Xsteel Basic Training

Xsteel version 8.0 September 26, 2002

Copyright 2002 Tekla corporation

Copyright 2002 by Tekla Corporation All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of Tekla Corporation. Limitation of warranty and liability NOTICE: THE FOLLOWING LIMITED WARRANTIES APPLY ONLY TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SET FORTH HEREIN. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ANY WARRANTY AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT TRADEMARK OR COPYRIGHT EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE HEREIN PROVIDED. Tekla Corporation (Tekla) warrants that its software products will perform on computer configurations approved by Tekla as described in this manual and other Teklas documentation accompanying the relevant software so long as they are installed, implemented and operated in accordance therewith. Furthermore Tekla warrants that the instructions and information contained in this manual will, when applied by adequately qualified operators (or developers as the case may be), or where appropriate, qualified civil/structural engineers, result in the software performing substantially as described in the documentation accompanying the software. This warranty sets out Teklas entire liability to the customer, its employees, servants, agents and sub-contractors, including but not limited to, its liability in contract or tort and including any liability for the actions and omissions of Teklas employees, servants, agents and sub-contractors. Tekla does not exclude or limit the application of any warranty or condition implied by the relevant legislation which may not be excluded, restricted or modified by agreement. Tekla does not give any warranty in respect of third party software except that Teklas software is, to the extent referred to in this manual and other documentation accompanying the software product, compatible with third party software products. Neither does this warranty extend to any modifications or enhancements of Teklas software products made by other than Tekla. The results and performance of the software products due to modifications or enhancements including direct interfacing with Teklas software shall be the sole responsibility of the person making such modifications or enhancements. The customer is not entitled to make any modification or alteration in or to the software without the prior written consent of Tekla. Teklas sole responsibility under this warranty shall be limited to correcting errors in or replacing Teklas software so that it performs substantially as specified in the documentation for such software products or correcting such errors in this manual that prevent the use of software.

Tekla does not warrant that the software products will: 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. Be suitable for use as intended by the customer. Operate uninterrupted or error-free. Interact with application packages other than those specified in the accompanying documentation and/or this manual. Operate with hardware or hardware configurations other than those approved by Tekla. Misuse or negligent use and/or use by unqualified persons of the software products including failure to use the software products in accordance with accompanying manuals. Loss or damage arising from any errors that may be contained in the text of this manual or other documentation accompanying the relevant software product, or of the operation of the software. Indirect special or consequential damages (including loss of profits revenue or contracts) whether based on contract tort or any other legal theory. The foregoing limitation of liability shall not apply in the event that the software product is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be defective and to have directly caused bodily injury, death, or property damage provided that, to the extent permitted by law, Teklas liability shall in no event and for any damage exceed the license fee for the specific software that caused such damage.

Except as expressly set out in this manual Tekla shall not be liable for:

This warranty shall be null and void and of no effect unless and until the customer shall advise Tekla in writing of any and all claims based in whole or in part on warranty within ten days of the customer becoming aware of such claims. This warranty shall be interpreted pursuant to the laws of Finland. Trademarks ***Windows NT, Internet Explorer, FrontPage, Visual C++, COM and VBScript are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Unix is a trademark of UNIX System Laboratories Inc. JavaScript is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc. Xsteel is a trademark of Tekla Corporation.***

Contents

Lesson 1 - Train 1.........................................................................................................1

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Start New Model........................................................................................................................3 Create 3d view...........................................................................................................................4 Create Grids ..............................................................................................................................5 Create views (Plans & Elevations).............................................................................................6 Input Members ..........................................................................................................................9 Point Creation..........................................................................................................................11 Adding Connections ................................................................................................................13 Copy Members & Connections................................................................................................16 Add wall bracings along grids 1 and 4 .....................................................................................17

Lesson 2 - Train 2.........................................................................................................1

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Start a New Model and modify the default Grid .........................................................................3 Create Grid views......................................................................................................................3 Input Members ..........................................................................................................................3 Creating Baseplate Detail Interactively......................................................................................3 Creating User Detail of Baseplate .............................................................................................5 Create Cap Plate Connection Interactively................................................................................6 Adding penetrations to the beam...............................................................................................6

Guidelines for numbering and part Marks.................................................................1

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Numbering series ......................................................................................................................1 Define Numbering series ...........................................................................................................3 Numbering.................................................................................................................................5 Checking part marks..................................................................................................................6

Lesson 4 - Train 3.........................................................................................................1

4.1 4.2 4.3 Construct all necessary construction points for bracing and purlins ..........................................3 Adding Connections for portal frame .........................................................................................3 Add wall bracing along grid A ....................................................................................................4

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Contents

4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

Set sloping workplane for Bracing .............................................................................................5 Add horizontal Bracing ..............................................................................................................6 Set sloping workplane for purlins...............................................................................................6 Purlins .......................................................................................................................................7 Clash check.............................................................................................................................11

Creating Drawings .......................................................................................................1

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Creating assembly / single part drawings ..................................................................................1 Creating Multidrawings ..............................................................................................................3 Creating GA Drawings...............................................................................................................5 Creating drawings using a Wizard .............................................................................................8

Guidelines to Revision Controlling ...........................................................................1

6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Drawings list ..............................................................................................................................1 Integration between drawings and the model ............................................................................4 Check the changes....................................................................................................................7 Updating drawings...................................................................................................................11 Examples of updating drawings...............................................................................................13 Adding revision marks .............................................................................................................15

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Contents

ii

Lesson 1 - Train 1

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

1.1 Start New Model

From the File pull-down menu select New or pick the New Model icon. In the Selection field in the New Model dialogue box, pick after Xsteel_Models and type: \TRAIN1 (See example below). Special marks (/ \ . ; : | ) cannot be used in a model name

In this first train we will not use the option to create a default view and grid automatically so tick off the check box Create default view and grid in the New model dialog box. Press the OK button and the model will now be created.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

1.2 Create 3d view

Create the 3d view by double clicking on the Create Basic View icon. Complete the View Properties dialogue box as shown below and press the Apply button.

The Up and Down depth specifies the depth of the view above and below the nominated view plane. The view plane level is the coordinate typed in the Create Basic View dialogue box

In the Create Basic View dialogue box ensure the coordinate is 0.0 and press Create to create the view.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

1.3 Create Grids

From the Points pull-down menu select Grid. Complete the Grid dialogue box as shown below by completing the X, Y & Z coordinates for the grid lines and then the text for the grid lines.

A zero is used at the start to represent a grid on the 0,0 coordinate and spaces are used as grid separators.

The number of decimals in the grid dialog (as well as in other modelling dialogs) can be controlled from the Units and decimals... dialog box in the Setup menu

Press the Create button once and the grid will be created. Press OK to close the Grid dialogue box. You will notice that the grid will appear small in the bottom left corner of the view. Single pick in the view, right click on the mouse and select Fit work area. The view should now look like in below.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

1.4 Create views (Plans & Elevations)

Create the Plan views by double clicking on the Create Basic View icon again. Complete the View Properties dialogue box as shown below and press the Apply button. It is very important to press Apply or OK after typing information into any dialogue box otherwise Xsteel does not use this input.

