Training Guide - 3 Days Final

USER GROUP
June 09 - 11, 2015 Salt Lake City, UT

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This document has been very carefully prepared in the hope to meet your expectations
and to answer all your questions regarding Autodesk Advance Steel.
Any reproduction or distribution, even if partial, by any means - electronically or

mechanically - of the contents of the present guide and other supplied documentation is
strictly forbidden if made without GRAITEC explicit authorization.
GRAITEC Advance PowerPack and Advance Workshop are registered trademark of

GRAITEC Innovation SAS.
Autodesk Advance Steel logo is registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
GRAITEC, Montreal, 2015. All rights reserved.
GRAITEC support: 1-800-724-5678 #1 #3

support.americas@graitec.com
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Table of contents
DAY 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
WHATS NEW ADVANCE STEEL 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Exercise 1 - Scalability & performance------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Exercise 2 - Weld symbols (New properties) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Exercise 3 - Numbering formats --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Exercise 4 - Weld symbols (New definition) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20
Exercise 5 - New countryfication -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Exercise 6 - BOM on General Arrangement drawings ----------------------------------------------------------- 31
Exercise 7 - Labels in dimension lines -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
Exercise 8 - Approval status and workflow ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
MANAGEMENT TOOLS DATABASE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
How to Add New Stringers to the Macro --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
How to Add Sections to the Railing Marco ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44
How to Add New Cladding to the Macro ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
How to create new welds ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47
How to add new materials & cie. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49
How to setup the databases on a server ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
How to create new grating --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51
How to add a new plate thickness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 52
How to map plates (PL) to be read as Flats (FL) or Gauge (GA) ----------------------------------------------- 53
How to create new scale ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 55
Modifying Token and Label Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56
The Management Tools ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58
DAY 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62
DRAWING STYLES CUSTOMIZATION INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------- 62
How to manage the existing drawing style ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62
The drawing style tool palette ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 63
Difference between Model Role and Model Object -------------------------------------------------------- 63
Model Object Creation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64
Labeling Strategy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65
Content of a label --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65
The Tokens ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
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Label arrangement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 66
Iteration steps ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 67
Drawing presentation modification ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 69
Presentation Rules-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 69
Process vs Drawing Style ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 70
Assigning a Drawing Style ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 70
Detail Style map ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 71
CUSTOM CONNECTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72
Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72
Creating Basic Custom Connections ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72
Creating Dynamic Custom Connections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 78
Custom Connections Library ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84
STAIRS AND RAILING-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 85
Modeling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
Customizations and Settings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 92
Drawings and BOMs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 96
Extras (not covered in training) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 103
PLATEWORKS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 108
Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 108
Creating Bent and Curved Plates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 108
Creating Developed Views -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 114
Creating and Adjusting the DXF Output --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 120
DAY 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 124
ADVANCED DRAWING STYLES CUSTOMIZATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- 124
Drawing Styles ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 124
The Views ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 126
The view direction and model box --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 129
The Z Viewport ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 129
The XY viewport --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 130
The Automatic environment viewport ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 130
Object presentation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 130
Geometric Restriction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 131
The depth position ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 132
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Presentation Rules------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 133
Dimensioning ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 133
The view dimension window ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 134
Combination of dimension chains ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 135
The Running dimension settings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 136
The dimension chain --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 136
The dimension request ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 137
Dimension label --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 138
Dimension point creation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 139
Assigning a Drawing Style --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 141
Detail Style map --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 142
Creation of a Process--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 142
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DAY 1
WHATS NEW ADVANCE STEEL 2016
In this course, well step through the newest Advance Steel 2016
functionality in an interactive hands-on training environment.
A playlist of YouTube Videos for Whats New In Advance Steel 2016

can be found at the following link: http://autode.sk/AS2016
You will do the following exercises:

