ProSteel Manual

ProSteel 3D Version 17
Training Courseware February 2005

Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved
Chapter 01
Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D
In this chapter, you learn about the key features and structural steel design tools of ProSteel 3D.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn about Windows mouse button techniques. Some important AutoCAD system variables. Some important ProSteel 3D settings and options. Some common ProSteel 3D dialog box buttons. Learn about the ProSteel 3D / AutoCAD template file. Learn of the suggested ProSteel 3D file naming strategy.
This manual presents fundamental concepts you need to know about the modeling process in ProSteel 3D The tutorial is not necessarily best practice of structural steel design but focuses on using various ProSteel 3D commands.
Chapter 01-1
ProSteel 3D 17 Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D
Windows Mouse Button Techniques

Clicking is pressing and releasing the left button on the mouse. This usually selects something. Double-clicking is clicking twice in quick succession, and this usually selects something and initiates some action, such as running a program. Right-clicking is clicking the right mouse button, and this usually causes a context-menu to appear. The context-menu is also known as a pop-up menu.
Checking AutoCAD System variables for ProSteel 3D

A few AutoCAD variables should be checked and modified if necessary before starting a ProSteel 3D work session. MEASUREMENT = 1 specifies whether to use the imperial or metric system (0 = imperial, 1 = metric) controls whether proxy graphics are to be created in addition to the ProSteel 3D objects when working with ProSteel 3D. These proxy graphics enable viewing of the ProSteel 3D objects when using only raw AutoCAD by itself to load the drawing. 0 = create no proxy graphics, 1 = create proxy graphics
PROXYGRAPHICS = 0
Checking ProSteel 3D Options

A few default settings have to be specified for ProSteel 3D as well, which control the display of these objects. Of course, any of these default settings for either individual or multiple objects may also be edited after the insertion. Right-click while the cursor is located within the drawing area to navigate to t h e P r o S t e e l 3 D O p t i o n s d i a l o g . F i r st s e l e c t P r o S t e e l 3 D o n t h e c o n t e x t sensitive menu and then the flyout cell named Options.
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ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 01-3
Some Typical ProSteel 3D dialog box buttons

There are at least 5 buttons that are typical to most ProSteel 3D 17 dialog boxes. The button icons are as shown & explained below: This is the OK button. Use it to accept and OK all user information when using any ProSteel 3D dialog box. This button will finish a ProSteel 3D command and close the dialog box.
Chapter 01-4
ProSteel 3D 17
This is the CANCEL button. Use it to break out of any ProSteel 3D command that you do not want to complete. This is the HELP button. Use it to find ProSteel 3D Help on the topic that relates to the dialog box being used. This is the TEMPLATE button. Use this button to store and retrieve dialog box settings that you wish to use on future projects, or reuse from previous projects. These are the SWITCH ON ROLLOVER, and the SWITCH OFF ROLLOVER buttons. These are used to automatically minimize and maximize the dialog boxes, allowing you to see more of your ProSteel 3D model.
The ProSteel 3D / AutoCAD Template file

The installation of ProSteel 3D will automatically create a prototype drawing, which will be used as a template for further work. This file copied to the template directory of AutoCAD during installation is called a template and is named PS170_Metrisch.dwt. This template contains a few settings specific to ProSteel 3D such as text styles and dimensioning styles. If the user wishes to alter default settings, this template can be modified with the corresponding settings and saved again as a new template file e.g. CompanyInitials_Metric.dwt
This drawing is an isometric view of the ProSteel 3D model that we will create during this training course.
Chapter 01-5
E XERCISE 01-1
C REATE
N EW P RO S TEEL 3D D RAWING
In this exercise, you learn to create a new ProSteel 3D drawing, based on an existing template, and you will save the drawing with an appropriate name. 1. Start ProSteel 3D by double-clicking the corresponding ICON on the windows desktop.
2. Once AutoCAD has started, and the ProSteel 3D software completed loading, from the AutoCAD FILE pulldown menu, choose New (you could also type NEW at the command line, or use the QNEW icon located on the AutoCAD Standard Toolbar)
3. You will now see the Create New Drawing AutoCad dialog box. Pick the Use a Template icon from here, and from the list of templates shown, choose PS170_Metrisch.dwt. You will now be in a brand new drawing ready for you to start crating your ProSteel 3D model for the remainder of this course.
Note: When starting ProSteel 3D from the desktop icon, the default drawing opened is already using the template NZ_Metric.dwt. You can view the properties of the ProSteel 3D desktop icon to check this. Right-click on the ProSteel 3D desktop icon and check the Properties. The template used is defined after the /t argument.
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4 . U s e t h e A u t o C A D S A V E c o m m a n d t o s av e y o u r d r a w i n g w i t h t h e n a m e 1234_Model1.dwg. The first time you use the SAVE command within a new AutoCAD drawing, you will actually be presented with the Save Drawing As dialog box. Save the drawing in the MyJobs folder found on the desktop. 5. If your new ProSteel 3D drawing has been started correctly, you should see a 3D UCSICON in the bottom left hand area of model space. As per AutoCAD, ProSteel 3D will have created 2 paperspace layouts for you, called Layout1 and Layout2. These 2 layouts need to be setup using the AutoCAD Page Setup dialog box if you wish to have paperspace views of your 3D models.
6. Your drawing should now be saved as C:\Documents & Settings\Student\Desktop\1234_Model1.dwg Leave your drawing open, ready for the next chapter.
Chapter 01-7
Chapter 01-8
Chapter 02
The Drawing Information Table
In this chapter, you learn about the Drawing Information Table feature of ProSteel 3D.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of the Drawing Information Table. Fill out the Drawing Information Table ready for your first ProSteel 3D project.
Chapter 02-1
ProSteel 3D 17
The Drawing Information Table is a command which behaves just like a Job Card or Project Reference Sheet. When using this command, you can populate project information within your model drawing. This information will be directly read into ProSteel part lists and ProSteel 2D drawings. The Drawing Information Table icon is located on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar. Alternatively, you could type the command PS_DWG_INFO at the AutoCAD command line.
The Drawing Information Table icon is located under this flyout portion of the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar.
Chapter 02-2
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 02-1
P OPULATING
THE
D RAWING I NFORMATION T ABLE
In this exercise, you will populate the Drawing Information Table with values that relate to your particular project.
1. Click the Drawing Information Table command from the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar and you will be presented with the ProSteel 3D Drawing Information Table dialog box. The values which we will set in this dialog box relate to common Project Information needed for Partlists and Detail Drawings created from your current 3D model. Use values similar to those shown below:
2. Notice that there is a Template button on this dialog box. This will allow you to store information relating to common projects or favourite clients for later retrieval, or to insert previously saved values. Use the Help button on the dialog box to learn more about the Drawing Information Table feature. The Drawing Information Table dialog box retains values used from the last session of ProSteel 3D.
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Chapter 02-4
Chapter 02-5
Chapter 03
Creating Workframes and Selecting Views
In this chapter, you learn about creating workframes and selecting views defined via the workframes
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of Workframes. Create a Workframe for your ProSteel 3D model Learn how to select views based on the workframe, and get an overview of clipping planes.
Chapter 03-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Setting the Work Frame
Any ProSteel 3D model creation should be started by creating one or several so-called Workframes. These workframes facilitate easy spatial 3D orientation because they can depict the basic system dimensions (e.g., axes dimensions) in the form of design aid objects as well as automatically creating the associated UCS system for each of the views as defined by the work frame. Users simply select the mouse button to change the view.
ProSteel 3D for AutoCAD offers the parametric creation of rectangular shapes and traditional hangar/portal frames as well as the creation of cylindrical, segmented, pyramidal or tapered steel frames. (Some predefined workframes are also available via the Template button within the Workframe dialog box.) It is possible to create multiple work frames and their associated UCS systems within one model drawing. This requires a different group name (Workframe name) for each work frame system.
Chapter 03-2
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 03-1
1 S T R ECTANGULAR W ORKFRAME
In this exercise, you learn to create a rectangular workframe as a base for the platform area of your ProSteel 3D model. 1. Open your previously started ProSteel drawing called 1234_Model1.dwg, and from the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, choose the Workframe icon, or pick Workframe from ProSteel 3D / Additions pulldown menu.
2. When prompted for the Workframe origin point, use the point 0,0,0 as a source. Enter the X-axis as requested by pointing, with Ortho set to on. 3. The WORKFRAMES command uses a dialogue box for the input of design data. Create the Workframe using the following values:
4. Create an axis label as well to improve the orientation within the workframe. Use the following values:
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ProSteel 3D 17
The result of the Workframe command can be seen in the screenshot above. Selecting a magenta-colored line shows that we are dealing with areas and not simple lines. These areas can be edited as ProSteel 3D objects. If such an object is moved or copied, the associated properties and UCS system are retained. The workframe is located on the PS_FRAME layer, which is write protected (locked) by default. 5. Unlock layer PS_FRAME, then click on one of the magenta-colored areas and then right-click to the context menu and click ProSteel 3D Properties
Only those options are checked in the LAYOUT folder, which are selected as the default in the Options. Any additional information to be displayed for the selected element can be specified here subsequently. 6. Select options on the LAYOUT folder of each Workframe Properties dialog box to view diagonals, cutting plane, source, etc. for a work frame and track any of the changes directly on screen.
Load the PROPERTIES of the ProSteel 3D Workframes and construction lines t o e f f e c t s u b s e q u e n t p a r a m e t ri c c h a n g e s f o r a w o r k f r a m e .
Differently shaped workframes that cannot be defined with these dialog boxes can be defined with the help of normal AutoCAD lines. The associated definition areas for the UCS systems can be created subsequently using ProSteel 3D commands.
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7. Adjust the PROPERTIES of your ProSteel 3D Workframes to reflect the following values (change the Name box under the Data folder): Change Change Change Change Zone1_Front Zone1_Side_L Zone1_Side_R Zone1_Top to to to to Zone1-GridA, Zone1_Grid1, Zone1_Grid2, Zone1_Platform_level
(Refer back to Exercise 03-1, part 6 for adjusting workframe properties) 8. Now SAVE your ProSteel 3D model before moving on to the next exercise.
Chapter 03-5
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 03-2
2 ND R ECTANGULAR W ORKFRAME
In this exercise, you will add a rectangular workframe as the portal frame / hangar area of your ProSteel 3D model. 1. While in the current drawing called 1234_Model1.dwg, and from the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, choose the Workframe icon again, or pick Workframe from ProSteel 3D / Additions pulldown menu.
2. When prompted for the new Workframe origin point, pick rear bottom left point of the existing workframe as a source. Enter the X-axis as requested by pointing, with Ortho set to on, to the current X direction shown by the UCSICON. 3. Fill in the values on the ProSteel 3D Workframes dialog box as shown below.
Chapter 03-6
ProSteel 3D 17
4. Ensure that the 5000 height to the hangar area has 2 unequal divisions, by unticking the Height button, and filling in the values as shown to the Height Axis Distance area of the dialog box, as shown below:
5. Within the Axis Descriptions tab, ensure that the Y-Axis start value is set to B.
The result of this second Workframe command can now be seen in the screenshot at left.
6. Now adjust the PROPERTIES of your new workframe (as you did in exercise 03-1) to reflect the following values: Change Change Change Change Change Change Change Change Change Change Zone2_Front Zone2_Y_1 Zone2_Back Zone2_Side_L Zone2_Side_R Zone2_Bottom Zone2_Z_1 Zone2_Top Zone2_Roof_L Zone2_Roof_R to to to to to to to to to to Zone2-GridB, Zone2_GridC, Zone2_GridD, Zone2_Grid1, Zone2_Grid2, Zone2-Lower_Level, Zone2_Mid_Level, Zone2_Top_Level, Zone2_Roof_Left, Zone2_Roof_Right.
(Refer back to Exercise 03-1, part 6 for adjusting workframe properties) In recent versions of ProSteel 3D, you are also able rename workframe names via AutoCADs Properties dialog box. You may wish to test this. 7. Now SAVE your ProSteel 3D model before moving on to the next exercise.
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Selecting Views
Use this command (the ProSteel 3D Select View command) to select the views defined via the work frames or add new views to the selection list. Once a view is selected, ProSteel 3D places the UCS into the selected work plane and displays the 3D model as if this plane is viewed vertically. The specified cutting planes are activated at the same time so that only the objects within this area are visible.
Note from the Choose View dialog box shown above, that you can either set views, or set UCS.
The SET VIEW button aligns your viewpoint so that you are looking perpendicular at the selected view, and it sets the UCS square to that view.
The SET UCS button only changes the UCS orientation, it does not re-align the view. Note also from the Choose View dialog box shown above, that you can delete existing Workframe views and create new workframe views from any direction.
Chapter 03-8
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 03-3
S ELECTING V IEWS
In this exercise, you learn to navigate to your workframe selected views, with or without a relevant UCS 1. From the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, choose the Select View icon, or pick Choose View from ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pulldown menu.
2 . C h e c k t h a t y o u r C h o o s e V i e w d i a l o g b ox h a s v i e w n a m e s t h a t m a t c h t h o s e i n the diagram below:
3. Try the following clickable commands within the Choose View dialog box, after selecting a named view: Set View: Sets the selected view (the relevant cutting plane is activated) Set UCS: same) Sets the selected UCS only (the current view remains the
4. From the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, choose the Isometric Overview icon, or pick Isometric Overview from ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pulldown menu.
Note the black arrow in the corner of the icon above. If you click and hold this icon, you will be presented with 5 alternative Isometric View icons, which allow you to view your workframe or model from 5 distinct isometric locations. 5. Save your drawing 1234_Model1.dwg to your MyJobs folder.
Chapter 03-9
ProSteel 3D 17
The Clipping Plane