The Up and Down view depth has been changed to 500. This will limit the view depth by only showing objects that are within 500mm above and below the Nominated view plane coordinate. In the Create Basic View dialogue box ensure the coordinate is 0.0 and press Create to create the view. Now create the plan view at RL 3200, by typing in the Name of the view in the View Properties dialogue box, Applying this, typing the View Plane coordinate of 3200 in the Create Basic View dialogue box and pressing Create. Repeat this for the Plan view at RL 6500. Now create the Elevation views on each grid line by first double clicking on the Create View by two points icon. Complete the View Properties dialogue box as shown below and Apply this. There is no need to press OK, Apply is sufficient.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

Now pick two points along Grid 1 as shown below .

A pair of arrows will appear. These represent the direction in which the view will be taken. Modify the View Properties dialogue box for Grid 2, Apply this and pick two points on Grid 2. Repeat this for the remaining grids.

:It is a good idea not to have too many views open at the same time. Nine is the maximum number of open views. You can open or close named views by clicking abc icon.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

1.5 Input Members

Columns
To input the columns, double click on the Create Column icon. Complete the Column Properties dialogue box as shown below, and Apply this.

[j1]

In the 3d view, pick the intersection of Grids A-1 to input the column. Now input the other HEA300 columns on grid intersections B-1, A-2 and B-2. Adjust the Column Properties dialogue box for a HEA240, Apply and input these columns . You will notice that the column on grid B-3 needs to be rotated. This can be done by double clicking on the Column to retrieve the properties of this column, adjusting the rotation from Front to Top, and then pressing Modify. The column on grid B-4 needs offsetting from the Grid Line. This can be done by adjusting the Vertical Position value in the Column Properties dialogue box.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

Beams
To input a beam, double click on the Create Beam icon.

Beams, Braces, Rafters, Purlins etc.. can be inputted using this command.

Complete the Beam Properties dialogue box as shown below, and Apply this.

In the Plan view at RL 3200, pick the intersection of Grids A-1 then the intersection of Grid A-2

When inputting horizontal members always pick from Left to Right or from Bottom to Top for consistency purposes

Now input the other IPE300 grid beam. Adjust the Beam Properties dialogue box for a IPE240, Apply and input these grid beams. Repeat this for the remaining grid beams. The beam between B-3 and B-4 needs offsetting from the Grid Line. This can be done by adjusting the Position in Plane value in the Beam Properties dialogue box.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

10

1.6 Point Creation

The Point Tools allow you to accurately position the objects that you model. Now construct points for the infill beams by double clicking on the Create Parallel Points icon, typing 3500 2000 in the dialogue box and Applying this. Now pick the intersection of Grids A-1 then A-2. This will then project points up grids 1 and 2 at spacings of 3500 then 2000. While still in the command pick the intersection of Grids A-3 then A-4.

Input the horizontal IPE300 infill beams. To create the points for the vertical infill beams double click on the Create Extension Point icon and type -3000 -1500. Pick from point 1 to point 2 shown below,

Repeat this along the beam above. Now using the Create Divided Line Points icon and using a value of 1, pick from the intersection of Grid A-1 to Grid A-2. This will divide these two points equally and place a point at the midpoint.
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

11

Click the Create Projection Point icon. Pick the intersection at Gridlines B1 and then the Column near Gridlines B2. The Command line then asks you to Pick a point to project. Pick two of the points created with the Create extension point tool, to project the points to Gridline B.

Double click the Beam icon to open the Beam Properties dialog box so that you can change the profile. Model the remainder of the beams. Remember to always model from left to right and from bottom to top. the model should now look like in below.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

12

1.7 Adding Connections

Connections can be modelled very quickly with macros. The greatest benefits when you work with macros are: The macro settings can be saved under a certain name at any time. These settings can then be used for all projects. When you modify sections in the model, all macros are automatically modified at the same time. If you select options such as edit, copy, or mirror, all connections are automatically included. The connections that are copied or mirrored are then exactly the same as the originals. The same applies to plates and bolts.

Macros reside on the bottom of the Xsteel screen. By clicking on the user can switch between the various sides. Xsteel has a macro for most connections. The macros are divided into 2 large groups: joints that connect two or more beams and details that includes only one beam. With the first group the macro asks the user for selection of 2 sections - sequence of clicking of sections (first the main part and then the secondary part). In the case of macros that work with more than two beams, you can conclude the selection of a beam with the middle mouse key. In the case of the second group of macros (= details) Xsteel asks the user for a section (e.g. a column) and for a point for the detail (e.g. a sole plate). This point is the point that lies on the under side of the column. When a connection has been made successfully the symbol will be green. When a connection has failed the symbol is red. If the symbol appears yellow there may be some problem associated with the connection. You should examine a connection with a yellow symbol closely to determine the problem. Most of the time a yellow symbol will be associated with either bolts or holes that have an edge distance less than that of the connection default value. The most common reason for getting a red symbol or a failed connection is because of the up direction is inappropriate for connection that has been made. In most cases the auto choice can take care of the up direction but in unclear cases it has to be defined manually. Up direction is indicated by the direction of the arrow in the joint symbol. The user can find the correct up direction for the connection by opening the Help file for the macro that was used. The normal up direction is shown on the Picture tab of the macro. The direction can be changed by selecting the symbol in the model and then on the General tab of the macro change the x y or z direction and click Modify.

The up direction of the macro is of critical importance!

With the settings of bolt groups and elongated holes, Xsteel asks for the bolt distances in the horizontal and vertical directions. For macros the convention is that the direction of the arrow is the vertical direction.

vertical horizontal
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

13

The setting for position numbers, the material and the bolt fittings can all be made in the settings for the macros. These specifications must all be entered in the macro. These settings can be stored as default for this project.

Base Plates
The first connection that we will add are the column Base Plates. From the fifth page of the macro side menu, double click on the Base plate (1004) macro icon. Following dialog appears:

Apply the default settings with Apply or OK button, pick the column and then the point at the bottom of the column.

The command line will prompt you to pick the part, then pick the point. Always follow the command line information carefully.

Experiment with the Base Plate macro by double clicking on the green macro symbol and adjusting any parameters you wish. E.g. the thickness of base plate can be set in Parts tab page. If you want to use this same base plate on the other columns, you can apply the macro settings and now add the Base plate (1004) to the other columns.
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

14

End Plate
From the 1. page of macros double click on the End plate (144) macro icon. Apply the default settings and pick the main part (the column at intersection of Gridlines A1) then the secondary part (beam on gridline 1 at level 3200).

The macro icon shows a Beam to Column connection but this macro can be used for either Beam to Beam or Beam to Column connections

Bolts can be defined in bolt dialog which appears by clicking Bolts tab page: You can change joint attributes by double clicking to joint symbol, filling values and pressing Modify button. Continue to add End Plate connections to all of the main grid beams.

