create the
hole tolerance of zero
must be set to ensure
required bolt pattern in the specified area.
that the correct thread
is displayed on the Size tab: Only used for Circular patterns. Set the Radius and
drawings. However, a Number of Bolts.
zero clearance hole
displays as a clash Hole Definition tab: Overrides the general hole tolerance and
during Collision hole type for a specific member of the joint.
Checks. You have to
recognize and ignore o Part: Select the part in which you want to change the hole.
these clashes.
The selected part is highlighted in red in the model.
o Type: Select the required type of hole.
Depending on the type of hole selected different options are

available for controlling. Set these other options to suit your
needs.
168
Connection Elements
13.3 Anchors
Anchors work in the same way as bolts. When using a Base Plate
type joint, Anchors are placed automatically instead of bolts.
You can place anchors directly as with bolt groups:
In the Objects tab > Switch panel, click (Switch Bolts/

Anchors/Holes/Shear Studs) repeatedly until Anchors is the
active mode.
Use one of the bolt placement commands.
If you have bolts or The range of Anchors includes hooked anchors of various shapes.
welds that do not To control the direction in which the hook is added you can edit the
connect to anything in Anchor group and change the setting in the Orientation tab.
your model, they can
be located when you
do a Technical
Check.
169
13.4 Welds
Although the weld beads are not actually modeled it is vital that welds
are identified correctly in the model to be able to add the correct
information to drawings and to identify fabricated assemblies.
Welds are identified in the model by pink crosses. They are only
displayed in the 2D Wire Frame visual style.
Weld Point
To insert a weld manually, use the Weld Point command.
(Weld Point).

Select all of the parts that you want to weld together and
accept.
Please define insertion point of the weld: Select a point on the

correct edge of your parts. The selected point is used in the
drawings to locate the weld note.
A weld is placed and the Weld Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 13-2
170
Connection Elements
Weld main tab: Defines the symbol for a weld placed on the
arrow side.
o Main weld type: Select the required type of weld.
o Weld thickness and Weld length: Set the size of the

weld.
o Pitch: specify distance between centers of intermittent

welds.
o Weld text: Set a user custom text.
o Weld location: Select Site or Shop to indicate where the

weld is to be created.
o Continuous checkbox: Select this box to toggle on the

All Round symbol on the weld symbol in drawings.
o Surface Shape: Select the required shape for the top of

the weld bead.
o Weld Preparation: Select the required weld preparation.
o Root opening: set the root opening size.
o Effective throat: Set the groove weld size.
o Preparation depth: Set the depth of bevel.
o Prefix: Allows users to indicate a weld dimension with a

letter.
Weld double tab: Defines the symbol for a weld placed on the
far side of the arrow.
o Double weld Type: Cannot change this if a double-sided

weld is selected in the Upper Weld Weld Type box. Set
to None if a lower weld is not required.
o Distance from upper: Thickness of the material being

welded on both sides (e.g., gap between the upper and
lower bead)
171
Additional data tab
o Text Module: Enter any extra comments or notes in the

text box and they are displayed in the drawings.
172
Connection Elements
13.5 Edit Connected Objects

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

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

(Connection, add objects).
Please select connecting element (bolt or weld): ~> Select

objects: Select the bolt group or weld to adjust and accept.
Select the parts (beam or plate) of the connection to be

inserted or removed ~> Select objects: Select the object(s)
to add to the join and accept.
The connection is immediately adjusted to suit.
Remove Connection Objects

Removes selected objects from a connection. If the connection is a
bolt group the grip is adjusted accordingly.
In the Objects tab>Connection Objects panel, click
(Connections, disconnect objects).
Please select connecting element (bolt or weld): ~> Select

objects: Select the bolt group or weld to adjust and accept.
Select the parts (beam or plate) of the connection to be

inserted or removed. ~> Select objects: Select the object to
remove from the connection and accept.
The connection is immediately adjusted to suit.
173
Practice 13a Add Bolts and Welds

1. Add Bolts and Welds to the top joints of columns C4 and D4.
2. Add the required Bolts and Welds to the joints at the top of the
RHS columns on grid C4 and D4, as shown in the drawings.
174
Custom Connections
Chapter 14 Custom Connections
Introduction
Modeling the Custom Connection
Building Bricks
Creating a Connection Template
Insert a Connection Template
175
14.1 Introduction
It is not always possible to use a joint from the Connection Vault for
your situation. However, while the situation might be uncommon in
the industry, you might want to use that configuration many times.
To do so you can create a Custom Connection to suit your needs.
For example, a conservatory manufacturer wants to have concealed

connections between members and designs a special joint for this
purpose. Although this special joint is not part of the Autodesk
Advance Steel Connection Vault they want to use the joint frequently.
Therefore, they create a Custom Connection.
You can also use a Custom Connection when you have a common
arrangement of several beams and joints that are often repeated,
such as the bottom of a hip rafter. Different people have different
solutions for connecting the bottom of the hip rafter. One variation
would be to create a cross beam at an angle, add a simple
connection on either end of the cross beam, and then add a simple
connection between the hip rafter and the cross beam. The entire
arrangement of cross beam and three joints could be created as a
custom connection so that it is quick and easy to place in future.
In this example you can go from this
Figure 14-1
176
Custom Connections
to this in one move.
Figure 14-2
In this example the red members are part of the Custom Connection,
which has a blue joint box rather than a gray one.
177
14.2 Modeling the Custom

Connection
The first step in creating a custom connection is to manually model
a typical example of the joint. To do so you can use any of the
modeling methods available in the Autodesk Advance Steel
software. This can include other joints from the Connection Vault if
your custom joint is a combination of common elements.
When modeling your sample joint, do so in a separate file rather than

in the actual project model. This file becomes a library file for custom
connections. Ensure that you use good modeling practices, such as
ensuring that system lines meet and assigning model roles to all of
the parts. Do not number the parts unless you want the part to have
the same number when it is used, regardless of the model content.
178
Custom Connections
14.3 Building Bricks

To help model the sample joint efficiently and include some intelligent
variation options, the software contains a number of Building Bricks.
These are similar to micro-joints. Each one only creates one or two
simple objects, but those objects have some simple intelligence,
such as automatically putting a plate on both flanges of a beam.
In this example, you might model a plate manually on each flange,

setting the size and position of the plates. However, when these
plates are included in a Custom Connection, the position and size of
these plates is fixed relative to the joint. If the beam in one use was
a different size to another use, the plates would be in the wrong place
at least once.
Instead, you could use one of the Building Bricks in the Custom
Connections Palette. In this example, you would select the Plate
Along Beam Flange brick. It places one or two plates on the flanges
of a beam at the selected end. The plate size and position is
controlled in the Properties dialog box and the gap between the
plates is self-adjusting to the two flanges of the beam.
Figure 14-3
179
When this is used in a Custom Connection and placed on beams of

different sizes the two plates are always placed correctly on the
flanges of each beam.
The range of Building Bricks available is going to be expanded in

future releases of the software.
Figure 14-4
180
Custom Connections
14.4 Creating a Connection Template

Once you have modeled all of the components for your connection
you need to convert them into a Connection Template before they
can be used as a single joint.
Ensure that all of the features and joint boxes related to the objects
in your joint are displayed.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Custom Connection
category, click (Create Connection Template).
Select the appropriate definition method for future joint

placement.
Figure 14-5
Depending on the selected definition method, select and

accept the appropriate beams and members as prompted.
The User Template dialog box opens.
181
Figure 14-6
Enter an appropriate name for your joint to be able to

recognize it in future.
Click the Select output objects button and select ALL the
objects that relate to your connection, including beams,
plates, features, welds, bolts, and joint boxes.
Figure 14-7
Enter the required prompts at the Driver selection prompts.

Each prompt starts with Select. Therefore, if you enter Hip
Rafter, the prompt would be Select Hip Rafter.
When finished with the input, close the dialog box. A blue joint
box should display around the sample joint.
182
Custom Connections
Figure 14-7
Before you can use the new Custom connection in another model,
you must save the model with the sample connection in the following
path (this example is for USA, for other country installations, the
folder name changes from USA to INT, AUS, GBR, etc.):
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel
2018\USA\Shared\ConnectionTemplates
You can model a number of custom connections in the same file as

the library file, but this should not be an actual project model
Name the file with a recognizable name so that you can easily
identify it later.
183
14.5 Insert a Connection Template

To use a custom connection that you have previously created, you
can use the Insert Connection Template command.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Custom Connection
category, click (Insert Connection Template).
In the Connection Template Explorer, select the required

library file and joint and then click the OK button. It only
displays the files in the path.
Figure 14-8
Select the appropriate members as prompted. The prompts

were defined when you created the template.
The joint is placed. In the limits of the joint definition and the parts it
contains, the joint works in any orientation and updates according to
the members on it has been placed.
The User Template Properties dialog box contains the Allow Object
Modification option.
Figure 14-9
If you select this option you can use most of the editing functions on
any part in the joint. For example, you can move the cross beam up
184
Custom Connections
or down in the Hip Rafter joint example. You can also access the
Joint Properties for any Building Bricks or full Joints that are included
in the User Template and edit the properties as required, such as
changing the bolt spacing.
If the Allow object modification option is not selected you cannot

edit anything inside the joint.
If you select the blue joint box or any part in the custom joint and
select Custom Connection Properties, the User Template dialog
box opens, enabling you to toggle Allow object modification on or
off.
After placing your first User Connection you can use the Joint Copy
and Joint Group commands as required, to work efficiently when
placing the joint in multiple locations.
The following example shows the same joint in four locations

covering different beam sizes and with different stiffener dimensions
in one position.
Figure 14-11
185
Chapter 15 Structural Elements
Bracing
Stairs
Hand Rails
Cage Ladders
Cladding
3D Drawing Tips
186
Structural Elements
15.1 Bracing
In addition to the Portal Frame and Mono-Pitch Frame tools
discussed in Chapter 7, Basic Structures, many other useful macros
are available for creating common structural elements.
This command can be used to create bracing in a specific area. It

has the option of creating many common configurations, such as
crossed, single angle, or multiple pitch from any sections.
Set the UCS XY plane to the plane in which you want the bracing to
be located. Ensure that X is horizontal and Y is vertical.

(Bracing).
Please select first point: Select the bottom left corner of the
area that you want to brace.
Please select second point: Select the top right of the area
that you want to brace.
The default bracing is created and the Bracing Properties dialog box
opens.
Figure 15-1
Type and Section tab
o Bracing Type: Select whether you require Crossed,

Single, or Inserted style bracing.
187
o Member Type: Select simple (one member in each

direction), double mirrored (two members in each
direction per the image on the left), or flipped (two
members in each direction per the image on the right).
o Member Split: Only used for Crossed Bracing. Select

whether to split in one or the other direction or both into
two lengths.
o Section size: All of the members are the selected size.

o Gap: Set the gap between passing members.
Geometry tab
When adding bracing
between building o Number of fields: Set the number of sets of bracing that
columns you can pick you want to have within the selected area.
an area beneath floor
beams or eaves ties o Offset from top or bottom: Set this value to move the top
by selecting the node or bottom of your bracing up or down from the edge of the
points as normal and area. This is used to make the bracing miss a beam at the
using Offset from top or bottom of your area.
top or Offset from
Bottom to move the
corners of the bracing
into a clear space.
188
Structural Elements
15.2 Stairs
Stairs are such common and important parts of a structure that the
Autodesk Advance Steel software has several macros for creating
different types of stairs.
In all cases ensure that the UCS is set with Z vertical. You can use
the WCS for all stairs.
Straight Stair
It creates a straight flight of stairs with an optional landing at thetop
and bottom. This is defined using two points at either end ofthe flight
of stairs (the angled portion, not the landings).
Figure 15-2

(Straight Stair).
Give the first point for the stair: Select a point for the bottom
of the flight.
Give the second point for the stair: Select a point for the top
of the flight
Align stair: Left=0, Middle=1 (default), Right=2: If you stand at

the bottom of the stairs looking up, on which side of the points
should the flight be built? Enter 0 for left, 1 for middle, or 2 for
right.
A flight of stairs is modeled and the Straight Stair Properties dialog

box opens.
189
Figure 15-3
Distances, Stringer tab
o Length, Width, Height: Set the required dimensions for

the stair, excluding the landings. Some of the stair treads
have a fixed width so the width of the stair might be fixed
until you change the tread type. If you change the width or
height, the bottom point that you have selected remains
fixed and the stair adjusts about it.
o Stringer Prof. Size Front and Back: Select the section

from which you want the stringer to be created.
Step General>Tread Size tab
o Size from formula (2R+G): The rise and going of a stair

flight is usually calculated with the formula 2R+G=value.
The target value is set in Management Tools>Defaults.
On installation, the target is 630. Clear the option if you
want to override the default Rise and Going values.
Step General>Tread Type tab
o Tread Type: You can select from 24 basic types of tread.

Types 1 to 4 are made of grating or wood and can have a
fixed shape and size, depending on the selected
manufacturer. Types 5 to 21 are folded plates and you can
define almost any dimension for them. Types 22 to 24 are
custom user-defined treads and are outside the scope of
this training guide.
190
Structural Elements
Step General>Tread Dimensions 1 tab: Set the properties

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

for the tread mounting bracket. The exact options vary
depending on the tread type.
Step Top tabs: If activated, the top tread can be different to

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

different to the other treads on your flight. These tabs work the
same as for Step General, but only apply to the bottom
When modeling a tread.
stair case in which
each flight is the Landings > Top Landing prof. tab: Can turn on a front and/or
same, you can save a rear stringer for a landing and set the required section from
lot of work using which they are to be created.
Transform
Elements. Model one Landings > Top Landing tab: Set the length of the landing
flight and only turn on stringers. Create Lat Tread activates a tread at the landing
the front or rear
level and the Step Top group of tabs.
landing stringer
(depending on
direction of the stair Landings > Top Cover tab: Set the properties for a cover plate
case) top and bottom. for the top landing.
Then use Transform
Elements to copy the Landings > Top Cover Angle tab: Set the properties for the
flight up and rotate mounting angle for the top cover if required.
the flights into the
required positions. Landings > Bottom... tabs: As for the Landings>Top tabs, but
The landing stringers
applied to the bottom landing.
can then be joined by
a few extra beams
and cover plates to As with any macro you can store your preferred settings in the
complete the stair Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.
case.
Saddle Stair
It creates a flight of stairs with the stringers below the steps rather
than at the side. It is based on four input points.
191
Figure 15-4
In the Extended Modeling tab > Structural Elements panel,

click (Saddle Stair).
Please select the lower left corner in plan: Select point d1 in

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

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

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

in the diagram.
A flight of stairs is created and the Saddle Stair Properties dialog box
opens.
Figure 15-5
192
Structural Elements
Treads tab
o Tread Thickness, Depth and Width: Set the size of the

treads on the stair.
o Stair Section: Select the required section for the stringer

from the list provided.
Slope tab: Add further dimensions for the treads and stringers.
As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the
Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.
Spiral Stair
This command models a complete spiral or helical stair based on a
center point, height, direction, and radius.
In the Extended Modeling tab > Structural Elements panel,

click (Spiral Stair).
Please select center point of the spiral: Select a point for the
center at the bottom of the flight.
Please select a point to define the spiral height: Select a point

to define the height of the flight.
Do you want to specify the <F>irst step or the <L>ast step?

(F/L): Decide whether you want the top tread or bottom tread
to be in a fixed position. Enter F for first or bottom tread and L
for top or last tread. The angle of the fixed tread does not
change. The angle of the other treads and total flight are
calculated based on the parameters in the Properties dialog
box.
Please select start point at the outer edge: Select a point to

define the direction and outside radius for the first or last tread
(as specified in the previous step).
A spiral stair is created as specified and the Spiral Stair Properties

dialog box opens. The spiral stair always includes a handrail on the
outside edge.
193
Figure 15-6
Column & Stringers > General Properties tab.
o Outer and Inner Radius of Stair: Set the required sizes.

The inner radius is disabled if you have a center post, so
you must toggle it off first to enable this setting.
o Stair direction: Select Clockwise or Anti-clockwise.
Column & Stringers>Central Post tab
o Create central post: If selected the idle of the stair is

created from a large post or tube and you can select the
section in the list. If not selected an inside stringer is
modeled from a twisted section.
Column & Stringers>Cover Plate tab: If you want to add a cap

plate to your central post, you can use this tab to define it.
Column & Stringers>Stringer tab: Set the required properties

of the outside stringer and inside stringer if activated.
o Steps tab group: Set the dimensions and properties for

the treads.
o Tread Connections tab group: Set the dimensions and

properties for how the treads connect to the stringer(s) and
central post.
o Posts tab group: Set the properties of the handrail posts.
194
Structural Elements
o See Handrails for more information.
o Handrails tab group: Set the properties for the top and
middle handrails. See Handrails for more information.
o Post Connection tab group: Set the properties defining

how the handrail posts are fixed to the stringer.
Table so you do not have to input the settings each time.
Stair Joints
There are two special joints in the connection vault for stair footings.
They are Stairs and Railings > Stair Anchor Base Plate and Stair
Anchor Angle. These are used normally, but have different options
to a normal base plate joint, which are appropriate to the bottom of
stringers.
The joints Stair Endplate with notching and Stair Angle at the
top are intended for use on the top of the stair stringers, but in many
cases ordinary end plate or fin plate joints can be used.
195
Practice 15a Create Stairs

1. Create the stairs in the training structure.
2. Model the stairs in the training structure according to the

drawings and apply the appropriate joints at the top and
bottom of the stringers.
196
Structural Elements
15.3 Hand Rails

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

railing).
Select base beams for railing ~> Select objects: Select the
sections to which you want to add the railing. They do not
have to be exactly end to end, but must make a sensible and
obvious path for the rail to follow.
Select start point of railing: Select the point at which you want
the railing to start (it does not have to be the end of a beam).
Select end point of railing: Select the point at which you want
the railing to finish (it does not have to be the end of a beam).
Do you want to select a nosing point relative to the start point?

