topic Re: LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS in Advance Steel Forum

LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Marco_Defranco658QB — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:42:17 GMT

Hi, I'm quite new to Advance Steel. What is the most efficient way to set up drawings and create construction details? Should I create drawing templates, or is it possible to generate views directly on the layout within the same model file?

Re: LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

w_viduya — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:05:07 GMT

Hey,

I'm relatively new too with AS, only having 3months experience but have done a few projects along the way, and my role is a Steel Detailer, producing assembly drawings of steel members, not specifically a construction detail (from what i googled hahah). so my help might not be addressing your type of work but may share some similarities.

To give you the answer of the "most efficient way" of setting up drawings - training courses/online courses, AS is a sophisticated software with so much running in the background, features, settings and whatnot, but any courses will run you down the basics to get you started on generating drawings and changing settings according to your company's needs . But not everyone has the time nor the funds for that, so i guess the most efficient way is just going through forums, google and using trial and error. At least that was for me.

I did find that before you generate drawings you'd need to set up a couple of things:

1. Setting up your company's prototypes

Can't really go to much detail on how to creating a prototype but google is always a help, so many old topics relating to creating a prototype.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSTPR/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-00036924-E652-4D4A-B121-B0CE96859CE5

2. Create model roles - AS does offer a wide range of roles but you may need to create some

Management tools > Object property editor > model roles > Select 1 then press "new" on the top page.

(I ended up creating my own as I was following my Company's detailer's remarks)

3. Prefixes - You'd want to configure the prefix setting for your company, such as Beams as "B", Columns as "C", Purlins as "P, etc.

OUTPUT tab > located to the left of the "?" icon > Tick "use prefix" > Create profile folder name > create prefixes for each Model roles.

4. Custom Drawing styles as well as assign them to specific model roles.

Google, forum topic, and youtube will help you BIG time for this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-d8OQfCmg&t=1827s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQkcgu13SnE

5. Custom user process - This is last, as you tell AS what prototype to use, what custom drawing style it'll use for what model role (DS MAP), adjust the default scale, the naming of the drawing file, etc.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ADSTPR/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-D04E0358-FEF2-48BF-B197-CED9987AB2C3

AS does need a lot of setting to be adjusted before you can comfortably produce drawings, but once you've got it all setup; it'll be straightforward from then.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Re: LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

johnjmbennett — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:18:47 GMT

Hi,

few years back I did several classes for AU, the focus was to show users the use of cameras and model views to help plan your arrangement drawings for their creation.

the materials are still valid today and available.

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Advance-Steel-Behind-Camera-Secret-Easy-Drawings-2016

Also I extended this topic in 2018 to take advantage of some new features for cameras.

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Advance-Steel-2019-Behind-Camera-Secret-Easy-Drawings-2018

the points set out in the previous comment are very valid as well.

HTH

Re: LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Marco_Defranco658QB — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:22:03 GMT

Hey everyone,
thanks a lot for all your replies! Really appreciate the time you took to explain everything and share your tips.
The info and links you shared were super helpful — I’ve learned a lot about the drawing setup process thanks to you guys.
Big thanks again for the support.

Re: LAYOUT AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

cassiebreew — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 20:24:04 GMT

The best way is to create drawing templates first. This helps save time and keeps your drawings consistent. You can also generate views directly on the layout from the model, but using templates makes repetitive tasks faster and more organized.