SDS2 Detailing Home ( "Documentation" )

  • Home takes the place of what was called the Main Menu in pre-2021 versions of SDS2 software.

To open SDS2 Detailing Home : From the Start menu in Windows, choose " SDS2 xxx ," where xxx is the version number. If User and Site Options > General > " Job/fab selection method " is set to ' Prompt ', SDS2 Detailing Home will open after you select a Project.


Reports the current Job, Fabricator, and repository. The "jobname" and "fabname" are buttons -- click one to change the current Job or Fabricator.

The " Job " button tells you the name of the current Job . Click the button to change your project , or create a new one . Alternatively, you can " Activate " a recent project to change the Job and the Fabricator.

Click to pin the current Job to the Pinned Projects tab.

Click to unpin the current Job

The " Fabricator " button tells you the name of the current Fabricator . Click it to change your Fabricator . Alternatively, you can " Activate " a recent project to change the Job and the Fabricator.

The " Repository " button tells you the name of the " Job repository " (file folder) where your current Job is stored.


Home > About

"About" shows you the current version of SDS2 Detailing, as well as the program name and its architecture.

click to copy SDS2 version information to the Windows clipboard.

Supported architectures include Linux and Windows operating systems.

Your current version of SDS2 software reads from a particular data directory, which may or may not be named for that version, depending on choices that were made when the software was installed.

The SDS2 data directory :

An example of SDS2 Detailing v2020's data directory . Newer data directories are similar.

Depending on how SDS2 Detailing was installed, the data directory for your current version of SDS2 Detailing may or may not be shared by other SDS2 programs and other SDS2 Detailing versions that use that same data directory. For example, v2020 and v2020i may, depending on how they were installed, share the same data directory for storing shape files, toolbar configurations, global standards, etc. This data directory, which is referred to as the "data files folder" by the installation program, is named by the user at installation time. In the example above, its name is SDS2_2020.

Be aware that certain files that are distributed with an SDS2 program are overwritten in the following folders ( ) in the SDS2 data directory, and consequently may change each time that you install a new version of SDS2 software:

 

SDS2 updates archival files in SDS2 folders so that you can easily replace working files that you accidently delete or mangle. For example, you might accidentally Delete the aus_mtrl shape file from the conf_mtrl folder in the SDS2 data directory. The aus_mtrl shape file maintained in the conf_mtrl/SDS2 folder could be copied to the conf_mtrl folder as a replacement for the file you deleted. Best practice is to never edit files in SDS2 folders -- those folders should be reserved for archival storage.

Home > Recent Projects

The Recent Projects table lists the last five projects that you have made current by clicking either the " Job " or the " Activate " button, in the order in which you previously accessed them. Click a project's label to make it the current Job .

 × Click the "x" next to a project's name to remove it from the table.

Click this pin to add this project to the Pinned Projects table.

Click this pin next to remove this project from the Pinned Projects table

indicates a project that can no longer be found by the SDS2 program that you are using.

Home > Pinned Projects

The Pinned Projects table lists the projects that you have pinned. Click a project's label to make it the current Job .


 × Click the "x" next to a project's name to remove it from the table.

indicates a project that can no longer be found by the SDS2 program that you are using.

VIDEO A quick overview of " Project Information " on the SDS2 Detailing Main Menu . " Analytics " at Home displays similar data as charts. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v7.3.)

Analytics > View

Choices made here select members and information for display in charts that you can save to a PDF file.

  Chart filter: All Members or Sequence or Zone .

Example: Two sequences selected

This sets the number of members that will be included in the " Member Count " reported in the" " Detailing " " Approval " Fabricator " " Erector " and " BIM " charts. If, as in the example above, two sequences are selected, then the " Member Count " and " Tonnage " will include all members all members except existing members that are in those two sequences. When ' All members ' is selected, all members except existing members that in your current 3D model are included in the " Member Count ."

   Chart set: Detailing or Approval or Fabricator or Erector or BIM .

