Items on Toolbars or the Ribbon or in the ' Lightning ' interface (topics)
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An axes box (classic) is a decoration that can be placed on the toolbar in Modeling to tell you the orientation of a view with respect to global coordinates .
| Plan View | Isometric | Elevation Views | |
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Decorations are toolbar items (classic) that can be found in the " Command group " called ' Decorations ' in Toolbar Configuration . They can be placed on a toolbar in order to provide information or adjustable settings. A type of mouse binding reporter and a status line are two important decorations that all users should have on their toolbar. Many of these "decorations" are built-in features of the lightning interface.
| The ' Decorations ' command group | |
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| Binding Reporters | tells which mouse button to press. |
| Status line | prompts you. |
| Selected count | tells the number of items selected. |
| X-Y-Z display | displays global coordinates. |
| Display job/fabricator | for displaying the Job / Fabricator . |
| Display current elevation | shows the view's elevation. |
| Display current view | shows the view's name. |
| Axis orientation | shows global axes. |
| Mode Stack Reporter | shows the mode stack. |
| Depth Check Controls | controls perspective of view. |
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Depth check controls are a decoration that lets you set the distance that you can see into or out of a particular view. " In " is the distance perpendicular to your computer screen from the work plane (" Relative Depth ") of your current view to the farthest visible point in your view. " Out " is the distance measured perpendicular to your computer screen from the work plane of your view to the nearest visible point in your view.
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Using this decoration: If the box for depth checking is checked (
), then depth checking is on, and you can change the depth of your current view by entering an appropriate distance " In "/" Out ." The program automatically changes inappropriate values such as negative numbers or the setting to zero of both " In " and " Out ." If the box is not checked (
), then depth checking is off. Any change that you make to the depth check setting of a view will be lost when you exit the view.
To get to this decoration: You can place this decoration onto a toolbar in Modeling using Toolbar Configuration . It is also available on the Display Options window.
Tip: A keyboard shortcut or mouse binding can be applied (in Modeling ) to " Toggle Depth Checking ." The tool can be found in the " Miscellaneous " group on the Keyboard Shortcut Editor window or the Mode Configuration window.
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Dimension Clearance creates a dimension in Modeling that depicts the clearance between two materials that you select. The clearance is dimensioned at the location where those materials are closest to one another. This icon can be found in the " Command group " called ' Model ' in Toolbar Configuration .
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Dimension Clearance |
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The two materials that were selected for this example were the main material of the column and the main material of a vertical brace. The distance between those two materials is 3/4 inch. |
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Before adding the clearance dimension: You should be in Modeling . In Display Options , the display of " Model dimensions " should be turned on. The icon shown above needs to have been added to your toolbar. Since you will need to select materials, members need to be displayed in a solid form .
Preselection method: 1 ) Set the selection filter to ' Material '. 2 ) Use Select then Select+ to select two material. 3 ) Click the icon.
In-tool selection method: 1 ) Click the icon. 2 ) Select the members. 3 ) Press the Enter key. This is the method that is used in the video shown above.
To remove the dimension that Dimension Clearance draws, you can choose Model > Dimension > Erase All (deletes all at once), or you can select specific dimensions while the ' Model Dimensions ' filter is active, then hit the Delete key. Be aware that you can also Save and Load dimensions.
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Dimension Member adds a dimension in Modeling between the exact points of each selected member that you select. This icon can be found in the " Command group " called ' Model ' in Toolbar Configuration .
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Dimension Member |
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Before adding the dimensions: You should be in Modeling . In Display Options , the display of " Model dimensions " should be turned on. The icon shown above needs to have been added to your toolbar.
Preselection method: 1 ) Set the selection filter to ' Default' or ' Members ' or ' Legacy default '. 2 ) Use Select or Select+ (or draw an area box ) to select the members that you want to dimension. 3 ) Click the icon.
In-tool selection method: 1 ) Click the icon. 2 ) Select the members. 3 ) Press the Enter key. This is the method that is used in the video shown above.
To remove the dimensions that Dimension Member draws: you can choose Model > Dimension > Erase All (deletes all at once), or you can select specific dimensions while the ' Model Dimensions ' filter is active, then hit the Delete key. Be aware that you can also Save and Load dimensions.
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The display job/fabricator decorations can be added to a toolbar by using Toolbar Configuration . They tell you the names of the current Job and/or Fabricator.
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two decorations |
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Note: You cannot change Jobs/Fabricators using these decorations. To do that, press the "jobname" and/or "fabname" button at the upper, left corner of Home .
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Display current view is a decoration that you can add to a toolbar using Toolbar Configuration in Modeling . It displays the name of your current view.