[Yes/No] <N>: If going up a stair you might want to measure
the railing dimensions from the nosing point of the stair
instead of from the stringer top. If so, enter Yes and select a
nosing point. Otherwise, enter No.
The default railing is created along the specified path and the
Railing Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 15-7
Post > Post tab
197
o Section: Select the section from which you want to

create the railing posts.
o Alignment of post: Set the required position of the

railing posts relative to the beams on which the railing
sits.
o Post offset along rail axis: Normally the railing posts

are equally spaced, but if you need to move one post to
avoid an obstacle you can use this option to do so.
Post > Set out of posts tab
o Prefer distance 1 and 2: Which value is more important

to you, the spacing between the posts or the distance of
the first and last posts from the end of the rail?
o Prefer max dist. between posts: If selected, the

number of posts is calculated to create an equal spacing
no larger than the defined max. distance. If cleared, a
fixed number of posts are created at the resulting
spacing.
o Calculate dist. for each beam: If working on more than

one beam and this option is selected, a start and end
post on each beam and more posts are added according
to the rules above. If cleared, the entire length of the rail
is used to calculate the spacing and quantity of posts,
even if the space goes around a corner.
o Move start or end base point: When picking start and

end points it is often easiest to pick nodes on the ends of
beams. If this would cause a clash (e.g., with a column)
you can adjust the end positions using these values.
Enter a negative value to make the rail shorter.
Post > Post top handrail tab: Select the joint between the
posts and the top rail. It can be fitted, flush, or cap & stool.
Post > Post middle handrail tab: Select the joint between
the posts and the middle handrail(s).
Post > Post kickrail tab: Select the joint between the posts
and the kickrail, if there is one.
198
Structural Elements
Handrail > Top handrail tab
o Section: Select the required section from which to create

the top handrail.
o Distance from top of beam: Sets the height to the top

handrail from the top of the beam on which it is placed. If
using a tube for the top rail, the distance is measured to
the center line of the tube. If using another section, the
distance is measured to the top of the section.
o Distance from top of sloped beam: You can set a

different height for the handrails on a slope.
Handrail > Middle Handrail horizontal tab
o Section: Select the section from which to create the

middle rail(s).
o Distance from bottom handrail: Set the height of the

bottom rail from the beam on which the railing is based
(the horizontal railing).
o Number of middle handrails: You can have as many

equally spaced middle rails as needed.
o Distance between axis: Set the spacing of the middle

rails on a horizontal railing.
o Start and End extra length: Set where the middle rail
should end relative to the top hand rail. You can also
select to end at the last rail post.
Handrail>Middle handrail Sloped tab: Spacing of middle

rail(s) on a sloped portion of railing.
Handrail>Balusters tab: Set the section and distances for the

baluster posts.
o Create Balusters: If selected, vertical balusters are

created between the bottom and top middle rails. If there
is only one middle rail, the balusters go to the top handrail.
Handrail > Kick plate tab: Select the section and spacing for
your kick rail. You can select whether to have a rail at all on
the horizontal or sloping sections of the rail.
199
Handrail > Handrail Handrail tab: Select the joint between

each section of rail when it is based on more than one beam.
Handrail>End of handrail start or End tabs: Set the type of

ending you want to have at the start or end of your rail. You
can select from None, Downstand, Radius, Return, Loop,
or Loop Return and set the properties of each as needed.
Post Fixing tab group: Set the parameters for how the railing
posts fix to the beams on which the railing is based.
Hang off rail tab group: Set the parameters for a hang off
rail if you want to add one.
Any railing created with the macro is constructed as a set of

fabricated assemblies, one per each beam selected. The top rail is
one length per assembly, regardless of how long that is. If you have
short railings going round a corner you can make that into one piece
by setting the Weld Type option in the Handrail > Handrail handrail
tab to Shop.
Table to you do not have to input the settings each time. If the table
has an entry for the section size that is selected when placing the
rail, it automatically selects that specification of railing.
When selecting end points for the railing, special grips are placed at
these points. Alternatively, you can adjust the overall length of your
railing by moving these grips.
Figure 15-8
200
Structural Elements
Handrail Joint
If you create two independent hand railings and then want to have
a smooth transition between them, you should use Stairs &
Railings > Handrail Joint in the Connection Vault.
In the Connection Vault, in the Miscellaneous category, click

(Railing joint handrail).
Figure 15-9
Select first beam ~> Select objects: Select the first handrail
that you want to join and accept.
Select second beam ~> Select objects: Select the second

handrail that you want to join and accept.
The rails are adjusted and the Handrails Joint Properties dialog box
opens.
201
Figure 15-10
Select the type of joint that you want to use: Miter cut or Elbow, and
complete the properties as needed. If you select Elbow, the inserted
curved piece of beam matches the section of the first piece of rail.
202
Structural Elements
Practice 15b Add Railings

1. Add all of the railings to the training structure.
2. Add all of the railings to the training structure according to the

drawings. Select the appropriate parameters that match the
drawings where specified or shown. Try to ensure that all of
the joints are smooth and avoid clashes in all of the locations.
203
15.4 Cage Ladders

The Autodesk Advance Steel software also has a macro for
creating cage ladders.
Set your UCS so that Z is vertical and Y is pointing toward the person
climbing the ladder.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Cage

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

point for the middle of the ladder at the exit height.
A ladder is created and the Cage Ladder Properties dialog box

opens.
Figure 15-11
Ladder > Ladder tab: Set the basic sizes of the ladder.
Ladder > Sections tab: Select the required sections for the
stringer and rungs.
Ladder > Rung Distances tab: Set the spacing of the rungs.
Ladder > Wall connection tab: Initially the ladder is placed

exactly on the selected points. If these points are on a wall or
in line with beams in your structure you need to move the
204
Structural Elements
ladder away and create connections to the supporting objects.

Use the settings on this tab to do so. The Wall distance
option moves the ladder away from the selected points.
Ladder > Ladder Exit tab: Six styles of ladder exit shape are
available, including Straight.
Ladder > Edit Dimensions tab: If you are not using a straight
exit you can set the properties here.
Cage > General tab: You can have no cage or use one of the
four shapes of cage on your ladder. Select the type and
properties on this tab.
o Finish Cage at Exit Level: If this is not selected the cage

goes all the way up the ladder. If selected the cage stops
at the exit height and enables you to use separate settings
for an exit cage.
Cage > Brace.... tabs: Use these tabs to set the properties of
the horizontal straps of the cage.
Cage > Bands... tabs: Use these tabs to control the properties
of the vertical straps of the cage.
Exit > Top Cage tab: If the main ladder cage exists but stops
at exit level you can use a different top cage around the ladder
exit. You can also select a cage that has exits on the side of
the ladder, rather than in front of the climber.
At this time the top cage can only exist if the ladder exit is set to
Straight.
As with any macro, you can store your preferred settings in the table
so that you do not have to input the settings each time.
205
Practice 15c Add a Cage Ladder

1. Add a cage ladder to the training structure.
2. Create the cage ladder in the training structure as shown in

the drawings. Select your own properties where they are not
defined in the drawings.
206
Structural Elements
15.5 Cladding
Many steel buildings are covered with standard cladding panels.
Similar standard panels can also be used for decking. These panels
are often complex shapes and must be placed at fixed pitches. To
model these objects easily, the Autodesk Advance Steel software
has a three-stage process for creating cladding.
Define Cladding Area

The first stage of the cladding process is to define the area to clad.
This area can be any shape, but must be in a single plane.
Draw an AutoCAD closed polyline representing the area that

you want to clad.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Define

Cladding Area).
Do you want to select supporting beams? [Yes/No] <N>: Enter

No. (If you enter Yes, the panel length splits at the supporting
beams.)
Create area [Rectangular/from Polyline] <R>: Enter P for

from Polyline.
Please select a polyline: Select the polyline that you have

created and accept.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <Y>: Enter Yes.
A Cladding Area Object is created that matches the polyline.
Always delete the selected object. If you do not do so, a Cladding

Area Object and a Polyline are created on top of each other making
it difficult to select the correct item later.
Define Cladding Opening

If you want to have openings in your cladding you must define them
as the second stage of the process.
Draw an AutoCAD closed polyline representing the shape of

the required opening. Note that this shape must be in the
same plane as the cladding area.
207
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Define

Cladding Opening).
Create opening [Rectangular/from Polyline] <R>: Enter P for

from Polyline.
Select area object: Select the Cladding Area Object that

represents the cladding in which you want add the opening.
DO NOT select the polyline for your opening.
Please select a polyline: Select the polyline that represents

the opening and accept.
Delete selected objects [Yes/No]? <Y>: Enter Yes.
A Cladding Opening Object is created that matches the polyline.
Always delete the selected objects or you create an opening area

object that is on top of the polyline.
Create Claddings
The third and final stage is to create the cladding in the defined
areas.
In the Home tab > Extended Modeling panel, click (Create
Claddings).
Select area: ~> Select objects: Select the Cladding Area

Object that was created above and accept.
The cladding panels are created and the Cladding Properties dialog
box opens.
Figure 15-12
208
Structural Elements
Section Properties tab: Select the required cladding or

decking section in the list. The orientation and finish
properties can also be set.
Cladding General Properties tab
o Cladding Direction: Select the Horizontal or Vertical

panels.
o Cladding Orientation: Select the end of your area in

which to start laying panels. The last panel width is
reduced accordingly to fit the area.
Upper/Right and Lower/Left level and offset tabs
o Upper/Right or Lower/Left level: If set to Same level for

all panels the cladding panels are all the same length
regardless of the shape of the area. If set to Level
according to slope the panel lengths vary to fit the shape
of the area.
o Upper/Right or Lower/Left cut according to slope: If

set to Straight Cuts the cladding panels are cut square
regardless of the shape of the area. If set to Sloping Cuts
the panels are cut at an angle (this is always a straight cut)
to best fit the defined area.
o Offset: Sets the amount by which the panels overhang the

area.
209
15.6 Modeling Tips

Cladding is usually added to a structure. Therefore, it is not unusual
for the cladding area to be drawn on top of existing beams. In these
situations, various tools are available to help you when drawing and
selecting such objects.
2D/3D Osnaps
When using snap points, to ensure that they are all on the current
drawing plane, use the 2D/3D Snap toggle
category, click (Turn 2D Snaps On/Off).
With 3D snaps active, the Osnaps work as normal. In 2D Osnap

mode, when you hover the cursor over an Osnap point, an additional
symbol displays in line with the point but on the current XY plane
(i.e., ignoring the Z-coordinate). When you select an
Osnap in this mode the point is located on the XY plane.
Cycle Select
After drawing the polyline it might be hard to select it when it is on
top of other objects. You can turn layers off to make this process
easier. You might also want to become familiar with AutoCAD
(Selection Cycling) in the Status Bar, located in the bottom right side
of the workspace. If you want to toggle it on, click (Customization)
to expand the menu in the Status Bar and select Selection Cycling.
Figure 15-13
210
Structural Elements
Project Explorer Model Views

If you are still having trouble displaying the required objects clearly,
you might want to limit what is on screen to just the relevant objects
in the required area. You can do so using Model Views. When active,
a Model View hides everything but the selected area. When turned
off everything is displayed.
The Project Explorer is a tool that manages Model Views and other
objects.
To create a model view:
In the Home tab > Project panel, click (Project Explorer).
Figure 15-14
A new panel opens, usually on the left of the screen.
If you want to display everything below a specific elevation,

click Create Level. The Create Level dialog box opens.
Figure 15-15
o Enter the WCS Z-coordinate for the top of your level in the
Altitude dialog box.
Figure 15-16
o Click the OK button.
211
Or
If you want to select a specific area to include in the view, click

Create New Model View.
Figure 15-17
Select a definition method by clicking the appropriate icon in

the dialog box.
Select the objects or points as prompted to define the 3D

volume that you want to include in your view.
Enter the view depths as prompted.
Give view name: Enter a name for your view.
Please select default view direction: A box is drawn around

the defined area and a colored arrow is displayed pointing at
each face of the box. Select the arrow that is pointing in the
direction that you want to use for your view and accept.
The view is added to the Model Views list in Project Explorer. Levels
are activated immediately but other Model Views are not. To activate
a Model View, click the Light Bulb icon next to the name in Project
Explorer to toggle it on. Click the Light Bulb icon again to toggle it
off and everything should be displayed.
Figure 15-18
To ensure that no other settings are hiding objects and that the entire
structure is displayed, click Show All Elements.
Figure 15-19
You can close Project Explorer by clicking the small X in the top right
corner of the panel.
212
Structural Elements
Practice 15d Add Decking

1. Add some decking to the mezzanine level in the training
structure.
2. Use the Project Explorer to create a Level at the mezzanine

floor level (3000).
3. Create a cladding on the mezzanine with an opening around

the tank.
4. Select your own parameters.
213
Chapter 16 Other Model Objects
Concrete Objects
Special Parts
214
Other Model Objects
16.1 Concrete Objects

To complete the model there are a few other types of objects that
you might want to include.
Many structures are a mixture of concrete and steel. Most steel

structures are placed on concrete foundations. Although it is not
normally your responsibility to design the concrete items it can be
useful to display the basic shapes to make the models and drawings
more complete.
The Autodesk Advance Steel software contains the following tools

that can be used to model basic concrete shapes: Wall, Polygon
Wall, Rectangular Slab, Polygon Slab, Concrete Beam, Concrete
Curved Beam, Concrete Column, Isolated Footing, and
Continuous Footing. These are located in the Home tab > Objects
panel or Objects tab > Other objects panel.
Figure 16-1
They all work in the same way as steel beams and plates with the
following exceptions.
215
Figure 16-2
Section shape and size: The generic shape is selected in

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

cut around or merge with each other according to specific
rules. Generally, if the finished shape is correct it does not
matter to your design how the fitting is done. Properties for
controlling this are located in the Automatic Fitter tab in the
Advance Properties, but that is outside the scope of this
training guide.
216
Other Model Objects
Practice 16a Create Concrete Foundations

1. Model the concrete foundations in the training structure.
2. Create Continuous and Isolated footings in the training

structure, similar to those shown in the drawings.
217
16.2 Special Parts

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

Steel objects, but you can still include them in your model as Special
Parts.
Start with a plain AutoCAD solid model of the objects in a

DWG file. The WCS origin in this file should be placed in a
useful location because it becomes the insertion point of the
part.
In your Autodesk Advance Steel model, click (Advance

Steel Special Part) in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the
Tools category.
Central point: Select a point at which to insert the part (this

matches the WCS origin in the part file).
If the prompt The field Block name cannot contain a zero-

value. Please enter a name in this field displays, click the OK
button.
The Special Part Properties dialog box opens.
Figure 16-3
218
Other Model Objects
Section & Material tab
o If this is the first time you are going to use the part, click
the browse button and locate the DWG file. If you have
already used the part in this model, you can select its
name in the Block Name drop-down list.
o Weight: By default, the weight of all of the special parts is

set to zero. If you want to include the weight of the part in
your model (e.g., for lifting purposes) you should enter the
correct weight here.
Behavior tab: In most cases these parts are not the

responsibility of the structure designer, they are displayed for
completeness and clash check. Therefore, to ensure that
these parts do not get part numbers or display in the Bills of
Materials, you should clear the Used for numbering and
Used for bill-of-material options as required.
When you close the Properties dialog box the part is inserted.
The WCS axis in the part file is aligned with the current UCS in your
model.
Anything that can be Special Parts in your model are included in part numbering, bills of
turned into an materials, and weight calculations depending on the properties that
AutoCAD solid object have been set. In the model you can only snap to the insertion point
in a DWG file can be of the part (using the Insertion Point or Node Osnaps). If you need
used as a special other snap points, such as mounting hole centers, you can place
part. This can be any AutoCAD points in the special part file at the required points before
kind of 3D model that inserting it into your model. These points are then available as
AutoCAD can import. Osnaps in the Autodesk Advance Steel model.
A very common file
format that is
When creating drawings, Special parts only display in assembly or
recommended for the
transfer of 3D models general arrangement drawings depending on the drawing style
between systems is Automatic dimensions are only created to the insertion point, but you
ACIS (*.sat) files. can add extra manual dimensions to other points as needed. Detail
Most, if not all 3D drawings of Special Parts cannot be created.
modeling systems on
the market can export
to this format and the
AutoCAD software
can import it using the
ACISIN or Import
commands.
219
Practice 16b Insert the Tank

1. Insert the tank into the training structure.
2. The tank on the outside platform is a special part that is

located in Mechanical Part.dwg. Insert it into the model
correctly.
220
Project Explorer
Chapter 17 Project Explorer
Introduction
Levels
Work Planes and Columns
Model Views
Queries
Groups
Show All Objects
Structures
221
17.1 Introduction
When working on a project, you often need to display specific parts
of the structure without worrying about other parts. For example, you
might be working on a level in the middle of a structure and find that
it does not display clearly with the rest of the structure displayed.
Alternatively, you might want to isolate a wing of a building to display
it from all angles without the rest of the building being in the way.
You can use the Project Explorer to do this. It contains tools for
isolating selected objects on the screen based on various conditions.
Isolating the objects on screen makes it easier to see what you are
working on, reduces the processing load for handling the graphics of
the structure on screen, and makes it easier to select the required
objects when editing.
To display the Project Explorer panel in the Autodesk Advance

Steel software, click (Project Explorer) in the Home tab > Project
panel.
Figure 17-1
The Project Explorer panel can float anywhere on your screen or on

a second screen if you have one. The panel can also be docked to
the left or right of your normal working area. You can move the panel
by dragging the title bar (in the example it displays Structures).
222
Project Explorer
17.2 Levels
The first type of view that is listed in the Project Explorer is Levels.
These are used to create a slice through your structure based on the
height in the WCS. They are useful in structures that have multiple
stories that each have a flat floor, such as mezzanines, racking, or
buildings.
Creating a Level
To create a level, click (Create Level) on the top part of

the Project Explorer.
In the dialog box that opens, enter the details that are required
for the level.
Figure 17-2
Above/Below: Select whether you are adding the level above

or below the building. Below the building would suit
basements or cellars.
o The Name defaults to Level x where x is the next available

level number. However, you can rename the level as
needed, such a Basement, Roof, or Elevation +12315.
o The default spacing for levels is 3000 above the previous

level. You can change this as needed. You can set the
Altitude (absolute height above the WCS origin in the Z-
axis) or Height (distance from the base level to this level).
The other value is recalculated automatically.
223
o Base Level defaults to the highest existing level (or lowest

if it is below the building). You can change this to None if
you want to measure from the WCS origin.
When you click the OK button, the level is created.
When a new level is created, it is immediately displayed and Active.
224
Project Explorer
Displaying a Level
The existing levels in your structure are listed on the top part of the
Model Views area in the Project Explorer.
Figure 17-3
Each level displays a Light Bulb icon in front of its name. Clicking
the Light Bulb icon toggles it on or off. When it is toggled ON, the
level is displayed.
When a level is displayed, only the model objects between the

selected level and its base level are displayed. Objects that extend
outside this height range are cropped. Special parts are not cropped.
Figure 17-3
225
When more than one level has its light bulb toggled on, all of the
elements between the highest displayed level and the lowest base
level are displayed with everything in the middle. Therefore,
displaying Level 0 and Level 3 in a structure would display everything
from the WCS origin to Level 3, including Level 1 and Level 2 without
toggling them on.
Displaying levels makes it easier to clearly display what you are

working on in specific areas. Hidden objects cannot be directly
selected by selecting them or using selection windows, but ALL of
the parts remain selectable using tools, such as selection filters. Note
that your edits might unexpectedly affect hidden objects.
Active Levels
When a new level is created it immediately becomes Active. An
Active level causes all of the sections drawn using the beam
commands, such as Rolled I Section, to have both ends of the
system line locked to the active level.
When drawing these objects you can select Osnap points with any
Z-coordinate and the Z is replaced with the current active level. For
example, if you are drawing a mezzanine floor you can activate a
level at the required height and then rotate it to a plan view. You can
then draw the floor beams in a plan view, selecting snaps at the
column center lines. You do not need to determine whether the snap
is at the top or bottom of the column because your beam is at the
defined height. Other object types are not affected by active levels.
If you double-click on a level name in Project Explorer the level

becomes active and the model rotates to a plan view of the structure.
If you edit the level later and change the altitude, all of the beams
associated that are with that level automatically move to the new
altitude. Any joints, etc., that have been applied to those beams
move as well to stay with the beams. Therefore, it is possible to
change the height of a floor and make all of the required edits in the
model quickly.
To restore normal modeling behavior you should deactivate the level.