' Detailing ' reports " Count " " Tons " and " % " of the " Chart filter " members. Tons are reported as tons (2,000 lbs) or metric tons (1,000 kg), depending on the primary dimension " Units " that are set in Fabricator Setup > Drawing Cosmetics > the " Primary Dimensions " tab. The percentage (%) that is reported for a category on this tab reflects the number (count) of members in that category that are in the " Member Count ."

The links at left point to where you can input the information that this tab tracks. No links are provided for " Model Checked " and " Detail Checked " since these are not hard-coded member properties, but rather member custom properties , which are user-configurable and therefore not documented individually.

' Approval ' reports " Count " " Tons " and " % " of the " Chart filter " members. Tons are reported as tons (2,000 lbs) or metric tons (1,000 kg), depending on the primary dimension " Units " that are set in Fabricator Setup > Drawing Cosmetics > the " Primary Dimensions " tab. The percentage (%) that is reported for a category on this tab reflects the number (count) of members in that category that are in the " Member Count ."

" Reviewed " is the total of members set to " Approved " or " Approved as Noted ," or " Revise and Resubmit " or " Rejected ." No link is provided for " Detail Checked " since it is a member custom property which is user-configurable.

' Fabricator ' reports " Count " " Tons " and " % " of the " Chart filter " members. Tons are reported as tons (2,000 lbs) or metric tons (1,000 kg), depending on the primary dimension " Units " that are set in Fabricator Setup > Drawing Cosmetics > the " Primary Dimensions " tab . The percentage (%) that is reported for a category on this tab reflects the number (count) of members in that category that are in the " Member Count ."

The links at left point to help on Member Status Review , which is one location where this information may be input. The " Total Members " reported depends on the selection made to " Information Selection By ."

' Erector ' reports " Count " " Tons " and " % " of the " Chart filter " members. Tons are reported as tons (2,000 lbs) or metric tons (1,000 kg), depending on the primary dimension " Units " that are set in Fabricator Setup > Drawing Cosmetics > the " Primary Dimensions " tab. The percentage (%) that is reported for a category on this tab reflects the number (count) of members in that category that are in the " Member Count ."

The links at left point to help on the Member Status Review window, which is one of the windows where this information may be input. " Available to Erect " and " Rejected Steel " are based on member custom properties .

' BIM ' reports " Count " " Tons " and " % " of the " Chart filter " members. Tons are reported as tons (2,000 lbs) or metric tons (1,000 kg), depending on the primary dimension " Units " that are set in Fabricator Setup > Drawing Cosmetics > the " Primary Dimensions " tab. The percentage (%) that is reported for a category on this tab reflects the number (count) of members in that category that are in the " Member Count ."

You can input the information that is tracked on the "BIM" chart to the Member Status Review window (which the links at left point to). You can also input this information in Update Attributes .

   Chart type: Member Count or Tons .

Selecting ' Member Count ' causes the chart to report -- by status -- a count of members.

Selecting ' Tons ' causes the chart to report -- by status -- the tonnage of members.

Analytics > Use Estimates

or .

If the " Use Estimates " box is checked ( ), you can enter a " Member Count " and/or a " Tonnage " estimate.

  • The upper bounds of each chart's Tons or Member Count axis -- depending on which " Chart Type " you selected -- is adjusted to reflect these estimates.
  • The chart's "Total member count" or "Total tonnage" label becomes a "Total estimated [...]" label.

If the box is not checked ( ), the upper bounds of each chart's Tonnage or Member Count axis reflects the actual quantity or weight of members in the 3D model.

Analytics buttons and options:

   " Refresh " updates the charts with the member count and tonnage of members in the 3D model, if these quantities have changed since you last opened Home .

   " Save as PDF " saves the chart currently displayed on the Analytics tab and tabular data based on it to a PDF file.

  • The Save Report as window lets you select a name and destination for the PDF file.
  • Before opening this window, you need to select a chart by choosing a " Chart filter ," a " Chart set ," and a " Chart type ."

