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Advance Steel 2012: CAD platform freedom

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Advance Steel® is specifically designed for steel professionals who require an easy-to-use 3D structural steel detailing software for automating drawing production.

 

 Choice of graphical platform and improved ergonomics 

Historically based on the AutoCAD® platform, Advance Steel 2012 allows users to use their software with or without AutoCAD®. In fact, the product includes its own graphics engine, and the user can select the desired CAD platform. Regardless of the selected platform, all the essential functionality of the software is retained, as well as DWG® compatibility.

This major change has also allowed GRAITEC to simplify the user interface by focusing on and organizing the industry specific functionality of the software and the BIM integration. A “BIM Center” facilitating data exchange is available.

Another major impact for the user: the overall cost of the solution and the ease of installation and deployment. The return on investment of Version 2012 is improved by 30%.

Advance Steel 2012: Choice of graphical platform and improved ergonomics

 

 New automatic controls for 3D modeling 

Version 2012 also has many other improvements, the main ones are as follows:

  • Management of a preliminary reference mark to improve the traceability of elements from their creation to manufacturing
  • Option to group similar connections to manage and change them in a single operation
  • Implementation of new automatic connections (e.g., turnbuckle bracings, purlin connections with sleeves, connections between steel and concrete elements)
  • All new connections work on standard and cold rolled profiles
  • Numerous modifications in the existing connections, including in the field of metalwork.
Advance Steel 2012: New automatic controls for 3D modeling

 

 Extensive libraries 
Advance Steel 2012 provides libraries with lots of new and updated profiles and bolts:

  • Cold rolled profiles ( Joris IDE, Kingspan, etc.)
  • Cladding sections (Perfitec, Metecno, Corus, etc.)
  • Bolts and connectors (Lindapter, Australian bolts, etc.)

 

 Enhancements for high quality drawings 
Following on from previous versions, Advance Steel 2012 continues to improve the overall quality of drawings created automatically by the software:

  • Several new drawing styles delivered and ready to be used
  • Lists on drawings can be customized to include formulas (e.g. elements weight + 5%)
These new options increase user productivity and protects the production and management of documentation of their steel construction projects.

Graitec Advance suite compliant with Autodesk Revit 2012

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GRAITEC Advance compliancy with REVIT 2012GRAITEC Advance compliancy with REVIT 2012GRAITEC announces the compliancy of its Structural BIM solution suite, GRAITEC Advance, with Autodesk Revit® 2012.

Specifically designed for engineering firms, design offices, detailers and draftsmen, the GRAITEC Advance suite consists of Advance Design, Advance Concrete and Advance Steel. It provides a complete environment for designing, detailing and creating all design and fabrication documents for reinforced concrete, steel and timber structures.

In an environment where designers are subjected to increasing pressure for optimizing material and costs, reducing the design time, controlling the risks of implementation and integration of new constraints, particularly related to the environment, the response of software developers, particularly of GRAITEC, must be innovative and efficient.

As an important player of digital modeling in the field of construction, GRAITEC continues to enhance its modeling and automation tools based around the digital model, now commonly known as BIM (Building Information Modeling). This technology associates each real object to its virtual equivalent in the digital model, and thus opens the possibility for users to simulate the behavior of the real structure and automate many processes. It also allows the different players to exchange digital information, improving the traceability of information and reduce the design risks. This leads to the compatibility of Advance with Autodesk Revit® 2012.

This integration allows users of Autodesk Revit Architecture® 2012 and Autodesk Revit Structure® 2012 quickly optimize the design of their structures in accordance with U.S. standards and Eurocodes and to produce effective and error-free general arrangement drawings for reinforced concrete in addition to all fabrication drawings, BOMs, and NC files for steel construction. It also reduces the potential risk of errors with changes during the project.

According to Manuel Liedot, GRAITEC Group Product Manager: “This integration makes the work of our users easier. It allows them to automate the design, calculation, and creation of fabrication documents using data from architects or engineering firms using Revit tools.”

