Advance Steel Release of Version 2013


Advance Steel Release of Version 2013GRAITEC announces the release of version 2013 of its flagship 3D structural steel detailing software for automating drawing production: Advance Steel.

Advance Steel is specifically designed for steel professionals who require an easy-to-use 3D structural steel detailing software for automating drawing production. Advance Steel is based on the implementation of a digital model (BIM / Building Information Model) and automates the creation of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Steel drastically increases productivity and drawing quality, while reducing the risk of errors. The software also allows users to communicate information in the digital model to all project stakeholders.

The improvements in Version 2013 are organized in the following categories:

  • Enhanced ergonomics and ease of use
  • New productivity tools
  • Availability in new markets: Australia, India, Brazil

ERGONOMICS AND EASE OF USE

Independent of the AutoCAD platform since Version 2012, Advance Steel improves its ergonomics and ease of use by providing a new user interface element, the “palette”, which contains animated buttons and tooltips. New features, such as direct access to workshop drawings with a simple right-click in the model or the improved capabilities of working with joint groups, further enhance the simplicity of this new version.

NEW PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS

Advance Steel has many new innovations: first, the ability to create custom connections allowing users to define, store and reuse custom connections in their projects and thus easily adapt to all types of situations.

For Olivier RASQUIER, Steel detailer at Ets J-C FASSLER (France) and Version 2013 beta user: “Until now, I was frequently creating my connections “manually” because my projects are all specific. With Advance Steel 2013, I can create my own custom connections and save them in my library. I can then easily reuse them in my new projects because they automatically adapt to new situations: changed profile orientation, different section etc. I can also clone them and create slightly different ones, as nothing is fixed anymore.

Advance Steel Release of Version 2013

Version 2013 also adds new connections for cold rolled profiles (anti-sag and tie rod systems, trimmer cleats, and eaves beam connections) for faster and more efficient drawing creation.

Many other features are also available such as the option to create welding lines in drawings. This function is based on recognition technology of “notable points” that updates automatically when the model is changed which also applies to manual dimensions that are updated automatically by Advance Steel 2013. These innovations provide greater efficiency in terms of modeling and document creation for fabrication and assembly, and significantly increase user efficiency.

Advance Steel “Professional” and “Premium” versions come with an Application Programming Interface (API) which allows users with computer programming skills to enhance and customize the software.

NEW MARKETS

Version 2013 has been adapted for the Australian, Indian, and Brazilian markets.
Besides translation, the following software configurations are implemented: initialization of software settings according to local usage, enriched libraries (profiles, bolts, cladding, etc.), and drawing style configuration that meets local requirements.
Advance Steel 2013 has also been enhanced with specific connections for the Australian market.

Download GRAITEC wallpaper for December


Download GRAITEC wallpaper for December

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December free webinars


Structural Engineers, Steel and Concrete Detailers…

…Discover our Structural BIM suite!

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

Advance Steel

Advance Steel® is specifically designed for steel professionals who require easy-to-use BIM structural steel software for automating drawing creation, documentation and fabrication.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Register now!

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET – Metric

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET – Imperial

2/ StruCad® switchover to Advance Steel

Discover a number of the features and enhancements in Advance Steel that StruCad® customers require

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

3/ Multi user mode

We will show how the Advance Steel multi-user mode can speed up the modeling of your projects of steel structures and how several users can work at the same time on the same project with security.

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

Advance Design: BIM software for FEM structural analysis including international eurocodesAdvance Design

Advance Design® is specifically dedicated to structural engineers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM solution for simulating and optimizing all their projects according to international design codes (latest European standards, American standards ACI and AISC).

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

2/ Dynamic and non-linear analysis in Advance Design

During this ½ hour presentation, you will discover all the possibilities of Advance Design to run advanced analysis on real projects, from the assumptions definition to the results postprocessing step: time history analysis, modal buckling, non-linear analysis, 2nd order effects…

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Design free webinar                 Advance Design free webinar

Advance Concrete: BIM software for structural concrete engineering, detailing and fabricationAdvance Concrete

Advance Concrete® is specifically designed for structural engineers and reinforced concrete detailers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Concrete® drastically increases productivity and drawings quality, while reducing the risk of errors.

