Below are 2 links to screencasts, each dimension chain takes appr. a minute, and when repetitive, it takes time.
And even sometimes we do not click on the exact point when in a hurry, a human hand has 8mm and more coordination error at the end of the day.
Both dimension chains would be done for appr. 15-20 sec's with power dimensions, with no errors in selected points.
Power dimensions would be very handy for stair stringers-FOR BOTH HOLES AND STAIR TREADS dimensions:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/05ffc54a-d4ad-45ab-8b9b-cae5944fab3e
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/15dfba9c-3b5a-4807-98a3-46084cc004f0
4. Added functionality: Manipulate system ends by entering values in AS properties.
Example-we need to move end of a beam 6" along its X -Axis-enter +6" in properties, or add 6" to the current value of X
Another example-Move lower end of a column by just modifying the ordinate value.
4-cont........Added functionality: Manipulate system ends by entering values in AS properties..........Added-palette, separate from AS Properties.
Probably a better way to do this would be a separate macro, not connected to Advance Properties,
to be started with a right click from the default menu.
A separate palette where we can modify ordinates:
Option-Relative or Absilute UCS
Moving the MIDPOINT to move the entire beam / column.
Moving start or end point to behave same as we drag the system end manually-connections to stay intelligent-such as base plates, cap (end) plates, clips, shear plates.
Checkbox "absolute" or "relative" to trigger current values to be displayed.
Coordinates may be used either when building a beam or column, or to move start point or end point due to design changes. Or moving the entire beam or column by changing the values of coordinates simultaneously. As the AS object is an AutoCad object having system line to behave similar to Autocad line.
Coordinates should have absolute and relative values in this dialog window, both to be manipulated.
This will be huge timesaver for columns for example.
Create 15 columns using the Column command in AS,
Select all of them and modify the bottom end to start at -1'-0" below concrete (very common).
And modify top end to stop at the first floor level.
We do not have any engine currently to modify end points of beams / columns/ bracing etc. using parameters.
Please add the following dimension style controls in MT and in DSM:
5.1. Dimension style for Ordinate dimensions in MT
5.2. Dimension style for Absolute dimensions in MT
5.3. Please add an option in DSM in dimension requests for top and bottom side of the beam "SWAP TEXT" for both Ordinate and Absolute dimensions.
6. Order for numbering
Currently, we do not have an option to assign preliminary numbers per shape, size, thickness order.
The submitted advance BOM to fabricators if sorted per preliminary mark it will look with shapes and thicknesses messed up everywhere.
If ABOM is sorted per name, then the preliminary numbers are all over the place, and this is in contradiction to many fabricators' practice to reference the preliminary number to trace what was purchased etc.
There should be an option to assign preliminary numbers in order the material list is created -sorted per name, length, thickness, with preliminary numbers following the same sequence.
Currently, we are selecting all angles, or all W-shapes and run the numbering assigning preliminary numbers as close as possible per name, length, thickness etc. and it is a time-consuming process.
Result of numbering should look like this:
W-shapes-Start from deepest W to the smallest, from longest to shortest
WT
HP
HSS Square
HSS Rectangular
HSS Round
MC
C
L
FB
SQ
RB
PLATES- Thickest to thinner BUT SORTED PER MATERIAL GRADE, so no ASTM A36 (galvanized) plate is mixed with M270-50W (weathering steel)
Bolts should be able to get numbering based on:
-Material
-Finish
-Diameter
-Length
These are state departments of transportation requirements, and it is nothing to do with weird fabricator's requirements. In other words, we cannot by-pass them. Any help with this will be appreciated.
7. Leader for Labels to snap along contour lines of parts when moved manually
Aesthetics improvement and time saver:
Leaders for labels for parts to snap along contour lines of parts, angle between leader and label to have 5 to 15 degrees increments, the length between leader point and break at the text to have 1/16" increments, and not overlapping other leaders and texts.
8. Allow numbering for GA drawings when using processes to be the same as when using drawings styles.
Assigning dwg numbers for GA dwgs using dwg styles is not an issue, we can have E1, E2 and to have Mp1, Mp2... Assigning dwg number for GA dwgs using Processes is a HUGE issue for fabricators I work with-Their systems and standards have a set up for GA dwgs to start from E1, E2... and Mp Dwgs to start from 1, 2...I cannot change this, it is beyond my reach. Please allow numbering for GA dwgs when using processes to include a Letter such as E1, E2 having beams already detailed on dwgs 1, 2....same as if using drawing styles.
This is a must.
9. Automatic Clipping-Shrink to drawing's limits option in details
Added automatic clipping for details, detail to fit automatically within drawing limits
10. Allow depth control for section views created by drawings styles
Currently, we do not have an option to modify the depth of section views created by drawings styles:
This is a classic example of why we need to have control over depth in automatically created section views:
Section A-A is supposed to reference holes in angles to top flange same as section B-B, but the automatically created section view does not show flange due to the top cope at left end. Please consider this for improvement. Thank you.
11. Calculate and show if a bolt has thread included or excluded from the shear plane (example A325 N or A325 X)
This is critical for connections design, and we lose a tremendous amount of time when doing calculations.
Considering the fact design engineers are not doing connections in 99% of the projects, we end up spending time optimizing connections, and there is a HUGE difference if a bolt has thread included or excluded from the shear plane.
12. Add token "Camera elevation"-Z-ordinate of camera mid-point
Why do we need this-when creating a floor plan, and beams will be referenced thus W10x30 (-3) Detail View Title will be
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
T.O.S. EL. XX'-XX" (XX'-XX" would be the token) U.N.O.
