Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

Comparison Goal: The aim of this document is to outline the pros and cons of AutoCAD Structural Details (from here on referred to as ASD and Prosteel referred to as PS3D). The same structure will model and shop detail drawings produced in both ASD and PS3D to provide a good comparison. Proposed structure to be modelled is shown below.

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Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

Initial appearance : On first inspection the command layout appears to be structured in an intelligent manner, like PS3D functions are arranged according to their usage. (I.E. Connection are together under one location in the menu pull down or in the same toolbar.) On the left of the screen is the Object Inspector window, this allows the user to manage all the objects (elements) created in a model. The Object Inspector can be used for the following List out the model objects in sequential order Selecting model objects that could be subjected to the actions of a command Displaying and or modifying object properties, either by single or multiple elements Activating some commands applied to particular selection, based on the Object Inspector mode Defining, verifying and or modifying groups Applying and or modifying position numbers Filtering model elements Creating and managing drawings from a model or project.

User help manual : The user help manual is clear and concise, function usage and dialog layout are clearly indicated along with clear instructions of buttons, tabs and value definitions. Like the PS3D manual it lacks information for user customisation, but those whom are computer savvy will be able to work it out. I recommend anyone planning on purchasing this software read this thoroughly. -2-

Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

Grid Layout : Like PS3D, ASD has a workframe function but I find is a little limited compared to the one in PS3D. The following options are NOT included. a) Wedge shape workframes b) Insertion point of workframe c) Roof work frame needs to added as a separate process d) View generation with clipping planes e) Axis descriptions limited to axis value display only, no options to avoid I or O, set text size and distance from grids, No bubble display, Dynamic view of axis descriptions, No controls for colours of axis description components and no options for user axis description blocks. The following were found to be nice features. a) Axis descriptions have a user defined option enabling the user to determine the descriptions, I found this quite handy considering no views are created, PS3D sort of does this with in the workframe name by selecting the Use Axis Description during creating. b) The option to generate left and right diagonals, are a good idea but nead further improvement if they are to usefull. Currently these generate the diagonals across all point including the base grid, this has the effect of cluttering the drawing more then is needed. These would benefit from have the option to place the diagonals on the exterior grids only.

One of the nice features I found was the ability to modify this grid by adding or remove line components and or nodes. I find these could be useful where irregular grids are called for. General Modelling : Unlike PS3D modelling begins by the user selecting the steel profile sizes required for the project, this can be done on the fly or can be set at the beginning of a project, embedded in a template drawing. Database access is project based, even though the user can easily amend the project parameters and add other databases to the project.

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Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

The images depict the profile list dialog for selecting prfile for use in the model and the profile insertion dialog.

Inserting steel section can be either picking points or selecting a line, the perpendicular to UCS is handy for columns. Unfortunately the users must make sure the orientation is correct prior to insertion as there is no facility to rotate the steel section in place like PS3D has. But with more experience the user can over some this. I find the lack of options during insertion limiting. Eg. In PS3D a user can easily place a floor brace at floor level 110, by setting the HEIGHT value in the options and either picking points or select a predertmined line. In ASD the user can do this depending on how the database have been populated. (NOT AN EASY TASK) In most cases though placing of steel section is relatively straight forward.

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Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

General Model Navigation : With no views to assist me I had to resort to the old fashion AutoCAD views facility or utilise a lisp routine to assist in getting required views. ASD has a function (Dynamic UCS) similar to the OBJECT VIEW CENTERED but combines it with the OBJECT UCS CENTERED function found in PS3D. And has the ability to set the UCS, VIEW and clipping planes through a series of prompts. Whilst this great, I do have a gripe with the function that controls clipping planes, even though its only to switch clipping planes ON or OFF it has the annoying habit of affecting all other viewports. So for users (like myself) whom like to split their modelspace in to various viewports, this will be most annoying. After having modelled the main structure including brace components I moved on to parametric structures such stairs and handrails Parametric Structures : Stairs This proved a little annoying at first due to its constraint, I found I need to do some basic setout work using lines to determine IP points. Unlike in PS3D where you select the stair starting point direction then determine the remaning parameters, ASD prompts the user to select the top & bottom IP points, from these the stair overall length and height are set, all other parameters then need fit into these governing values.