Exercise 1: Isolate selected elements in a work area to improve
performance working with complex models.
Exercise 2: Define weld properties connecting elements together
in the 3D model
Exercise 3: Choose the numbering method that works best for you with a set of new parameters
now available
Exercise 4: Get assembly drawings with information about welds coming directly from the 3D model
and see how you can get customized weld symbols.
Exercise 5: Create accurate and automatically dimensioned & labeled general arrangement drawings
by using ready-to-use templates.
Exercise 6: Insert a bill-of-material on general arrangement drawings to get more information on the
documentation.
Exercise 7: Get dimension lines containing additional information with a text label entered by the
user or filled automatically by using available attributes.
Exercise 8: Control the status of your project by highlighting objects based on their approval status.
Exercise 1 - Scalability & performance
1. Go to File and then Open the Advance Steel 2016_Model_FINAL.dwg file.
2. Go to the View ribbon, then the Work Area tab and click the Create Work Area button.
3. Pick two diagonal points in the 3D model to define the Work Area, and select Low as Level Of
Detail.
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4. You can use the Select Work area icon to find where is located the Work area
box and to get it selected.
5. Select the Work area box and resize it with one of its grip points.
6. Go to the Home ribbon, then the Settings tab and click the Management Tools button.
7. Go to Defaults category.
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8. Check Use filter and enter length in the cell.
9. Go to General category, and find where the Min length for beams to be displayed in low LOD
default is located, then enter 400 as value instead of 0.
10. Press Load Settings in Advance button and close the Management Tools.
11. Go to the Home ribbon, then the Settings tab and click the Update defaults button.
12. Look at the new result (e.g. with the clip angles not visible anymore) with Low representation.
13. Change the Level of detail to Medium or Medium with Plates or High.
14. Use Toggle Work Area State icon to enable or disable the Work Area display.
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15. Use Toggle Work Area External Objects Visibility icon to hide or display objects
located outside the Work Area.
16. Select the Work area box and delete it to get all the 3D model being displayed without any Work
Area restriction.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 2 - Weld symbols (New properties)
1. Go to the Home ribbon, then the Extended Modeling tab and click the Connection vault button.
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2. Navigate through the different connection categories, and go to Platform beams category.
3. Select the Shear plate joint, and insert it between a column and a floor beam.
4. Navigate within the Shear plate properties dialog box, and show the different options like Plate
shape and Vertical bolts quantity & distance options.
5. Go back to the Connection vault and go to Column - Beam category.
6. Select the Moment connection joint, and insert it between the previous column & floor beam.
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7. Navigate within the joint properties dialog box, and show that you can ask for the creation of
Stiffeners bottom and that you can now specify a Flange gap and a Web gap between the
stiffeners and the column.
8. Show that you can specify the different welds for stiffeners thickness in Welds tab.
9. Double-click on the weld symbol created by the Shear plate joint (if it is easier, you can temporary
change the Visual style from Realistic to 2D Wireframe) and modify some of the weld parameters.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Exercise 3 - Numbering formats
1. Use the View cube to display a Back view of the model.
2. Make a window selection around columns located on the left of the building.
3. With a right-click, choose Advance Properties. In the properties dialog box, go to Naming tab,
select the Lot/Phase box and enter Ph A as Lot/Phase.
4. Make a window selection around columns located in the center of the building.
select the Lot/Phase box and enter Ph B as Lot/Phase.
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6. Make a window selection around columns located on the right of the building.
select the Lot/Phase box and enter Ph C as Lot/Phase.
8. Go to the Output ribbon, then the Part marks tab and click the Numbering button.
9. Change the Method to SP: 1000,1001, MP: 1,2,3 . for the Single part category.
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10. Add %LotPhase in the numbering Format by accessing additional tokens with the arrow located on
the right.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for the Assembly category.
12. Press Apply then OK to run the numbering.
13. Double-click on the Part mark column to get part marks starting with Ph on the top of the list.
14. Go to the Home ribbon, then the Extended Modeling tab and click the Advance Steel Tool Palette
button.
15. Go to the Selection category and click Model browser icon.
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16. Make a right-click on one column header, then select Insert column, then Naming and choose
Lot/Phase.
17. Double-click on the Lot/Phase column to display elements having a Lot/Phase defined.
18. Select the lines containing elements in specific Phases and press Isolate button.
19. In the 3D model, you can see where are located the columns which are in Lot/phase A, B or C.
20. Press Show all button to redisplay all.
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21. Close the Model browser dialog with the cross button in the upper right corner.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 4 - Weld symbols (New definition)
1. Select in the 3D model the floor beam which has been modified in Exercise 2.
2. Go to the Outputs ribbon, then the Documents tab and click the Drawing Processes button.
3. In the Drawing Processes tool palette, go to 5 Assemblies Selected category, and select the
drawing process named Selected Mp Each ANSIC, then press OK to generate the drawings.
4. Go to the Output ribbon, then the Document Manager tab and click the Document Manager
button.
5. Select the obtained assembly drawing and click the Open drawing button.
6. Eventually move the main view and the cut view if necessary.
7. You should get a result similar to this one:
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8. Make a zoom on the cut view to see the weld symbol
9. Go to the Labels & Dimensions ribbon, then the Labels tab and click the Insert weld symbol button.
10. Select the welded Shear plate on the Cut view and insert a weld symbol.
11. Fill some values for Weld main, Weld double and Additional data in the Weld dialog box.
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12. You should get a result similar to this one
Remark: the WeldTemplate.dwg used for creating the weld symbol on drawings is located in
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2016\Shared\Support\Symbols
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 5 - New countryfication
button.
2. Go to the UCS category and click Move UCS icon.
3. Pick one of the foundation upper corners.
4. Press 2 times on Rotate UCS around Z icon to get the X axis along the biggest side of the building.
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5. Go to the Outputs ribbon, then the Documents tab and click the Drawing styles button.
6. Go to 3 GA Plans, Elevations / Sections category, and select the drawing style named 3 Anchor
Plan grid & holes dimensioned.
7. Keep the parameters are they are set by default in the dialog box and press OK.
8. Specify a Drawing number (e.g. GA1) and select a Prototype (e.g. ASDETPROTO-ANSI-E-Anchor
plan.dwg), then press OK.
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9. Make a window selection which includes all the foundations and column base plates.
button.
11. Select the GA1.dwg and click the Open drawing button.
13. Save this GA1.dwg and go back to the 3D model.
14. Go to the Tools category and click Create camera(s) at node icon.
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15. Select one of the base plate joint boxes and pick one of the cameras on the side.
16. Choose Anchor plan as Type and enter Type A as the Description.
17. Go to Detail box tab, change x-delta and y-delta to 4, choose 2 Anchor Detail Front as Style
and 1 /2 = 10 as Scale.
18. Go to the Tools category and click Create camera(s) at node icon.
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19. Select another base plate joint box and pick the camera on the top.
20. Choose Anchor plan as Type and enter Top view type A as the Description.
21. Go to Detail box tab, change x-delta and y-delta to 4, choose 2 Anchor Detail Top as Style and
1 /2 = 10 as Scale
22. Go to the Selection filters category and click Cameras icon.
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23. Go to the Outputs ribbon, then the Documents tab and click the Drawing Processes button.
24. In the Drawing Processes tool palette, go to 1 Cameras category, and select the drawing process
named Selected Cameras Each ANSI-A, then press OK to generate the drawings.
button. Open one of the obtained drawings with the Open drawing button.
27. Save and close the drawing and go back to the 3D model.
28. In the Drawing Styles tool palette, go to 3 GA/Plans, Elevations/Sections category, and select the
drawing style named 3 Plan view Key plan.
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29. Press OK to generate the drawings and give it Key plan.dwg as a name.
button. Open one of the obtained drawings with the Open drawing button.
32. Save this Key plan.dwg and go back to the 3D model.
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33. In the Advance Steel Tool Palette button, go to the UCS category and click Move UCS icon.
34. Pick one of the foundation upper corners.
35. Press Rotate UCS around Z icon and then press Rotate UCS around X in order to get the XY plane
vertical.
36. In the Drawing styles tool palette, go to 3 GA Plans, Elevations / Sections category, and select the
drawing style named 3 Elevation View - Line.
37. Keep the parameters are they are set by default in the dialog box and press OK.
38. Specify a Drawing number (e.g. GA2) and select a Prototype (e.g. ASDETPROTO-ANSI-E.dwg), then
press OK.
39. Make a window selection which includes all the elevation.
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button.
41. Select the GA2.dwg and click the Open drawing button.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Exercise 6 - BOM on General Arrangement drawings
1. Open the Document Manager, select the GA2.dwg general arrangement drawing and open it.
2. Go to the Labels & Dimensions ribbon, then the Management tab, click the Insert a details list
button.
3. Pick one element from the elevation view and press Enter.
4. Specify two diagonal points within the drawing.
5. In the dialog box go to Template tab, then inside the Advance Templates branch and select
Drawing Material list.dwg template.
6. Close the dialog box with the cross button in the upper right corner.
7. Go to the Labels & Dimensions ribbon, then the Management tab, click the Update list button.
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8. You should get a result similar to this one
9. Save and close the GA2.dwg, open the Document Manager, select the GA1.dwg general
arrangement drawing and open it.
10. Go to the Labels & Dimensions ribbon, then the Management tab, click the Insert a details list
button.
11. Pick one element from the anchor plan view and press Enter.
12. Specify two diagonal points within the drawing.
13. In the dialog box go to Template tab, then inside the Advance Templates branch and select
Drawing Column Base plate list.dwg template.
14. Close the dialog box with the cross button in the upper right corner.
15. Go to the Labels & Dimensions ribbon, then the Management tab, click the Update list button.
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NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 7 - Labels in dimension lines
43. Pick one of the floor beams which have some secondary beams connected with a Shear plate
connection.
44. Go to the Output ribbon, then the Documents tab and click the Drawing Processes button.
45. In the Drawing Processes tool palette, go to 5 Assemblies - Selected category, and select the
drawing style named Selected Mp Each ANSI-C, then press OK to generate the assembly drawing.
46. Select the beam in the model and with a rightclick select Show assembly detail.
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48. Double-click on the dimension line containing a label, then go to Dimension label tab and try one
of the proposed options for Label placement.
49. Customize the label content by inserting Qty = in front of %MainPartQuantity and by adding
Material after %Length).
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51. Save and close the assembly drawing.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 8 - Approval status and workflow
1. Go to the Tools ribbon, then the Tools tab, click the Layer button.
2. Select all the layers and turn them OFF excepted the Beams layer.
3. Use the View cube to display a Front view of the model.
4. Make a window selection around beams located on the upper level of the building.
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5. Make a right-click and choose Advance Properties.
6. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Revised.
7. Make a window selection around beams located on the intermediate level of the building.
8. Make a right-click and choose Advance multi edit then Beam properties.
9. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Comment.
10. Make a window selection around beams located on the lower level of the building.
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11. Make a right-click and choose Advance Properties.
12. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Approved.
13. Use the View cube to display an isometric view of the 3D model.
button.
15. Go to the Selection category and click Search filter icon.
16. Go to General tab, check Assign color option and choose ByApprovalStatus in the combobox.
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17. Go to Objects tab and check Steel beam.
18. You can optionally press Save button and give a name to the query so that you can run it later e.g.
from the Project explorer.
19. Press OK button.
21. Go to the Tools ribbon, then the Tools tab, click the Layer button.
22. Select all the layers and turn them ON.
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23. Double-click on one the Shear plate connection cuboid to get the properties dialog box being
displayed.
24. Press Check button.
25. Change the Approval status to Approved.
26. Go to the Ouput ribbon, then the Document Manager tab, click the Document manager button.
27. Select the GA1.dwg and the GA2.dwg drawings and set the Approval status to Approved.
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28. Select e.g. the GA2.dwg and press Open drawing button.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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MANAGEMENT TOOLS DATABASE
Please make sure to have some paper for extra notes because a lot of what we will do is not
necessarly in the fallowing document.
This fallowing document is an general overview of what will be covered.
How to Add New Stringers to the Macro
In Advance Steel, you can assign user sections for the structural element of the stairs - "the stringer".
This option allows you to use any section shape for this type of element, completing the current sections
library.
Create a user section using the "Generate selected section" option and use the "Update defaults"
command from the "Manage" ribbon to update the database with the new section.
For example a "C asymmetric" user section is created having the section name "CAsymHook250x150"
and the class section name "CAsymmetric-Hook".
With GRAITEC Advance Manager 2013, open the database "AstorProfiles": Settings\Table Editor\Open
ODBC\AstorProfiles.
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In the AstorProfiles database search for the "ProfileMasterTable" table using the filter. In this table you
can find the new user section. From the "TypeNameText" column copy the internal name assigned to
the user section "Usr CAsymmetric-Hook".
In the same database AstorProfiles search for the definition table of the profile, whose name is similar
with the internal name of the section, "USR_CAsymmetric-Hook"(example). From the column "Section
name" copy the section name "CAsymHook250x150"
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In the AstorRules database search for the table "RULE_StairStringerUserSections" using the filter.
To add a new line in the "RULE_StairStringerUserSections" table follow these steps:
Fill a unique number in the "Key" column.

"DefaultProfile" column must be filled like: "Usr CAsymmetric-
Hook#@@#CAsymHook250x150". Where "Usr CAsymmetric-Hook" is the internal name of
the section from the "ProfileMasterTable" table from the AstorProfiles database; "#@@#" is a
unique separator which is used to add any new section; "CAsymHook250x150" is the section
name from the definition table of the profile "USR_ CAsymmetric-Hook" from the AstorProfiles
database.
The "Note" column is completed optionally; for example it can contain information about the
section type. This information does not appear in the "Stair" joint.
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Create a joint Stair in Advance Steel and from its properties choose the previously defined user section.
How to Add Sections to the Railing Marco
In Advance Steel, custom profiles can be added to the railing macro. This allows for the railing macro to
be able to adapt to and industry including the architectural, more aesthetically pleasing world.
For this example, well map a user section to the Top Rail portion of the railing macro
Start by creating a new section profile.
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Once the sections is created, it can be viewed in the profile master table AstorProfiles database.
The next step is to open the AstorRules database to add the new section type to the Joints GUI Allowed
Sections table. The section could apply to any category, but for this example add it to the Top
Handrail.
NOTE: If the Sub Type Name is placed under the Allowed Section column, this will allow all section
types with the same name to be mapped to the macro.
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Once the defaults are updated, the section can then be used in the railing macro.
How to Add New Cladding to the Macro
Start by creating a new cladding profile with the User Section tools from the Ribbon.
Once the section is complete, it will create its own table in the AstorProfiles database.
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Next add a new line in the table "RULE_Cladding_ProfileClasses".
And to add the rules in the table "RULE_Cladding_ProfilesInfo".
How to create new welds
Advance Steel can create new weld symbols, finishing surfaces, etc. We will create a staggered fillet
weld example. Advance Steel uses symbol drawings that can be modified or created by the user.
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There are two ways to create a new weld symbol:
1. Modify an existing symbol.
The modification is quick and easy but it will overwrite the existing symbol.
2. Create a new weld symbol.
This option offers many advantages but the process must be strictly followed.
There are 5 tables in the AstorBase for weld options:
Symbols: to create / modify the link between a weld and the symbol drawing.
Welddesign: to create / modify an entry for a design (e.g., G for grind)
Weldshape: to create / modify an entry for a finishing (e.g., flush-convex)
Weldtype: to create/modify a weld symbol (e.g., fillet-butt-bevel)
Combiwelding: to combine two existing welds for automatic near side and far side weld (e.g.,
bevel ns / fillet fs)
Example 1: Modify a weld symbol
For this example, we are going to change the position of the finishing symbol to create a larger gap
between the weld symbol and the finish symbol.
Start the Management Tool by selecting MANAGEMENT TOOL on the start menu of Advance
Steel.
Start the 'Table Editor' application.
Click the OPEN DATABASE ODBC icon and select AstorBase.
Open the 'Symbols' table.
Search in the description for the element to change: (concave - convex - flat).
In the "drawing name 1" column, find the current symbol drawing.
Open the folder with all Advance Steel symbols: Program data / Autodesk / Advance Steel /
Shared / Support / Symbols. Search for the 3 drawings.
The letter "o" or "u" before the .dwg means u=fs and o=ns (because a symbol is necessary for
both sides of the weld).
Open one of the symbols to modify (Important: The symbol drawings can only be modified in
plain AutoCAD, make sure that Advance Steel is not loaded).
The symbols (AutoCAD lines and attributes) are related to the zero point of the World
Coordinate System. You have to move the symbol position to increase the gap between the two
symbols. Save and close the drawing.
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You should repeat this process for all drawings you want to modify.
This applies to all other weld symbols. Note that the "MASS" and "LOWERMASS" attributes are
automatically filled with the weld thickness from Advance Steel.
Example 2: Create a new weld symbol
For this example, we are going to create a staggered fillet weld.
Start the Management Tool by selecting MANAGEMENT TOOL on the start menu of Advance
Steel.
Start the 'Table Editor' application.
Click the OPEN DATABASE ODBC icon and select AstorBase.
Open the 'WeldType' table.
Fill the description for the new weld on the last free line: (Key = next available number) (Name =
the desired name, for example, Staggered Fillet) (system = 0). Remember the key number.
Open the "Symbols" table.
Go to the last line and define a new key. In the "Name" field, you must enter the reference weld.
"Weld_Upper" is the name for upper welds and "weld_lower" is the name for lower weld
symbols.
Next, you must enter the key from the "WeldType" table and then "_4_1:10" (e.g.,
weld_Lower21_4_1:10).
In the "Description" field, enter the description (e.g., "staggered").
The "Scale1", "Translation" and "Rotation1" fields can be set to "0".
In the "DwgName1" field, enter the name of your AutoCAD symbols drawing from the folder:
Program files / Autodesk / Advance Steel / Shared / Support / Symbols.
Repeat the same process for the upper weld.
12. Create the corresponding symbol drawings with plain AutoCAD. You can also copy and
modify (the copy) existing symbol drawings.
Using this process you can create any weld symbol, surface shape, weld preparation or combination of
weld symbols.
How to add new materials & cie.
In Advance Steel, through the management tools, we can create: Material, Coatings, Model Roles, Bolt
Coatings, General Notes and Texts (for weld tail). You can access them through the Object Property
Editor
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All the modifications and or added features, can be found in the AstorBase.mdb at this path:
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2016\Steel\Data\AstorBase.mdb
How to setup the databases on a server
First of all, you must locate the DatabaseConfiguration.xml at this path:
C:\ProgramData\Graitec\Advance Steel\2013\Configuration\DatabaseConfiguration.xml
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The location for the others databases in Advance Steel:
Database- Location in Windows Vista and Windows 7 / 8
AstorAddin- C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel \2016\User2\Data

