ACE Structural Engineering Applications LLC

ACE FrameWorks Utilities

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation
Mar 15, 2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import

(ACE_SNF.MA)

(Versions - FWP 3.1.x.x/3.2.x.x rel 2.0.4 & FWP 7.0.x.x rel 7.0.4 & FWP 7.1/7.2/7.3 rel 6.0.4 & FWP 8.0.x.x rel 8.0.4 & FWP 9.0.x.x rel 9.0.4 &
FWP 10.0.x.x rel 10.0.4 & FWP 11.0.x.x rel 11.0.4 & FWP 12.0.x.x rel 12.0.4)

The steel detailing neutral file (SDNF) import application can be utilized to read SNDF files (version 2). SDNF files
created by FrameWorks or any other application that writes the SDNF (version 2) format can be imported. A copy of
the SDNF (version 2) specification and a sample SDNF file, ACE.SNF, is included toward the end of this document.
The SDNF (version 2) format supports linear & arc members (tapered or non-tapered) and plate elements, which are
placed as solids. This application does not support the version 3 SDNF format (FWP 7.1.x.x & FWP 7.2.x.x) as
Intergraph provides software to read version 3
SDNF. If a SDNF version 3 file is encountered,
a message is displayed.
The following information is carried for each
linear member: section size, type, class, status,
name, end points, end offsets, cross section
offsets, cutbacks, grade, orientation vector,
rotation, reflect & mirror status and cardinal
point. The following information is carried for
each arc member: section size, type, class,
status, name, end points, center point, start
angle, sweep angle, normal vector, end offsets,
cross section offsets, cutbacks, grade,
Steel Detailing Neutral File Import - Dialog Box
orientation vector, rotation, reflect & mirror
status and cardinal point. The following information is carried for each plate: name, class, grade, thickness, and
shape vertices.
This application provides several features and options to enhance handling of SDNF files. The most significant
feature is the missing section and section substitution capabilities. If any
sections are not found when a SDNF file is processed, the option is given to
write an ASCII file (shown left) that will contain the names of the missing
sections. This missing sections file (named anything.MIS) can be easily
converted into a section substitution file (named anything.SEC). The
application has the ability to substitute for missing members, substitute all
members or substitute no members. Thus when translating from a CAD
system to FrameWorks and different section naming conventions are utilized the .MIS and .SEC files can be
effectively utilized to properly place all members. To do this first run the verify command and produce a .MIS file.
Next edit the .MIS file and create a .SEC file (.MIS and .SEC file details are discussed later in this document).
Finally run the import and select substitute missing members.

Substitution Option Button

.MIS File Creation Dialog Box

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Program (cond)
A second feature allows the importation of linear & arc members and plates, only linear members & arcs or only
plates. Thus, if a fabricator supplies a SDNF file with gusset plate information, this
data can be read separately. Another use for this option is to put linear & arc members
(FWP members) and plates (FWP solids) into separate models.
Placement Option Button

The last feature involves naming of linear members & plates. Three naming options are available. First the linear
member & plate name specified in the SDNF file may be utilized (default option). However two additional naming
options exist. In the second option, new names can be generated at placement time. Under this option, all
components for a given member type (member or plate) are given the a name by
concatenating a sequence number to a prefix (i.e. mem or pla). Finally, FrameWorks
normal naming for individual components (autoname) may be specified.
Naming Option Button

When the verify mode is invoked, the verify dialog box shown below left will appear.

