Version: 18

The main window

The Consteel window consists of seven separate parts containing different functionalities.

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The graphical window is the area for the 3D structural modeling (#1)
The menu on the top contains some important commands (#2)
Tabs from left to right lead the user through the steps of structural design (#3)
Sidebar on the left contains functions for grids, views, most commonly used transformations, and selections (#4)
The MyDescript pop-up panel is for parametric modeling (#5)
The status bar on the bottom makes the drawing phases easier (#6)
The Side Panel contains the Object and parameter tables and gives always sophisticated information about the model, making fast modifications possible (#7).

The graphical window

The structural model appears always in the graphical window. There are no other window opening options; however, there are lots of viewing possibilities in this single window. The graphical window supports the modeling by the global coordinate system (GCS) and a moveable, rotatable, and size adjustable grid. The coordinate system at the left bottom corner denotes always the unchangeable GCS; the origin of the user coordinate system (UCS) takes place at the middle point of the grid which is always the plane “XY” of the UCS. The following moving possibilities and quick view settings can be used during the structural model manipulation:

Move: push and hold down the middle mouse button or use the four arrow buttons on the keyboard to move the model on the screen
Rotate: hold down the Alt key and the left mouse button. The center of rotation is always adapting the actual model view
Scaling: spin the middle mouse button forth and back or use the + and - buttons on the keyboard or hold down the Alt key and the right mouse button
Zoom window: window drawing by the left mouse button, while pressing Shift+Alt keys
Hotkeys for views:
- Ctrl+1: Switch to top view
- Ctrl+2: Switch to front view
- Ctrl+3: Switch to side view
- Ctrl+4: Switch to axonometric view
- Ctrl+5: Perpendicular to the actual UCS plane
- Ctrl+0: Quick zoom all

The Consteel menu does not contain many commands since the main functionality is placed to the structured tabs and to the side bars, and the applicability and modeling efficiency does not really need to duplicate the functions. However, six important function groups appear here: File handling, some Edit options (undo-redo), View and diagnostics, Options for settings (for saving, updating, selecting language, and for model diagnostics), Standards for reviewing and defining standard parameters for design and Help.

Project Center

The Project Center will be opened. See more here.

New model

A new Consteel applications launches and a new structural model can be created.

Model attribute

The model description and the EN National Annex, or design standard can be changed here. (These parameters can be set at first by creating a new model.)

Recent models

Opens the Project Center with the Recent models saved at your computer in focus.

Open and Open from Computer

Standard file open dialogue window will open.

Open from Cloud

Open your cloud storage. Cloud functions are provided by the Steelspace platform. See more: Open from Cloud.

Save

Saves the current model to the previously defined storage space. For the first save a pop-up window will open where you can select between Local and Cloud storage.

Save as

Saves the model in another storage space. A pop-up window will open where you can select between Local and Cloud storage.

Choosing the Local computer, the common dialogue of Windows will open.

Choosing the Cloud (Beta), the cloud model directory powered by Steelspace will open where you can save your model. See more: Cloud save.

Share

Models saved to the Cloud can be shared with other Consteel users who have an online account. For more details regarding sharing see here: Sharing models.

Import

Import menu contains a wide range of import possibilities from the very basic DXF wireframe import to the widespread IFC, furthermore the complex Dlubal and SAP2000 model import including the loadings as well. See more: File handling.

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Export

The selected part of the model can be exported to TEKLA Structures or to IFC. In the case of a slab reinforcement result, the colored result view can be exported to DXF format as well. See more: File handling.

Update

In the case of a connected Tekla model (previously Tekla import or export is needed), the connected Tekla model can be updated and modified acc. to the actual Consteel model. See more: Tekla model update.

Standard Windows features that do not require special explanation.

In addition to the several window options, the Model content can be switched on and off separately from the Model portions.

The visibility status of several optional windows can be switched on and off. See more: Side panel.
With the Sizes of objects… function, the size of the model objects can be changed individually.

Keep selections of portions

By utilizing the Keep selection of portions feature, one can maintain the same portion selection even when closing and reopening the model, assuming it was saved previously. In contrast, reopening the model will display the full view.

In the pop up Options window the following settings can be found: Save, Update, Language, Background color, Styles, Diagnostics, and IDEA Statica Interface.

In the pop up Options window the following settings can be found: Save, Update, Language, Styles, Diagnostics, and IDEA Statica Interface.

Save

If Autosave is clicked, the program automatically performs a save periodically in accordance with the adjusted number of minutes. If Backup is clicked, Consteel creates a backup file after a manual save is performed. The backup model file can be used as a normal model by removing the .bak extension.