AstorBase- C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel\2016\Steel\Data
AstorDetails- C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel\2016\Steel\Data
AstorRules- C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel\2016\Steel\Data
AstorSettings- C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel\2016\Steel\Data
For AstorProfiles database, in order to access it from a network address the user needs to change a
registry entry.
AstroProfiles can be found at the following location:
AstorProfiles2016- C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Data
To change the registry entry you need to:
Open Registry Editor tool from Windows ( press START > Run > type regedit)
To the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Autodesk / Database Connections.
Here change the folder target for the AstorProfile2016 entry with the network address.
This registry configuration needs to be done independently for each computer, but
the DatabaseConfiguration.xml file can be replaced for each computer.
How to create new grating
All the Gratings are saved in the same databases. The best is to use an existing one and renamed it. You
have two important tables there: GratingStandardMaster, GratingVariableMaster.
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Those are actually managing which gratings are displayed in the Advance Steel menu.
How to add a new plate thickness
To create a new plate thickness, you must locate the AstorBase.mdb or access it with the Management
Tools through the Table Editor.
Once in the AstorBase database, locate the plate thickness table.
For this example, add in Gauge 5 material to the database.
Key 5.314
Run Name Gauge 5
Owner Text My Company
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Update the defaults in Advance Steel
The new thickness is now created
The plate can then the added to your preferred sizes for quicker access in you model space.
How to map plates (PL) to be read as Flats (FL) or Gauge (GA)
Plates can be mapped to reads as flats or as gauge material when needed in your shop drawings and
BOM.
First, open the Management tools and adjust the settings in your defaults to allow plates to be mapped.
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Next, check off the priority for the mapping under the plates category. This will allow the mapping rules
that we will set to apply.
Next, locate the AstorBase database in the Table editor to find the MapInterntoExtern Table. The
output for text, with any plate thickness and width, can be adjusted by modifying the text under the
external1 column.
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How to create new scale
To create new scale, you must locate the AstorBase.mdb. In it, you will find a table call Scale you can
choose to make appear a scale in metric only or in both, imperial and metric.
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Modifying Token and Label Information
In the Astor Base, we can also adjust other settings. Or find informqation to force labels to display a
certain content. I mean to force a label to display in a certain unit insead of an other one.
In Advance Steel the units are defined for each model, drawing and list. This means that a drawing
contains a certain setting for the units and precision.
There are certain cases where it is necessary to have a different precision or unit setting for a single
item. This is possible in Advance Steel by defining, for just a label, a different unit and precision setting.
To do this, you need to add a [1,2,3] to the token, for example, for a %Length token it has to look
like %[1,2,3]Length
While the 1, 2, 3 must be replaced by the required keys from the unit tables in AstorBase.
The first number is the unit key from the tables in AstorBase.mdb starting with UnitOf... (e.g., for a
distance it is from UnitsOfDistance).
The second number is the unit type from the UnitsType table in AstorBase.mdb.
The third number is the unit precision from the UnitsPrecision table in AstorBase.mdb
In the above example we used [3,3,1], which means:
Key 3 from AstorBase.mdb UnitsOfDistance table: Millimeter
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Key 3 from AstorBase.mdb UnitsType table: Decimal
Key 1 from AstorBase.mdb UnitsPrecision table: no decimals
Result: Even with the model units set to display 2 decimals (2643.68) we can have a shown length
rounded to full millimeters (2644).
57
The Management Tools
We can use this Tool to make all the modification through all your Databases. Will go deeply into it, we
will create new bolts,studs and anchors.
To create a new bolt class, nut and washer, click on the bolts catergory to access the table. Existing bolt
groups can be modified and new bolt groups can be copied and renamed to quickly add a new classes.
The same can be done for both Anchors and shear studs.
58
59

60
61
DAY 2
DRAWING STYLES CUSTOMIZATION INTRODUCTION
How to manage the existing drawing style
The drawing styles are available from the Output tab Document Manager panel by selecting the drawing
style manager icon:
They are organized in two main categories:
Advance: They are the default out of the box,

and cannot be altering by users.
User: They are customizable by the user.

Each category is divided into sub-categories
base on which type of drawings you want to
create.
The drawing style will be available in the drawing style tool palette by selecting a category on the right
window of the drawing style manager. Select the Drawing style you want to appear on the Tool palette.
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The drawing style tool palette
After you selected which drawing style you would like

to use and see available, simply close Advance Steel
and re-open it. The new drawing style will be
available by selecting the icon of the flag to the left of
the gear icon.
Difference between Model Role and

Model Object
A Model Role is a specific designation for each object from the model, without taking in consideration
their properties. Adding a model role to an object does not differentiate between a Main Part and a
Single Part, until you make it yourself obviously. Example: you can have two beams having the same
Model Role but one is considerate as a Main part the other one as a single part.
A Model Object Is based on three things, the behavior of the object (is it a Main Part or an attached
part), the type of object (Beam, Polybeam, Plate, bolt) and the Model Role.
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A Model Object can be really specific or it can be vague and general. Example: A plate that as no
specified model role and is not specified if it is a MP or a SP will be considered as too general. Another
example: We will use a plate, but this time we will assign a Model Role called gusset, we will presume
that it is a MP this will be considered as Specific. A model Object can also include more than one type of
Object Type. Example: A Beam and a Plate, both having the model role Frame can be group through
the same Model Object.
Model Object Creation
You can create a model object by

copying an existing one, using the option
at the top or by right clicking on it, from
the category that you want. Then from
the right click option, by selecting
properties, you can re-assign or change
the category name of any model object.
Using the option Copy; is by far the

easiest way to create a new model
object.
The deep copy option is a little bit

challenging; it is copying the entire sub
variable (definition) of the model object
that you deep copy.
From the right window, you can add many different type of objects that you want to include in your
model object; different type of object with the same model role or either the same object with a
different model role.
N.B. You can also create many model Role that you want.
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NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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Labeling Strategy
The labeling strategy is organized base on

the type of object. It can also be assigned
to any type of object. The objects are
organized in such a way that they are
grouped by their associated labeling
strategies content.
Content of a label
The first half of the window is where you

can assign the name, the group, the
orientation and the alignment of your
labels. *
The second half is where you can define

the content of the label. Again, you can
create as many as you want. You can
define the content based on which type of
object.
The font, the text size, the color can also