For the double sided End Plate connections you must use the Two Sided End plate (142) macro from page 1 instead.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

15

Fin Plates
From the first page of macros double click on the Shear plate simple (146) macro icon. Apply the default settings and pick the main part (supporting beam) and then the secondary part (supported beam). Continue to add Fin Plate connections to all of the infill beams. Ensure that the Fin Plates are put onto the North or West side of the connection ie. Left or Top.

1.8 Copy Members & Connections

We will now use Xsteels view filters to filter out the columns so that it easier to select all of the beams. Double click anywhere in the black region of the 3d view and the View Properties dialogue box for that view should be displayed. Pick the Filter button and complete the filter dialogue box as shown below:

Now press Modify and the columns should be filtered out to leave only the beams showing. Drag across all of the beams to highlight them and then pick the Copy-Translate icon at the top of the screen. Type in 3300 in the Dz value of the Copy dialogue box and then press Copy. Now all of the beams and the connections have been copied to the 6500 Floor level.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

16

1.9 Add wall bracings along grids 1 and 4

Working in the Elevation on grid 1 view input the vertical bracing members using the Beam Properties dialogue box. Remember to put middle value to position fields. Using Tube Gusset (20) macro connect the braces to the column. You need to pick the main member (column) then the secondary member(s) then pick the middle button of the mouse to confirm you have completed selecting all the secondary members (braces).

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 1 - Train 1

17

Lesson 2 - Train 2

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

2.1 Start a New Model and modify the default Grid

Start a new model letting the program this time create the default view and grid automatically. Double click the default grid in the 3D view created and modify the grid values to correspond the drawing.

2.2 Create Grid views

Instead of manually creating each grid view (by using commands Create basic view and Create view by two points) we can easily create all the grid views at the same time. To do this, select the grid line, right click and start command Create view > Grid views from the popup menu. Click Create button in the dialog. The views will be named according to the grid labels and given prefixes. The created views are listed in the Named views dialog box, which appears after the grid has been selected and Create button clicked. The created views will be visible once you move them to the visible views in the Named views dialog box.

2.3 Input Members

Input the columns as shown on the Train 2 drawing (set the Bottom level to 200 and Top level to 5100). Create beam to grid line B by picking first top point of the column at gridline B-1 and then top point of the column at gridline B-3. To create the beam to grid line 2, pick intersections A-5500 and then B-5500 in the elevation view of grid 2. Another possibility is to place both beams at a T.O.S. level of +5.500 and then put a value of 400 in the Position in Depth field of the beam on grid B to drop it down. The overhang in the beam on grid 2 is controlled by adjusting the Move End 1" and Move End 2" values in the Beam Properties dialogue box of the member.

2.4 Creating Baseplate Detail Interactively

Plate
Using a plan view created at RL -0.200, create a point +300mm in the Y direction from grid A-2 and then a point -300mm in the Y direction from grid A-2. This is the start and end point for the baseplate. Using the Beam Properties dialogue box input the profile of the baseplate - PLT25*300" (or PL25*300), change the Name to PLATE. Use e.g. S235JR as a material. Press Apply and pick the start then end point of the baseplate. You will now need to rotate the plate 90 degrees by changing its Rotation from Top to Front. Then change its Position in Depth from Behind to Front to make the underside of the baseplate be at RL -0.200. The column now needs to be trimmed to the top of the baseplate. Cut the bottom of column short using the fitting command on the left side menu.
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

After starting the command, pick the column, then two points along the top edge of the baseplate.

Stiffeners
Construct one stiffener by first setting out the points required for this stiffener in the elevation on grid 2. Using the Contour Plate macro, create the stiffener by tracing each of these points in order.

Weld the stiffener to the column using the Weld macro. Then weld the baseplate to the column.

In order to obtain a correct drawing it is important to enter the welding order correctly: Pick first main part, then secondary part.

To avoid creating the stiffener a second time we will now mirror the stiffener to the other side of the column. Working in the elevation of grid 2, move the workplane to this viewplane by picking the Set Workplane to View Plane icon at the top of the screen and then picking the elevation on grid 2 view. Highlight the stiffener and pick the Copy - Mirror icon at the top of the screen. Now pick two points vertically on the centreline of the column and pick the Copy button on the Copy/Mirror dialogue box.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

Mirror command mirrors parts through a plane perpendicular to the work plane and passing through the defined line. Another way to mirror the stiffener would have been picking E.g. points A-1 and A-3 in 3D view without having to set the work plane to plan view plane.

The weld is copied automatically with the stiffener

Adding holes
Finally we need to put holes into the baseplate. Move the workplane back to the 3d view using the Set Workplane to View Plane icon at the top of the screen and then picking the 3d view. Create two points in the plan view at RL -0.200 along grid 2 where the first and last bolt are to go. I.e. 50 mm in from the edge of the baseplate. Using the Bolt macro complete the dialogue box as shown.

Apply these settings, pick the baseplate, then the middle button of the mouse. Now pick one of these points just created then the other.

2.5 Creating User Detail of Baseplate

So that we can use this baseplate detail that we have just created interactively on other columns we can make this connection into a user detail.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

Xsteel can create both User Joints and User Details. Basically a User Joint consists of an interactively created connection between two members whereas a User Detail is a detail attached to a member. E.g. Baseplates, Shear Studs etc.. To create a User Detail of the baseplate you firstly need to highlight all components of the detail. I.e. Baseplate, welds, stiffeners, bolts and cuts. From the Detailing pull-down menu choose Define user detail.. Type in Baseplate in the Name field of the Userdetail Properties dialogue box. Check that the Up direction in the dialog is defined as Auto. This way the program automatically defines the direction of the detail. The Auto option is set as the default direction for every connection. and detail. It automatically recognizes the orientation of primary (and secondary in case of user connection) part and is able to switch the up-direction accordingly

Leave the Position Type as Collision Plane and press OK. Pick the main item (the column) then the point where the baseplate is to be based around (the point on the centreline of the column at RL -0.200). You can now add this Detail to the other two columns by picking on the Create User Connection icon, selecting the Baseplate user detail, picking the column and then picking the point at the underside of the baseplate.

2.6 Create Cap Plate Connection Interactively

Create the cap plate connection interactively similar to the process used to create the baseplate. Tip: You can create a plan view at RL 5088 to setout the points for the two cap plates and the bolt group. Create the other cap plate with Position at depth: Front and the other with
Position at depth: Behind

Tip: After applying the bolt settings you are prompted to Pick part to bolt to. In the 3d view pick the lower plate and then you are prompted to Pick part to be bolted pick the upper plate. At the command Pick other parts click the middle mouse button to enter the selections.