1/ Advance Concrete customization for your office standards

We will show you the ways to change the defaults of Advance Concrete according to your company standards: user preferences, project settings, representation styles for model elements, drawings and reinforcement objects (colors, hatches, line styles, …), fabrics and bars library, modify / create rebar and formwork symbols, modify rebar list templates, modify dimension styles, re-use the settings in new projects.

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

2/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Design free webinar                 Advance Design free webinar

Lantek expands its technological partnership base with GRAITEC


Lantek, a world leader in sheet metal and structural steel manufacturing solutions, and GRAITEC, specialists in BIM (Building Information Modelling) are collaborating to integrate their software solutions to provide a seamless design and manufacturing solution for the structural steel industry. Furthermore, the partnership will allow both companies to expand and consolidate their businesses in new markets.  

Lantek expands its technological partnership base with GRAITEC  Lantek expands its technological partnership base with GRAITEC

Lantek develops and markets world class CAD/CAM/MES/ERP software solutions for the sheet metal and structural steel industry and, with the announcement of the signing of a collaborative agreement with GRAITEC, aims to develop its extended technical innovation programme. The alliance will enable both companies to offer clients a single, integrated and technologically advanced system. The partnership signifies the start of a professional relationship for the two companies, enabling them to consolidate their position in the sheet metal and steel construction industry at an international level.

Lantek expands its technological partnership base with GRAITEC

GRAITEC  is a pioneer in the development and marketing of software dedicated to structural design and engineering for the construction industry.

It has more than 25 years of experience in this market, 12 branch offices dotted around Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, a team of 260 employees and more than 40,000 users worldwide.

With a turnover of more than 25 million Euros in 2011, GRAITEC is currently the only supplier able to offer a complete and integrated range of design and structural analysis solutions for the steel, concrete and wood construction industries.

GRAITEC offers innovative BIM technology, which increases productivity and safety through automation, integrated design and process control. Its software has the capacity to intelligently exchange data, making collaboration between professionals in construction design and those in the construction sector simpler and more flexible by facilitating sound, intelligent and fluid communication.

Lantek expands its technological partnership base with GRAITEC

As part of the collaborative agreement, the two companies are working on a bi-directional integration process between the GRAITEC Advance BIM software and the Lantek Steelworks solution. This will bring together both technologies, by sharing the models designed in GRAITEC Advance Steel. As a result, a structural steel project will be able to be managed in Lantek Steelworks and its progress fed back into Advance Steel, providing users with a flexible and simple management process. The benefit is a more powerful and rapid solution, which makes it possible to dynamically generate and manage structural project information, substantially reducing the time and resources spent on design and construction.

As part of the collaboration the two companies will coordinate the innovation process and reserve the necessary technical and human resources to achieve their goals in such a way as not to affect their normal product development schedules. As part of this process, Lantek has implemented a training programme for its technical team in GRAITEC’s products to speed up and effectively manage the integration.

Lantek intends to integrate with all structural design software applications on the market,” says Alberto Martínez, CEO at Lantek. “This initiative enables Lantek, once again, to manifest its desire to develop integral, dynamic and ultra-efficient solutions which are at the forefront of technology and adapted to the needs of users, enabling them to increase their competitive edge“.

GRAITEC, just like Lantek, is an innovative and flexible company which focuses on globalisation and technical collaboration in order to enrich its solutions, particularly within the framework of structural construction,” says Alexandre Tartas, managing director at GRAITEC.

We are very pleased about this initiative, as it means working with a company renowned in the industry. It allows us to enhance our Advance Steel solution from a functional and technical point of view, and gives us the means to respond efficiently to the challenges which face companies and structural engineers.

In addition, the partnership between the two companies will give them both the opportunity to tap into new fast-emerging markets and increase their presence in other countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Asia for GRAITEC, and Canada and Romania, Eastern Europe for Lantek.

GRAITEC Group reports + 22% revenue growth End of Q3 2012 compared with 2011 and +511% growth in Profitability


 GRAITEC reports a turnover of 21.27 million Euros for the first three quarters of 2012. GRAITEC turnover increased 22% compared to the same period in 2011, exclusively due to organic growth. The profitability has also soared by more than 6-fold compared to the same period in 2011. The main reason for this performance is due to a massive adoption of the solutions developed and sold by GRAITEC.