Include per-sequence reports: or . This appears when the " Chart type " is ' Sequence '.

Include per-sequence
Include per-sequence

If this box is checked ( ), an Overview table is included in the PDF file.

If the box is not checked ( ), in addition to an Overview table for the current chart, per-sequence tables, broken out by sequence, are generated.

Include per-zone reports: or . This appears when the " Chart type " is ' Zone ''.

Include per-zone reports
Include per-zone reports

If this box is checked ( ), an Overview table is generated.

If the box is not checked ( ), in addition to an Overview table for the current chart, per-sequence tables, broken out by sequence, are generated.


Project Settings overview :

To search for and open Project Settings :

Project Settings > the search box :

searches Job and Fabricator setup windows for terms that you enter into it. Click the "×" to clear the search term(s).

Also see: Search (topic)

Also see :

" Job Property Settings opens the Edit Properties window, where you can make entries to custom properties , read " Log " entries, and review or type " Notes ." If, at the time it was created, your current Job was set to use a legacy flavor, the window that opens is named Custom Properties , not Edit Properties .

In this example of the Edit Properties window, job custom properties are shown under an
" Architect" leaf due to the SDS2 Architect plugin being ' Active ' at Home > Project Settings > Job > Activate Custom Properties .

Opening Edit Properties for job custom properties: The Edit Properties window for your current Job opens when you choose Home > Project Settings > Job > Job Property Settings .

To add job properties: Home > Project Settings > Job > Custom Properties > Job Properties , then press the " Add " button.

Configuring modular properties: Home > Project Settings > Job > Custom Properties > Activate Custom Properties

Also see: job properties .

Reports > buttons

" ABM Report " opens the same ABM Report window as choosing Reports > Advanced Bill of Material will open in Modeling or the Drawing Editor . ABM reports are system reports and not Report Writer reports; however, Report Writer reports can mimic the functionality of system reports.

" Connection Design Calculations " opens a menu from which you can choose either of these reports:
   
  • Expanded Calculations . This is the same report as choosing Reports > Expanded Calculations > Expanded Calculations will run in Modeling or the Drawing Editor .
  • Design Calculations . This is an abbreviated version of the expanded report

" Generate Report " can open any report created with Report Writer . Such reports can be found in the current version of this program's data directory in the reports folder. This folder contains subfolders:

   
  • The Detailing folder contains Report Writer reports.
  • The SDS2_User folder contains User reports. These are Report Writer reports that mimic the functionality of " System " reports. Deconstructing these reports is an excellent way to learn the SDS2 Report Writer . You can save modified versions of these reports side-by-side with the original reports, or you can modify the original reports.

" Create Report Template " opens the Report Writer with a blank, untitled report.

Reports > search box :

searches system report names for terms that you enter into it. Click the "×" to clear the search term(s).

Also see: Search (topic)

Reports > System Reports

System Reports are the same reports that can be found on the Reports menu in Modeling (classic) and the Drawing Editor .

These are not Report Writer reports. By default, the Generate Report button accesses same-named reports which mimic the functionality of these reports and are Report Writer reports.

Click items directly to navigate project settings.

Example: Click Bill of Material to open that category to display Bill of Material Report 1 by Detail, Bill of Material Report 1 by Detail , etc . Clicking Standard Fabricator Connections displays its subcategories, clicking the Standard Fabrication Connection categories displays further subcategories, and so on, until you reach a list of setup windows.

You will also leave behind a "breadcrumb" of the link that you clicked to open the report category:

To navigate backwards, click the System Reports breadcrumb.

Reports > Recent Reports

The Recent Projects table lists the last five reports that you have selected.

Reports > Pinned Reports

The Pinned Reports table lists reports that you have pinned.

Click this pin next to the current Job to add it to the Pinned Projects tab.

Click this pin next to the current Job to remove it from the Pinned Projects tab.

