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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
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¥ and to ensure that the program operation is carried out in accordance with
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
2. DRAWINGS - GENERAL...................................................................................................... 4
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
2. Drawings - general
2.1 Drawings (manual - part 4)
All these various types of drawings have their own settings and their own properties.
These properties can be set on 3 levels.
• Per single part for each drawing (part lists, text, colour of the section)
• Per view, whereby there can be several sections in the view (e.g. top view including sections, part
lists and text)
• Per drawing, whereby there can be several views in the drawing (e.g. overviews with top view and
text)
To generate these drawings, use the “HAL1” model. You can normally find this model
in your model directory. If you do not find it there, ask your course leader for the disk.
This practice module is structured as follows:
• Creating various drawings
• Adapting properties of various drawings
• Filtering, blocking or protecting lists of drawings
• Creating assembly drawings with details, foundation plans and own
dimensioning on drawings
• Modifying settings of drawings
• Printing drawings
• Printing lists
• Creating text headers and symbols
For this part of the course to be successful it is of the utmost importance that you
follow the course leader's instructions exactly. If you have questions, do not hesitate to
ask the trainer; but in any case avoid learning the wrong way of doing drawing
settings.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
From now on, the following conventions are used in this manual:
• “BOLD”, this means that the user must click on this icon.
• “NORMAL”, this means that a message appears with the corresponding
text on the screen.
Before you create drawings, you must first number the model. This means that all
components must have a position number.
• “TOOLS”, “NUMBERING”, now select “FULL”.
• Select all components.
• With the “FULL” option all components are numbered.
If you wish to make changes later, change the settings for the positioning again. You
will find them under the menu “SETUP”, ”NUMBERING”:
If you now specify new numbers for the positions in the model, you can select the
“COMPARE TO OLD” option at the lower left hand corner: Xsteel now compares
the new components in the model with the old numbers; only new components receive
a new number. The other option: “TAKE NEW NUMBER” assigns numbers without
comparing new components with the old numbers. Same options for modified
components are also available.
“RENUMBER ALL”: all components receive a new number.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
“RE-USE OLD NUMBERS”: Xsteel uses numbers which are no longer used for the
new components.
“CHECK FOR STANDARD PARTS”: here Xsteel searches in the model for
existing standard parts and compares them with existing model parts.
“NEW”: numbers of the new components are compared with the numbers of existing
components.
“MODIFIED”: when the numbers are modified, Xsteel compares the numbers with
the numbers of existing components.
You can now enter your optimum setting and store these settings either globally or in
the model. Before generating drawings you must number the components fully with the
command “TOOLS”, “NUMBERING”, ”FULL”. In this way you avoid the
possibility of missing position numbers in your model.
Step 1:
• Open the model “HAL1”
• Number the model: “TOOLS”,”NUMBERING”,”FULL”. In principle
numbering once is sufficient with a new model. Note that in the case of
changes the numbering has to be repeated.
• “SETUP”,”SELECT FILTER”
• Load the filter “plate_filter”
• Set the selection box as follows:
• Select the whole model. In this way the plates in the model are selected
automatically after activation of the plate filter.
Step 2:
• “PROPERTIES”, ”SINGLE PART DRAWING… ”
• Load the “PLATE” option (ß IMPORTANT !!!)
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• Select “APPLY”,”OK”
• “DRAWING”, “SINGLE PART DRAWINGS”, the drawings are newly
generated
• “DRAWING”,”LIST” ,
• Click on the drawing to select it. Select “OPEN” or “CANCEL” to open
the drawing or cancel the selection.
• The drawings now appear in the drawings register. You can recognise the
workshop drawing from the designation “W”. This designation is located
under the term “TYPE” in the right column.
• When you close the drawing again, Xsteel asks the user whether he/she
wishes to save the drawing (and the changes).
Create single part drawings from the other components !
Use the filters to generate single part drawings correctly !