If the file is processed the import information dialog box shown above right will appear.
The SDNF import application can be extremely useful in converting structural models from one modeling
system to another. Models from any 3D modeling system that writes SDNF format files can be translated to
FrameWorks. The process is simple, first using the original CAD application write a SDNF file and then
utilizing this application import the SDNF file into a FrameWorks model. The subsequent FrameWorks models
can be used for interference checking, design review or drawing generation.
LOG FILES
All applications can write log files if the environment variable ACE_DUMP is set to 1. There have been reports that
some sites lock the C root drive and under certain conditions a locked C drive can cause a system fault 5.
This application will produce a log file (default c:\ace_snf.log )which will contain: Packet 00 information,
information on linear members placed, information on plate elements placed, error information and summary
placement information. This particular application will ALWAYS WRITE to a log file. This application WILL
FAIL with a locked C drive. The environment variable ACE_LOG_PATH must be utilized for this application if the
C drive is locked.
All applications have been modified to warn of a locked drive/file and then gracefully exit. All applications now look
for the environment variable ACE_LOG_PATH. If it is found, that is the directory where the log files will be placed.
If the directory is locked or non-existent or if file is locked a warning will be given and the C drive will be tried. If it
is locked or the file is locked a warning will be given and application will gracefully exit.
Usage of the variable ACE_LOG_PATH to control log file locations is similar to ACE_DEF_PATH to control DEF files.
However there is one very important difference: ACE_LOG_PATH should NEVER point to a network drive (this is
highly recommended for ACE_DEF_PATH). Everyone writes to the same named log file and if they are on a network
drive there will be bad consequences. ALWAYS point ACE_LOG_PATH to a local drive (perhaps a temp off C root).
ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Special Notes and Limitations on SDNF File Processing
General Handling of SDNF (version 2) File Packets
The SDNF format (version 2) supports 7 packet types which are: PACKET 00 - General Project Information;
PACKET 10 - Linear members & Load Case/Combination definitions; PACKET 20 - Solid Plates; PACKET 30
- Linear Member Loads; PACKET 40 Details; PACKET 50 - Grid definitions and PACKET 60 Arc
Members. This application handles the packets as follows. PACKET 00 - Information processed is displayed
and written out into the program log file. PACKET 10 - Linear member information is read and linear members
are placed. Load cases & combinations are presently ignored. PACKET 20 - plate information is read and solid
elements representing the plates are placed as FrameWorks solids. PACKET 30 - Member load information is
currently ignored. This information could be placed into the model however ACESEA did not feel this would be
significant. If the load information is significant to your organization please contact ACESEA. PACKET 40 Connection detail information is ignored, as there is not a suitable way to utilize it. PACKET 50 - Grid
information is ignored, as unfortunately FrameWorks does not presently provide FPL functions to create grids.
PACKET 60 - Arc member information is read and arc members are placed.
Plate Orientation Convention
Plate orientation is handled by the variable Connect Point on plate record 1 of Packet 20 (see page 8). If this
variable is 0 the plate is centered about the specified plate shape vertices. Centered definition is preferred as
there is no chance for orientation confusion. A positive value of 1 indicates that the shape is on the positive face
and a negative value of -1 indicates that the shape is on the negative face.
This application interprets this definition as follows. A normal vector is determined by the following procedure:
1. Create vector 1 from plate vertices 0 to plate vertices 1
2. Create vector 2 from plate vertices 0 to plate vertices 2
3. Compute normal vector as the cross product of vector 1 and vector 2.
If the shape is centered, then the plate vertices will be projected one half the plate thickness to both the positive
and negative side of the normal vector. If the shape is on the positive face, the solid is created by projecting the
shape in a negative normal vector direction equal to the plate thickness. Conversely, if the shape is on the
negative face, the solid is created by projecting the shape in a positive normal vector direction equal to the plate
thickness. It is possible that different applications will interpret -1 and 1 connect points differently. If this
application interprets the connect point in the wrong direction, set the environment variable ACESDNFRev to 1
and the opposite interpretation will be utilized. When reverse is active an R symbol will appear on the primary
dialog box next to the placement option button.
FrameWorks and ACE Extensions
For tapered members, FrameWorks writes the section size as W8X24>W8X31. This is not a part of the
original specification. This application looks at section size definition and if a > is found the member is
treated as a tapered section.
Type handling is not clear in the original specification. This application handles type for linear members as
follows: column is column, beam is beam, brace or vbrace is vertical brace and anything else is a
horizontal brace. For plates all elements irrespective of type specification are placed as solid elements.
SDNF version 3 Files
FrameWorks Plus can write either SDNF version2 files or SDNF version 3 files (FWP 7.1.x.x & later). This
application WILL NOT import SDNF version 3 files (Intergraph provides software that will import SDNF
version 3 files). The ACE FrameWorks Utility Convert SDNF v3 File to SDNF v2 File will create a SDNF
version 2 file that this utility will import. In creating the SDNF version 2 file ALL version 3 extensions are
removed (see documentation for the Convert SDNF v3 File to SDNF v2 File).
ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Missing Section File
As previously mentioned, an option is given to produce a missing file if section profiles are not found in active
FrameWorks section libraries (both project and user) when verify or place is invoked. The generated files name
is user specified with a .MIS extension. The file contains a record for each missing section. Each record
contains the name of the section profile in quotes and the number of instances. A sample file is shown below:
Sample .MIS File
WF8X31 5 instances
Wf10X30 1 instances
WF6X20 8 instances
MY Shape 7 instances