To activate or deactivate a level, right-click on the level and select
Activate or Deactivate as required.
226
Project Explorer
Figure 17-4
Activating or deactivating is unique to levels.
227
17.3 Work Planes and Columns

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

To set the required height of a column or a wall, you can select the
required planes. Each Level that is created in the Structures tab in
Project Explorer automatically includes a matching work plane.
Click the top level button.
Figure 17-5
In the list, select the required work plane for the top of a
column or wall.
Click the Bottom Level button.
228
Project Explorer
In the list, select the required work plane for the bottom of a
column or wall.
Placing Columns and Walls

The top and bottom levels are set when you use the Column,
Concrete Column, or Wall commands and the resulting object is
automatically placed between the designated levels. If the level
properties change, the tops or bottoms of these objects automatically
adjust to follow. Therefore, you cannot only place horizontal beams
in the plan view, but can only work in plan view while drawing these
object types having determined that they are the correct height.
Figure 17-6
Click the circle symbol at the end of the top or bottom level icons to
clear that option. If there are no entries for the top and bottom, the
default value is used. This is normally zero to 3000mm in the
WCS Z-axis.
229
Practice 17a Create Levels

1. Create levels in the training structure at the Finished Floor
level, Mezzanine level, and Eaves level.
2. Create a new platform of four beams and columns at the

mezzanine level while working in a plan view.
3. Change the mezzanine level properties and verify that the

platform changes accordingly.
230
Project Explorer
17.4 Model Views

Another way to visually isolate objects is to use Model Views. Rather
than being based on the vertical position, a Model View is used to
isolate objects in a specific 3D volume.
The display of a model view can be toggled on or off using the Light
Bulb in front of the name.
When a model view is displayed, only model objects, in the defined

view volume, are displayed. Objects that are partially inside the
defined area are cropped to only display the relevant portion. Turning
on multiple model views displays everything in the extremes of all of
the views combined, rather than in several isolated areas.
Model views do not have an equivalent of activating a level, they are

a display tool that is used to reduce the amount of data on screen,
improving clarity and performance. As with levels, hidden objects can
still be selected by commands, such as selection filters.
If you double-click on a Model View name the view display is toggled

on and the model rotates to the selected Default View direction.
Model Views display in Project Explorer under the Model Views

group, but in a different collection to Levels.
Figure 17-7
There are four ways in which a model view can be defined, each with
slightly different properties.
231
One Point in the UCS

If you want a model view to be centered about a specific point, this
is the easiest tool to use.
In the Project Explorer, click (Create new Model View).
One Point in UCS
Figure 17-8
Please select point: Select a point anywhere in the space at which

you want the center of your Model View area to be placed.
Give view name: Type a name for the view and press <Enter>.
Please select default view direction: A box opens in your model

displaying the Model View area. By default, this is a 1m cube. Six
colored arrows point at the cube, one in the center of each face.
232
Project Explorer
Figure 17-9
Select one of the arrows and accept.
Your model view is created and displays in Project Explorer.
Figure 17-10
Two Points in the UCS

The second option for Model View is Two Points in UCS + front
and rear depth. This is ideal if you want to define a view around a
233
specific area of your model that is not otherwise distinguished. For

example, this could be around a mezzanine floor or balcony in your
building.
Two points in UCS + Front and Rear Depth.
Figure 17-11
Please select first point: Select one corner of the required view
in the XY plane.
Please select second point: Select the opposite corner of the

required view in the XY plane.
Front depth(500.00): Enter a depth in mm in the positive Z-

direction to include in your view (e.g., 1500).
Rear depth(500.00): Enter a depth in mm in the negative Z-

direction to include in your view (e.g. 4000).
Give view name: Enter the required name for your view (e.g.,
Balcony).
Please select default view direction: Select one of the six

direction arrows and accept.
234
Project Explorer
Figure 17-12
Your model view is created in Project Explorer.
Figure 17-13
235
At Grid Line
If you have an Autodesk Advance Steel grid in your model, you can
create a model view directly based on one of the grid lines. In this
case, the length of the grid line defines the width of the view. The
depth of the view defaults to 500 on either side of the grid line. The
height of the view is unlimited.
At grid line.
Figure 17-14
Please select grid line: Select the required grid line or its label
and accept.
Give view name: Enter a name for the view (e.g., Grid C).
Please select default view direction: Select one of the

direction arrows.
Your view is created in Project Explorer
236
Project Explorer
Figure 17-15
At Joint Box
You might want to work on a specific joint and note that it is clearly
in isolation. This Model View is based on the joint box that is created
around any macro driven objects, such as Connection Vault joints,
User Connections, Stairs, Railings, etc.
At joint box.
Figure 17-16
Please select joint box: Select the joint box around the
required objects.
Give view name: Enter a name for your Model View (e.g.,
Stairs).
237
Please select default view direction: Select one of the colored

arrows for the required view direction and accept.
The model view is created in Project Explorer
Figure 17-17
Editing a Model View

You can edit various model views in various ways. If you want to
change the name, right-click on the Model View name in Project
Explorer and select Rename.
If you right-click on the model view name in Project Explorer and

select Properties you can edit the size of the Model View box. Any
changes here are always applied equally about the center point of
the view.
238
Project Explorer
Figure 17-18
However, it is much easier to change the size of a Model View box

using grips. Select the Model View box on the screen to display each
modifiable point. Click once on the required grip to activate it, move
to the required location, and click again to place the grip Changes
are often made equally about the center depending on the type of
view. Changes can also be made while the Model View is displayed.
In this way you can adjust the view to display it correctly as required.
The size of the Model View is not restricted to the original creation
dimensions. Therefore, the four creation methods can be selected
based on the convenience of getting close to the required volume
and the box can then be adjusted.
239
Figure 17-19
Model View boxes can be hidden or displayed using the tools in

Quick Views palette, as with any other AS object. They can also be
moved to other layers to help control the display of the objects.
240
Project Explorer
Practice 17b Create a Model View

1. Create one of each type of model view. You can use the
examples from the text above or create custom examples.
241
17.5 Queries
When working on a structure, you might need to locate various
objects based on specific properties. For example, you might want
to select all of the glass objects, all of the beams of a specific size,
all of the objects in a specific lot of phase, or all of the objects that do
not have a Model Role. To achieve this you should use the Search
Filter tool. If you want to save the search to use again, you can store
it in the Queries area in Project Explorer.
Search Filter
The Search Filter tool is used to search for objects in your model
that have specific properties. All of the Autodesk Advance Steel
properties of any given object type can be searched for. For example,
you can search for all of the objects in Lot 1.
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category,
click (Search Filter).

Or
In the Project Explorer, click (Create new Query).
The Search Filter dialog box opens.
o General tab: Usually you select Complete Model and

New Marking. The other options are self-explanatory and
enable you to search in the existing selections (Current
Selection) or existing results (Current Marked Set) and
to add or remove the new results from the previous ones.
o Objects tab: Select all the object types that you want to
search for. For example, if you are searching for glass
panels you need to search for plates and possibly folded
plates, but not any other object type. In the example of
searching for Lot 1, you need to find all of the object types
to which a lot or phase might have been assigned.
Therefore, you would select the following objects.
242
Project Explorer
Figure 17-20
Other tabs: Depending on the type of property that you want

to search for, you can find it in different tabs. Properties
unique to plates, gratings, walls, or slabs, such as thickness,
are located in the Planar Elements tab. The section size of a
beam would be in the Beams tab. Many object types can have
a have a lot or phase assigned to them, which is located in the
Common Properties tab. To search for a criterion you must
first select the box to the left of that criteria name. If the box is
not selected, any value that is displayed in the property box is
irrelevant. After selecting the start of the line you can enter the
required value in the box for which to search. Complete the
required search criteria as needed.
Note that the criteria boxes have a NOT column in front of them. It is
possible to search for all of the objects that do not match specific
criteria. Therefore, you could search for everything that is NOT made
of glass by selecting the Material search box, selecting the NOT box
and selecting Glass as the material for which to search.
If you click the OK button the search is executed immediately.
Instead of clicking the OK button you can click the Save

button and enter a search name in the small dialog box, such
as Lot 1. Click the OK button.
243
Figure 17-21
This saves the search in the Queries list in the Project Explorer.
When you return to the Search Filter dialog box it remembers the
previously used search criteria. The tabs in which the search criteria
have been set are displayed in bold. You can execute the search
again by clicking the OK button or start a new search by clicking the
Reset Dialog button.
When a search is executed, the objects that fulfill the criteria are
Marked in red in the model. These marked objects can be selected
by clicking (Select all marked objects) in the Advance Steel

Tool Palette, in the Selection category.
When you have finished with the search results you can remove the
red marking on the objects by clicking (Clear marked objects)

in the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category.
Using a Saved Query

Once your Query has been saved in the Project Explorer, it is
displayed in the Queries list. You can use it in two ways. Double-click
on the name of the query to execute the query immediately. The
matching objects are marked in red as usual.
244
Project Explorer
Figure 17-22
If you click the Light Bulb icon, the search is executed and all of the
objects in the model that do not match the results are hidden, leaving
only the matching objects displayed. Object marking is not done and
any existing marking is not affected. Toggling the Light Bulb off
restores the display of all of the objects on the screen.
Figure 17-23
Each time you execute the search the full model is searched again
and the results are new and current. If you change the properties of
objects while the results of a search are displayed, the results do not
update until you execute the search again in one of the two ways
above.
245
Editing a Saved Query

If you want to change the name of a saved query you can right-click
on the name and select Rename. Enter the new name as required.
If you want to edit the search criteria you can right-click on the name
and select Properties. The Search Filter dialog box opens and has
been completed according to the saved search. Change the search
criteria as needed and click the Save button to update the properties
of the saved query. If you change the criteria and click the OK button
without clicking the Save button, the saved query does not change.
246
Project Explorer
Practice 17c Saved Query

1. Create a saved Query for all of the 20mm thick plates.
2. Try each method of use.
247
17.6 Groups
The third and final collection in the Structures tab in Project Explorer
is Groups. These enable you to select any collection of objects by
any means and associate them to each other. For example, this
could be one wing of a building, all of the railings, etc.
Create a Group
Create a new empty group as follows:
In the Project Explorer, click (Create new Group)
Enter the required group name in the dialog box.
Figure 17-24
The group name displays in the Groups list in Project Explorer.

The group itself is empty.
Figure 17-25
248
Project Explorer
Group Contents
Model objects must be added to a group after the group has been
created.
Select the required objects in any way.
Right-click on the group name in Project Explorer and select

Add Elements.
Figure 17-26
If you accidentally add incorrect elements to a group they can be

removed from the group.
Select the model objects.
Right-click on the group name and select Remove Elements.
249
Figure 17-27
Objects can be added or removed from a group at any time.

Controlling the group contents is a manual task because the group
might contain a random collection of objects that are otherwise
unrelated.
Using Groups
In a group, select the group name to access several options.
Mark Elements: Marks all of the members of the group in red.
Select Elements: Selects all of the members of the group

directly (without marking).
Check-out or Partial Check-out: Checks out all of the

members of the group at the same time when working with
multi-users.
250
Project Explorer
Figure 17-28
If you toggle on the Light Bulb icon next to a group name, all of the
objects that do not belong to the group are hidden from display.
Figure 17-28
251
Practice 17d Create a Group

1. Create a group that contains all of the components of the
mezzanine and balcony.
2. Use the group to select all of the parts and assign them to Lot
2.
252
Project Explorer
17.7 Show All Objects

It is possible to turn on light bulbs from several collections at the
same time to combine their effects.
A quick way to toggle off all of the light bulbs is to click (Show All
Objects) in the Project Explorer.
253
17.8 Structures
If you have a large or complex model, you might want to create
different levels, queries, or groups for different parts of the structure.
This can be done using Structures.
To display the structures in the Project Explorer, click

(Structure).
Click the Plus sign to add a new structure to the list. Each
structure can maintain its unique contents for the rest of the
Project Explorer. Double-click on a structure name to activate
it.
Figure 17-29
254
Validating a Structure
Chapter 18 Validating a Structure
Clash Check
Object Marking
Technical Check
Model Check
Joint Design
255
18.1 Clash Check

The Autodesk Advance Steel software includes many tools for
easily creating complex structures. However, the responsibility for
the structure being correct remains with the user. To ensure that
problems are minimized, the Autodesk Advance Steel software
includes a range of additional tools to help you to validate your
model.
The first type of validation you can do is a Clash or Collision check

to ensure that no parts go through any others.
The first step is to start the clash check.
If you only want to check specific parts, select those parts. If

nothing is selected, the entire model is checked.
In the Home tab > Checking panel, click (Clash Check).
A Clash check palette displays the checking results.
The intention is to not have any clashes in your model. In this

example, the result is displayed above the Command Line:
Figure 18-1
Unfortunately, it is probably more likely that there are going to be

some clashes and the results are as follows:
256
Figure 18-2
For each collision found the following data is displayed:
Index number.
First clashing part number: section size: model role.
Second clashing part number: section size: model role.
Coordinates of the center of the clash volume.
Clash volume.
The most important information to help fix the clash is the index
number.
You can close the text window when you have noted the index
number of the clash that you want to fix.
Display Clash Checking Results

To locate an actual clash you need to use this command. It is most
effective in the 2D Wire Frame visual display.
In the Home tab > Checking panel, click (Display Clash

Checking Results).
Please enter the index number of the collision to view: Enter

the index number of the clash that you want to view and fix.
257
The clash volume is displayed in red on your model. You need to

study the shape and position of the volume to understand what is
wrong and then take the appropriate corrective action.
If you have trouble finding the clash volume, use the following
marking tools.
Although the number of clashes listed might seem high, it is probably

not as bad as it seems. Often the action you take to correct one clash,
such as adjusting the bolt spacing in a joint, fixes several clashes;
one per bolt in this case.
The Autodesk
Advance Steels clash
check includes
checking for Tool
clearances around all
of the bolt heads and
nuts. The size of the
tool head to allow for
is set in Management
Tools > Defaults.
When displaying the
clash volume, a clash
of this type looks like
part of a hexagon
head that is larger
than the nearest nut
or bolt.
Figure 18-3
Rather than trying to fix many clashes at the same time, it is

recommended that you rerun the clash check after one or two fixes.
258
18.2 Object Marking

When the clash volume is displayed in red it is a form of Object
Marking in the Autodesk Advance Steel software. Since clashes are
usually small it is often hard to find the red volume in your model
without help. Several tools are provided to assist with this.
Search for Marked Objects

Use this command to find the red volume wherever it is in your model.
click (Search for Marked objects).
A large colored arrow is drawn on screen pointing at any object or

volume that is currently marked.
Zoom to Marked Object

Use this to quickly zoom in on a marked object.
click (Zoom to marked object).
Select objects: Select an arrow on the display from a Search

for Marked Objects and accept.
The display is zoomed in to display the marked object filling the view.
The display is not rotated.
Clear Marked Objects

After fixing a clash the marked volume remains. Marking can also be
used for other purposes. To ensure that previously marked objects
and volumes do not confuse future commands you need to remove
the marking.
click (Clear Marked objects).
All the object marking is removed, but the objects themselves are not
affected.
259
18.3 Technical Check

Where clash checking looks for items that overlap, you can also use
a Technical Check to look for other design factors, such as bolts that
are too close to the edge of the material.
Technical Check
Use this command to check the entire model for technical criteria.
In the Home tab > Checking panel, click (Steel

Construction Technical Checking).
Figure 18-4
A Steel check palette displays the results of the check.
Figure 18-5
For each error the following information is provided:
Index number of error. Parent part type and handle.
260
Description of error and handle of connection element causing

the error.
In this example, you need to note the handle of the connection object
to be able to find and fix the error. You can then close the report.
Mark Object
To identify the connection element causing the error, use this
command.
click (Mark object).
Handle/Id: Enter H for Handle.
Please specify the object handle: Enter the handle that you
noted previously (it is not case-sensitive).
The object is highlighted in red. As with Clash Check, you need to

determine and take the appropriate corrective action.
261
18.4 Model Check

The model check command performs audit verifications that are
related to modeling errors for an Advance Steel model. The
information resulted from this verification is displayed in the
notification panel, through comprehensive error messages.
To access the Model Check command located in
the Extended Modeling tab, Checking panel, click

(Model Check).
The verification is done automatically for the whole model.
After the automatic verification the notification panel is

displayed.
Figure 18-6
You can highlight and fix each error entry using the controls from the
bottom right side of the panel.
262
18.5 Joint Design

The last kind of validation you can perform in the Autodesk Advance
Steel software is Joint Design to validate the strength of a joint.
IMPORTANT: Using the Joint Design functionality in the software

is not a replacement for certified approval from a qualified
Structural Engineer. This check is intended to reduce the
iterations that might be required to get a joint right, but all of the
final stress and strength calculations should be carried out and
certified by a qualified Structural Engineer in accordance with the
appropriate legislation that applies to the project.
Open the Joint Properties dialog box.
Change to the Joint Design tab.
Figure 18-7
NSA module: Select the standard in which you are working.
Enter the appropriate loads in the M, N, and V boxes. (Note that the
moment load M is only enabled in appropriate types of joints that are
officially recognized as suitable for moment loads.)
Click the Check button.
263
After checking, the results are displayed in the Status window and
title.
An instant check and the most recent check results are also
displayed on the front page of any Joint Properties dialog box.
Figure 18-8
If the joint passes a check to the selected standard the status

displays OK in green.
If the joint fails the check, the status displays Checking failed in red
and a list of failed criteria is displayed.
For more information, click Report to display a full report indicating

each criteria that has been checked, the formula used, and the result
for your model. The report can be generated in the RTF or HTML
formats and is automatically saved in the calculations sub-folder of
the project folder.
This report can be displayed in the Joint Design tab in either the
Long or Short format. Click the Settings button in the Joint Design
tab and select Short or Long. The Short format only displays the
failed criteria as a list of names and the Long format displays the
complete report in the window. This setting does not affect the output
file that is saved on your hard drive or what is displayed when clicking
the Report button.
264
Figure 18-9
265
Chapter 19 - Numbering
Model Role
Numbering
266
Numbering
19.1 Model Role

Many possible Before any documentation can be created for your structure, the
numbering systems structure must be numbered. The numbering function carries out
are in use around the several vital processes that are closely related.
world and the
Autodesk Advance Analyses the structure to identify equal parts and determine
Steel software has quantities.
many options and
settings enabling
Analyses the relationships between parts to identify
different systems to
be created. However, assemblies and main parts.
to avoid confusion
this training guide Assigns part and assembly numbers to objects in the
concentrates on the structure.
most common system
that is used by the These tasks would be very difficult to do accurately manually, but are
software after a easy if you do them using the Autodesk Advance Steel software.
standard installation.
If you want to learn In most number systems, parts and assemblies are assigned a prefix
how to use different
to the actual unique number. This prefix usually indicates the type of
numbering systems
please contact your part or assembly. For example, parts are usually M for Main Part or
Autodesk F for Fitting. Assemblies can be B for Beam, C for Column, R for
representative for Rafter, etc.
more information.
To assign the correct prefix to each part, the software must
determine what the object represents in your structure. This is
You can assign a role
achieved using the Model Role property that is in every section and
to many objects at the plate. When a part is created using a macro, such as the Railing
same time if they are macro, it is automatically assigned an appropriate Model Role. For
of the same type parts that have been created manually, you need to set the Model
(e.g., beam, plate, Role manually.
and grating). Select
all of the required To set the Model Role for an object:
objects and only
those objects. Right- Select the object.
click and select
Advance Properties
or Advance Multi Right-click and select Advance Properties.
Edit > Beam
Properties as Select the Naming tab.
needed. Make the
edit as for one part o Model Role: Select the most suitable role in the selection
and all of the selected list.
parts are updated.
267
Figure 19-1
Close the Properties dialog box.
Search Filter
When modeling it is easy to forget to assign model roles as you
proceed. To find all of the parts without a Model Role you can use
the Search Filter command.
Ensure that nothing is selected (press <Esc> twice).
The Search Filter dialog box opens.
General tab: Click the Reset Dialog button.
Select Complete model and New Marking.
Objects tab: Select the appropriate objects for which to

search.
268
Numbering
Figure 19-2
Common Properties tab: Select Model Role and then select

None in the selection list.