Working with a 3D model can quickly become complex, especially if many parts are spatially stacked or overlap one another. ProSteel 3D offers a command to hide parts in front of and behind the current work plane the so called clipping plane. This facilitates the design process since only those objects are visible that are close to the same work plane and prevents the accidental manipulation of stacked shapes. The term approximately is here used in the sense that only the objects within the cutting plane distance of 500mm specified in the work frame are visible to the front and rear. If one of the defined views or an object view is selected, the hide option is activated as the default setting unless the command has been deactivated globally. Sometimes it is however also reasonable to look at all component parts of the model in the depth to have an overall orientation. This is the reason why this function can be switched on and off.
Clipping planes (or cut planes) can be turned on or off, adjusted for distance, or flipped by using the Clipplane command under the ProSteel 3D / Zoom-Views pulldown menu. Alternatively you could try the icons available under the Clip Planes Toolbar
Chapter 03-10
Chapter 03-11
Chapter 04
Shapes and Plates
In this chapter, you learn about inserting and creating structural shapes and plates (polyplates)
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of ProSteel 3D Shapes and Plates. Create structural shapes and orientate them Create plates and polyplates
Chapter 04-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Shapes and Plates
Inserting Shapes
Here are a few basics concerning the insertion of shapes, before starting with the construction of your sample model: Shapes can be accessed by picking the Shape button on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or by picking Shapes under the ProSteel 3D pulldown menu. You are then presented with the following dialog box:
For STRAIGHT SHAPES, first, select a shape type and size the desired shape cross-section appears in the preview area, together with the insertion points. The selected insertion point is displayed in red. The drop down list of materials is available for use with the shapes, and user shapes.
There are two different methods of inserting shapes: - Cross-section of the shape is located within the current UCS; the length is specified with parameters. - Shape is defined by indicating start and end points (via coordinates, clicking, object snap, or line specification)
The position of the shape can be preset via the basic position, 90 degrees, etc. or directly on screen when inserting the shape if the Orientate after I n s e r t i o n , a n d t h e D y n a m i c t i c k b ox e s a r e t i c k e d o n t h e O P T I O N S t a b .
Chapter 04-2
Shapes and Plates
ProSteel 3D 17
B e n t S h a p e s ( s h a p e s t h a t a r e b e n t t o f or m a c u r v e ) c a n b e a c h i e v e d b y u s i n g the BENT SHAPES tab on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box:
Bent shapes can be placed by picking existing AutoCAD arcs , or by picking 3 points to define center of arc, start and finish of arc.
Orientation of shapes can be controlled at the time of placing shapes by carefully setting options on the OPTIONS tab of the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box:
Chapter 04-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Shapes and Plates
E XERCISE 04-1
I NSERTING S HAPES
In this exercise, you learn to select and insert shapes, and orientate them to their desired position. 1. First orientate your sample model view into an isometric overview. Remember, you are using drawing 1234_Model1.dwg, in case it needs to be opened.
2. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Shape icon, or pick Shapes from ProSteel 3D pulldown menu.
3. Insert a shape by cross-section by setting the Length to 1000 and then clicking the Insert Shape as Cross-Section with Specified Length button.
Pick the Shape Base Point in your model, and when prompted at the command line, choose the 2 Point method to orientate the shape. Click the 2 points on screen and the shape is now inserted in a negative Z direction. 4. Confirm the orientation of the shape by clicking the left mouse button several times after the shape appears. Confirm your desired orientation with a right mouse button click. To finish the command, you need to click the OK button on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box.
5. Now insert a second shape. Set the Length to 0 and this time exit the dialog with the 2 Points button.
Now pick two points on screen and again orientate the shape as desired by left mouse button clicks. When the dialog box returns to the screen, finish the command by clicking the OK button.
Chapter 04-4
Shapes and Plates
ProSteel 3D 17
6. Insert a third shape parallel to a line, e.g. the front perpendicular line of the current work frame. Execute the Shape command and click the Line button.
Now pick the desired AutoCAD line or work frame. Again use several left mouse button clicks to orientate, and then finish the command with the OK button.
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ProSteel 3D 17
Shapes and Plates
Creating Plates and Polyplates
Plates with any desired form are called Polyplates by ProSteel 3D and can be inserted into the model in addition to the preset standard shapes. The plate dimensions can be defined either by picking points or by adopting an existing polyline. If a polyline is adopted, plate contours containing radii are possible as well. The plate dimensions, when dealing with rectangular plates, can be created parametrically in the LENGTH/WIDTH field as well. This also enables the definition of an insertion point for the plate. Plates can be accessed by picking the Plates button on the ProSteel 3D E l e m e n t s t o o l b a r , o r b y p i c k i n g P l a t e s/ P l a t e s u n d e r t h e P r o S t e e l 3 D p u l l d o w n menu.
For STRAIGHT PLATES, first, select a plate size the desired plate plan-view appears in the preview area, together with the insertion points. The selected insertion point is displayed in red.A drop down list of Materials and Labels is available for Plate call-up. Arc Plates (plates that are extruded to form a curved plate) can be achieved by using the ARC PLATES tab on the ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates dialog box:
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Shapes and Plates
ProSteel 3D 17
Arc Plates can be placed by picking existing AutoCAD arcs , or by picking 3 points to define center of arc, start and finish of arc.
An OPTIONS tab is included with additional functionality
Chapter 04-7
ProSteel 3D 17
Shapes and Plates
E XERCISE 04-2
C REATING P LATES
AND
P OLYPLATES
In this exercise, you learn to create plates using several different methods 1. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Plates icon, or pick Plates/Plates from ProSteel 3D pulldown menu.
2. Create an 800 x 400 x 20 thick plate simply by entering values in the applicable cells in the Straight Plates tab of the ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates dialog box. Choose a relevant insertion point from the preview panel at the right of the dialog box, and ensure Grid is unticked. Now click the Inserts a Rectangular Plate on a Insertion Point, and follow the prompts at the command line to place the plate.
When the dialog box returns, finish the command by clicking the OK button at the bottom left of the dialog box.
3.
Create a 4 sided plate by clicking the Inserts a Plate by Four Points button. Be sure to follow the prompts for corner points on the AutoCAD command line, as the order is not sequential.
When your plate looks correct, be sure to finish with the OK button.
4. Draw a closed polyline of any shape, containing at least 6 straight line segments. The polyline may contain fillets or arcs if you wish. Now click on the Inserts a Plate by Selected Polygon, Circle or Arc button in the Straight Plates tab of the ProSteel 3D Plates/Polyplates dialog box.and follow the command line prompts. Finish by clicking the OK button
and
Chapter 04-8
Chapter 04-9
Chapter 05
ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements
In this chapter, you learn about enquiring as to the properties of shapes, and about modifying elements with ProSteel 3D editing features.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of ProSteel 3D Object Properties. Get an overview of the ProSteel 3D Modify Element command
Chapter 05-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Properties
Around six index cards are available as tabs if the ProSteel 3D properties of a shape or plate are queried. They are: Layout, Shape Type, Data, Position, Assignment and Analysis View. ProSteel 3D users can query the properties of any ProSteel 3D object by double-clicking the object. You will be presented with the appropriate ProSteel 3D dialog box. (Ensure that Double Click Edit is enabled on the Options tab of the ProSteel 3D Options dialog box) Another method to query the properties of a shape, is to click the shape to highlight it, then right-click your mouse to invoke the context sensitive right-click menu, similar to that shown:
Click the PS3D Properties command on the right-click menu to invoke the relevant Properties dialog box.
Layout: Change the shape type, size, and display mode by selecting the desired value in the pull-down menu. Display: Six different displays are possible for individual or any number of shapes, WITHOUT any loss of information (see illustrations below)
Only centerline
Bounding box
Edges outside
Edges inside
With arcs
As sketch
Holes: As needed, drill holes can also be shown in different display levels or may be ignored all together. The information itself remains intact, of course. There are 5 settings for display of holes. Holes that have bolts through them will generally be shown
Chapter 05-2
ProSteel 3D 17
as Extruded Circle. Holes that have no bolts, such as at a baseplate, are generally displayed as Real Holes. O p t i o n s : I n a d d i t i o n , i t i s a l s o p o s s i b l e t o d is p l a y a v a r i e t y o f a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , a s shown in the dialog box displayed on the previous page. Part Labels (text indicating part type) can be displayed, part centerlines can be turned on, etc,etc.
Shape Type / Position: The shape may be exchanged with another shape type and/or another shape size at any time. The dimensional sizes of plates can be altered. All manipulated elements such as drill holes, polycuts, ribs, plates, etc., are taken into account automatically
You can also add a slope to a Shape Type by using the Conical tab.
Data: All data with relevance to the parts lists are depicted here, and if needed, may be supplemented or changed. Any shape modification results in an automatic recalculation of the data. See the dialog boxes displayed below.
Chapter 05-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Position: Position, insertion point or points, and rotation angle can be subsequently changed and edited for any already inserted shapes. This makes it easy to correct an incorrectly inserted shape at any time. See the dialog boxes displayed below.
Assignment: You can change the assigned detail style, display class, area class and part family of the shape from this tab.
Chapter 05-4
ProSteel 3D 17
A n a l y s i s V i e w : T h e a n a l y s i s t a b p e r m i t s y o u t o m o d if y t h e s t a t i c e f f e c t l i n e s o f t h e shapes to get an optimum export for the transfer to static programs. You can force the output of analysis display at the different interfaces, and these effect lines defined by you are exported instead of the center lines of the shape.
More on Properties
If a shape has been modified after its insertion, by applying drill holes, cutouts, outlets (gaps/notches), Boolean operations or if the shape has been assigned to a construction group, additional tabs appear on the Shape Properties dialog for every type of element modifier. The manipulation data can then be viewed, edited or deleted. Due to the utilization of structured dialog boxes, it is possible to track any changes directly on the screen while entering the change when editing a manipulation. The properties of the component parts are event controlled, which means that the individual tabs are only available when the component part has been manipulated or edited.
As one can see, almost any type of information about a given object can be controlled comfortably within one single dialog box. A contextsensitive online help is always at your fingertips. Please use the help buttons located on some ProSteel 3D dialog boxes, and on the pull-down menu.
Element Modify
Chapter 05-5
ProSteel 3D 17
A variety of comfortable and easy to use editing commands are available in ProSteel 3D as well as the possibility of manipulating all component parts via AutoCAD commands. All manipulation commands are arranged clearly within the Element Modification dialog box, and can be accessed individually on the Modify 1 and Modify 2 toolbars. The range of editing commands can also be accessed via the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pull down menu.
Chapter 05-6
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E XERCISE 05-1
S OME S IMPLE M ODIFYING C OMMANDS
In this exercise, you learn to use some of the editing commands on the Element Modification dialog box. 1. First orientate your sample model view into an isometric overview. Remember, you are using drawing 1234_Model1.dwg, in case it needs to be opened.
2.
Draw a 3000mm length of 360UB45 beam, down on the ground next to your building model. Use any position point on the UB that you like. Open the Element Modification dialog box via the icon shown below. You can also find many of the commands to be used in this exercise by choosing editing commands from the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pulldown menu.
3.
4.
Under the Divide/Connect area of the Common tab of this dialog box, set the distance to 25, then click the DIVIDE button. When asked at the command line to choose the shape to be divided, pick the 360UB. When asked to pick the Dividing Point, osnap to the midpoint of any edge of the 360UB. The 360UB is now divided into two separate shapes, with a 50 gap between them (2 x 25), as shown below.
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Common tab.
5.
U s e t h e L e n g t h e n S h a p e s c o m m a n d t o l e n gt h e n t h e n e w r i g h t h a n d s h a p e . S e t t h e default to 200, click the LENGTHEN SHAPE BY DEFAULT VALUE button, and then left click the right hand end of the right hand shape 5 times in a row. The 360UB should now be 1000 longer (5 x 200).
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab. 6. Now use the Shorten Shapes command to shorten the left hand shape. Set the default value to 100, click the SHORTEN SHAPE BY DEFAULT VALUE button, and then left click the left hand end of the left hand shape 5 times in a row. The 360UB should now be 500 shorter (5 x 100).
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab.
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7.
The 360UBs should now appear as shown below.
8.
Now draw two 360UB transverse beams, each 2000 long, and both at 90 degrees to the previous beam. Place them as shown below. Do not try to adjust the beam intersections just yet.
9.
Now choose the CUTS 2 OBJECTS TO BI-ANGULAR CUT USING OPENING ANGLE BETWEEN BOTH button (The Angle Bisect Button) from the Mitre Cuts area of the Element Modification dialog box to clean up the left hand beam intersection. When you are asked for the First Shape to Anglecut, and the Second Shape to AngleCut, click the two left hand beams near the ends where they meet, and the beams will now meet as if they were Mitre Cut.
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab. 10. Now we will cope the end of the right hand long beam to fit the profile of the right hand short beam. Pick the ENABLES TO COPE ONE SHAPE TO ANOTHER button (Cope Button) from the Other area of the Shapes tab of the Element Modification dialog box.
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab. When asked to pick the Second Shape to add a Cope, left click the long beam near the right hand end. When asked to select the Shape on Which to Add a Cut, left click the short right hand beam. A cope is now applied to the first beam, but you will be presented with the ProSteel 3D Cope dialog box in order to sort out dimensions. Set the values as at left. Now click the OK button on the dialog box to complete this task. If you do not achieve the wanted results after setting the values as shown, use the AutoCAD UNDO command to erase the Cope, and then try the command again.
11. Now draw a 2000 length of 150x9.0 SHS beam, and place it in the location shown
Chapter 05-8
ProSteel 3D 17
below:
12. We will now create a 10mm wide vertical notch at the right hand end of the SHS. Zoom to this right hand end, and now pick the ENABLES TO CUT AN OBJECT BY USING OUTLETS button (Notch button) from the Other area of the Shapes tab on the Element Modification dialog box.
This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab. Select the SHS Insertion Point When you now below: (as you created) at the right hand end when prompted. When prompted for the for Notch, osnap to the bottom midpoint edge at the right hand side. see the ProSteel 3D Notch dialog box, fill in the values as shown change the values, the notched end of the SHS is visually being
Click the OK button to finish the command. 13. The right hand notched end of your SHS should now look like this.
If you wish you could try and add a 10 thick cleat as if was welded into the notch, b u t y o u w o u l d n e e d t o r o t a t e y o u r A u t o C AD U C S f i r s t . I f y o u a r e n o t f a m i l i a r w i t h rotated AutoCAD UCSs, ignore this and move on to the last part of this exercise. If you understand UCSs, then you could use the ProSteel PLATE command to create the cleat. 14. We will now add a 6mm thick seal plate to the left hand end of the 150 SHS. Zoom to the left hand end of this beam first. Now pick the COVER PLATE button on the Plates Toolbar. You will also find this button buried under the Plate button on the ProSteel
Chapter 05-9
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Elements Toolbar. (You can also find COVER PLATE as a command on the ProSteel 3D / Plates pulldown).
1 5 . W h e n y o u u s e t h i s c o m m a n d , y o u w i l l b e p r e se n t e d w i t h t h e C r e a t e C o v e r d i a l o g b o x . Change the Thickness value to 6, make the offset -4, and then click the Create button. When prompted, click the SHS at the left hand end, and the 6mm thick end plate will be created as shown below.
16. This now completes the Element Modify exercise. You may now wish to use the AutoCAD ORBIT command to not only shade the beams created above, but to revolve around them. When using the ORBIT command, the right click context sensitive menu allows you to not only shade, or perform hidden line removal on your model, but you can also display your model on Isometric mode or in Perspective mode. Save your 1234_Model1.dwg file back to disk before moving to the next chapter. You can delete your beams before doing this is you wish.
Chapter 05-10
Chapter 05-11
Chapter 06
3D Modeling Part 1
In this chapter, you will complete 3D modeling to Gridline A and Gridline B of your sample model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Add column and beam component shapes. Add end plates with logical links. Add Bracing components Add Base plates to columns
Chapter 06-1
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
E XERCISE 06-1
I NSERTING S HAPES
In this exercise, you will add beam and column shapes to your 3D model. 1. Erase all temporary shapes and plates you have added to your model to date (if you have not already done so), but do not erase any Workframe linework. View your model isometrically (as explained on Exercise 03-3, item 4) 2. Add two 200UB30 columns to the front frame, Grid A, and insert a 250UB31 b e a m a b o v e . T h e c e n t e r p o i n t o f t h e o ut e r f l a n g e o f t h e c o l u m n s h o u l d b e its insertion point. The center point of the upper flange of the beam should be its insertion point.
3. Save your drawing.
Chapter 06-2
3D Modeling Part 1
ProSteel 3D 17
End Plates
The End Plate command offers a variety of connection types for connecting two shapes. Endplates Spliced Endplates Normal Endplates Flanged Endplates
Endplates with haunches or Bottom Trains When using the End Plate command, pick the shape where the end plate is to be connected (end section). The next prompt asks for the support shape or complete the command using ENTER or spacebar or right mouse button. If a support shape is selected, a cut based on the plate thickness is automatically made on the shape, the end plate is added, and a drill hole field is attached to the support shape, if one was selected. The corresponding plate is created at the end section of the support shape if no support shape is selected.
Logical Links
An important work saving feature in ProSteel 3D are the links between individual components and parts, also called "logical links." These links are another characteristic of the object-oriented structure of the program. Since working with these links requires a certain level of skill we recommend that novice users first focus on the basic functions such as creating and manipulating shapes and creating automatic connections. What Are Logical Links ? Logical links are links between ProSteel 3D objects and their modifications. If you modify a component using another component, all components involved know of this "action." When you now modify one of these components, all others will adjust accordingly. You can also change the entire modification settings by accessing the corresponding link. Logical links can save an enormous amount of work when creating 3D connections as long as the same design laws (ie., the type of joint) also apply to the modification. If this is the case, just delete the corresponding link and change the connection manually the links are an aid but do not have to be used at all times. Active and Passive Links There are two types of links listed in the dialog entries: active and passive links. Passive links indicate that component A belongs with component B. For example, stiffeners and shapes are connected with passive links because the stiffeners do not effect any change at the shape and the shape does not directly affect the stiffeners either. Active links indicate that component A physically changes or modifies component B. For example, a mitered cut connects both shapes with active links.
Chapter 06-3
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
E XERCISE 06-2
A DDING E ND P LATES
WITH
L OGICAL L INKS
In this exercise, you will add end plate connections to your shapes on Grid A 1. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Endplate icon, or pick Endplates Normal from ProSteel 3D / Connection /Endplates pulldown menu.
2. Pick the 250UB31 beam (at the Grid 1 end) to be used as the connection shape, and the 200UB30 column (at the Grid 1 top end) as the support shape. Automatically a connection is created using the last used values, however we will edit these values to our new requirements. 3. Adjust the connection values in the dialog box to match those shown in the dialog boxes below.
Chapter 06-4
3D Modeling Part 1
ProSteel 3D 17
Note that in this instance the values in the Bt. Train folder do not apply as nothing in the Select Haunch pulldown list is ticked on. 4. Save the current plate connection as a template before exiting the dialog box, so that it is possible to reuse those connection values again at another time and place without re-keying. You will need to give the template a sensible name. Use the Template button at the bottom Endplates dialog box. left area of the ProSteel 3D
5. Apply the same plated connection at the Grid 2 end of the same frame. Your beam ends should look like this:
6. Now insert three shapes to Grid B to match those on Grid A. (200UB30 columns with 250UB31 beam) You will need to use the INSERT SHAPE USING 2 POINTS button on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box to insert the columns, rather than attach by the INSERT SHAPE ON SELECTED LINE button.
Chapter 06-5
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
7. Create haunched connections to both ends of the beams with the following values:
8. We can now edit the haunch connections by using the Logical Links facility.
Chapter 06-6
3D Modeling Part 1
ProSteel 3D 17
9. Highlight the 250UB31 beam at Grid B, then click PS3D Properties on the context-sensitive right mouse button menu. (or you could just double-click the beam) In the Shape Properties dialog box, go to the LogLinks tab, and click the left or right arrows button until the left 200UB30 column is highlighted in white, then click the EDIT CURRENT LOGICAL LINK button.
The ProSteel 3D Endplates dialog box is opened for that connection, and you are able to edit the values. Change the values to create 4 rows of 2 bolts, and change the haunch length to 300. Do the same to both ends of your beam. You should now have a 3D model which looks something like this: (save your model to your hard disk)
Chapter 06-7
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
E XERCISE 06-3
A DDING B RACING C OMPONENTS
AND
B ASEPLATES
In this exercise, you will add bracing components to your model at Grid A, and Baseplates to all columns.
BRACING: The Bracing command uses system lines and boundary edges to define the geometry of the final brace. 1. Draw a normal AutoCAD line, on an appropriate layer, diagonally from the lower left to upper right junction points, and vice versa. The lower junction point should be 100mm above the bottom of the column, and directly midway across the face of the inside flange of the column. The upper junction point should be at the point where the underside of beam, and face of endplate meet, and midway across the underside of the beam.
2.
You should now have a Grid A layout which looks like this:
Ensure that the diagonal lines are aligned perfectly to Grid A, by viewing Grid A from all angles. Adjust the end points using normal AutoCAD commands if required. 3. Use the ProSteel 3D Select View tool to set your view to Gid A. Now from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the Bracing icon, or pick Static Bracing from ProSteel 3D / Connection pulldown menu. (Ensure your view is set to the Grid A view)
Chapter 06-8
3D Modeling Part 1
ProSteel 3D 17
4. You are now presented with the ProSteel 3D Bracings dialog box. Ensure the values for your bracing matches those shown in the dialog box below.
Note: These bracing components are not logically linked, and as such cannot be modified by double clicking the brace member to get to the dialog box shown at left.
Pick the bracing button at the bottom left corner of the dialog box. You are now prompted to pick a system line for your brace (Pick one diagonal line only, that running lower left to upper right). Next pick the three border lines of brace members used in this case, they are shown on the diagrams below. After picking the border lines, and hitting enter, you are presented with a Shape Length Standard dialog box. Round off the Selected Shape Length to something appropriate. (In this case try 4300). At the next prompt, choose Return for End, to accept the previous border lines. Hit enter again, and the bracing cleats and brace members are created and bolted together.
5. Create a similar brace member and cleats in the opposite direction as well. When inserting the brace member, ensure that the shape is not inserted at the front, but at the back of the cross-braced system, so that the two angle members do not collide.
BASEPLATES: Baseplates are to be attached to the two columns of the frame at Grid A. The values are entered into the ProSteel 3D DSTV BasePlate d i a l o g b o x . T h e c o m m a n d c a n a l s o b e u se d t o s h o r t e n t h e s u p p o r t s h a p e s b y the value of the base plate thickness automatically, or to add holding down bolts (tie bolts).
Chapter 06-9
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
6. View your drawing isometrically by using the ProSteel icon with the airplane. Now zoom to the base of the columns at grid A. From the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, choose the BasePlates acc DSTV icon, or pick BasePlates DAST from ProSteel 3D / Connection / Baseplates pulldown menu.
7. Follow the prompts at the AutoCAD command line, Select Shape to Connect, and after selecting the column near the bottom, the ProSteel 3D DSTV BasePlate dialog box will appear. Attach a base plate to each of the two front columns on Grid A, using the values in the following dialog box, to produce the base plate illustrated. (ignore the Data & Dowels tabs this time)
Chapter 06-10
3D Modeling Part 1
ProSteel 3D 17
Note: On the Connect tab of the ProSteel 3D DSTV Baseplate dialog box, the WITH TIE BOLTS cell may need to be ticked off then on again, in order for the tie bolt symbols to be inserted on the correct AutoCAD layer (they should turn cyan in colour)
8. Your 3D model should now look similar to that shown below. Save your drawing to your hard disk.
Chapter 06-11
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 1
Chapter 06-12
Chapter 06-13
Chapter 07
3D Modeling Part 2
In this chapter, you will complete 3D modeling to Gridline D of your sample model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Add a Portal Frame components to Grid D of your model. Add Base Plates to your Portal Frame columns Add stiffener plates to the apex point and knee points of the Portal Frame Add splice plates with logical links.
Chapter 07-1
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 2
E XERCISE 07-1
C REATING P ORTAL F RAMES
In this exercise, you will add Portal Frame components and connections to your 3D model at Grid D. 1. View your model isometrically (as explained on Exercise 03-3, item 4) and zoom closer to the Grid D area. 2. Insert 2 columns and 2 raking rafters to the workrame lines at Grid D to form a Portal Frame structure. Use 310UB40 shapes, and align the outside mid flange points to the workframe lines. Note: ProSteel 3D does include a Portal Frame generation command, however we are not using it in this case, as our Zone 2 Workframe already has linework that can be used for constructing our model. If you would like to explore the Portal Frame generator, you could type the command PS_FRAME, or click the FRAMES button on the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects Toolbar. (It can also be found under the Structural Objects area of the ProSteel 3D Elements Toolbar)
3. Now add a base plate to each of your Grid D Portal Frame columns and use the following values to achieve the result shown. The information on the Data and Dowels tabs are not important in this case.
Chapter 07-2
3D Modeling Part 2
ProSteel 3D 17
4. We now need to tidy up the Portal Frame knees and apex before adding stiffener plates. Use the ANGLE BISECT command available under the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pulldown menu. Follow the prompts to pick two shapes each time to bisect. (You could alternatively use the Cut 2 Objects to Bi-Angular Cut using Opening Angle Between Both button (the ANGLE BISECT button), under the Mitre Cuts area of the Shapes tab, on the Element Modification dialog box. You may need to zoom to the relevant areas of your model to achieve these mitred cuts. When completed, you should have knees and an apex as shown below:
5. We now need to add stiffener plates to each side of the portal frame apex joint where the two 310UB40 raking rafters meet. To do this we will use the Stiffener at Angle command. Choose the Stiffener at Angle icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar.
Note that the icon shown above may be located as a flyout from the Stiffener icon as shown below.
Chapter 07-3
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 2
6. The Stiffener at Angle command will prompt you for several points. Choose the points as shown in the diagram below. a. Pick shape where you wish to create stiffeners. b. Pick insertion midpoint of stiffeners
c. Pick the position line of stiffeners
Use the following values for the stiffeners in the ProSteel 3D Stiffener dialog box to achieve the result shown.
Note: Do not enter an ANGLE value on the OPTIONS tab, as this is automatically read into the cell by the use of the STIFFENER AT ANGLE command. To finish the command, ensure that you click the OK button at the bottom left of the ProSteel 3D Siffener dialog box.
Chapter 07-4
3D Modeling Part 2
ProSteel 3D 17
7. Now add stiffener plates to each side of the portal frame knee joints where the 310UB40 raking rafters and columns meet. To do this use the same Stiffener at Angle command technique used in item 5 and 6 of this exercise. Use the same values for these stiffeners as shown in the previous page dialog boxes to achieve the result shown below.
Note: When using this command, you will be asked at the command line to Select Shape at position to create Stiffeners. Answer this by clicking the column shape, not the sloping rafter. This will mean that the logical link formed will be the stiffeners to the column (The column structurally is a more important member than the sloping rafter)
8. Your 3D model should now appear as shown below:
Chapter 07-5
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 2
E XERCISE 07-2
A DDING S PLICE C ONNECTIONS
TO
P ORTAL F RAMES
In this exercise, you will divide your Portal Frame rafter components and add splice connections to your 3D model at Grid D.
1.
Use the SET THE CURRENT UCS ACCORDING TO THE SELECTED WORKFRAME button on the Select View dialog box to set your current UCS to be aligned to Grid D. This UCS is controlled by your previously created workframe. Remember that in this instance your new UCS is aligned as if you were working from the outside rear side of your model. Now draw an AutoCAD line that runs from the midpoint knee flange junction on the left hand side of the portal frame, and finish it perpendicular to the workframe line above. Then offset this line 400 to the right. Use the diagram below to achieve this:
The line shown at Step 3 above will be used to divide the rafter into two pieces, and for locating the required Splice Connection. Use the AutoCAD mirror command to create two similar lines at the right hand end of the portal frame. 2. Leave your current UCS set to Grid D. Now we can add the first splice connection to the right hand rafter. Zoom to the relevant right hand rafter area first. Now click the Splice icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar to invoke the SPLICE command. (You can also find this command under the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Splice Connections pulldown (SPLICE DAST).
Follow the prompts, Select the shape (the right sloping rafter), now right click to enter because there is no second shape to connect. When asked for the point at which to divide the shape, osnap to the end point of the previously drawn temporary line (it is the line 400 away from the portal knee, and parallel to the rafter). The rafter is now divided, and the splice created, but you will need to alter the values in the ProSteel 3D Splice Connection dialog box to the values shown on the following page:
Chapter 07-6
3D Modeling Part 2
ProSteel 3D 17
Note: You may need to untick and then retick some cells to force ProSteel to change the values. The SINGLE SIDE box is a good example in this case.
Your right hand rafter should now be shown divided with a 10mm gap, and the completed splice should be a cantilevered diagonal splice consisting of 3 plates (one for seating purposes) and 10 bolts. It should appear as shown below:
Note: Check all welds shown, you may need to erase some welding runs shown around the vertical plates. Weld runs are generally shown as red arrowed lines. If your mitred cut at the rafter / column junction is deleted, just repeat the Mitre Cut command here to repair.
Chapter 07-7
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 2
3. Leave your UCS aligned to Gridline D and we will now add the second splice connection to the left side of the portal frame. Before doing this you will need to re-orientate the direction of the left sloping rafter (This is because the next splice connection runs in the opposite direction as the previous one). Double click the left sloping rafter. You will be presented with the Shape Properties dialog box. From the Position tab, click the turn button.
This re-orientates the rafter so that it now runs in the opposite direction.If the cuts to each end of the sloping rafter are corrupted, then delete them from the CUTS tab of the Shape Propertes dialog box, then use the MITRE CUT command to redo them. If the knee joint stiffeners or apex stiffeners rotate off normal, erase them and then replace them using the method described in Exercise.07-1 4. You can now place the second splice connection at the left sloping rafter in a similar manner as was done in part 3 of this exercise. Use similar values as before to achieve the following result, but make sure the vertical plate is shifted from the left side to the right side:
Note: Check all welds shown, you may need to erase some welding runs shown around the vertical plates. Weld runs are generally shown as red arrowed lines. If your mitred cut at the rafter / column junction is deleted, just repeat the Mitre Cut command here to repair.
5. View your model isometrically (as explained in Exercise 03-3, item 4) and z o o m c l o s e r t o t h e G r i d D a r e a . T h e G ri d D a r e a o f y o u r 3 D m o d e l s h o u l d now appear as shown below:
Chapter 07-8
Chapter 07-9
Chapter 08
Drilling
In this chapter, you will add Baseplates to columns at Gridline B, and create holes in them by drilling.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Add a Baseplate to columns at Gridline B. Drill holes through these baseplates, ready for holding down bolts.
Chapter 08-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Drilling
Drilling
We can create holes, or patterns of holes, in any shape or plate, to any location, using the ProSteel 3D Drill command. The Drill icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar, or alternatively the Drill command can be found under the ProSteel 3D pulldown menu.
It is important to note that the current UCS must be parallel to the plate being drilled, or the portion of the shape being drilled, when drilling is used. Most drilled holes will have bolts passing through them, so the Drill command will allow you to automatically place bolts as well (if needed), via the ProSteel 3D Drill dialog box. To set the UCS current to the object, use one of the following icon commands:
Object UCS Centered and Object UCS at Point commands allow for orientation of a new UCS aligned to the Steel Plate or portion of the Steel Shape to be drilled. Face UCS Centred and Face UCS at Point commands commands align the users UCS with any Bodyface by selecting and edge. To set your current view aligned to the object, use one of the following icon commands:
Object View Centered and Object View at Point commands allow for the orientation of your current view to be aligned with the Steel Plate or portion of the Steel Shape to be drilled. Faceview Centred and Faceview at Point commands commands align the users view with any Bodyface by selecting and edge. The Object UCS icons, and Object View icons shown above, can be found on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or on the Object UCS and Object View toolbars. Alternatively, all four commands can be found under the ProSteel 3D Zoom/Views pulldown menu.
When using the above commands you are presented with a 6 pointed, 6 colored compass type screen icon. Choose the endpoint, or colored end, which is equal to the face of the plate or portion of the shape to be drilled.
Chapter 08-2
Drilling
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 08-1
D RILLING
In this exercise, you will add a Baseplate to to each of the columns at Gridline B, and you will drill them each with 4 holes to suit. 1. View your model isometrically, and zoom closer to the base of the left column at Gridline B. 2. Shorten each of the columns at Gridline B by 20mm. Use the Shortens a Shape by asking for the Value button, located on the SHAPES tab of the Element Modification dialog box. When prompted for the Specify Modification Length after picking the column, enter a value of 20. Use the Modify 1 or Modify 2 icons to get to the Element Modification dialog box, or choose Shorten via Offset from the ProSteel 3D / Manipulate pulldown menu.
3. Create an Endplate as a base plate for each column. Use the values shown below, and ensure that Without Holes is ticked for the Drill Pattern. You can get to the ProSteel 3D Endplate Connection dialog box by picking the Endplate icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or by choosing Endplate from the ProSteel 3D / Connection pulldown menu.
As there is no Bottom Train or Stiffeners to our baseplate, then the BT.Trian, Stiffener and Stiffeners tabs are not used in this case. On the Group tab, ensure that Create Group, and With Welds cells are ticked, and do not tick any of the Safety cope cells. Leave the Assignment tab for the time being.
Chapter 08-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Drilling
4. Use one of the Object UCS or Object View commands to orientate the UCS parallel to the top face of the baseplate. Remember you are choosing the plate surface where we will be drilling.
or 5. Use the Drill command to invoke the ProSteel 3D Bolting dialog box. Fill in the values as shown below, then select the Insert Holes to an Object button to execute this pattern. and then
Now select the Object to be Drilled as prompted, (the baseplate) and then pick the Insertion Point of the Drill Pattern as prompted. In this case use the PS Shapepoints object snap option as an insertion point. It can be located on the ProSteel 3D Osnap toolbar.
Chapter 08-4
Drilling
ProSteel 3D 17
Now choose the bottom end/mid point of the column as the insertion point. You will see a yellow asterisk osnap icon showing you have found the mid point. Left click to accept the Osnap point, then click the OK button on the dialog box to finish the Drill command. You should now have a Baseplate drill pattern which looks like this:
Drill a similar pattern at both Grid B column baseplates. 6. More on drilling: The cells Shape/X Dir and Cross/Y Dir in the Drill dialog box define the drill hole pattern. The numerical values in front of the * indicate the number of drill holes and the spacing of the drill holes is specified behind the *. If groups of drill holes with different spaces are to be separated from one another, it is necessary to enter the corresponding value separated by a comma from the drill hole groups. Although this sounds a bit complex in theory, the practical application is quite easy. Example below:
Shape/X Dir: 2*60,200,1*,200,3*40 Cross/Y Dir: 2*100
Chapter 08-5
Chapter 08-6
Chapter 09
Groups
In this chapter, you will group parts together ready for the creation of parts lists.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Group together existing components at Gridline A. Group together existing components at Gridline B. Group together existing components at Gridline D.
Chapter 09-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Groups
Groups
We will now perform the massing of interconnected parts into groups. This is especially important for the creation of parts lists and the automatic detailing process. When you choose to perform grouping will depend on the complexity of your model, and grouping will quite often be performed more than once. The Groups toolbar is shown below:
The Administer Groups dialog box is shown below:
ProSteel 3D creates construction groups automatically for many straightforward cases. For example, this applies for endplates, stiffeners etc. if the Create Group option has been ticked on the appropriate dialog box tab when creating those items. A construction group always consists of ONE primary component, and as many secondary components as desired. Groups cannot be nested, which means that a group cannot be a secondary part of another group. Note also that Group Selection from within ProSteel 3D can be toggled on and off with CTRL+H. This uses the AutoCAD PICKSTYLE command. 0 = No Group Selection, 1 = Group Selection.
Chapter 09-2
Groups
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 09-1
G ROUPS
In this exercise, you will check all current groups within your 3D model, and add to, or create new groups as necessary. 1. View your model isometrically (as explained in Exercise 03-3, item 4) 2. Use the Group command by choosing the Group icon from the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar or Group toolbar, or choose Dialog from the ProSteel 3D / Groups pulldown menu.
You are now presented with the Administer Groups dialog box. Click on the Check Groups button, located on the Verify tab. Ensure that Mark Orphans is ticked on. All parts belonging to a group in your current 3D model are now temporarily hidden. The remaining displayed parts are the component parts NOT belonging to a group. The remaining parts at this stage of our modeling, should be the 4 cleats / shear plates related to our bracing at Gridline A. There should be one shear plate per end of each brace. They may be highlighted in a cyan color. (This depends on your ProSteel Options) There may also be some odd welding runs which have not yet been grouped automatically.
3. The hidden component parts become visible again after selecting the ProSteel 3D Regen icon, located on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or the Display Classes toolbar. Holding down the ALT key while selecting the ProSteel 3D Regen icon will leave orphans highlighted in an alternative c o l o u r u n t i l t h e y a r e a d d e d t o a c o n s t ru c t i o n g r o u p u s i n g t h e A d d t o G r o u p b u t t o n o n t h e P r o S t e e l 3 D G ro u p M a n a g e r d i a l o g b o x .
4. Choose the Add Elements button on the Admin tab of the Administer G r o u p s d i a l o g b o x t o a d d t h e t o p t w o b ra c i n g c l e a t s a t G r i d l i n e A a n d t h e i r bolts to the existing group which has the 250UB31 beam as its primary part. Follow the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command line area. 5. Choose the Add Elements button on the Administer Groups dialog box to add the bottom left bracing cleat at Gridline A and its bolts to the existing group which has the left 200UB30 column as its primary part. Follow the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command line area. 6. Choose the Add Elements button on the Admin tab of the Administer Groups dialog box to add the bottom right bracing cleat at Gridline A and its bolts to the existing group which has the right 200UB30 column as its primary part. Follow the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command line area. 7. Choose the Release button on the Admin tab of the Administer Groups dialog box to explode the top left side 310UB40 rafter beam Group on Gridline D into its individual components. This needs to be done before trying to add these components to the top right side 310UB40 rafter beam group, because as explained earlier in this chapter, any group can only contain ONE primary part.