Highlighted performances:

Advance Steel, the Structural BIM solution for the steel industry, has grown year to date by +54% in revenue and over 45% in number of seats. Advance Design, the Structural BIM analysis and design solution, has achieved a remarkable +20% growth in turnover. Advance suite, the complete international Structural BIM suite of Graitec, reports a year to year growth of +35%.

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication Advance Concrete: BIM software for structural concrete engineering, detailing and fabrication Advance Design: BIM software for FEM structural analysis including international eurocodes

Mentioning only some of the Geographical best performers:

• North America has done an amazing job in the steel construction industry, increasing the Advance Steel turnover by +121%.

• GRAITEC Asia/Pacific, over performed with a +86% growth.

• GRAITEC Russia, in the same range of performance, increased its revenue by +73%.

• Europe has also delivered some great performances, in all countries where Graitec operates, a few highlights are:

  • An amazing over 80% growth for B&B, the Italian subsidiary of Graitec, acquired in 2011
  • +37% turnover in GRAITEC Germany (covering DACH region).
  • UK +16% including the 2 Graitec entities performances, Adris and Graitec UK.
  • GRAITEC France gaining market share with 28% growth in the CAD solutions (Advance Steel and Concrete) and reinforcing its BIM Structural Analysis leadership with +11% Growth.

Alexandre Tartas, COO of GRAITEC, comments: “We are very proud to report another solid performance at the end of Q3 2012. Graitec not only grows but does it in a very profitable business model, which is a very remarkable performance. It is difficult to talk about every unique performance, when every subsidiary, every sales office over performs. Graitec continues to reinforce its Structural BIM Specialist position in the market, providing and implementing best-in-class solutions to contribute to the daily challenges of our customers. Of course Q3 is only a stage in 2012 and everyone is actively working on maintaining this level of performance until the end of the year. This year to date 2012 accelerated growth gives Graitec high ambitions and expectations for Q4 and we can expect to over achieve the initial targets in turnover, operating margin and profit.”

Download GRAITEC wallpaper for November


Download GRAITEC wallpaper for November

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November free webinars


Structural Engineers, Steel and Concrete Detailers…

…Discover our Structural BIM suite!

Advance Design: BIM software for FEM structural analysis including international eurocodesAdvance Design

Advance Design® is specifically dedicated to structural engineers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM solution for simulating and optimizing all their projects. It includes a user-friendly structural modeler, an automatic load generator, a powerful FEM engine, comprehensive wizards for designing concrete and steel members, and efficient post-processing and report generators. Advance Design® implements the latest European standards, American standards ACI and AISC.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

2/ The advanced post processing tools in Advance Design

We will show you the available post processing tools in Advance Design to make your project’s results post processing step more easy and efficient: isoregions, diagrams, result curves, stresses on sections… You will also see how you can update all the created documents in one click when changing the model using the “result memory” technology.

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Design free webinar

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

Advance Steel

Advance Steel® is specifically designed for structural engineers and steel detailers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM structural steel detailing software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Steel® drastically increases productivity and drawing quality, while reducing the risk of errors. Advance Steel® can be used with or without AutoCAD®.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Register now!

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET – Metric

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET – Imperial

2/ Advanced tools for miscellaneous steel

We will show different techniques when using Advance Steel for miscellaneous steel, from the 3D modeling to the automatic creation of all necessary documents for fabrication and erection.

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

3/ Drawing customization

Advance Steel allows users to get high-quality drawings by using presentations delivered by default. We will show in this webinar how block titles and drawing styles can easily be customized to fit the company’s way of providing workshop and general arrangement drawings.

Thursday, November 22th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication              Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

4/ StruCad® switchover to Advance Steel

Discover a number of the features and enhancements in Advance Steel that StruCad® customers require.

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

Advance Concrete: BIM software for structural concrete engineering, detailing and fabricationAdvance Concrete

Advance Concrete® is specifically designed for structural engineers and reinforced concrete detailers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Concrete® drastically increases productivity and drawings quality, while reducing the risk of errors.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CET to 9:30 AM CET

⇒ 6:00 PM CET to 6:30 PM CET

See all the webinars organized for the rest of the year

Discover how you can easily create a gutter formed from a folded plate with Advance Steel!