Indicates a system report .

× Click the "x" next to a project's name in the Pinned Projects tab to unpin it.

Import > buttons

" Project Transfer " packs or unpacks Jobs for use by, for example, the user of a SDS2 program that is unconnected to your network.

Opens the " Status Transfer " window, which lets you transfer key information about status or custom properties.

Import > 3D

" Import Model " opens the Import Model window, from which you can import nearly any type of " Neutral file ."

* " Import Model " appears on this menu only if you have purchased the required license.

" From Revit " opens a Synchronize from Revit file selection dialog, from which you can import a Revit Structure XML file .

" From S3D " opens a Synchronize from S3D file selection dialog, from which you can load an S3D neutral file.

Import > 2D

" As Reference Drawing " opens a file selection dialog, from which you can select CAD files to be imported as reference drawings.

opens the Drawing Import Settings window. This window lets you set which pen numbers you want assigned to particular AutoCAD pen numbers when you import .dxf, dxb. or .dwg files .

" As Job Standard " opens a file selection dialog, from which you can select CAD files to be imported as job standard details.

opens the Drawing Import Settings window.

Export > buttons


" Project Transfer " packs or unpacks Jobs for use by, for example, the user of a SDS2 program that is unconnected to your network.
" Status Transfer " lets you transfer key information about status or custom properties.

" Transmittal " outputs a variety of file types: CNC files, CAD files, IFC models, lists, etc.

* " CNC ": Full CNC capabilities are available only if you have purchased an SDS2 CNC license for a particular CNC configuration type . Click here for information about the Computer Numerically Controlled window, which is the CNC module's main menu. Click here to access a contents page for all CNC help topics.

Export > 3D ( Modeling )

" Export Model " lets you can choose among several file types to export the SD2 model to.

** SD2 Detailing's model export function is available, with limited capabilities, to all users. A special license is needed if you want its full capabilities. It can be used to export data from the SDS2 model in various file formats. The model export options are as follow:

Bechtel WALKTHRU output (requires Export Model license)
Steel detailing neutral file (requires Export Model license)
DXF/DWG (requires Export Model license)
STEP (requires Export Model license)
IGES (requires Export Model license)
IFC2x3 (requires Export Model license)
PML code generator (requires Export Model license)
VRML ( no special license required )
CIS/2 (requires Export Model license)
U3D ( no special license required )

" Revit to New Model " opens a Synchronize to Revit file selection dialog, from which you can export your entire SDS2 model to a Revit Structure project in which no "roundtripping" has yet been done.

" Revit to Linked Model " opens a Synchronize to Revit file selection dialog, from which you can export a Revit Structure XML file. Choose this tool if, for example, you have previously done an Import Model from Revit and you now wish to export your changes back to Revit so that the two models can become synchronized.

Export > 2D ( Drawing Editor )

" Export PDF Drawing " outputs sheets as PDF files.

" Export CAD Drawing " can export any type of Drawing Editor drawing.

" Plotting " opens a selection dialog from which you can choose sheets for plotting and apply scaling and other printing options to them.

Export > MRP

Export type : FabTrol or KISS or SPN or EJE or FabSuite (KISS) or Steel Projects or BIll Interchange Format (BIF) or P2 or StruMIS or Advance Steel or STRUMIS BIMREVIEW . Not all of these options will necessarily appear on your computer. For example, FabTrol will not appear as a selectable option if you have not purchased an SDS2 FabTrol license. User and Site Options > Output > " Export type (per user) " sets the default selection that is made here.

VIDEO Tip: Use the selection dialog " Load " button to select items for export. This video shows, in Modeling , the creation of a selection list of members in a sequence ( Save Selection in Modeling ), then using that same list to do a Fabtrol Export . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v7.3.)

opens the setup window for the " Export type ."

does the same thing as Mark /Unmark for MRP export in Change Options .

" EJE " opens a selection dialog from which you can choose detail sheets or member details in your current Job, and export bill data from them to a file that can be imported into E.J.E Industries's Structural Material Manager program.