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The drawer of add tools icon can be added to a toolbar using Toolbar Configuration in the Drawing Editor . It lets you invoke any one of a variety of add tools, but takes up the space of a normal icon on your toolbar.
| Drawer of add tools in the Drawing Editor " Command group " = ' Objects ' |
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Add Arc | Add Bevel Symbol | Bolt Add |
| Add Circle | Cloud Add | Construction Circle Add | |
| Construction Line Add | Add Dimension | Hole Add | |
| Label Add | Layer Add | Add Line | |
| Pointer Add | Sheet Line Add | Weld Add | |
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Elevation is a decoration that displays the reference elevation of your current plan view .
Special cases: When you are in an isometric view , the decoration displays 0 (zero). When you are in an elevation view , it displays the relative depth of the view.
Also see: View > Reference Elevation is another way to discover the elevation of your current plan view. Tools for changing a plan view's elevation are View > Plan View and View > Reference Elevation .
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The find tool lets you find or activate a tool in Modeling or the Drawing Editor when User and Site Options > General > " Modeling layout style " or " Drawing Editor layout style " is set to ' Lightning '.
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To find a tool, enter a search string that matches all or part of a command name.
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The find tool matches the string that you enter to command names ( Modeling ) or command names ( Drawing Editor ) found in the Ribbon Editor , Keyboard Shortcut Editor , Context Menu Editor and Mode Configuration .
As you type, search results appear in the Command Search Results menu below the search box. For example, entering " zoo " will match Zoo m to Fit , Un zoo m , and other tools with those letters. Commands that partially match your string (e.g., Attachment Tool ) may also be listed.
To activate a tool: Click the tool name on the Command Search Results menu that appears below the search box when you type in it.
To find a tool's icon on the ribbon ( new ) : Hover the tool's name in the Command Search Results menu. If its icon is on the ribbon page that is open, the icon -- or a drawer containing the icon -- will be highlighted on that page.
When Unzoom is hovered, its icon is highlighted on the open Layout page.
If a hovered name's icon is on an unopened page, the page's tab is highlighted instead. Here, Unzoom is hovered on the menu, but Tools is opened, so Layout (where Unzoom is found) is highlighted. If the hovered tool name is not on the ribbon, neither an icon nor a page will be highlighted.
Tip: While an unopened page's tab is highlighted by the find tool, you can click it to open the page and see the highlighted icon of the tool that was found.
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- Click here for help. This tool now has a help page of its own.
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Icons are items on a toolbar that you can click on in order to invoke commands or bring Global Review into particular command modes. Icons can be either written or pictorial.
Mode icons vs tool icons: Mode icons that are pictorial have a diamond symbol (
). Mode icons that are written out have the word "Mode" spelled out. Clicking on a mode icon activates that mode. While in a mode, you can activate a variety of related tools. Clicking on a single tool icon activates that tool. When you click on a mode icon, that mode becomes active until you activate a different mode or do a Mode Return or Clear Mode Stack . When you press a tool icon, you go back to the mode you started in as soon as you complete that operation.
Classic: To place icons onto a toolbar, choose Settings > Toolbar Configuration , then select the appropriate " Command group " > drag and drop the icon to the toolbar you want it placed on.
Lightning: To place icons on a ribbon, role switcher > ' Customize... ' > in Customize Interface, select a " Ribbon configuration " then press the " Edit " button > in the Ribbon Editor , select a " Page " and a " Section " and a " Menu item group " > select the icon you want and press "+" to add that icon to the selected section.
Ribbon configuration:
my_favorite_tools 
Note: User and Site Options > General > " Activate mode/location tools on " gives you the choices ' Pointer entry ' or ' Button press '.
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Lasso selection icons can be placed onto your toolbar in the Drawing Editor . The " Command group " these icons are found under in Toolbar Configuration is ' Selection '. You can also use Mode Configuration to configure tools to use lasso selection.
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Lasso Mode - an alternative to Select Items mode. Ctrl , Shift and Ctrl+Shift modifiers function in the same way. |
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Lasso Selection - clears the current selection list, then rebuilds it with those objects you select. |
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Lasso Selection Add - adds to the current selection whatever objects you select. |
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Lasso Deselect - deselects objects from the current selection. |
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Lasso Select Toggle - inverts the selected / deselected state of objects in the selection. |
Unlike selecting by area box , lasso selection lets you draw a lasso of any shape to select objects.
Selection can be done using the lasso, or you can left-click objects to select (or deselect) them, just like you can in Select Items mode.
User and Site Options > General > " Point selection by area box " affects lasso selection in the same way that it affects the drawing of an area box.
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Launcher icons can be used to run an Advanced Selection script ( Modeling only), or a Report Writer report ( Modeling or the Drawing Editor ).
Types of launchers : You can create text-only icons without having to use a program other than Site Planning. Or you can create an icon using a .gif or .png or .jpg image from another program. Click here for instructions .