2.7 Adding penetrations to the beam

Polygoncut
To notch out the bottom left corner of the beam we will use the Polygoncut command. Zoom in on the cantilevered end of the beam (Near Gridline A2). First, construct points as shown.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

The points have been moved outside of the steelwork. If the points were constructed on the edge of the steel a small amount of steel may be left behind along the two edges as Xsteel may think we wish to cut a hole in the beam instead of notching the corner out completely Click the Polygoncut icon, pick the beam and then select the points created above. Next, move to the approximate middle of the beam to construct a rectangular polygoncut. Repeat the procedure above to create the cut in the web of the beam. (See the Grid 2 elevation view.)

You will need to change the view properties display to Exact for parts in the 3d and elevation view so that it is possible to see the effects of the polygon cut.

Partcut
To create the round penetration in the beam we will use the Partcut command. Firstly create a point representing the center of the D200 profile in the elevation on grid 2. Copy this point 200mm in the negative X direction then 200mm in the positive X direction. Using the Beam Properties dialogue box input the profile as a D200 and ensure that the Position in Plane and Position in Depth are both set to Middle. Input this member picking the two points just created either side of grid 2. This will put the member through the beam web. To cut around this member pick the Create partcut icon, pick the beam then pick the D200 profile. Now delete the D200 profile leaving behind the blue part cut. Repeat this procedure for the other square part cut but use a PLT200*200 profile that is rotated through 45 degrees. This rotation can be achieved by typing 45 in the rotation field of the member in the Beam Properties dialogue box.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 2 - Train 2

Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

3.1 Numbering series

Prefix and start number
All single parts will get part position numbers according the numbering series defined for them. (Part prefix and start numbers) In addition to this each assembly(* will get an assembly position number according the numbering series defined for the main part of the assembly. (Assembly prefix and start numbers) Each single part will have information on its own part position number and the assembly position number to which the part belongs.

Places to define numbering series

Numbering series for parts that are modeled manually are defined in member input dialogs; Beam Properties, Column Properties, Contour Plate Properties, etc. Numbering series for connection parts (parts created by the joints) are defined in the Preferences dialog from Setup pull-down menu. See the fig. Below

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

It is also possible to define numbering series of connection parts in Joint dialog boxes. Series defined in joint dialogs will override the preferences dialog. You can use these fields when you want to define a specified numbering series (different from what is defined in Preferences dialog) for connection parts of a particular joint. (* An assembly consist of single parts that are either welded or bolted together with workshop welds or workshop bolts.

Numbering series and Numbering

In numbering parts with the same Part prefix and starting number will be compared with each other. All identical parts within such a group will be given the same number. The prefix and start number together define what numbers the part will be given; e.g. if prefix is P and starting number 1001, the numbering result will be P1001, P1002, P1003 etc. The assemblies are numbered by the same principle. Assembly numbering is not dependent on part numbering.

it is also possible to use the assembly position number as the part position number for the main part. To do this set the environment variable XS_USE_ASSEMBLY_NUMBER_FOR=MAIN_PART in your batch file

Reserve enough free numbers for each numbering series. For example you have 101 different parts in a series P\100 (prefix P and start number 100.) The numbering result for them will be: P100, P101, ,P200, P201. Then you have parts in another series P\200 The numbering result for them will be: P200, P201, P202,), Numbers P200 and P201 will now cause a conflict. Xsteel gives a warning when this kind of overlap is found: Overlapping part/assembly series. The overlapping series are also written in the numbering history log In this case you should use e.g. series P\1000 and P\2000 instead

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

The parts are numbered by the command Numbering in the Tools menu. For information on numbering the model see Numbering the model (p.5)

3.2 Define Numbering series

Main shafts
Prior to adding any members to the model you should setup the numbering series information in the member input dialog boxes.

: It is also possible to modify the desired numbering series afterwards. To do this filter the desired parts and modify them by using the beam properties dialog with only numbering series check boxes ticked

Go through each of the member input dialogue boxes, Beam Properties, Column Properties, Contour Plate, etc., and set them up with the information shown in the table below. (See also the example dialog boxes below). Save the settings with correct part name. Parts Beams Columns Braces Rafters Trusses Purlins Plates*) Assembly Mark Prefixes: B C BR R T P A Assembly Mark Start numbers: 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Part Mark prefixes M M M M M M pl Part Mark Start numbers 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Part Names BEAM COLUMN BRACING RAFTER TRUSS PURLIN PLATE Class 2 1 3 5 6 7 99

*) It is possible to create plates both by using beam or contour plate command

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

Connection parts

Defining the desired numbering series for joint parts prior to adding any connections is important since changing them afterwards is not as easy as changing numbering series for main shafts

From the Setup pull-down menu select Preferences. The default numbering series for parts are 1001. A plain number mean the starting number and in this case no prefix is used. If you want to use both the prefix and starting number, use a backslash (\) as separator (e.g. S\2000). Modify now the last 4 options as shown in the dialog below and click Apply. Part Mark prefixes for fittings: Part Mark Start numbers: pl 100

From the Setup pull-down menu select Save Defaults to store these settings for this model.

When adding members to the model, double-check that each dialog box has been completed correctly. For example see that the Part num., Assembly numb. start nos., Name and Class match what you want as defaults.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

3.3 Numbering
Numbering settings
Before you can create reports or drawings, all of the objects in the model must have position numbers. You will find the numbering options on the pull-down menu by selecting Setup > Numbering. The following dialog box appears:

Refer the online help about the different options available in the dialog. Check that the dialog box matches the one above and Click OK.

Changing the numbering settings in the middle of the project can be dangerous. In case you need to change the settings in the middle of the project make sure you understand how the changes will effect the part marks

Numbering the model

To number the model, from the pull-down menu select Tools > Numbering > Full or Modified. The Full option will check all parts in the model even if they have not been modified. The Modified option only checks the new and modified parts and is much faster. There are few cases in which Full numbering should be run instead of Modified numbering: When performing the first numbering after the numbering settings have been changed. When Standard part option is used When Pop marks are used in DSTV files

It is recommended that you normally use the Modified numbering option.

Starting numbering from the scratch

When should the numbering be started from the scratch?
In the beginning of the project when keeping the present part and assembly position numbers is not yet critically important. As long as you have not have edited drawings or sent them to a workshop it is reasonable to start the numbering from scratch.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

After numbering with modified numbering series defined for parts and assemblies or with changed numbering settings there is a possibility that some earlier unwanted position numbers will remain. There is also a default setting in Xsteel that as long as there is only one part with a particular number, that number will be kept regardless of the settings in the Numbering setup dialog box. Because of the above it is a good idea to start the numbering from the scratch once you have determined the numbering series for parts and assemblies in your project. This method will ensure that each part in the model will really get the position numbers according the updated numbering series defined for them and no previous, unwanted numbers will be left.

Start numbering from the scratch

Select the whole model, both objects and joint objects. From the pull-down menu select Tools > Numbering > Unnumber selected. The Unnumber selected command unnumbers selected parts and assemblies. The unnumbered parts and assemblies will then be numbered as if they had never been numbered before. Then number the model by using the Renumber all setting.