Section Substitution File

A section substitution file may be specified. A lookup dialog box is utilized to located section substitution files.
Section substitution files have a .SEC extension. A .MIS file can be very easily edited to become a section
substitution file. The initial search directory for the substitution file (.SEC file) can be specified with the
following environment variable: ACE_SEC_FILE (such as: ACE_SEC_FILE=f:/subst_files/)
The section substitution file specifies old shape and new shape to be substituted on a record. There is no limit to
the number of substitutions (records) that may be contained in a file. Capitalization is not important as strings
for member profile shapes are compared without regard to capitalization. Thus a single record in a section
substitution file would look as follows:
old profile name new profile name
where
Each profile name must be contained in quotes
A profile name may have embedded spaces
Capitalization is not important
A minimum of at least one space must separate the old and new profiles
Each record in the file is a single substitution
No limit to the number of records in the file

Sample .SEC File

WF8X31 W8X31
WF6x20 w6x20
Wf10x30 w10X30
MY Shape My New Shape

SDNF Files
The SDNF Import application will by default look for *.SNF files in the c:\ directory. A lookup dialog box is
utilized to located section substitution files. Note that SDNF files have a .SNF extension. The initial search
directory for the SDNF file (.SNF file) can be specified with the following environment variable:
ACE_SDNF_FILE (such as: ACE_SDNF_FILE=f:/sdnf_files/). The following section provides the
specification for version 2 SDNF files.

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2
General:
The file will be an ASCII (text) file of sequential organization. Maximum record length is 132 characters. All records (except the
fixed-format Packet identification records) are free formatted, with fields delimited by white space (blanks). Coordinate values are in
the global Cartesian (X, Y, Z) system.
NOTE: The Steel Detailing Neutral File was generated and is maintained by Intergraph. The SDNF file originated with the Modeldraft
product with input from the SESIG Steering Committee. SDNF export is incorporated into FrameWorks and additional information
can be found in the FrameWorks reference manuals and online help.

Format Specifiers:
FP
I
Cnn -

fixed -

ASCII Floating value, e.g. "12.15" or "1" (decimal optional)

ASCII Integer value, e.g. "5" (range of value: +/- 2billion)
ASCII character value of 'nn' characters maximum
e.g., C10 - up to 10 ASCII characters including blanks
character strings must be enclosed in double quotes ("example string")
record must have exact content shown in example

With the exception of the fixed format records, the data may start in any column of the record. An example record follows each record
format description, and is shown in italics.

Comment Cards:
Comment cards may be inserted anywhere in the input file, provided that the record begin with the "#" character in the first field.

Format:
#comment
This is a comment record

Notes on Member ID & Plate ID

When FrameWorks write a member ID or plate ID, the format: XXXZZZZZ is utilized.
where:
XXX
is the model ID
ZZZZZ is the member ID
When a member is placed using FPL, there is no control over the member or model ID. Thus the member & plate IDs are
reference values only and not utilized by this application.