This movie shows how you can easily create rectangular & polygonal plates for the all the different sides of a gutter and then use an automatic tool to get a gutter formed from a folded plate.
As a result, this gutter can be automatically displayed unfolded in the modeling as a preview but also within NC files and workshop drawings for fabrication.

GRAITEC ADVANCE Workshop in Cyprus


GRAITEC, a major software provider for Engineering and Construction industries, and KJP Trading, the local reseller for Cyprus, joined together for the GRAITEC Workshop: “10 Reasons to choose GRAITEC Advance Steel”.

The seminar was held at Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia, on October 6th, 2012, where more than 50 draftsmen and engineers attended. The participants, former or current StruCAD users, must decide what the best alternative is for them, technically but also in terms of cost.

GRAITEC has responded to the needs of StruCAD users, which face a difficult situation and must decide quickly what is the most intelligent, profitable and, at the same time, sustainable solution for their requirements.

This is the first workshop organized by GRAITEC in collaboration with the local reseller in Cyprus, KJP Trading. The main focus of the presentation was pointing out the advantages of using professional steel detailing software, such as ADVANCE Steel, in the modeling and detailing of steel structures.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The participants were delighted to discover the ease-of-use of ADVANCE Steel compared to StruCAD and they expressed their desire to evaluate it at once, as this conversion campaign will only be available until the end of this year.

10 Reasons to choose ADVANCE Steel

  • Proven track record with more than 10,000 seats worldwide: Trusted market confidence;
  • Rapid adoption rate resulting in +50% growth in licenses in 2011: Tried and tested solution;
  • Increased functionality / productivity: Tools for all market sectors: BIM, Structures, Off-shore, Bridges, Architectural, Sheet-metalwork;
  • Works as a standalone application or with AutoCAD: Flexibility for users to choose the platform that suits them – no need to have AutoCAD;
  • Low initial financial outlay: Best value system on the market;
  • Lower on-going cost of ownership: Premium support & maintenance less than half the price of other systems;
  • Easy to use and short learning curve: 5-day foundation training course; 3-day transition training from StruCAD, includes full training manual;
  • Quick and easy deployment: Set up company drawing borders in minutes;
  • Interoperability: DSTV NC files in all versions, IFC, SDNF, CIS2, GRAITEC BIM, KISS, PSS;
  • Support and Helpdesk service rated 98% excellent or good by our users: Dedicated team ready to help you by phone, email or remote assistance.

GRAITEC ADVANCE Steel:Your solution for the future!

”Right after the first discussion with GRAITEC representatives, I decided to use BIM GRAITEC Advance. It was not an easy choice as I was an advanced user of StruCAD for years also being the reseller of this program in Cyprus. Still, the force of ADVANCE Steel and the interactive technical support, adding the chance to use this software with which so many unique projects all around the world have been realized, gave me confidence to choose and recommend GRAITEC Advance solutions. I believe that all my customers will have the same reaction and they will continue their work beside a solid company – GRAITEC.” J. ANNIVAS, General Manger KJP Trading.

GRAITEC is a “Compatibility Partner” with FABSUITE


We are pleased to announce that GRAITEC (and Advance Steel) is a “Compatibility Partner” with FABSUITE.

GRAITEC Group : CAD and Analysis Software for the Construction IndustryFABSUITE

Founded in 2000, FABSUITE is a software development company headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia, which offers solutions for every step of the fabrication process, from production and shipment, to purchasing, inventory control, and cost accounting.

FABSUITE is a Steel Fabrication Management Software designed to interact and exchange data with partnering companies, such as GRAITEC. It includes a set of comprehensive features for estimating, BOM import and project management, production control, inventory control, purchasing and order entry.

The partnership between the two companies and the compliancy between the two software solutions means that customers can now benefit from a complete package, in the true sense of the word, for steel detailing and also for steel fabrication. Users can now take advantage of cutting-edge products, which can increase productivity, enhances work efficiency and lower the total costs of production.

In addition to this, like GRAITEC, FABSUITE also offers customizable features to meet customers’ needs at every stage of the fabrication process.

For more information, you can visit the official FABSUITE website

Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil


Our reseller ARKISOFT organized in August 2012 different roadshows to promote Advance Steel in the capitals of 10 different states of Brazil. The events were met a great success with a total of more than 400 participants (e.g. 100 participants in Natal, 80 participants in Salvador, and also many interested ones in the cities of Vitoria, Fortaleza, Cuiaba, Campo Grande, Goiania, São Luis, Curitiba and Palmas).

Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil

All these seminars were supported by CREA (Conselho Federal de Engenharia, Arquitectura e Agronomia, which means Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy) and took place in the auditorium of the CREA local offices.

Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil

The audience was very impressed with the capabilities of Advance Steel for its automatic detailing to get high-quality drawings together with the easy-of-use and possibility to get all documents automatically updated in case of modifications in the 3D model.

Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil Successful Advance Steel road-show in Brazil

Alexandre Miranda, managing director at ARKISOFT says: “This partnership with GRAITEC is providing technologies with competitive advantages for the steel construction in Brazil, enabling a significant increase competitiveness and satisfaction to Architecture, Engineering and Construction Overview professionals.

ARKISOFT will organize other Advance Steel road-shows in October 2012 in different cities of the São Paulo state.

GRAITEC UK continues to expand: new office and training facility in Staffordshire Open


GRAITEC is pleased to announce the opening of a new office and dedicated training suite in Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. The additional office will complement GRAITEC’s existing headquarters in the South of England, offering the latest in design and analysis software for the construction industry.

The construction industry is a highly competitive sector and it is obvious that businesses in the UK are not just looking to survive but thrive. GRAITEC UK is committed to delivering cutting-edge technology designed to help improve its customer’s productivity and efficiency.
Making our technology and quality services more accessible, to more businesses, gives them the confidence and support they need to invest in our technology and get ahead of the game.

Carl Spalding, GRAITEC UK Managing Director

Carl Spalding, UK Managing Director comments: “This is a very exciting time for GRAITEC UK and our expansion is as a result of our continued growth both in the UK and globally. In addition to the incumbent strength of our Analysis and Design technology, SuperSTRESS, our best seller is our 3D BIM software for steel engineering and detailing, Advance Steel. It is through the demand and success of our Advance Steel software that has enabled us to expand at such a rapid pace and our new office, strategically located in Staffordshire, will provide easy access from all the major road networks and airports.”

Graitec UK is extremely pleased to welcome James Flatt to the team as the Regional Sales Manager heading up the Midlands office. James began his career in the construction industry working as a draughtsman for a large steelwork fabricator. In recent years he has worked for several major software companies supplying 3D modeling and BIM solutions to the market. James’s knowledge and experience will be valuable asset to both GRAITEC and its customers.James Flatt, Regional Sales Manager at GRAITEC UK

James Flatt adds: “I’m absolutely delighted to have joined GRAITEC at such an exciting time for the company. Seeing growth of +45% in 2011 compared to the previous year speaks volumes in terms of the direction in which we are going. The new standalone version of Advance Steel is receiving very good reviews and should be considered a viable option for steelwork fabricators and detailers alike.”

To help support and further develop the fast rate of growth we are experiencing in the UK market, GRAITEC UK has also contracted theconsultancy services of Wayne Rawson through his company – Wayne Rawson Consulting Ltd. Wayne has been in the steelwork industry for over 30 years and has worked at senior level with several large industry-specific software providers. His knowledge of the steelwork industry and steel detailing software solutions in particular is proving a great addition to Graitec team. He has already been instrumental in helping numerous companies with advice and business planning through to software deployment when they are considering an upgrade of their existing CAD software to Advance Steel as their preferred steel detailing software solution.

Wayne Rawson, Wayne Rawson Consulting Ltd. Wayne

Having worked with suppliers of steel detailing solutions over a good number of years, I understand both the capabilities available within the CAD products in the market and what detailers really need from a steel detailing solution. Advance Steel is an excellent 3D multi-material modelling system that offers a very serious alternative for companies using older software systems that are looking for a highly competent and flexible software solution with increased capabilities, backed by a very successful organization growing at an incredible rate

Formally Integer Software Ltd (est. 1984), Graitec UK boasts an integrated range of structural design and analysis software used by 90% of the top 100 UK engineering consultancies and offers a wide range of quality services from professional training to custom software development to ensure customers get the best from us and our software. Importantly its support service is rated extremely highly by its customers and it is imperative that the company ensures this level of service is maintained from our Midlands office. The appointment of James combined with Wayne’s experience and the full backup and support of its established technical team will ensure its quality services are continued.