Remember to reset the numbering setup for modified numbering and Apply before running any subsequent numbering.

By using the Unnumber selected command or Renumber all setting you will loose all information about previous numbers. These settings can be safely used only at the beginning of a project

3.4 Checking part marks

Xsteel can produce many different reports from the information contained in the model. Produce reports in the following manner: From the Pull-down menu select File >Report, which opens the Report dialog box.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

Select a report from the list and click the Create from all button. After the report has been generated click the Show button to view the report. Study the available reports. You can also print the report with the Print option.

Assembly_list - Check the numbering range. Assembly_part_list - Check the main item profile (plates or flats may indicate incorrect welding). Part_list - Check the steel grades. Part_list - Check the plate thicknesses for abnormalities. Part_list - Check the numbering range.... Part_list - Check zero lengths of material..

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines for numbering and part Marks

Lesson 4 - Train 3

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

4.1 Construct all necessary construction points for bracing and purlins
After inputting the two columns and the rafter, you will need to layout points to model the purlins, vertical and horizontal braces.

Horizontal Bracing
From the Points pull-down menu choose Axis Intersection, then pick the column on grid A1 then the rafter. This command will create a point at the intersection of the centerline of the column and the rafter. Repeat this at the other end of the rafter. Now using the Create extension point command type in -500 and pick from one of these axis intersection points then the other. Repeat this picking the points in the reverse order. This will construct the first and last bracing workpoints. Using the Create divided line points command type in 3 (3 points) and pick the new first and last bracing workpoints. This will divide these two points in four equal segments (3 points).

Purlins
Using the Create extension point command type in -350 and pick the end point of the rafter at Gridline A and pick the other end of the rafter at Gridline B. Using the Create divided line points command type in 4 (4 points) and pick each of the points that you created with the Create extension point tool. This will divide these two points in five equal segments.

4.2 Adding Connections for portal frame

Now add the haunch connections using the Haunch (40) macro on the seventh page of macros. Pick the main member (column) first, then the secondary member (rafter). To get the end plate to top of column and to shape the column top according the sloped rafter select the options in the parameters tab shown in the dialog below and modify.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

Finish the portal frame by adding the baseplate (1004) connections on page 5 to the columns.

Copy portal frame and points

To copy the completed portal frame, bracing and purlin workpoints, select all the items by windowing the portal frame. Pick the Copy-Translate icon at the top of the screen and pick the intersection of grids A-1 then the intersection of grids A-2. This will complete the distance and direction in the Copy dialogue box. Type in the number of copies you wish (4) and press the Copy button.

4.3 Add wall bracing along grid A

Working in the Elevation on grid A view input the vertical bracing members using the Beam Properties dialogue box. Using Tube Gusset (20) macro on page 4 connect the braces to the column. You need to pick the main member (column) then the secondary member(s) then pick the middle button of the mouse to confirm you have completed selecting all the secondary members (braces).

You may sometimes get an unwanted up direction for the macro when using auto Up direction on General tab. Basically try then the positive directions first i.e. +X, +Y & +Z.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

4.4 Set sloping workplane for Bracing

Work plane
To set the workplane to the roof slope pick the Set Workplane by 3 Points icon at the top of the screen. Then follow the prompts on the command line, picking the points as shown below.

True plan view

To make it easier to add the roof bracing make a true plan view on the roof bracing by creating a view perpendicular to the workplane. From the Properties pull-down menu pick View. Complete the View Properties dialogue box naming it "TRUE PLAN - ROOF BRACING", setting the up and down depth to 500 each and switching the Angle to Plane. Now go to the View pull-down menu and pick Create View - To Workplane. This will create the true plan on the roof bracing.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

4.5 Add horizontal Bracing

Using the True Plan View on the Roof Bracing add the bracing members Look at these bracings in the 3d view and Elevation View on Grid 1 to ensure they are positioned correctly.

Make the connections to bracings by using Tube Gusset (20) macro on page 4. Once you have modeled and connected the braces, use the Copy, Mirror command and two points on Gridline 3 to create the horizontal braces between Gridlines 4 and 5.

It is always more accurate to work in a true plane for modeling objects. When all of the points that you are to snap to are in the same plane as what you are modeling it enhances the accuracy. The points in the work plane are shown as yellow crosses and they have priority over those which appear red.

4.6 Set sloping workplane for purlins

True plan view
Before moving the workplane create a true plan view on the purlins. Create a True plan view for the purlins by using the Create view by three points command. Double click the icon at the top left side of the screen, complete the View Properties dialogue box naming it to "TRUE PLAN - PURLINS, setting the up and down depth to 500 each and switching the Angle to Plane. Click OK and pick the points shown below

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

Work plane
Now move the workplane to the top of the rafter by picking the Set workplane to viewplane icon at the top of the screen and picking anywhere in the new true plan view on the purlins.

4.7 Purlins
Parametric Profiles
Before modeling the purlins you need to select a profile to use. For this exercise use a rolled formed shape. Even though the rolled formed shapes are not in the library profiles (the standard profiles in the Catalog) you can still use them. In case you remember the syntax for the parametric profile in question you can just describe the parametric profile directly in to the Profile text field of the Beam properties dialog Other way is to click the Select button on the beam properties dialog, select Parametric profile from the Profile Category option and then choose ZZ Profiles, profile subtype and other values as shown in the dialog
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

The format for inputting the parametric profile is to type in the capitalized letters and substitute the necessary data for the lower case letters and numbers. Adding a profile to profile database: In case you need to often use certain parametric profiles It is a good idea to add the required shape to the library profiles. Select File > Catalog > Profiles > Modify In the Type drop-down menu select the Z style shown in the fig below and fill in the sectional properties as shown.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

Note: Be sure that the input in the csnr box equals 1 (csnr = Cross Section Number) and that the cstype is set to Default. Click the Add button under the profile name. Click OK, and then select the Save Database, To Working Directory option and click OK.

Add purlins
Double click the Beam icon. Fill in the Profile field on the beam properties dialog as ZZ200-2-26*74-26*66. (In case you added the required shape to the profile database, use Select button to get the Z profile from the database to the beam properties dialog) Click OK and start modeling the purlins. Input one purlin at the top of the building (closest to Grid B) between Grids 1 & 2. Look at this purlin in the Elevation View on Grid 1 to ensure it is orientated and positioned correctly.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

Now complete the top row of purlins only (Grids 2 to 3, 3 to 4 & 4 to 5).

Connect the end purlin to the rafter

Using the Colled Rolled Sleeved macro (2) on 13. page of macros connect the end purlin to the rafter on Grid 1 by picking the rafter first then the purlin. Edit the macro and add a value of 200 to the "Cut distance of purlin" field on the picture tab.

Use UNP160 as a cleat profile on the Cleat tab. You can define the desired Bolt distances on the Bolts tab.