All of the objects matching the search (i.e., of the selected object
types and without a Model Role) are highlighted in red.
Project Explorer - Saved Searches

When using the Search Filter command, a Save button is available
at the bottom of the dialog box. If you click it you are prompted to
enter a name for the search. You can use this to save multiple
different searches, rather than having to redefine them each time
you want a specific search.
To reuse a previously saved search:
In the Home tab > Project panel, click (Project Explorer).
Expand the Queries list if needed.
Figure 19-3
269
Either
Double-click on the search name to carry out the specified
search and mark the results.
Or
Click the Light Bulb icon next to the search to toggle it on.
Every object that does not match the search criteria is
hidden.
This is ideal for the Model Role = None search in the example.
The results are not totally dynamic because they are only updated
when the light bulb is toggled off and then on again. Therefore, if
you edit the beam properties the parts do not disappear until the
search is run again.
To ensure that no other settings are hiding objects and that the entire
structure is displayed, click (Show All Elements).
You can close the Project Explorer by clicking the small X in the top
right corner of the panel.
270
Numbering
Practice 19a Assign Model Roles

1. Assign Model roles to the structure.
2. Ensure that no parts are left in the structure that are set to
Model Role = None.
271
19.2 Numbering
Number
This command does the numbering process.
Ensure that nothing is selected (press <Esc> twice). If you

have any parts selected, only those parts are considered.
Normally, it is best to consider the entire structure to avoid
possible problems later.
In the Home tab > Document panel, click (Numbering).

The Numbering dialog box opens.
Select all of the required options and click the OK button.

Several reports of the results are displayed. These might be of
interest, but can be closed otherwise. In the reports, note any parts
or assemblies with a None prefix, indicating that they do not have a
Model Role.
Figure 19-4
For typical basic numbering, the following options in the Numbering

dialog box are useful.
272
Numbering
General tab
o Post Number Method: Select the required system for the

numbering (see below for an explanation of the options).
o Single Part Start: This is the lowest number that is used

for individual parts.
o Assembly Start: This is the lowest number that is used

for assemblies. Many users want assemblies to start at 1
while parts start at 1000.
Numbering with tokens
You can assign new information to elements mark using tokens.
1. Project data information: Project Name, Project

Number, Building
2. Elements naming information: Prefix, Lot/Phase, Commodity
Number
3. Elements shape information: Thickness
4. Model Name
5. Method Number
Figure 19-5
273
Special tab
o Reuse unused marks: If you edit a model after numbering

and a part number is no longer used it should be re-
assigned when renumbering. If you have already issued
the deleted part you might want to record that it has been
deleted and not reuse its number. Therefore, you would
It might be tempting clear this option.
to try to edit the
numbering manually o Use Column orientation for assemblies: If selected, two
to get the required otherwise identical columns in different orientations are
results. However, this assigned two different numbers. If not selected they are
is very error prone assigned the same number.
and leads to many
support calls. o Take released objects into account: The released
objects are taken into account at numbering.
o Exclude Bolts: The bolts are not taken into account at

numbering.
o Exclude anchors: The anchors are not taken into account

at numbering.
o Exclude connector: The connectors are not taken into

account at numbering.
o Exclude concrete elements: The concrete elements are

not taken into account at numbering.
o Exclude timber elements: The timber elements are not

taken into account at numbering.
o Use geometry for preliminary numbering: If the same

type of elements are geometrically different, they will
receive different part numbers.
o Allow changes of preliminary numbers: If checked, you

can change the preliminary numbers.
o Assign the same preliminary number to all parts from

the same assembly: If not checked, the parts receive their
own different preliminary number.
o Exclude not marked as "Structural member" for

preliminary numbering: Elements that are not marked as
274
Numbering
structural members in the Behavior tab of their properties

are not taken into account at numbering.
Part Types
For the purposes of numbering and detailing, the Autodesk
Advance Steel software identifies each object as one of three types
of part:
Main Part: The heaviest (and therefore usually largest) part

of any assembly. It is considered the most important part. It
affects the numbering, but the affect varies depending on the
selected Post Number Method. Assembly drawing views are
oriented according to the main part so that the main part is
usually horizontal (depending on the Drawing Style).
Single Part: All of the remaining parts that are not main parts.
Standalone parts can Standalone Part: A part that does not have any other parts
be treated as parts, fixed to it in the workshop or an assembly of only one part.
assemblies, or both This can affect the numbering depending on the selected Post
for drawing purposes. Numbering Method.
The Management
Tools > Defaults >
Drawing General > Post Number Methods
Standalone
A post number method is a rule that is applied after the initial
Part - Detailing
Behavior setting numbering has been completed to obtain the required results.
controls the type(s) of
drawing that you want There are four possible options:
the Autodesk
Advance Steel None: No extra rule is implemented. Part numbers and
software to produce assembly numbers are not related in any way. For example,
for these parts. the Beam assembly B26 might contain the parts M1000 (the
beam), F1089, F1094, and F1104 (the plates). A piece of the
Angle Bracing standalone part could be Assembly Number
BR1 and Part number M1001.
275
Figure 19-6
SP Number (for main part) = Assembly Number: For each

assembly the main part has its part number changed to match
the assembly number.
Therefore, the B26 assembly in the example would contain

parts B26, F1089, F1094, and F1104 while the same angle
bracing standalone part would be Assembly Number BR1 and
part number BR1.
Figure 19-7
SP Number (for standalone part) = Assembly number: For

each standalone part (not the main parts of other assemblies)
the part number is changed to match the assembly number.
The beam would then be assembly B26 with parts M1000,
F1089, F1094, and F1104 while the angle bracing standalone
part would be assembly BR1 and part number BR1.
276
Numbering
Figure 19-8
Assembly Group: This setting assigns part numbers for all of

the parts relative to the assembly where they are first located.
The main part is assigned the assembly number for its part
number. The single parts are assigned the fitting prefix F
followed by the number of the part in the first assembly in
which it was found. In an assembly, parts are numbered with
letters.
Therefore, this example would be beam B26 with parts B26,

Fa-B1, Fa-B26, and Fe-C3. Plate Fa-B1 was the first plate in
assembly B1, plate Fa-B26 is the first unique plate that was
found in this assembly (B26), and plate Fe-C3 is the fifth
unique plate that was first found in assembly C3. The
standalone angle bracing part would be assembly BR1 with
part BR1.
Figure 19-9
277
Renumber
When a user refers to renumbering a model they want you to use the
Number command again. The options and settings used to number
the model previously are remembered and set by default. Do not
change these options unless you want to change every part number
in the structure.
When you edit a model after it has been numbered it is difficult to

determine whether the change could affect the numbers.
Important: ALWAYS RENUMBER THE MODEL AFTER

COMPLETING THE EDITS.
When renumbering, the Autodesk Advance Steel software only

changes a number of a part if required (i.e., if one of the following
conditions is met):
The part no longer matches other parts of the same number.
The numbering options or settings have been changed since

the last numbering.
Therefore, it is not only recommended but important to renumber a

model after making changes.
Object Naming
After part numbers have been assigned, you can find the information
for each object in the Naming tab in the Advance Properties dialog
box.
278
Numbering
Figure 19-10
Single Part Number: The number allocated to this part.
Single Part Prefix: The prefix allocated to this part (normally
M or F unless using a Post Number Method).
Assembly Mark: The number assigned to this assembly.
Assembly Prefix: The prefix assigned to this assembly. It is

selected against a set of rules based on the Model Role.
You can assign parts Main Part/Single Part: There is a box in front of the Single
to different lots or part number and Main part number lines. If the box next to
phases for Single part number is shaded this part is a Single Part. If the
construction box next to Assembly number is shaded this is a Main Part.
purposes. You can Normally, this is automatically controlled by the software and
determine whether
this is an indication for the user.
this also influences
the assigned part
numbers. For more
information on
Assigning Lot/Phase
Numbers contact your
Autodesk
representative.
279
Practice 19b Numbering

1. Number the structure.
2. Apply numbering to the structure with the Post Numbering

Method set to None.
280
Creating Drawings
Chapter 20 Creating Drawings
Quick Documents Palettes

Drawing Styles
Drawing Processes
Cameras
Summary of Drawing Procedure
View Orientation
Setting up Quick Documents Palettes
20.1 Quick Documents Palettes

The main interface for creating new documents from the Autodesk
Advance Steel software are the Quick Documents palettes.
281
The Quick Documents palettes provide quick access to a selected

set of drawing styles, drawing processes and list templates. The set
of available drawing styles, drawing processes and templates can be
customized.
There are three Quick Documents palettes:
1. Drawing Styles palette
2. Drawing Processes palette
3. BOM Templates palette
The palettes allow you to quickly browse and use drawing styles and
drawing processes for drawing creations as well as list templates for
BOM list creations. The categories are represented by intuitive
images.
The Quick Documents Palettes can be opened using the buttons

located either:
On the Home tab > Documents panel.
Figure 20-1
On the Output tab > Documents panel.
Figure 20-2
Quick
Palette Documents
Palette name
282
Creating Drawings
Drawing Styles
Palette
Drawing Processes
Palette
283
BOM Templates
Palette
Drawing Styles: Individual styles for creating individual

drawing or drawing views.
Drawing Processes: Automated processes for creating

many drawings based on sets of rules.
Templates: Document styles for creating Bills of Materials

and other lists from your model rather than from drawings.
284
Creating Drawings
20.2 Drawing Styles

All of the drawings created by the Autodesk Advance Steel software
are created based on a complex set of rules. These rules are called
Drawing Styles. Each Drawing Style is set up to create a drawing that
is ideal for a specific purpose, such as a Single Part detail for a plate,
assembly of a rafter, or general arrangement section through a
structure.
Although part and assembly drawings can be created using Drawing

Styles, in most cases it is recommended that you use a process.
Normally, Drawing Styles are only selected directly for General
Arrangement (GA) type drawings or when a specific style is required,
rather than the normal option. For example, the Parts drawing
processes select a simple general drawing for most tubes, but if you
want to use a wrap-around template you could request it by selecting
the style directly.
The method of creating a drawing using a drawing style (such as a

GA view) is:
Set the UCS as required: Many styles base the view

orientation on the UCS. If using the GA styles, the view is
always created as though the Z-axis is pointing directly at the
viewer and X is pointing right, regardless of the name of the
drawing style. Most of the Assembly and Part styles base the
view orientation on the main part, rather than on the UCS.
In the Output tab > Documents panel, click (Drawing

Styles) to open the Drawing Styles Palette.
Select the required Drawing Style from the palette.
The Create detail dialog box opens.
285
Figure 20-3
From this dialog you can choose between two options to create
the detail:
o Create with default settings: this option will also show a
small, non-editable list containing those default settings
(prototype, drawing name and scale), to easily see what
options the drawing style uses when creating the detail.
When you select this option the drawing creation phase
will start directly. At this point, you may be prompted to
choose different options related to the view parameters,
depending on how the drawing style is configured. For
example, an elevation drawing style that prompts you for
the xOy viewport, will prompt you to select the viewport
after you had selected the Create with default settings
option.
o Modify settings: when you select this option, the Select
Destination File dialog appears, containing a set of
override settings for the detailing procedure:
Figure 20-4
286
Creating Drawings
Note: By default, the settings in this dialog have values

read from the Advance Steel defaults (e.g. drawing
number, prototype) or from the drawing style
configuration (e.g. scale). Once modified, these
settings are saved for future use.
Select a scale, in the Scale field.
Enter a view title.
Click OK.
Select the destination.
Select a suitable drawing prototype in the Prototype

(template) tab of the Select Destination File dialog.
Verify that the File Name is correct (you must not edit the path,
but you should verify that the name at the end reflects the
correct sheet size).
OR if you want the view to be added to an existing drawing:
Change to the Existing Drawings tab in the Select Destination

File dialog.
Select either the required drawing in the list on the left or

another view of the required drawing in the list on the right.
Your drawing view is created in the specified file.
There are several variations of this procedure depending on the

selected style.
PICKBOX: Some styles are based on using a Pickbox to define the

area that is displayed in the view. If the style displays ALL it displays
everything. However, if the style is based on a Pickbox you are
prompted to select the area that you want to display in the drawing.
This prompt is a typical case of selecting two points to define the
rectangular area that you want to display. You are prompted after
clicking the OK button in the Select File Destination dialog box.
With or without Labels: The Drawing Style defines the parts that
should be labeled in a view and how they are labeled. Some of the
287
styles include many labels that might produce a cluttered drawing. In

other styles all of the labels have been turned off so that you can add
custom labels later as needed.
Selected parts: Some of the styles prompt you that they are for
selected parts (e.g., 3D view, selected with labels). These styles
only draw the parts that you have selected. This is ideal if you only
want to provide an enlarged detail of a joint or other view of a
selected detail. It is recommended that you select the required
components before starting the Quick Documents command.
However, if this is not done, you are prompted to do so later.
The normal object selection methods apply.
WARNING: If you create a view that is based on selected parts

and edit the drawing in the future, creating new parts or moving
parts into the view area, the view NEVER displays the new or
moved parts because they were not selected when the view was
created. Your only option would be to delete and recreate the
view. Use this type of view with caution and only for cases in
which the parts in the view would never need to change.
To create a new 3D Hot or Cold Rolled: Some styles specify that they are only for
view you need to set Hot Rolled parts (such as Floor plan, hot rolled all). If you select
the UCS to point in these styles all of the cold rolled components of your structure are
the correct direction. NOT drawn. Where there is a Hot rolled style there is usually a Cold
To do so, orient your Rolled style to go with it (such as Floor plan, cold rolled All). If you
view on screen as select the Cold Rolled style all of the hot and cold rolled objects are
needed and then set drawn, but only the cold rolled is labeled and dimensioned.
the UCS to view
(UCS>UCS View).
You can use Drawing Styles directly to create drawings of parts or
assemblies as needed. Generally, it is more efficient to use a
process. You might want to select a Style directly if you want to
specify that a specific style be designed for a specific type of part,
such as a stringer, but these should be handled by a well-defined
process.
While drawings can be edited after creation, a careful selection of the

correct drawing style for your purpose minimizes future editing and
finishing requirements.
For example:
3D view - selected+ pickbox, Assembly lab: Creates a view

on the UCS of only the selected parts, displaying only the
defined area, and with only the main parts labeled with the
assembly numbers.
288
Creating Drawings
3D Detailview All Pickbox, visible + lab: Creates a view

on the UCS of ALL parts but only displaying the selected area.
Only the visible edges are drawn. All of the parts are labeled
with their part number and section size.
3D Detailview All Pickbox, vishidden + lab: Creates a

view on the UCS of ALL parts but only displays the selected
area. Both visible and hidden edges are drawn. All of the parts
are labeled with their part number and section size. Review
the sample image and read the description at the bottom of
Quick Documents carefully to understand the differences
between the styles.
Drawing Prototype
A Prototype is a blank drawing sheet. Each prototype already has
the drawing border, title block, and BOMs if required, a Revision
table, and default notes that are appropriate for the drawing type
(such as a foundation bolt description). When you create a drawing
using a Drawing Style you should select the appropriate prototype
for your drawing. Therefore, for a Stanchion Plan a Foundation
prototype would be appropriate, but you would not use an A1
Assembly prototype with notes about hole sizes and welds for a GA
drawing.
289
20.3 Drawing Processes

A Drawing Process steps through all of the selected objects, selects
a suitable Drawing Style, creates a drawing of the object, and moves
on to the next object. This way many drawings of many objects can
be created quickly and easily.
The basic procedure is:
Select the objects that you want to draw.
In the Output tab > Documents panels, click (Drawing

Processes).
Select the required Process from the palette.