Step 1:
• Open the model “HAL1” (if it is not already open).
• “SETUP,”SELECT FILTER”.
• Load the filter “column_filter”.
• Set the selection box in the correct way.
• Select the whole model. The columns are now selected automatically in the
model and highlighted in the foreground.
Step 2:
• “PROPERTIES”,”ASSEMBLY DRAWING”
• Load the “column” option.
• Select “APPLY”,”OK”.
• “DRAWING ”,”ASSEMBLY DRAWING”; the drawings are now
generated.
• “DRAWING”,”LIST” .
• The drawings now appear on the drawings register. You can recognise the
assembly drawing from the designation “A”. This designation is located
under the term “TYPE” in the right column.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
Step 1:
• Open the model “HAL1” (if it is not already open)
• Make sure that the hall is fully visible in the view.
Step 2:
• “PROPERTIES”,”GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWING”
• Load the “A0-MULTI” option, and enter a name for the drawings
• Select “APPLY”,”OK”
• “DRAWING”,“GENERAL ARRANGEMENT”; the drawings are now
generated.
• “DRAWING”,”LIST”
• The drawings now appear in the drawing list. The overviews are available
in the register but only as an empty sheet. The addition of various views
ensues later.
• You can recognise the overviews from the designation “G” for general
drawing. This designation is located under the term “TYPE” in the right
column.
Multi-drawings are drawings on which various drawings can be grouped, for example
single part drawings or assembly drawings. There are a number of options for
generating multi-drawings.
• “PROPERTIES”,”MULTI DRAWING”
• Load the “Plate” option (in this case plates are assembled) and name the
drawing.
• Select “APPLY”,”OK”.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• “DRAWING ”,”LIST”
• The drawings now appear in the drawings register. The multi-drawings are
available in the register but only as an empty sheet. The addition of various
parts ensues later.
• You can recognise the overviews by the designation “M”. This designation
is located under the term “TYPE” in the right column.
You already know a lot about generating drawings; now you learn how to set the
properties of drawings according to you own requirements.
• “OPEN” (from the drawing list) the drawing of the sole plate with system
axis C4.
• “CANCEL”.
• “PROPERTIES”,”DRAWING”.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
If you select the “LOAD” option, all crosses (=options) are activated. Thus all
properties of the drawing are activated. The sub-window “LAYOUT” can then also
be selected with the “ON/OFF” button .
By selecting the options "APPLY”, ”OK” or “SAVE ”,”MODIFY” you can save
the changes in the settings. You can save these settings under a name – e.g.
“PLATEA4” (maximum 8 characters) – and call up these settings again later. With the
drawing you also set the A4 format here. This file, which is now saved in your model
directory, can be used globally if you copy it to the global directory
(countries\euro\system); this means that you can use it for all subsequent projects.
For similar components the same setting can be called up for the drawing with the
option “LOAD” (“PROPERTIES”,”SINGLE PART DRAWING”)
PLEASE NOTE: generate the drawings in the above-mentioned way for plates.
For new settings copy these files into the directory Xsteel\Your country\System!
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If you select the “LOAD” option, all crosses (=options) are activated. Thus all
properties of the drawing are activated. The sub-window “LAYOUT” can then also
be selected with the “ON/OFF” button. By selecting the options “SAVE”, ”OK” or
“SAVE AS”,”MODIFY” you can save the changes in the settings. You can save
these settings under a name – e.g. “PLATEA3” (maximum 8 characters) – and call up
these settings again later. With the drawing you also set the A4 format here. This file,
which is now saved in your model directory, can be used globally if you copy it to the
global directory (countries\euro\system); this means that you can use it for all
subsequent projects.
For similar components the same setting can be called up for the drawing with the
option “LOAD” (“PROPERTIES”,”SINGLE PART DRAWING”).
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
PLEASE NOTE: generate the drawings in the above-mentioned way for plates.
For new settings copy these files into the directory Xsteel\Countries\Eng\System!
