topic Re: Truss Plans in Collaboration with other software

Truss Plans

Steve Jepson — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 00:09:37 GMT

I want this for ArchiCAD ! Don't make me use that other program!

http://tools4revit.cadtrainingonline.com/tools4revit_truss.html

And it does structural analysis very easialy, exports the profiles with reactions...
Almost as good as having MiTek, Alpine...something like that. And I am sure there must be a great extension for wall panels too. ?

Is there anything like this for ArchiCAD ?

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 03:02:17 GMT

I have heard it is full of problems & does not work very well at all

Re: Truss Plans

Steve Jepson — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 08:26:48 GMT

I wouldn't need it if I could find some MiTek/Sapphire expert who would make the truss and wall panel plans form my projects with out having to also purchase the trusses and lumber form them.

You can't typically pay them to to design the trusses with out an agreement to buy them becasue the software is never privatly owned. You can only have access to it if your a truss manufacture.

I am looking for someone who will do it with out MiTek knowing about it.
I am not sure that is possible. They are no doubt unauthorised to use the progam with out the strings attached.

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 08:41:21 GMT

Make a wish for 19!

Re: Truss Plans

Steve Jepson — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 08:43:34 GMT

25 perhaps.

Re: Truss Plans

Aaron Bourgoin — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:14:50 GMT

why can't MITEK save a file from the trips manufacturer as IFC?

Re: Truss Plans

Steve Jepson — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:32:58 GMT

They can save the file in many useful formats, but they won't let you have it.
The geometry is not the isssue. It's the engineering that goes with it that makes it useful. Some of the manufactures will part with .dwg's or .dxf if you press them. But now that we can explode .pdf's it is all the same to me.

I set the slab for 1 1/2" deep and use the magic wand to get the the precise truss profiles. Usually only one trusss where it would show up in the section.

The problme is that by the time I can get the data from the engineered trusses plans it is usually too late to do me any good. I will have already guestimated the loads and finished the plans.

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 23:47:20 GMT

LOL, I use the other program .
As for IFC support in analysis programs, it doesnt work I suggest you give it a try. The best you can hope for is what we already do now. Steps
1. Model the simplified truss convert to DWG lines connected at nodes
2. Export and Import into analysis program, apply material and engineering properties, connections/fixities, Load combinations,etc
3. Most analysis programs require the user to be engineers and for the occasional user it isnt worth the cost/effort.
4.There is a trend towards simplified vertical intergration and apps. This allows the engineer to solve the complex design problem (eg truss and composite concrete slab) and generate a simplified cloud based app that can be passed down the line for other users to use.
Advantages of item 4 above.
1.Subscription pay as you use
2.Browser, multiprocessing and cloud based
3.Apps can be tailored to specific clients from designers,manufacturers to clients/end users
4.You can couple multiphysics simulations, so for the composite slab example above you can couple, thermal and acoustic etc,etc
5.No need to wait for software programers and the development cycle

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 06:04:33 GMT

Steve,

wouldn't your structural engineering consultant be designing the trusses? Then you would just need to reference their IFC model / drawings into the AC model.
I can understand a manufacturer / supplier not wanting to do the design without an agreement in place, how often do you give away your work for someone to use as they please but still make you legally responsible of something goes wrong?

Scott

ps: DesignEngineerBIM why do you start all your posts with LOL? There is nothing to 'Laugh Out Loud' about any of your posts

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:06:18 GMT

sboydturner wrote:
ps: DesignEngineerBIM why do you start all your posts with LOL? There is nothing to 'Laugh Out Loud' about any of your posts

Well I see the funny side (you obviously don't) so I suggest try using the other program and post back listing all the problems ...
I am offering solutions tho,that my clients love, times are changing and AC needs to grow its user base.

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:00:55 GMT

Still don't get it, I havd used many programs over the last 25 or so years of using CAD and BIM software and have found that ArchiCAD is my tool of choice because it allows me to do what I need (architectural design and documentation) quickly and efficiently with the least stress.
Why does AC have to change to incorporate tools that are not core to the delivery of architectural services? There is an API that is available for developers to write extensions and connections into other packages, putting everything into one package (eg Revit) puts the customer at a disadvantage as they are paying for features that they will not use and just really bloat and slow down the program.
If I need CFD / vibration / thermal analysis etc I engage specialist consultants who will take whatever model, drawings, sketches on the back of s napkin that I give them and perform the analysis etc as I am the client and if they don't I can find 10 more who will.
Scott

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 00:35:37 GMT

sboydturner wrote:
Still don't get it.........
If I need CFD / vibration / thermal analysis etc I engage specialist consultants who will take whatever model, drawings, sketches on the back of s napkin that I give them and perform the analysis etc as I am the client and if they don't I can find 10 more who will.
Scott

Mate, you are not going to grow nor win future projects...because you can't present data on the back of a napkin.So employing 10 engineers is a moot point.

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 12:38:09 GMT

? I engage specialist sub-consultants to undertake works in their specialist fields, if they want to be engaged they will take Information in whatever format I give it to them, i am the client here and I get what I want because I am paying

Re: Truss Plans

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 23:41:56 GMT

sboydturner wrote:
? I engage specialist sub-consultants to undertake works in their specialist fields, if they want to be engaged they will take Information in whatever format I give it to them, i am the client here and I get what I want because I am paying

No you are not the client, The client (the guy who pays you) is getting tired of the current system of subcontractors, contractors, consultants and specialist Marketing experts, not to mention the high cost of software, production and construction, repetition, waste,non compliance, etc,etc. No where is this more evident than in Australia
Your client is no longer hidden away from reach, and that applies all along the supply chain. Unfortunately, IMO,you rate your hand drawn sketches too highly.Unis are already starting to train the next generation of Architects (students) in simulations, in the meantime someone needs to fill the void.