Connect the rest of the purlins

Now connect the rafter on Grid 2 to the purlins by picking the rafter first, then the two purlins then the middle button of the mouse.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

10

On Picture tab you can choose whether the connection has a sleeve (default), only sleeve

holes or neither. If you want to create an overlap connection (Cold Rolled Overlap (1)) you need to change the rotation of every second purlin to "below". To do this pick the second purlin (Grid 2 to 3) and modify its rotation to "below". And the same for the last purlin (Grid 4 to 5). Add the remaining connections then copy this row of purlins down the building 5 times.

4.8 Clash check

Finally, by using Clash check command ensure that there are no colliding parts or bolts in the model. The Clash check command checks the collision between parts and/or bolts and shows the collisions by highlighting the colliding parts in yellow. Clash check is also available on the pop-up menu when more than one object is selected. 1. 2. Select the objects you want to check. Select the command Clash check from the Tools menu (or from pop-up).

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Lesson 4 - Train 3

11

Creating Drawings

5.1 Creating assembly / single part drawings

Once the model is numbered it is possible to create assembly and single part drawings of selected objects in the model. Selecting Assembly drawings or Single part drawings from the Drawing pull-down menu will generate drawings of the selected parts. However to get the drawings to appear as complete as possible, it is a good idea to create drawings of certain parts with suitable properties predefined for them.

Summary of creating assembly or single part drawings: 1. Filter the desired member type 2. Load the predefined (assembly or single part) drawing attributes 3. Create drawings
Below is explanation on how to create assembly drawings of the columns. By following this method you can create all assembly and single part drawings for each object type.

1. Filter columns
Located on the pull-down menu is a Select filter drop-down menu. To turn Column filter on you can just select the column_filter from the drop down menu. After doing this the only parts you will be able to select are columns.

It's a good idea to have only parts selection button pressed since selecting all points, welds and cuts can take a more time to filter

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

To see what the column filter actually filters click the select filter icon next to the Select filter dropdown menu. This will display the select filter dialog showing all the fields available for filtering. On the Parts tab page of the dialog you can see that the column_filter actually just filters parts named COLUMN.

In addition to the filters already available in the drop down list you can enter your own filtering keys to the Select filter dialog fields and click Apply. Saving a filter with a unique name adds the filter to the drop down list

2. Load drawing attributes

From the pull-down menu select Properties > Assembly drawing. In the drop down menu next to the Load button select the column option, click Load, and then OK.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

3. Create Drawings
With all the columns still selected, choose Drawing > Assembly drawing from the pulldown menu.

On the command line you will receive a message when the drawings have been created. Click the Drawing list icon. This will open a list of the existing drawings. If this list is open while drawings are being created you will see the drawings being added to the list as they are created.

Pick a drawing from the list and click Open to view the drawing. To close the drawing select File > Close drawing from the pull-down menu or click the cross in the dialog corner. When you close the drawing, Xsteel asks you: Do you want to save the current drawing? You can then decide if you want to keep any changes that you have made.

5.2 Creating Multidrawings

Multi drawings are used when you want to have more than one assembly to a sheet. Multi drawings are also used to collect multiple single part drawings on to a larger sheet.

Summary of creating multidrawings: 1. Load the predefined multidrawing attributes 2. Select drawings you want to add to the multidrawings 3. Create Multidrawings
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

Below is a description on how to collect plate single part drawings on to a multi drawing sheet. First, create single part drawings of the plates by following directions explained in: Creating assembly / single part drawings (p.1)

1. Load the predefined multidrawing attributes for plates

From the pull-down menu select Properties > Multidrawing In the drop down menu next to the Load button select the plate option, click Load, and OK.

2. Select single part drawings of plates

Select all single part drawings named PLATE from the drawing list

3. Create Multidrawings
Now from the Drawing pull-down menu select Multidrawing > Selected drawings. This command creates multi drawings from the selected drawings. As many single part drawings as can fit will be placed on one multi drawing, after which a new multi drawing will be created, and so on.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

5.3 Creating GA Drawings

Create General arrangement drawings when you need

Several views on one drawing, including the entire model or a part of it Erection, marking, or foundation plans Information from model views, including 3D views

You can create general arrangement drawings from a named model view without opening the view. You have the option to: Create one drawing for each selected view Add all selected views to one drawing

As an alternative, you can create an empty drawing, and then add model views to it using the Drawing Editor

Unlike assembly and single part drawings, the numbering doesnt need to be up to date to create or open a GA drawing

Summary of creating GA drawings 1.

1. 2. 3. Create the model view(s) needed.. Select Drawing > General arrangement from the pull down menu. Create general arrangement drawing dialog box is displayed.. Select the model view(s) to include in the drawing(s),. You can: 4. 5. Create one drawing for each selected view. Add all selected views to one drawing.

To view or set the drawing properties, click Drawing properties Click Create

Below is explanation on how to create a General arrangement drawings including several model views (3D, plan, elevation, connection detail)

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

1. Create model views

You can create general arrangement drawings from the named model view(s). The views must exist but they do not necessarily need to be open. Check from the named view list that you have a perspective view,a plan view, an elevation view and a joint basic view in your model and in case you don't create the ones missing. Make sure the plan views are really 2D views and rotate the 3 D views the way you want them to show on the drawing.

2. Start GA command
From the Properties pull-down menu select General Arrangement . You can also Rightclick in a view and select General arrangement... from the pop-up menu The Create General arrangement drawing dialog is displayed.

3. Select the model view(s) to include in the drawing

All the named model views (and basic views) are shown in the Create general arrangement drawing dialog. Select the 3D, plan, elevation, and connection detail views in the dialog. then select the option All selected views to one drawing. GA drawing views are automatically labeled with the current view name.

With option One drawing per view you could E.g. select all the plan views in the dialog and create separate drawings of them at once with predefined properties.
XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

4. Set the drawing properties

Click the Drawing Properties button. In drawing properties dialog set the properties the way you want. You may E.g. Type a name for the drawing In the View properties Attributes tab change Scale to 1:100, Click OK In the Part Mark properties define that secondary parts will not get part marks by removing the elements of secondary part part marks. Click Ok Click OK in the drawing properties dialog

All the views in the GA drawing will be created according the common GA drawing properties applied. In case some views need different properties you must modify their view properties afterwards.

5. Create the drawing

To open the drawing immediately after it is created Xsteel, select the Open drawing checkbox. Click Create. You will propably need to adjust properties for some views. E.g. to change the connectiond detail scale double click on the blue border that surrounds the view and adjust the scale. Click Modify to change the scale.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

5.4 Creating drawings using a Wizard

Wizard is recommendable way to create drawings. By using a wizard it is possible to select the whole model and get all the assembly and single drawings created at same time with correct attributes. A wizard is a tool for automatic generation of assembly and workshop drawings. The wizard automatically, for each member type, performs the three steps explained in the chapter Creating assembly / single part drawings. These steps are: 6. 7. 8. It filters each member type, Loads the correct drawing attributes for them Creates the drawings.