be adjusted. The content can be managed
through the second row of combo-box
where you can assign what we call:
tokens. **
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The Tokens
The tokens are used to define the content of the labels. You can create multiple different combinations
of tokens, not all the objects can actually use all the tokens. Some are restricted to specific objects.
Example: You need to define a hole, to place Coating token would make no sense
The units use in each token can be set individually. You can refer to an FAQ available at
www.graitec.com How can I define the units and precision for a single label?
Label arrangement
The arrangement method: We will focus on the new arrangement method. By clicking on the little
hammer icon, you can access pre-define areas or you can create your own.
There, the right portion is split in two category, the Arrangement options*, and Arrangement of
iteration steps **.
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1.
2.
3.
*
**
1. Arrange in object center: This is simple to understand, it will place the ladder in the middle of
the object no matter what.
2. Allowable position: this works in combination with the second portion **. If you have only one
step obviously you will not see big changes, but if you have multiple steps, the label will always
try to optimize the position. If this option is check, the software will stop looking for the optimal
position of your label and will place it in order of creation at the first available spot.
3. Total geometry: If it is checked, it means the leader cannot be placed over an object.
Iteration steps
This is the delicate part of labelling strategy. Here, you can define an area where the leader will attempt
to be place. Imagine some boxes surrounding the shape that you want to markup:
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From the scheme, the boxes represent 100% of the area, in most of existing Iteration steps; the
percentage is set to 120% allowing the overlapping in the corners. You can setup the minimal distance
from the shape and a maximum distance this will actually define the area where the labels are allowed
to be created. If you use a smaller percentage, it is based on the reading direction.
The positioning of the labels also work with an option available in the content of a label
By placing a compass in your model, you can make the labels appear in function of the positioning of
your beams (erection side).
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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Drawing presentation modification
From any views, you can access the object presentation.
Each line gets a number. This number is a priority order; the same object can fall under two, three and
even more categories. That is why it is important to be specific in certain circumstances and general in
others. Each line refers to a model object, and is compose of four other properties: a geometric
restriction, a depth position, a presentation and a labeling strategy.
- Define which model object you

want to display in the view.
- Do you want a specific
representation base on the
orientation of this object,
(referring to geometric
restriction) according to the
view?
- Where this object is located
based on the center of the
assembly?
- How do you want the object to
be display?
Presentation Rules
There are many different presentation rules; you can also

create your own, this will determine how the object will
look: continuous lines, hidden dotted lines, 69hatch
pattern, etc.
Process vs Drawing Style
A drawing style is how a piece or an assembly will be represented on a detail. A Process is an atomation
of your details. Which mean you let the software decide on how each element will be represented base
on the designation: beam, column, plate, etc. A process can include many different drawings styles.
Assigning a Drawing Style
The process manager is where you will

manage your processes, for example on
which paper size you will create your
details, which scale will be use, how many
details per sheet, and how your details
will look.
The drawing process manager is divided in

two categories, Advance (process out of
the box) and User (process that can be
modified by you). Each process is defined
by the Process Steps and the Detail
Style Maps We will mainly focus on the
Detail Style map.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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Drawing Style assignation (Suite)
Looking at the bottom Right portion of your screen, you will notice which style map is in use in this
process.
After you determine which style map you are using, you can start the modification.
N.B. ALWAYS MAKE A COPY AT EACH STEP YOU ATTEMPT A MODIFICATION.
Detail Style map
A detail style map is composed of 3 essential columns; a script, a model object and a drawing style. The
fourth we do not generally use.
Again, as we saw previously, the row order will have an impact on how a piece will be represented. Also,
the specific model object must be placed at the beginning (the smaller the number the higher the
priority). Base on which model object you select you can assign the proper drawing style.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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CUSTOM CONNECTION
Introduction
Advance Steel contains a variety of preset parametric joints to connect Advance Steel elements. The
joints consist of several elements such as plates, stiffeners, beams, bolts, and welds.
An Advance Steel joint is created with all its parts, connection objects, and features using a single
operation. However, if there are elements missing in an existing connection, Advance Steel
Has the capability of creating Custom Connections. This allows the user to modify and add features to
existing connection from the vault while still being able to save it to a library, use the connection copy
tools and keep intelligence (macro interface).
The demonstration highlights:
Creating a custom connection at a beams reference end

Creating a custom connection between two elements
Creating a custom connection between three elements
Creating a custom connection from the tools in the Advance Steel Tool Palette
Combining two connections
Library management
Use join in a joint group function and management
necessarly in the following document
Creating Basic Custom Connections
Custom connections can be created by recycling connections from the vault and adding features while
still keeping its intelligence (the Advance Joint Properties).
The main tools that will be used are located in the Advance Steel Tool Palette
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Example 1: GLB Bucket (CC66)
In this first example, well be referencing a column to GLB connection with a beam at reference end
application. Start by creating a bent plate to respect the dimensions for a 1 x 8-3/4 GLB.
Once the CC66 (bent plate connection) is created the next step would be to create the scenario for the
application.
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Insert an AISC HSS square 5x5x3/16
Move the bent plate (CC66) connection to the top on the column (the inside of the plate should
be flush with the top of the column)
Add a weld between the two elements (3/16 continuous fillet weld)
Add a shortening to the top of the column to compensate for the thickness of the plate
The scenario is now complete
Once the scenario is complete, we can then begin the process of creating the custom connection. For
this example we will use 1 beam with end
In the Custom Connection section of the Tool Palette, click to use Create connection
template
Chose the definition method 1beam with end
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Select the driver for the situation (in this case the column)
The user template dialog box will then appear
Specify the name of the connection
Select the driven/output objects
Rename the driver to be called Column
the custom connection is now created
The last step is the save the file at this location: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel
2016\Shared\ConnectionTemplates
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Example 2: Moment and Shear Plate Connection Combination
In this example, the custom connection feature in Advance Steel will be used to combine two
connections from the vault while keeping the intelligence and adding extra features.
Start by placing the members in model space at a preferred UCS and while offsetting them beam to its
top flange.
Column- AISC W (W14x82)

Beam- AISC W (W21x62)
Once in the correct position, apply the connections from the connection vault
Insert a moment connection from the connection vault

Insert a shear plate from the connection vault (four bolt scenario)
Apply stiffener to the column
The connections are now in place
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Once all the added cut features are in place, the custom connection can then be created.
template
Chose the definition method 2 beams
Select the driver for the situation (in this case the column then beam)
Specify the name of the connection (moment + shear plate connection)
Select the driven/output objects (both connections and added features)
Rename the driver to be called Column and Beam
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The last step is to save the file at this location: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel
Creating Dynamic Custom Connections
Custom connection can also be created by using various tools from the Custom connections tool
palette. The tools allow the user to insert standalone elements (plates, bolts, beams, holes etc) with
their intelligent Advance Joint Properties dialog box. This will also allow for connection to apply to
many different scenarios.
The main tools that will be used are located in the Advance Steel Tool Palette
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Example 1: double sided moment and shear plate connection
In this example, using the tools from the custom connections section of the tools palette, create a
double sided moment connection with shear plates.
Start by placing the column and beams at a preferred UCS in you model
Column AISC W 14 x 82
Beam 1 AISC W 18 x 65
Beam 2 AISC W 21 x 62
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Once the member are inserted, start by applying the shear plate connections from the vault
Apply a four bolt scenario to AISC W 18 x 65

Apply a five bolt Scenario to the AISC W 21 x 62
Next, stiffeners can be added by using the Column Stiffeners function from the custom connections
tool palette.
Click to use Column Stiffeners

Select the column and press enter
Select Beam 1 and press enter
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Select beam 2 and press enter
The Stiffeners can then be modified through the advance joint properties window.
Next, angles can be placed on both top and bottom flange by using Beam on object referenced to
object
Click to use Beam on object referenced to object

Select the column and press enter
Select the beam and press enter
Repeat or copy the connection to the other beam
The member sizes and positioning could then be adjusted through the advance joint properties dialog
box
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Next, bolts can then be added on the gauge lines of the secondary members (the beams) by using Bolts
on Beam Gauge Line
Click to use bolts on beam gauge line

Select the beam and press enter
Type Y on the command bar to select an additional object, in this case the angle
Repeat the command or copy the connection to all four scenarios
The bolts placement and quantity can then be adjusted through the advance joint properties dialog box
Once the connections are in place, they can be grouped together by creating a three member custom
connection
template
Chose the definition method 3 beams
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Select the driver for the situation (in this case the column, beam 1 and then beam 2)
Specify the name of the connection (double sided moment + shear plate)
Select the driven/output objects (all connections and features)
Rename the driver to be called Column, Beam1 and Beam2
The last step is to save the file at this location: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel
83
Custom Connections Library
To recall a connection, use the Insert connection template tool from the Custom connection tool
palette. The library dialog box has a visual preview of each stored connection for quick recognition.
Multiple connections can be stored within the same DWG file to allow the user to have a category
structure. This can be based on connection types, number of members involved or number of
connections involved.
84
STAIRS AND RAILING
General notes
1. Please make sure to have some paper for extra notes because a lot of what we will do is not
necessarily in the following document.
2. The following document is an general overview of what will be covered.
3. You should have a good understanding of Advance Steel, from modeling to drawing creation, to
get the most out of this tutorial.
Tutorial Outline
Modeling
How to create switchback stairs of stairs

How to make treaded stairs with a circular and rectangular return
How to create User treads
How to make flared stairs
How to create concrete connections
Creating custom handrail brackets
Customizations and Settings
How to work with the Stairs Library

Adding new Coatings to the pulldown menu
How to create Custom Connections
How to add a profile to the Railing macro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P46dpnZpAU8&list=PLY-ggSrSwbZp0hL-
HLtfKRD24HkbthdnT&index=7
Show how you can insert a Railing on concrete Stairs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DO80KyHqyw&index=6&list=PLY-ggSrSwbZp0hL-
HLtfKRD24HkbthdnT
Drawings and BOMs
How to add additional Drawing Style templates from other countries

