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]

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]

@dave_conibear 

I have one similar, "Clean model"

^C^C _AstM4CommSelectAllDscObjects ALL _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS _AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTXWORKINGPLANE,ASTUSERDIALOG,ASTXDIALOG,ASTXMODELVIEW,ASTWELD,ASTXSTRUCTURALBOX,ASTXBEAMFEAT,ASTXPLATEFEAT,ASTXASTXBEAMSHORTENING;AstM4SwitchReprMode;off _AstM4CommUnmarkObjects^M;

HTH

[acbsdesign]

@dave_conibear 

I have one similar, "Clean model"

^C^C _AstM4CommSelectAllDscObjects ALL _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS _AstM4SelectObjectByName;ASTXWORKINGPLANE,ASTUSERDIALOG,ASTXDIALOG,ASTXMODELVIEW,ASTWELD,ASTXSTRUCTURALBOX,ASTXBEAMFEAT,ASTXPLATEFEAT,ASTXASTXBEAMSHORTENING;AstM4SwitchReprMode;off _AstM4CommUnmarkObjects^M;

HTH

[mick-CNF]

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName_ ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN_ AstM4SwitchReprMode

For bolts.

I've tried something similar for anchors but never got it to work.

[mick-CNF]

^C^C_AstM4SelectObjectByName_ ASTSCREWBOLTPATTERN_ AstM4SwitchReprMode

For bolts.

I've tried something similar for anchors but never got it to work.

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @markhubrich,

have a look here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/advance-steel-forum/user-defined-representation-mode-change/m-p/10338...

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @markhubrich,

have a look here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/advance-steel-forum/user-defined-representation-mode-change/m-p/10338...

[acbsdesign]

@dave_conibear 

^C^C AstM4CommSelectAllDscObjects_ _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS;

and requires Esc. It works when placed in ACAD toolpalette.

[acbsdesign]

@dave_conibear 

^C^C AstM4CommSelectAllDscObjects_ _AstM10ViewSelObjects OBJECTS;

and requires Esc. It works when placed in ACAD toolpalette.

[dave_conibear]

Christ..............it works..........

You can't possibly imagine what you have just done for me

I have that in my "right click" shortcut menu.

I'm working at the moment on a not so straight forward spiral stair and there are a million construction lines and parts of the architects 3-D AutoCad model model in my model, and that command will save me as much time as "Save & Close" command you posts very near to the beginning of this thread.

Thank you again Ilko for replying

[dave_conibear]

Christ..............it works..........

You can't possibly imagine what you have just done for me

I have that in my "right click" shortcut menu.

I'm working at the moment on a not so straight forward spiral stair and there are a million construction lines and parts of the architects 3-D AutoCad model model in my model, and that command will save me as much time as "Save & Close" command you posts very near to the beginning of this thread.

Thank you again Ilko for replying

[MetallPlanMerkinger · Accepted solution]

Hello!

I do this with Layers. I create for the architect drawings different layers, whicht all begins with "XREF_.......", and then i switch them on or off with freezing or thawing.

with a custom Command, that freezes or thawes all layers which starts with "XREF"

thawing: ^C^C_-LAYER;T;XREF* ^C^C

freezing: ^C^C_-LAYER;F;XREF* ^C^C

so you can also switch them on or off very fast

For exaple, this works also at this way, here i am freezing and thawing a Layer set from special layers i often have to switch:

^C^C_-LAYER;T;AS_Schweißen,AS_KAMERAS,AS_Anschlussboxen,AS_Modellansichten ^C^C

^C^C_-LAYER;F;AS_Schweißen,AS_KAMERAS,AS_Anschlussboxen,AS_Modellansichten ^C^C

[MetallPlanMerkinger · Accepted solution]

Hello!