GRAITEC UK new office in Staffordshire GRAITEC UK new office in Staffordshire

Service Pack 2 of Advance Steel 2012 is released!


Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabricationWe are pleased to announce the release of Service Pack 2 of Advance Steel 2012!

Service Pack 2 has a set of enhancements and provides the following advantages to users:

  • International catalogs additions: Advance Steel libraries have been extended for profiles such as Zed and C Australian sections.
  • More efficient modifications: The user can now modify all anchors in fewer clicks using the multi-edit function which now also works with anchors.
  • Detailing of complex beams: Polybeams (such as beams created from polylines) can be automatically detailed with an unfold representation and the correct display of holes and bolts which are part of them.
  • BOM on drawing enhancements: Service Pack 2 provides more choices to define the BOM on drawing template with new options such as creating formulas with divisions (“/”).
  • GRAITEC Advance manager: The tool which helps users to control all global settings and have a direct access to the databases of the software has been enhanced concerning the table editor.
  • General reliability: performance and stability updates.

Any customer under maintenance contract can download Service Pack 2 from the GRAITEC Advantage web site: www.graitec.com/advantage

Download GRAITEC wallpaper for October


Download GRAITEC wallpaper for October

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October free webinars


Structural Engineers, Steel and Concrete Detailers…

Discover GRAITEC Structural BIM Suite

…Attend our free upcoming webinars!

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

Advance Steel

Advance Steel® is specifically designed for structural engineers and steel detailers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM structural steel detailing software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Steel® drastically increases productivity and drawing quality, while reducing the risk of errors. Advance Steel® can be used with or without AutoCAD®.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

Register now!

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST – Metric

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST – Imperial

2/ StruCad® switchover to Advance Steel

Discover a number of the features and enhancements in Advance Steel that StruCad® customers require.

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

3/ Advanced tools for miscellaneous steel

We will show different techniques when using Advance Steel for miscellaneous steel, from the 3D modeling to the automatic creation of all necessary documents for fabrication and erection.

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

Advance Design: BIM software for FEM structural analysis including international eurocodesAdvance Design

Advance Design® is specifically dedicated to structural engineers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM solution for simulating and optimizing all their projects. It includes a user-friendly structural modeler, an automatic load generator, a powerful FEM engine, comprehensive wizards for designing concrete and steel members, and efficient post-processing and report generators. Advance Design® implements the latest European standards, American standards ACI and AISC.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Tuesday October 9th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

2/ Seismical analysis EC8

Discover how you can handle a seismical analysis according to EC8 with Advance Design: spectrum generation and modal analysis. During this ½ hour presentation, you will discover how you can benefit from dedicated tools in Advance Design to handle multi-material projects in seismical areas: automatic generation of seismical spectrum, behaviour coefficient definition, additional torsional eccentricity effects, results postprocessing per mode…

Tuesday, October 23th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

Advance Design free webinar      Advance Design free webinar

Advance Concrete: BIM software for structural concrete engineering, detailing and fabricationAdvance Concrete

Advance Concrete® is specifically designed for structural engineers and reinforced concrete detailers who require professional and easy-to-use BIM software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files. Advance Concrete® drastically increases productivity and drawings quality, while reducing the risk of errors.

1/ General overview: discover the software in 30 minutes

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

2/ Several ways to create reinforcement drawings

Thanks to Advance Concrete, discover different ways to create reinforcement drawings:

• Based on the 3D model elements with reinforcement styles
• Based on the 3D model without using reinforcement styles
• Create the rebar drawings based on a pure 2D drawing
• Rebar symbols, bending details and reinforcement lists

Finally we will create a 3D view of the reinforcement, run a clash check detection and place the reinforcement drawings on a layout.

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

⇒ 9:00 AM CEST to 9:30 AM CEST

⇒ 6:00 PM CEST to 6:30 PM CEST

GRAITEC has made the finals for the 2012 Construction Computing Awards


GRAITEC has made the finals for the 2012 Construction Computing AwardsThis year, we are delighted to announce that  GRAITEC has made the finals of the Construction Computing Awards in the following categories:

–> Construction Computing “One to Watch” Company 2012 (companies that are going to make a real impact in the industry) – GRAITEC UK;

–> Construction Computing “One to Watch” Product 2012 (new products in 2012 that are going to become “big” in the next 12 months) – GRAITEC ADVANCE Steel 2012 – Standalone;

–> Structural Design Product of the Year (accurate design of overall products and individual joints, whether working in steel, concrete or other materials) – GRAITEC UK – SuperSTRESS;

–> Product of the Year (the product which has impressed you most throughout 2012) – GRAITEC UK – ADVANCE Steel;.