" Bill Interchange Format (BIF) " opens a selection dialog from which you can choose detail sheets in your current Job, and export data from them to Bill Interchange Format (BIF) files. This lets you transfer bill of material information to non-SDS2 programs.

Also see: Transmittal of "MRP Items"

Overview :

Users permitted by Access Control can access Utility Functions . If you have set a " Utility Password ," you must first enter that exact password before you can access utility functions.

Tip: You can get to a partial listing of SDS2 Utilities in Modeling or the Drawing Editor .

To search for and list Utilities Functions :

If permitted by Access Control , doing the following opens this menu.

At Home , click the " Utilities " tab. If you have set a " Utility Password ," you must first enter that exact password before Utility Functions are listed.

Tip: You can get to a partial listing of SDS2 Utilities in Modeling or the Drawing Editor .

Utilities > buttons :

" Shapes Properties " opens dialog for selecting the " Shape file " to edit or review in Shapes Properties .

" User and Site Options " opens the User and Site Options window. Options on that window apply to you alone ( user options ) or to your entire site (site options).

" Member Edit " opens a member selection dialog. The appropriate Edit window is opened for the members that you chose.

" Update Attributes " directly updates the status of members without your having to open their edit windows.

" Customize Interface " opens a dialog from which you can select a role configuration file to customize. These configure keyboard shortcuts, ribbon layout, and context menus.

" Verify and Fix " can be used in the event that data becomes corrupted or files become locked. However, Verify and Fix should not be run if there are other people on your network who are using your current Job.

Utilities > search box :

searches utility function windows for terms that you enter into it.

Also see: Search (topic)

Utilities > Utility Functions

" Convert Jobs " converts one or more Jobs from an earlier SDS2 software version to the current version.

" Parts Library Manager " opens a selection dialog from which you can create or choose a parts library to edit or delete.

Also see: SDS2 Utility Functions

Licensing

To launch Modeling :


VIDEO A plan view creation dialog greets you when you enter Modeling for the first time after having created a new Job ( possibility 2 ). The video also shows the construction lines intersecting at the 0,0 global coordinate and how to hide the " Terrain " using Display Options . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v7.2.)

YouTube video: When you open Modeling for the first time in a new project, the first thing you do is create a new view . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2020i)

1 . This procedure applies to an entirely new Job or to an already developed Job.

1a : At Home , click the " Launch Modeling " button.

1b (if required) : You must enter a password to start up Modeling if a password has been set using the Change Modeling Password utility.

2 . One of the following happens. Note that you skip this step if possibility 3 pertains.

 A
 AB Plan
 B
 C
 ISO
 ROOF PLAN
Possibility 1 : The Select One Erection View selection dialog opens if you have created erection views in your current Job and if you have not previously set an erection view to " Use as default ."

Possibility 2 : A window like this one opens when you are in a newly created Project. Since no erection views exist in a new project, you need to use this window to create a plan view before the program can open Modeling . Note in this example that the name of the to-be-created plan view (" Save new view as ") and the elevation of that plan view (" Elevation ") are the same (126-0).

Possibility 1 : An erection view selection dialog opens. On it is a selection list of all erection views that are in the 3D model . Double-click the view you want to open.

Possibility 2 : If erection views have not yet been created, the program prompts you to enter the name (to " Save new view as ") and an elevation (to " Elevation ") for a new plan view. When you press " OK " on this dialog, the program opens Modeling from the perspective of that plan view, and you can begin constructing the 3D model . Construction lines are automatically placed intersecting at right angles through the 0,0 global coordinate of the new view; this gives you have a starting point for the Construction Line Add or Add Grid Line operations that you can use to lay out a grid for Add Member operations.

Possibility 3 : This possibility pertains when you have previously designated a default erection view for your current Job. You can designate a default view by checking the box for " Use as default " on this same selection dialog, or you can do so by checking the box for " Make this my default view " when you add a new view. If your current Job already has a default erection view assigned to your login name, that view opens directly, without your first getting a selection dialog. Go to step 3.