Try this also for bolts, cross-bracings etc.
With automatic creation of multi-drawings it can happen that there is one more
drawing on the last multi-drawing. You want to fit this drawing on the last multi-
drawing. How does this work?
2.3 Wizard
The assistant is used to create drawings automatically. This applies to single part
drawings and also to assemblies and overviews. It is also possible to generate
overviews automatically.
To call up this assistant, select the option “FILE”,”WIZARD” or click the icon .
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
Various wizards are available. These files have the file type DPROC and thus have
names such as Multi_drawing.dproc. You will find these files in the system directory,
but you can also view and edit them from the dialog. What else is in the files? Here is
an example:
/* Single part drawings */
/* Draw plates with plate setting */
set_drawing_type(single) Single drawings
set_drawing_attributes(platte) File: platte.wd
set_filter(platte_filter) File: platte_filter.msf
create_drawings()
You can use the option “ /* ” and “ */ ” if this instruction is a commentary for
information purposes only.
STEP 1: here the setting is made that governs which drawings are to be generated.
This can be SINGLE, ASSEMBLY, MULTI_SINGLE or MULTI_ASSEMBLY .
STEP 2: here you set the drawing properties that you wish to use when generating the
drawings. If you find the value SINGLE in rule 1, Xsteel creates a file with the file
type “WD”, for example PLATE.WD. If the value ASSEMBLY is in rule 1, an “AD”
file is created. For multi-drawings the file type “MD” is used (*.md files)
STEP 3: this is where you determine which filter is to be used. By selection of the
whole model it is possible with the help of the filter to select just the relevant
components. You can set or change these filters in the “SETUP”, ”SELECT
FILTER ” menu. These settings are stored in the *.msf files.
STEP 4: the drawings are created.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
Example:
You wish to group the plates on A3:
set_drawing_type(single)
set_drawing_attributes(plate)
set_filter(plate_filter)
create_drawings()
• Here you can enter adaptations for the multi-drawings automatically.
• The adaptations are as follows:
set_drawing_type(multi_single)
set_drawing_attributes(plate_A3)
set_filter(plate_filter)
create_drawings()
• Now to the other drawings:
/* Single part drawings */
/* Plate drawing with the setting PLATE and multi-drawings with the setting
PLATE_A3*/
set_drawing_type(single)
set_drawing_attributes(plate)
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
set_filter(plate_filter)
create_drawings()
• Save the file under the name “Plate_drawing” and close the notepad.
• It is very likely that the name “Plate_drawing.dproc.txt” was given in the
notepad, i.e. a double file ending. Xsteel cannot do anything with this file
name.
• Start the file manager and press F2. Delete the ending “.txt” and confirm
with Enter. A message may now appear saying that this file is damaged or
unusable. Confirm this.
• Start Xsteel (assuming that the program is not already open) and go to
“FILE”, “WIZARD”.
• Plate_drawing ist now available.
It is not possible to create multi-drawings without the relevant drawings for the single
parts having been generated beforehand. The reason for this is that the DPROC files
for the single parts and assembly drawings must first be created. Create these drawings
and Xsteel can generate multi-drawings from them.
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• “PROPERTIES”,”VIEW”.
• Load the option “3d_1zu50”.
• “APPLY”,”OK”.
• Click on
• Click on the window in which the model can be seen
The following screen now appears:
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
With the command “EDIT”,”MOVE” you can move the drawing into the right
position:
By clicking on the blue line in the window and holding down the left mouse button you
can adapt the size of the window. By holding the SHIFT key down and pressing the
left mouse button on the blue frame, you can move the window.
• “PROPERTIES”,”VIEW”.
• Load the “standard” option.
• “SAVE”,”OK”.
• Click on
• Click on the column that is on the A2 system axis. A small window now
appears - bottom left:
• “EDIT”,”MOVE ”.
• Double-click on the blue line.
