Step 3: Constructing a 3D Model
On this page :
Also see :
- adding beams (
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- adding columns ( )
- adding horizontal braces ( )
- adding vertical braces ( )
- adding miscellaneous members
- adding a stair
Introduction :
- Once you have opened a view in Modeling , you can create a 3D model of the building or structure that you will later generate detail drawings for. The types of members that you can use to create the 3D model are beams, columns, horizontal braces, vertical braces, girts, purlins, miscellaneous members and stairs. You add these members while in views.
- As you build your 3D model, you will need to create views at various locations in order to add members. Views added using Add Grid Line ( ) are automatically given names and saved for future access. Other views, such as plan views created using Plan View ( ) or isometric views created using Isometric View ( ) are only temporary, unless you give them names and save them permanently by using Save View As . Any view that you save into a permanent, named file later be regenerated as a 2D design drawing or erection plan (using Detail Erection Views ).
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Reference drawings :
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Start up Modeling :
- Home > Launch Modeling ( ).
- If you are in a newly created Job with no erection views, and you are prompted to enter the name and elevation of a new erection view, then brings you into a plan view at that elevation. Otherwise, select a view from the list of already created views.
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Before laying out members :
Create a plan view of every floor in the structure that you are modeling.
| YouTube video: Instead of Open View , you can double-click a grid line bubble to open the erection view that is associated with that grid line . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2020i) |
- Beams, columns and horizontal braces are easiest to lay out in a plan view . The top flange of a beam laid out in a plan view using INCL ( ) is placed at the elevation of that view.
- You can create permanent plan views -- which you can later Open ( Ctrl + o ) -- by using Plan View ( ) followed by Save View As . Generally it is a good idea to name plan views for the elevation they are at. For example, name the plan view "100-0" if it is for the floor which is at an elevation of hundred feet.
If you imported a reference drawing that was a plan view, you may at this time wish to add that drawing.
- Open ( Ctrl + o ) the view (created in the previous step) that is at the elevation of the reference drawing that you want to add.
- Choose Model > Reference Drawing > Reference Drawing Tools , then press the " Add " button. Place the view at the appropriate location.
Lay out construction lines for placement of grid lines:
Lay out grid lines (erection views) to provide INCL points for member work point layout in plan views.
| YouTube video: Grid lines are added in a plan view by locating points at intersections of construction lines. New Erection View options are explained . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2020i) |
| YouTube video: Instead of Open View , you can double-click a grid line bubble to open the erection view that is associated with that grid line . (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2020i) |
- A grid of construction lines or grid lines should be laid out along each line where you want to place columns. Grid lines are preferred over construction lines for member layout because they also serve as views of the model that you can Open ( Ctrl + o ). However, to lay out the grid lines, you will have to first lay out at least a few construction lines.
- After starting a Job and first entering Modeling , you will find two construction lines that cross at right angles through the 0,0 global coordinate . Use the Add Construction Grid tool and the 0,0 reference point to add a grid of construction lines at the intervals where you want to lay out your grid lines. Use File > Add Grid Line ( ) to add the grid lines.
Notice when you are laying out grid lines (erection views) that an arrowhead appears on screen.
- This arrowhead points in the direction that the view looks when you Open ( Ctrl + o ) that view.
Erection views should be laid out in a consistent way.
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Member layout is a three-step process, a four-step process for miscellaneous members:
3. Specify the member settings
4. Member rotation (optional for miscellaneous members)
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Member selection :
Beams are typically the most commonly used members in the model. A beam is a structural member whose primary function is to carry loads transverse to its longitudinal axis.
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- Beams may be horizontal, skewed or sloping.
- Beam main material can be any section that is listed in the local shape file . However, system connections can only be generated for wide flange , tube , welded plate wide flange , S shape , and channel beams.
- Since connections are applied on the ends of the supported member, a larger number of connections can be applied to beams than to other types of members. For instance, you can apply a clip angle , bent plate , end plate , shear , beam seat or beam splice connection to the right and/or left end of a beam.
- If you select ' Clip angle ', ' End plate ', ' Shear ', or ' Splice plate ' as your " Connection type " for the end of a beam, you can also apply "
Moment " options.