The best way to detail different stairs and their components
o Camera Views
How is Hatching used and how to modify it.
How is grating added to a Drawing Style
Outputting different materials such as wood and glass
Extras (not covered in training)
How to make grating stairs
85
Modeling
1. How to create switchback stairs of stairs
2. How to make treaded stairs with a circular and rectangular return
3. How to create User treads
How are custom treads added to the stair macro
Custom treads can be added to the stair macro. The tread types 22, 23 and 24 are used custom treads.
The only difference between these tread types is the connection type to the stringer.
1. New treads are added using the User Sections creation tool.
2. To be recognized by the macro, the section class must be "User defined treads" while the
section name can be any name.
3. Once the profile is added, it can be used by selecting the tread type 22, 23 or 24.
86
4. On the Tread dimensions 1 tab, the Tread profile size list contains the created user
section (if it doesn't, you may need to restart Advance Steel).
Note: New tread sections can be added only with the User Section tool. Already existing profiles
cannot be used for the stair structural element.
4. How to make flared stairs
After creating the basic stair you will remove the intelligence by deleting the grey Advance Joint
Properties box.
Stretch one or both stringers to the width desired. Now you will use the Cut at Object button on the tool
palette to extend each tread to the stringer manually.
87
CUT AT OBJECT
5. How to create concrete connections
In current construction design, joints are often used between concrete and steel elements. Starting with
2012 version, Advance Steel provides new predefined joints between these types of elements, covering
and completing the whole Connection Vault.
The "Embed Beam Seat" joint can be used between any types of concrete elements (wall, slab, column,
foundation and beam) and some of the steel sections (I, T, C, L, Hollow rectangular/square, welded,
compound or tapered sections).
This joint can be used successfully to anchor steel stairs in concrete slabs, to anchor cantilevers, to
stiffen walls with steel beams or to support steel beams on concrete columns.
88
The Embed Plate-ClipAngle joint can be used only between specific types of concrete elements (wall,
slab, beam) and some of the steel sections (I, T, C, L, welded, compound or tapered sections).
This joint can be used with success for all type of steel stairs which are anchored in concrete,
intermediate landings and different industrial constructions.
To create either of the two joints between a steel element and a concrete element, open the
"Connection Vault". From the "Miscellaneous joints" category select the "Embed Beam Seat"/ "Embed
Plate-ClipAngle" joint.
89
First select the steel section and after that you are asked if you want to select an additional element
(beam/wall/slab/column/foundation). Answer the question with "Y" (Yes) so that you can select the
concrete element. After the selection is done, the joint is created and the properties window appears. In
this window you can configure the joint as you need.
Embed Beam Seat
Embed Plate-ClipAngle
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6. Creating custom handrail brackets
You can create special part at any scale. When Advance checks for identical parts, different scales for the
same special part are not considered. This means that a special part can get the same position number
at different scales.
It is recommended to draw and create special parts at full size (1:1).
Note:
Special parts can be welded and bolted to other Advance objects.
Bolt grip lengths cannot be calculated for special parts unless the default is set to do so.
To access the command
Tools tool palette:
Command line: _astm4commspecialpartblock
To create a special part
1. Create a separate DWG, draw the part using AutoCAD solids.

2. Save the file and close it.
3. Verify that the AutoCAD variable Insunits is set to the correct value for the units used in the
models. For mm, set the value to 4.
4. Tools tool palette: Click .

5. Define the special part insertion point.
1. The special part is created according to the current UCS. The properties dialog box appears.
91
Customizations and Settings
7. How to work with the Stairs Library
Create consistent naming allows you to recall the proper stairs needed.
Different size pans can be organized by slope of stairs.
You can use the library to quickly store settings from one stair and transfer them to another.
8. Adding new Coatings to the pulldown menu
9. How to create Custom Connections
In this Tutorial we will look at creating a Custom T Connection.
Below is a link on how to create Custom Connections. Youtube is a very good resource for discovering
how to create and manipulate things in Advance Steel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAEEGBevCQ
Like default joints, a custom joint is created with all its parts, connection objects and features using a
single operation. At the same time, the existing connected elements are processed (shortened, coped
etc.) and connection the logic between the parts is established.
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All custom joints are available in the Custom Joints Explorer . To open the Custom Joints Explorer , use
the Insert custom connection tool ( ) on the Custom Connections tool palette.
After selecting the desired joint template, select the members to connect in the correct order and press
Enter.
Note: The connected elements should meet the geometric restrictions specified during joint definition.
Modify custom joints properties
You can change the definition of the custom joint from the template .dwg file:
Change the set of connecting elements: you can select another set of connecting elements
Change the position of the connected elements
Change the properties of the elements involved in the connection
Once the custom joint is inserted in the model, you can control its behavior and allow objects
modification or not using the corresponding option in the joint properties dialog box.
Once the joint modification is enabled, most parts of the joint can be edited:
Move any of the connecting elements

Modify the properties of the joint elements
Access the properties of any Building Bricks or full joints inside the User Joint Template
Once a user connection placed, it can be copied and grouped to efficiently place the joint in
multiple locations.
The Connection Template Explorer
Displays a list of all defined custom joints available in \ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel

2016\Shared\ConnectionTemplates.
With the Connection Template Explorer you can:
Browse for defined custom joints

Preview a selected joint. Viewing tools are available for better display.
Select a custom joint and then create it in the model
93
The Connection Template Explorer includes sorting options that allow easier finding a joint.
Command access:
Custom connections tool palette:
10. How to add a profile to the Railing macro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P46dpnZpAU8&list=PLY-ggSrSwbZp0hL-
HLtfKRD24HkbthdnT&index=7
1. We will add Square Bar to the profiles since, by default, it does not show up in the initial installation.
2. Open the AstorProfiles.mdb database found in the following path:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance\Data. (note: you will need Microsoft Access to modify Advance
Steel databases)
3. Open the ProfileMasterTable database, locate the AISC_SquareBar profile and note the
SubTypeNameQ for this example.
94
4. Now, open the AstorRules.mdb database found in the following path:
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2016\Steel\Data.
5. In the search bar type JointsGUI and open the JointsGUIAllowedSections database.
6. Since we are adding a Grabrail, we will search for a RailingNew-Grabrail we can see there is no Q
for the AllowedSection column. Right-click and copy a similar line and add it to the bottom. Then
change the AllowedSection to Q. (Note: make sure to give it a unique Key number)
7. Close and save the databases.
95
8. Back in Advance Steel, goto the Tools Tab and click on the Update Defaults button:
9. Now you should be able to see the Square Bars in your Handrail pulldown menu.
11. Show how you can insert a Railing on concrete Stairs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DO80KyHqyw&index=6&list=PLY-ggSrSwbZp0hL-
HLtfKRD24HkbthdnT
Drawings and BOMs
12. How to add additional Drawing Style templates from other countries
When you install, for example, the English Europe Advance Steel version, you get the corresponding
Drawing Styles. To install Drawing Styles from other countries, you need to modify your installation and
then load the drawing styles.
To modify the installation
1. Go to Start > Control panel > Programs and Features.
2. Select Autodesk Advance Steel 2016 and click Uninstall/Change.
3. Click Add or Remove Features.
4. Select the countries of the Drawing styles you want to install.
96
5. Click Update to start the installation.
6. Click Finish and close the control panel dialog box.
To load drawing styles in Advance Steel
1. Start Advance Steel.
2. On the ribbon, click (Country settings).
o Tools Tools (Country settings)
3. Select the country of the Drawing styles you wish to access and click OK.
When you open the Drawing Style Manager you can see in the Advance branch Drawing Styles for the
selected countries.
97
You can select them from here, and click Use to start the drawing creation.
13. The best way to detail different stairs and their components
Stair Drawing Styles
98
How to model stairs such that single parts come out properly.
Making sure Site and Shop are defined correctly
14. How is Hatching used and how to modify it
How is the hatch used by automatic / manual cut view in drawings configured
To configure the hatch used by a manual or automatic cut view, we need to access the database
corresponding to the used drawing style category and change the hatch used by the configured style
presentation.
1. Start the Management Tools.

2. Select the Table editor.
3. Based on the category of the drawing style (Advance or User), open the following database clicking
(Open database):
o AstorDetails.mdb: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2015\Steel\Data\ (for drawing
styles used from the Advance category)
o AstorAddIn.mdb: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2015\User2\Data\ (for drawing
styles used from the User category).
4. Open the DetHatchSettings table.

The various types of hatches that can be configured into an object presentation are available. The
default hatch, used by both automatic and manual cut views, is Default Front.
The following parameters can be configured:

