The 3d fastener problem

[RBPrice]

Somewhere around 2003 or so, a program called CSG editor was released that used all the 3D commands hidden in Release 10 of AutoCAD. Then a clever guy named Scott Slavik took the CSG Editor and turned it into AutoSolids and its companion ASMechanical. If memory serves, Scott didn't write that piece of AuotSolids but purchased it from someone. Scott spent thousnds of hours and dollars improving the software that let one do really great 3D work in AutoCAD up to the 2008 release. He quit the struggle at that point out of money, time and energy.

 

ASMechanical had the ability to provide, at the click of your mouse, EVERY nut, bolt, screw, washer etc. in the known universe in either Imperial or Metric sizes. Run your cursor down a list, pick a pan head or filister head or whaterver, select a length and put it into your drawing. And the model was editable: if it was too long or short, just pick it and change the length. AND it also had EVERY steel beam, channel, angle etc. in the AISI book. Pick a size, specify a length and put the fully editable 3D model into your drawing.

 

Now it is nominally 2013 and nowhere in this known universe can one find such a program to add to one's copy of AutoCAD. Why is that? It existed back in 2003.

 

On a personal note, I did not spend time going to school so that I could spend my time drawing/creating a hex head bolt or a lock washer or a piece of angle iron. On a commercial note, I would be willing to pay a lot for such a piece of software.

 

Your comments are earnestly solicited.

Edited December 8, 2012 by RBPrice

[tzframpton]

I'm a fan of 3rd party involvement, although issues can always arise, such as in your case.

 

But there's hope. Nowadays, CAD software developers are creating trade-specific, or discipline-specific CAD software. If you're in the HVAC, electrical or plumbing/piping industry, there's now "AutoCAD MEP". If you're a structural detailer, there's "AutoCAD Structural Detailing", and the list goes on. Most applications have a ton of pre-installed components that are organized in a catalog based interface, allowing for easy access to all these real-world design items. Then, each item usually has special functionality, further increasing productivity in building 3D models, or 3D designs in general.

 

My suggestion would be to hop on Autodesk.com and go through the list of products and find one (or more) software package that best suits your needs, then download the trial and see how it works for you. Resellers in your area would also be more than happy to demo software for you and give assistance as well.

 

Hope this helps some.

[RBPrice]

Would that is was as simple as that!! If you take your own advice, you will find that there is absolutely NOTHING on the Autodesk website that is remotely related to the topic. And if you spend several hours searching the web you will find lots of stuff that may seem like it is appropriate but does not even come close.

[tzframpton]

My advice was based off your original post. And you didn't really explain exactly what the core of your issue is. In once sentence, what is your issue? My assumption is you are looking for a 3rd party program that has an inventory of pre-existing 3D components (nuts/bolts/fasteners and steel members). That was after I read the life story of a guy named Scott, which I don't understand how it relates to your needs with an updated version of AutoCAD.

 

My advice was general, providing examples of software that has all the necessary real world inventory of design components. Just because I used some other trades that do not directly involve you doesn't mean it wasn't good advice, it was merely an example.

 

It would help me and the others browsing this post if you could be more clear in your needs.

[RBPrice]

The issue is that there are no software packages available that will create 3D fasteners or 3D beams that can be added to AutoCAD.

[tzframpton]

Me personally, I wouldn't know about 3D fasteners. But 3D beams, Autodesk absolutely has plenty of options.

 

AutoCAD Structural Detailing isn't something you could utilize? Link here:

http://usa.autodesk.com/autocad-structural-detailing/

 

Even my copy of AutoCAD Architecture has a full ANSI catalog full of 3D steel members. It would be plenty enough for your needs I'm sure.

[RBPrice]

OK - I didn't download the demo but are the steel beams in a 3D editable format and are there 3D bolts & nuts & washers [including those funny taperd ones] to join them together and how much does that package cost?

[ReMark]

AutoCAD Plant 3D, Bentley's ProSteel 3D and Chempute Software's Advance Steel are three other options you might consider.