Chapter 09-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Groups
8. Choose the Add Element button on the Admin tab of the Administer Groups dialog box add to all of the previous top left side 310UB40 rafter beam components on Gridline D to the existing top right side 310UB40 rafter beam group. Be sure to include all relevant plates and bolts when doing this. Follow the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command line area. 9. Choose the Release button on the Admin tab of the Administer Groups dialog box to explode the bottom left side 310UB40 rafter beam Group on Gridline D (the knee extension) into its individual components. This needs to be done before trying to add these components to the left column group, b e c a u s e a s e x p l a i n e d o n p a g e 0 8 - 6 , a ny g r o u p c a n o n l y c o n t a i n O N E p r i m a r y part. 10. Choose the Add Element button on the Admin tab of the Administer Groups dialog box add all of the previous knee extension components on Gridline D to the existing left side column group. Be sure to include all relevant plates and bolts when doing this. Follow the prompts displayed in the AutoCAD command line area. 1 1 . R e p e a t s t e p 9 , b u t f o r t h e r i g h t h an d p o r t a l f r a m e c o l u m n a n d k n e e . 1 2 . R e p e a t s t e p 1 0 , b u t f o r t h e r i g h t h an d p o r t a l f r a m e c o l u m n a n d k n e e . 13. After completing this amount of Grouping, can check whether all desired components group by using the Hide Group command Groups as previously explained. The Hide Group command icon is located toolbar, or the Display Classes toolbar. unGrouping and reGrouping, you have been correctly assigned to a for individual groups, or Check on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools
14. You can also enquire as to the parts of any group, by double clicking any group component. When the Shape Properties dialog box appears, go to the Group tab, and you will now see that all group components are now highlighted in different colours, yellow for the main group component, magenta for all other sub components. After clicking OK on the dialog box, the components will revert back to their original colours. Try double clicking some of your groups to see how this method of checking groups works. 15. All component parts should now be combined in construction groups as illustrated in the drawing below. The bracing bars are maintained as individual parts.
Chapter 09-4
Groups
ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 09-5
Chapter 09-6
Chapter 10
3D Modeling Part 3
In this chapter, you will complete 3D modeling between Gridline A and Gridline D of your sample model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Delete part of your model at Grid B. Copy Grid D portal frame to Grids B and C. Add 3 transverse beams between Grids A and B. Learn to use Collision Detection Add shear plate connections to ends of beams.
Chapter 10-1
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 3
E XERCISE 10-1
D ELETING , C OPYING
AND
A DDING
PARTS
In this exercise, you will delete existing parts at Gridline B, you will copy the existing portal frame from Gridline D, to Gridlines B and C, and you will add some transverse beams between Gridlines A and B. You also add some new components back at Gridline D 1. View your model isometrically (as explained previously). 2. Now delete all components at Gridline B, except the 250UB31 beam.Use the AutoCAD ERASE command to do this. Select most objects with the window selection method. Note that when you erase all plates, bolts etc from this grid, that there will no longer be any logical links associated with the beam. But cuts may remain at the ends of the beam. Double click the beam to invoke the Shape Properties dialog box, and if there is a CUTS tab, you will see that there are 2 cuts. You can use the Arrow buttons to highlight cuts one at a time, and then use the Deletes the Actual Cut button to delete them one at a time. 3. Copy the Portal frame and all of its components at Gridline D, to produce 2 additional portal frames located at Gridlines B and C. Use the workframe endpoints as your points of reference when copying. Use AutoCads standard COPY command. Also copy the horizontal 250UB31 beam at Gridline B back to Gridline D using similar reference and positioning points. 4. Now adjust the length of the 250UB31 beam at Gridlines B and D. Use Grips to drag the beam shape end point back to being perpendicular to the appropriate column flange face. Do this for both ends of both horizontal beams. 5. Add an end plate connection to each end of your 250UB31 beams at Grids B and D where they meet the portal frame columns. Use the following values:
Chapter 10-2
3D Modeling Part 3
ProSteel 3D 17
6. Now draw a temporary line from the midpoint of the top flange of the 250UB31 beam at Gridline A, to the midpoint of the top flange of the 2 5 0 U B 3 1 b e a m a t G r i d l i n e B . U s e t h e m i d p o i n t o f t h e t o p w or k f r a m e l i n e s a t these grids as reference points, as they are easy to find. These temporary lines can remain on Layer 0 if that is your default drawing layer. 7 . C r e a t e a 2 0 0 U B 3 0 b e a m a l o n g t h e t em p o r a r y l i n e d r a w n i n t h e p r e v i o u s step. Align the top midpoint of the 200UB30 shape with the temporary line. The ends will clash with the 250UB beams in the other direction, but we will deal with this later. 8. Create 2 more 200UB30 beams at the same height, this time along Gridlines 1 a n d 2 . ( B e t w e e n t h e m e m b e r s a t G r i dl i n e s A a n d B ) T h e s e b e a m s w i l l b e 4000 long. Align the top outside edge of the top flange of these members with the workframe lines already created. The ends will clash with the columns at each end. We will sort this out in the next exercise. 9. Now draw a temporary line from the midpoint of Gridline D workframe line, at Ground Level, to the midpoint workframe line above. (Remember the line above is used as the setout point of the 250UB beam). This vertical line will be used to place a vertical column. (See the next page first)
Chapter 10-3
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 3
Note: You may wish to use the Isometric Overview 3 button before placing this line. This will give you a view of your model from the rear left corner of the structure, along easier placement of new components. 1 0 . C r e a t e a n 8 9 x 6 . 0 S H S c o l u m n o n t h e t em p o r a r y l i n e d r a w n i n s t e p 9 . U s e the centrepoint of the SHS shape as the setout point when placing the shape. Notice now that the SHS column clashes with the existing beam at the top end. Shorten the column at the top by the same method as the beams were shortened in step 4 of this exercise. 11. Now add a baseplate to the bottom of the SHS column, use the values as shown below when using the Baseplate acc DSTV command:
Note: Welding runs can be deleted or copied as necessary here to create a weld run for each side of the SHS The Data and Dowels tabs of the ProSteel 3D DSTV Baseplate dialog box are not important for us in this instance only, as we are using Tie Bolt symbols only.
12. As in previous exercises, it may be worth changing the holes in the baseplate created in the previous step to real holes so that they can be seen when the model is shaded (they do not need to be real holes for detailing purposes). Change the holes to real holes via the Shape Properties dialog box, Layout tab.
Chapter 10-4
3D Modeling Part 3
ProSteel 3D 17
13. Now we need to add an endplate and stiffener as a connection at the top of the SHS column. Zoom to this area, and then click the Endplate command icon. (or you could use the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Endplates / Endplates Normal pulldown menu. Click the SHS as the Shape to Connect, then the beam as the Support shape, and when you are presented with the ProSteel 3D Endplate Connection dialog box, fill out the values as shown below:
Note: A stiffener plate cannot be created automatically above the post with this dialog box, because the SHS column has no flanges. So the Stiffener, Stiffeners and Bt. Train tabs are not applicable here. Welding runs can be deleted or copied as necessary here to create a weld run for each side of the SHS
Chapter 10-5
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 3
14. The stiffener plates need to be added above the endplate in a manual method. Choose the Stiffener icon, or use could use the ProSteel 3D / Additions / Stiffeners pulldown menu. When prompted for the and when prompted for temporary vertical line dialog box appears, fill Shape to Create Stiffeners, pick the 250UB beam, an insertion point, osnap to the end of the used for placing the column. When the Stiffener in the values as shown below:
Note: The values in the Options tab do not need to be altered in this case, as the stiffeners are not on an angle, and we will not change any Assignment values this time.
15. 16. Now view your model isometrically from the original viewing point. Use the Isometric Overview 1 button to achieve this. This button may be hidden u n d e r a n o t h e r o f t h e I s o m e t r i c O v e rv i e w b u t t o n s ( t h e o n e s w i t h t h e airplanes on them). You model should now look like that shown below:
Chapter 10-6
3D Modeling Part 3
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 10-2
C OLLISION D ETECTION ,
AND SHEARPLATES
In this exercise, you will check for collision of beams at Gridlines A and B. You will also create more shear plate end connections where needed. 1. View your model isometrically and zoom into the Gridline A and B area. 2. Collision detection can be carried out at this point on the 3 new beams created in exercise 10-1, and you will notice that the new beams clash with the columns and beams on Gridlines A and B.
The Collision Detection command icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar, and on the ProSteel 3D Collision Detection toolbar, or choose Collision Detection from the ProSteel 3D / Additions pulldown menu. Z o o m t o e a c h e n d o f e a c h o f t he t h r e e 2 0 0 U B 3 0 b e a m s , a n d e x e c u t e Collision Detection. Pick the objects concerned (use a crossing selection window), and when you see the applicable Collision Detection dialog box, leave the Collision Body Volume as 500mm3. Now click the Lets You Select parts to Check for any Collisions button on the dialog box
The Lets You Select parts to Check for any Collisions button The colliding members will be greyed out, and the collision volume highlighted in another colour, probably magenta. The resulting collision volume is normally deleted, but because it is created on a separate layer (PS_CRASH) this layer can be turned off when needed. If you wish to completely erase all or any of the collision bodies, click the Deletes all exiting Collision Bodies button on the dialog box.
The Deletes all exiting Collision Bodies button.
If necessary, you can reinstate the original shape colours after executing Collision detection by using the PS_REGEN command. ProSteel 3D Regen is explained in Exercise 08-2, part 3.
3. Now add shearplate connections to both ends of the central transverse beam i n t h e p l a t f o r m a r e a o f t h e m o d e l . U se t h e v a l u e s s h o w n i n t h e d i a l o g b o x shown on the next page. After picking the 200UB30 as the shape to connect, choose the 250UB31 beam as the support shape.
Use the SchearPlate icon, located on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or choose Schearplates from the ProSteel 3D / Connection /Schearplates pulldown menu.
Chapter 10-7
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 3
Y o u m a y n e e d t o f o r ce s h e a r p l a t e s t o l e f t o r r i g h t s i d e s o f t h e b e a m w e b t o allow for site erection, via the Position Selection drop down list on the Shape tab. Take note also that the Gap value (on the Shape tab) generally needs to be calculated before using this command, especially in this situation where the gap is from a web, not a face of member.
Chapter 10-8
3D Modeling Part 3
ProSteel 3D 17
4. Now add shear plate connections to each of the remaining 200UB30 beam ends. Use the same values as shown in the dialog box at step 4 above. The dialog box will have correct values already set, if it has not had values change since that step, but you will need to Change the Gap value to 95. Use the sequence as indicated at step 4. After picking the 200UB30 as the shape to connect, you then choose the portal frame column at Gridline B, or the 200UB30 column at Gridline A as the support shape.
At Grid A column
At Grid B column
Again, while placing shearplate connections to both ends of beams, you may need to force the shearplates to the left or right sides of the beam web to allow for site erection, via the Position Selection drop down list on the Shape tab on the ProSteel 3D Shearplate Connections dialog box.
Chapter 10-9
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 3
Chapter 10-10
Chapter 10-11
Chapter 12
Center of Gravity
In this chapter, you will learn how to ascertain the weight center of individual parts or construction groups.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn how use the Center of Gravity command.
Chapter 12-1
ProSteel 3D 16.5
Center of Gravity
E XERCISE 12-1
DETERMINING
C ENTER
OF
G RAVITY
In this exercise you will learn to use the Center of Gravity command. 1. View your model isometrically as explained previously and zoom into the Gridline D area. 2. Use the Center of Gravity command to ascertain the weight center of one or several picked objects.
T h e C e n t e r o f G r a v i t y c om m a n d i c o n c a n b e f o u n d o n t h e P r o S t e e l 3 D E d i t toolbar, and the ProSteel 3D Collision Detection toolbar, or choose Center of Gravity from the ProSteel 3D / Additions pulldown menu. The center of gravity of components is marked graphically by an info bubble or sphere. The co-ordinates can be read in reference to the UCS. The spheres can be deleted after use, or because they are created on a separate layer, this layer can be frozen or turned off if not needed. 3. Use the Display Classes feature as described in Exercise 11-1 to temporarily hide all components of your model except those at Gridline D. 4. Determine the weight center of the complete portal frame, and of the individual components, as indicated below. (Display all classes when finished)
Chapter 12-2
Chapter 12-3
Chapter 13
3D Modeling Part 4
In this chapter, you will complete 3D modeling between Gridline A and Gridline D of your sample model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Remove the splice connections at Gridline C. Change the size of columns and rafters at Gridline C. Add new splice connections at Gridline C.
Chapter 13-1
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 4
E XERCISE 13-1
D ELETING C ONNECTIONS & L OGICAL L INKS
In this exercise, you will delete existing splice connections at Gridline C, and delete drill holes and cuts associated with those connections. This is so that we can change the size of the column and rafter members without being constrained by the current splice connection. 1. View your model isometrically (as explained on previously). 2. Hide all parts, except parts on Gridline C. This makes it easier to see all the components that we will be dealing with in this exercise only. To hide those parts, click the Hide Except Group button, found on the Display Classes t o o l b a r , a n d t h e n c l i c k t h e 3 g r o u p s d ra w n o n G r i d l i n e C ( 2 k i n k e d l e g s , a n d one kinked rafter)
This is the Hide Except Group button. 3. Now erase all parts associated with the left side splice connection by using a standard AutoCAD window selection method. Ensure that you include all relevant plates, bolts and welds. Now erase all of the similar components at the right side splice connection. You will notice that all four rafter components still have bolt holes. The AutoCAD erase command will not remove bolt holes as they are not separate entities. 4. To remove bolt holes from the columns and rafters at Gridline C, we need to use the holes tab on the Shape Properties dialog box. Double click the top lefthand side 310UB40 rafter to invoke the Shape Properties dialog box. From the holes tab, you will see that there are 2 holefields, one containing 4 holes, the other containing 2 holes. You can toggle between the selection of each holefield via the arrow buttons at the bottom of this dialog box. Click the Removes the Actual Holefield from the Element button for each selected holefield. You will instantly see them disappear from the rafter.
This is the Removes the Actual Holefield from the Element button. 5. Repeat deleting holefields for the top righthand side 310UB 40 rafters, and for both portal knee projections, also 310UB40s. You should now be left with portal frame rafters with have no holes at all, only stiffeners at joints, and a 10mm gap at the previous splice location. 6. Delete the logical links to the previous splice connection locations. Double click the each longer rafter at Gridline C, and from the LogLinks tab of the Shape Properties dialog box, use the arrow buttons to find the Connecting Shape logical links, and delete them. Click the Removes the Actual Logical Link and All Parts Belonging to It button to delete them.
This is the Removes the Actual Logical Link and All Parts Belonging to It button
Now double click each shorter rafter at Gridline C, and from the LogLinks tab of the Shape Properties dialog box use the arrow buttons to find the Splice Connection logical links, and delete them.
Chapter 13-2
3D Modeling Part 4
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 13-2
C HANGING E XISTING S HAPE S IZES
In this exercise, you will change the size of the existing columns and rafters at Gridline C from 310UB40s to 200UB30s. This will ready us for inserting new splice connections. 1. View your model isometrically and zoom into the Gridline C area. 2. Double click the left side column, and from the Shape Properties dialog box, use the Shape Type tab to change the Shape Size from 310UB40 to 200UB30. This will leave a messy portal knee connection at the top of this column, but it will be righted when the portal knee rafter size is changed. 3. Double click the right side column and change it also from a 310UB40 to a 200UB30. The column baseplates will also need changing in size. We will do this after changing the rafter sizes. 4. Now double click (in turn) each 310UB40 rafter and change to 200UB30 rafters, all existing knee joint and apex joint connections with stiffeners should be altered correctly once all of these members are changed. 5. Now zoom to the left column baseplate area at Gridline C. Click the baseplate once to highlight it, and then right click to envoke the right click menu. From that menu choose PS3D Change Connection to change the plate size to 300 x 300, and the bolt spacings to 150 x 100. Also change the plate thickness to 12mm. You may also wish to display the bolt holes as Real Holes. 6. Change the baseplate size and values to the right column as for step 5. Your Gridline C portal frame is now ready for new splice connections.
Chapter 13-3
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 4
E XERCISE 13-3
A DDING N EW S PLICE C ONNECTIONS
In this exercise, you will add new splice connections to the changed rafters at Gridline C. 1. View your model isometrically and zoom into the Gridline C area. Leave your UCS set to world. 2. Click the SPLICE icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar to invoke the splice command and follow the prompts. Select the two right sloping rafters, short segment and then long segment. Remember that there is already a 10mm break between them. The splice connection will be instantly created but you will need to adjust the values within the Splice Connection dialog box to match those shown below:
(Note: If your splice connection orientation is 180 degrees to what you would expect, you may need to re-orientate your rafter. See Exercise 7-2 s t e p 4 t o c h a n g e t h e d i r e c t i on o f t h e r a f t e r i f n e e d e d )
Chapter 13-4
3D Modeling Part 4
ProSteel 3D 17
Y o u m a y n e e d t o u n t i c k a n d t h e n r e - ti c k t h e S I N G L E S I D E b o x i n t h e a b o v e dialog to force the diagonal splice. You should also check all welds for any unwanted welding runs. 3. Repeat the Splice command at the two left sloping rafters. Pick the short rafter first, then the longer rafter. When presented with the ProSteel 3D Splice Connection dialog box, repeat the values as shown on the previous p a g e , b u t y o u m a y n e e d t o c h a n g e t h e v er t i c a l p l a t e f r o m t h e r i g h t s i d e , t o the left side. This can be done on the Layout tab of the ProSteel 3D Splice Connection dialog box. Aagin you will need to check for redundant welding runs. 4. Check that all bolts are GROUPED correctly. If not use some of the Group tools to ungroup fromsome assemblies, and Group to the correct assemblies. 5. Your portal is now complete, turn on all Display Classes, view your complete model isometrically, and save to hard disk.
Chapter 13-5
ProSteel 3D 17
3D Modeling Part 4
Chapter 13-6
Chapter 13-7
Chapter 14
Structural Element Purlin Course
In this chapter, you will learn how to quickly create multiple instances of structural shapes over a regular pattern, such as roof purlin layouts, and floor joist layouts. After placing the purlin courses, we can edit the individual members for end connections.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Add a roof Purlin Course to the Portal Frames between Gridlines B and D. Add floor joists to the platform area between Gridlines A and B using the Purlin Course feature.
Chapter 14-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 14-1
P URLIN C OURSE
AT ROOF
The Purlin Course feature is normally used for the layout of purlins and girts. But this feature of ProSteel 3D can also be used to quickly create multiple instances of structural shapes over a regular pattern, such as in our case, the platform floor joists. The Purlin Course command icon is found on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or on the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects toolbar menu. Yellow structural system lines will be created when forming a Purlin Course. If Draw Diagonal is ticked on the ProSteel 3D Purlin dialog box, the structural element lines are easier to find. The properties of the structural element can b e l o a d e d a n d e d i t e d s u b s e q u e n t l y b y s el e c t i n g t h e b l u e l i n e s . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e dimensions of the purlin course can be changed as well by clicking its grips. In this exercise you will add a purlin course to the portal frame area of your current 3D model. 1. Hide some Classes such that only the beams and main columns at Gridlines B, C and D are displayed. This will make the roof area easier to work on. 2. Since the alignment of the Purlin Course members is always parallel to the x-axis of the current UCS, and our roof is on a slope, the next step consists of correctly positioning the UCS. Create a new AutoCAD UCS (User Co-ordinate System) where the x direction is aligned to the Gridline 2 side of the roof, and the y-direction is aligned to the top of the right sloping portal frame rafter at GridlineB. Use the ends of the sloping portal frame workframe lines as reference points when creating the new UCS, and when prompted for Purlin Course setout points. Use the UCS 3-point method to choose 3 reference points. The 3 point UCS icon can be found on the AutoCAD UCS Toolbar. Or you could choose 3 Point from the AutoCAD Tools/New UCS pulldown menu.
Your new origin will be at the Grid B, Grid 2, knee intersection, for new xdirection osnap to the Grid D, Grid 2, knee intersection and for the new ydirection osnap to the Grid B apex point.
3.
Now choose the Purlin Course command, and follow the prompts to pick 2 diagonally opposite points to define the rectangular area for the Purlin Course. Those 2 points are at the previously chosen new UCS origin on Gridline B, and at the apex point back on gridline D. You will now be presented with the ProSteel 3D Purlin dialog box. Fill in the dialog box values as shown on the next page:
Chapter 14-2
ProSteel 3D 17
4. We will need to break the purlins at the middle portal frame, and add purlin cleats to all portal frames, but we will do this at a later stage. For the time being, create a new UCS on the other side of the roof, aligned with Gridline1, and place some more purlins using the Purlin Course command. Use similar values within the dialog box, as used in step 3 of this exercise. (If you wish you can choose to mirror the new purlins and their associated structural elements (system lines) from the Gridline2 side of the roof, to the Gridline1 side, but you will need to check that you have achieved the wanted result. Your UCS in this case will need to be set to World)
Chapter 14-3
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 14-2
P URLIN
COURSE AT
P LATFORM L EVEL
In this exercise you will add a grid of joists to the platform area of your current 3D model. 1. Turn on all previously hidden classes, and turn off others such that only the platform area columns and beams between Grids A and B are displayed. It may pay to assign all currently drawn roof purlins to the Purlins class beforehand. 2. View the GridA to GridB platform area of your model isometrically. 3. Create a new UCS which is at the platform level of your model, and aligned so that the x-direction is along GridlineA, and the y-direction is along Gridline1. Use the original workframe lines created back at the beginning of our 3D model, as reference points for the new UCS, and when prompted for Purlin Course setout points. Remember that these lines are aligned to the top face of all beams at this platform level.
4. Choose the Purlin Course command, and follow the prompts to pick 2 diagonally opposite points to define the rectangular area for the Purlin Course. Those 2 points are at the previously chosen new UCS origin on Gridline A, and at the diagonally opposite point back on gridline B. Now fill in the dialog box values as shown below:
Chapter 14-4
ProSteel 3D 17
5. Now turn on all Display Classes and assign the 3 new platform beams and their blue system lines to the Joists class. We will divide the new beams, and add end plates in the next chapter. You could also assign all previously created roof purlins and their blue system lines to the Roof display class. Your ProSteel 3D model should now look like this:
Chapter 14-5
ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 14-6
Chapter 14-7
Chapter 15
Dividing Joists and Purlins
In this chapter, you will learn how to divide structural shapes such as joists and purlins at supporting members, and you will add some more shear plate connections to each end.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Divide the platform floor joists into shorter segments and add shear plate connections to each end. Divide the portal frame area roof purlins into shorter lengths, and add purlin cleat connections.
Chapter 15-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 15-1
D IVIDING
SHAPES AND
A DDING S HEAR C ONNECTIONS
In this exercise you will divide the platform floor joists at the central support beam, and add shear plate connections to their supporting members. You will also divide the roof purlins at Gridline C, and add fixing cleats at all purlin to rafter locations on Gridlines B, C and D. 1. View your model isometrically and zoom into the platform area between Gridline A and B. 2. The 150UB18 floor joists need to be broken or divided at the 200UB30 central support beam. To do this, choose the Divide One Object in Two Independent Ones button on the Common tab of the Element Modification dialog box. But set the Distance value below the button to 15 before choosing the Divide button. and then When prompted to select the shapes to divide, pick all 3 floor joists. When prompted for a dividing point, choose the line option, and then pick the setout line which was used to create the 200UB central support beam. (You may need to zoom in much closer to choose this line). The joists are now broken, and the new gap between the ends is 30mm (2 x 15). The ends can now be connected with shearplates. 3. Now add shear plate connections to each end of all 150UB18 floor joists. Pick the SchearPlates icon on the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar,
or choose Schearplates from the ProSteel 3D / Connections / Schearplates pulldown menu. Pick the steel shapes as prompted, and fill in the values as shown below when the ProSteel 3D Shear Plate Connection dialog box is presented.
Chapter 15-2
ProSteel 3D 17
The shear plate connection is automatically generated. Add shearplates to all joist ends. Adjust the for Left or Right side position on the shapes tab of this dialog box when adding Shear Plate Connections so that the 2 plates to each beam are both on the same side of the beam web. This is for erection purposes. 4 . T h e Z 1 5 0 1 2 r o o f p u r l i n s n e e d t o b e b r o ke n o r d i v i d e d a t t h e c e n t r a l P o r t a l Frame at Gridline C. To do this, choose the Divide One Object in Two Independent Ones button on the Common tab of the Element Modification dialog box. But set the Distance value below the button to 3 before choosing the Divide button. and then (Ensure that you are zoomed to the Gridline C portal frame roof area before continuing any further) When prompted to select the shapes to divide, pick all 6 roof purlins. When prompted for a dividing point, pick a workframe line end point nearest the portal frame knee. You may find that you cannot pick the workframe apex point. The purlins are now broken, and the new gap between the ends is 6mm (2 x 3). 5. We will now connect the purlin ends to the top of the raking portal frame members with cleats and bolts. Before doing this, delete the purlin group system lines. There are two sets of system lines, one for each side of the roof, they are the blue lines with diagonals. Now choose the Purlin Connection icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar.
The Purlin Connection command will ask you to choose purlins to connect, and the members that they will connect to. Pick the twelve purlin ends nearest Gridline C, and then pick the portal frame rafters at the same gridline as the supporting members. Remember there are 4 portal frame rafters, 2 long lengths, and 2 short lengths at knees. You are now presented with the ProSteel 3D Purlin Connection dialog box. Pick the Purlin Cleat tab, then fill out the values as shown in the next dialog box. (Note that the Bolting tab, Purlin Shoe tab and the Purlin Shape tab are not used in this instance, as these are different types of purlin connections not normally used in New Zealand.
Chapter 15-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Six purlin cleats with bolts and fillet welds should now be added to the portal frame at Gridline C. If you are happy with the results, click the OK button to accept them. 6. Repeat the procedure in step 5, but this time for the 6 purlins and 4 portal frame rafters at Gridline D. When you are at the Purlin Connection dialog box, pick the cleat tab. The values from last time you used this command are still retained. Some of them need to be changed, as we are using single purlin cleats here, not double urlin cleats. Change the LENGTH value from 150 to 80. Change the W3 value from 90 to 0, and this will produce one column of 2 bolts, not 2 columns of 2 bolts. Click the OK button, and six purlin cleats with bolts and fillet welds should now be added to the portal frame at Grid D. 7. Repeat the procedure in step 6, but this time for the 6 purlin ends which connect to the portal frame rafters at Gridline B. Choose OK, and six purlin cleats with bolts and fillet welds should now be added to the portal frame at Grid B. 8. The bulk of our 3D modeling is now complete. Save your drawing to disk, we will add some stairs and handrails in the next chapter. We will then add some concrete parts after that. We can then start creating parts lists, and detailing parts.
Chapter 15-4
Chapter 15-5
Chapter 16
Structural Elements Stairs & Handrails
In this chapter, you will learn how to quickly add a steel staircase, and some handrailing around the platform area of your 3D model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Use the Structural Element Stairs command to add a staircase to the side of the platform area. Use the Structural Element Handrails command to add some handrailing around the perimeter of the platform area. Learn how to adopt drill patterns to supporting members, and add bolts when needed.
Chapter 16-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 16-1
A DDING
S TAIRCASE
A Staircase is to be created on the right side of the platform structure. In this exercise we will use another structural element, the Staircase. The structural element bounding box (the yellow system lines) may be deleted and the staircase can then be altered to your individual needs. In the example used in this exercise, we will need to add a supporting beam and column at the Gridline B end of the stair. 1. Add a 200UB29.8 support beam to the Portal Frame column at the Gridline B, Gridline 2 intersection. Use the dimension shown in the diagram below, and ensure that the top surface of the new beam matches the top surface level of the current beams around the platform area. Use an appropriate grouping command to group the new beam to the column on Gridline B.
2. Zoom in or out of the 3D model until you can see all of the Grid A to Grid B platform area. Then select the Stairs command icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects toolbar.
The Stairs command will prompt you to Pick a Startpoint for the Stairs. Choose the absolute co-ordinate point 4925,-1000,0 as the start point for the stairs. When prompted for the stair direction, choose a point towards the rear of the platform. Ensure ortho is set to on when choosing this point. 3. When using the Stair command, a staircase is created using the last entered dimensions. In the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box, change the values to those as shown on the six tabs below: Note: Not all values need to be input in the cells of the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box. Some values will be set automatically. For instance, the Riser and Going values may be automatically input because of values already set for Length, Height, Riser Count and Angle.
Chapter 16-2
ProSteel 3D 17
Note: Bolts used for Handrail Stringers and Treads in this instance are 4.6/S bolts. If you cannot find these on the dropdown list available in the Shapes tab, then you will need to add the bolt style definition using the button on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box (BOLTING command).
Note: Handrail settings are best managed by the use of Templates. As you will see via the diagram at left, the Handrail settings have been stored and recalled via the Stair-Handrails template.
Chapter 16-3
ProSteel 3D 17
4. The handrails are automatically drawn along with the stairs, because the handrails tab on the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box has values set which request the handrails.
5.
Click the Enables to Edit the settings for the Handrails button on the Handrails tab of the ProSteel 3D Stair dialog box, and set the following values:
Note: Use the following Shape values: Handrail = 42.2x3.2 CHS Posts = 48.3x3.2 CHS
Upper Rail = 33.7x3.2 CHS Mid Rail (not used) Lower Rail (not used) Kick Plate= 100x8 FLAT Filling Rods (not used)
Chapter 16-4
ProSteel 3D 17
6. You can now delete some of the handrail posts and rails at the top inside of the stairs, so that someone using the stairs can get access to the platform area. Make sure that if you erase some posts, that you erase the appropriate post baseplate at the same time. You will be left with some holes in the top side of the stair stringers. You can remove the holes by zooming to the stringer, highlighting the stringer by picking it, and choosing PS3D Properties from the right click mouse button menu.
You are now presented with the Shape Properties dialog box, go to the H o l e s t a b o n t h a t d i a l o g b o x , h i g h l i g h t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e h ol e u s i n g t h e a r r o w buttons on the bottom of the Holes tab, then hit the Delete button on the Holes tab. (Note the acquired holes will show as red holes, other holes on the same shape will show as white while on the holes tab) The holes can be deleted like this, one hole at a time per shape. 7. The stair stringers need to be connected to the 200UB30 support beam that we created at step 1 of this exercise.
Choose the Schearplate command icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements t o o l b a r , f o l l o w t h e p r o m p t s t o c h o o se t h e s t r i n g e r s h a p e a n d i t s s u p p o r t shape then set the values as shown below. This needs to be done for each
Chapter 16-5
ProSteel 3D 17
stringer. See the dialog box on the next page for the relevant values.
8. Now check each stair handrail post baseplate. These may need to be s h o r t e n e d o r a d j u s t e d f o r s i z e , s o m e b ol t s m a y n e e d t o b e a d d e d o r d e l e t e d , and some holes may need to be drilled or deleted. Use the commands you have learnt up to this stage to achieve this. 9. If you wish to you can add a support post under the end of stair support beam. Use a 75x5.0 SHS shape as the post. The post should be seated 150mm back from the outside end of the 200UB29 support beam. Add a 300 x 150 x 20mm thick baseplate to the post, with two 28mm dia holes at 150 crs, for two M24 tie bolts, and allow for 40mm grout under. Add a top connection to the underside of the 200UB29 support beam. Use an endplate connection with the following values. 240 x 140 x 12mm thick endplate, drill both parts for four M168.8/S bolts. Bolt spacing to be 70 x 150mm. Now check all of the members related to the stair, and adjust them if necessary. You may wish to shade your model and view from many angles using AutoCADs 3D Orbit feature. Save your 3D model to your hard disk.
Chapter 16-6
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 16-2
A DDING
SOME
H ANDRAILS
The platform structure of your 3D model needs a handrail structure around the perimeter. For just this type of situation, ProSteel 3D offers the Structural E l e m e n t H a n d r a i l , a h a n d y t o o l f o r q u i ck l y c r e a t i n g t h e s k e l e t a l s t r u c t u r e o f handrails. An AutoCAD polyline is the foundation of every ProSteel 3D handrail. This line can reside on a single flat plane (UCS) as well as spatially (3D) across different UCSs. A handrail can thus be constructed easily and without problems across several planes. A Handrail is generated in a similar manner as for the purlin course. D i m e n s i o n s a n d a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e h a n d r ai l c a n b e c h a n g e d e i t h e r b y p u l l i n g o n the grips on screen or by altering the values of parameters in the Handrail dialog box. All Handrail objects can be individually entered into the parts list and detailed. 1. Check that all recently added parts have an assigned Display Class and Area Class. Then turn off some Display Classes and Area Classes such that only the Zone1 area only of your model is showing. 2. View the Zone1 platform area of your model isometrically. 3. Create a polyline located 50mm offset from the top outside edge of the platform members. Draw the polyline on a layer which can be frozen off at a later stage. (The Prosteel 3D Layers called PS_Object and PS_Frame contain workframe lines and object layout lines which are normally frozen off before presenting the 3D model for presentation purposes, or before printing). Use dimensions as shown on the diagram on the next page when creating the polyline:
Note: The polyline as shown for handrail setout is 50mm back from the outside top flange edge of the beams to each side of the platform area.
4. Ensure that the PS_Object layer is on and thawed before drawing handrails. Choose the Handrail command from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D Structural Objects toolbar. Pick the polyline drawn at step 3, and the handrail system will automatically be drawn, and the ProSteel 3D Handrail dialog box is displayed. The values should be as for those used in Exercise 16-1 (Adding a Staircase). Change only the values as shown below.If the handrail needs to be further modified from the results presented, then the yellow structural system lines should be deleted, and then modifications carried out.
Chapter 16-7
ProSteel 3D 17
5 . T h e h a n d r a i l p o s t b a s e p l a t e s n e e d t o b ol t e d t o t h e p l a t f o r m . A p r e - r e q u i s i t e for the bolting to work, is that drill holes must exist in both component parts. If component parts are located directly on top of each other, then there is no need to define a drill hole pattern, as the drill hole pattern can be mirrored to any adjacent part. The button to execute this command is located in the Drill dialog box and is labeled Adopt. and then View the handrail you have drawn isometrically, and zoom into a handrail post baseplate. Open the Drill dialog box at the Dimensions tab and select the Takeover Drills of Selected Objects to Other selected Objects button, pick the baseplate of the handrail posts first, and press Enter. Now select the shape underneath (upper flange only) which is going to have the hole pattern mirrored to it, and press Enter and then pick OK on the open Drill dialog box. Do this for each set of handrail post.
Note that some holes will interfere with the stiffeners at the top of columns to Grid A. Delete these holes. You will need to use the Release button before selecting and deleting. These buttons are on the Holes tab on the Shape Properties dialog box. 6. Most of the plate connections created up to now have offered the option of adding bolts automatically. However, in the handrail case, no bolts can be placed automatically. For this situation, manual bolting can be used. With manual bolting, ProSteel 3D can check the selected component parts for concentric holes of the same diameter and if the calculated bolt length corresponds with the available bolt length as listed in the bolt database table, a bolt will be inserted. Bolt properties can be viewed like any other ProSteel 3D object. Just right click the object, choose PS3D Properties from the contecxt sensitive right click menu, and you will be presented with the relevant ProSteel 3D dialog box. Now add bolts to each handrail baseplate bolt hole. Choose the Bolting icon from the ProSteel 3D Elements toolbar, or pick Bolts from the ProSteel 3D pulldown menu.
You are now presented with the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box. the following values within the Bolting dialog box. (see next page)
Apply
Chapter 16-8
ProSteel 3D 17
Note: The Bolts used for the Handrail posts in this instance are 8.8/S bolts. If you cannot find these on the dropdown list available in the Shapes tab, then you will need to add the bolt style definition using the button on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog box (BOLTING command).
To do this , on the ProSteel 3D Bolt Styles dialog boxgo to the Sort tab, and click the Add a Bolt Style Definition from Slected File at the Actual Definition button. This will then allow you to use a windows browsing method to find the correct 8.8/S.bsy file (bolt style file) from your computer. The correct folder which contains the file is probably the following: C:\Program Files\Kiwi Software GmbH\ProSteel3D\R17.0 \AutoCAD 2006\Styles\BoltStyles Substituting your own AutoCAD version
Now click the Bolts all Selected Parts Automatic button on the Bolting tab of the dialog box shown above, and then follow the prompts at the AutoCAD command line area to choose the parts that are to be bolted together
Chapter 16-9
ProSteel 3D 17
The bolts are now applied to the holes. Repeat the process for all holes at handrail baseplates. 7. Now that your handrailing has been modeled, you should then create meaningful construction groups, and combine all handrail components into new Display Classes and Area Classes. A display class called Handrails should have been setup at Exercise 11-1. You need to assign parts to these Display Classes and Area Classes. You could also do the same thing if you wish for all Stair components. When you now view your model, it should look like this:
Now save your drawing to hard disk.
Chapter 16-10
Chapter 16-11
Chapter 19
The DetailCenter
In this chapter, you learn about the functions and processes of 2D detail creation using the ProSteel 3D DetailCenter.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview Component Parts Get an overview of DetailStyles Create a new DetailStyle for later use Learn how to link Component Parts with DetailStyle Get an overview of Views used for 2D detailing Learn about Inserting 2D detail blocks into detail drawings
Chapter 19-1
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter
The DetailCenter
The ProSteel 3D DetailCenter is a parts browser interface that acts as the central switching station between the 3D model and its derived 2D shop drawings. The DetailCenter is a dockable AutoCAD dialog in a Windows Explorer like style. From DetailCenter, the user controls all processes of 2D detail drawing creation. P a r t s a n d G r o u p s c a n b e v i e w e d i n a n u m be r o f d i f f e r e n t s t y l e s b y u s i n g f i l t e r s and various browser controls accessed from the DetailCenter tools button, or by right clicking anywhere within the DetailCenter dialog box. The DetailCenter command is located as an icon on the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, (or on the Details toolbar) or can be found as a command under the ProSteel 3D / 2D pulldown menu.
The DetailCenter dialog box contains four main tabs: Parts, Views, Insert and Globa.
Component Parts Overview

