Use defined numbering order and definition for sections / plates

[bigcarl5000kg]

The standard definition (for identical material, coating,...) in Advance Steel for the order of automatic (non-manual) numbering for the sections is:

1. alphabetically sort ProfileClass / TypeName to settings that the user cannot change (eg profile order, ...)

2. descending order by number of objects

This standard order method does not respect: the dimensions of the object and their other properties - this is much more important for the users.

We need to set different levels for numbering order and order direction (ascending / descending) => the best way is to use the similar sorting method as in MS Excel

We need full user control over it, how to order according to:

- ProfileShapeRunName 

- TypeName

- StandardName

- PlateThickness

- material

- coating

- additional informations

Autodesk wants to hear specific suggestions, so here they are. Please bring this to life as soon as possible ... the years go by and still nothing.

[IR8ASU1]

This was requested back in 2016, and still no response or action in regards to it: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/advance-steel-ideas/numbering-sorting-objects-by-different-attributes...

[bigcarl5000kg]

👍😃 it is important, to fight till the end ... 

[acbsdesign]

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/advance-steel-ideas/order-in-assigning-preliminary-numbers/idi-p/5966... 

Also here.

All for one, one for all.

Fight, Fight, Fight....

[Sebastian_Eiche]

I would also like to see it. The sorting could be similar to the sorting dialog in the BOM Editor.
But also here (as written in many threads): what should happen by changing a profile? And please don't misunderstand me, I will really want a sorting, I just want do push this question because many users don't see the background.

If I have s specific numbering for example according to the profile type: first "I" then "W" Then "U".

My model is numbered and my U-profile get the number 3500. Now the model had to be changed and my U is needed to change to an "I" profile. What should happend in this case?
Did you want to number with a gap, so there will be a "free number" for this profile?
Should all numbers be renumbered? Or does this profile will take their number to the end of the project?

[acbsdesign]

@Sebastian_Eiche 

Hi Sebastian,  I was asking myself the same questions too.

For Preliminary Numbers, new size or thickness will be added to the existing ABOM at the end of it, since this ABOM was already used to purchase material, new added lines will have new preliminary numbers.

For the already detailed project-same, material will be added to new drawings.

Bridges:

ABOM is the main issue having preliminary numbers sorted.

Members are never detailed using processes due to the nature of work (can be used somewhere, but not in general)

So a design change will add material to where the original list and drawings ended.

"Allow changes in preliminary numbers" and "Re-use unused marks" will be turned off.

Buildings/ platforms, misc. metals:

These usually have more changes after the first submittal. But they usually do not ask for ABOM with line (preliminary number) assigned to each member.

So we will use the order of numbering to run processes. 

After the project is detailed, we will add any new material to the end of the existing. 

We can place a newly added beam or SP on a certain dwg number if a dwg was deleted, so it does not matter what way the numbering is run.

But if they require preliminary numbers, we have to turn off "Allow changes in preliminary numbers"  and "Re-use unused marks".

Have a great day.

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @Sebastian_Eiche,

the best answer is always a question, I would be interested - what will you do in the existing system (AS version) in case of the changes you mentioned and what would you do differently if you could influence it? Please describe your current method for current numbering "order-mix-shake-method".

Everyone is talking about sorting in BOM ... which is basically a secondary process (problem). Sorting starts in the process of drawing creating and affects the secondary, tertiary, ... processes.

One example from my earlier (maybe still current) "CAD world": I used an automatic numbering tool that had user-adjustable rules (LISP) = levels, sequences, terms (like user definable multi-level sorting in Excel). If I had already numbered everything and there was a change later, I could, in addition to easy adding an item to the end, simply with the help of the tool:
- add 1 item to any existing place in the sequence and for other higher numbers the numbering has been shifted automatically by plus 1 (if not added at the end)
- remove 1 item from any existing place in the sequence and for other higher numbers the numbering has been shifted automatically by minus 1 (if not removed at the end)

So I think, this could be applied to your task as well.

[Sebastian_Eiche]

I could only write as technical which have contact to many users and this what you wrote would be the worth thing what could happen 😁

So your numbering is always changing. 

The most of my users is using a numbering create BOM list and workshop drawings. 

So they need a number which is never changed equal what happened. 

If a part was changed and need a new number the use one from the end or something, but they will never use a changing of all numbers.

From my point of view the numbers had to be specific for each part not more. I need an information to identify a part. So for me it's complete uninteresting if the part have a 'BA-12' or a 'XYJokfu185gthe' it's just an ID.

But I know this is problem full of discussion and I also would like to see more settings for the numbering. 

[acbsdesign]

@bigcarl5000kg 

@Sebastian_Eiche 

By ABOM I meant Advance BOM-external lists-these are very, very important for material procurement for bridges.

Once assigned, the preliminary numbers will never change. They can only be added to the list.

This is very typical for bridge fabricators fabricating bridge girders.

QC is tracing material orders based on this external list.

All CVN requirements / testing / mechanical properties - everything is referenced to this number.

For us to submit a proper ABOM means selecting each size, thickness and material grade (if some plates are AASHTO M270-50 (webs and flanges) and some are AASHTO M270-36 (Sole plates)) and then run the numbering.

Not a biggy, ...I still love this software. But it is going to be much more intelligently done if there is an order.

Cheers.

[bigcarl5000kg]

Hi @acbsdesign ... my idea and goal is also for ordinary simple projects, such as transmission towers weighing 600 tons 😁. For such a thing, it is enough that it already works hopefully and flawlessly in the base 😄

[d.mackels]

A quand cette fonctionnalité ????

[bigcarl5000kg]

Maybe after the users run out of patience and switch to other better-performing software 😁☺️🤟

[d.mackels]

Maybe ….. 😉