.
The Process Properties dialog box opens. Generally, you do
not need to change any options in this dialog box. However,
one option that you might want to use is Arrangement. It
controls the order in which the selected items are drawn. For
example, the sequence could be based on the distance from
the WCS origin, Beam length, or Plate thickness.
Figure 20-5
290
Creating Drawings
Click OK and wait for the activity to finish (the Command Line
stops at Command:).
The drawings are created.
Typical options that are available when selecting a Drawing Process

are:
Parts or Assemblies/fabrications: Select the process,

which is named accordingly.
Single or Multi Sheet: Single Sheet drawings only have

views of ONE component or assembly (or one GA view). Multi
sheet drawings have views of MULTIPLE components or
assemblies (or GA views). If the selected process is a Multi
Sheet process it continues to place parts on the same drawing
sheet until the sheet is full and to then start the next drawing.
If the process is a Single Sheet process, every part has its
own drawing.
BOM or No Bom: You might want to add a Bill of Materials to

the drawing that contains the displayed parts. This is possible
in the Autodesk Advance Steel software and is generally
controlled by the drawing prototype on which you place a
drawing. Processes with BOM select prototypes with BOMs
and Processes without BOMs select prototypes without
BOMs. All of the other outputs are the same.
Sheet size: Each Process name indicates the sheet size(s)

its going to create. For the processes that could create
multiple sizes the drawing is tested on the smallest size sheet
first and then the sheet size is increased until a fit is found.
Regardless of the selected process, it typically does the following as

well:
Selects an appropriate drawing style based on the object type

and model role.
Selects an appropriate drawing prototype.
Gives the file the required name.
Tests several drawing scales to find the best fit on the sheet.
The actual scales tried are defined in the Process. If multiple
sizes are permitted, all of the scales are attempted on the
291
smallest sheet first and then all of the scales on the next sheet
size, etc. If a single sheet size is selected and none of the
scales fit the border, the views are created at the smallest
scale on a specific sheet.
Some examples of typical drawings that have been created in

the Autodesk Advance Steel software are as follow. The first
is a typical Multi-sheet part drawing of some plates. The
second is typical single-sheet drawing of a part. In this case,
it is column A1 in the training structure. The third drawing is a
typical assembly drawing, containing one of the rafters in the
training structure.
Figure 20-6
292
Creating Drawings
Figure 20-7
Figure 20-8
293
20.4 Cameras
Cameras are objects that you can place in your model to define the
required drawing views in a visible and editable way. You can then
create drawings from the cameras using drawing processes and edit
the cameras later to adjust the resulting drawing views.
Creating a Camera
To create a camera, follow this procedure:
Set the UCS as though creating the required view (XY in plane
of required view with Z pointing at the viewer).
(Create Camera, UCS).
Select the location that should be the center of the required

view.
The camera is created and the Camera Properties dialog box opens.
Properties tab: Basic properties of the camera.
o Camera Type: Select the appropriate category for your

camera. The drawing processes can be set to draw all of
the cameras of a selected type or any camera.
o Description: This value is only displayed in this dialog

box, but can be useful for recognizing the correct camera
later when editing the model.
Detail Box tab: Define the content of your view.

o Z-viewport, Front and Rear: If these boxes are selected,
the view depth in this direction is limited to the distance in
the property. If the box is not selected, the view depth is
infinite in that direction. Front is toward the viewer and
Rear is away from the view relative to the plane of the
camera.
o XY-Viewport Automatic: This results in the entire

structure being included in your view (according to Z depth
above).
294
Creating Drawings
o XY-Viewport Fixed: Enter the required values in the X

Delta and Y Delta for the width and height of the area to
include in your drawing view. These values are always
calculated equally about the center of the view. For
example, a value of 1500 results in value of 750 on each
side.
o Drawing Style: Use the Style drop-down list to select a

view type. These views are the same as the views in the
drawing styles. Note that although the drawing styles
define the view area during normal use, the Camera
Viewport properties completely override these settings.
Therefore, you can select any view that has the required
presentation and dimensioning rules regardless of
whether it is usually based on the UCS or part orientation,
a pickbox or all, etc.
Figure 20-9
Cameras always have a fixed geographical area that they include in

the view. All of the objects in the defined area are included in the
view subject to the drawing style presentation strategy. You cannot
define a camera based on a pick-box or selected parts.
Once created, the Camera object has a grid drawn in the view plane
and some bounding boxes are displayed according to the camera
settings. A thick arrow indicates the view direction.
295
Editing a Camera
To edit a camera you can select it, right-click and select Advance
Properties. This opens the original Camera Properties dialog box,
enabling you to adjust any of its properties.
If you want to adjust the area covered by a camera, select the

camera and move the grips. If the view depth is limited, the front and
back planes of the camera can be moved to adjust this. If the view
depth is unlimited the camera only displays the grid. If a fixed XY
Viewport is defined it can be adjusted using the grips on the grid, but
the adjustment is always equal about the center point. Moving the
center grip moves the entire camera to a new position. If the XY
Viewport is set to Automatic, grips do not display on the edges of
the grid.
All of the normal tools for editing objects can also be used, enabling
you to copy a camera to another location.
Creating Drawings from Cameras

To create drawings from cameras you need to select a Drawing
Process that is designed for this purpose. Typically, variations on the
processes enable you to draw all of the cameras of a specific type,
just selected cameras, etc.
Figure 20-10
These processes are located in the Drawing Processes palette and

are used in the same way as any other process.
296
Creating Drawings
Cameras versus Drawing Styles

Two methods are described above for creating GA type views.
Creating a GA view directly using a Drawing Style is slightly quicker
if you are confident that you can create the correct view the first time
or if you need to use a pick box or selected parts type view.
However, most of the time, it is recommended that you use a camera

to create your GA views. Cameras have the advantage of being an
object that can be modified if required. Therefore, if your view needs
to change size you have precise and simple control over that. You
can even change the selected drawing style if needed.
Another benefit of a Camera view is that it can be accessed from the

right-click menu to provide quick access to the drawings. When you
select a part and right-click, the menu provides options for opening
any Part, Assembly, or Camera views in which the part is displayed.
Other GA views that have been created directly from Drawing Styles
do not display in this way.
Figure 20-11
Additionally, because Camera views can be created using Drawing

Processes, the software can experiment with different scales and
paper sizes depending on the process set up. If you are creating
manual views you have to select the paper size and view scale so it
can be difficult to get a good selection the first time.
297
20.5 Summary of Drawing Procedure

To summarize the procedure that is generally required for creating
all of the necessary drawings, there are three fundamental stages
that you can perform in any order. These are Parts, Assemblies, and
GAs. Therefore, for an entire structure you would do the following:
Parts Drawings:
o Select objects.
o Quick Documents
o Select a Drawing Process for parts.
Assembly Drawings:
o Select objects.
o Quick Documents
o Select a Drawing Process for Assemblies.
GAs
o Decide on the required views and for each view:
o Set the UCS as required.
o Create a Camera for each view.
o Quick Documents
o Select and use Drawing Processes for cameras.
The drawings are all stored in the Details sub folder, in the Project
folder.
298
Creating Drawings
20.6 View Orientation

When an Autodesk Advance Steel object is created in the model, it
has its own internal UCS. This is roughly aligned with the current
UCS when the object is created.
When a part drawing is created, the internal UCS of the part defines
the view orientation. The TOP view is defined as Z pointing toward
the viewer and X as pointing right.
If you create an assembly drawing, the internal UCS of the Main

Part is the one that decides the view orientation.
Some special assembly styles are based on the UCS. They are
designed for cases in which you might want the main part to be
displayed in a specific position other than horizontal. For example,
Handrailing - Stairs, UCS. For these styles, set the UCS so that the
XY plane is oriented as you would want the paper to be oriented
relative to the object in your view. Therefore, for the stair example,
having X horizontal along the ground in line with the stair and the Y
vertical, provides a side view of the stair in the real slope orientation
rather than a horizontal stringer.
For GA styles, the current UCS defines the view orientation.

Regardless of the description of the style, such as Elevation, Roof
Plan, 3D View, etc., the view always looks down the Z-axis with X
pointing right.
299
20.7 Setting up Documents Palettes

The Documents Palettes contain a list of the available drawing styles
and processes. This list does not display all of the styles or
processes that are available in the system, but it is rather a list of
preferred items. The full lists of available Styles or Processes are
located in the respective manager systems that are used to define
them.
You can access the Documents palettes from the Output tab >
Documents panel.
Figure 20-12
Drawing Styles are defined in the Drawing Style Manager. The

The Styles and
Processes provided definition of a Drawing Style is very complex, with six levels of
with the software are settings that are layered on top of each other. It is not recommended
designed to be that you change any of the settings in these styles without very
suitable for general careful thought and planning.
manufacture and
changing them is not To display the full list of available styles and identify the ones that
recommended unless should be visible in the palettes, follow this procedure:
it is absolutely
necessary. If you In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click
want to edit the
(Drawing Style Manager).
existing entries, or
create your own, a
separate training
guide is offered to
cover this complex
subject. Please
contact your
Autodesk Figure 20-13
Representative for
more information.
300
Creating Drawings
Figure 20-14
Ensure that Drawing Styles is selected in the top left.
Expand the Advance or User list as needed.
Select the required group of styles.
In the right pane a list of styles is displayed with boxes next to

them. Select only the styles that you want to display in the
Drawing Styles palette.
Click the OK button to close the Drawings Style Manager.
In the Home tab > Settings panel, click (Update Defaults).
Drawing Processes are a system that selects and applies drawing

styles for you. As with Drawing Styles, all of the available Drawing
Processes in the Drawing Processes palette are not always
displayed, just the preferred ones. To display the full list of the
available processes and select the ones that are displayed in the
Documents palette, follow this procedure:
In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click
(Drawing Process Manager).
301
Figure 20-15
Expand the Advance or User list as needed.
Expand the Drawing Processes folder.
Select the required category for the processes.
In the right pane, a list of styles with tick boxes is displayed in

front of each one. Select only the styles that you want to
display in the palette.
Click the OK button to close the Drawings Style Manager
In the Home tab>Settings panel, click (Update Defaults).
Although not as complex as Drawing Styles, it is recommended that

you do not attempt to edit Drawing Processes without careful thought
and planning.
The Documents palettes are designed to only display the preferred

styles and processes for quick access and general use. If you
occasionally require a different style in the list, you do not have to
add it to the palettes before using it. Instead do the following:
Output > Document Manager > Drawing Style Manager or

Drawing Process Manager.
Locate the required style or process in the list of those

available.
302
Creating Drawings
Click the USE button.
Proceed with normal drawing creation.
After the drawing has been created you are returned to the
Manager dialog box. Click the OK button.
303
Chapter 21 Editing Drawings
Document Manager
Manipulating Drawings
Drawing Labels and Dimensions
Object Properties
304
Editing Drawings
21.1 Document Manager

The main interface for accessing and controlling all of the documents
that you create from your model is the Document Manager. To open
the Document Manager, in the Home tab > Documents panel, click
(Document Manager) and the dialog box opens.
Figure 21-1
The left pane displays a list of document types. Drawings are located
in the Details area. When you first try to expand this list it might flash
and disappear again. This is not an error but is part of the process in
which the Autodesk Advance Steel software checks the current
status of each drawing to ensure that it is up to date.
The drawing files are listed according to their file names. If you are
using the default naming and numbering system all of the file names,
include a prefix indicating the type of drawing:
[S] = Single Part drawing
[MP] = Multi sheet part drawing
[A] = Assembly drawing
[MA] = Multi sheet assembly drawing
[G] = GA type drawing.
Single sheet part and assembly drawings are named after the part or
assembly mark of the object that they display. Multi sheet and GA
305
drawings have a drawing number. The drawing sheet size is also

included.
The right pane in Document Manager displays details of the views

on the drawing(s) that are selected on the left or a preview of the
selected drawing. To display the preview, select the Preview tab. The
preview is a live preview of the actual file and can be zoomed or
panned in the dialog box.
Once you have located the required drawing you can open it by
double-clicking on the file name or clicking the Open Drawing
button.
Right-click to Open Drawings

As a convenience feature, it is possible to select an object in your
model and right-click to open drawings directly, without using the
Document Manager.
When you right-click on a selected object, any drawings in which that

object is displayed are listed. Part Drawings, Assembly Drawings,
and Camera Views are listed, but GA views that were created directly
from the Drawing Styles are not listed. If the drawing is out of date
that is also indicated in the menu.
Figure 21-2
This is provided to make opening drawings faster (there is no need

to know the part/assembly/drawing number). You cannot update the
drawings this way.
Keeping Up to Date
The Autodesk Advance Steel software can track all of the changes
in a model since it was created and knows when a drawing or other
document is out of date. If documents are found to be out of date
they are placed in a separate folder in the left pane in the Document
Manager.
To update these documents you have two options, depending on
whether you want the change to be recorded.
306
Editing Drawings
To update the documents without recording the change:
In the Home tab > Documents panel, click (Document

Manager).
Select the document(s) in the left pane.
Click the Force Update button.
Figure 21-3
Wait for the activity to finish. The documents are updated and listed
in the Up to date folder in the left pane.
If you WANT the update to be recorded as a formal issue of the file,

use the Revision system as follows:

Manager).
Select the document(s) in the left pane.
Click the Update Revision button.
Figure 21-4
An Add Revision Mark dialog box opens.
307
Figure 21-5
If updating a single document, click the Add button. (If

updating multiple documents this step is not needed.)
Figure 21-6
o A Revision Details dialog box opens.
o Complete the details and click the OK button.
OR if updating multiple documents, complete the revision

details in this dialog box.
o Ensure that the Index option is set to Next available

index for each document unless you want to change
them all to the same issue, regardless of previous issues.
Wait for the activity to finish. The documents are updated and listed
in the Up to date folder in the left pane. The revision index displays
in the left pane after the file name. The file name is also changed to
include the revision index.
308
Editing Drawings
The previous revision of the document (immediately before you

select Update) is moved to a Backup folder in the Project\Details
folder.
Revision System in Drawings

If you select the Update Revision option to update the drawings, the
Revision is recorded in the drawing as follows:
A note is added to the Revision table containing the

information that you entered in the Revision Details dialog
box.
The main revision in the title block is updated.
Any previously existing revision clouds are deleted.
A revision cloud is drawn around any dimensions or labels that

change.
A revision cloud is drawn around the changed part or feature.
An index mark is placed next to the revision clouds.

If the revision table in The use of revision clouds is controlled by a number of options in
the drawing includes Management Tools > Defaults. The exact results depend on these
the Rev Details settings. The default options might vary depending on your
column, the Autodesk installation.
Advance Steel
software
automatically
completes this
column with a generic
description of the
changes in the
drawing.
309
21.2 Manipulating Drawings

A number of tools are provided to manipulate the drawing views and
other drawing content after creation. All of these commands are
carried out in an open drawing, rather than in the model.
Update Detail
It forces an immediate update of a specific drawing detail. A detail
can contain several drawing views. It is NOT recorded as a drawing
revision.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management panel, click

(Update detail and keep revision).
Figure 21-7
Select detail view: Select any element in the drawing detail to

update.
The Updates Take Place Immediately. Update the Page

Header.
This is an exception to the rule about only working in the drawings.
When a drawing is created, the title block is populated with details
from the Project Information dialog box. If the project information
changes, after the drawing has been created, you need to use this
command to update the title blocks.
Close ALL of the drawings for this project.

(Update page header)
310
Editing Drawings
Figure 21-8
After the activity finishes, ALL of the drawings have their title blocks
updated with the latest Project Information. This change is not
recorded as a revision.
Update Lists
It forces an immediate update of a BOM or other list in a drawing.

(Update list)
Figure 21-9
All of the BOMs or lists in the drawing are immediately updated.

This change is not recorded as a revision.
Rearrange all of the Details

If you have manually added views to a drawing they might display in
odd places in the first instance. This command attempts to rearrange
all of the details in the drawing to fit in the drawing border.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel,

click (Rearrange all details).
Figure 21-10
No input is required. All of the details are rearranged immediately.
311
Rearrange all of the Views in a Detail

If you have added views to a detail they are initially stacked vertically.
If you use this command it rearranges the views in the selected
detail.

click (Rearrange all views in detail).
Figure 21-11
Select detail view: Select any element in the detail.
Change Detail
This opens the Detail Properties dialog box.

click (Change Detail).
Figure 21-12
Select detail view: Select any element in the detail to edit.
Alternatively, double-click on the outer green frame around a detail.
In the Edit Detail dialog box you can change the scale of your detail
(all of the views match the scale) and the title of your detail. Although
the Autodesk Advance Steel software selects all of the required
views for you, you can override this as needed.
312
Editing Drawings
Figure 21-13
The top left part of this dialog box displays a list of the
available automatic views. Select the view that you want to
use and change the Properties tab to View State.
To turn the view on, select Always on.
To hide a view that you do not want to use, select Always off.
Note that if you override the view options like this, they are no longer
capable for modification if required to suit the edits to the members.
Sometimes, beams can have long distances without any interesting

features. To minimize wasted paper these views are typically clipped
(drawn shorter than they would normally be) to remove the
unnecessary areas. If you want to change what has happened in a
view you can do so here.
313
Figure 21-14
Select the required view at the top left of the dialog box.
Set the Properties tab to Clip.
If the X clipping or Y clipping boxes are checked, clipping is

permitted in that direction. Clear the box to toggle clipping off
and force the full length to be drawn.
The three values indicate how much to draw and how much
to cut out of the member.
Clipping Type: No clipping line means the clip is only drawn

as a small break in the outline of the part. This can be hard to
recognize.
Normal Clipping means a clipping line is drawn on either side
of the cut. The line is a standard AutoCAD Linetype. Custom
Clipping draws a clipping line with a single zig-zag in the
middle.
Clipping Line Type: The AutoCAD Linetype to use for the

clipping line if Normal Clipping is selected in Clipping Type.
Change Prototype File

If you want to have a drawing on a different prototype (usually to
change the sheet size) you can use this command to change the
background sheet without affecting the detail(s).
314
Editing Drawings

click (Change prototype file).
Figure 21-15
A small dialog box opens displaying a list of the available

prototypes.
Figure 21-16
[Optional] If you click the Settings button, the Overwrite page

settings dialog opens. Here you can select the properties of
the old prototype that you want to keep and those to take from
the new prototype.
Figure 21-17
315
Select the required new prototype and click the OK button.

The drawing is updated immediately. You might need to clean
up the BOMs, sheet notes, and revision tables in the final
drawing.
Move View
You can move a view by selecting any element of the view and
dragging the mouse. Alternatively, you can use the AutoCAD Move
command or the following command:

click (Move View).
Figure 21-18
Select detail view: Select any element in the view to move.
Move detail view from point: Select a start point for your move.
To point: Select an end point for your move.
The benefit of using this command or the AutoCAD Move command

is that, by using Osnaps and Osnap tracking, you can align the views.
When you move a view, all of the associated annotation moves as
well.
Delete View
To delete a view, you can select the inner green frame around it and
press <Delete>. Alternatively, you can use this command.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel, click
(Delete view).
Figure 21-19
Select detail view: Select any element of the view to delete.
316
Editing Drawings
The view is successfully deleted.
Any annotation that is associated with the view is also deleted.
Create Cut View

Use this command to simply select the view where the manual cut is
to be created and the cut position and depth. All the available
overrides will be optional and accessible using a shortcut key at the
view selection step.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel

click (Create cut view).
Figure 21-20
Please select detail view or [Settings]: Select the view from

which you want to project your new view.
First corner of detail window: Select a point for one end of

your section line/cutting plane.
Second corner of detail window: Select a point for the other

end of your section line
Please specify cut depth or [Unbounded/Zero]: Select a point

on the correct side of your section line (the arrow on the
screen indicates which way the view oriented.
The new view is created immediately and placed under the existing
views (not in line).
Renumber Cut Views

If you have created extra cut views or deleted cut views, the letters
might not run in the required sequence. Use this command to
rearrange the letters, identifying the views into the required
sequence.

click (Renumber cut views).
317
Figure 21-21
Select detail view: Select any element in the detail.
All of the section views are renamed, starting at A.
Create Callout View

The workflow is similar to the cut view workflow - where you can
create a new view directly from the drawing, using a manually
selected size and a custom drawing style. This allows you to create
views that have the role of highlighting small areas of a more generic
drawing, using a higher level of detail, such as node information
callouts on an elevation drawing.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Views panel
click (Create callout view).
Figure 21-22
Please select detail view or [Settings]: Select the view from

which you want to project your new view.
First corner of detail window: Select a point for one end of

your section line/cutting plane.
Second corner of detail window: Select a point for the other

end of your section line
The new view is created immediately.
318
Editing Drawings
21.3 Drawing Labels and Dimensions

Once you have created all of the required views you can use the
tools in this palette to edit the annotation of the drawing. You cannot
use the standard AutoCAD Dimension and Annotation tools
because they do not have the extra intelligence that comes with the
Autodesk Advance Steel tools.
Insert Weld Symbol

It adds a weld symbol to the drawing.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click

(Insert Weld Symbol)
Figure 21-23
Please select detail: Select any element in the view.
Please select the reference point of the symbol on the detail:

Select the point at which you want the leader line to be placed
(the position of the weld).
Please select placing point for the symbol: Select a point to

place the symbol.
A symbol is drawn and the Weld Symbol dialog box opens.

Close the dialog box when finished.
The weld note in the The dialog box works as it does for placing welds in the model.
drawing prototypes is Note that Management Tools > Settings > Defaults has options
not intelligent. If you stating that a specific standard weld size does not need to be used.
change the setting for It is assumed that there is a note in the drawing stating All welds
the standard weld 6mm Fillet Unless Otherwise Stated. All of the welds that do not
type in Management match this standard definition are automatically displayed in the
Tools you must drawing if they are in the model. Manually placed weld symbols do
manually edit the
not display a size if they match the standard size.
prototypes to suit or
there are many
errors.
319
Manually placed weld symbols are not linked in any way to the welds
in the model, even if they are pointing at the same location.
Insert Label
It inserts a leader line pointing at an object that contains intelligent
text about that object.