[JD Mather]

On a personal note, I did not spend time going to school so that I could spend my time drawing/creating a hex head bolt or a lock washer or a piece of angle iron. On a commercial note, I would be willing to pay a lot for such a piece of software.

 

Your comments are earnestly solicited.

 

Today students are learning to use next-generation CAD tools like Autodesk Inventor for stuff like this. About $1,300 more than AutoCAD.

 

[Dadgad]

Did it do 2D to 3D like the viewbase functionality?

Do you use the STRUCTURAL tool palette in 2013? There you will find dynamic steel profiles

which can be PRESSPULL or EXTRUDE edited very quickly into 3D Solids.

Structural Detailing has lots of very helpful lisps for rapid 3D machining of structural members.

I am not sure about the fasteners in 3D, although there may be.

This is the Autodesk component which is included in the top of the line vertical structure products,

and I believe is as far as they have taken it to date. I suggest you download the free trial and stop assuming

that there is nothing available to help you. Inventor does 3D bolts and nuts, doesn't it?

I hope this helps, good luck.

[RBPrice]

Those are dedicated programs that probably cost in excess of $3,000 - what is needed is a $200 package that is an adjunct to AutoCAD. Last evening I used my old computer, which has AutoSolids Mechanical, to create a file with all the steel profiles at one inch length so I can at least get them with Cntrl-c/Cntrl-p and use them in my designs. Can't do that with the fasteners since there a too many of them.

 

And I would guess I am not the only one that would that would jump at the chance to purchase that package.

Edited December 9, 2012 by RBPrice

[RBPrice]

That is fine for a student JD- once they leave school lets hope that their employer provides them with a CAD package that has that capability. If not, they they need to stump up $4,500 to get their own copy of Inventor or Solidworks etc.

 

I guess my thinking is highly biased by the fact that I am self employed and need to worry about paying for what I have access to.

[RBPrice]

Interestingly - at the bottom of my screen are some "similar threads" that exactly reflect what I have been talking about - people seeking a program that does what ASMechanical did.

[RBPrice]

Is that "STRUCTURAL" part of AutoCAD 2013 ?

[Dadgad]

The STRUCTURAL tool palette, having checked it after posting yesterday, does have both METRIC and IMPERIAL dynamic blocks, but they are

far from what you are looking for, meaning every steel profile known to man.

Enter TP at the commandline, and check the STRUCTURAL tab.

In Revit and Autocad Structural Detailing you get families, which are much more comprehensive libraries.

Have you tried Al's Steel Yard? I have never used it, but seen it mentioned by knowledgeable longtime forum members.

 

Autocad Structural Detailing is included in the vertical products shown in the following link.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/item?siteID=123112&id=20116264

[RBPrice]

That is new to me Dadgad - but then I am a newbie to 2013 having migrated from 2008 only two weeks ago. Thanks very much.

 

I brought up a channel which came in at 15 in. wide. So to make it into a 6 in I scaled it by 0.4 but what I do not know is whether or not the profile is correct. If what I want is a 6 x 8.2 channel then I would have to check moments of inertia about the two primary axes to be comfortable when I did an analysis for stress and deflection.

 

For now I think I will stick with my file of profiles since I have learned to trust them as being accurately drawn.

[Dadgad]

Good move.

It is important to have faith in your references.

 

A few years back I drew up about 1,300 British sections over a few days, for just that reason, and to provide me a reasonably

comprehensive library of British sections.

I trust that you use the MASSPROP command?

When you have time, check out the VIEWBASE functionality which was first offered in Autocad 2012, and has been improved in 2013.

[Geordie]

Try here "http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/standard-blocks/steel-shapes-all-types-and-sizes" for 2D & 3D beams and

"http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/blocks/fast-fasteners" for 2D & 3D fasteners

[Dadgad]

Geordie, that first link looks like Al's Steel Yard, are you able to run it with 2011?

 

Good news, I just went back to that link, and saw a comment from BARNHOUSEDEBBIE

stating that she is very happily using it with Autocad 2013.

[Geordie]

Dadgad I only run 2012 and it works with that