The Catalogue System for Connections+Variants (3-D SE)

You use the Civil Engineering functions docking window for the fitting of joints and connections, stairs and railings, or predefined assemblies in Steel and Metal Engineering.

To display the window, select > Docking windows and activate Steel Eng. Connections + Variants.

The Civil Engineering functions docking window

The functions available in the docking window are subdivided into several categories in a tree structure. For each function, HiCAD displays a preview image in the lower part of the window. To call a fitting function, double-click on the name in the tree structure or on the preview image of the function.

Furthermore, the following functions are available in the dialogue window:

The available functions are subdivided into the following categories:

• Steel Engineering - Connections
  
• Steel Engineering - Macros
  
• Steel Engineering - Stairs + Railings
  
• Civil Engineering, general
  
• Metal Engineering / Facade Engineering 

Steel Engineering - Connections

These Connection functions are based on the innovative, feature-based Design Variant technology, which combines the possibilities of free and parametric modelling in a unique way. Put simply, a Design Variant is an arbitrary number of variable design engineering steps. Once created, a Design Variant can be re-used in other drawings and by other users at any time and processed further if required. Compared with pre-programmed joint functions, Design Variant-based connections provide much more flexibility and a wider range of application.

Design Variant-based connections already contain the entire know-how regarding the fitting prerequisites (parameters, geometry, mutual dependencies etc.) and automatically realises and applies necessary changes to the existing design. Besides fitting, changing and updating complete connections, you can rework created connections individually, without losing the inherent connection logics or having to break up connections beforehand. This means that, other than pre-programmed joint functions, the Design Variant-based connection retains its "intelligence" even after fitting.

The benefits:

• Once created, the connections are automatically adapted to changed fitting situations - e.g. after an exchange or a processing of the connected beams.
• When a connection is deleted, the original position of the corresponding beams is automatically restored.
• If connection parameters (e.g. plate thickness) are changes subsequently, the connected beams are adapted automatically. The change can directly be applied in the variables table of the feature log.
• You can define complete company-specific parameter sets for the connections and re-use them in similar situations. This significantly accelerates the fitting process for connections.

General information on Feature and Design Variant technology can be found in the Feature Technology chapter of the Online Help.

Steel Engineering - Macros

Besides the Design Variant-based connections, HiCAD provides several other connections (joints) which have been pre-programmed by macros and enable you to insert predefined Steel Engineering objects, such as base plates, front plates, end plates, cross-bracings, gusset plates, batten plates, etc.

The objects created with these functions are permanently fitted into the drawing. Although you can change individual values via the feature log, the connected beams are not automatically adapted here. This also applies to the deletion of such connections, i.e. the original situation of the connected beams will not be restored automatically. Conversely, the connection will not be adapted automatically, if you exchange or process the connected beams.

Steel Engineering - Stairs + Railings

In this category you will find functions for the fitting of

• Straight stairs,
• Winding stairs,
• Vertical ladders, and
• Railings along beams or edges.

Civil Engineering, general

HiCAD offers the option to predefine industry-specific parts (e.g. base plates, foundations, roof elements, walls, insulations etc.) in part type catalogues. When fitting such parts, the attributes defined in the part type catalogue (e.g. material, article number etc.) are automatically assigned to these parts. The part type catalogues can be extended individually with the HiCAD Catalogue Editor. One distinguishes between 2-D part types (Catalogue FACTORY STANDARDS > 2-D PART TYPES ) and 3-D part types (Catalogue FACTORY STANDARDS > PART TYPES ).

• Civil Engineering, general -3-D
  Use this function to create predefined 3-D assemblies, or derive predefined 3-D objects (including their attributes) such as foundations, roof elements, walls, insulations etc. from a sketch in the drawing.
• Civil Engineering, general - 2-D
  Use this function to insert industry-specific 2-D parts, such as base plates, walls, plaster etc. If required, you can directly assign material, edge colour, surface colour or other part attributes to the part.

Metal Engineering / Facade Engineering

Use the Metal Engineering / Facade Engineering functions in the Civil Engineering functions docking window to insert 3-D Metal Engineering connections or sealants and foils.

Connections Based on Design Variants (3-D SE) • Further Connections + Construction Aids (3-D SE) • Docking Windows