Columns are relatively long vertical or sloping member whose primary function is to carry compression loads parallel to its longitudinal axis. System connections can be designed to sloping columns as well as to columns that are perfectly vertical.
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Classic column location " is turned on, and the new columns are placed at the elevation of the last-added column. (Recorded in
Vertical Braces are braces that slope and whose gusset plates are vertical.
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Horizontal Braces are braces that are perfectly horizontal or sloping and whose gusset plates are parallel with the flanges of the beam being framed to.
Joists can be rendered in Modeling using various " Panel display methods ."Joist are not auto detailed. It is assumed that a joists is ordered from a joist manufacturer and will not be shop fabricated. You can, however, generate a Joist Report which can serve as a bill of material for ordering joists.
Girts (legacy) and Purlins do not have any automatic connections that connection design can design for you.
- You can get connections -- but not designed connections -- using the Girt member, which is a type of custom meber.
Miscellaneous members can be made up of any type of material that you can add to a member as a submaterial. See the Material Type Selection window for a list of these materials. Shown below is decking, one of the types of material you can add to the model as a miscellaneous member.
As with other member types, miscellaneous members are assigned member piecemarks . Work point layout is different for different material types. Connections are NOT automatically designed on miscellaneous members. Users need to Add Material or Add Assembly or Run Parametric to add connection materials to a miscellaneous member.
A stair can have one or two returns, no returns, or can be bolted to the floor.
Custom members that are currently provided with SDS2 programs include Hand Rail , Embed Embed Plate , Sag Rod ( ), Anchor Rod , Caged Ladder , Engineered Column , Engineered Rafter , Roof Frame ( ) and others.
- Since these member types are developed from parametric Python code, they are relatively easy to develop, and more types are likely to become available.
- It is also possible for users to add new custom members or to create modified copies of the custom members that come with SDS2 programs.
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Lay out members of the same type at the same time :
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Locate work points :
- Use Locators to lay out work points. By locating points in a view, you are defining the spatial geometry ( work line , end elevation, framing condition, etc.) of members within the 3D model .
Locators look like these: 
Auto INCL INCM EXPT FRPT DXDY BSCL ANGL
Or like these in the example below: 
- The point location target (
) snaps to locatable points (set by the selected Locate icons) as you move the mouse pointer on screen. Left-click ( Locate ) when this symbol is where you want the member's work point.
- The X-Y-Z display is a decoration on your toolbar that shows you the global coordinates of whatever point the point location target ( ) has snapped to. The third coordinate on this display (the Z coordinate) is the elevation of that point.
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| X coordinate, Y coordinate, Z coordinate |
| DXDY to add a sloping beam
(instructions assume that you are using a 3-button mouse) |
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1 . Invoke Add Beam , then left-click ( Locate ) when the target ( ) snaps to where you want the beam's first point. EXPT is the Locate option used in this example.
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2 . The status line prompts, "Locate second point ." Select DXDY as the Locate option, then left-click ( Locate ) anywhere in the drawing area. |
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3 . In the DX/DY Offset window, enter the X, Y and Z distance from the first point to the beam's second point, then press " OK ." |
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4 . After you enter settings and press " OK " on the Beam Edit window, the beam appears in the view. |
- Work points for a column: You can lay out a column in a plan view with a single work point, then set the top and bottom end elevations of the column on its edit window. In an elevation view , column layout requires two points. Sloping columns can be added in an elevation view.
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Specify member settings :
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After the member appears in the view :
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Also note :
- Member Copy can be used as an alternative to Add Member for laying out the structural model.
- Move/Stretch Members or Move/Stretch Members, Include Material can speed up member layout by letting you reposition members instead of having to delete them then add them again. You can, for instance, use either of these tools to relocate an entire line of columns and simultaneously lengthen or shorten the beams that frame to those columns.
- Open ( Ctrl + o ) a plan view of the next highest floor. If columns you input earlier pass through this elevation, you will see cross sections of them in the view. Add members in this view as needed.
- After you have laid out several floors, use Isometric View ( ) to create an isometric view of the entire structure. Use Save View As to give this new view a name (for instance, name it "iso").
Also see :