• “PROPERTIES”,”VIEW”, the following window appears:
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
By clicking on the blue line in the window and holding down the left mouse button you
can adapt the size of the window. By holding the SHIFT key down and pressing the
left mouse button on the blue frame, you can move the window.
PLEASE NOTE: create every detail on column A1 on a different node point.
Make sure that the individual details are not too close to each other.
To create the anchor plan a window must first be created for the height of the sole
plates. The anchor plan can be created with a window, by copying the drawings and by
specifying the shortening of the axes. (In this way only the sole plates and a certain
part of the length of the system axes are shown, the drawing is as it were shortened!)
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• Click on
• “EDIT”,”MOVE”
Now add extra text and dimension lines with the 2D drawing tools. The axis lines that
do not pass through columns are now displayed where properties suited to the
windows are set in the window.
Please use the manual for the individual settings. If you want to change the edge
spacing for the axes, enter the corresponding values for x-min, x-max, y-min, y-max
specifications. This changes the distances of the axes to the window frame.
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Exit the drawing program with “FILE”, “CLOSE DRAWING”. Save the drawings;
this also saves the changes.
Now you see all drawings that you have created. In the above illustration you see that
certain letters appear on the left under the term “FLAGS”. These identifications are
not to be found in the drawings. The letters can be I, N, P, M or D.
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The following functions are listed below (see also manual, part 5, drawing manual).
OPEN
With this function you can open the drawings in the drawings
register; the drawing is then displayed on the screen. Double-
clicking on the relevant drawing has the same effect, i.e.
opening the drawing. It is not possible to select several drawings
together and open them simultaneously.
UPDATE This function updates the changes that have been made in the
model; this also relates the changing of position numbers.
Changes of secondary parts and the screws of the corresponding
drawings are also applicable here.
ISSUE (= revision) With this function the letter “I” can appear in the
drawings register. This “I” can be used as a memory aid to find
the drawing of a revision quickly from a long list.
DELETE This function deletes the selected drawings
FILTER ANOTHER
Shows the remaining pages of a selection. If everything has been
selected, the remaining selection = zero, no drawings are shown.
FILTER SELECTED
Loads the drawings already selected by the user into the
drawings register.
FILTER UP TO DATE
The “P” and “N” markings will no longer be active when a
switch is made to the other screen. You obtain the other screen
with the REST ANZEIGEN (show remainder) option.
FILTER BY PARTS
Here, only the drawings of components that have been selected
in the model are selected.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
“FREEZE ON” With this function the selected drawings can be selected in a
protection mode. It is not possible to edit this plan with any
function whatsoever. This function can be used in the case of
drawings the markings of which for example are to be retained.
The markings N and P can also be used for finished drawings. It
is then only possible to print or plot the drawings.
Drawings that are blocked in the list: __L_
Changes in components: __LP. This is not possible if the
drawing has not had an update.
“FREEZE OFF” The block is lifted again for the selected plans.
LOCK ON The selected drawings are frozen with this function. If only one
component is changed in the model, for example a sole plate,
the drawings register reaches the following result: _F_P
After an updated, only the following appears in the register:
_F_*
If you now combine the options PROTECT and NOT
PROTECTION, the following will appear in the register: ___P.
Now you can update; the automatically added dimension lines
disappear.
If the section has been changed, the dimension lines no longer
match. After an update, the dimension lines are also current
again.
LOCK OFF This is the opposite of the option PROTECT PLANS. Drawings
are set to the normal mode again.
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REVISION… First, select the drawings for which you want to make a
revision. Fill in the fields in the revision box, enter a revision
mark, the text and a date. The revision becomes effective with
CREATE.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
position numbers. You must also create new drawings from these new
secondary parts.
• An assembly part that has been changed can:
a. retain the position number. This is the case where the component occurs
only once in the model.
b. receive a new position number; assembly parts that are the same as before
the change retain the position number. New assembly parts receive new
position numbers. You must also create new drawings from these new
assembly parts.