Convert previous models to the actual version of Consteel

When the backup feature is active, the first time you save a model from a previous Consteel version, a backup is automatically created retaining the original version. The file name of this backup copy is created according to the following scheme: model_filename - Consteel XX.bak (where XX = the version number).

Update

If the Automatic search for updates is checked Consteel searches the web for an available new version at every startup. It can be turned off anytime. The check for a new version can also be performed manually by clicking on the Search for updates now ( ) button.

Customer experience improvement

In order to make our products meet the expectations of our customers as much as possible, our software collects and sends us usage statistics. Consteel Solutions Ltd. uses this information to improve the products and features customers use the most often and to help to solve problems. Our product collects and sends the following information: software version, used functionalities, running time, and location. Sent information does not contain any personal information (such as your name, address, or phone number) and is not used to identify you.

In the case of commercial licenses, the collection of usage statistics can be turn off anytime by turning off the checkbox. In the case of a trial or an educational license, the collection of usage statistics is continuous.

Language

The language of the user interface can be chosen here from the following list: Hungarian, English, French, Rumanian, German, Russian, Slovenian, Polish, Spanish, Slovak, Portuguese, Serbian, Turkish, Chinese, Bulgarian, Greek, Italian, and Croatian.

Consteel has to be restarted after changing the interface language.

Background color

The background color of the model definition tabs can be set here.

Styles

The color of the objects can be changed. - (This feature will be discontinued!)

Diagnostics

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Before the analysis, the program checks the model for possible modeling mistakes. Two different levels of modeling mistakes may occur: errors and warnings.

Error: if the distance between the finite element nodes of 1D or 2D elements is more than 0 but less than the given value, the program sends an error message and shows with red sign the relevant members in the diagnostics window and does not perform the analysis.
Warning: if the distance between the finite element nodes of 1D or 2D elements is more than the defined error level distance but less than the given value here, the program sends a warning message, and shows with a yellow sign the relevant members in the diagnostics window.

See more: Model check and Diagnostic window

The maximum permissible displacement, expressed as a percentage of the largest dimension of the boundary box enclosing the project can be determined in the following box.

Load distribution

This function belongs to the Model settings category, together with the Diagnostics.

The Automatic load distribution can be switched off to increase the speed of modelling. In general, distribution of surface loads to bar members of the Load Transfer Surfaces is done automatically by the software and also the redistribution is immediate after any change on the model that indicates it. In case of large models with several LTS's, it can lead to slow model handling. By switching off automatic load distribution for the time of model adjustments, can speed up the process. Please note, that when the function is switched off, the Distributed Line Loads will not be valid any more in case of a change of the LTS or the surface load. As a consequence, analysis can not be run in this state of the model. A Diagnostic error will warn you on that. To update the loads according to the new model state, either check in the check-box or click on the Update button appearing with the Diagnostic error.

IDEA StatiCa Interface

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To establish the link between Consteel and IDEA Statica steel connection design software the installation path of IDEA has to be set in this section.

The menu provides an opportunity to view the parameters of the existing standards and to create new ones in an easy way. The used standard can be chosen in the File menu - Model attribute.

The first row of the Standard tree shows the applied standard which is stored in the model.

For creating a new, user defined standard:

Press the New button at the bottom left corner.
Select one of the existing standards from the list.
Give a new name to your defined standard and click on the green checkmark.
The parameters for the newly defined standard can now be changed.

The user defined standards are saved to the following file: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Consteel\ver\UserStandard.xml (Where "C" can be different according to the install drive and "ver" has to be changed to the actual Consteel version number (e.g.:14))

The menu is divided into two categories, distinguished by the longitudinal bar as shown in the picture. Information regarding the first part can be found below.

In addition to the already existing functions, with the help of the Getting Started button, easy access to the software's YouTube page is possible. By pressing Hotkeys, a list of all the most important commands and their corresponding hotkeys will appear.

The second category can be accessed by clicking on Get Support. The online window opens, and two options will appear. Depending on the issue, users can choose either Consteel Support-Central or Steelspace Support.

In the Consteel support-center, additional options will become available:

Support Request: The most general option when technical support engineers are needed.
Licensing, Protection, and Update Issues.
Feature Request: For suggesting new features or improvements to existing ones.

Steelspace support is designed for the following purposes:

To get help with specific problems.
To report a bug when issues are experienced in Steelspace.
Feature request for suggesting new features or the development of existing ones.
Requesting more bandwidth

The Tabs

The tabs contain the systematically collected functions of modeling, analysis and design, leading the engineers through the logical steps of the structural design. The number of available functions depends on the version number of the currently used software. The pictures and descriptions below always correspond to the latest version of Consteel.

By approaching any of the icons with the cursor, the short name of the function will be appeared.