To add a launcher: Use the Launcher Manager found in Toolbar Configuration to create an icon. The icon that you create will be placed in Toolbar Configuration in the " Command group " called ' Report Launchers ' or ' Selection Launchers '. Just drag the icon onto your toolbar as described here .
To use the launcher: In Modeling or the Drawing Editor , click on the icon, and whatever file you linked it to will be run automatically.
Preselection: You can preselect before hitting the icon if the Report Writer report that you are launching allows it. For a Report Writer report, ' Member numbers ' needs to be the choice made to " Select " in order for preselection to work.
To remove the launcher: In Toolbar Configuration , drag the icon off of your toobar, then save the toolbar configuration.
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The layer selection tool is a decoration that can be placed onto your toolbar in the Drawing Editor . It lets you select the comment layer that will be written to (by default) when you Add graphical objects to your current drawing. It is also the layer that is operated on when you Layer Show/Hide , Layer Erase , Push Up or Push Down .
Tip: You can tear off the layer selection tool's menu and place it anywhere you want to in the Drawing Editor . The tear-off menu can be used to change the selected layer as well as to show the drawing order of layers. It will automatically be updated if you Erase , Push Up or Push Down layers.
For more information, see making comments & entering status data , comment layer .
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Locate icons are special icons used for locating points and drawing lines, erection views, construction lines, etc. The " Command group " these icons are found under in Toolbar Configuration is ' Locate '. They may show letters or be pictorial.
During certain operations, certain Locate icons are enabled (black lettering), while during other operations they are disabled (grayed out).
When a Locate icon is selected, it is indented and has a brighter background.
To select a Locate function, click its icon. Or you can use the set location decoration or the Locate menu.
User and Site Options > General > " Activate mode/location tools on " can be set to ' Pointer entry ' or ' Button press '.
Also see: Set Location Mode and the Locate menu are two alternatives to Locate icons.
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A menu bar appears on the top toolbar in Modeling and the Drawing Editor . Most tools that are available in a particular program ( Modeling or the Drawing Editor ) can be activated using the menu bar in that program.
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| Menu bar in Modeling : |
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| Menu bar in the Drawing Editor : |
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The menu bar displays the main options that are available in whatever program you are in ( Modeling or the Drawing Editor ). Click one of these options to "drop down" a menu of tools that can be used to perform operations.
Holding down the Alt key and pressing a letter on your keyboard that is underlined on the menu bar "drops down" the corresponding menu.
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Model Tree can be found in the " Command group " called ' Selection ' in Toolbar Configuration for Modeling . It lists only those items that are in your current view in Modeling . If you change the depth checking of your current view or Open ( Ctrl + o ) a different view, the Model Tree adjusts to show only those members, materials, etc. that are in the view. The members, materials, holes, bolts, are arranged in a hierarchy.
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Tip 1: See retractable toolbars to make the Model Tree go away.
Tip 2: The Model Tree has a context menu . Right-click to open it.
Example of using to context menu to review a material: Select the material that you want, then right-click and choose ' Review '. In this example, you could double-click instead of opening the menu. Tip 3: Click a minus symbol [-] to hide indented items. Click a plus symbol [+] to show indented items. Indented items are subclasses of the class they are indented under.
Tip 4: The easiest way to select members is to set " View By " to ' Member Number '. That way the members are selectable at the main level. Or you can use " Find " to uncollapse the Model Tree where the searched-for member is located. Use Ctrl to select multiple members. For selecting members under a piecemark, set " View By " to ' Member Piecemark '.
| " View By " = ' Member Piecemark ' | |
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One number in parentheses ( qty ) is the quantity in your current view . Two numbers in parentheses ( qty / qty ) are the " quantity in your current view " and the " quantity in the model ." |
| " View By " = ' Member Piecemark ' | |
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Members are identified by type (main level) piecemark (next level) and piecemark + member number (in brackets at the selection level). |
| Connection components are labeled Left End and Right End . | |
| Submaterials are identified by their submaterial piecemark . The member main material is listed first, followed by submaterials that attach to the main material. Shop bolts and field bolts are listed last. | |
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Custom components are listed after the member's submaterials, before its bolts. |
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| Selection in the Model Tree can only be done at the lowest level -- where the quantity (qty) or (qty/qty) is not shown. A single item has a quantity of 1. | |
Tip : Entering "hb_14" in this example would produce the same results. "Find" is case insensitive. |
Enter a member piecemark , submaterial mark or member number , then press " Find " to show (uncollapsed) the first occurrence of that mark in the Model Tree . |
does nothing if the item searched for is already shown and there are no other items of the same type at other locations. For example, if B_5 is already shown, uncollapsed, and you search for it, nothing will happen, unless there is another B_5 at a currently non-shown location in the Model Tree. B_5s may be scattered about at different locations when " View By " is set to ' Member number '. Pressing the
The selection filter affects selection in the Model Tree in the same ways it affects selection in the model.