I do this with Layers. I create for the architect drawings different layers, whicht all begins with "XREF_.......", and then i switch them on or off with freezing or thawing.

with a custom Command, that freezes or thawes all layers which starts with "XREF"

thawing: ^C^C_-LAYER;T;XREF* ^C^C

freezing: ^C^C_-LAYER;F;XREF* ^C^C

so you can also switch them on or off very fast

For exaple, this works also at this way, here i am freezing and thawing a Layer set from special layers i often have to switch:

^C^C_-LAYER;T;AS_Schweißen,AS_KAMERAS,AS_Anschlussboxen,AS_Modellansichten ^C^C

^C^C_-LAYER;F;AS_Schweißen,AS_KAMERAS,AS_Anschlussboxen,AS_Modellansichten ^C^C

[acbsdesign]

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

I was ready to say ideas are slowing down.

This is awesome.

Thank you for sharing and have a great day.

[acbsdesign]

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

I was ready to say ideas are slowing down.

This is awesome.

Thank you for sharing and have a great day.

[acbsdesign]

---

@dave_conibear wrote:

Christ..............it works..........

You can't possibly imagine what you have just done for me

I have that in my "right click" shortcut menu.

I'm working at the moment on a not so straight forward spiral stair and there are a million construction lines and parts of the architects 3-D AutoCad model model in my model, and that command will save me as much time as "Save & Close" command you posts very near to the beginning of this thread.

Thank you again Ilko for replying

---

You are welcome Dave. Glad it worked.

[acbsdesign]

---

@dave_conibear wrote:

Christ..............it works..........

You can't possibly imagine what you have just done for me

I have that in my "right click" shortcut menu.

I'm working at the moment on a not so straight forward spiral stair and there are a million construction lines and parts of the architects 3-D AutoCad model model in my model, and that command will save me as much time as "Save & Close" command you posts very near to the beginning of this thread.

Thank you again Ilko for replying

---

You are welcome Dave. Glad it worked.

[MetallPlanMerkinger]

@acbsdesign 

o no, there are many other ideas:

do you know this one -> grouped saw list with pictures:

I have grouped that list in combination with material and Beam Name

:clinking_beer_mugs:

[MetallPlanMerkinger]

@acbsdesign 

o no, there are many other ideas:

do you know this one -> grouped saw list with pictures:

I have grouped that list in combination with material and Beam Name

:clinking_beer_mugs:

[acbsdesign]

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

Will try to combine them, never thought about this.

Thank you for sharing.

[acbsdesign]

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

Will try to combine them, never thought about this.

Thank you for sharing.

[MetallPlanMerkinger · Accepted solution]

another one is:

i put on every overview Layouts a QR-Code with the 3D Model. Today everyone has a smartphone, and thats very helpful for every bulding worker, to find assembly numbers, or screws....

I export the 3d model as dwfx, save it on Autodesk drive, create a link, and put this link in the qr code, and also link the code, that it is possible to click from the pdf.

For creating the qr code, there is a free app in the autodesk store, with changes the text in qr code

https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/de/Detail/Index?id=7854648785059363913&appLang=en&os=Win32_64

[MetallPlanMerkinger · Accepted solution]

another one is:

i put on every overview Layouts a QR-Code with the 3D Model. Today everyone has a smartphone, and thats very helpful for every bulding worker, to find assembly numbers, or screws....

I export the 3d model as dwfx, save it on Autodesk drive, create a link, and put this link in the qr code, and also link the code, that it is possible to click from the pdf.

For creating the qr code, there is a free app in the autodesk store, with changes the text in qr code

https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/de/Detail/Index?id=7854648785059363913&appLang=en&os=Win32_64

[acbsdesign]

---

---

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

@markhubrich Posted a great idea about using Navisworks and exporting to dwf.

I export to Navisworks and place the QR on E-dwgs in an XREF that will stay forever in prototypes.

Navisworks keeps grid lines and AS properties. But if it has to be super shiny, I use dwf.

Thank you for sharing.

[acbsdesign]

---

---

@MetallPlanMerkinger 

@markhubrich Posted a great idea about using Navisworks and exporting to dwf.

I export to Navisworks and place the QR on E-dwgs in an XREF that will stay forever in prototypes.