o PatternName.
Any pattern available in AutoCAD can be used in addition to the ones added by the Advance
Steel installation.
o Scale
The scale of the pattern. The default value is 1.
99
o Angle
The angle of the pattern. The default value is 0. The pattern is rotated counter clockwise for
positive values.
o Color.
In addition to the available normal color codes, two special codes can be used:
255 - None
-1 - Read code from defaults. If we use this setting, then the color will be read from a specific
default value. For example, for the Default Front hatch, it will read the color from the
"Drawing-Presentation / Color of planes of intersection" default.
5. After configuring the hatch, close the Management Tools and use the "Update defaults" function in
Advance Steel to include the modification.
Note: In order for the modification to take effect on detail drawings, we need to recreate them. A
drawing update will not change any of the modified settings done to the database table.
As an example, change the scale and color of the Default Front hatch with the following values:
Scale - 5
Angle - 90
Color - 2 (Yellow)
100
15. How is grating added to a Drawing Style
Note: The answer is referring to version 2016. This information may differ on other versions.
To detail a grating in the overview drawings, it needs to be added to the drawing style.
1. Open the Drawing Style Manager: Output Document Manager (Drawing Style
Manager).
2. Select a drawing style in which you want to add the grating representation, for example,
Intersection V - FR500 - Gr Mp PosSmGuid. Then, go to the Object presentation.
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3. Add a new object presentation:
4. Configure the new presentation with:
Model object: Grating
Geometrical restrictions: All
Depth position: Any
Presentation: Visible (to represent only the grating contour) or Visible HatchVisible (to
represent the hatch as well).
Labeling: Off, or any other label if the grating mark needs to be displayed.
5. Click Apply to save the drawing style.
102
16. Outputting different materials such as wood and glass
Extras (not covered in training)
17. How to make grating stairs
Advance Steel has an object type, GRATING. By default Advance Steel has a grating library to which you
can add new gratings or modify the existing gratings.
The new grating object has a new database, which you need to modify. This new database is called
AstorGratings.mdb and is located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Graitec\AdvanceSteel\2013\Steel\Data.
The grating has 2 options. The first option is a standard grating, which is a grating type with defined
dimensions, and the second option is a variable grating with variable dimensions.
Example - Creating a new grating
1. Start the Management Tools by selecting MANAGEMENT TOOLS on the start menu of Advance.
2. Start the 'Table Editor' application.
3. Click the OPEN DATABASE ODBC icon and select AstorGratings (C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\Graitec\AdvanceSteel\2013\Steel\Data).
4. As you can see there are 2 types of tables, Standard and Variable. Depending on what type of
grating you need to create the title of the table should have one of these words.
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5. To create a new table we suggest starting from a similar existing one. For example we will create
a new table starting from the "McNichols_Standard_GBB_19P2". Select the table, right click and
choose "Copy table with data".
6. A dialog box appears. Enter the name of the new table, "Ohio_Standard_19_SG-2", and click OK.
The table is created.
7. Next, modify the data in this table to match your standards. Look for the table and open it
(double click it). The information for the copied grating is in the table. You can erase all the rows
except the first one, to have it as an example.
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The first column, "Name", is the internal name of the grating and should be entered without spaces and
should contain the description of the grating.
Example: Ohio_19SG2_1x1/8_39x16bar
Where:
Ohio is the supplier name
19SG2 is the type of the grating
1x1/8 is the bar size
39 the span
16bar is the number of bars for this particular grating.
This information should be taken from each supplier's catalogs.
The second column, "RunName", contains the name you will see in Advance Steel and in the drawings.
This name can have spaces.
The third column is the "Length". This is the span of the grating (you can find it in the catalog). This
dimension should be in mm. In our case we have 39 inches (990.6 mm).
The fourth column is "Width". If you create a bar grating this value is dependent on the number of bars
you require. This is why, in the name of the grating, the last information is referring to the number of
bars. In the catalogs you can find this width according to the number of bars. In our example for 19SG2
with 16 bars the width is 18 inches (457.2 mm).
The fifth column is "Thickness". This is the thickness of the grating, which in our case is 1 inch (25.4
mm).
The sixth column is "Hatch". This is the column where you can choose what type of hatch is shown in
the model and in the drawings. These names are the names from AutoCAD or you can create your own
hatches.
The seventh column is "ConnectorName". This is where you can enter the name of the connectors for
each type of grating or you can leave it as "Standard connector".
The eighth column is "ConnectorQuantity". In this column you need to enter a number for how many
connectors you need for each grating.
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The ninth column is "Material". This column should be completed with the grating's material. This
material should exist in AstorBase.
The tenth column is "Coating". This column should be completed with the grating's coating (Galvanized).
This material should exist in AstorBase.
The eleventh column is "Weight". In this column you need to put the grating's weight (you can find it in
the catalog). In the catalog the information is in Lbs/sf, in the table you need to use kg/sm (kg/square
meter). In our case the weight is 1.71 Lbs/sf (8.34822 kg/sm).
The twelfth column is "System" and you can enter 0.
The last column is "OwnerText" which should be your author, different than "DCS" (e.g., "My
Company"). So the row we create should look like this:
After you create all the combinations you need, you can erase the first line, which is not part of this
grating, and you can close the table.
To be able to work with the new grating we need to complete another table called
"GratingStandardMaster". There are two tables called "Master". The first one,
"GratingStandardMaster", is for all the gratings that are standard (where we need to add our grating)
and "GratingVariableMaster" for all the variable gratings.
Open "GratingStandardMaster".
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In the last row you need to add the new grating.
The first column is "ClassName". It is the internal name of the grating and should be entered without
spaces and should contain the description of the grating (e.g. "Ohio_Standard_19_SG_2").
The second column, "ClassRunName", contains the name you will see in Advance Steel when you create
the grating. Because we are already in "GratingStandardMaster" the word standard can be erased from
ClassRunName (e.g. Ohio 19-SG-2).
The third column is the "TableName". This name should be the same with the table name we created
earlier (Ohio_Standard_19_SG_2). If it is not the same with the name of the table the new grating will
not work.
The forth column is "System" and you can enter 0.
The last column is "OwnerText" should be your author, different than "DCS" (e.g., "My Company").
Now you can close the MANAGEMENT TOOLS and you can open Advance.
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PLATEWORKS
Introduction
Advance Steel has many different tools and functions to facilitate and improve time efficiency when
creating both simple and complex plate work.
These tools and functions can apply to many different industries such as chemical plant, mining,
foundry, structural, bridges etc
In this one hour session, we will cover the intricacies to creating plates with modeling, numbering,
detailing and outputting DXF files.
The demonstration highlights:
How to create curved plates (ex. Shoots, hoppers, transition plates and bridge girders)
Adding, removing and manipulating bend symbols
UCS manipulation and placement
Adding additional features (corner cuts, both elliptical and straight cut holes, holes against
seems/folds etc...)
When it is necessary to convert plates into polylines
How to create a developed view of a MP plate and SP plate
Setting or a adjusting a main member of a plate assembly
Adjusting settings for DXF output
How to map plates to appear as Flat bar and Gauge material in BOMs
necessarly in the fallowing document
Creating Bent and Curved Plates
In Advance Steel, you can create complex bent and curved plates using the Create Conical Folded Plate
and Create twisted Folded Plate tools. These tools are located in the object ribbon under the plates
category. These functions allow you to create plates between two basic AutoCAD polyline entities by
dividing based on total circumference (quadrant points), bends per corner or by total length of segment.
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Example 1: Creating a hopper with the conical folded plate tool
Start Advance Steel ASTemplate.dwt template file.
Draw two circles (square or ellipses can be used as well) in a suitable user coordinate system while first
keeping them parallel to each other.
If a slope is required, various cutting tools can be used from the Advance Steel Tool Palette to make the
ends non-parallel.
On the Object tab, Plates panel, click to use the conical folded plate tool
Type C on the command line and press Enter to select the first contour
Select the first circle (or ellipse) and press Enter
Type C on the command line and press Enter to select the second contour
Select the second circle (or ellipse) and press Enter
In the Conical folded plate dialog box, set the number of facets, the plate thickness and the
justification
The conical folded plate is now created
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NOTE: In order to have one of the sides (or both) non-parallel, Advance Steel has various cutting tools
that can be used in reference to our UCS or other objects.
These tools can be found in the Advance Steel Tool Palette under the features category.
The next step to creating the chute would be to add the transition plate and circular (square or elliptical)
plate that would attach to the platforms.
First step would be to start with the transition plate. In order to create the transition plate the same
tool can be used Create Conical Folded Plate.
On the Object tab, Plates panel, click to use the conical folded plate tool
Type C on the command line and press Enter to select the first contour
Select the first circle (or ellipse) and press Enter
Type C on the command line and press Enter to select the second contour
Select the second circle (or ellipse) and press Enter
In the Conical folded plate dialog box, set the number of facets, the plate thickness and the
justification
The transition plate is now created
The next step would be to create the additional plates to be attached to the platform. There are many
different ways that these additional plates can be created.
However, for this example, we will use the plate to polyline function.
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Draw the circular (square or elliptical shapes) in a suitable user coordinate system.
On the Object tab, Plates panel, click to use the plate at polyline tool
Select the circle (square or ellipse) and press Enter
In the Advance Properties windows of the plate, set the plate thickness and justification.
NOTE: The ribs can be create by using the circular plate function as well
Once the ribs are in place, any additional holes or modifications can be created with the Feature tools
from the Tool Palette
Example 2: Creating a bridge girder with the twisted folded plate tool
Start Advance Steel ASTemplate.dwt template file.
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Draw two arcs or splines in a suitable user coordinate system to create the outline of the webs. The arcs
or splines can be offset from one to another in the X axis but must start by being parallel.
The vertical slopes will derive from the top and bottom plates by using them as references to cut
against.
NOTE: this example is simply to showcase the twisted folded plate tool in combination with cutting tools
in the Features tab and will not be accurate in sense of design.
On the Object tab, Plates panel, click to use the twisted folded plate tool
Select the first spline or arc
Select the second spline or arc and press Enter
In the Twisted Folded Plate dialog box, set the number of division points, the plate thickness
and the justification
The first web is now created

Once the first twisted folded plate is created, mirror the plate at a suitable distance while
keeping the UCS in the same reference plane
The next step would be to modify the position of our UCS in order to draw the next series of arcs or
splines. These plates should be positioned to intersect the webs in order to be used as cut references
once theyre created.
On the Object tab, Plates panel, click to use the twisted folded plate tool
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Select the first spline or arc
Select the second spline or arc and press Enter
In the Twisted Folded Plate dialog box, set the number of division points, the plate thickness
and the justification
The first flange is now created

Once the first flange is created, copy the plate to be in line with the bottom of the webs.
The next step is to create the cuts against both the webs and the flanges. The most simple and effective
way to create cuts to contour the members is by using Polygon contour, UCS. This command is found
in the Features section of the Advance Steel Tool Palette.
NOTE: The arcs or splines, that were used to create the twisted folded plates, can be recycled to create
the polyline shapes to cut our webs and flanges.
On the Advance Steel Tool Palette, in the Features tab, click to use the polygon contour
UCS tool
Select the folded plate to be modified
Type E on the command bar to apply the function to the entire folded plate
Type P to select the polyline recycled from creating our webs and flanges
Select the polyline
The cut is now created
Repeat the process until both webs and flanges are cut to their contours
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Creating Developed Views
Upon building a bent or curved plate (a 3D model), dimensioned and labeled 2D developed view shop
drawings can be automatically created.
In the Advance Steel Drawing Styles tool palette, under the SP category, is the drawing template Folded
Beam/Plate Development.
Before creating the developed views, verify that in the model:
No collisions occur
The unfolding of the bent plate has been verified
The main member of the plate assembly has been set
All parts have part marks allocated to them
To verify your plate work of any clashes, run the clash detection tool. This tool is location on the
Extended Modeling tab in the Checking panel.
On the Extended Modeling tab, Checking Panel, click the check Clash check tool
If there are clashes in the model a list will display
Click on one of the clashes in the list to mark the clash in your model
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Click on Search Marked Object to locate the clash in your model
Once the model is cleared of all clashes, the next step would be to check the unfolding of your plate in
model space. This allows you to verify if the plate would be too large to receive to a bender. If so, you
can then remove one of the bend symbols or modify the plate assembly with cutting tools form the
Advance Steel Tool Palette.
On the Object tab, Plates Panel, click to use the Check Unfolding tool
Select the plate assembly and press Enter
Press Enter to view the unfold of the plate
The developed view is now displayed
If necessary the main member of the plate assembly can be changed by using the Set Folded Plate Main
Object tool.
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On the Object tab, Plates Panel, click to use Set Folded Plate Main Object
Select the new main plate
The main fold has now been set
NOTE: In order to verify if it has been properly set, repeat the Check Unfolding command to see the
new developed view.
Last step, prior to creating the developed view, is to allocating piece marks to the plate assemblies. For
this example, apply the with drawing number method.
To both single part and assembly parts. The numbering tools will be located on the Output Tab in the
Part Marks Panel.
Start the numbering process using the numbering tool on the Part marks panel of the
Output tab.
A dialog box appears. The numbering for single parts and assembly parts can be performed in
one step or separately. Unless both single part and assembly numbering are done together
(recommended), then single part numbering must be done first.
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Example 1: Single parts numbering
Check the Process single parts option.
By default, single parts marks begin with 1000 and increase by increments of 1.
Select one of the available methods. (with drawing number)
Start the numbering process by clicking in the window.
Example 2: Assembly numbering