–> Company of the Year (the company which has impressed you most throughout 2012) – GRAITEC UK.

Featuring more than 20 different categories, the Construction Computing Awards reward the technology, tools and solutions for design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all types and sizes.

Voting started on September 13th, 2012, and will close on November 8th, 2012. You may cast your votes by registering your personal detailsand selecting your favorites here.

The Winners Ceremony will take place at Hotel Russell in London, on November 22nd, 2012.

Stay tuned for more information and don’t forget to show your support for our company and products.

Concrete Design according to Eurocode 2 – Video


Discover in few minutes the EC2 implementation in Advance Design 2012.
This video demonstrates the EC2 design capabilities in Advance Design: real reinforcement definition on beams-columns and plates and cracking detailed analysis. See also how you can get a detailed report with all intermediate values and formulas.

Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRAND


Advance Steel Testimonial: Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRANDFounded in 1956, LEGRAND is involved in the field of railway engineering, metalwork and signage industries throughout France for over 50 years.
In 1981, LEGRAND chose to diversify its client base and its business activities by creating a Steel Construction Department in the Quincieux site (Dpt 69). This department includes its own design office which is equipped with a modern and recently renewed IT infrastructure.
Currently, LEGRAND employs about 200 people.

Jean-Sébastien COURIVAUD, Design Office manager and Jean-Charles MASBOEUF, Draftsman, report their satisfaction of the Advance Steel software.

 Advance Steel Testimonial: Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRAND

How did your drawing software equipment evolve within your Design Office?

J-S COURIVAUD: Ten years ago, we switched from the drawing board to the use of AutoCAD® in 2D, and then we realized the projects were becoming more and more complex. So we have equipped the Design Office with 3D CAD software dedicated to the steel construction industry in which 30 people are working at the Quincieux site. We initially started with Prosteel before choosing Advance Steel. After a personalized demonstration, it was clear that Advance Steel would provide us with significant productivity savings through the automatic detailing and the quality of the final drawings.
Today, we have 4 Advance Steel licenses to deal with our footbridge and highway bridge projects.

What are the advantages of Advance Steel compared to the software you were previously using?

Advance Steel Testimonial: Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRANDJ-S COURIVAUD: The main saving concerns the drawing time creation which is extremely fast with Advance Steel. In addition, a permanent link exists between the 3D model and all the generated documents using the integrated AS document manager, which facilitates the overall project management.

J-C MASBOEUF: Our footbridges typically include curved elements such as lower arches supporting the steel structure and the bridge deck. Advance Steel knows how to manage these kinds of elements without affecting the global performances of the software.

How have you customized Advance Steel to match your work methods?

J-S COURIVAUD: Customized drawing styles have been created to produce drawings perfectly corresponding to our presentation criteria (dimension styles, line thickness, dimensions, etc.) and they can be directly launched from a dedicated toolbar that we have also created on our own.

Advance Steel Testimonial: Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRANDJ-C MASBOEUF: We extended the Advance Steel catalogs with steel profiles used for our bridges. We also added new anchors that secure the structure on concrete abutments.
With the help of the GRAITEC technical support, we configured Advance Steel to work with our fabrication machines at the workshop so that the unfolding of folded plates can be obtained by the criteria of the machines (value of the plate elongation, folding radius, plate thickness, etc.).

Can you give us a description of the footbridge project you recently built with Advance Steel?

J-C COURIVAUD: The construction is a pedestrians/cycles footbridge (access to Anonnay between Peaugres and Davézieux on the RD820). This steel footbridge with 40.30m straight span consists of a mixed steel/wood frame and a concrete floor on HEA 200 beams spaced every 3.40m.

The supporting structure is made up of 2 tapered glue-laminated arches 48cm apart and braced with steel parts. The latter are associated to the level of the deck with 2 lateral steel beams of constant height and connected vertically by two transverse V shaped steel stays (welded plates steel profile stays). The total weight of the structure is 32 tons.

