Advance Steel
Encyclopedia
Advance Steel is a CAD
software application for 3D modeling
and detailing of steel structures in AutoCAD
and automatic creation of fabrication drawings, bill of materials
and NC
files, developed by GRAITEC
.
The Advance Steel information is stored in DWG
format.
The application includes AutoLisp
(enhancing standard AutoLisp to include Advance Steel commands) and COM (VBA
, C++) programming interfaces. This means that users can create their own customized macros for specialist requirements.
Advance Steel imports and exports to the following file formats:
The main functions of Advance Steel concern:
Advance Steel provides instruments for modeling complex structures such as straight and spiral stairs, railings, ladders, etc. The program creates all necessary documents (including NC files) for the stair fabrication.
Advance Steel has a library of more than 300 preset parametric steel connections to connect Advance elements grouped in the following categories: beam end to end joints, base plate joints, general bracing joints, cantilever beam to column joints, plate joints, clip angle joints, pylon joints, tube brace joints, purlin joints, stiffener joints, turnbuckle bracings, etc.
The user creates all connecting elements by a single operation. At the same time, the connected elements are processed (shortened, coped, etc.). The software allows users to customize the connections:
Joint Design engine
The software dimensions and checks joints according to Eurocode
s 3 standards and AISC North American standards. A design report can be created.
Drawing styles
Based on a 3D-model, dimensioned and labeled 2D general arrangement and shop drawings can be automatically created using drawing styles. The drawings are created in separate DWG files; however they are linked to track changes. Thus, the drawings can be updated after any model modifications and the drawing revision can be managed.
The software has a variety of predefined drawing styles for the creation of general arrangement drawings and shop drawings for single parts and assemblies. A drawing style is a set of rules used to create a detail drawing and defines the elements that are displayed including labeling and dimensioning preferences.
Drawing styles provide the option to automatically create drawings and to modify the layout exactly to user requirements. Drawing styles are used in a similar way to AutoCAD dimension styles, line styles, etc. The predefined drawing styles are different for each installation and country. Custom drawing styles can also be defined.
GTC is Graitec’s solution for CAD / Design software interoperability and integration specialized in creating and handling a BIM (Building Information Model
).
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
software application for 3D modeling
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
and detailing of steel structures in AutoCAD
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
and automatic creation of fabrication drawings, bill of materials
Bill of materials
A bill of materials is a list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, components, parts and the quantities of each needed to manufacture an end product...
and NC
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
files, developed by GRAITEC
GRAITEC
GRAITEC is maker of CAD / CAE software for the civil engineering and construction industries.Headquartered in France, the company was founded in 1986 by Francis Guillemard. GRAITEC went from a single company located in France to a group of 11 wholly owned companies spread around the world...
.
Features
Advance Steel is integrated into AutoCAD which serves both as a graphic engine and an object oriented database for Advance Steel. The application supports all basic AutoCAD concepts and functions (snap points, grip points, copy, etc.).The Advance Steel information is stored in DWG
.dwg
DWG is a binary file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD, IntelliCAD and Caddie. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many other CAD applications...
format.
The application includes AutoLisp
AutoLISP
AutoLISP is a dialect of Lisp programming language built specifically for use with the full version of AutoCAD and its derivatives, which include AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD Mechanical...
(enhancing standard AutoLisp to include Advance Steel commands) and COM (VBA
Visual Basic for Applications
Visual Basic for Applications is an implementation of Microsoft's event-driven programming language Visual Basic 6 and its associated integrated development environment , which are built into most Microsoft Office applications...
, C++) programming interfaces. This means that users can create their own customized macros for specialist requirements.
Advance Steel imports and exports to the following file formats:
- GTC;
- DWG;
- IFC. 2x3;
- CIS/2;
- SDNF;
- PSS;
- KISS (“Keep it Simple, Steel”)
- DSTV;
- DXF
The main functions of Advance Steel concern:
- Creation of 3D model using a library of construction elements (i.e., beams, plates, bolts, welds, etc.).