Check the Process assemblies option.
By default, assembly marks begin with 1 and increase by increments of 1.
Select one of the available numbering methods. For with drawing number numbering,
define the prefix automatically given by the drawing numbering process. At drawing creation,
the first part gets the prefix a001, then b001, etc.
Start the numbering process by clicking. The result is displayed in the text window
NOTE: Regardless of the toggle switch setting, the Single Part and Assembly numbering can be
turned on/off using the checkboxes in the numbering dialog box.
This can also be used to perform the recommended simultaneous Single Part and Assembly
numbering.
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Example 3: Creating a developed view
Once the piece marks are applied, drawings can then be outputted from the 3D model. The tools for
creating outputs and drawing will be located in
The Output tab in the Documents Panel.
Create a developed view of a bent or curved plate in the following steps.
Click to open the Drawing Styles palette.

Click on the Single parts category.
Select the Folded Beam/ Plates Developed drawing style

Once selected, adjustments could be made in the Advance Steel drawing type dialog box
Click OK once the suitable setting are set (scales, added tokens, label adjustments etc)
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Select the bent/ curved plate in model space.
NOTE: if the bent/cured plate is a MP it will not comply with this drawing template. If necessary use the
Create Main Part command to allocate a dummy.
MP piece mark to the plate assembly. Once youve renumbered the plate assembly will act as a SP
reference in the model and the template will comply.
Select the preferred Prototype (sheet) size

The developed view is now created
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Creating and Adjusting the DXF Output
In Advanced Steel, outputting DXF files from the 3D model is a simple process. However, there are
many settings that can be modified to adjust the output in both the ribbon and the Management
Tools.
These settings can effect line color of the DXF drawings, piece mark coordination, punch mark
presentation etc
The tools to output and adjust basic settings of DXF files are located on the Output tab in the NC
&DXF panel.
Example 1: Creating a DXF file

To create the DXF of a bent plate, it must be first selected in the model to avoid outputting DXFs of the
entire model.
Click to use the DXF (Plates) function. (this icon is located in the NC & DXF pulldown)
The DXF file is now created
Click to open the document manager

Select the DXF file
Click Preview to then view it
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The DXF outputs color and part mark reference settings can be modified through the NC setting.
Click to open the DXF & NC settings

Click on DXF setting to adjust the AutoCAD release version
Color schemes of each layer can be modified as well
Any additional modifications to the default settings of the DXF output are in the Management Tool.
These settings could be found under Defaults.
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DAY 3
ADVANCED DRAWING STYLES CUSTOMIZATION
Drawing Styles
You can find more information in the drawing style manager guide 2012 at chapter 2 page 19 to 25.
A drawing style is by definition how a piece will be represented on paper from a 3D model. You have 4
fly outs to control the general setting of a drawing style.
- View arrangement: is where you can assign which view will be considered as the main view of
your detail. You can also will determine the orientation of your view from this fly out. We will
change the option to represent an industry standard of the fabrication and the erection. The
beam must be detail from its insertion point at left to always match the NCs. We also use this
option to correctly define the erection detail later on.
- Detail title: The detail title is where you can adjust the title information and position along with
the type of font, scales and colors etc similar to the word text editor.
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- Cut view title: The cut view title is where you can define the content of a section cut title and
the position. You can change the title to your company standards if required.
- Model object selection: This is the main setting of a drawing style, that controls how the
drawing style must react: by a selection including or not extra object or Xrefs. Here you can
specify if it is for Main Part or for Single part?
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The Views
A view is part of a drawing style. A drawing style can be made of multiple views. A beam detail is most
often made of a front view, a top view and end views if an element is attached at the end of it. Again,
you can create many views as you want, you can even have two front views if you would like. Each of
the views can be controlled individually.
You have five fly outs to configure a view:
- The View definition regroups a view direction, the object presentation, and the view
dimension. They can be customize and save under a different name all individually. It is the main
fly out of a view where you will spend most of your time.
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- The View properties is where you can adjust the scale settings. You can determine if you want
to force a specific scale per view or let the process overwriting these settings. You can also
adjust where a view will be place according to the main view of this drawing style.
- The Clipping Properties will be use to establish a clipping rule. You can set which axes of the
view are authorized to be clipped. The 1. Minimum length to cut is the minimum distance
between groups of object attached and seen on this view. Examples: Holes, attached plate or
parts, important opening are all consider as objects. It will determine the portion of the element
that should not be shown. From this automated cut, you can determine which amount of
material should still be shown between the objects using the option 2.. The 3. Clipping
representation is gaps that can be create between each end of the cut (clipping line). The
clipping type is the representation of this cut: choose from zig-zag line or custom clipping line
(most used) and finally the Clipping extension: is how long this clipping line should be
represented.
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- The Compass position you can turn on/off the compass on view. The compass will display an
arrow with the orientation of the beam or the column. You can also put a symbol instead of an
arrow.
- The Assignment categories check the box to assign which categories this view will fall under if
you want to create a different drawing style using the same view settings.
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The view direction and model box
You can identify your view using some specific criteria; most of the views definition already exists. We
will focus mostly on the second part of this window: The Z viewport, the XY viewport and the
Automatic environment viewport.
A view is determine using the View direction and model box that can be a cross section, or a top,
bottom, left, right, front, rear view of an element, it also include views based on the UCS, then finally the
weld preparation.
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The Z Viewport
The Z viewport has three different options: it can be relative to the xy view plane, relative to an object
and according to another section. You can also determine the depth of this view, which means the xy
plane is cutting through space in the model or through an object. For the object, to be visible in this
section, we must assign a certain depth along the Z axis.
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The XY viewport
The XY view port is actually the area of display. If you cut through a model, only what will be defining
through this box will be represented. By using Automatic settings, you let the software determine what
must be included and what is not. By defining the x and y delta, you actually fix the size of the view, a
little bit like a window restricting you to see the entire horizon.
The Automatic environment viewport

This option is mostly use for assemblies when you have to show an assembly that is relative to another
one. But not showing those elements in the BOM. The best example is a Stair where you would want to
see the Railing assembly or girder beam that display the center/center of the supported beams.
Object presentation
You can access the object presentation from any views.
Each line (row), gets a number. This number is a priority order; the same object can fall under two, three
and even more categories. That is why it is important to be specific in certain circumstances and general
in others. Each line refers to a model object, and is compose of four other properties: a geometric
restriction, a depth position, a presentation and a labeling strategy.
- Define which model object

you want to display in the
view,
- Do you want a specific
representation base on the
orientation of this object,
(referring to geometric
restriction) according to
the view?
- Where is this object
located, based on the
center of the assembly? 130
- How do you want the
object to be display?
Geometric Restriction
Each object can be seen from Top, from width or side view. They can also be linear or non-linear: the
linear concept refers parallel and perpendicular plan of the view accordingly to the UCS axis; the non-
linear is also referring to the UCS axis but in a non-parallel or non-perpendicular plan.
-Front/Length: is seen from the

longest side of a planar element, the
longest view from a beam:
-Front+side/Front: Will include any

object seen from sides no matter if it
is the longest side or not:
-Linear: Will refer to the alignment

parallel or perpendicular according to
the view:
-Linear Front: Same as linear, but
must be seen from the front view of
an object:
-Linear Side: Will refer to linear, but

must be seen from side, the shortest
face:
-Linear Top: Referring to linear, but

the object must be seen from top:
-Non-linear Front: This will apply

when the object is non parallel or
perpendicular to the view, always
seen from the longest side:
-Non-linear Side: Not perpendicular,
not parallel to the view, seen from the
shortest view:
-Non-linear Top: Not perpendicular,

not parallel to the view, seen from the
top view:
-Not Linear: From any sides, not

parallel, not perpendicular to the
view:
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-Side width: No matter if it is parallel
or perpendicular to the view, always
seen from the shortest side:
-Top: No matter if it is parallel or

perpendicular to the view, always
seen from the top side:
-Top+Front/Length: Seen from top or

from front always the longest side:
-Top+Side/Width: Seen from top or

from side always the shortest side:
Here is an example to better understand the concept of linear and non-linear:
The depth position
It is mostly for attached part purposes. It is based either on the position of your UCS through a view or
from the true center of an assembly. This requires a good understanding of 3D space around the object.
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This is the representation of the beam seen from front:
Presentation Rules
There are many different presentation rules. You can also

create your own. This will determine how the object will
look: continuous lines, hidden dotted lines, hatch
pattern, etc. By using default, it will represent the object
as it is, you can also force some specific color depending
Dimensioning
on the
You canelement.
find more information in the drawing style manager guide 2012 at chapter 2 page 39 to 48.
Here is question of universes, the 2D world! I should say the transposition of a 3D world in a 2D manner.
X,Y. Where cubes are becoming squares and where a camel is becoming a concave polygon and a beam
a rectangle with few more lines.
An object can be define using (X,Y) coordinate, it can also be define using some sub-object like copes
holes and attached element. Each of those sub element, have their own (X,Y) coordinate system. Each
object or sub object can also refer to a view.
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The view dimension window
The view dimension window is divided in two main panels, the combination of dimension chains and
the running dimension settings.
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Combination of dimension chains
There are three columns: Dimension type, Dimension definition and Settings.
The Dimension Type can be define de