The PARTS tab is the first visible tab on screen after opening the DetailCenter. See the illustration at left: The upper panel - Current DetailStyles shows all Detail Styles in the current drawing. When using a ProSteel 3D drawing template, these are the DetailStyles OVERVIEW and STANDARD. A tree structure visible in the lower panel displays all parts and groups, with sub parts nested under the main part of any group available. A symbol precedes every Part description in the tree to provide quick part type identification. The symbol clearly identifies every part either as a plate, shape, group or view.
Filters can be used to limit the part listing. Once a filter has been set in the DetailCenter Settings for Display dialogue box, it can be activated by placing a tick in the Use Filter tickbox in that dialog box.. This is the button for the DetailCenter Settings for Display doalog box.
Chapter 19-2
The DetailCenter
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter Part Settings icon is located above the Current Styles window on all 3 of the tabs (Parts, Views and Insert).
Clicking this button on each tab presents you with 3 different dialog boxes that controls DetailCenter part settings.
Note: The new Global tab on the ProSteel 3D DetailCenter dialog box also controls settings:
DetailStyle
If a component part or is carried out by using variety of parameters, of view, dimensioning, construction group is to be detailed automatically, this a s p e c i f i c D e t ai l S t y l e . T h e D e t a i l S t y l e o f f e r s a v a s t which may be used to adjust settings for scale, direction labeling, etc.
The combination of these many settings can be saved with its own name. For example, it is possible to create a DetailStyle with four smaller scale views, or a DetailStyle for individual parts with only two, larger scale views. The Construction Group style is then assigned to the entire construction groups and the style Individual Parts to the individual component parts.
Chapter 19-3
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter
E XERCISE 19-1
C REATING
N EW D ETAIL S TYLE
In this exercise, you will create a new DetailStyle to be used at a later stage for the construction group detailing.
1. Pick the DetailCenter command from the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, the Detail toolbar, or from the ProSteel 3D / 2D pulldown menu. 2. After selecting the STANDARD DetailStyle (from the upper browser area on the Parts tab), use the right-click menu to access Save DetailStyle As. At the Save DetailStyle AS dialog box, enter the name CONSTRUCTION GROUP. Ensure that the new DetailStyle will be saved in the correct windows folder. (C:\Program Files\KiwiSoft\ProSteel3D\R17.0\AutoCAD 2005\Styles\DetailStyles). After the new detailstyle has been created, right click in the upper browser area of the Partlist tab again, and from the context menu, choose Load Detailstyle At the next window, browse to the folder containing the new detailstyle, highlight it, and then click the OPEN button. The DetailStyle CONSTRUCTION GROUP is now added to the Current DetailStyles list. 3. Now select CONSTRUCTION GROUP from the Current DetailStyles list on the ProSteel 3D DetailCenter, Parts tab by left clicking the name. Then rightclick, and from the resultant right-click menu, choose Edit DetailStyle. You are now presented with the Actual Style dialog box. In this case the dialog box relates to the Construction Group DetailStyle only. The values on the various tabs within this dialog box are based on the Standard DetailStyle. You can now edit the values as desired. 4. Some of the tabs included on the Actual Style dialog box are shown below.
Chapter 19-4
The DetailCenter
ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 19-5
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter
Note that from the bottom of the ProSteel 3D Detai lStyle dialog box, that a description can be added or altered, that describes what this particular detail style could be used for. There are also buttons on the dialog box that can be used to save the edited detailstyle to your hard disk, and for the SAVEAS type function.
Chapter 19-6
The DetailCenter
ProSteel 3D 17
Manually Linking Component Parts with DetailStyles