The stair tread set out tab (Steps Distribution) is quite simple and self explainitory. The Step definition tab is where the user select the tread type, this also governs the stair width, unlike in PS3D where stair width can be any value entered. This has the advantage of setting some form standards, and the tread types are database controlled. -5-

Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

I found no Australian standards content for treads, so after some investigating I managed to add a tread with a 750 length for use in the model. Because PS3D isnt database driven this isnt an issue so any stair width can be easily created. The Landing tab is self explainitory. The biggest let down with stairs in ASD is that you have 2 separate functions, one for a single flight as shown in dialog above, and another for staircases (handy for multiple flights), where PS3D combines these two functions into one. Other let downs are a) You can not set angle of one flight to another, so you cant create stairs going around a corner such as shown in the model image on the front of this document. b) There is no facility to add handrails to the stair, even though there is a provision to add the polyline for it in the staircase function. The biggest positive is that this function actually utilises the IP points the user selects. Handrails I found this function painful to use, most of the time I had run the command twice to get to work. The value restraints make it hard to quickly set out handrails, this meant a lot trial and error with values, especially post centres, but once a user gets used the way it works I would not see to much of an issue. I found that the handrail function could not create the bent post required for monowills type handrails, but this does not mean it can not create side offset handrails, the representation of them is shown as a mitred post. The most appealing feature was that the function prompts the user for supporting members and then connects the handrails to these, a feature sadly lacking in Prosteel. I also found this function was able to produce varying types of handrails and post to top rail connections. A noticeable omission is that you can not adjust handrails by grip editing or polyline joining, I had to delete then re-insert the handrail. One annoying issue Ive discovered whilst trying to add handrails, is that the osnap facility starts to become a problem with AutoCAD locking up continuosly with only ENDPOINT and MIDPOINT set. There is a feature to control object snap points, but this in addition to normal osnap settings and had no bearing on the issue I encountered. I had to manually add bends where the handrail function could not or would not create the rails, prosteel has a similar feature and is basically like using the fillet function (with a radius value applied), the problem I encountered here was that it would measure the distances to the corner and prompt the user for a minimum and maximum value, which was fine except that the maximum value was always what I need -1, this was most annoying when setting out in difficult area such as where the stair handrail returns on to a floor level. Connections Like PS3D, ASD provides a rich set of connections for various situations. Some are a little more restrictive then their respective connection in PS3D, but none the less still useful. As with PS3D, templates of connection can be stored for future use or to build up a library, I have also noted a facility for what appears to be database linking for connections. One noticeable difference is that none of the connection are a live change, even though there is the apply button which seems to simulate this. One handy PS3D feature that is missing, is the abilty to click back into the drawing environment and move around and or change views to get a better perspective on the connection being created. -6-

Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

With experience a user should have no trouble achieving most if not all standard connections. Bracing The bracing function is similar to the one in PS3D, it creates the entire brace assembly including connections to supporting members. This one function effectively merges both the Static and Dynamic bracing found in PS3D into one, building the connection gussets based on supporting members and limitations such as other connection components (I.E. Base Plates, End Plates, Shear Plates ect.) Unlike PS3ds brace functions this one is also capable of creating a strut and incorporate that into the bracing gusset.

As with PS3D, there are no specific connections for bracing which is real let down as in most design cases the brace member will already be in place, this is particularly evident where models are transferred from analysis applications such Strand7, Microstran or as in the case of ASD, Robot Millenium with which it is nicely syncronised. This effectively means the user will need to delete the existing brace, place the system line and then use the bracing function to get the brace and connections. Grating At first glance this function appears to be similar to the one in PS3D, it has all the facilities for creating the grating via the usual picking of points, selecting a predetermined polyline contour, rectangular, and added option of picking an internal point, where by the program determines the polyline perimeter (This could mean the user creates the perimeter polyline, as well as any penetrations/openings polyline and the function should generate the grating complete with all required cut outs) Along with the grating function there are various editing features for grating/plates One aspect I didnt like, was the Self-weight/m2 text entry, this allows the user to enter any weight value for the grating, which doesnt provide for any form of standards in an office environment, allowing for -7-

Prosteel / AutoCAD Structural Detailing Comparison

varying weights for the same material also means that any reports such MTO, Centre of Gravity or Paint area will be incorrect.

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