(Insert Label).
Figure 21-24
Select object you want to label (<C>hange label, <M>ultiple

selection): Select the object that you want to label.
Please select the label start point: Select the position to which
the leader should point.
Start point of the text: Select a point to place the text.
Angle of the text (RETURN for parallel): Select a point to set

the angle of the text or press <Enter> or right-click to have the
text parallel to the object.

selection): The command repeats. If you have finished placing
labels, press <Enter> or right-click.
A default label is placed as specified.
If you prefer, you can place many labels at the same time as follows:

(Insert Label).

selection): Enter M for Multiple.
Please select objects: Select the objects that you want to label
and accept.
320
Editing Drawings
A label is placed for each object and positioned automatically.
To edit a label that you have placed and change the text, double-
click on it. The Label and Symbols dialog box opens. The text that is
currently displaying in the label displays in the text box. However,
this is not ordinary text. You can enter any text in this box, but if you
want some of the text to be intelligently linked to the model object,
you should select the required property in the Tokens drop-down list.
When you select the property in the list the appropriate text is
inserted. The intelligent link is also maintained if the model is edited.
Figure 21-25
If you want to add a frame or balloon around any of your text, select
the text first and then select the type of frame in the Frame drop-
down list.
The other formatting tools are as you would expect for text. A large
number of tokens are available in the Autodesk Advance Steel
software and storing all of these values for all of the parts in all of the
drawings could have a negative effect on performance. To minimize
this effect you might find that some of the values or tokens are not
available in every drawing. If this happens and the required token is
not available, you can use the Label Information Manager to load the
missing tokens as needed.

(Label content manager)
321
Figure 21-26
Select detail view: Select the view that you want to label.
Select the tokens that you want to have available in this

drawing detail.
Level Symbols
It inserts a level symbol to identify the elevation of a point in
the model.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Insert
Level Symbol).
Figure 21-27
Please select detail: Select any element in the view in which

to place the symbol.
Please select the reference point of the symbol on the detail:

Select the point to dimension
Please select placing point for the symbol: Select a position

at which to draw the symbol.
The level symbol is placed with the appropriate elevation already

completed.
Slope Symbol
It inserts a triangle type slope symbol.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Labels panel, click (Insert Slope
Symbol).
322
Editing Drawings
Figure 21-28
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <angle>, <arc>,

<dimensioning<ST>yle, <dimension>type): (Slope): Select
any element in the view.
Start point of the 0o line: Select an apex point for measuring

your angle (one end of the line that you want to measure).
End point of the 0o line: Select a point to set to zero degrees.

Enter dimension point: Select another point on the line to
measure its slope.
Placing of the dimension line: Select a point at which to place

the triangle.
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <angle>, <arc>,

<dimensioning<ST>yle, <dimension>type): (Slope): This
command repeats. Press <Enter> or right-click when done.
Your slope triangle is drawn.
Linear Dimension
You have a single command for both horizontal and vertical
dimension lines. Depending on how you handle the dimension in the
preview stage - before placing it in the detail - it will be created as
either a horizontal or a vertical dimension.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions

panel, click (Linear).
323
Figure 21-29
Please select a view: (horizontal linear dimension): Select any

element in the view that you want to dimension.
First dimension point: Select the first point of your chain.
Enter dimension point: Select the second point of your chain.
Enter point to specify the dimension lines placement or

<H>orizontal, <V>ertical: Select a point through which to draw
the dimension line and define the direction.
Enter dimension point: Select additional points for this chain

to dimension.
Enter dimension point: When you have finished selecting

points for this chain, press <Enter> or right-click.
The dimension chains are drawn as you proceed. At this point the
Dimension Properties dialog box opens.
324
Editing Drawings
Figure 21-30
Dimension Chain tab
o Presentation: Select whether you want absolute or

relative dimensions of different styles.
o Group equal distances: If selected, consecutive

dimensions of the same length are grouped into one, such
as 3 x 385.
Close the Properties dialog box when finished.
Note that if you do not follow the command through to the dialog box,
but press <Esc> or select another command before you have
finished properly, the dimensions that you have just drawn are not
displayed.
All of the new dimensions work similarly, but with various prompts
depending on their type. Follow the prompts carefully and always
proceed to the Properties dialog box or you the required dimensions
are not created.
Insert Dimension Point

If you want to insert an extra point in an existing dimension chain,
use this command.

panel, click (Insert Point).
325
Figure 21-31
Select dimension where you want to insert a point: Select the

dimension chain and accept.
Enter dimension point: Select the new point to which to

dimension.
Enter dimension point: Keep selecting points as required.

Right-click when finished.
Select dimension where you want to insert a point: This

command loops. Press <Enter> or right-click when finished.
The existing dimension chain is adjusted to include the new point(s).
Delete Dimension Point

Use this command to remove one point from an existing chain of
dimensions.

panel, click (Delete point).
Figure 21-32
Select the dimension line you want to remove: Select the

witness line to the point that you want to delete from the chain
and accept.
Select the dimension line you want to remove: This command

loops. Press <Enter> or right-click when finished.
The chain is adjusted with the selected point removed.
326
Editing Drawings
Linear Sloped Dimension

It places a dimension that is aligned as specified rather than
horizontal or vertical.

panel, click (Linear Sloped).
Figure 21-33
Please select a view: (slope linear dimension): Select any

element in the view to dimension.
First point for direction: Select a point to define the direction

of your dimension not to measure to.
Second point for direction: Select a second point to define the

direction of your dimension not to measure to. The dimension
created measures in a straight line parallel to an imaginary
line between these two points.
First dimension point: Now select the first point for your
dimension chain.
Enter dimension point: Select the point to which to measure.
Enter point to specify the dimension line placement: Select a

point through which the dimension line is going to be drawn.
Enter dimension point: Select additional points to which to

dimension.
327
Enter dimension point: When done, press <Enter> or right-

click.
Please select a view: (slope linear dimension): This command

loops. When done, right-click again to open the Dimension
Arc Dimension
It places a dimension measuring the length along an arc, rather than
an angle.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click
(Arc).
Figure 21-34
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <Angle>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension>type): (arc): Select any
Circle center point (3P/2P/Radius): Select the center point for

the arc to dimension.
Point on the circle: Select the first point on the arc to

dimension.
Placing of the dimension line: Select a point through which to
draw the dimension line.
Enter dimension point: Select the point to which to measure.

Enter dimension point: Select additional points to which to
measure or right-click when done.
328
Editing Drawings
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <Angle>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension>type): (arc): Create another
dimension or right-click when done to open the Dimension
Angle Dimension
It places an angular dimension.
In the Labels & Dimensions tab > Parametric Dimensions panel, click
(Angle).
Figure 21-35
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <ARC>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension> type) : (angle): Select any
Start point of the 0o line: Select one end of the object to

dimension.
End point of the 0o line: Select a reference point to be zero

degrees.
Placing of the dimension line: Select a point through which to

draw the dimension line.
First <D>imension point or point for second <L>ine:

Dimension point: Select the other end of the line to dimension.
Enter dimension point: Select additional points to dimension
or right-click when done.
329
Please select a view (<D>iameter, <ARC>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension> type): (angle): This
command loops. Place another chain or right-click when
done.
Radial Dimension
It places a dimension indicating the Radius of an element.

panel, click (Radial).
Figure 21-36
Please select a view (<angle>, <ARC>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension>type) : (diameter): Select
any element in the view to dimension.
Circle center point (3P/2P/Radius): Select the center point for

your dimension to measure from.
Point on the circle: Select the point to which to measure.
Placing of the dimension line: Place the dimension leader line.
Please select a view (<angle>, <ARC>, <slope>,

<dimension<ST>yle, <dimension>type): (diameter): Place
another dimension or right-click when done.
Smart Dimensions
The Autodesk Advance Steel software includes a Smart Dimension
engine to recognize when a dimension point moves and then
updates the dimension correctly. To use smart dimensions means
330
Editing Drawings
that when you update a drawing fewer of the manual dimensions are
lost. Smart Dimensions only work when they use recognized key
points on elements in your views, such as End Points of lines or
Center Points of holes. To assist in selecting only valid traceable
points, there is a special Autodesk Advance Steel Object Snap
called Preferred for Manual Dimensions. If you use this snap at all
times when working with dimensions or labels, the CAD engine only
locks onto valid traceable points.
If you select a dimension point that cannot be traced through updates

the prompt Error: Unable to recognize all points. Some Points will be
deleted after update, displays in the Command Line when you finish
the dimension chain. A red circle is also drawn around each point
that cannot be recognized. If displayed, this indicates that not all of
the selected points can be recognized by the Smart Dimension
engine and that the dimensions to that point are going to disappear
during a drawing update. You might want to double-check the
selected points.
Some manually placed dimensions are deleted during an update to

avoid the risk of having an incorrect dimension in a drawing. In some
systems, all of the dimensions might remain but if a hole moves by
5mm this might not be visible at the drawing scale. If the dimension
cannot be updated to point at the new position of the hole (as Smart
Dimensions do) it would display the wrong value. If objects were
manufactured to the dimensions they would be wrong. To avoid this
situation, if Smart Dimensions cannot be certain that a dimension is
accurate after a drawing has been updated it deletes the dimension.
If the uncertain point is singular in a chain, the rest of the dimension
chain remains.
331
21.4 Object Properties

The way an object is drawn in a view is controlled by the drawing
styles. If you want to adjust this you can edit the properties of any
object in the drawing using the Advance Properties dialog box. To
open it, double-click on the object or select it, right-click and the
select Advance Properties.
For example, to turn off the labels at one end of a grid line:
Double-click on the grid.
Figure 21-37
Remove the tick from one end of the symbol in the dialog box.
To hide a decking panel to display the beams underneath:
Double-click on the panel in the view.
In the Properties dialog box, select the Display type tab.
332
Editing Drawings
Figure 21-38
Select Off.
When the view is updated the beams behind the panel

display.
You can change the color and hatching properties of most of the
objects in your drawing views as needed.
Note that it is recommended that you turn off the presentation of an

object rather than deleting it. If you select it and delete it, it returns
when the view is updated. If you turn the presentation of an object
off it stays off during an update.
DO NOT FORGET Objects that have been turned off are moved to a different layer
TO SAVE YOUR called Objects Off and are still displayed on screen. Freeze the
DRAWINGS AFTER Objects Off layer to avoid displaying them on screen. This layer
EDITING THEM. For does not print and is not displayed in the finished drawing output,
your changes to be even if displayed on screen. You can select the objects on this layer
remembered you and turn them back on again as needed.
must save the
drawing files after
finishing your edits.
333
Chapter 22 - Lists
BOM Templates Palette

RDF Viewer
Selective Lists
Managing Lists
334
Lists
22.1 BOM Templates Palette

All of the types of lists in the Autodesk Advance Steel software are
created in the same way, whether they are Bills of Materials, Drawing
Lists, Loading Lists, etc. It only takes a few seconds to generate a
list in the software.
Saved lists can be opened and reused. If you save them in the
correct path you can also display them and update them in the
Document Manager. However, there is no revision control on lists in
the Autodesk Advance Steel software so the update is not recorded
or indicated in the file in any way.
Some lists have the items grouped by specific criteria while others
produce a single run in the list. This is controlled by the List
Template. Therefore, the results depend on which list you produce.
The preferred way of creating a list is to use the BOM Templates

palette.
In the Output tab > Documents panel, click (BOM

Templates)
Figure 22-1
Select the required list from the available templates.
335
Figure 22-2
You list is generated and displayed immediately in the RDF

Viewer.
All lists created in this way are generated from nothing based
on the entire structure in the file.
Setting Up the BOM Templates Palette

As with drawings, the BOM Templates palette does not display an
exhaustive list of every possible type of list. If the type of list you
require is not displayed (or if no lists are currently displayed) in the
BOM Templates palette, you can select the lists that should be
available as follows:
In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click (BOM

Editor)
Figure 22-3
336
Lists
Wait for the BOM editor to display (it might take a few
seconds).
In the top right corner, select the category of list that you want
to use.
Figure 22-4
In the middle, select the box next to each type of list that you
want to display in the BOM Templates palette.
Click OK.
When you next open BOM Templates palette, the selected lists will
be available.
Note that a list of existing drawings is categorized as a Derived

Documents list. The category called Drawing is for the BOM types
that actually display in drawings, rather than being generated as
stand-alone lists.
337
22.2 RDF Viewer

All of the stand-alone lists are displayed in a stand-alone application
called the RDF Viewer. Once the resulting list has been displayed
you can determine how it should be used.
Only one page is displayed at a time and you should use the green
arrows at the top to change pages. If you double-click on the main
display, all of the pages are displayed. Double-click on one of the
pages again to only display that page.
Figure 22-5
It is recommended that you save the list file in the BOM sub-folder of
the project folder. You need to do so manually using the Save button
in the top left. The file is saved in RDF format and cannot be viewed
by any other application. If saved in the correct location the list is
displayed in the Document Manager. If you locate the list in the
Document Manager you can update it as needed and display a
preview of the list. In the preview you can view or print the list. Since
RDF is a special format it is also possible to export the list to other
popular formats for easy viewing and distribution.
Click (Export) at the top.
In the Export Format drop-down list in the Report Export

dialog box, select one of the six different formats.
o RTF: Rich text file. Formatted text that can be edited in a

word processor.
o PDF: Portable Document Format. This is the world leading

document distribution format, viewable with Adobe
Acrobat Reader or similar software. This is a non-editable
format.
338
Lists
o HTML: The basic format of web pages that is viewable in

any web browser.
o XLS: Microsoft Excel. It is formatted into columns and

lines, useful for manipulating large amounts of data or
importing into 3rd party systems.
o TIF: Tagged image format. It is a picture of your list.
o Text: Unformatted text that is editable with Notepad or

similar software.
Click OK.
Select a file name and path and click Save.
When you have finished with the list on screen, close the RDF
Viewer.
In addition to accessing the files through the Document Manager,

you can locate the file in Windows Explorer and double-click to open
it again in the RDF Viewer.
339
22.3 Selective Lists

When created using the BOM Templates interface, the list is based
on the entire structure. Different list types only include specific types
of items, such as only beams, only bolts, etc., but they include all of
the beams or bolts in the structure.
If you require a list that only includes items that match specific
criteria, such as in Phase 1, a different procedure is used to create
the list.
Create Lists
The Create Lists command creates a data file called a BOM Extract
that contains the list properties of the defined items. The required list
is then generated from this extract rather than from the entire model.
In the Home tab > Documents panel, click (Create Lists).
The BOM Extract dialog box opens. If this is not the first
extract for this model, the previously used properties are
displayed and cannot be changed.
Figure 22-6
340
Lists
If you want to create a new extract with the same properties

(and up to date data) you can click the Next button.
OR if you want to create a new extract with different

properties, click the New button in the top left, enter a name,
and click the Next button.
Figure 22-7
Complete model: If this box is selected, the entire model is

searched for objects that match the other criteria. If this is not
selected, only the selected objects are searched or
considered for inclusion in the BOM. If you only want the
selected objects, you should select them before starting the
Create Lists command.
Based on Assembly: This should always be selected to

ensure that all of the parts know the assemblies to which they
belong. If you do not select the option this assembly
information is not collected.
o Include derived documents information: If you want to

display information regarding drawings you must select
this box; otherwise you can leave it empty.
o In the rest of the dialog box, selecting any other option

restricts the items included in the BOM to those that match
those criteria.
o Click the Next button.
You are prompted with a name for the extract that is based on
the current date and time.
Figure 22-8
341
The default name is fine, but it might help to edit it to make it

more recognizable regarding its purpose or contents.
Click the Create Lists button.
The BOM Template Editor displays.
BOM Template Editor

The BOM Template editor enables you to define custom templates
for generating lists. That is outside the scope of this training guide
Contact your Autodesk representative for more information.
Custom title block company logo
In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click (Edit

Prototypes)
Figure 22-9
Select a prototype and open it.
Figure 22-10
342
Lists
Select the title block, right-click and choose Block Editor from
the menu.
Figure 22-11
Select and delete the Autodesk logo text.
Click in the title block and type TEXT in the command line.
Figure 22-12
Define the start point and height of your text and type your
own custom one.
343
Figure 22-13
In the Labels and Dimensions tab, Text panel, click the small
arrow to edit the text style.
You can also add a new custom one, by clicking the New
button.
Figure 22-14
If you right-click on the added text you can access the text
properties, such as text type, color etc.
344
Lists
Figure 22-15
You can also type IMAGE in the command line to insert an

image in the title block (e.g. your company logo).
Figure 22-16
Figure 22-17
345
The BOM Template Editor also contains the complete list of

templates that are already available from which you can generate a
list.
You can open the BOM Template Editor by clicking (BOM Editor)
in the Output tab > Document Manager panel and then generate lists
from existing BOM extracts. Alternatively, you can access the BOM
Template Editor after creating an extract.
Figure 22-18
In the top right pane, select the required list format that you
want to generate.
The template for this list is displayed in the main central pane.
Click Use in the bottom right corner.
In the Select Model Extract dialog box, select the required

extract on which to base the list and click the OK button.
346
Lists
Figure 22-19
Your list is immediately generated and displayed in the RDF Viewer.
You must have a BOM Extract created before you can create a list
using the BOM Template Editor.
347
22.4 Managing Lists

If you save the RDF files for your lists in the BOM sub-folder of your
project folder the list is displayed in the List area in the Document
Manager.
Figure 22-20
Every time the Document Manager is opened, it checks whether

each list is up to date. If a list is not up to date, it is listed as Update
Required. Revision control is not available for lists, so the only option
for updating an existing list is to select it and click the Force Update
button. The existing list is updated as is any BOM Extract on which
it was based (a new extract is not created, so the time and date in
the file name of the extract are now meaningless).
If you change the central pane to the Preview tab you can display the
BOM and print it using the icon at the top. However, it cannot be
opened or exported.
348
Other Documents
Chapter 23 Other Documents
NC Files
DXF Files
Sharing Models and Drawings
Data Exchange
349
23.1 NC Files
Drawings and Lists are not the only types of file that the Autodesk
Advance Steel software can create. Several other file types that
might be useful are also available.
Modern manufacturing machinery is often computer controlled.

Providing programs for these machines that are produced directly
from your model can help reduce errors (resulting from human input
to the machines).
The program files are typically known as NC files (NC = Numeric

Control) and the content of these files can be complicated. The
content is defined by a standard called DSTV that is recognized by
the machinery.
Creating the DSTV files for your model in the Autodesk Advance
Steel software is quick and easy.
In the Home tab > Documents panel, click (NC).
Figure 23-1
An individual file is created for each section or plate in your

model. A report of errors in your NC files might also display.
If you have not selected anything, NC files for the entire structure are
created. If you only want to produce specific parts you should select
them before starting the NC command.
There are certain standards regarding the limits of NC manufacture.