To assign a DetailStyle to a component part from the component part list (lower browser window) just use a drag and drop process to pull the part to the desired style listed in the DetailStyle overview (upper brwser window). Use LOAD DetailStyles to add DetailStyles from other drawings to the STANDARD and OVERVIEW DetailStyles. The following applies to construction groups: If the Recursive Selection button is clicked, then the desired DetailStyle is applied to all individual parts within this construction group as well.
this is the Recursive Selection button on the Parts tab of DetailCenter You can query the DetailStyle by selecting the component part in the lower browser and right-clicking. Component parts already linked with a style are identified in the component parts list with a checkmark.
To break a component part link, just use drag & d r o p t o p u l l t h e c o m p o ne n t p a r t a w a y f r o m t h e detail center. DetailStyles can be assigned subsequently by pulling the selected component part to the desired style. The original DetailStyle will be replaced with the new one. Component parts may be write-protected by activating the WRITE-PROTECT AT ONCE option on the DetailCenter Tools dialog.
Chapter 19-7
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter
Views List for Manual Detailing

In the DetailCenter Settings for Parts dialog box,if the feature called Take over to view list, is activated, then all component parts with the views required by the assigned DetailStyle are listed automatically in the views list. Pull the selected component parts on to the IMPORT TO VIEWS LIST button to send component parts to the view list at any time.
If it should become apparent that some of the views checked may no longer be r e q u i r e d , t h e y c a n t h e n b e r e m o v e d b y d ra g & d r o p . A n o t h e r o p t i o n a v a i l a b l e i s to change the DetailStyle for that view, this can be easily done by selecting the view and using a right-click. A p r e v i e w o f t h e c o m p o n e n t p a r t w i t h i ts c u r r e n t D e t a i l S t y l e p r o p e r t i e s c a n b e displayed at any time. It is thus possible to check the effects of the assigned detailStyle before final detailing. If the result is not satisfactory, the DetailStyle can be modified.
Chapter 19-8
The DetailCenter
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 19-2
A SSIGNING D ETAIL S TYLES
AND
P REVIEWING V IEWS
In this exercise, you will assign DetailStyles to parts in the current 3D model, and you will preview the 2D views of those parts. 1. From within the current project drawing (our 3D model of the stage / platform structure) open the DetailCenter from the ProSteel 3D pulldown menu, or from the Detailcenter icon on the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar. 2. From the ProSteel 3D DetailCenter dialog box, assign the CONSTRUCTION GROUP DetailStyle to all of the construction groups listed in the Current Parts window. Construction Groups are prefixed BG by ProSteel within the Current Parts window (BG means Building Groups). The associated individual parts are to receive the STANDARD style. 3. Assign all single parts in the Current Parts window with the STANDARD Style. 4. Now make the View tab on Detailcenter the current one. Right click any part listed to envoke the right-click menu. Choose Preview from the menu to preview the 2D views of the chosen part. 5. Preview the entire construction group and individual component parts views. Any view can be saved as a .dwg file if required. Change any DetailStyles assigned to parts and groups if required. To re-assign a different DetailStyle to an existing part, just drag and drop the part to the newly desired DetailStyle, and it will overwrite the old DetailStyle.
Chapter 19-9
ProSteel 3D 17
The DetailCenter
Chapter 19-10
Chapter 19-11
Chapter 20
2D Detailing Manual Method
In this chapter, you learn about automatic detailing and processing of detail blocks.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of Automatic 2D Detailing (Manual Method) Learn how to Insert Detail Blocks into new drawings.
Chapter 20-1
ProSteel 3D 16.5
Once all of the desired views of the component parts are linked with the optimal DetailStyle from within ProSteel 3D DetailCenter, automatic detailing can be performed. This can be done from the Views tab within DetailCenter, by d r a g g i n g a n d d r o p p i n g a l l o f t h e s e l ec t e d c o m p o n e n t p a r t s t o t h e g e y 2 D button.on the top left of DetailCenter The processing of 2D blocks may take some time depending on the number of parts within your 3D model, and the speed of the computer being used for processing. After the detailing process has concluded, the finished 2D details are listed in the Insert tab from within DetailCenter. These detail blocks are combined into a detail catalog, which has the same name as the 3D model drawing. The tree structure created by the automatic detailing phase clearly shows all information of the construction group or part. Information about each of the detailed detail blocks can be viewed via a right-mouse-click context sensitive menu.
When you switch back to the Views tab after performing automatic detailing, you will notice that all component groups and individual parts which have been processed for detailing will have checkmarks against the named views
Chapter 20-2
ProSteel 3D 16.5
Manual Drawing Method - Inserting
Before the finished detail blocks can be inserted into a new 2D drawing, it is necessary to create a new drawing file. Open a new drawing and save it with the name C:\CAD_Projects\DETAIL1.dwg. (Use the PS3D_Metrich template as the basis of your new file, and type the command PLAN at the command line, to view the drawing in plan mode, not 3D mode) On any new detail drawing you will need to add a drawing border, and normally this would be a pre-drawn company standard drawing border. The INSERT DRAWING BORDER command is used to perform this task.
The INSERT DRAWING BORDER icon is found on the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, (or Details toolbar) or the command can be found on the ProSteel 3D / 2D pulldown menu. For our purpose, we will add an A1 drawing border to the modelspace area of our drawing. The most appropriate drawing border size n e e d s t o b e a s s i g n e d w h e n f i r s t c r e at i n g t h e d r a w i n g . D r a w i n g b o r d e r s a r e normally located in the C:\Program Files\KiwiSoft\ProSteel3D\R17.0\AutoCAD 2005\Format folder.
Note: The dialog boxes shown here are for the older version of ProSteel 3D, (version 16.5) as the newer version dialogs were not working working correctly at the time of creation of this manual.
The finished 2D details are now to be added to this drawing frame. Select the corresponding details and pull them to the INSERT button.
Chapter 20-3
ProSteel 3D 16.5
The details stick to the cursor and thus can be placed anywhere. Inserted details are then identified in the detail catalog with a checkmark.
Switch back to the component part overview. Detailed and inserted component parts are now listed with a green background symbol.
Chapter 20-4
ProSteel 3D 16.5
E XERCISE 20-1
I NSERT 2D D ETAILS
In this exercise, you will create a new drawing and load a drawing frame, then add details to it using ProSteel 3D DetailCenter. 1 . B e g i n a n e w P r o S t e e l 3 D d r a w i n g , a nd s a v e t h e d r a w i n g w i t h t h e n a m e C:\CAD_Projects\Detail1.dwg. 2. Use the INSERT DRAWING BORDER icon to insert an A1 size predrawn drawing border. (INSERT DRAWING BORDER can also be found on the ProSteel 3D / 2D pulldown menu.)
3. Now place some detailed details from a construction group, by selecting them from the DetailCenter, Insert tab, and dragging them to the INSERT button.
4. Zoom to a detail block and activate the grips. Since the default setting specifies that an AutoCAD group is created from every detail block, the group command has to be deactivated for any further detailing using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+A. 5.
3D to 2D Update
The ProSteel 3D designer is immediately informed about the status of the 2D workshop drawings when changes to the 3D model are made. If an already detailed and inserted component part is changed within the 3D model, the selection color changes from green to red after the detail center has been opened again. Use a right-click to adjust detail blocks marked in red (=no longer needed blocks) to the modified 3D model automatically. The 2D drawing is updated when opened.
Creating a 2D cut on 2D detail drawings

