Creating User Shapes From AutoCAD Blocks Or Polylines [TN]

Applies To

Product(s): Version(s): Environment: Area: Subarea:

AutoPLANT Structural and ProSteel 08.09 (Structural XM), 08.10 (ProSteel XM), 08.11 (ProSteel V8i) N/A N/A N/A

Original Author: Richard DeLong, Bentley Technical Support Group

Overview ProSteel and Structural have a rather large library of shapes. Despite this, sometimes users just can't seem to find the exact shape they need. This can be anything from a field fabricated shape or some custom shape that will be manufactured for just one job. It could also be something more common that just wasn't included in the tools and a user would like to make available. Prosteel/Structural provide the users with a command that will allow them to add predefined shapes created with a Polyline or a Block within an AutoCAD model. They can then use these shapes just as they would use other ProSteel/Structural shapes. Since ProSteel replaced Structural, this TechNote will be referring to the ProSteel version, however the steps are the same in both versions. Steps to Creating a User Shape 1. Before using this command, create a simple 2d closed shape out of polylines, here is the shape that was used in this TechNote

1. 2. With ProSteel Loaded, go to ProSteel 3D>Others>Create User Shape...

1. 3. This will prompt the ProSteel V8i User Shape Manager dialog 4. Right click on the "User Shapes" folder and select "Create a New Catalog"

1. 2. Catalogs are similar to folders, they store the shapes within them 3. Be sure to name the Catalog something dealing with the shapes that it will store, in this run it was called Mine2, but it can be called anything 5. Right Click on the newly created Catalog 6. Select "Create User Shape"

1. 7. Give the shape a name, this step makes the place holder for the 3 different Resolutions that the shape can have. This allows users to create shapes that can have a varying amount of detail and can be very helpful when working with lower resolution shapes while modeling the structure and then using higher resolutions for production drawings. 8. Right click on the shape name 9. Select the desired resolution, in this example the "Create Normal Resolution" was used

1. 10. The program will now go into the model space and step through each step in the Command Line, read along to give it the needed information and/or selections 11. Select the Outer Polyline or block of the shape 12. Next, if this shape has any inner sections that are drawing inside it, such as a hole, select them now or just hit Enter to end

13. Pick the center/mid point of the shape, it is a good idea to use OSNAP for this or have some construction lines that pinpoint the exact center point for the shape and use them as guides. The only lines that will be added to the shape are those selected in the first to steps, so any extra construction lines used for the center point will not be pulled into the shape 14. Specify any more insertion points if any, or hit Enter to end 15. After all these steps, the "User Shape Properties" dialog will appear

1. 2. Name is the only required field here, the other information can be used if needed. The program also inputs default options for the Material and Weight but these can be changed. The Width and Height are based on the information gathered from the polyline/block 3. The shape can also have a User defined mid line 16. Once all the options are setup, press the Check button to accept the changes 17. Once done, a dialog will appear about saving the new shapes onto the system. The User Shapes are stored in psp files under the displayed folder in this dialog, here is an example of the dialog -

1. Using the Shape in ProSteel/Structural Now that the shape has been added, it can be placed the same way all other shapes in ProSteel are inserted. Simply go to ProSteel>Shapes..., change the Shape Type to User Shapes and then locate the Catalog that was created under the Shape Class section. Then select the shape name under the Shape Size section.

Now the shape is ready for placement and it can be placed using any of the normal commands in this dialog that would be used to place other ProSteel shapes. One thing to note, if the shape doesn't appear in the preview box, then try reloading ProSteel. Sometimes, the User Shapes don't appear if they were created in the same section that they are being placed.