Advance Steel custom commands-share your ideas

[acbsdesign]

Hello,

It will be nice to learn more about custom commands / combination of Autocad and Advance Steel commands improving productivity. 

To colleagues willing to share-Thank you.

Here is a tiny example:

"Hide parts with identical numbers"-used when parts are detailed using drawings styles.

^C^C_AstM5equalpartsMarkSame \;AstM4CommSelectMarkedObjects ;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off

And another one:

"Hide Similar Advance Steel Objects":

^C^C_SelectSimilar \;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off

Regards, 

Ilko Dimitrov

ACBS

[acbsdesign]

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@AleckGiles wrote:

Well, this requires coding not just stringing together a couple of commands on one button.

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Well,

The simple stitching couple or 3 commands together has saved me hundreds and hundreds of hours and will continue to do so as far I work with Advance.

More than "Formula in BOM", "Propagation tool"  and so on well-advertised in "What is new" documentation. 

I do not think it is appropriate to pay close to a second subscription for the Powerpack, especially if the "Hide detailed parts" command was requested by myself here on the Autodesk's Forum, not on Graitec's forum.

Or, let me ask the "Customer success story" teller, the sales guy,  how it works.

Doubt it he knows how it works.

[Gernot.Jeromin]

Hi,
sorry I didn't replay the last weeks, I am traveling a lot at the moment.
I will come back to you next week.

Gernot

[will5L99Z]

Hi Guys,

Im new to AS coming from Tekla, ive just started to pick up some of the previous commands, however most are not working in AS2020?

Is there a reason for this or am i doing something wrong?

Cheers

Will

[acbsdesign]

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@will5L99Z wrote:

Hi Guys,

Im new to AS coming from Tekla, ive just started to pick up some of the previous commands, however most are not working in AS2020?

Is there a reason for this or am i doing something wrong?

Cheers

Will

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Hi,

All should work in AS2020, I run on AS2020.

Please copy and paste one command that is not working.

Regards

Ilko

[will5L99Z]

Thanks for the swift response Ilko!

I have been trying to use the Trim to system line as below

^C^C_AstM9CommTrimExtend; s;

also cant get this one to work,

^C^C_AstM9CommTrimExtend; l;

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptw__t4sDCw&feature=youtu.be)

[acbsdesign]

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@will5L99Z wrote:

Thanks for the swift response Ilko!

I have been trying to use the Trim to system line as below

^C^C_AstM9CommTrimExtend; s;

also cant get this one to work,

^C^C_AstM9CommTrimExtend; l;

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptw__t4sDCw&feature=youtu.be)

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Commands are correct as shown.

If you can-make a screencast how you add the commands so we can look at it.

Thank you.

[will5L99Z]

Just got it to work Ilko, was not copying them over to the Palette - all makes sense now.

Thankyou very much!

[acbsdesign]

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@Gernot.Jeromin wrote:

Hi,
sorry I didn't replay the last weeks, I am traveling a lot at the moment.
I will come back to you next week.

Gernot

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@Gernot.Jeromin 

Graitec stole an idea from this forum-A command Select MP (SP) not detailed was included in their powerpack.

_CheckModelForMainPartDrawings _AstM4CommMarkSelAdd-This is the command for MP, and it is similar for SP, with GRTC letters in front of it

I hope you will fix this and include this command for MP and for SP in the upcoming Hotfix.

Thank you.

[acbsdesign]

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Hi,

Is there anyone who can write "Hide detailed parts" command?

-Hide detailed SP and hide detailed MP.

On a complex project, when detailing with dwg styles, sometimes (as a matter of fact MANY times) we need to go back and do minor change to a SP, and the new SP becomes same as already detailed one, one of same SP becomes different.

This is typical for bridge stiffeners connecting diaphragms. Due to the camber and slope stiffeners may have holes within 1/32" difference, and we need to keep only the SP that will be renumbered shown. Yes, we can use the model browser, and we can manipulate the precision for identical parts numbering, but it takes time.

On building projects, when dwg styles are used for detailing SP, we hide detailed SP after they are detailed to clear the model from what was detailed. If for some reason we need to do modifications/ / show the entire model, we have no other way to hide detailed parts but using the model browser. This is not always handy when having different prefix requirements for different fabricators.

It was requested in the idea station, but the idea station looks dead, 

Product manager is not showing any interest stepping up and making any comment about what can be done, what is POSSIBLE and REASONABLE and what not.

 @Gernot.Jeromin  - is it so difficult for Autodesk to show any interest of what can be done, and what not? 

@Gernot.Jeromin wrote:

Hi,
this seems to be a small thing to add.

We will have a look at it.

Gernot

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@Gernot.Jeromin 

What happened with this "SMALL THING TO ADD"?