- Sheet metal and plate work
- Advanced tools for element collision detection.
- Clear workshop drawings, automatically labeled and dimensioned.
- Checking the model in order to insure a correctly built 3D model and accurate bills of materials.
- Automatic creation of general arrangement and shop drawings, fabrication drawings, fitting drawings, isometric views and fabrication drawings.
- Drawing creation workflow management (revision control, automatic update, etc.)
- Automatic creation of lists / bills of materials and NC files.
- Multi-User Technology - all users involved in a project can work simultaneously and securely on the same model, without errors.
Advance Steel provides instruments for modeling complex structures such as straight and spiral stairs, railings, ladders, etc. The program creates all necessary documents (including NC files) for the stair fabrication.
Specific features
Parametric steel connectionsAdvance Steel has a library of more than 300 preset parametric steel connections to connect Advance elements grouped in the following categories: beam end to end joints, base plate joints, general bracing joints, cantilever beam to column joints, plate joints, clip angle joints, pylon joints, tube brace joints, purlin joints, stiffener joints, turnbuckle bracings, etc.
The user creates all connecting elements by a single operation. At the same time, the connected elements are processed (shortened, coped, etc.). The software allows users to customize the connections:
- Set the parameters of the joint;
- Process the connected elements;
- Transfer the properties from one steel connection to another;
- Update the steel connection;
Joint Design engine
The software dimensions and checks joints according to Eurocode
Eurocode
Eurocodes are a set of harmonized technical rules developed by the European Committee for Standardisation for the structural design of construction works in the European Union.The purposes of the Eurocodes are:...
s 3 standards and AISC North American standards. A design report can be created.
Drawing styles
Based on a 3D-model, dimensioned and labeled 2D general arrangement and shop drawings can be automatically created using drawing styles. The drawings are created in separate DWG files; however they are linked to track changes. Thus, the drawings can be updated after any model modifications and the drawing revision can be managed.
The software has a variety of predefined drawing styles for the creation of general arrangement drawings and shop drawings for single parts and assemblies. A drawing style is a set of rules used to create a detail drawing and defines the elements that are displayed including labeling and dimensioning preferences.
Drawing styles provide the option to automatically create drawings and to modify the layout exactly to user requirements. Drawing styles are used in a similar way to AutoCAD dimension styles, line styles, etc. The predefined drawing styles are different for each installation and country. Custom drawing styles can also be defined.
Software compatibility
The application is compatible with:- Windows 7, Windows VistaWindows VistaWindows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, Windows XPWindows XPWindows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
Pro (32-bit and 64-bit); - AutoCAD 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011;
- ADT 2007;
- AutoCAD Architecture 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
Software interoperability
Advance Steel integrates GRAITEC's data synchronization technology, "GTC" (GRAITEC Transfer Center). This technology offers:- Import/Export data in standard formats: CIS/2, SDNF, PSS, IFC 2.x3.
- Multiple Advance Steel users that work simultaneously on the same project and synchronize their models.
- Synchronization in Advance Steel of modifications made by engineers in other GRAITEC software (section changes, addition of structural elements, etc.).
GTC is Graitec’s solution for CAD / Design software interoperability and integration specialized in creating and handling a BIM (Building Information Model
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
).
Release history
| Official name | version | release | date of release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Version 2011 | 2011 | 8 | December, 2010 |
| Version 2010 | 2010 | 7 | September, 2009 |
| Version 2009 | 2009 | 6 | November, 2008 |
| Version 8.1 | 8.1 | 5 | December, 2007 |
| Version 7.1 | 7.1 | 4 | March, 2007 |
| Version 6.1 | 6.1 | 3 | December, 2005 |
| Version 5.1 | 5.1 | 2 | July, 2004 |
| Version 4.2 | 4.2 | 1 | July, 2003 |