Before trying the wizard open the drawing list and delete all of the drawings we created.previously

Summary of creating drawings by using a wizard: 1. Select the parts for which drawings should be created 2. Pick the Wizard icon and select the wizard name from the wizard dialog box. 3. Initiate the drawing generation with the Execute button.
To see what e.g. the Auto_drawings wizard actually does pick Auto_drawings from the list, click the Edit button. This will open a wizard text file which shows the sets of drawing requests contained in the wizard..

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

You can make modifications to the existing wizard by editing the commands in brackets and adding or removing the sets of drawing requests You can also save the wizard with a new name and use it as a template to create your own wizard for producing drawings. The first drawing request set in the Auto_drawings wizard is as follows:

set_drawing_type(assembly)

Wizard selects drawing type (E.g. single or assembly), in this case assembly

set_drawing_attributes(column) Drawing attributes column are loaded. The names in brackets refers to saved drawing attribute settings Filter column_filter is set active. The filter name given in brackets is one of the saved filter names in the Select filter settings Drawings are created

set_filter(column_filter)

create_drawings()
In order to get column assembly drawings created by the above drawing request set in the wizard certain preconditions must be fulfilled: The drawing attributes column must be found in the saved drawing attributes. You can see the saved attributes in the corresponding drop down menus The column_filter must be found in the saved select filters Columns must exist in the model which will be filtered with the column filter. For any columns already having an assembly drawing, a duplicate drawing will not be created

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Creating Drawings

Guidelines to Revision Controlling

6.1 Drawings list

You can use the drawing list to open, select, freeze and lock your drawings. You can also add revisions to the drawings and use the filters to find the connection between drawings and the members in the model. The drawing list also contains information about each drawing.

Information shown
All your existing drawings are shown in the Drawings list. The drawing list consists of the following information:

Information Issue, Lock ,Freeze flags Up to date flags Creation date Modification date Revision Size Type Name Title

Comment Can be added to selected drawings Shown automatically Shown automatically Shown automatically Revision mark or number, Can be added to selected drawings Shown automatically A=Assembly, W=Single, G= General, M= Multi Assembly mark, single mark or the number of the drawing in case of General or Multidrawing Defined in drawing properties Name field

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

You can sort the drawings according the information by clicking the information field button.

Flags-The status of the drawing

The flags (F,P,N, etc) on the left hand side of the list show the status of the drawings. After the numbering is complete, the list automatically shows the Up to date status of the drawings (Shown in the red area in the dialog below). Issue, lock and freeze flags can be added to selected drawings manually. Below is explained some of the flags the drawing may get. For the rest of the flags refer the online help.

Up to date flags <none> P

Explanation The drawing is up to date The drawing is not up to date (e.g. the part profile has been changed in the model) The number of equal parts has changed E.g. when the Frozen drawing is updated. Basically the drawing with the * must be checked. Once the drawing is opened and saved => The* disappears The part from which the drawing was originally created has been deleted All the parts related to the drawing have been deleted.

N *

n X

Issue, Lock, Freeze flags F I

Explanation

The drawing is frozen The drawing has been issued. The issue flag can be raised for selected drawings, which have been sent to the workshop. The drawing is locked

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

Parts connected to certain drawing

You can find out the parts associated to certain drawings with command Filter > Select
parts

1. 2.

Select the desired drawings from the drawings list Click on the Filter > Select parts button The parts associated with the selected drawings will become highlighted in the model.

Drawings connected to certain part

You can find which drawings are associated to which parts with the command Filter > By parts. To ensure that all the required drawings are displayed in the list click the Display > All button before using the Filter > By parts command. 1. 2. Select the desired parts from the model Click on the Filter > By parts button Only the drawings of currently selected parts will be visible on the drawing list

Locking a drawing
To ensure that the drawings are not accidentally deleted, edited or updated you can lock them To lock drawings: 1. 2. Select the desired drawings Click the Lock On button and the L flag will appear

You cannot open or delete a locked drawing without resetting the lock (Lock > Off).

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

6.2 Integration between drawings and the model

In Xsteel all the important information of the project is stored in one place, the model. Drawings (like reports, nc data etc.) are output produced directly from the model.

Model
The model contains all the important information of the project: Parts geometrical and structural information. Part marking, Bolts Bolt marking etc..

All the changes must be done directly in the model.

Drawings
The drawings are current views of the model members with added definitions for: The sheet size to be used How titles and tables are placed on the sheets What is dimensioned and how Which marks are displayed etc

The actual dimensions and marks are always produced straight from the model. In the case of multiple equal members the drawing is a view of one of these members. The drawing however contains the information (E.g. quantity) for all of the equal members. In case this particular "host" member is modified or deleted numbering will cause it to get a new position mark. In this case the existing drawing is not deleted, but automatically assigned to another part of the original position.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

Since all the changes must be done straight to the model, it is impossible to delete parts and bolts from the drawings. However, you can make the parts and bolts invisible in the drawing by filtering them.

Changes in the model members

Any changes in the model members will result in the corresponding drawings to no longer be equivalent with the model. The changes can be e.g.: Parts profile or geometry has changed New items have been added or deleted Number of equal parts has changed

The model member is "touched"

The drawings can sometimes become out of the date without any actual change to the member. It may be sufficient that a member only been "touched" to become out of date. This means the member has been: Modified with its own properties, Moved One of its connections has been updated When working in a particular area of the model you must be aware that some of the parts in that area can be "touched" and the corresponding drawings may need updating The drawing gets out of the day more easily in case it presents only one similar part (or assembly). When there are no other similar parts in the model there is no member to compare to whether the drawing is up to date or not. This result the drawing to get the P-flag more easily. A drawing can get out of date more easily when it represents only one part (or assembly). When there are no other equal parts in the model there can be no comparison to see if the drawing is up to date. This can make it easier for a drawing to get a P flag.

Cannot open drawing Numbering needed

Drawings that are not up to date cannot be opened. If you try to open an outdated drawing you will get the message:

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

Once numbering has been carried out the flags in the Drawings dialog box show all the drawings that need to be updated. .

You can filter up-to-date drawings with Filter > Up to date button. To get Non up to date drawings listed press Display > Invert button after Filter > Up to
date

You do not need to update numbering to create or open general arrangement drawings.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

6.3 Check the changes

It is recommended to check the numbering result and the affected drawings after numbering the model.

Check the numbering

After running numbering, check the numbering history log file to see if any parts or assemblies have been re-numbered. Pick Tools > Display log file > Numbering history log from the menu. The numbering_history.log file is located in the model directory and can also be opened using Windows Explorer. A numbering.history report of an example model is shown below:

This numbering history report indicates that no parts or assemblies were re-marked in numbering as the words Part or Assembly were not listed down the left side of the report. In case Parts or Assemblies have been renumbered for some reason the words Part or Assembly are listed. To demonstrate how the changes in numbering are shown in the numbering.history file we will now modify our model a little. We will: Add a new profile (a loose part) Change the thickness of an existing end plate Due to the end plate thickness change, the length of the beam the end plate is welded to will also change.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

Running the numbering after the changes in the model will result the numbering.history file shown below. Since there were changes in the model some parts and assemblies have been renumbered and you can see words Part and Assembly listed in the numbering.history file.