Gratec stole the idea when you were busy traveling?

[Gernot.Jeromin]

Hi,
this request makes perfect sense, and I agree, it should be part of Advance Steel "out of the box".

Not sure yet if it will make it for the Hot-Fix, since we don't want to postpone it longer than we need to.

Gernot

[acbsdesign · Accepted solution]

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@Gernot.Jeromin wrote:

Hi,
this request makes perfect sense, and I agree, it should be part of Advance Steel "out of the box".

Not sure yet if it will make it for the Hot-Fix, since we don't want to postpone it longer than we need to.

Gernot

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@Gernot.Jeromin 

All the 20+ requests I put in your "AS2020 is now available" thread make perfect sense if you knew how Advance Steel works.

And 85-90% of the ideas in the idea station.

Do us a favor please:

1. Learn Advance Steel 

2. Create models of a few smaller projects- 2-3-structural, and 2-3 misc. metals

3. Start drawings output and cleanup, and do the external lists

All or most of the ideas will start to make perfect sense.

HAVING A PRODUCT MANAGER WHO DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO USE ADVANCE STEEL IS A COMPLETE NONSENSE. 

Nothing personal.

This is the minimum requirement to be a good product manager:

1. To be familiar with the software he or she is responsible for-both modeling and detailing

2. To be familiar with the workflow necessary to output fabrication and erection drawings

3. Extensive knowledge of steel detailing practices

4. Extensive knowledge of AISC, BS, DIN, ASI and others' requirements. The pattern of requirements repeats, so learning at least one will make a perfect sense.

5. To be responsive-usually within 24 hours

6. To be passionate. This is not something you can learn, but it is desirable.

HAVING A PRODUCT MANAGER WHO DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO USE ADVANCE STEEL, AND LACKING BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF STEEL DETAILING, IS A COMPLETE NONSENSE AND IT IS AN INSULT TO THE PAYING USERS. 

[acbsdesign · Accepted solution]

Hi,

A few  commands I found to be useful, summarized and tested, icons attached as well:

Isolate Beams:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Beams

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate plates:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Plates

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate BENT BEAMS  ^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBENTBEAM;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBENTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate GRATING

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide GRATING

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide grids

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRID;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide welds

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTWELD;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate bolts

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN; _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS

Hide bolts

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Model Views

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTXMODELVIEW;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

SELECT BEAMS AND SWITCH TO STANDARD REPRESENTATION:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

SELECT PLATES AND SWITCH TO STANDARD REPRESENTATION:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Ribbon

[Anonymous]

Hi @acbsdesign ,

super job 🙂

[Anonymous]

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@acbsdesign wrote:

Hi,

A few  commands I found to be useful, summarized and tested, icons attached as well:

Isolate Beams:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Beams

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate plates:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Plates

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate BENT BEAMS  ^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBENTBEAM;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBENTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate GRATING

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM10ViewSelObjects;OBJECTS;_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Hide GRATING

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRATING;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide grids

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTGRID;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide welds

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTWELD;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Isolate bolts

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN; _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS

Hide bolts

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

Hide Model Views

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTXMODELVIEW;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;

SELECT BEAMS AND SWITCH TO STANDARD REPRESENTATION:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTBEAM;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

SELECT PLATES AND SWITCH TO STANDARD REPRESENTATION:

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTPLATE;_AstM4SwitchReprMode;default;graphscr;redraw;

Ribbon

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That's brilliant. Nice summary, and icons too!

Much appreciated.

[acbsdesign]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hi @acbsdesign ,

super job 🙂

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Thank you

[acbsdesign]

@Anonymous 

Thank you.

I like yours too, I am using them.

[Drawtech · Accepted solution]

...it took a while but finally figured out how to make context sensitive shortcut menus!

I have still not figured how to group them with the other AS commands (anyone know?) but a step in the right direction.

If anyone knows how to make the "align cut view symbols..." command work on a pre-selected cut symbol, that would be great!

[Sebastian_Eiche]

Would be nice to have it. I think it should be something with the 'previous' selection command. I will take some time for experiment tomorrow

[acbsdesign]

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@Drawtech wrote:

...it took a while but finally figured out how to make context sensitive shortcut menus!

I have still not figured how to group them with the other AS commands (anyone know?) but a step in the right direction.

If anyone knows how to make the "align cut view symbols..." command work on a pre-selected cut symbol, that would be great!

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Nice one, David,

Will definitely work with them.

Thank you for sharing.

[acbsdesign]

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@Drawtech

Dave,
Not a follow up to your post, but this may save you some time when deleting dimension points to holes for galvanizing:

Delete multiple dimension points

*^C^C_AstM4CommDetModDimRemove