We need to eliminate the manual input of camera location at every floor plan we create.
13. Add Grid Line name as a token in Detail Titles
Elevation view, for example, will be
"Elevation at Grid Line X (X=token)"
Currently, this is entered manually
14. Creating camera views (grid elevations) with assigned sequence
Well, This is one thing that is supposed to be "Automatic"-a customer success story - teller who visits this forum frequently, insists it is automatic, but it is not, and it is not done right.
Automatically created camera views should follow a logical sequence-Start from grid line 1 to X, and after that from grid line A to Z.
OR-a new command: "Assign sequence for detailing" for cameras by clicking on each camera or to choose from a menu with cameras listed
15. Name of camera view to be same as the grid line it is located on
Currently, when we copy a grid line with an already created camera, the new view takes the name "Copy...", we have to manually rename the view.
Not a big deal, but when it is done 30-60 times for each project, for 60-100 projects a year it may be worth looking at a possible way to link the view name with the grid that is located on.
16. Add Marking for through plate connection similar to shear plate connection
One of those small things in AS that may slowly but surely piss off detailers, a punch is created for Shear Plate Connection but it cannot be created for Through Plate Connection:
17. Connection Templates Folder-search for connections in sub-folders:
Currently, we do have 3 main folders for connection templates, each of them has appr. 30 connections in it.
BRIDGES, STRUCTURAL STEEL, MISC. METALS
In order to use a connection template, we copy the connection first from one of these folders to the main folder.
18. Command "HIDE DETAILED PARTS"
Currently, after placing a part on a drawing using dwg styles, we use the custom command
Hide Identical Parts:
^C^C_AstM5equalpartsMarkSame \;AstM4CommSelectMarkedObjects ;_AstM4SwitchReprMode off;_AstM4CommUnmarkObjects;graphscr;redraw;
But if for some reason we have to show the entire model, and after that in order to hide what has been detailed, we have to search in the model browser.
A simple macro searching for # in part marks and hiding all other parts will be a handy time saver.
19. Quick View on Object to follow object's UCS / Model views to follow their default direction:
Per 2 screencast below, when a model view is activated, it is oriented per world UCS.
Since the reason for creating the view on first place is most likely we want to change or measure something when activated, the view should follow the model view direction.
I tried changing different variables with no success, if devs know how to let view on object and model views to follow their default direction, please advise.
If this is the expected behavior, then it has to be changed.
20. Batch plot drawings (and in the future-external list) to a destination folder
Batch plot drawings sends all drawings in the project folder if we use the document manager, very often they get mixed with other PDF's in the same folder, there should be an option to assign destination folder.
Batch plot using AutoCAD is an option, but since we Rev up and update dwgs from DM, it is logically true we want to plot them from DM.
21. EDIT / Delete revision for multiple drawings at once:
On a 300+d wgs, PM changes his / her mind and is asking for all drawings to get the previous revision.
We can't do this for all 300 dwgs at once, we have to edit the revisions for each dwgs.
Couple years ago Dumitru said he knows how to do it, please put this on your list.
In addition to Revving down option to be added for multiple drawings at once, we need to be able to Rev Up to the next revision for all dwgs at once. FOR BOTH DGWS HAVING LETTERS AND NUMBERS FOR NEXT REVISION.
Below are two screenshots-one before revving "TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE INDEX FOR EACH DOCUMENT" and the second one after using the "Rev to the next available index for each document"
To clarify how the normal revisions are indexed:
For approval-Rev.A, B, C etc. (it depends on fabricator, but per AISC Revisions should start from "A".)
For fabrication-Rev.0, 1 etc.
On a 550 dwgs project, if we press by error "next available revision index for each document" we get in an hour or two or more trouble because first next revisions ARE NOT the real next revisions as we can see from the 2 screenshots, and second trouble comes from the fact we cannot rev down all or multiple dwgs at once.
In order to get the next revision index for the first 40-50 dwgs shown, we have to change the project settings-revision Control to 1, 2, 3...
Catch 22:
This will automatically put wrong revision for drawings that are still under approval, having letters A, B, etc for revision index.
THE ENTIRE SET-UP FOR REVISIONS IS DONE WRONG.
Not per AISC, and maybe not per other organizations as well.
Yes-there is a backup option and we can delete all dwgs and use the backup files, but registering the drawings is not always smooth having requests for updating.
Below are the 2 screenshots, drawings were revved up to the next available index, with project settings still at approval level A, B, C etc.
23. "Power dimensions" for contour lines not part of a macro.
Ref. 2 examples below, it will be a timesaver having power dimensions for contour lines only, holes eliminated, NOT connected to any notch, cut or hole macro.
23. "Power dimensions" for contour lines not part of a macro-added
A proposed method for selection of points to be added automatically-probably by "press and drag", left to right.
This way points that are not located along the contour line we want to dimension won't be selected:
24. HOLES FOR GALVANIZING-These holes not to be considered for dimensioning:
As you can see, default details are not "nice and shiny" unless we delete the dimension points referencing the holes for galvanizing.
26. Quick search dialog similar to Find in Autocad
Searchable parameters: MP, SP, Preliminary Number, Name, Length and Thickness, Material and user attributes, for beams, plates, and gratings;
Pre-defined filters work, but they are slow,
project explorer helps, but it is incomplete and slows the work,
a simple search dialog for SP Marks and MP marks as a minimum is a must.
Kind Regards,
Ilko Dimitrov
ACBS