You can use the CREATE 2D CUT command to create a cut vertically to the drawing plane in already detailed detail blocks. You may wish to do these to indicate the shape or profile of a part. See the exercise on the next page to learn more about this ProSteel 3D feature.
Chapter 20-5
ProSteel 3D 16.5
E XERCISE 20-2C REATE
2D C UT
In this exercise, you will create a 2D cut of a member already inserted on the Detail1.dwg drawing from Exercise 20-1. 1 . O p e n t h e p r e v i o u s l y c r e a t e d d r a w i n g D et a i l 1 . d w g i f i t i s n o t a l r e a d y o p e n . Ensure that your AutoCAD PICKSTYLE is set to 0 (Off, so that we can select individual lines, not groups). 2. Zoom to a detailed ProSteel 3D shape within the drawing, and then execute the CREATE CUT command.
The CREATE 2D SECTION icon can be found on the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, the Details toolbar or pick CREATE CUT from the ProSteel 3D / 2D pulldown menu. When you execute the command, you will be presented with the following dialog box.
Placed Cut Section
Placed Section Mark Symbols
Chosen Part
3. The dialog box allows you to place Section Marks Symbols, both custom or ProSteel generated, and Section Mark Text. For the purpose of this exercise, we will place Section Mark Symbols with values as shown above.
4.
After adjusting the values in the dialog box, click the bottom left button, and you will then be asked at the command prompt to choose all parts for the section. Pick an appropriate part on your Detail1.dwg drawing.You are now asked to Pick the SectionLine. Because we have not drawn a temporary section line, we will use the Points option, to choose 2 points (which represent the section line), one each side of the chosen part.You are now asked to choose how far the projection should be. If you picked a vertical cut line, choose a point to the left or right of the part. If you picked a horizontal cut line, choose a point above or below the part. After placing the Cut Section, the Section Mark Symbols are inserted at the cut line.
Chapter 20-6
Chapter 21
Auxiliary Views
In this chapter, you learn about adding manual auxiliary views to your 2D drawings
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Get an overview of Auxiliary Views
Chapter 21-1
ProSteel 3D 17
Auxiliary Views
Auxiliary Manual Details