Navisworks keeps grid lines and AS properties. But if it has to be super shiny, I use dwf.

Thank you for sharing.

[bigcarl5000kg · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

if someone wants to show the center of gravity in the drawing, for all objects in the model space, here is a LISP code from @Kent1Cooper   - many thanks for your help.

In the LISP, there is the Advance Steel command for center of gravity (_astm4balancepoint) already implemented and this adds a point (ACAD object) in the model area. As next, one sphere solid object (ACIS) is inserted at coordinates from this point. LISP also checks whether such a sphere object exists in the model space and if the position of the center of gravity changes (new point inserted), it moves the sphere object to this new point - I hope I described it correctly 😁.

Additional ACIS body (sphere solid) could be implemented in drawing style and then automatically displayed, possibly described and dimensioned inkl. updates.

Changed version - ucs set to world, to prevent center of gravity rotation, if ucs rotated before:

(defun C:SACOG ; = Sphere At Center of Gravity
  (/ COG ss sph)
  (command "_ucs" "")
  (command "_astm4balancepoint")
  (setq COG (getpropertyvalue (entlast) "Position")); location of Point
  (if (setq ss (ssget "_X" '((0 . "3DSOLID")))); Sphere already exists in drawing
    (progn ; then -- Move it
      (setq sph (ssname ss 0))
      (command "_.move" sph ""
        "_non" (vlax-get (vlax-ename->vla-object sph) 'Centroid)
        "_non" COG
      ); command
    ); progn
    (command "_.sphere" "_non" COG 30); else -- draw it <---EDIT [radius from 30 dia. Message 1]
  ); if
  (prin1)
)

[bigcarl5000kg · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

if someone wants to show the center of gravity in the drawing, for all objects in the model space, here is a LISP code from @Kent1Cooper   - many thanks for your help.

In the LISP, there is the Advance Steel command for center of gravity (_astm4balancepoint) already implemented and this adds a point (ACAD object) in the model area. As next, one sphere solid object (ACIS) is inserted at coordinates from this point. LISP also checks whether such a sphere object exists in the model space and if the position of the center of gravity changes (new point inserted), it moves the sphere object to this new point - I hope I described it correctly 😁.

Additional ACIS body (sphere solid) could be implemented in drawing style and then automatically displayed, possibly described and dimensioned inkl. updates.

Changed version - ucs set to world, to prevent center of gravity rotation, if ucs rotated before:

(defun C:SACOG ; = Sphere At Center of Gravity
  (/ COG ss sph)
  (command "_ucs" "")
  (command "_astm4balancepoint")
  (setq COG (getpropertyvalue (entlast) "Position")); location of Point
  (if (setq ss (ssget "_X" '((0 . "3DSOLID")))); Sphere already exists in drawing
    (progn ; then -- Move it
      (setq sph (ssname ss 0))
      (command "_.move" sph ""
        "_non" (vlax-get (vlax-ename->vla-object sph) 'Centroid)
        "_non" COG
      ); command
    ); progn
    (command "_.sphere" "_non" COG 30); else -- draw it <---EDIT [radius from 30 dia. Message 1]
  ); if
  (prin1)
)

[acbsdesign]

Fellows 30 and younger-please disregard. 

Not a custom command, but saves time and far less strain on 

Single-click in Windows explorer in lieu of double click. Point to select. +Underline icons only when pointed at them.

It takes a few days to get used to it, but overall it is a time and wrist+tendons saver.

[acbsdesign]

Fellows 30 and younger-please disregard. 

Not a custom command, but saves time and far less strain on 

Single-click in Windows explorer in lieu of double click. Point to select. +Underline icons only when pointed at them.

It takes a few days to get used to it, but overall it is a time and wrist+tendons saver.

[vuk.vukanic · Accepted solution]

Ok, here is one that uses QR code generator, but to check drawing status:

UP TO DATE / OBSOLETE

I have 2 images with the name “Status.png”, one indicates “Up to date” and one “Obsolete” drawings.