3 . Modeling opens from the perspective of the view you selected (step 2, possibility 1), or from the perspective of the new plan view you created (step 2, possibility 3), or from the perspective of your default view (step 2, possibility 3). Modeling is where you construct , review and modify a 3D structural model.

While in Modeling :

  • You can perform 3D modeling operations such as laying out structural members, specifying connections, and adding user materials. Tools for doing this are found on the Model menu.
  • You can change to different views, navigate within views, create new views, or modify your current view. Tools for doing this can be found on the File , Navigate and View menus.

4 . To exit Modeling :

If " Modeling layout style " is ' Classic ', you can choose File > Exit .

If " Modeling layout style " is ' Lightning ', click the button at the upper, right corner of the Modeling window. This can be done in both the Linux and Windows operating systems.

To launch the Drawing Editor :

1 . These instructions assume that you have already performed Modeling operations to create a 3D model and have auto detailed to create drawings that you can review and place on sheets.

1a : At Home , click the " Launch Drawing Editor " button.

Note: Drawing Editor sessions can also be started in Modeling by using Show Sheet or Show detail or Show Detail Other , or by pressing the "Detail Member " or " View detail " button on a member edit window. Within the Drawing Editor , additional sessions can be started using the " Open ... " button on the Edit Sheet Item window.

2 . A drawing selection dialog opens. Select one (1) of the drawing types shown on the selection dialog, such as   Details or   Job standard details or   Global standards , etc. Changing the drawing type updates the selection list on the dialog to show drawings of that type.

 B_1
 B_2
 B_3
 B_4
 B_5
 B_6
 B_7

" New ... " " Save As " " Rename "" Delete " " Sub-Members " " Hide " and " Show All " and " Status Display " are options that you should be aware of. Some of these options may become disabled ( grayed-out ) when you change the selection category from, for example, ' Details ' to ' Submaterial '. for example, ' Details ' to ' Submateria l '.

The check box " Detail Views " can be used to show or hide available detail views that are under the selected drawing type category ' Details ' or ' Submaterial ' or ' Erection views '.

Alternative 1 : Double-click a drawing name (or select a drawing name, then press " OK "). Go to step 3 (if it applies), or go to step 4.

Alternative 2 : Select a drawing type, then click " New... " to create a drawing of the same type. (Exceptions: ' Submaterial ' and ' Erection views ' and ' Connection cube details '.) Go to step 4.

Alternative 3 : You can select an item, then press " Save As " " Rename " or " Delete " to perform the stated operation on the item. After doing this, alternative 1 or alternative 4 can still be performed.

Alternative 4 : Press " Cancel " to be given the option of exiting the Drawing Editor .

3 (if applicable) : Skip this step if it does not apply. If the drawing or sheet you selected in step 2 has its detail complete date set, the Drawing Editor opens a dialog like the following:

The drawing complete date for xxx is mm dd yy.
Do you want to clear the date?
    

Alternative 1 : Press the " No " button to keep the " Detail complete " date. Go to step 5.

Alternative 2 : Press the " Yes " button to clear the " Detail complete " date (so that it reads ' ***NOT SET*** '). Go to step 5.

Alternative 3 : Press the " Cancel " button to go back to the drawing selection dialog (step 3).

4 . The drawing you selected or created in step 2 is now your current drawing.

While in the Drawing Editor :

5 . To exit the Drawing Editor , choose File > Exit . To remain in the Drawing Editor but view a different drawing, choose File > Open .

Search :

  • Search at Home > Project Settings searches for Job and Fabricator windows, while Home > Utilities searches for utility function windows. Also, Home > System Reports can be used to search for reports.
  • Until you type a search entry into the search box, the search results list displays the names of links (shown with a ">") or windows. If you see the window you want, you can click its name to open it. Or, you can click one of the links to display the names of its windows.
  • If you know the name, or part of the name, of a setup window or an option on such a window, you can type that string into the search box to display windows and options that contain the search string. The search results list displays matching windows and options.