Automatic detailing can be used to create a majority of the required shop drawings, however special detail points, views, or isometric total overviews need to be created using a manual detailing technique. The model is rotated to the desired view and all additional information such as dimensions, labels, position flags, weld symbols, etc. are attached by hand. Then a 2D detail is created from the view on screen. The method for attaching position flags, height indicators, weld symbols, and dimensions is explained in chapters 33, 34 and 35. First, create an isometric view as an overview drawing. Rotate the model to the desired view and then arrange the UCS so that it is parallel with the screen area. To create a manual detail it is necessary to specify a DetailStyle as a so called DEFAULT STYLE. This default style will be utilized during the subsequent detailing phase.
Chapter 21-2
Auxiliary Views
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 21-1
C REATE
AN I SOMETRIC
M ANUAL D ETAIL
In this exercise, you will create a new isometric view, and insert this view as a manual detail. 1. View your existing 3D Prosteel drawing / model from any direction. Use the AutoCAD ORBIT command to do this, or choose one of the preset AutoCAD or ProSteel 3D views to do this. Once you have the model viewed from the appropriate direction, you will need to adjust your UCS so that it is square to the screen. To align your UCS to the screen, choose the View UCS option from the AutoCAD UCS toolbar, or answer V when prompted for an option when e n t e r i n g t h e U C S c o m m a n d . O r y o u c ou l d c h o o s e V i e w f r o m t h e T o o l s / N e w UCS pulldown menu.
2. Now from the ProSteel 3D DetailCenter dialog box, choose the Parts Tab, select the OVERVIEW DetailStyle from the upper browser area, and specify t h i s s t y l e a s t h e D E F A U L T S T Y LE u s i n g t h e r i g h t c l i c k m e n u . 3. Now switch to the Views tab of the DetailCenter dialog box. Select DETAIL VIEWS from the list, and from the right mouse click menu execute the ADDITIONAL VIEWS command. You will now see the Additional Views: Invalid Selection dialog box.
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Auxiliary Views
In the dialog box shown above, you must select a Detailstyle from the CHOOSE dropdown list, in order to make the Manual Detail button, and the Given Views area available. Now select the MANUAL DETAIL button at the bottom right of the dialog box.At the next dialog box name the new manual view ISOMETRIC1, and then click the OK button. Since the UCS is already aligned to the screen, reply with ESC to the next question in the AutoCAD command line. Pull a selection box across the entire model, or answer with all when prompted for selection. T h e m a n u a l d e t a i l n o w a p p e a r s i n a p re v i e w w i n d o w , a n d y o u w i l l a g a i n s e e the ADD VIEW dialog box. Press the available 2D CREATION button to import i t a s a 2 D d e t a i l d r a wi n g w i t h h i d d e n l i n e s r e m o v e d . S a v e a n d c l o s e t h e created 2d drawing file.
4. Now you can switch to the previously created Detail1.dwg drawing and open the INSERT folder in the DetailCenter (browse to your 1234_Model1 details f o l d e r i n t h e t o p b r o w s e r a r e a ) . T h e m an u a l l y c r e a t e d d e t a i l i s n o w a v a i l a b l e in the lower browser area and can be inserted into the drawing just like any automatically created details. 5. After completeing this insertion, save and close Detail1.dwg, and then return to your original 1234_Model1.dwg. You need to set the UCS back to world co-ordinates, or you could use the Isometric Overview 1 button to return to your overall view, with world UCS set.
Chapter 21-4
Chapter 21-5
Chapter 30
Paperspace Layouts for ProSteel 3D Models
In this chapter, you will learn how to quickly create AutoCAD Paperspace Layouts containing 3D views, plan views and elevations at each frame of your 3D model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Use AutoCAD commands and menus to create 3 A1 sized paperspace layouts ready for views of your ProSteel 3D model. Use ProSteel commands to project your model views through viewports to the Paperspace Layouts. Learn how to adjust viewports so that your model views are scaled correctly, and locked to avoid scaling mishaps.
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Paperspace Layouts
Paperspace Layouts are typically used nowdays by Consulting Engineers to manage the presentation and plotting processes of their design projects. T h e A u t o C A D w i n d o w p r o v i d e s t w o p a r al l e l w o r k i n g e n v i r o n m e n t s r e p r e s e n t e d by the Model and layout tabs. Working on the Model tab, you draw a model of your subject. On the layout tabs, you can arrange multiple "snapshots" of the model. Each layout represents a drawing sheet that can display one or more views of the model at various scales. The Model tab accesses a limitless drawing area. In model space, you draw at 1:1 scale, and you decide whether one unit represents one inch (for a bracket) or one meter (for a bridge). Layout tabs access virtual drawing sheets. When you set up a layout, you tell AutoCAD the sheet size you want to use. The layout represents the drawing sheet. This layout environment is called paper space.
I n a l a y o u t , y o u c a n c r e a t e a n d p os i t i o n v i e w p o r t s , a n d y o u c a n a d d dimensions, a title block, or other geometry. Viewports display a drawing's model space objects, that is, the objects you created on the Model tab. Each viewport can display the model space objects at a specified scale. You can create multiple layouts in a drawing; each layout can contain different plot settings and paper sizes. By default, a new drawing starts with two layout tabs, Layout1 and Layout2. If you use a template drawing, the default layout configuration in your drawing may be different. You can create a new layout from scratch. Use the Create Layout wizard, or import a layout from a template drawing. When you create a layout from s c r a t c h , t h e f i r s t t i m e y o u s e l e c t t h e l ay o u t , y o u a r e p r o m p t e d f o r p a g e s e t u p information. You can right-click a layout tab to display a shortcut menu with options to: Create a new layout Import a layout from a template drawing Delete a layout Rename a layout Change the order of the layout tabs Create a new layout based on an existing layout Select all layouts Create a page setup for the current layout Plot a layout
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E XERCISE 30-1
S ETTING
UP THE
P APERSPACE L AYOUTS
We will now setup and create 3 Paperspace Layouts, ready for plotting our drawing sheets. 1. Ensure that your ProSteel 3D project drawing is open, and from near the bottom left of your AutoCAD window, left click the tab Layout 1 to make t h a t P a p e r s p a c e L a y o u t t h e a c t i v e o ne . T h e P a g e S e t u p M a n a g e r d i a l o g b o x may now be visible. If not, right click the Layout 1 tab, and from the context sensitive menu provided, choose Page Setup.
2 . Y o u w i l l n o w s e e t h e A u t o C A D 2 0 0 5 P a ge S e t u p M a n a g e r m a n a g e r , a n d t h e browser window within it has two Current Page Setups listed. They should be Layout1 and Layout2. (These are the 2 default Page Layouts supplied by default by AutoCAD on any new drawing) Highlight the Layout1 page setup, then click the Modify button. (Note that the page setup manager dialog box is new to AutoCAD 2005. If you are using an older version of AutoCAD, then step 2 of this exercise is not applicable)
3. You are now presented with the Page Setup Layout1 dialog box, and this will be used to setup the Paperspace Layout ready for Viewports, Views, and for Plotting purposes. Insert the values according to the illustration shown on the next page:
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Our plot device in this case will be a virtual printer, the DWF6 ePlot. This virtual device will produce DWF plot files, similar in nature to Adobe PDF files, but purpose built for AutoCAD drawings. DWF files can be viewed using the new Autodesk DWF Viewer, which can be downloaded free from the Autodesk website. The viewer will more than likely already be installed on your computer if you are using AutoCAD 2004 or AutoCAD 2005. The ISO full bleed A1 paper size will allow us to plot draw almost to the edges of the paper. A1 paper is plotted to an A1 device at full size, hence the 1:1 Plot Scale. And the plot area is set to Layout, because we are dealing with a Paperspace Layout. We will for this exercise use a ProSteel 3D .ctb file as shown, however at some stage you may want to consider using your own .ctb file for Pen Setting purposes (pen settings or lineweights on the paper plot) When you OK the dialog box, you should then see a Paperspace Layout that looks something like the following:
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4. Now repeat part 2 of this exercise, but this time for Layout 2. You should t h e n e n d u p w i t h 2 p a p e r s p a c e l a y o u ts n a m e d L a y o u t 1 , a n d L a y o u t 2 , a n d the 2 layouts should look identical. Now left click the tab Layout 1 to make that Paperspace Layout the active one, then right click the Layout 1 tab, and from the context sensitive menu provided, choose Rename. Please now rename the Paperspace Layout as S01 (for Structural Sheet number 1). Do the same for Layout 2, but rename it as S02. 5. The small Viewports that have been automatically created on each Paperspace Layout should ideally be on an independent layer. Now create a new called VPORTS, and ensure that the viewports sit on that Layer. You could possibly use the AutoCAD Properties dialog box to move the viewports onto the VPORTS Layer. You could also turn that layer off from printing by forcing a slash over the printer icon located to the right of the VPORTS layer, inside the Layer Properties Manager dialog box. 6. We will now create a third Paperspace Layout, similar to the other two. Left click the layout tab called S02, then right click the S02 tab, and from the context sensitive menu provided, choose Move or Copy.
A new layout tab is now created, and called S02 (2). You should now rename that layout tab as S03 (refer to part 3 of this exercise). Now eft click the layout tab called S03, then right click the S03 tab, and from the context sensitive menu provided, choose Move or Copy again. This time left click the words (move to end) inside the dialog box provided, and you layout tabs should now be ordered in sequence. This makes for good CAD management inside your AutoCAD drawing file. You should now have three Paperspace Layouts that look similar, and have the same PAGE SETUP settings.
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E XERCISE 30-2
A DDING V IEWPORTS
TO
P APERSPACE L AYOUTS
In a paperspace layout, you can create and position viewports. Viewports display a drawing's model space objects, that is, the objects you created on the Model tab. Each viewport can display the model space objects from a specific location, and at a specified scale. We will now add more viewports to each of our paperspace layouts, and we will set the viewports such that they look at out ProSteel 3D model from different viewpoints or locations. 1. Make layout tab S01 your current Layout by left clicking it. You can zoom and pan around your layout just like you can down in modelspace. Click the only viewport shown on Layout S01 once, to invoke the AutoCAD Grips for this object. There should be one grip at each corner of the viewport. Using the Grips, resize the Viewport so that it is just smaller than the size of the A1 Paperspace Layout. Now double click into the viewport, such that the viewport allows you to work through it and on the model down in modelspace. Now do a zoom extents, and then a double left click on the paper, to allow you to work back up in Paperspace. Now use the AutoCAD COPY command to copy the viewport 3 more times onto the same paperspace layout. You should now have a paperspace Layout that looks like this:
Ensure that enough room is left outside you viewports so that you could insert a company border and titleblock onto the surface of the Paperspace Layout, should you need one. We will not use a border or titleblock in our case.
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2. We now need to set each of the 4 viewports on layout S01 to look at our 3D model from different directions. The ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar allows us to look at our model from several predetermined viewpoints, by using the Isometric Overview tool. (You may need to refer to Exercise 03-3, part 4, to recall where to find this tool and how to use it)
There are 5 predetermined viewpoints available. Double click into each of the 4 viewports (one viewport at a time) and use the Isometric Overview pulldown to recall a different view. An automatic zoom extents is performed when using the Isometric Overview tool. When finished with all 4 viewports, double click back on to the surface of the paperspace layout. You might now like to add some text headings under each of the viewports describing the views. Use an appropriate text style, and text size (you probably have company standards for this). The text headings should probably be on their own individual layer. When this is done, you should now have a layout that looks something like this:
We have not yet set these isometric views to any specific scale. We will do this in exercise 30-3. 3. We now need to set the viewports on layout tabs S02 and S03. S01 represents our Isometric Overviews drawing. S02 will be for Plan views and some Perspective views. S03 will be for Framing Elevations and some small Details Make layout S02 your active layout by a left click on the layout tab. Resize the existing viewport, then copy it, as we did in parts 1 and 2 of this exercise, such that we will be able to have an overall plan of our building, plus a perspective view. Leave enough room for 2 further plans, and 1 extra perspective views (we will end up with a total of 5 viewports on this layout).
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Double click through one of the viewports and invoke the ProSteel 3D Plan View command. It is on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, and when used, you should see an overall plan view of your ProSteel 3D model. We will set a scale for this view later. Now double click through the second viewport, and invoke the AutoCAD ORBIT command. As you already have an isometric view of your model here, just right click to use the Orbit context sensitive menu, and choose the Perspective command from the Projection flyout. This will now give you a perspective view of your model. N o w d o u b l e c l i c k b a c k u p o n t o t h e p a p er , a n d a d d t e x t h e a d i n g s a s y o u d i d in part 2 of this exercise. (You could cut and paste headings from layout S 0 2 , a n d t h e n e d i t t h e m t o t h e c o r r ec t w o r d i n g ) Y o u s h o u l d n o w h a v e a layout that looks something like this:
We have not yet set the plan view to any specific scale. We will do this in exercise 30-3. 4. Now make layout S03 your active layout by a left click on the layout tab. Resize the existing viewport, then copy it, as we did in parts 1 and 2 of this exercise, such that we will be able to have a front view of our building, plus a side view. Leave enough room for 2 further elevations, and 1 extra detail (we will end up with a total of 6 viewports on this layout). Double click through one of the viewports and invoke the ProSteel 3D Select View command. It is on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar. Choose the Zone2-Grid2 view from the list of views in the ProSteel 3D Select View dialog box. You will now see the clipped view in your viewport, you can zoom to fill the viewport if you wish. In the second viewport on your layout, invoke the Select View command and choose the Zone2-GridB view.
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5. Now copy the second viewport containing the view of the Zone2-GridB frame. Resize this viewport so that it is much smaller. Double click into this new viewport, and zoom in to the left-side, beam to column connection at the platform level. This will form the basis for our connection detail. Now add some text headings as you did in the last part of this exercise, and you should now have a layout that looks something like this:
We have not yet set the views to any specific scale. We will do this in Exercise 30-3. Save your file to hard disk before we attempt the next exercise.
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E XERCISE 30-3
A DJUSTING V IEWPORTS
TO
A PPROPRIATE S CALE
Paperspace viewports can be set so that they display your model to an appropriate drawing scale. Although the ProSteel 3D model has been drawn to full size, a scale of 1:1, the model can be set to appear at say a scale of 1 : 1 0 0 , o r 1 : 5 0 f o r a l l p l a n a n d e l e v a t i o n al v i e w s , a n d p o s s i b l y 1 : 1 0 o r 1 : 2 0 f o r detail views. The viewports can then be locked so that the views cannot accidentally be zoomed out of scale, and the viewports can also be used to control the plotted appearance of the view. For instance views can remain as wire frame views, can be plotted with hidden lines removed, or possibly as shaded views. To enable us to set views to correct scales, we will need to use the AutoCAD VIEWPORTS toolbar:
This is the AutoCAD VIEWPORTS toolbar. Please ensure this toolbar is displayed as a horizontal toolbar. The drop-down list at the right hand side of the toolbar has a list of common drawing scales, metric and imperial. These scales will be used to set our viewports. If an appropriate scale cannot be found on the list, you can swipe the scale displayed and the top of the list, and you can then type your required scale. 1. Make layout tab S01 your current Layout by left clicking it. Then double click into the top left viewport on this layout, to make that viewport your active one. Now from the dropdown list of scales on the Viewports Toolbar, select 1:50. This isometric view of your model is now displayed at exactly 1:50. You could also pan your view so that it sits in the middle of your viewport. You need to avoid zooming while inside the viewport, otherwise you could put the view out of scale. To ensure that the viewport is not put out of scale, you need to double click back up onto paperspace, now left click the top left viewport once to invoke its grips, (click the viewport edge, not the empty space inside the viewport). Now right click to invoke the context sensitive right click menu., and choose Properties from the menu. You will now see the AutoCAD 2004 Properties dialog box. (The Properties dialog box is shown on the next page). The AutoCAD 2004 Properties dialog box, like many others in AutoCAD 2004, is resizeable in both directions. The Properties dialog tells us many things about AutoCAD objects that we are interested in. We can also change the Properties of objects from within this dialog box, such as the Layer the object is drawn on, the color it was drawn with, and we can even change the geometric values of many objects from here. W e a r e g o i n g t o c h a n g e t h e l o c k i n g v al u e , a n d p l o t t i n g p r o p e r t i e s o f o u r viewport from here. Under the Misc area of the Properties disalog box, find Display Locked. If you click into the cell just to the right of Display Locked, you will have access to a drop down list, and you will be able to change the value from NO to YES. A value of YES will lock the viewport so that it cannot be put out of scale. If you now double click back into the viewport, and apply a zoom while the viewport is locked, you will see that paperspace zooms along with modelspace. The viewport cannot be put out of scale.
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From the same Properties dialog box, (and while still enquiring into the properties of the top left viewport) set the SHADE PLOT property to HIDDEN. This now means that although the viewport displays as wireframe on the computer monitor, the viewport will actually plot as hidden lines removed. 2. Repeat step one of the exercise for the other 3 viewports on Layout S01. You should end up with 4 viewports set to a viewport scale of 1:50. All 4 viewports will be locked, and all 4 will be set such that Shade Plot is HIDDEN. Viewports can be resized, even after locking. Resizing can be done by t u r n i n g i n v o k i n g t h e g r i p s f o r t h e v i e w p o r t , a n d t h e n u si n g t h e g r i p s t o stretch the viewport bigger or smaller. You may need to do this after you have set the viewport scale to 1:50 so that you can see all of your isometric view.You may also need to move the text headings to a better location if needed. 3. Now make Layout S02 the current Layout. Double click into your only viewport showing a plan view of your ProSteel 3D model, and as you did in part 2 of this exercise, set the viewport scale to 1:50. You may need to resize the viewport. Allow enough room outside the plan for dimensions to b e a d d e d a t a l a t e r s t a g e . D o n ot l o c k t h e v i e w p o r t j u s t y e t . Now copy this viewport across to the right 2 more times. Ensure that ORTHO is on so the viewports line up. We will use these additional viewports for plans at different levels of the building. Also copy the viewport with the perspective view one more time. You should now have 5 viewports on Layout S02. 4. Double click into the top middle viewport to make it current, then from the ProSteel 3D Select View dialog box, make the view Zone2_Mid_Level current. You will now see a plan at the platform level within this viewport. Viewports 2 and 3 should still line up nicely, and still be scaled to 1:50. You should now LOCK these 2 viewports, and set Shade Plot to HIDDEN, as was done in part 2 of this exercise. 5. The top left viewport (viewport 1) should have a plan view of our ProSteel 3D model at baseplate level, so that we have a typical set of structural plan views. All ProSteel 3D Workframes allow for a view at the bottom level of models, but the view typically looks from underneath the model, rather than a top down view at baseplate level. So we will have to create a new named ProSteel view.
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From modelspace only, and while looking from an isometric viewpoint (Isometric Overview 1), copy the magenta frame only at the platform level only, 2900mm towards the baseplate level of your model. The PS_FRAME layer may need to be unlocked before you can copy this frame. You will now have a new frame 100mm above the baseplate level of your model. Double click this new frame to invoke the Workframe Properties dialog box, and from the Data tab of this dialog box, rename the frame to Zone2_Baseplates. OK the dialog box, then lock layer PS_FRAME. If this new view does not show up in the Select View dialog box, and while you are in model space, you could use the Select View dialog box to create a new view. Left click onside the left portion of the Select View dialog box. This will free up the CREATE button in the dialog box. Now type Zone2_Baseplates_50 in the NAME area. Then hit the CREATE button. You will be asked to select the lower left and upper right areas of the new frame. OSNAP to those points on the copied frame which is 50mm above the baseplate level. Now from layout S02, double click through the top left viewport, and use the Select View dialog box to make Zone2_Baseplates, or Zone2_Baseplates_50 the view for this viewport. If you need to, adjust the viewport scale to 1:50, then lock the viewport, and make its Shade Plot HIDDEN. 6. Double click through the 5th viewport (bottom right), invoke the AutoCAD ORBIT command, and change the second perspective view so that you look at your Prosteel 3D model from a different vantage point. Perspective views of models cannot have a fixed viewport scale, so we can only zoom into each of the 2 perspective views to make them larger or smaller. When you have done this, LOCK both perspective viewports, and then set the Shade Plot for both of these 2 views to RENDERED. This will allow the viewports to plot as SHADED / RENDERED views. N o w a d d m o r e t e x t h e a d i n g s t o t h e L a y ou t , o r c o p y a n d m o d i f y t h e e x i s t i n g text headings on the layout, so that you end up with view names for Baseplate Level, Platform Level and Roof Level, and Perspective View 1 and Perspective View 2. If you were now to plot this drawing, you would end up with 3 plans views with hidden line removed, and 2 different perspective and shaded views. The plotted example is shown on the next page.
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7. Use similar techniques shown in all parts of this exercise to alter layout S03, so that it has 4 viewports showing 1:50 elevations of the ProSteel 3D model, and 2 viewports showing 1:5 details of portions of the portal frame at Gridline B. A plotted example of layout S03 is shown below.
You now have three Paperspace Layouts setup to show plans, elevations, details, isometric views and perspective views of your ProSteel 3D model, and these layouts are ready for plotting. We have still to annotate our model so that member sizes, welding symbols, dimensions and elevation symbols are all shown as would be on a typical set of Consulting Engineers construction documents. We will learn how to do all of this over the next few chapters. Now save your ProSteel 3D model to hard disk.
Chapter 30-13
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Chapter 30-14
Chapter 30-15
Chapter 31
ProSteel 3D Annotation in MODELSPACE
In this chapter, you will learn how add Position Flags, in modelspace, to the Plan and Elevational Views of your model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn how to add ProSteel Annotation to your Plan Views and Elevations.
Chapter 31-1
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E XERCISE 31-1
A DDING P OSITION F LAGS
TO
P LAN V IEWS
The majority of annotation on typical consulting engineers drawings consists of labels indicating structural member sizes, and possibly mark numbers as well. Mark numbers as we know them are called Position numbers inside ProSteel 3D. Position numbers can be generated in ProSteel 3D automatically using the Positioning command. For this exercise, we will not be adding position numbers to our model.This should have been done in an earlier chapter. However, the ProSteel 3D Positioning dialog box allows us to manually add Position Flags (leader lines with member sizes attached) to our model views. 1. From model space only, view your ProSteel 3D model in plan view at the platform level. Use the ProSteel Select View command to do this, select the view entitled Zone1_Platform-Level, and then zoom until you only see the platform area of your model. Since the viewports on layout S02 display the plan views at a scale of 1:50, we can now temporarily set the global scale for our model to this scale by using the ProSteel 3D Scale command. When you left click this button, you will be asked at the command line to enter a new ProSteel 3D default scale. Type 50. This will ensure that our Position Flags are sized for 1:50 views. Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Positioning dialog box, by clicking the POSITIONING button on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar. There are many tabs, buttons and cells on this dialog box that are used when Positioning members and producing shop detail drawings. Since we are producing consultants drawings with manual position flags, we only at this s t a g e n e e d t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e A p p l y S ty l e a r e a o f t h e d i a l o g b o x i s s e t t o appropriately. Notice also that the Scale 1:x is set at 50, due to the ProSteel 3D Scale command set previously.
2. We now need to define the style of flag to be used when manually inserting position flags. In this case we will create a new Positioning Style to use called AEC-Consulting.
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Click the STYLE button on the Sort tab of the ProSteel 3D Positionflags and Positioning dialog box, and then on the resulting dialog box, Enter the Name of the new Positionflag Style.as AEC-Consulting. Click the OK button on this dialog box, and the new style is added to the SORT tab.
Now that we have a new Positionflag style, we need to define it so that it shows the correct type of information. Go to the Layout tab of the ProSteel 3D Positionflag and Positioning dialog box, and choose AEC-Consulting from the Stil dropdown list.
Now click the Enables setting of the Positionflag Style button. It is to the right of the label, Created Geometry.
You will need to fill out the values in the resultant Posflag Definition dialog box, as per those shown in the diagram at the right. This will provide you with Position Flags that include member sizes (Element Name), a text size of 2.5mm (x 50), and arrows on the ends of leader lines.
Click the OK button at bottom left when you have defined the new style. Note: It is worth considering saving the Position Flag settings as a ProSteel 3D template file for use in future projects
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ProSteel 3D 17
3.
You are now back at the ProSteel 3D Positionflags and Positioning dialog box. Go to the INSERT tab of this box, and click the Set Position Flag Styles button. This feature will be used to tell ProSteel 3D which positionflag styles to use for various parts of your model. On the resulting dialog box, fill out the values as shown below.
Click the OK button at bottom left when finished.
4.
Now back on the ProSteel 3D Positionflags and Positioning dialog box, click the Attach Position Flag to Single Part button to add the first Position Flag to your model, at the platform level. At the command line, you are asked to Select the Part to be Positioned. Left click any part of the beam at Gridline B, as you move your cursor away from the beam, and providing ORTHO is not on, you will be able to place the position flag such that the member is annotated. Repeat this procedure for all of the beams at the platform level, and you should now have a plan view that looks something like this: You may need to temporarily change the position flag style to allow for vertical alignment of position flags, rather than for horizontal alignment. This works well for the position flags to purlins on this model.
5. We will now add some Position Flags to the Roof Plan view of the model. From modelspace, invoke the Select View dialog box, and select Zone2_Top_Level as your current view. Now add plenty of Position Flags as you did in part 4 of this exercise, such that your Roof Plan of your model looks something like the diagram shown above right.
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6. You may now like to add some position flags to the columns and baseplates shown on the baspelate layout plan. While in modelspace only, make the baseplate level view your current view, then add position flags just as you have done for the previous parts of this exercise. 7. If you now view your overall model from an isometric viewpoint, you may notice that all of the position flags placed so far are visible in the model. All of the flags have been placed on a ProSteel layer called PS_POS. This is OK from a normal layer management point of view, but ideally we need position flags placed on different layers, so that we can control the visibility of the flags at different areas of the model, through the various paperspace viewports. We will learn how to do this in Exercise 31-2.
Visibility of Position Flags at plotting time

Placement of Position Flags needs to be considered for the final outcome of your drawing files, the plotted Paperspace Layouts. Position Flags need to be on layers that can be controlled such that the flags are visible in the relevant paperspace viewports, and invisible through non-relevant viewports. If you now look at the layout S02, you will see that the flags are visible through all of the plan style viewports (the 3 at the top of your page), and that the text of the flags, when measured on paperspace appears at 3mm high. But if you now plot paperspace layout S02 (just try a full preview at this stage), you will see that the Position Flags do not now show on the paper. This is because our viewports are set to a Shade Plot of HIDDEN, and by default, ProSteel does not display Position Flags on plotted HIDDEN views. We need to force ProSteel 3D to plot the flags. From the ProSteel 3D options dialog box, we can turn on the visibility of Position Flags, and other 2D objects, for plotting purposes. Go to the Display tab of the dialog box, and change the settings to the values shown below:
As the paperspace layouts have viewports on them, it is essential that Full Support is turned on. You may need to turn this off though when continuing to m o d e l y o u r p r o j e c t , a n d b a c k o n a g a i n w he n i t c o m e s t o p l o t t i n g . P o s i t i o n F l a g s at Shade needs to be on, and Workframe at Shade needs to be on if you want plotted workframe lines. Note: After you change these values, you may need to close ProSteel down, then restart again to force the changes to occur.
Chapter 31-5
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 31-2
TO
E LEVATIONAL V IEWS
As you have seen in the previous chapter, when adding Position Flags to your model, while in model space only, all flags are created on the layer PS_POS. This will not give us enough control over visibility of flags through several paperspace viewports. So we will now add Position Flags while reaching through paperspace viewports. This will allow the Position Flags to be created on unique layers, specifically matched to each paperspace viewport. Note: Each viewport has a unique identification number. Use the AutoCAD LIST command to display information about a particular viewport, and you will see that there is a term called HANDLE, with a relevant handle code. Every object drawn in AutoCAD has a unique handle code. ProSteel 3D makes use of this handle code for a viewport, and creates a unique layer which has a name similar to the viewport handle code. 1. Make paperspace layout S03 your current layout, and ensure that you are in paperspace. Now zoom closer to the top left viewport, the one showing a side elevation of your ProSteel 3D model, such that the viewport almost fills the drawing area. Now double click over the viewport. This will open the viewport so that you can draw through it. This is something that we would not normally do in a consultants office, as we now have a smaller drawing area, or viewport, to draw through. But because we have previously LOCKED the viewport, we will not accidentally put it out of its zoomed scale of 1:50. When we perform a zoom or pan inside this viewport, paperspace zooms and pans with the viewport. You can now attach Position Flags to all of the main structural members inside this viewport, just as you did in the previous exercise. Take note also, that the Position Flags are drawn on a unique layer, in this case layer PD-1941. The handle code for this viewport happens to be 1941. Note: Your handle code and unique layer name may differ to the names shown in this exercise. 2. Repeat part 1 one this exercise, but for the three other viewports that have elevational views. Each time you double click into a viewport to make it active, the Position Flags attached inside the viewport will be on unique layers related to the viewport. Note: The Position Flags on different layers gives you more flexibility over the way that you can plot your ProSteel 3D model. Each time you add Position Flags you also need to think about the Style for the flag. Should the text be horizontal or vertical? Does the ProSteel 3D Scale need to be changed to suit differently scaled viewports? 3. We do not want any of the current Position Flags to show through the Isometric or Perspective viewports on layouts S01 and S02. Notice that if you make S01 your current layout, that you can see all of the Position Flags currently drawn for the whole model, in all of the viewports. To turn freeze the layers containing the flags, double click into a viewport, then invoke the AutoCAD Layer Properties Manager dialog box, (the LAYER command) then from the right side of the layer dialog box, under the Current VP Freeze heading, freeze off all of the layers that contain Position Flags. (You may need to repeat this procedure at a later stage if you add more flags through new viewports). Repeat this procedure for all of the viewports on layout S01.
Chapter 31-6
ProSteel 3D 17
4. Now repeat step 3, but this time for the viewports with perspective views on layout S02. If you were now to plot all three layouts, they would look something like this: Note for all plotted layouts shown to left: The ProSteel 3D Workframe Lines have plotted on all sheets. If you do not want the Workframe lines showing in the Isometric and Perspective viewports, then the layers PS_FRAME and PS_OBJECT need to be frozen off in those current viewports only. Some consulting engineers prefer to draw a Grid System that suits their building on separate layers, rather than use the ProSteel 3D Workframe and its inherent grid bubbles. You may wish to consider this. Current company pen settings (or .CTB files) may need to be considered for plotting purposes. You may need to create a specific .CTB file for ProSteel models that suit your company style of plotting. Always save to disk your ProSteel model after every major step in your modeling process.
Chapter 31-7
ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 31-8
Chapter 31-9
Chapter 32
ProSteel 3D Annotation in PAPERSPACE
In this chapter, you will learn how add Position Flags, in paperspace, to the Isometric Views of your model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn how to add ProSteel Annotation to your Isometric Views only on layout S01.
Chapter 32-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 31-1
TO I SOMETRIC
V IEWS
Generally speaking, in countries such as New Zealand and Australia, consulting engineers have placed all annotation on their AutoCAD drawings down in modelspace. By all annotation, we mean all dimensions, all gridlines, all detail balls, section marks and text such as member sizes, text headings and leader lines with attached notes. The reason for all this annotated modeling, is primarily because in the building design industry, we tend to share drawings. For example the Structural Consultant may use the Architects CAD drawings to construct his documents, a n d t h e E l e c t r i c a l d e s i g n e r s a n d H V A C d es i g n e r s m a y i n t u r n u s e t h e C o n s u l t i n g Engineers drawings to construct their drawings. Because not all CAD users have AutoCAD, (some may have other CAD software), and because most of the better CAD programs allow you to open or insert an AutoCAD drawing, anything that is not drawn in Modelspace in the AutoCAD drawing, may not be visible in the other CAD program. Paperspace is a unique concept which is part of Autodesk products only, and as such, normally only drawing borders and titleblocks are drawn on Paperspace. This attitude towards what is drawn on Modelspace, and what is drawn in Paperspace is beginning to change though, as more and more people are moving to drawing 3D models, and to present and plot these models efficiently, we need the power of Paperspace and its inherent Viewports. We will now add Position Flags to our isometric views, and since the flags need to be aligned to the paper, and not the various elevations of the model, we will place the flags in Paperspace. 1. Make layout S01 the current layout, ans since we will be placing Position Flags on Paperspace, set the ProSteel 3D Scale command to 1:1. Paperspace layouts are almost always plotted at 1:1 scale, and objects drawn on paperspace, such as text headings and titleblocks, are of course drawn at full size, 1:1.
Now make the top left viewport current, by double clicking inside the v i e w p o r t . W e c a n n o w d r a w d o w n o n t h e m o d e l , w hi l e r e a c h i n g t h r o u g h t h e viewport. Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Positioning dialog box, by clicking the POSITIONING button on the ProSteel 3D Edit toolbar.
We can leave the settings for the POSITIONING dialog box as they were set in the last chapter. But we do need to make one change. In the bottom left c o r n e r o f I N S E R T t a b o f t h e d i a l o g b ox , t h e A t P a p e r s p a c e o p t i o n n e e d s t o be ticked on. (In older versions of ProSteel 3D you can only tick this on when reaching through a viewport) The At Paperspace option will ensure that even though we choose objects within the modelspace viewport to have flags, the Position Flags will be placed in Paperspace, and not Modelspace. The Scale 1: x area of thedialog box becomes greyed out, because all paperspace objects are placed at 1:1 anyway, and the positioning STYLE of course controls the appearance and size of the flag.
Chapter 32-2
ProSteel 3D 17
2. Now place Position Flags as you did in the previous chapter, to all main members on the model, and the flags will actually end up on Paperspace, and are aligned with the Paper. You can check this after you have placed the flags, by trying to click them, or checking their properties while remaining in moselspace. You will see that you cannot select the flag until such time as you are up in paperspace. On the ProSteel 3D Positioning Styles dialog box, fill in the values as shown below. This will provide you with Position Flags that include member sizes (Element Name), a text size of 2.5mm (x 50), and arrows on the ends of leader lines. The flags that are created while reaching through this viewport, are automatically placed on a unique layer, related to the viewport handle, just as was done in the last chapter. 3. Repeat placing flags in the other three viewports on this layout. Of course the flags will actually appear in Paperspace because of the Positioning dialog box settings. 4. We will now add some Position Flags to the Roof Plan view of the model. From modelspace, invoke the Select View dialog box, and select Zone2_Top_Level as your current view. Now add plenty of Position Flags as you did in part 3 of this exercise, such that your Roof Plan of your model looks something like this. If you were to plot your layout S01 after placing flags, it might look like this:
Chapter 32-3
ProSteel 3D 17
Changing existing Position Flags