Criteria are defined, such as to how close a hole can be drilled to the
edge of the material. These are considered when creating the NC
files and anything that does not meet the standard is flagged as an
error. Ideally you can adjust the model so that no such errors occur.
The actual NC file is correct according to the model even if it says
these errors exist.
The NC files are automatically created and stored in the path Project
folder\DStV\NC. The files are also controlled by the Document
Manager and are located in DStV file\DStV-NC. The text contents of
the file are displayed in the Preview tab.
350
Other Documents
Figure 23-2
The DSTV standard The Document Manager prompts you if a file is out of date and
permits specific enables you to Force Update the file. There is no revision control on
selections and NC files.
options.
Some machine
To use the NC file for manufacture, send the manufacturer all of the
manufacturers work
differently or interpret
*.NC files in the NC folder. NC Files that have an error have the file
the standard extension *.NC.ERR. If you remove the *.ERR from the end of the
differently to others. file name, the file can still be used in an NC machine (at your
The NC files discretion). The lines in the Error files that cause the problem start
produced by the with two asterisks **. Although the lines are identified for you it is not
Autodesk Advance recommended that you try to edit the NC files directly. If you want to
Steel software are fix the errors you should adjust the model accordingly and update the
strictly according to NC file.
the
DSTV standard at all
times. It might be
necessary to adjust
some settings in
Management Tools
>
Settings > Defaults
to suit a specific
manufacturers
machinery.
351
23.2 DXF Files

Another type of file that is used with computer controlled machinery,
especially for profiling plates, is a DXF file. As NC files, these are
extremely quick and easy to produce in the Autodesk Advance
Steel software.
In the Home tab > Documents panel, click (DXF (all

objects)
Figure 23-3
OR In the Output tab > NC & DXF panel, click (DXF

(plates) as required.
Figure 23-4
DXF files for all of the selected objects are produced in a few
seconds. If you do not have anything, the selected files for the entire
structure are produced.
The resulting DXF files have the file extension *.DXF and are saved
in the file path project folder\DSTV\NC. You can send these files to
the manufacturer.
352
Other Documents
Figure 23-5
The Document Manager controls these files as well, enabling you to

update them as needed. They are located in DSTV-NC-DXF. There
is no revision control for these files. The Preview tab displays the
contents of the file (a simple outline with a label).
353
23.3 Sharing Models and Drawings

Autodesk Advance Steel 3D models and 2D drawings can be
opened in plain AutoCAD 2018 or AutoCAD LT 2018 once the
Advance Steel 2018 object enabler has been installed on the
computer. This object enabler is automatically installed with
Advance Steel 2018, but you need to download & install it from the
Autodesk Knowledge Network on computers where Advance Steel
2018 is not installed.
You might also want to share your model with the structural engineer
for structural analysis, with the plant designers for plant layout or with
the BIM manager for coordination. The software has several ways of
achieving these needs.
Export Advance Steel Model to Autodesk Navisworks

If you want to provide someone with a viewable model, perhaps for
coordination, the standard 3D DWF format file can be used. For
example you can export the Advance Steel model to Navisworks,
using the 3D DWF:
Click the (Application Menu) > Export > 3DWF.
354
Other Documents
Figure 23-6
In the dialog box, enter the required file path and name or click
the Browse button.
Click Save.
OR
Click (Export to Navisworks), in the Export & Import tab >

Navisworks panel.
Figure 23-7
The 3DWF file is automatically opened in Navisworks (if

installed on your computer).
355
Navisworks allows users to open and combine 3D models, navigate

around them in real-time and review the model using a set of tools
including comments, redlining, viewpoint, and measurements.
The 3D DWF file created out of the Advance Steel 3D model
supports transfer of both object geometry and associated metadata,
such as information about the part mark, the weight, the section size,
etc
The DWF can also be marked up electronically and sent back.
Therefore, they can be useful for approval purposes.
Figure 23-8
Explode to ACIS
If you want to give your model to use in another 3D modeling
package you need to convert the objects to ACIS solids. ACIS is a
neutral format for modeling 3D solids.
Ensure that you do this in a safe copy of your model file because you
cannot undo after the explode and all of the Autodesk Advance Steel
intelligence is going to be lost. The easiest way to convert all of the
appropriate Autodesk Advance Steel objects to ACIS is:
Delete all of the joint boxes.

Select any Joint Boxes around the stairs and delete.
356
Other Documents
In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection Filters
category, click (Joint Boxes).
Press <Delete>.
Explode to ACIS.
o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection
category, click (Search Filter).
o In the General tab, click the Reset selection button
o In the Objects tab, select the required modeled objects.
Figure 23-9
o Click OK.
o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection
category, click (Select Marked Objects).
o Right-click and select Explode to ACIS.
357
Figure 23-10
Explode the remaining Autodesk Advance Steel parts (if you

have any).
o In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category,
click (Clear Marked Objects).
o In the Objects tab, select at least the required objects.
Figure 23-11
If the objects from the previous step remain selected as well it should
not matter as long as they are now selected.
358
Other Documents
o Click OK.
click (Select Marked Objects).
o Enter the Explode command in the Command Line.
The exploded model should look identical but all of the Autodesk
Advance Steel intelligence is removed and the objects are just solids.
This file could now be used in the AutoCAD software or exported as
an ACIS *.SAT file for importing into any other solid modeling
software, such as the Autodesk Inventor software or Solid Edge.
Note: With the Advance Steel Object Enabler you can open the
DWG files directly into the solid modeling software.
Exploding Drawings
If you want to explode your 2D drawings to DWG files containing only
CAD entities, you need to follow this procedure.

Manager).
Locate the drawings that you want to share and select them
(you can use <Shift> and <Ctrl> to select more than one file).
Click the Add to Explode button.
Figure 23-12
You can check the file that you have added to the explode list
in the new Batch Explode folder in the selection tree.
359
Figure 23-13
If you have added a file to the list by mistake you can remove
it by right-clicking on it and selecting Remove Item from list.
When you have added all of the required files to the Explode
list click OK.
You are prompted to confirm the explode in a dialog box. Click

OK.
The drawings are exploded.
The exploded drawings are located in the DetailsExploded sub-folder

of the project folder. The drawing files in this folder contain standard
AutoCAD elements and all of the Autodesk Advance Steel
intelligence has been lost. The original Autodesk Advance Steel
drawings have not changed.
360
Other Documents
23.4 Data Exchange

If you want to share files with users of other specialist steelwork
software for analysis or design purposes, a number of different file
standards are available.
Using the Export & Import panel, the following special formats are
available in the Autodesk Advance Steel software.
SMLX: For sharing with other Autodesk software, such as

Autodesk Revit software or Autodesk Robot Structural
Analysis Professional.
CIS/2: File extension is *.stp.
SDNF: It stands for Steel Detailing Neutral File
STD: Native StaadPro file format
IFC: IFC2x3 standard. File extension is *.IFC.
PSS: File extension is *.stp.
KISS: Export only. File extension is *.kss.
PML: Export only. File extension is *.txt.
3D DWF: For import into the Autodesk Navisworks software.
SFR: Export model information from Advance Steel to

FabTrol.
Figure 23-14
Although many systems can read or write many of these file types,
the preferred option varies depending on the system. In each case
the file contains data describing the position, section/size, material,
361
coating, etc. Therefore it contains more information than the Sharing

Models and Drawings methods.
When reading or writing one of these files, the Autodesk Advance

Steel software compares the data to a list in its database to be able
to translate it. If the data is not found in the list you are prompted to
enter or select the appropriate translation. For example, if the PSS
file prompts you that the material is Steel, you are prompted to select
an appropriate grade of steel. The selection is then added to the list
and you are not prompted again.
Note: Depending on the use of the model it might be constructed

in a different way or specific properties might be entered differently
(e.g., materials, section names, or axes). In some cases the result
of the data exchange might not be very useful. This is not an error,
but is the result of different requirements in different systems. If
data is exchanged regularly, rework can be minimized by taking
other users needs into account with the way the model is
constructed.
362
Other Documents
363
Appendix A Drawing Prototypes
Editing a Prototype
Title Block
Drawing Frame
BOMs on Drawings
Revision Table
Other Information
Printing Setup
364
Drawing Prototypes
A.1 Editing a Prototype

The Appendices in this training guide cover topics that might be of
interest to beginners or are closely related to topics that have already
been covered, but are outside the scope of the essential training.
This information is primarily provided as a reference, but can be
covered during the course at the discretion of the course instructor.
The drawing prototypes are blank drawing sheets that are used to
create the drawing views. The Autodesk Advance Steel software
comes with a set of typical drawing sheets, but it is common to want
to customize some aspects to suit your company needs.
The prototypes are stored in the installation folder of the Autodesk

Advance Steel software on your hard drive. The easiest way to open
a prototype for editing is:
In the Output tab > Document Manager panel, click (Edit

Prototypes).
Figure A-1
A normal file open window displays, which has already

navigated to the correct path for your prototypes.
Select the file that you want to edit and click the Open button.
The prototype opens for editing as needed.
365
A.2 Title Block

The title block in any drawing prototype is an AutoCAD block called
HYPERSTEELPAGEHEADER. DO NOT change the name of this
block. You can edit the block to any required geometry and replace
the logo with your company logo as needed.
Note: Although the block has the same name in all of the
prototypes, it is not actually the same block. Do not copy the block
from one file to another.
In the title block, Attributes are used for the drawing information. If
you want the Autodesk Advance Steel software to complete the value
of an attribute with intelligent text, such as the Project Data that is
completed when creating a new Project file, you must use an
attribute tag from the list of recognized Tokens. When creating a
drawing, the software completes all of the attributes, using
recognized tokens as tags.
The recommended procedure for editing a title block in a prototype

file is as follows:
Open the prototype.
Select the block HYPERSTEELPAGEHEADER, right-click

and select Block Editor.
Figure A-2
366
Drawing Prototypes
In the Block Editor, edit the geometry and general text as

needed.
In the Block Editor, edit the attributes as needed. Use tokens

where you want the software to complete the value for you.
Figure A-3
Close the Block Editor, ensuring that you save the block as
you exit.
The following tokens can be used in title blocks:
Token Description
Be careful when PROJECT Project Name
using the token for PROJECT_NO Project No.
the drawing number. CLIENT Client Name
It needs to be either BUILDING Building Name
POS_NUM for a BUILDING_LOCATION Location of the building
single sheet part and CONTRACTOR Contractor Name
assemblies or DATE_ORDER Date of Order
DRAWING_NO for DATE_CONSTR Dare of construction
other drawings. DESIGNER Checked by
DETAILER Detailed by
MODEL_DWG Name of model.dwg.
DRAWING_NO Drawing number
POS_NUM Piece mark of the object
DATE_DRAW Date of created drawing
SCALE Scale used for detail
367
MATERIAL Material of the object

REVISION_INDEX Revision index
REVISION_AUTHOR Revision created by
REVISION_DATE Revision date
REV_COMMENT Revision description
COATING Coating of the object
PHASE Phase/Lot of the object
FILENAME The name of the DWG file
ROLE Model role
NAME Description of the part
OBJECTYPE Object Type / Section Name
QUANTITY Quantity of the part required
USERATTR1-USERATTR10 User Attributes 1-10
USERPROJATTR1 Project user attribute 1
REV_DETAILS Revision Details
GRIDREFERENCE The object position reported to grid
SINGLEPARTPOSNUM Single part mark of object
DRAWING_NO_PREFIX The object prefix
APPROVAL_STATUS Drawing Approval Status
APPROVAL_DATE Drawing Approval Date
APPROVAL_COMMENT Drawing Approval Comment
368
Drawing Prototypes
A.3 Drawing Frame

The drawing frame is an AutoCAD block called
HYPERSTEELPAGEFRAME. You can edit the geometry of this
frame as needed, but must not change the name of the block.
369
A.4 BOMs on Drawings

To use a list on a drawing it is recommended that you place it in the
prototype file as follows:

(Insert a drawing list).
First point: Select one corner of the area where you want the
BOM to be located.
Second point: Select the diagonally opposite point of the area

where you want the BOM to be located.
The BOM Properties dialog box opens.
The system for the

templates of lists in
drawings has been
updated to improve
performance by up to
50% and to increase
flexibility. The
templates in the BOM
template editor are in
the old system. In
your prototype, if the
BOM displays a
diagonal line and
Update Required it is
an old style BOM. If it
displays geometry
and tokens it is a new
style BOM. Ask your Figure A-4
Autodesk
representative for
more information. o Layout tab: The BOM can change size to suit the
information it contains. If you do not want a corner to move,
select the corresponding box in this tab. You usually leave
either both top or both bottom boxes cleared. Otherwise
the list cannot change length to suit the number of lines
required.
o Template tab: Select the BOM template that you want to

use for the BOM.
Close the dialog box.
370
Drawing Prototypes
The BOM is empty or displays tokens rather than proper information

if the prototype is not linked to any specific parts.
Update Lists
This command, in the Labels & Dimensions tab > Management
panel, (Update lists), updates the lists in the BOM on drawings.
Figure A-5
To update a list
Select a previously created frame.
Use the Update lists command.
The list is automatically updated with the information from the model.
371
A.5 Revision Table

All of the prototypes already include revision tables. However, if you
want to use different ones, you can insert a new one as follows:

(Revision Table).
Figure A-6
Lower left corner: Select the corner of the area where you
want the table to be located.
Upper right corner: Select the opposite corner of the area

where you want the table to be located.
The Revision Table Properties dialog box opens.
Figure A-7
372
Drawing Prototypes
Columns tab: Select the columns that you want to display in

your table.
Column Format tab: Set the formatting for each columns data.
Heading tab: Set the formatting for the column headings.
Layout tab: Select the layout that you want to use for your
table and set the number of rows of revision history that you
want to display.
Close the dialog box.
373
The existing notes A.6 Other Information

about standard weld
or hole sizes are not You can place any other text or geometry that you want to use in
intelligent. If you your prototypes. For example, many prototypes have notes about
change the settings in standard bolts, holes, or welds.
Management Tools
>
Settings > Defaults
you have to edit the
notes manually.
374
Drawing Prototypes
A.7 Printing Setup

To take advantage of the batch print facility in the Document
Manager you should set up the correct printing options in each
prototype file. Pre-defined printers are not provided in the prototypes.
To set up the default printing settings, complete the following

procedure in each prototype.
Open the prototype. The quickest way to do so is to use

(Edit Prototypes) in the Output tab > Document Manager
panel.
Figure A-8
At the bottom left side, right-click on a tab.
Figure A-9
Select Page Setup Manager.
In the dialog box verify whether the required print settings are
already in the list. If they are, skip the next four steps.
375
Figure A-10
Click the New button in the dialog box.
Enter a name for the setup (e.g., A3 Laserjet).
Figure A-11
Set the plot settings as if you were plotting manually. Ensure

that you select AdvanceSteel.ctb as the Pen Table to plot in
black and white with the correct line thicknesses based on the
default AS color scheme.
376
Drawing Prototypes
Figure A-12
Click the OK button and your new setup should display in the
list.
Select your preferred default setup in the list and click the Set
Current button.
377
Figure A-13
Close the Page Setup Manager dialog box.
Save and close the prototype.
Once this process has been completed any new drawings that you
create inherit the default print settings. The Batch Plot in the
Document Manager uses the current print setup for each file when
plotting.
378
BOM Template
Appendix B BOM Template

Editors
Introduction
Element Properties
Tokens
Formatting
List Structure
Report Contents
379
B.1 Introduction
As with drawing prototypes you might need to adjust some basic
elements of the BOM templates to suit your company needs.
The most obvious adjustment would be to replace the standard logo
with your company logo.
To access the BOM Template Editor, click (BOM Editor) in the

Output tab > Document Manager panel.
Figure B-1
Locate the template that you want to edit in the top right pane. You
cannot edit templates in the Advance area in the list.
Figure B-2
380
BOM Template
B.2 Element Properties

All of the boxes and elements in the template can be edited. Select
the element in the template that you want to edit and the lower right
pane displays a list of properties, such as fonts and colors. You can
adjust these properties to suit your needs.
Figure B-3
Images
To change the image in the logo, select the Image line in the
Properties and then click the ellipses symbol (...) at the end of the
line. You can select a file that is in any common image format, up to
a maximum of approximately 200kb in size.
Figure B-4
381
Text
To change plain text you can edit the contents in the Text box in the
Properties pane. The font properties can also be set here.
Figure B-5
382
BOM Template
B.3 Tokens
To change intelligent text, right-click on the box and select Field
Content. Select the required token in the list on the left side of the
dialog box.
Figure B-6
383
B.4 Formatting
To edit the border of a cell, right-click on it and select Format Border.
Edit the border properties in the dialog box as needed.
Figure B-7
Note that this editor Cosmetic elements, such as lines and shapes, can be added by
contains more than is dragging from the palette on the left.
described here. It is
possible to create Elements can be aligned using the icons in the toolbar at the top.
virtually any format of When using these icons the last element selected is the one that
list with a huge range does not change and the others change to suit.
of information that
can be included. For
more information on
creating custom list Figure B-8
templates please
contact your You can also set the foreground and background color of any box.
Autodesk However, lists are normally printed in black and white so you should
representative. select colors that are going to print clearly.
If you export the list to Microsoft Excel, a new column is added to the
left and right edges of every box in the report. Therefore, if a cell in
the report header overlaps the Weight column in details, two columns
are displayed in Excel. To avoid this, line up the left and right edges
as much as possible across the entire report.
384
BOM Template
B.5 List Structure

Each list is divided into various sections controlling the structure of
the output. The top level of the structure is ReportHeader and
ReportFooter, which only display at the top of the first page and end
of the last page respectively.
PageHeader and PageFooter are repeated at the top and bottom of

each page.
GroupHeaderX and GroupFooterX enclose the groups in the list.