How did you collaborate with the other companies working on this project?

Advance Steel Testimonial: Footbridge construction: Interview with LEGRANDJ-C MASBOEUF: We exported the entire Advance Steel 3D model to the ACIS format and we sent the electronic file to MATHIS, the company in charge of the wooden railing of the bridge. For their part, they completed the 3D model by precisely positioning the overall handrail and other wood laths between the steel posts in inverted V, which required specific and precise cuts at the ends of the wooden elements. Then, this completed model was sent back to us and I could import all the wooden parts in my Advance Steel model to automatically produce overall drawings representing the steel structure, the concrete bridge abutment and all the wooden elements.

To conclude, what is your general impression of Advance Steel?

J-S COURIVAUDAdvance Steel allowed us to definitively move on to 3D design which gave us new opportunities and solutions to architects complex requirements. Also, the produced documents perfectly match the needs of the workshop and our clients.

J-C MASBOEUF: Once adapted to our needs, Advance Steel has proved to be very easy to use simultaneously allowing us to deal with projects even more and more complex and atypical.

Get the workshop drawings of a truss – Video


This movie shows a truss (created with the Advance Steel automatic macro) and explains how to run the numbering, control which parts are shop-welded, and then start the creation of single part and assembly drawings of the truss.

CAD Digest – review of GRAITEC Advance’s BIM Capabilities for Structural Design


CAD Digest, one of the most popular online sources for CAD, CAM & CAE articles, reviews the capabilities of the GRAITEC ADVANCE suite as a complete solution for structural design.

The author of the review, Protim Banerjee  (with 15 years of experience in construction management, structural engineering and AEC software development) provides an overview of the GRAITEC ADVANCE suite, highlighting the pros as well as the cons for compatibility and data exchange with Revit Structures 2012.

GRAITEC ADVANCE and Revit Structures have been compatible since 2006, up to the present time. This integration has allowed engineers and design offices using software solutions from both suites to run their structure calculation and drawing creation quickly, without recreating the model and with a minimal risk of errors. As an Autodesk partner for over 10 years, GRAITEC offers an application for Revit Structures – GRAITEC BIM Connect – that ensures the compatibility of Revit models with the GRAITEC Advance suite and with industry standards, such as IFC and SDNF. With GRAITEC BIM Connect, data is imported and exported between applications, using GRAITEC’s own transfer file format – GTC files. The free Revit add-on is available for download here. This add-on generates GTC files for import into GRAITEC applications, and also works as a two-way transfer.

CAD Digest – review of GRAITEC Advance's BIM Capabilities for Structural Design

“The Revit add-on allows model synchronization, a tool very useful for comparing the original model with updated ones. The changes that are alerted include member additions (appended), member modifications (modified), and member deletions (deleted); the alerts are made by color coding and by tabulating them in the synchronization dialog. You can review the changes, and then decide whether to accept them” Protim Banerjee states.

CAD Digest – review of GRAITEC Advance's BIM Capabilities for Structural Design

GRAITEC BIM Connectt is, in fact, a concept which has constantly improved since 2009. Its key features include data synchronization with the GRAITEC ADVANCE Suite, IFC Interface (Import / Export), CIS/2 Interface (Import / Export), SDNF Interface (Import / Export), PSS Interface (Import / Export). The 3D model is imported from Autodesk Revit Structure (or Autodesk Revit Architecture) to the desired GRAITEC Structural Analysis or Detailing product. To complete the model, a structural analysis and design process is run to optimize the structure, and then synchronized with the Revit Structure model to include any modifications. The implemented elements are structural elements (columns, beams, wall, slabs), custom families containing an analytical model, supports and loads.

CAD Digest – review of GRAITEC Advance's BIM Capabilities for Structural Design

“GRAITEC has carefully conceived the overall BIM process with the use of its GTC file format. The concept of cross section mapping and synchronization of changes is certainly very innovative. GRAITEC scores good points when it comes to the software design”, Protim Banerjee concludes, stating also that the GRAITEC ADVANCE suite covers all aspects of structural BIM workflow.

CAD Digest – review of GRAITEC Advance's BIM Capabilities for Structural Design

You can read the full review here.