Items are selectable only if they do not have a quantity listed next to them in parentheses (qty). For example, you can double-click a member with its member number [in brackets] next to it to open its review window.
Selecting a member or material or weld or hole in the model also selects it in the Model Tree.
You can select multiple members in the Model Tree to do a multi-member review . Hold down Ctrl to select them, then right-click ( Menu ) and choose " Review " (or invoke Review Member ). Members must be of the same type (beam, column, etc.).
You can select multiple materials, then right-click ( Menu ) and choose " Review " (or invoke Review Material ) to do a multi-material edit . The program opens the material edit window that is common to the selected items. If the materials are of different types, the program opens the User Created Standard Part Material window.
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" View By " = ' Connection Cube '
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Connection cubes are listed by " Nickname ." |
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Mode Return is a special icon that should be a part of every toolbar configuration if you use modes other than the default selection modes. The " Command group " this icon is found under in Toolbar Configuration is ' File '.
Mode Return can sometimes also be used to cancel an operation or to bring back a previous set of mouse bindings.
If you click Mode Return enough times, you go back to the default mode -- Select Items in Modeling , Select Items in the Drawing Editor .
For more information, see Mode Return , mode stack reporter , Clear Mode Stack .
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A mode stack reporter is a decoration that informs you what mouse binding group (or mode) is currently active, what mouse binding group the current mouse binding group was accessed from, what mode is the base mode, and which mode (or mouse bindings) are returned to when Mode Return is executed.
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Mouse binding reporters are decorations that indicate which mouse button to press in order to activate a tool or take a particular action. A command diamond (not shown) displays mouse bindings for a 2-, 3- or 4-button mouse.
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| Two-button mouse bindings: |
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| Three-button mouse bindings: |
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| Mouse bindings commonly shown in help: |
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| Four-button mouse bindings: |
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Hidden features: Different mouse bindings may be activated (shown on the mouse binding reporter) when you press the Ctrl , Alt or Shift key on your keyboard.
Setup of mouse bindings: To add mouse bindings to your toolbar using Toolbar Configuration , you need to first select ' Decorations ' as the " Command group ." You can set the default toolbar configuration in User and Site Options > Output > " Configuration files " > " Modeling " or etc.
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Offset Controls for point location. This tool is available in both the Drawing Editor and Modeling .
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Note to Site Planning users: The version of these controls that can be used in Modeling has very little utility in Site Planning since the only modeling operation that is allowed is the addition of construction lines and cranes. The controls are, however, fun to play with and may be instructive if you want to someday learn how to use an SDS2 program with full capabilities.
In Modeling , you have the option to use two different coordinate systems, and you can enter a " Z+ " or " Z= " value.
| Modeling offsets ( global or UCS coordinates): |
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| Modeling view offsets ( screen coordinates ): |
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 and  toggle global and screen coordinates.
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 resets " X+ " and " Y+ " and " Z+ " to ' 0 ' (zero).
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In the Drawing Editor , you work in 2D space, using screen coordinates . For this reason, there is no " Z " offset/coordinate option.
| Drawing Editor ( screen coordinates ): |
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Note that " X " and " Y " and " Z " can be offsets or coordinates. Offsets are designated by a + sign. Coordinates are designated by an = sign.
means the " X+ " entry is an offset.
means the " X= " entry is a coordinate.
turns to
when clicked.
turns to
when clicked.
An alternative to Coordinate feedback: Look at the X-Y-Z display when using Offset Controls . In a plan view in Modeling , the X, Y and Z coordinates are the same numerical value regardless of whether you are using global coordinates (
Depth checking: You can use the Offset Controls to locate points that are outside of the Depth Checking limits of your view.
Reference elevation: In a plan view, when
Example 1: Want to know the location of the global 0, 0, 0 point? Toggle the Offset Controls to global coordinates mode (
) will snap to the 0, 0, 0 global coordinate, and the X-Y-Z display will read 0, 0, 0.
Example 2: You are in a plan view at 115-0 feet in Modeling .
Example 3: Same as example 2, except that you enter a
Example 4: You do everything the same as in example 2, except you enter ' -1-0 ' to
Also see: Point Location/UCS (video)
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Open Sheet can be found Modeling in the command group called ' Model - Parametric ' in Toolbar Configuration (classic) or Ribbon Editor (lightning). The tool lets you open shop drawings, erection drawings, RFIs, sketches and addendum that have been output in the PDF format or other formats. It can also be used to find members that are linked to addendum, RFIs, Shop Drawings or Sketches that you select.
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Open Sheet |
Disclaimer: The Open Sheet plugin can be found in the plugins/Distributed folder, which means that SDS2 did not develop the plugin. Distribution is provided in response to an expressed interest by users of SDS2 programs to have it be made freely available.