GRAITEC Advance compliancy with REVIT 2012

Model of mixed Concrete-Steel structure imported from Revit Structure 2012 into GRAITEC Advance

GRAITEC Advance compliancy with REVIT 2012

Model of mixed Concrete-Steel structure in Revit Structure 2012

Service Pack 1 of Advance Steel 2011

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Service Pack 1 of Advance Steel 2011 provides the following to end-users:

• Compliancy of Advance Steel 2011 with AutoCAD® 2012
• Various enhancements

 SP1 makes Advance Steel 2011 compliant with AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD Architecture® 2012 

Advance Steel - Compliancy with AutoCAD® 2012 and Autodesk® Architecture 2012


AutoCAD® 2012 enables the quick creation of documents from a variety of modeling formats, helping to reduce manual documentation workarounds. Capture and import as-built information to jump-start your design process. Plus, you’ll find a wide range of timesaving enhancements to the features you use most. AutoCAD® 2012 delivers the powerful tools you need to participate in smooth 3D design workflows, helping drive your projects to completion more quickly than ever before.
Advance Steel - Compliancy with AutoCAD® 2012 and Autodesk® Architecture 2012
With new and expanded workflows for 3D conceptual design, model documentation, and reality capture, AutoCAD® 2012 helps design professionals maximize productivity.
To get AutoCAD® 2012 compliancy, Advance Steel users can download Service Pack 1 from the GRAITEC website:www.graitec.com/advantage

 Service Pack 1 has different enhancements such as: 

  Shim plates in base plate joints can be created with or without a leveling plate.

Shim plates in base plate joints can be created with or without a leveling plate

  New option to define the front/view of profiles such as RHS in NC-DSTV files.
  Scribing within NC-DSTV files can be created as a partial line (e.g. each line longer than 20mm will be split into several lines with a length of 10mm).
  The functionality to connect railing handrails works between straight and curved railings.
connect railing handrails works between straight and curved railings  The libraries have been extended with some additional sections and bolts.

New partnership for Australia signed with Beyond 3D

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 GRAITEC  announces a new strategic authorised consulting agreement with Beyond 3D, a company located in Melbourne, Victoria. The partnership agreement signed between the two companies entitles Beyond 3D to promote and sell the Advance Steel software solution as well as provide training and support in Australia. 

Combining 18+ years prior industry experience across a wide range of drafting disciplines – Beyond 3D delivers value and lateral insight into the most challenging of projects.

As a “GRAITEC Authorised Consultant”, Beyond 3D offers their customers and clients the option to purchase GRAITEC Advance Steel 3D/2D CAD software, for unrivalled large scale structural steel & mechanical, design and shop detailing – backing up GRAITEC’s software products with comprehensive customer support and training options.

GRAITEC’s Advance Steel software natively incorporates Australian Standards, combined with Beyond 3D’s insight and knowledge of Australia’s best industry practices, Advance Steel positions itself as the leading steel detailing solution in Australia.

GRAITEC and Beyond 3D share the goal of bringing to the market competitive technology solutions that will increase their customer productivity for steel structural design, modeling and detailing.

Pascal Bergougnou, Managing Director of GRAITEC Asia Pacific, comments: “I am glad to welcome Beyond 3D into the eco-system of GRAITEC. We are confident that the Australian market has endless opportunities and that Beyond 3D will accelerate our development in this region thanks to its deep knowledge and experience of local standards and practices.”

Max Frederick, Director of Beyond 3D adds: “I am honored to be welcomed into the friendly team at GRAITEC. For years I have been a consumer of compromised CAD software products delivered with average customer support. Given my experience and my evaluation of the GRAITEC product and company, I believe that Advance Steel will become “the” leading detailing software in Australia. ”

About BEYOND 3D
Drafting – Software – Training Broad practical experience of the Australian Industry, combined with comprehensive knowledge of the Graitec product, to provide the customer with a trusted comprehensive solution.
For more information, please visit www.beyond3d.com.au.