Xsteel highlights parts that you select in log files such as the numbering history log. Click the line with the desired part (prefixed with id:) on the log file and the parts concerned are selected and highlighted in the model.

The change in the thickness of the end plate resulted in a change in the plate's part number. The Part number changes from 1012 to1016. The change is due the fact that there originally was another equal end plate and now the changed plate can no longer have the original part number. The change in the length of the beam results in the beam's part number being changed from M/101 to M/117. This change is also due the fact that there was originally another equal beam and now the changed beam can no longer have the original part number. The assembly number is changed as well from B/100 to B/102.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

The new profile received a part position number from the numbering. It is shown in numbering history that it changed from M/0 to M118. The zero in pos number (M/0) indicates that the part does not yet have a position number. The assembly mark for this new assembly changed from B/0 to B/103

The numbering result is not what was expected

You can use the Clear number option (Tools > Numbering) to permanently delete assigned position numbers from parts and assemblies and try numbering the model again. In case the numbering result is still not as expected you should check why the parts have been numbered this way. You can also use the Assign number option to change part, assembly and multi-position numbers after you run numbering. This command does not change the numbering series. Next time you run numbering, Xsteel assigns new numbers to these parts and assemblies, irrespective of what their previous numbers were. In single user mode, if you do not get the result that you expected or wanted in numbering, you can try to Undo the last numbering and try different numbering options.

You must undo the numbering before updating the drawings since there is no undo for the update drawings command (Update drawings command clears the undo.log file). Note that automatic cloning can also update drawings preventing the undoing of the numbering.

There is no undo for numbering in multi-user.

Check the drawings/parts affected

After the numbering is complete, the flags in the Drawings list automatically show the affected drawings. To highlight parts associated with the affected drawings: Click the Up to date button in the drawings list Click Invert button Highlight the drawings displayed Click the Filter > Select parts button

To see which drawings were affected in certain numbering check the drawing history file. Pick Tools > Display log file >Drawing history log and check the affected drawings according the time the numbering was run.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

10

6.4 Updating drawings

Once the numbering is carried out the flags in the Drawings list shows all the affected drawings that need to be updated. It is important to understand how the updating effect the drawings. Updating will: Have no effect on locked drawings Regenerate any drawings with a P flag that are unfrozen, the updating deletes all the manual editing (added dimensions, texts etc.) Update the quantities on a drawing with an N flag Switch the P flag on a frozen drawing to an *. This indicates that the picture (the parts and bolts) and the marks of the member have been updated but not the dimensions.

Drawings with automatic settings

Whenever it is possibly to complete your drawings with only using the predefined drawing attributes (i.e. without manual editing) you should do it. In addition to fast creation of complete drawings also the updating of these drawings is easy. The drawings created with only the predefined drawing attributes will be complete straight after updating, since they are simply recreated by using their own attributes. To update drawings: 1. 2. Select the affected drawings from the list Click Update

Drawings edited manually - Freeze

Freezing the drawing before updating it is the only way to keep its manual editing in case the drawing gets affected. The fact that a lot of time can be spent editing drawings, it is advisable to always freeze manually edited drawings. If major modifications in the model create problems with a drawing you can always recreate the drawing with the automatic settings anyway. It is a good idea to freeze the drawings immediately after completing them. You can also freeze them after numbering, as long as you do it before updating the drawings.

There is no Undo for updating drawings command

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

11

To Freeze the drawings: 1. 2. Select the drawings from the list Click Freeze > On and an F flag will appear

When a frozen drawing is updated only the picture of the member and the marks will be updated, but the dimensions will not.

Updating a frozen drawing can lead to a situation of incomplete or erroneous dimensioning. The user must manually complete or edit the dimensioning To update frozen drawings : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Select the affected drawings from the list Click Update and the F gets replaced by an * Open drawing with an * Check and complete the dimensioning Save the drawing and the * flag is removed

If you decide to update the dimensions instead of keeping your editing, you can update the drawings with the automatic settings. You can unfreeze the selected drawings with the Freeze Off button..

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

12

6.5 Examples of updating drawings

Initial situation
The Initial situation is as follows: There exist an assembly drawing A/9. Part geometry changes in the model: The depth of the cut made to the brace by the connection plate is changed from 150 mm to 130 mm. (see the fig.) Due to this change the Assembly drawing A/9 is not up to date anymore and will get the "P" flag in numbering.

Shown below are three different examples of updating the assembly drawing A/9. On the left hand side is the original drawing and on the right hand side the drawing after update.

Only predefined drawing attributes were used

The drawing created with the predefined drawing attributes and without manual editing will be complete after updating since it will be simply recreated with the same attributes used to create the drawing .

Drawing has been manually edited Freeze is OFF

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

13

Since the drawing is not frozen the updating regenerates the drawing but deletes all the manual editing (added dimensions, texts etc.). We now need to add all of the manual editing again.

Drawing has been manually edited Freeze is ON

Updating a frozen drawing updates the picture of the member and the marks, but not the dimensions. We now need to fix up any dimensions that need updating.

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

14

6.6 Adding revision marks

You can add a revision mark and text describing changes to drawings in each revision. The revision mark is shown in the drawings list. All the revision marks and the texts describing each revision are also listed in the drawings.

It is not possible to open earlier revisions of the drawings. Due to the integration between drawings and the model a drawing that is not up to date cannot be opened

Creating a new revision mark

To create a new revision mark: 1. 2. 3. 4. Select the required drawings from the drawings list Click the Revision button to open the revision handling dialog Enter a revision mark, the text to describe the revision and the revision date Click the Create button. The revision number is created automatically when the revision is created. Now the revision number is shown in the drawings list and all the information is shown in the drawings. (A revision table needs to have been included in the drawing template you are using.)

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

15

When plotting drawings to files (DWG, DXF, PDF, etc.) you can include the latest revision number / mark to plot file name by switching on Include revision mark to file name in the Plot dialog.

You can choose between whether to get a revision number, or a revision mark displayed in the drawings list or plot file names. Revision number is shown by default. If you want to change it to revision mark, set the environment variable, XS_SHOW_REVISION_MARK_ON_DRAWING_LIST=TRUE, in your batch file

Editing an existing revision mark

To edit an existing revision mark: 1. 2. 3. Select the drawings to edit Click the Revision button to open Revision handling dialog Select the required revision number from the drop down menu, this fills the revision information fields in the dialog box Edit the necessary fields Click the Modify button.

4. 5.

Issue
With this function the letter I can appear in the drawings register to show that the drawing is issued (E.g. sent to workshop). This command marks all selected drawings as issued. To mark drawings issued: 1. 2. Select the desired drawings Click Issue On button

XSTEEL BASIC TRAINING Guidelines to Revision

16