For this tool to be able to open the files, those files need to have been placed in specific folders inside of the
macro folder in your current Job . RFIs need to be in the
| PDF Type |
Folder inside of macro in your current Job |
| Shop Drawing |
Shop Drawing
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| Erection Drawing |
Erection Drawing
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| RFI |
RFI /Answered
RFI/Unanswered
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| Sketch |
Sketch
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| Addendum |
Addendum
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To use " Find ": The user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to have first linked the members to detail sheets, RFIs, sketches or addendum. Also, members must be within the depth checking limits of your current view before they can be found. 1) Click the " Open Sheet " icon. 2) Press the Esc key to decline to select members. 3) The Find and Open Tool window opens. Under the " Shop Drawing " or " RFI " or " Sketch " or " Addendum " tab, select one or more drawings. 4) Press the " Find " button. Result : Members linked to the selected drawings will be displayed in solid opaque form, while all other members in the view will be displayed in stick form. Also, the program will Zoom to Fit the solid opaque members.
If you press " Open " instead of " Find " (as described in the procedure outlined above), the program will open the files. You can open shop drawings (detail sheets), erection drawings (erection sheets), RFIs, Sketches or Addendum in this way. The procedure which follows is an alternative way to open detail sheets.
To open sheets by selecting members: The user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to have first linked the members to detail sheets, RFIs, sketches or addendum. 1) Click the " Open Sheet " icon. 2) Select members in the model, then press Enter . Result : The program will launch the appropriate reader to open the detail sheet files that were linked (in a full-featured SDS2 program ) to the members you selected. If, for example, the sheet files are PDF files, the program will launch your workstation's default PDF file viewer.
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Quick access lets you activate a tool in Modeling or the Drawing Editor when User and Site Options > General > " Modeling layout style " or " Drawing Editor layout style " is set to ' Lightning '.
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Quick access is found along the left side of the Modeling window. It presents tools that you used in the current session, and any tools that you choose to pin to it. |
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Retractable toolbars are available in Modeling or the Drawing Editor . The triangle you click to hide or show the toolbar is located at the inside, center of the toolbar.
Previously hidden items may be shown as a result of retracting the toolbar.
You may get a more zoomed in view of items currently shown.
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The role switcher (lightning) lets you activate a different role for your current Modeling or Drawing Editor session. It can be found at the top of the Modeling or Drawing Editor window on the right-hand side when User and Site Options > " Modeling layout style " or " Drawing Editor layout style " is set to ' Lightning '. The roles that are listed on the role switcher are the roles that are associated with your current role configuration .
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Choose a role. Or choose ' Configure ...' to open Customize Interface . |
When you choose ' Customize... ' to open the Customize Interface window, the " Current role configuration " reported on that window is the Home > Utilities > User and Site Options > General > " Lightning role configuration ," which is the role configuration for your current Modeling session. Customize Interface can be used, for example, to assign a " Ribbon configuration " and " Keyboard confiiguration " and " Shortcut menu configuration " to each role in the " Current role configuration " that is being edited on that window.
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Rulers may be made to appear in Modeling , on the left-edge and upper-edge borders of plan views (views in an Y-Z plane) or around elevation views that are in an X-Y or X-Z plane.
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Rulers shown in an elevation view. The rulers display global coordinates , expressed in the primary dimension " Units ." Rulers do not appear around isometric views, or around elevation views that are not in an X-Z or Y-Z plane. |
Display Options: Rulers (to turn on/off while in Modeling )
Setup: User and Site Options > Modeling > " Rulers active " sets the default rulers display state -- on or off -- for each time Modeling is restarted.
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Scroll bars are used to move the display of an erection view in Modeling , the display of a drawing in the Drawing Editor , or to show additional options on a menu. In Modeling , scroll bars may appear on the borders of erection views or of erection view windows.
To turn on or off around erection views: (but not on menus) use the " Scroll bars " option in Display Options. User and Site Options > General > " Scroll bars active " sets the default that is applied each time Modeling or the Drawing Editor is restarted.
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Selected count can be found in the " Command group " called ' Selection ' in Toolbar Configuration for Modeling or the Drawing Editor. It tells you the number of items that you have selected .
Example 1: You are working in one part of the model, and you want to know if something is selected in a part of the model you can't see. Look at this decoration to see how many items are selected.
Example 2: You are using Select + to select multiple items so that you can perform some other operation on them. This decoration will tell you how many items you have selected.
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The selection filter can be found in the " Command group " called ' Selection ' in Toolbar Configuration . It does the same thing as Set Selection Filter in Modeling or Set Selection Filter in the Drawing Editor , with one important difference. Using Set Selection Filter , you can select more than one filter. This selects one filter at a time (unless you select ' Custom ').
Tip 1: Select ' Custom ' if you want more than one filter at a time. This will open the window for Set Selection Filter in Modeling or Set Selection Filter in the Drawing Editor .