type of dimension that you want to
use, from angle dimension, arc
dimension, levels and mainly our
absolute, ordinate and relative
dimension.
The Dimension definition is the

description of the dimension chain
that will be created. Use your
imagination. Try to be coherent in the
description as it need to makes sense
to you. You do not have to worry
about what it is use as default. As any
other existing rules in the drawing
style, you must copy it before
modifying, if not, it can have severe
repercussion on other drawing styles.
For the existing system used in the
Drawing style manager, you can refer
to the drawing style manager guide.
Again, the lines (row), order

establishes the concept of priority on
drawings. The first line, are closer to
the main element of your drawing, we
will call them specific, and we will call
the last lines the general.
The specific dimension can be all the

cuts, holes, copes that we must
define, then followed by the attached
material: angles, plates, then finally,
the overview dimension our general
dimension: contour of our assembly,
major cuts or patterns locations.
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The settings are complementary to
some specific style of dimension,
mostly the ordinate and running
dimension. They are used to group
equal distances in a relative
dimension and overwrite the default
presentation of the dimension chain.
You can use the broken option to
separate each running from an
ordinate chain.
The Running dimension settings
You can decide per view dimension if you would like to have a running dimension symbol or not. This
symbol can also be modified. If you are not use to running dimension, the symbol will actually represent
the start point of an ordinate dimension chain.
You can define if you like to have it at top of your detailed element or at the bottom using the option
ordinate position. The option ordinate reference purpose, is to allow or not, the negative dimension
chain (mostly used for column element). It can be either from left or right, from the total assembly or
from the main part of the assembly only.
The dimension chain
By double clicking on any dimension chain, you can access two fly outs: the dimension Request and the
dimension label.
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The dimension request
This fly out is divided in three sections.
The dimension chain direction: This will determine which direction the dimension should appear, and to
which object the dimension will be relative. It can be set according to the view, to the main part or to
the object. It can also be set to the negative that will reverse the dimension chain order.
The Selection of the dimension points: Those lines work based on the priority system again. You can
add as many points as you want in a dimension chain. The more points you add, the harder it is to
manage the chain, but the dimension will be more uniform. Example: you would like to combine the
back of angles attached to a beam with stiffeners and shear plate. You can use existing rules or create
your own.
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The Arrangement on the drawing: this section is made of six check boxes and is working directly with
the Selection of the dimension point section. The first check boxes are to determine if the dimension can
or not overlap the geometry and at each end of the detail the dimension should appear. You will notice
one of the check box description has a * sign, this will refer to the first line of the Selection of the
dimension point, allowing the dimension to be separate per object. Example: you would like to position
holes on an attach angle, those hole are referring to the back of each individual angle and we would like
to dimension the back of the angles relative to the main part.
Dimension label
The Dimension label is a new fly out in the drawing style manager from the 2016 version. This will allow
you to overwrite the dimension chain with some variables from the model, like the section size.
You have a large selection of information that you can use in those labels.
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Dimension point creation
By selecting a line from the selection of the dimension point, you will access the point definition. This
section is divided in five sections, but first you can define a point name. You can use the abbreviation
system describe in the Drawing Style Manager Guide or you can create something that will make sense
to you. Always keep in mind that you will probably not be the only one to customize the databases;
what you will chose the write need to be coherent
The dimension points section is based on model object. You can create many different types of
restriction on top of your model object. It can be based on the geometric restriction that we saw earlier,
or the depth position as well, or the parent object (when applicable).
In the point type selection section, you will find a list of different type of point that can be used to create
your drawing style. Not all the points will work with all the objects.
139
Always keep in mind that those points also depend on the representation of an object. For example: You
would like to display the center/center of a beam between two columns, and on your detail the system
line is not displayed, selecting the system as reference will make no sense because the system line is not
represented nor exists on the detail.
The third section is the visibility status. You can decide to create separate rules for visible object and
hidden object or for both.
The two last sections are the point positioning. You can restrict a point to be use based on its position
relative to an object, to an assembly or relative to the dimension direction. We pre-establish earlier the
dimension direction in the arrangement on the drawing section. The best example is the contour of a
beam. You do not necessary need to define all four corners to get the overall dimension; probably the
two top points will be sufficient.
You will notice that some points are made to work with specific element like curves or development
views. Some other points are also used as reference only. If you do not include more than this reference
point in your dimension chain, nothing will be display on your details.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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140
Assigning a Drawing Style
You can find more information in the drawing style manager guide 2012 at chapter 7 page79 to 87.
The process manager is where you will

manage your processes, for example on
which paper size you will create your
details, which scale will be use, how many
details per sheet, and how your details
will look. The drawing process manager is
divided in two categories, Advance
(process out of the box) and User (process
that can be modified by you). Each
process is defined by the Process Steps
and the Detail Style Maps. We will
mainly focus on the Detail Style map.
Looking at the bottom Right portion of your screen, you will notice which style map is in use in this
process.
After you determine which style map you are using, you can start the modification.
N.B. ALWAYS MAKES A COPY AT EACH STEP YOU ATTEMPT A MODIFICATION.
141
Detail Style map
A detail style map is composed of 3 essential columns; a script, a model object and a drawing style. The
fourth we do not generally use.
Again, as we saw previously, the row order will have an impact on how a piece will be represented. Also,
the specific model object must be placed at the beginning (the smaller the number the higher the
priority). Base on which model object you select, you can assign the proper drawing style.
Creation of a Process
In the top section I explain how to assign a drawing style to an existing process. What happens if we
would like to create one from scratch? I already explain how to use the drawing style map. What I did
not mention is the object selection, the detail file name selector, and the scales system.
The object selection section will define for which type of object this process will be use SP or MP per
selection or for all. You can also define in which order you want the program to start the detailing.
The detail file name selector:
This section can be customized. You can create your own detail file name selectors. In other term, this
section will define the name that each drawing file will have.
By creating a new definition, you can

assign which prototypes you would
like to use. You can also change the
name of the prototypes. You can also
include a path in the name of where
the file is located allowing you to
share the prototypes file on a server.
142
The close page section is to define how many details you want per sheet one main part with all attached
material, only the main part or the single part or as many as can fit per sheet.
The drawing name can be customized using some available variables. The (03) is mandatory it can be at
least (01) this will define how many digits will be used to create the piece mark; it is more for sorting
purpose than anything else.
The scales are rules that you can create to overwrite which scale the detail should be. You can let the
software decide which scale is the best to optimise the drawing space.
You can create a new rule using these

options. Personally, I prefer to force
the scale using the drawing style to
keep my detail clean and uniform.
Most of the time we are using 1=1-
0 or 1-1/2=1-0 in North-America
and we will specify on drawing if the
scale is different.
NOTES:_______________________________________________________________________________
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This document should help your comprehension of the drawing style manager guide. It should be seen
as a general guide to create your own drawing style base on your needs.
143

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USER GROUP

June 09 - 11, 2015 Salt Lake City, UT

Any reproduction or distribution, even if partial, by any means - electronically or

GRAITEC Advance PowerPack and Advance Workshop are registered trademark of

Autodesk Advance Steel logo is registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.

GRAITEC, Montreal, 2015. All rights reserved.

GRAITEC support: 1-800-724-5678 #1 #3

A playlist of YouTube Videos for Whats New In Advance Steel 2016

You will do the following exercises:

Exercise 1 - Scalability & performance

1. Go to File and then Open the Advance Steel 2016_Model_FINAL.dwg file.

Exercise 2 - Weld symbols (New properties)

5. Go back to the Connection vault and go to Column - Beam category.

1. Use the View cube to display a Back view of the model.

11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for the Assembly category.

12. Press Apply then OK to run the numbering.

15. Go to the Selection category and click Model browser icon.

20. Press Show all button to redisplay all.

Exercise 4 - Weld symbols (New definition)

7. You should get a result similar to this one:

Exercise 5 - New countryfication

2. Go to the UCS category and click Move UCS icon.

3. Pick one of the foundation upper corners.

12. You should get a result similar to this one:

13. Save this GA1.dwg and go back to the 3D model.

22. Go to the Selection filters category and click Cameras icon.

26. You should get a result similar to this one:

31. You should get a result similar to this one:

32. Save this Key plan.dwg and go back to the 3D model.

34. Pick one of the foundation upper corners.

39. Make a window selection which includes all the elevation.

42. You should get a result similar to this one:

4. Specify two diagonal points within the drawing.

12. Specify two diagonal points within the drawing.

Exercise 7 - Labels in dimension lines

51. Save and close the assembly drawing.

Exercise 8 - Approval status and workflow

3. Use the View cube to display a Front view of the model.

6. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Revised.

9. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Comment.

12. Go to Fabrication data tab and set Approval status to Approved.

15. Go to the Selection category and click Search filter icon.

19. Press OK button.

20. You should get a result similar to this one:

22. Select all the layers and turn them ON.

24. Press Check button.

25. Change the Approval status to Approved.

29. You should get a result similar to this one:

This fallowing document is an general overview of what will be covered.

How to Add New Stringers to the Macro

To add a new line in the "RULE_StairStringerUserSections" table follow these steps:

Fill a unique number in the "Key" column.

How to Add Sections to the Railing Marco

Start by creating a new section profile.

How to Add New Cladding to the Macro

And to add the rules in the table "RULE_Cladding_ProfilesInfo".

How to create new welds

There are 5 tables in the AstorBase for weld options:

Example 1: Modify a weld symbol

Example 2: Create a new weld symbol

For this example, we are going to create a staggered fillet weld.

How to add new materials & cie.

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2016\Steel\Data\AstorBase.mdb

How to setup the databases on a server