For example, an assembly list would be grouped by the assembly.
Therefore, GroupHeader1 might contain information about the
assembly and GroupFooter1 would display the total weight of the
assembly. Groups can be nested inside other groups and can be
tracked using the counter. Correct grouping can be difficult to
achieve so it is recommended that you copy a list that is already
grouped in the required fashion and then edit the other contents.
The Detail line is repeated for every element on the list. This is the
line on which you can enter each parts name, quantity, weight, etc.
385
B.6 Report Contents

Each BOM template can filter the data for specific types of objects,
such as bolts, beams, or plates. To control this you can use the
Report Contents box.
Open the BOM Editor.
Ensure that the template for the required list is displayed.
Right-click on the template name in the tree structure at the

top right.
Select Report Contents from the menu.
Figure B-9
In the Report Contents box, select the object types that you
want to include on the BOM.
Figure B-10
386
BOM Template
Save the template.
Note that there are entries for Exploded Bolt and Exploded
Anchors as well as Bolts, Site Bolts, Anchors, and Anchors on
Site. The Bolts and Anchors entries provide the full bolt assembly
details as one entry (e.g., M20x50 CSK 8.8 Bright Zinc Plated
Standard) and you are expected to understand the meaning of
standard in terms of nuts and washers. If the Exploded versions are
selected, the list displays each bolt, nut, and washer as separate
items (e.g., M20 x 50 CSK 8.8, M20 Hexagonal Nut Gr8, and
M20 Flat Steel Washer). It is also important to note that bolts and
anchors are normally fitted on site, so you should include both Bolts
and Site Bolts in your lists and do the same for Anchors.
Some entries that are available in the Report Contents box are sub-
sets of other groups of items. For example, Straight Beams include
all of the Beams with saw cuts and Beams with holes. Therefore, you
cannot select both options at the same time. The later options are
only for listing those specific objects rather than every beam.
387
Appendix C Advance Steel

Options
Defaults
388
Advance Steel
Options
C.1 Defaults
The system for setting options in the Autodesk Advance Steel
software is different to other programs. The system is called
Management Tools and the basic program settings are located in
Defaults.
You access these settings as follows:
In the Home tab > Settings panel, (Management Tools)
The Management Tools interface opens.
Select Defaults.
Figure C1
A window opens displaying a navigation tree, etc.
389
Figure C2
For each option
o Use the arrow symbols to expand or collapse the sections

in the tree and select the sub-group in each section.
o Locate and select the required settings in the panel on the

right.
o A description displays in a tooltip if you hover the cursor

over the name of the setting and the possible values on
the right.
o Select the new value or required option.
390
Advance Steel
Options
Figure C3
Once you have changed all of the required settings, click

Load Settings in Advance.
Figure C4
Close the Management Tools.
If you do not click Load Settings in the Management Tools, the

changes do not take effect until the next time you start the Autodesk
Advance Steel software.
There are over 1500 options in total. To help you find the required
entry you can use the Filter.
391
Figure C5
Select the Use Filter option in the bottom left.
Enter the search term in the Filter line (avoid plurals).
When you press <Enter> the settings list is filtered to only

display those entries that contain the search term.
Some of the more common settings to adjust include the following:
Group Default Explanation
Beam Coating for Sections Coating for beams. Possible

values are available in the
Coating table.
Material for beams. Possible

Section Material values are available in the
Material table.
Collision Minimum volume of the Minimum volume of the

Control collision solid. collision solid that is
recognized in a collision
check [mm3]. If this value is
small, all of the collisions are
displayed in a collision check
report. If the value is large,
the volumes of collision under
this value are not displayed in
the collision report.
Tool Diameter
392
Advance Steel
Options
The scale factor applied to the
bolt diameter when checking
for tool clearance.
Compass East axis text for compass. Text displayed in the

compass in the model and in
drawings.
North axis text for Text displayed in the

compass. compass in the model and in
drawings.
Connecting Bolt assembly Parts of a bolt assembly (e.g.,

Elements Na2W means nut and two
washers).
Bolt/Anchor name General name of a bolt or

anchor (e.g., used on
drawings and in lists).
High strength bolt diameter Standard high strength bolt

diameter of all manually
created bolts.
High strength bolt type High strength bolt type or

standard. Possible values are
available in the Norm table.
Hole tolerance Hole tolerance for all bolts

and anchors.
Representation type of the Bolt representation during first

bolt creation in model.
Treat special parts as Treat special parts as normal

normal objects objects for bolt length
calculation.
Drawing Dimension style for Name of the AutoCAD

Dimensioning dimension style used for that
type of dimension in details.
Running dimension
393
shows negative dimension. Ordinate dimensions display

negative dimensions relative
to the RD point.
Drawing Standard hole diameter on Diameter for standard holes.

Labeling drawings.
Do not display labels for

standard holes. Do not display labels for holes
with standard diameter
(diameter specified by Default
diameter for the standard
holes default).
Reference length for the Reference length for slope

slope triangle. triangle.
Drawing Color of Color of specified line type in

Presentation drawings.
Drawing Use the new BOM on Select whether to use the new
General Drawing. or old BOM templates in
drawings. Ensure that it
matches your prototypes.
Allow Duplicate workshop If set to zero you cannot

drawings. produce more than one
drawing per part or assembly.
Standalone part detailing Select whether standalone

behavior. parts should be treated as
parts, assemblies, or both.
Numbering Assign Unused If set to 1 any numbers that

Numbers are unused (e.g., part
deleted) are reused. Set to 0
to prevent this.
Layer Default layers used for Activate more automatic layer

Assignment AS objects based on object management based on the
role. Model Role of an object.
General Message box when Select whether the Template

template values not found. values not found alert box
394
Advance Steel
Options
should be displayed when
placing joints.
Derived documents are Select whether your drawings

copied on Save As. and BOMs are copied when
you do a Save As on a model
file.
Elongation for unfolding Select the method used for

calculation method. calculating the size of a
developed plate.
Revision Revision control cloud Select whether to put a cloud

Control marking method. around the part, the
dimension, or both.
Show the revision index. Select whether the revision

index should be labeled next
to each cloud.
395
Appendix D User Sections
Introduction
Layers and Basic Elements
Key Points
Generate Sections
396
User Sections
D.1 Introduction
The Autodesk Advance Steel software includes a library of
hundreds of different section types from all over the world. Each of
the section types includes many different sizes. Therefore, the library
includes many thousands of standard sections. However, sometimes
you might need to create a customized section or to use a proprietary
section from a manufacturer. The software has tools that enable you
to create such sections and to use them like the standard sections.
A User Section can be created and then used in the same way as
any other section in the system. All of the joints in the Connection
Vault work, as do the structural elements macros. A few of the
macros and joints are specialized and work from a restricted list of
appropriate sections. Therefore, they might not work with your user
section because that would not be appropriate.
Creation of a user section is done in the following stages:
Draw the section on specific layers.
Define the key points.
Generate in the library.
397
D.2 Layers and Basic Elements

In simple terms, sections are defined by drawing the section on
specific layers and importing them into the Autodesk Advance Steel
software. Each part of the section must be drawn on the correct layer
to be recognized by the software when generated.
Therefore, as you draw each part of your section you must first select
the appropriate layer in the Extended Modeling tab, User Section
panel, by clicking (Layer drop down list).
Figure D-1
The following describes the available layers:
Frame: If defining a range of sections or sizes you can draw

the entire range in one DWG file. Each individual section must
be enclosed in a frame. The frame should be a rectangle that
surrounds the section drawing and labels.
Outer Contour: All of the sections must have an outer

contour or shape. On this layer you should draw the exact
outer shape of your section with precise dimensions. This
layer is for the approximate section, so you should not include
fillet radii or other small details (see Exact Outer Contour
below).
Inner Contour: If your section is hollow, such as a rectangular

hollow section, you should draw the shape of the hollow on
this layer. As with the outer contour, this is the simplified
shape, without fillet radii or similar objects.
Exact Outer Contour: This layer should contain a precise

drawing of your section, including all of the small details, such
398
User Sections
as fillet radii. This drawing should be on top of the simplified

Outer Contour.
Exact Inner Contour: This is the precise hollow, if needed,

including any fillet radii or other small details.
Section Class: On this layer you should place a single piece

of text, which is the name of the section class for your section.
This is equivalent to UK Universal Column or GUSChannel
8240-97.
Section Name: This layer should also contain a single piece

of text that is the actual name of this section and size. Existing
examples would include RB 1 5/16 or HEA360.
The required elements can be drawn using standard AutoCAD

commands. The four contours must be closed polylines. The
simplified inner and outer contours are used most of the time in the
model to maximize performance. The exact inner and outer contours
are used when creating element contours and clash checking.
Examples of each element are as follows. For clarity the exact

contours have been moved away from the simplified ones, but you
should draw them on top of each other.
Figure D-2
399
D.3 Key Points

After the section has been drawn you must identify the key points
used by the Autodesk Advance Steel software for placing the system
line and coordinate systems.
Reference Axis
First you must define the nine possible locations of the system line
in the profile. Do the following for each of the nine points in turn:
In the Extended Modeling tab > User Section panel, click

(Reference Axis drop-down list).
Snap to the outer contour at the point to insert a reference

axis: Select the appropriate point.
Figure D-3
These points can only be placed on the snap points of lines.

Therefore, you might need to draw construction lines to identify the
key point. This would apply to the center-center point in the example.
The construction line can be on any layer other than the special ones
that are used to define the section or you can delete the line after
placing the reference axis. The construction line must not remain on
one of the special layers when generating the section or it can cause
errors.
400
User Sections
The reference axis symbols are oriented according to the element on

which they are placed: this is frequently not oriented correctly. The
orientation of the symbol does not matter, only the location matters.
Figure D-4
Add Coordinates
Finally, you should define the surfaces in which the UCS systems
can be placed using the UCS at Object command. To define these
surfaces:

(Add Coordinates).
Figure D-5
Select an outer contour face at which to define a coordinate

system. Select any point on the outer contour edge to which
you want to add a possible UCS.
Repeat as required.
Each possible UCS displays as a magenta symbol of two arrows at

90.
In the example there are four obvious outer contour edges on which
to place coordinates.
401
Figure D-6
402
User Sections
D.4 Generate Sections

You have now defined all of the details that are required for the
section. To add the section to the Autodesk Advance Steel library,
you need to generate it.
If you only have one section in your drawing, you can use:

(Generate Selected Section).
Figure D-7
Select objects: Select the frame around your section and

accept.
OR if you have more than one section in your drawing you might
prefer to use:

(Generate All Sections).
You should keep the

DWG drawing file of
your section in a safe
place. If you want to
use the same section
on another computer
Figure D-8
or to do anything to
the Autodesk
Advance Steel This also works if there is only one section in your drawing. If you
installation (i.e.,
have many sections, the command might seem to be jumping from
reinstall or upgrade)
you need to generate
one section to another in a strange sequence, but this does not have
the section(s) again an effect on the final result.
on each computer on
which you want to After generating the section a confirmation message that the section
use them. was successfully created should display.
403
Figure D-9
Using User Sections

After its generated, a user section can be used in the same way as
any other standard section in any dialog box in which you can select
the section type.
First select Other Sections in the Type drop-down list.
Figure D-10
Then select your class name in the Class drop-down list.
404
User Sections
Figure D-11
The section name(s) display in the Size drop-down list for selection.
Your section is placed and used as for any other section. The
Standard display type displays the simplified section shape while the
Exact display type displays the exact contours that have been
defined.
Figure D-12
405
Figure D-13
The nine offset points in the Positioning tab match the nine points
that you have defined. The center of gravity point is calculated for
you. If you use the UCS at Object command on this section only the
faces that you have defined display UCS triads for the selection
406
Basic CAD Practice
Appendix E Basic CAD Practice
407
Practice E1 Course Preparation

As a warm up for the training course and to give you a chance to
experience the Autodesk Advance Steel CAD Platform, you can
complete the following practice.
1. Start a new blank file in the Autodesk Advance Steel software

and recreate the following training drawing, including the three
views and dimensions (no logo or border) and only using
standard 2D CAD commands.
2. It can be drawn in approximately 20 minutes by an

experienced CAD user. If you require more than 30 minutes
you might consider updating or improving your general CAD
skills.
Figure E-1
408
Training Outline
Appendix F Training Outline
Suggested Four Day Outline

Optional Topics or Further Training
Autodesk Links to Forums, Support and FAQ Pages
409
F.1 Suggested Four Day Outline

The material in this training guide is provided for reference after
completing the training course. Therefore, the information is grouped
into related topics and might not be in the same sequence that was
used in training.
Each group being trained has different needs and is starting from
different levels of experience. The trainer takes these factors into
account and adjusts the training guide to suit. Therefore, every
course can be slightly different.
Nevertheless, certain subjects and topics are required by all of the

users of the Autodesk Advance Steel software and need to be
covered in every training guide. Therefore, as a starting point, here
is a suggested outline for a four day course covering all of the
essential topics. The timings are approximate and the subjects and
breaks can be rearranged to suit the needs of the group.
Warm Up/Basic CAD Skills Test: Maximum time 30

DAY 1 minutes. It provides students with a chance to focus their
minds ready for training while giving the trainer a chance to
assess their basic skills.
Getting Started.
o Start with a template.

o Project Data.
o File structure on disk.
o Practice: Start training project, complete project data, and
save file.
o Drawing Grids.
o Using Coordinate Systems.
o Viewing Tools.
o Practice: Draw grids for training project.
Basics
o Beams
o Plates
o Connections (Bolts, Anchors, and Welds)
o Concrete elements
410
Training Outline
LUNCH
Basic Structure
o Concrete
o Portal Frame
o Practice: Draw first Portal frame.
o Transform Elements.
o Copy/Mirror, etc.
o Practice: Copy Portal frame.
o Individual Beams.
o Practice: Draw all remaining sections in place.
Joints
Connection Vault
Joint Tables
Joint Copy
Create all of the standard joints in a structure.
DAY 2 Beam Features
Shorten
Notch
Contours
Advance Trim/Extend
Practice: Work in Feature Practice file and try the various features
described in Chapter 10, Beam Features.
Plates
Flat Plates
Folded Plates
LUNCH
Plate Features
Chamfer/Fillet
Contours
Practice: Practice according to instructions in Chapter 11, Plates and
Chapter 12, Plate Features.
411
Connection Elements
Bolts
Welds
Practice: Practice in Feature Practice file.
Create Manual Joints at tops of columns C4 and D4.
Structural Elements
o Bracing
o Practice: Add bracing to the training model.
o Stairs
o Practice: Add stairs to the training model.
o Railing
o Practice: Add railing to the training model (except round
outside platform).
o Cage Ladder
o Practice: Add ladder and outside railing to the training
model.
DAY 3 Other Model Objects
o Concrete
o Practice: Add concrete foundation to our model.
o Special Parts
o Practice: Add Mechanical Part.dwg as special part in
model.
LUNCH
Validating Model
o Collision Check
o Find Results/Marking
o Practice: Students fix some clashes and technical errors
on their own.
Model Roles
o Significance
o Search Filter and Saved Searches.
412
Training Outline
o Practice: Create saved search for no model role and use

it. Ensure that all parts have appropriate model role.
Numbering
o Numbering methods.
o Practice: Number the training model.
Creating Drawings
o Cameras/GA Views
o Drawing Processes
o Practice: Create Gas
DAY 4 Creating Drawings (continuation)
o Parts
o Assemblies
o Practice: Create part and assembly drawings from the
training structure.
o Document Manager
LUNCH
Editing Drawings
o Editing Views
o Adding sections.
o Adding/editing annotation.
o Practice: Make some changes to training drawings.
Lists
o Creating BOMs through Quick Documents.

o RDF Viewer
o Creating BOMS from Extracts and BOM Editor.
o Practice: Create some lists from the training model.
BOM Templates
o Replacing logo.
o Report contents.
413
NC & DXF Files
Practice: Create NC files for all of the parts and DXF files for
Revision/Update Management
o Show how Document Manager controls revisions

o Show revision clouds, etc.
o Practice: Makes some change to model and revise
documents.
Management Tools - Defaults
414
Training Outline
F.2 Optional Topics or Further

Training
The following topics can be covered if there is time and it is
considered appropriate for the students. It is at the discretion of the
trainer if and when to add these topics.
Whether or not they are covered in the course, all of the main topics
are contained in this training guide for personal review.
Joint Groups
o Create joint in joint groups.

o Adding and removing existing joints to or from groups.
o Master joints.
o Link all of the associated joints together as joint groups
(e.g., all of the Eaves Haunches). Locate the master and
change it to a different joint. Edit one joint in the group and
show the other change together.
Project Explorer
o Levels
o Create a level for 0m and 3m. Create some extra floor
beams with the 3m level Active (or use the floor beams
shown in main practice if they have not already been
created). Show that the beams move if the level height
changes.
o Model views
o Create one example of each type of model view.
o Saved Searches
o Create a search for all of the parts without a model role.
o Groups
o Create a group containing all of the parts of the mezzanine
floor.
Further Plates
o Twisted folded plate.

o Conical plate.
415
o Draw a hopper with a square top and circular bottom. Add

mounting flanges to two horizontal beams around the end
of the hopper top. Split the hopper into two sections so that
it can be manufactured more easily from smaller plates.
Special Parts
o Show how to use proprietary parts in the model, such as

Key Clamp fittings in the railings.
o Use the provided Key Clamp library to add suitable fittings
to the rail and create an assembly drawing with the fittings
included.
Cladding
o Add decking to the mezzanine floor and leave an opening

around the water tank.
Technical Check
o What is the Technical Check and how to use it.

o Finding results.
o Perform a technical check and fix a number of the issues
that are found.
Lotting and Phasing
o Assembly Weight calculations.

o Saved searches or Groups in Project Explorer (if not
already covered).
o Split the model into sensible lots with a maximum of five
tones each.
Editing Drawing Prototypes
o Replace the Autodesk logo and change/add a token in the

title block of one prototype. Create a drawing using that
prototype and prove that it works correctly.
Management Tools
o Projects
o Preferred Sizes
416
Training Outline
o Object Properties
Joint Design
User Sections
o How to define a user section.

o Create a custom user section and place it in a model.
417
F.3 Autodesk Links to Forums,

Support and FAQ Pages
The Autodesk Knowledge Network was created to give Autodesk
users additional assistance. You can use it to gain support, additional
learning, and become part of the community of users.
Advance Steel In the product help, you can learn about the main features of the
Autodesk Advance Steel software, which include: Whats New, a
Documentation Getting Started section, extended guides and workflows, and
& frequently asked questions.
FAQs http://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSTPR/2018/ENU/
418

Advance Steel 2017 - Essentials Metric - Training Guide

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Advance Steel 2017 - Essentials Metric - Training Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2017 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Autodesk Advance Steel 2018

6.1 Creating a Building Grid ............................................................................................................... 45

Cut at Object ...................................................................................................................................... 112

Add Bolts and Welds ........................................................................................................................ 174

Create a Group .................................................................................................................................. 252

23.1 NC Files ...................................................................................................................................... 350

This chapter contains the following topics:

This training guide is written using the Autodesk Advance

1.2 Text Conventions

Prompts in the Autodesk Advance Steel Command Line are

When describing the location of a command or icon in the

Modeling panel, click (Connection Vault), prompts you

When describing the location of a command or icon in a Tool

Steel Tool Palette, in the Selection category, click

Recommended workflow and important points are displayed

Practices are placed in their own sections and identified by

Margin notes are used to provide extra tips or information that

1.3 Main Practice

Chapter 2 - Starting a Project

This chapter contains the following topics:

2.1 Template Files

2.2 Project Data

In the Home tab > Settings panel, click (Project Settings).

The Project data dialog box opens.

2.3 File Structure

Practice 2a Create a Project File

Chapter 3 - Working in 3D CAD

This chapter contains the following topics:

Common CAD Commands

3.1 Common CAD Commands

3.2 Mouse View Commands for 3D

Zoom (mouse wheel): To zoom in or out, scroll the mouse

Pan (middle mouse button): Press and hold down the

Orbit (<Shift> + middle mouse button): To rotate the model

Zoom Extents (double-click on the middle mouse button):

Additionally, you can select various points on the View Cube to

Selecting any of the common views that includes zooming to extents

3.4 Visual Styles

For most purposes, a solid shaded view is preferred by most users.

Practice 3a View Manipulation

Chapter 4 The Advance Steel

This chapter contains the following topics:

4.1 Selecting Objects

The Autodesk Advance Steel software often prompts you to

However, to understand which objects the Autodesk Advance

4.2 Advance Properties

To access the properties of an individual item, such as a beam or

Most Autodesk Advance Steel dialog boxes do not have OK or

Note: When changing the value of a text or number box, press

4.3 Advance Joint Properties

4.4 Joint Boxes

Clear all of the object selections (press <Esc> twice).

category, click (Joint Boxes).

category, click (Selected objects off).

Note: It is very important to clear the object selection at the end of

4.5 Deleting Objects

Groups: If an object is created as part of an intelligent group (such

Undo can be accessed in the Quick Access Toolbar, by typing U and

4.7 Object Snaps

To use them, you must press <Shift>+right-click and select the

4.8 2D/3D Osnap

In the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Quick Views

category, click (2D Snaps off).