Tip 2: Setting the selection filter is especially important when you select by area box .
Please note: Filters for ' Polygons ' or ' Construction Lines ' or ' Construction Circles ' or ' Sheet Lines ' must be selected in order to for you to select material polygons, construction lines/circles or sheet lines. All other types of objects can be selected when ' No Filter ' is selected.
Also: The selection filter affects selection in the Model Tree in the same ways it affects selection in the model.
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Set Location Mode can be found in the " Command group " called ' Locate ' in Toolbar Configuration . It serves as an alternative to clicking on Locate icons or selecting options on the Locate menu.
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The Status Configuration list box can be found in the " Command group " called ' Miscellaneous ' in Toolbar Configuration for Modeling . It sets the active status display file without your having to first open Status Display .
the active status display file
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If you add the Status Configuration list box to a Modeling toolbar, you should also add the status display toggle .
Only one status display file can be the active status display file . That file is the file that the Status Configuration list box shows as selected.
The Status Configuration list box's menu (
) lists the same status display files (configurations) that would also be shown on the Status Display window if you were to open that window. The " Load " option on the menu (
To list a different set of status display files on the list box menu (
For the selected file on the Status Configuration list box to actually display in your current view, the status display toggle must be checked (
If, during a Modeling session, you open the Status Display window and reset the active status display file then press " OK ," the new file you made active will be the file that is selected on the Status Configuration list box. Similarly, changing the active status display file using the Status Configuration list box also changes the active file on the Status Display window. Status Configuration and the Status Display window are always in sync.
User and Site Options > Modeling > " Status display criteria " sets which status display files are loaded to both the Status Display window and the Status Configuration list box when you start a new Modeling session.
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The Status Display check box can be found in the " Command group " called ' Miscellaneous ' in Toolbar Configuration for Modeling . It lets you turn on/off status display while in Modeling , without your having to open the Status Display window ( 
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When the box is checked (
When the box is not checked (
During a Modeling session, if you open the Status Display window and then press " OK ," the Status Display check box will automatically be set to on (
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The status line decoration displays system prompts and other information relevant to the operation being performed. For example, at the beginning of an operation it usually tells you what that operation is (see example below).
While you are performing an operation such as adding a construction line in Modeling or adding a graphic object in the Drawing Editor , the status line prompts you to perform specific tasks such as locating a point in order to complete the operation.
For second point location, you can optionally type in a distance to constrain point location to a radius which is that distance from the first point. The distance you type will be shown in brackets [ ] in the status line and will affect the coordinates reported in the X, Y, Z display . You can Backspace to erase the constraint.
In Select Items mode, the status line tells you the name of the icon your mouse pointer (
) is over.
As with other decorations , you can place a status line onto a toolbar using Toolbar Configuration .
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Status Transfer can be found in the command group called ' Model - Parametric ' in Toolbar Configuration (classic) or Ribbon Editor (lightning) Status Transfer began its life cycle as a popular and widely distributed parametric. In v7.3 and later v7.2 versions, the parametric became a built-in feature of SDS2 programs. It is used to transfer status and/or Edit properties information via an XML file. For Status Transfer to transfer custom properties between copies of a Job, the " Flavor " that was set (at Job creation time) needs to have been a modular flavor or a legacy flavor other than ' None '.
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| Or Home > Export > Status Transfer . |
The tool is not needed if this program is operating on the same network as another SDS2 program that you wish to share status information with. In that case, both programs share the same database and there is no need for external data interchange. Status Transfer is for exchanging status and custom property information between copies of the same project on two different SDS2 networks.
Alternative ways to output an XML file for transferring status information include selecting ' FabTrol XML ' in Import Model or doing a Full Transfer .
To export status and custom property information:
Your current Job should be up to date, with no members marked for processing. The status and custom property information is output to an XML status transfer file, which you can e-mail, for example, to a detailer who uses SDS2 Detailing .
1 . Click the SDS2 Status Transfer icon to open the SDS2 Status Transfer window, which is represented below.
2 . For " Import or Export ," choose '
Export '.
If your current Job was set to use a legacy flavor: Choose whether you want to " Export ... to " a ' Full Station ' ( SDS2 Detailing ) or an ' Approval Station ' ( SDS2 Model Review ) or a ' Fabricating Station ' ( SDS2 Fabricating ) or an ' Erector Station ' ( Site Planning ) or a ' Modeling Station ' ( SDS2 Modeling ). Note that the tabs under the " Status " heading are enabled or disabled based on the selection that you make.
3 . For " Data source ," you can select ' Members ' or ' Sheets '. Exactly the same information about a given member will be output by either selection method. If you select by ' Sheets ', then data will be output for all members on those sheets and, furthermore, for each member that is batched under an individual piecemark on that sheet.