Search results list :

Note: The examples below reference Home > Project Settings ; however, you can also search Home > Utilities and Home > System Reports in the same manner.

Without entering search term, you can click links (shown with a ">") to reveal window names. For example, while at Home > Project Settings , clicking Standard Fabricator Connections reveals further links to Clip Angle Settings and other windows.

When "report" is the search term in Home > Project Settings , the Report Manager window is found. The Sheet Revisions window is also listed, because it has a " Report width... " option.

Click to navigate :

Click items directly to navigate project settings.

Example 1: Clicking Project Settings > Job > Design in the search results list removes the names of the Job and Fabricator links, and instead only displays the names of design setup windows: Design Settings , Plate Design Settings , Field Clearances , etc.

Example 2: Clicking Project Settings > Fabricator > Piecemarking link displays the names of piecemarking setup windows: All-Bolted Clip Angles , Bolted/Welded Clip Angles , All Welded Clip Angles , etc. Clicking All-Bolted Clip Angles opens that setup window.

Breadcrumbs: If you click topics, they will leave a "breadcrumb" trail; for example:

Navigating backward: click any topic's breadcrumb to open that topic again. In the example above, clicking "Fabricator" would display Fabricator links in the search list.

Click the name of a search result to open its window:

Example 1: Clicking Job > Design > Field Clearances opens the Field Clearances window.

Example 2: Clicking Shear Tees under the Field Clearances search result opens the Field Clearances window.

Entering search terms:

Search is incremental ; that is, results that match your search entry are returned as you type in the search box.

Example: Typing " She " in the search box returns, among other search results, She et Revisions and She et Loading Criteria (setup windows), and She ar Plates (an option). Adding the letters " ar " to your previous entry (i.e., " Shear ") will removes Sheet Revisions and Sheet Loading Settings from the search results list, since they no longer match the search box entry.

You can minimize categories:

Example: When searching project settings, your search may return both Job and Fabricator options:

Click the down arrow next to a category to minimize it:

Hide Fabricator settings by clicking the down arrow.

When a category is hidden, a control appears at the bottom of the search results list, like this:

Open Fabricator settings by clicking the up arrow.

The "(number)" indicates the search term entered matches that many Fabricator items, which are hidden from the list until you click the up arrow.

Search entries match the names of both windows and options on windows.

Example: When searching through Project Settings , typing " Shear " in the search box returns...

  • Job > Field Clearances (because that setup window contains the " Shear plates " and " Shear tees " options)
  • Fabricator > Shear Plate Standard Piecemarks (because it is the name of a setup window.)

Search entries match the previously used names of windows.

Example: When searching through Project Settings , typing " Criteria " in the search box returns...

  • Job > Design Settings (because that setup window replaces the Design Criteria window in new versions of SDS2 programs.)
  • Job > Plate Design Settings (because that is the name for the window that was called the Plate Design Criteria window in previous versions of SDS2 programs.)

Click the name of a search result to open its setup window:

Example 1: Clicking Job > Design > Field Clearances opens the Field Clearances window.

Example 2: Clicking Shear Tees under the Field Clearances search result opens the Field Clearances window.

To close Home :

" Close " button
  • Click this button when you are finished using SDS2 Detailing and are ready to log out of Windows.
  • Before you shut down your computer, you should also Exit Modeling and Exit the Drawing Editor (and any other SDS2 windows that might be open).
  • You (along with all workstations also in your current Job) should also exit Start before Changing File Sizes . All users in your current Job should also Exit Modeling and Exit the Drawing Editor before Changing File Sizes .
  • All users in your current Job should exit that Job before you Verify and Fix . After all other users have exited, you should Exit Modeling and Exit the Drawing Editor before you run Verify and Fix .