GRAITEC expands into Australia and New Zealand markets

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 GRAITEC  announces a new strategic distribution agreement with CIM Solutions, a premier engineering software solutions company located in Sydney, New South Wales. The partnership agreement signed between the two companies entitles CIM Solutions to promote, distribute and support the Advance Steel product line in Australia and New Zealand. 

 CIM Solutions (Computer Integrated Manufacturing Solutions) has been involved in the CAD/CAM/CAE marketplace since 1986 and has been working extensively with both mechanical and construction software companies since its first involvement in steel detailing.

With the appointment of CIM Solutions, our Value Added Reseller program is enriched with a company that combines the knowledge of structural design and civil engineering, and contacts within their local markets with a comprehensive appreciation of GRAITEC’s technology solutions.

GRAITEC and CIM Solutions share the goal of bringing to the market competitive technology solutions which will increase their customer productivity for steel structural design, modeling and detailing. This new relationships will greatly improve the engineering value chain and act as a win-win for both the companies and the customers.

Pascal Bergougnou, Managing Director of GRAITEC Asia Pacific, comments: “I am very pleased to welcome CIM Solutions into our VAR channel. This is an exciting time for GRAITEC as we keep expanding across Asia-Pacific. Australian and New Zealand markets represent endless opportunities, as the construction industries and the mining industry are major drivers of activity in this region. With our new partnership we are given the opportunity to target these segments and continue our leadership in the BIM market.”

Steve Thomas, Sales Director of CIM Solutions adds: “We see many positive benefits in GRAITEC’s products that we believe will be very attractive to our customers. GRAITEC has obviously put an enormous amount of research into giving the industry exactly what it needs and we are proud to work with them in the Australian and New Zealand markets. We look forward to many years of mutually beneficial association.”

 About CIM SOLUTIONS  
The people at CIM Solutions have been involved in the CAD/CAM industry for over 20 years. They have experience as both users and suppliers and that gives them a unique perspective on what the customers actually want. Their goal is to supply and support the best possible engineering solutions for our customers. For more information, please visit www.cimsolutions.com.au.

GRAITEC GmbH acquires TREPCAD GmbH

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 GRAITEC  is pleased to announce the acquisition of TREPCAD GmbH through its German-based company GRAITEC GmbH. The aim of both companies is the connection of TREPCAD, the software for staircase construction to Advance Steel, the 3D CAD software for steel construction, and also the worldwide development of the market segments for staircase construction. 

For 10 years, TREPCAD GmbH has been developing and distributing its software for staircase construction in the German speaking market. The company is specialized in the construction of stairs made of steel and stairs made of a combination of wood and steel. Used by more than 2600 customers, TREPCAD software is easy to use and very powerful and especially well-known by companies specialized in miscellaneous steel, schools and educational facilities.

With this acquisition, both companies want to share their expertise. Their common aim is the connection of TREPCAD Software to Advance Steel, and also the worldwide development of the market segments for staircase construction. By working together with GRAITEC’s large and competent R&D team, the innovative ideas of TREPCAD’s stair and railing solution specialists will be developed faster in the future.

Francis Guillemard, GRAITEC CEO, comments: “The acquisition of TREPCAD allows the Group to strengthen its leading position in the steel market by supplementing its steel CAD solution software that addresses a complementary market: the metal work companies who need easy and quick tools to generate drawings.”

Norbert Schulze-Kahleyß, founder and manager of TREPCAD GmbH, adds: “Thanks to GRAITEC’s worldwide network and its powerful and important R&D Department, we are convinced we will be able to distribute our software internationally.”

About TREPCAD 
TREPCAD GmbH was founded in 2004 by Dipl.-Ing (FH) Norbert Schulze-Kahleyß. He started to develop the well-known software for staircase construction “TREPCAD” in 2000. Today the company has 2600 customers in the German speaking market. In 2006 TREPCAD GmbH received the “award for excellent and innovative benefits for their handcraft”. For more information, please visit www.trepcad.de.