' Members ' with '
' Members ' with '
' Sheets ' with '
' Sheets ' with '
Note: Regardless of your choice here, the output for all members in the selection will include Drawing Data status for sheets (if they exist) and Status Review member status and Drawing Data member status and MEMBER Edit Properties settings. This was not true in versions earlier than v7.316.
4 . Under the various tabs beneath the " Status " heading, check those boxes for those categories that you want to export.
5 . You can "
6 . Press the " OK " button. Depending on the choices you made in step 3 , several possibilities may result:
Possibility 1 : If you chose to select by ' Members ' with '
Possibility 2 : If you chose to select by ' Sheets ' with '
Possibility 3 : If you selected ' Sheets ' with '
Possibility 4 : If you selected ' Members ' with '
To import status and custom property information:
An XML file containing status and custom property information for your current Job needs to have been output using a procedure similar to the procedure that is outlined above .
Not all data that is in the XML transfer file will necessarily update the model. The Status Transfer program compares each field in the model with its counterpart in the XML transfer file and will, if it determines that the field in the model contains more enriched information, decline to update that field. For example:
Older Dates DO NOT Replace Newer Dates value in file value in model updated Date **NOT SET** YES **NOT SET** Date NO Later Date Earlier Date YES Earlier Date Later Date NO
A Value IS NOT Overwritten with a Blank value in file value in model updated value blank YES blank value NO value value YES 1 . Click the SDS2 Status Transfer icon to open the SDS2 Status Transfer window, which is represented below.
2 . Choose whether you want to " ... Import to " a ' Full Station ' ( SDS2 Detailing ) or an ' Approval Station ' ( SDS2 Model Review ) or a ' Fabricating Station ' ( SDS2 Fabricating ) or an ' Erector Station ' ( Site Planning ) or a ' Modeling Station ' ( SDS2 Modeling ). Note that the tabs under the " Status " heading are enabled or disabled per the selection that you make.
3 . For " Import or Export ," choose '
4 . Under the various tabs beneath the " Status " heading, check those boxes for those categories that you want to import.
5 . A window opens for " Enter import filename ." You can, if you choose, press the " Browse " button to select the XMl file. After you press " OK " to close the window, the information in the selected XML file will be imported to Member Status Review and to Drawing Data and to MEMBER Edit Properties .
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Full Transfer can be found in the command group for Modeling called ' Model - Parametric ' in Toolbar Configuration (classic) or Ribbon Editor (lightning). It has all the features of SDS2 Status Transfer , plus adds capabilities for transferring CNC files and an IFC file and PDF files of member details , detail sheets , submaterial details , gather sheets , erection sheets . The IFC file and CNC files and PDF files are generated, on the fly, when you run this tool. Instead of outputting drawings in the PDF format, you can optionally choose ' Setup determined ' to output the drawings as .dxf or .dxb or .dwg or .dgn files.
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SDS2 Full Transfer |
The tool is not needed if this program is operating on the same network as another SDS2 program that you wish to share status information with. In that case, both programs share the same database and there is no need for external data interchange. This tool is for exchanging status and custom property information between copies of the same project on two different SDS2 networks.
For Full Transfer to transfer custom properties between copies of a Job, the " Flavor " that was set (at Job creation time) needs to have been a modular flavor or a legacy flavor other than ' None '.
Performing a Full Transfer export:
1a : The entire 3D model should have undergone Process and Create Solids and have been thoroughly reviewed .
1b : If you are transferring member details , detail sheets or submaterial details , those drawings must have been created. This procedure will not generate them automatically. It does, however, automatically generate copies of those drawings as PDF files or, if you select ' Setup determined ', as whatever file type is selected (.dxf or .dxb or .dwg or .dgn) as the " Export format " on the setup window Drawing Export Configuration .
2 . Click the SDS2 Full Transfer icon to open the SDS2 Data Transfer window, which is represented below.
3 . Choose whether you want to " Export ... to " a ' Full Station ' ( SDS2 Detailing ) or an ' Approval Station ' ( SDS2 Model Review ) or a ' Fabricating Station ' ( SDS2 Fabricating ) or an ' Erector Station ' ( Site Planning ) or a ' Modeling Station ' ( SDS2 Modeling ). Note that the tabs under the " Status " heading are enabled or disabled per the selection that you make.
4 . For " Import or Export ," choose '
5 . For " Transfer type ," choose ' Full - All Data ' or ' Full - Choose Data ' or ' Status Only '.
' Full - All Data ' results in all Member Status Review and MEMBER Edit Properties information being output to an XML file on all members. In addition, drawings and CNC files are output, as is an IFC file of the model. Skip steps 6-11 and go to step 12 .
' Full - Choose Data ' keeps options such as whether or not to " Include CNC " enabled, so that you can decide what data you prefer to include. Go to step 6.