Geometry tab

It contains all the important CAD drawing and modification functions as well as dimensioning and measuring tools.
See the Drawing Geometry chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Structural members tab

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All functions related to structural modeling are included here, such as cross-sections, members, plates and walls, frame corner wizard, diaphragm, and rigid body, supports, and connections, etc. The automatic members to plate conversion function can be also found here.
See the Structural modeling chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Loads tab

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All functions related to creating loads can be found on this tab including load cases, load groups, combinations. The functions of meteorological load generation, crane and train load, and fire effect and protection can also be found here.
See the Structural loads chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Mass tab

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Mass cases, mass groups, point masses, response spectrums, and seismic effects can be created on the Mass tab. See the Masses chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Finite element tab

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It contains functions connected with the finite element mesh generation and modification and a model check option indicating possible modeling mistakes.

Analysis tab

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The types of structural analysis can be set and executed, the results can be viewed and labeled in various forms.
See the Structural analysis chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Global checks tab

The Serviceability limit state check, along with the Ultimate limit state check is included in the Global checks tab.

Both verifications can be done separately by pressing their respective rows (the blue and the green), and together by clicking on the icon .

For more detailed information, please visit the Standard design chapter.

The Global checks tab contains the options and results of possible cross-sections checks as well as the global buckling standard checks.
See the Standard design chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Member checks tab

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Steel member design related checks functions (buckling, lateral-torsional buckling, and interaction stability) and the composite beam design related functions can be found on the Member design tab.
See the Member checks chapter for a detailed description of these functions.

Layers tab

It provides functions for adjusting the layer properties. More info: Layers

Document tab

The functions of the Document tab allow the flexible creation of a detailed statical documentation and contain a model information tool.
For detailed description see chapter: Documentation

Help tab

Clicking on the question mark icon provides access to the same Help page as described in the Help menu.

The Help tab is for the essential support-related requests like “Get Support”, “Report licensing issue” and “Send feedback” to make posting support issues more convenient.

Load combination sets tab

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Clicking on the icon provides access to the same Load combination sets window as described in the Load combinations.

The side bar at the left of the main screen contains the mostly used functions for modeling.

Save model/History

Undo/Redo

Settings for the coordinate system, and snapping grids

Model views: Top, Front, Side, Isometric, Perpendicular to raster

Line view visualization of the model

Wireframe visualization of the model

Hidden line view visualization of the model

Solid view visualization of the model

Move point and edge

Copy selected objects

Move selected objects

Mirror the selected objects

Rotate the selected objects

Make a section (works on shell models only)

Select all objects

Deselect all objects

Invert selection

Select by properties

Fit view (Ctrl+0)

My Descript

At the bottom left of the screen, the Descript control panel can be found. Descript is a programming interface of Consteel, with which parametric models can be built. Almost all of the structural objects which can be found in Consteel can be created through Descript, and all of the parameters of these objects are available to set from Descript. Please see Descript-Consteel Programming Interface to know more!

Status bar

The first field is a progress bar showing the progress of the actions.

The next 3 icons on the status bar ( ) determine the interpretation of the manually entered coordinates during drawing/modeling operations. To enter a coordinate value click on the input box or press the corresponding key on the keyboard (“X, Y, Z, L” for the coordinate axis or a length into a direction, or “a, b, L” for polar coordinates). The user can change the interpretation of the manually entered values by clicking on these three icons. Each click changes the state of this switches:

Coordinates can be entered in the Global (GCS), or in the User (UCS) coordinate system.

The entered value can be an Absolute value measured from the origin of the coordinate system or a Relative one measured from the insertion point ( the yellow dot in the model space).

Finally, coordinates can be entered in a Descartes, or in a Polar coordinate system.

Even when using the Descartes coordinate system, it is possible to define a point by specifying a direction and a distance as follows. If you have already picked the first point e.g of a new structural beam, while approaching another point with your cursor in the model space, after typing “L” (lowercase), you can enter the length of your beam manually into the L field. By pressing the Enter key the beam will be created with the given length ("L" value) and the direction defined by the two points.

By moving the slider (), the size representation of the objects can be changed. Clicking on it with the right mouse button the sizes can be changed individually by object types. The next four icons ( ) allow the sophisticated visibility adjustment. By approaching any of these icons with the cursor a group of graphic symbols will appear ordered into a matrix shape.

Clicking the first icon on each of these four visibility setting matrix the scope of the settings will be changed between global () (valid for all tabs), or valid only for the current tab (). Changing this option on any of the 4 visibility matrixes, the selected scope will also change on all the other three accordingly. Changing this scope will also change the visibility between the previously adjusted global and the current tab visibility settings.

Sizing of objects

By right-clicking on the slider, the object dimensions window will open. In this window, the size of individual model objects can be changed.