Software : Steel Engine - Putting the "I" in BIM

Home » Steel eNotes - Winter 2010 » Software : Steel Engine - Putting the "I" in BIM

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of creating and using internally-consistent, computable and coordinated information during the life cycle of a particular building or project. BIM has been promoted as a solution to inefficiencies in building design. With a 3D digital representation of a building, users of BIM will be able to bid accurately and address design issues before they become construction problems. The key is interoperability; in other words, the ability to share information between all designers, contractors and trades on the building team.

Aegis is deep in development on a new software platform to satisfy the requirements of the coming BIM era. This new platform is known as SteelEngine, and its state-of-the-art dynamic framing capabilities, coupled with the power of AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) and Aegis Design, will provide the Steel Framing industry with a complete building design solution.

With SteelEngine, the cold-formed building component fabricator will be able to store, attach, and extract information in either a 2D or 3D format. The ability to create a building model in a true AutoCAD 3D environment gives the user an advantage over Aegis’ current layout program, which was based on 2D drafting tools. SteelEngine also brings the Roof, Floor, and Walls into one central program, providing true “whole structure” modeling capability!

A key technological benefit of SteelEngine is the concept of “smart objects.” With SteelEngine users can create smart objects with parametric relationships to each other, and allow these new articles to interact with the objects around them. For example, a Truss is within a Framing Area and a Framing Area is within a Roof Envelope. A change to any of these items will result to a corresponding change to the others.

SteelEngine is based on a vertical of ACA. Aegis is building the essential truss and wall layout features on top of ACA. We have also integrated Aegis Design for state-of-the-art truss engineering. A global development team comprised of MiTek and Aegis programmers is working feverishly to bring our fabricators the most complete start to finish solution for your cold-formed steel projects.

By leveraging the power of AutoCAD, SteelEnginer users will be creating models in one of the most widely used formats for CAD drawings--DWG. Remember, interoperability is the means to sharing information with the industry. With a true DWG model, users will be able to collaborate with other trades to merge various models for a more accurate, “conflict free” building design.

Multi-level building design is made easier with SteelEngine’s copying, mirroring and labeling tools. The AutoDesk Project Navigator assists with file management and provides multiple options for project layouts.

The “I” in BIM is the critical aspect of this new way of designing buildings. SteelEngine will be THE tool to help Aegis users define the BIM processes and integrate their models with those of the other trades. And, since SteelEngine is an extension of AutoCAD, any user that is familiar with AutoCAD will be well on their way to framing trusses and walls using our next generation of software.

Please keep an eye out for more information on SteelEngine. The development team is pushing hard to bring an alpha version to our fabricators by mid-2010.

Key Advantages:

• State of the art software running on 2010 AutoDesk Technologies
• Single model environment – architectural and steel framing in one package
• Rapid editing with dynamic framing - faster from start to finish 
• Interaction with Aegis Roof Design software
• Walls framed with Steel Studs and Tracks
• Walls can be broken down into panels for fabrication
• Reduced design times for large projects with concurrent user capabilities
• Copy, Paste, Mirror, Rotate – all of the AutoCAD tools and more
• Powerful level management tools
• Load path integration – follow your load down the building

Ray Wagner
Technical Products Manager