' Status Only ' gives you basically the same capabilities as doing a Status Transfer . That is, Member Status Review and MEMBER Edit Properties information will be output to an XML file. Skip steps 6 - 10 and go to step 11 .
Steps 6 - 10 apply only if you chose ' Full - Choose Data '.
6 . For " Data source ," you can select ' Members ' or ' Sheets '. Exactly the same information about a given member will be output by either selection method. If you select by ' Sheets ', then data will be output for all members on those sheets and, furthermore, for each member that is batched under an individual piecemark on that sheet.
' Members ' with '
' Members ' with '
' Sheets ' with '
' Sheets ' with '
Note: Regardless of your choice here, the output will include detail sheets, member details and submaterial details (if they exist) and, to the XML file, Drawing Data status for sheets, members and submaterials along with Member Status Review status for all members. This was not true in earlier versions, but it is the case now.
7 . Check the box for "
8 . If you "
' Setup determined ' uses the " Export format " specified on the Drawing Export Configuration setup window to set whether the drawings will be output in .dxf or .dxb or .dwg or .dgn format. Drawings will include member details , detail sheets and submaterial details , ' Gather sheets ' and ' Erection sheets ' may optionally be included.
' PDF ' causes the drawings to be converted into the .pdf format.
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'
Related operations: Drawing Conversion (DWF), Home > Export > 2D > Export PDF Drawing
9 . The Site Planning does not allow you to set which CNC confituration you will use. Consequently, it is advised that you should not check the box for "
10 . If you "
Related operations: Export Model (IFC).
Step 11 applies only if you chose ' Full - Choose Data ' or ' Status Only '
11 . Under the various tabs beneath the " Status " heading, check those boxes for those categories which you want to export to the XML file.
12 . Press the " OK " button. Depending on the choices you made in step 5 and step 6 , several possibilities may result:
Possibility 1 : If you chose ' Full - All Data ' in step 5 , data for all members will be automatically output. That data will include an XML file with status information plus files of member details , detail sheets , submaterial details , erection sheets and gather sheets , CNC files and an IFC file.
Possibility 2 : If you chose ' Status Only ' in step 5 , you get basically the same information transferred as you would get doing a Status Transfer . That is, Member Status Review and MEMBER Edit Properties information will be output to an XML file.
Possibility 3 : If you chose ' Full - Choose Data ' in step 5 and you chose to select by ' Members ' with '
Possibility 4 : If you chose ' Full - Choose Data ' in step 5 and you chose to select by ' Members ' with '
Possibility 5 : If you chose ' Full - Choose Data ' in step 5 and you chose to select by ' Sheets ' with '
Possibility 6 : If you chose ' Full - Choose Data ' in step 5 and you chose to select by ' Sheets ' with '
Note: Options for selecting erection sheets become available if "
To import status and custom property information:
See the the procedure that is outlined above , for SDS2 Status Transfer . This is basically the same procedure, since its purpose is to transfer status and custom property information that is stored in an XML file.
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User mode icons can be found in the " Command group " called ' User Modes ' in Toolbar Configuration . You can use Mode Configuration to configure user modes to invoke tools or modes of your choice. You can also use a keyboard shortcut to invoke a user mode.
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The X-Y-Z display is a decoration that gives you the precise coordinates of the point where the point location target ( ) is at. In Modeling , the decoration reports global coordinates . In the Drawing Editor , the decoration reports the local 2D coordinates of whatever view (noted in parenthesis) the point location target is over in your current drawing. Note: When the UCS is on (" Toggle UCS " is blue ), the X-Y-Z display will show X, Y, Z values that indicate the point location target's distance from the UCS origin point (instead of the Drawing Editor drawing's 0, 0 point or the model's 0, 0, 0 point ).
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The general case : One point location target is shown, over the point whose coordinates are reported in the X, Y, Z display . |
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A special case : You can get two point location targets if you type in a distance constraint when locating a second point. The distance will be shown in brackets [ ] in the status line . The values shown in the X-Y-Z display are for the constrained point. In this example, ANNO is turned off, so that no dimension is shown. |
Tip: The X-Y-Z display will give you the angle of a construction line or straight grid line or member workline or line if you activate ANGL or BSCL or BSMB or BSRL as the point locator.
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The Z-filter toggle can be found in the " Command group " called " Miscellaneous " in Toolbar Configuration for Modeling . This toggle can also be configured as a mouse binding or keyboard shortcut . It has limited applicability in Site Planning since the only modeling operation that is permitted in such a program is Construction Line Add .
When this box is checked (
When the box is not checked (
Note: In versions of SDS2 previous to v7.3xx, the Z filter could be set to different offset values. Now it always causes points to snap to the Reference Elevation of a plan view . Currently (v7.3xx and newer), you can get the same behavior that was available in previous versions by turning Z filter off and setting "Z=" in the Offset Controls to a specific global coordinate elevation.
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