This works as follows:
1. Select the whole model.
2. Open the drawing list.
3. Empty the drawing list “DISPLAY ALL”, “DISPLAY
INVERT”.
4. “FILE”, “WIZARD”, “ALL”.
• Generate new drawings from the new components. The quickest way to do this
is to use the drawing assistants. Xsteel knows which drawings have already been
created and it generates only the new drawings. These drawings are then visible
in the drawings register.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• In the drawing list, select the drawings that you wish to print or plot.
• “FILE”,”PLOT”
Make a selection regarding whether you wish to plot or print and then click on “OK”
to finalise the selection.
Before creating the drawings, the text headers must be created. This means setting the
text header that is to appear on the drawings and the position of the text header.
You can adapt the text headers and the part lists through the menu “PROPERTIES” ,
“LAYOUT”. Now you create the text header that will subsequently be shown on all
drawings.
• “TOOLS”, ”TEMPLATES”.
• “FILE”, “Open Template”.
• Select “Drawing_title.tpl”, “OPEN”.
• “FILE”, ”SAVE AS”, give this file a different name.
• You can now adapt the text headers according to your own requirements,
e.g. add a logo that has already been generated with another program.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
The text headers that you create are positioned in the drawings as follows:
• “PROPERTIES”, ”LAYOUT”.
• “PLATES”, ”TABLE LAYOUT”, ”TABLES”.
• You now see the following 3 dialogue boxes !
For an A3 or A4 drawing you can adapt the frame to the size (that the text header
takes up on the page).
If you load a text header from the left field “AVAILABLE TABLES” into the right
field “CHOSEN TABLES” and change the position (in both lower windows), do not
forget to click the “APPLY” button. Only then do the changes become effective.
PLEASE NOTE: always make a backup copy of the text headers that you have
changed, e.g. for the logo of your own company; also check all these new text
headers by clicking a drawing.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
In the text header there are several text fields that you fill in at the beginning of the
project. This menu can be found under the “PROPERTIES”, ”PROJECT” option.
Now call up the drawings to check the position of the text headers and their content.
Below is an example of the variables in the text header and an example of a filled text
header.
(Zipping)
An Xsteel model sometimes takes up several megabytes. This is more than can be
fitted onto a normal diskette (1.44 megabytes). Consequently, people often use other
software to compress a whole directory into a single small file. The name of this
software is WINZIP. The procedure for zipping (i.e. compressing) is always the same.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• Enter a name for the file under the FILE NAME option:
• “OK”
• Select the files with the “ADD FROM:” option. Select this option for the
addition of individual files.
• Select “ADD WITH WILDCARDS” to add all files of a certain file type
(=wildcard - *.doc or *.wd).
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
• Select the files that you wish to decompress (normally all). Under the
directory specification you should now select the destination directory into
which the files are unpacked.
• “EXTRACT, these files are now unpacked; a bar indicator at the bottom
right shows the progress.
Tip: the Zip file remains in existence when zipping is carried out - it is not
deleted. Consequently, you can unzip a file repeatedly, e.g. on various
computers in a network.
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
2.10 Appendix
Lists used in Xsteel
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XSTEEL TRAINING MANUAL - PART 2
drawings)
Drawings list Drawing – checked – date – date of change – revision – dimensioning
(overviews [G])
Provisional number Quantity – provisional no. – ID-no. – section – number – length – mass
list
Freight list Assembly part – quantity – section – surface – mass – freight – part
system
Workshop Assembly part – pos. no. – quantity - part system – section – material –
designation – length – width
Workshop 2 Assembly part – pos. no. – number – part system – section – number –
designation – length – width – conserv.– PT
Workshop Cim Assembly part – pos. no. – number – section – number – designation –
length – width – conserv. – on assembly part - PT
Blanks list Section – length – quantity – pos. no. – mass – cut 1Z 1Y 2Z 2Y
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