   

Here how it works:

I place a QR code with link to my gdrive folder where all project items are located to point to “Status.png”. It is important to note that every revision has a separate folder and a separate “Status.png” file.

When a new Revision is created and uploaded to gdrive I just replace the UP TO DATE “Status.png” with OBSOLETE “Status.png” image from the previous revision.

Since I use xrefed .dwg (that contains the QR code) in my Prototypes, I can replace the QR code in no time at all after all drawings are generated. I cant find the post where I described this, but I did a webinar a while back (not in english) where the xref prototypes are illustrated (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eGaCsgDNLw).

I thought about doing it for each drawing, but didn’t find a practical solution that I’m capable of executing.

[vuk.vukanic · Accepted solution]

Ok, here is one that uses QR code generator, but to check drawing status:

UP TO DATE / OBSOLETE

I have 2 images with the name “Status.png”, one indicates “Up to date” and one “Obsolete” drawings.

   

Here how it works:

I place a QR code with link to my gdrive folder where all project items are located to point to “Status.png”. It is important to note that every revision has a separate folder and a separate “Status.png” file.

When a new Revision is created and uploaded to gdrive I just replace the UP TO DATE “Status.png” with OBSOLETE “Status.png” image from the previous revision.

Since I use xrefed .dwg (that contains the QR code) in my Prototypes, I can replace the QR code in no time at all after all drawings are generated. I cant find the post where I described this, but I did a webinar a while back (not in english) where the xref prototypes are illustrated (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eGaCsgDNLw).

I thought about doing it for each drawing, but didn’t find a practical solution that I’m capable of executing.

[acbsdesign]

@vuk.vukanic 

Thank you for sharing.

We will use this idea.

[acbsdesign]

@vuk.vukanic 

Thank you for sharing.

We will use this idea.

[acbsdesign]

Dynamic block for most commonly used welds, 

hope some may find it easier and more accurate than the AS default weld symbols.

Dwg attached. Anyone with an improvement-please repost here so we can all use it.

[acbsdesign]

Dynamic block for most commonly used welds, 

hope some may find it easier and more accurate than the AS default weld symbols.

Dwg attached. Anyone with an improvement-please repost here so we can all use it.

[Sebastian_Eiche]

I really understand the easy use of this block, but just for me: why don't you use the AS weld symbol?
the symbol could be changed very easy and additional welds are also possible with the databases. 
For my point of view, it would be easier to created the weld as modelobject in the model to have the symbol in the detail updateable

[Sebastian_Eiche]

I really understand the easy use of this block, but just for me: why don't you use the AS weld symbol?
the symbol could be changed very easy and additional welds are also possible with the databases. 
For my point of view, it would be easier to created the weld as modelobject in the model to have the symbol in the detail updateable

[acbsdesign]

@Sebastian_Eiche 

Hi, no, AS symbols do not meet AWS requirements for size, text, position

. Tale size and shape.

As a matter of fact the look funny.

Especially for CJP and PJP welds.

Made a few requests, some improvements but incomplete.

[acbsdesign]

@Sebastian_Eiche 

Hi, no, AS symbols do not meet AWS requirements for size, text, position

. Tale size and shape.

As a matter of fact the look funny.

Especially for CJP and PJP welds.

Made a few requests, some improvements but incomplete.

[Sebastian_Eiche]

Ok, I know the symbol don't fit, but the symbols could be changed in size and so on. 
I mean, if the result with the dynamic block works for you I don't want to convince you 🙂 
The problem from my point of view: if something is changed, the detaillers had to know which details should be changed. With a model object, the changing is mcuh easier, but if the result is not ok, your way is better

[Sebastian_Eiche]

Ok, I know the symbol don't fit, but the symbols could be changed in size and so on. 
I mean, if the result with the dynamic block works for you I don't want to convince you 🙂 
The problem from my point of view: if something is changed, the detaillers had to know which details should be changed. With a model object, the changing is mcuh easier, but if the result is not ok, your way is better