With most modern versions of AutoCAD, if you double click an AutoCAD object, you will be presented with some form of dialog box, eg, Properties dialog, Mtext editor, Reference editor etc. The same thing applies with ProSteel 3D. Double click a ProSteel 3D object and you will see the ProSteel 3D Shape Properties dialog box. But double click a Position Flag, which is a 2D object, and you will see the Pos. Flag Properties dialog box. As is shown below for a typical Position Flag, the dialog box has two tabs, one which controls the viewed flag, and the other indicating the data of the 3D object at the start point of the flag. Note that the dialog box tabs shown to the left have pleny of dorp-down lists and buttons for setting values. Note also that the vertical sliders on both tabs give you access to many more settings.
T h e t e x t p o r t i o n o f t h e f l a g c a n b e r es i z e d u s i n g T e x t S i z e . T h e t e x t c a n include a length for members if Dimensions is ticked on. A line with Arrow can be replaced with A line with Dot or no arrow included if Arrow Type is set to Normal Line. Please experiment with the settings in the dialog to determine a Position Flag that suits your style of Consulting Engineers drawings. You may be able to match your current company standards by experimenting with Position Flags. Note: Once you have determined your best position Flag style, it is best to set this using the Posflag Definition dialog box, available from the ProSteel 3D Positionflags and Positioning dialog box. Different STYLES can be saved and recalled as style templates by using the TEMPLATE. It is better practice to place correct styles when placing flags, then to change the flag information at a later stage of your modeling.
Chapter 32-4
Chapter 32-5
Chapter 34
Welding Symbols on ProSteel 3D Models
In this chapter, you will learn how add welding symbols to the different details of your 3D model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn how to use ProSteel commands to add Welding Symbols to your ProSteel 3D Model
Chapter 34-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 34-1
A DDING W ELDING S YMBOLS
Welding Symbols
This command can be used to insert Welding Symbol flags for component parts onto ProSteel 3D models, and to insert welding seams to connected parts (where ProSteel 3D connection dialogs do not provide for ). The information entered into the WELD SYMBOL dialog box is saved in the corresponding symbol in both cases.
The ProSteel Welding Symbol dialog box is used to place the flags, draw the weld seams, and there are buttons that can be used to import information about a weld flag from already created weld seams. 1. Use the previously described methods to view your model isometrically, by clicking the Isometric Overview 3 button. Then zoom to the baseplate at the bottom of the right hand side column at Gridline D. There are already some welding seams shown on this baseplate, as the baseplate command allows for welds to be displayed at the time of baseplate creation. We need to delete these welds before adding new ones. We can delete them via the dialog box originally used to create the baseplate. Left click the baseplate to highlight it, then right click for the AutoCAD context sensitive menu.
Chapter 34-2
ProSteel 3D 17
Choose PS3D Change Connection from that menu, and you will then see the ProSteel 3D PS3D DSTV Baseplate dialog box, with the correct values of that baseplate. Go to the CONNECT tab, and in the Weld Settings area, untick the Weld Flange Side, and Weld Web Side cells. Finish by clicking the OK button on this dialog box, and you will now see that the welds have disappeared from the baseplate. Remove all other welds from all other baseplates at Gridline D using the same method as described above. 2. We will now add some new 6mm fillet weld seams to the inside of the flanges of our baseplate connection.
Zoom back to the baseplate at the Gridline 2 and D intersection. Now click the Welding Symbols icon located on the ProSteel 3D utilities toolbar You will now see the ProSteel 3D Weld Styles dialog box. Ensure that the size values and options within the tabs on the dialog box are set as shown on the diagrams on the previous page.
Now go to the Weld Style Display tab, and click the Enables you to Set Flag Specific Settings button, located in the Created Geometry area of the tab. On the resulting dialog box, fill out the values as shown below:
Finish the dialog by clicking the bottom left OK button
Now again go to the Weld Style Display tab, and click the Enables you to Set up the Flag Topside button, located in the Created Geometry area of the tab. On the resulting dialog box, fill out the values as shown below.
The Weld thicknesses shown in the dialog box at left are set to 6mm, and Symbol set to Fillet Weld, because 6mm fillet welds are commonly used in NZ conditions.
Chapter 34-3
ProSteel 3D 17
3.
Now go to the INSERT tab of the ProSteel 3D Weld Styles dialog box and click the ADDS A WELD button. You are asked at the command line to Pick the Start Point, and Pick the End Point of the weld. The weld is placed using a linetype that has arrows occur along the line. The weld is usually coloured red, and automatically placed on a unique layer called PS_WELD. ProSteel allows you to place many welds at the same time by leaving the dialog box displayed, just keep clicking the ADDS A WELD button to place more weld seams. When you are done, click the OK button. Note that if you do not see arrows along the seam, it is probably because the Scale option in the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols dialog box is not set to 1. Our model is drawn at full size (1:1), therefore the weld seams should also be drawn at full size (Scale of 1)
4. Add weld seams to all baseplate at Gridline D. You should add one seam to each UB flange (outside edges), and one weld to one side only of the UB web. You can add weld seams to all sides of the SHS column bottom edges. You should match the following:
5. We will now add some Welding Symbol Flags. Remain with your current 3D view (Isometric Overview 3), but use the ProSteel 3D Select View command to set the UCS to Gridline D. DO NOT set your view to Gridline D, only the UCS. Then check that your ProSteel 3D Scale command is set to 20. This was previously done back in Exercise 33-1, part 1. Now Zoom to the left hand side baseplate at Gridline D, and click the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols icon, to invoke the welding symbols command. Change the Scale option on the INSERT tab of ProSteel 3D Welding Symbols dialog box to 20.
Now click the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button on the INSERT tab of the dialog box. At the command line you are asked to Specify the Origin Point of Weld Symbol. Osnap onto any of the weld seams, and as you move your cursor away, you will see the Welding Flag with all of the correct information. You will have better control over placing the flag if you do not have ORTHO on. ProSteel asks you to Move the Flag to the Desired Position. ProSteel allows you to place many welding symbol flags at the same time by leaving the dialog box displayed, just keep clicking the FLAG button to place more welding symbol flags. When you are done, click the OK button. Notice that when placing the Welding Symbol Flags, that the flag is aligned with the current UCS. When placing the flags, the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button places a flag that has displayed data which has been stored in the Welding Symbols dialog box. This data is nonassociative, it is independent of the welding seam. If you wish to place a flag that has data which is dependent of that held in the welding seam, then use the ADDS A FLAG TO AN EXISTING WELD button, rather than the ADDS A FLAG INTO CURRENT DRAWING button. The information displayed in the flag is now associative. If you change the
Chapter 34-4
ProSteel 3D 17
seam, the flag data changes. Be aware though that the DISPLAY button may cause seams to be redrawn without arrows on the seams. This is not desirable. 6. Add welding symbol flags to all welding seams previously drawn at the baseplates at Gridline D. You should add one flag to every drawn seam at UB columns. You can add one welding symbol flag to one side only of the SHS column bottom edges. You should match the following:
Note that the middle detail shown above has the words Each side added. To do this double click the welding symbol which has been drawn here. You will now see the Weld Symbol Properties dialog box. On the LAYOUT tab, in the Options area, tick on the option TAIL On the TOPSIDE PARAMETER tab, click on the word COMMENT, and write Each Side in the cell to the right of this. Finish the dialog box via the OK button, and you should now the welding symbol as shown above 7. Care should be taken with use of the ProSteel 3D Welding Symbol command. It should be noted that most welding seams are placed automatically when using such commands as Endplates, Shearplates, Splice etc. But welding flags are not placed automatically, as these flags do not normally need to appear on your model. They do however need to appear on the Detail Drawings (shop drawings), and this will normally occur automatically depending on your DetailStyle used. If you are a consulting engineer using ProSteel 3D, you need to ask yourself do you need all welds shown on your model, because many welds can be covered by a simple note on your drawings, such as All welds 6mm fillet welds unless noted otherwise. This type of note means you will not have to draw many welds, either manually, or automatically. Any weld seams or weld flags which appear on your model and shop d r a w i n g s , c a n b e d o u b l e - c l i c k e d t o i nv o k e t h e P r o S t e e l 3 D W e l d i n g S y m b o l Properties dialog box. You can now edit the appearance of the weld seam or weld symbol if you wish.
Chapter 34-5
ProSteel 3D 17
Chapter 34-6
Chapter 34-7
Chapter 35
Dimensions on ProSteel 3D Models
In this chapter, you will learn how add dimensions to the different plans and elevations of your 3D model.
Objectives
In this chapter, you will: Learn how to use ProSteel commands to add dimensions to your ProSteel 3D Model
Chapter 35-1
ProSteel 3D 17
E XERCISE 35-1
A DDING P RO S TEEL 3D D IMENSIONS
ProSteel 3D Dimensions
or or
This command can be used to add ProSteel 3D dimensions to component parts or groups, either automatically or manually, to ProSteel 3D models or detail drawings. ProSteel 3D Dimensions behave in a similar way to AutoCAD dimensions, and in fact are controlled by the use of DetailStyles when creating shop drawings. The DetailStyles in turn use AutoCAD Dimension Styles to control the appearance of the dimensions within those shop drawings. (It should be noted here, that dimensions are automatically added to 2D detail drawings and shop drawings at the time that they are created, usually with Detail center Express. The dimensions are added and controlled through the use of DetailStyles)
The ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box is available from the pulldown menu by choosing ProSteel 3D / Dimension / Dialog, or by choosing the Dialog icon on the ProSteel 3D Utilities toolbar, or the Dimension 1 toolbar.
Individual dimension strings, or complete part dimensioning can be added to your component parts or drawings by choosing the appropriate Settings, and appropriate button from the dialog, or dimensions could be added by choosing the appropriate icon from the two ProSteel 3D toolbars called Dimension1 and Dimension2.
Dimensions can also be added by choosing the appropriate command under the ProSteel 3D / Dimension pulldown menu.
1.
Click the Overview 3 button on the ProSteel 3D Viewtools toolbar, or ProSteel 3D Overview toolbar, to make your current view from the right rear side of the building.
Chapter 35-2
ProSteel 3D 17
Your UCS will be set to World UCS by clicking this button. Zoom to the central SHS column at Gridline D, and use the AutoCAD COPY command to copy this column with all of its component parts (top plate and baseplate), to a location somewhere well to the right of the building you have already modeled. Then zoom closer to the Baseplate area of this copied column. 2. Before placing the ProSteel 3D dimensions on the model, it is important to ensure that your UCS is set appropriately. Align your UCS such that X is along the top long leading edge of the baseplate to SHS, and Y is along the top left edge. The origin point should be to the top, front, left corner of the baseplate. You could use the AutoCAD UCS command to do this, or use the one of the ProSteel 3D Object UCS tools (as described in chapter 08) to do this.
3.
Now invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box, and ensure that the values in the dialog box match those shown in the diagram on the previous page. Global Scale is set at 1:20 because that is the current ProSteel 3D Scale command setting. Set the DetailStyle. Now click the DIMENSIONS SINGLE PARTS AUTOMATIC button on the ProSteel 3D Dimensio dialog box. You are asked at the command line to Select Objects. Select the baseplate only, and many dimensions will be added outside the baseplate. Click the OK button on the dialog box to finish the command (the dialog box normally remains open so that you can keep adding dimension strings). The dimensions that have been added to the drawing are each completely separate dimensions. You can delete any dimensions not needed, or edit the text locations and extension line origins by Grip Editing where necessary. Very small dimensions may often need the dimension text re-located by this g r i p e d i t i n g p r o c e s s . Y o u s h o u l d n o w h av e a b a s e p l a t e w i t h d i m e n s i o n s t h a t look something like this:
4. Now zoom to the end plate at the top of the SHS post. We will add some dimensions here. Ensure that you set your UCS to be aligned to the top of the plate at this level (If you do not align your UCS, any dimensions placed will be in a location that suits the previous UCS, which of course was aligned to the baseplate). 5. We will now place these new dimensions one at a time. Invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box. In the settings area, ensure that only Direction Horizontal is set.
Now click the ADD SINGLE DIMENSION button on the dialog box.At the AutoCAD command line you may be asked to SELECT THE ASSIGNOBJECT. Pick the endplate, then you are then asked at the command line to PICK THE 1 DIMENSIONPOINT. Osnap to the Top Front Left corner of the endplate. When asked to PICK THE 2 DIMENSIONPOINT, osnap to the Top Front Right
Chapter 35-3
ProSteel 3D 17
c o r n e r o f t h e e n d p l a t e . W h e n a sk e d t o P I C K P OS I T I O N O F T H E DIMENSIONCHAIN, choose a point somewhere to the front of the endplate, and the dimension will be appropriately placed. Keep the dialog box open, and click the ADD SINGLE DIMENSION button again to place a dimension to the right of the baseplate. You will need to change the dimension settings to Direction Vertical within the Settings area of the dialog box in order to place vertical dimensions. Now add dimensions to the front and the right of the baseplate that would locate all baseplate holes. Once finished placing the dimensions click the OK button on the dialog box to close it. You may need to do some Grip Editing of these dimensions to relocate dimension texts. You should now have an endplate with dimensions that looks like this:
6. Now zoom away from the endplate so that you can see all of the SHS column, with the baseplate, endplate all dimensions added in this exercise. We will now add some dimensions that cover all of the vertical dimensioning. As the column and plates were originally created as a G R O U P , t h e y s h o u l d h a v e r em a i n e d g r o u p e d w h e n c o p i e d . (You can confirm this by double-clicking the SHS, and looking for a Groups tab on the ProSteel 3D Properties dialog box supplied. Now set your UCS such that it is vertically aligned to the front of the SHS. Use methods similar to part 2 of this chapter. Invoke the ProSteel 3D Dimension dialog box, leave the settings as before, but this time click the DIMENSION GROUPS AUTOMATIC button. You are asked at the command line to SELECT ONE PART OF THE GROUP. Pick the SHS post, and all necessary dimensions are now added to the drawing. You should now see a SHS post and plates dimensioned as shown right: 7. You are encouraged to experiment with all of the settings and buttons on the ProSteel 3D Dimensions dialog. Try adding dimensions to the Workframe used for our model. Clicking the HELP button on the dialog will allow you to read and learn more about this feature rich ProSteel 3D command.
Chapter 35-4
Chapter 35-5

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ProSteel 3D Version 17

Training Courseware February 2005

ProSteel 3D 17 Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

Windows Mouse Button Techniques

Checking AutoCAD System variables for ProSteel 3D

Checking ProSteel 3D Options

Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

ProSteel 3D 17 Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

Some Typical ProSteel 3D dialog box buttons

Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

The ProSteel 3D / AutoCAD Template file

ProSteel 3D 17 Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

Getting Acquainted with ProSteel 3D

The Drawing Information Table

The Drawing Information Table

The Drawing Information Table

D RAWING I NFORMATION T ABLE

The Drawing Information Table

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Setting the Work Frame

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Load the PROPERTIES of the ProSteel 3D Workframes and construction lines t o e f f e c t s u b s e q u e n t p a r a m e t ri c c h a n g e s f o r a w o r k f r a m e .

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

2 . C h e c k t h a t y o u r C h o o s e V i e w d i a l o g b ox h a s v i e w n a m e s t h a t m a t c h t h o s e i n the diagram below:

Creating Workframes and Selecting Views

The Clipping Plane

Shapes and Plates

Shapes and Plates

B e n t S h a p e s ( s h a p e s t h a t a r e b e n t t o f or m a c u r v e ) c a n b e a c h i e v e d b y u s i n g the BENT SHAPES tab on the ProSteel 3D Shapes dialog box:

Shapes and Plates

Shapes and Plates

Shapes and Plates

Creating Plates and Polyplates

Shapes and Plates

An OPTIONS tab is included with additional functionality

Shapes and Plates

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

S OME S IMPLE M ODIFYING C OMMANDS

This button is on the Element Modification dialog Common tab.

This button is on the Element Modification dialog Shapes tab.

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

The 360UBs should now appear as shown below.

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

ProSteel Object Properties and Modifying Elements

3. Save your drawing.

A DDING B RACING C OMPONENTS

C REATING P ORTAL F RAMES

c. Pick the position line of stiffeners

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

A DDING S PLICE C ONNECTIONS

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

The Administer Groups dialog box is shown below:

The Deletes all exiting Collision Bodies button.

D ELETING C ONNECTIONS & L OGICAL L INKS

Shape/X Dir: 260,200,1,200,340 Cross/Y Dir: 2100