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Title Packet (PACKET 00) :
This packet must be the first in the file.
Record 1:
Packet Header
Format:
fixed
Packet 00
Record 2:
Engineering Firm Identification
Format:
C80
"Name of Engineering Firm"
Record 3:
Client Identification
Format:
C80
"Name of Client"
Record 4:
Structure ID
Format:
C80
"Name of Structuret"
Record 5:
Project ID
Format:
C80
"Name of Project"
Record 6:
Format:
"11/19/91"

Date, Time of file creation

C30; C30
"13:12"

Record 7:
Revision Number, Issue Code
Format:
I; C64
18 "Issue Code"
Record 8:
Design Code
Format:
C80
"Design Code Name"
Record 9:
Format:
2

Number of Loading Records

I

Record 10 on:
'n' Load Combination record, where 'n' is from Record 9
Loading #, Loading type (0=load case, 1= load combination ), Description
Format:
I; I; C64
1 1 "Live and Wind loads"

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Linear Member Packet (PACKET 10) :
Record 1:
Format:
Packet 10

Packet Header
fixed

Record 2:
Format:
"feet"

Linear units, number of linear members

C24; 1
376

Record 3 on:
Each linear member is represented by 6 records which follow:
(total of 6*n records, where 'n' is number of members from Record 2 above)
Linear Member Record 1:
Member ID, Cardinal Point, Status, Class, Type, Piece Mark,
Revision Number
Format:
I; I; I; I; C24; C24; I
00100040 8 0 1 "Beam" "B_101_FL1" 14
Linear Member Record 2:
Section Size, Grade, Rotation, Mirror X axis, Mirror Y axis
Format:
C32; C24: FP, I, I
W12x50"
"A36" 90.0 0 0
Linear Member Record 3:
Orientation Vector; Start, End Coordinates; Start, End Cutbacks
Format:
3 FP; 3 FP; 3 FP; 2 FP
0 0 1.0 10 0 72.75 10 12.5 72.75 0 0
Linear Member Record 4:
X, Y Cross-section offsets
Format:
2FP
0 -.25
Linear Member Record 5:
X, Y, Z Offsets Start; X, Y, Z Offsets End
Format:
6 FP
0 0 0 0 0 -1.0
Linear member Record 6:
Releases - End 1 Tx, Ty, Tz, Rx, Ry, Rz; End 2 Tx, Ty, Tz, Rx, Ry, Rz
Format:
12 I
000011 000011

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Plate Element Packet (PACKET 20) :
Record 1:
Format:
Packet 20

Packet Header
fixed

Record 2:
Format:
"feet"

linear units, thickness units, number of plates

C24; C24: I
"inches" 121

Record 3 on:
Each plate is represented by a variable number of records which follow:
Plate Record 1:
Plate ID, Connect Point, Status, Class, Type
Format:
I; I; I; I; C24
02600005 1 0 1 "slab"
Note: Connect point refers to plate position relative to the plane defined by plate
coordinates.
Connect point:
0 = by center
1 = positive face
-1 = negative face
Plate Record 2:
Piece Mark, Grade, thickness, number of vertices
Format:
C24; C24; FP; I
"Plate GP_78" "A36" 1.125 6
The plate geometry is represented on 'n' records, where 'n' is the number of vertices from Plate
Record 2 above. Each record contains the X, Y, Z coordinates of a vertex.
Plate Geometry Record: X, Y, Z coordinates
Format:
3FP
22.763 8.475 10

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Member Loads Packet (PACKET 30) :
Record 1:
Format:
Packet 30

Packet Header
fixed

Record 2:
Format:
"feet"

linear units, force units, number of loaded members

C24; C24; I
"kips" 140

Record 3 on:
Each member loading is represented by a variable number of records which follow:
Member Loading Record 1:
Member ID, Number or loadings (for this member)
Format:
I; I
00100040
3
The loads for each member are represented on '3*n' records which follow, where 'n' is the number
of loadings from Member Loading Record 1 above.
Load Record 1: Loading number, Description
Format:
I; C64
1 "Equipment loads"
Load Record 2: Member Forces - Start (end 1)
Format:
6 FP (Axial Force, Shear Y, Shear Z, Moment Y, Moment Z, Torsion)
-3.762 14.8 4.1 .03 -77.23 3.17
Load Record 3:
Member Forces - End (end 2)
Format:
6FP (Axial Force, Shear Y, Shear Z, Moment Y, Moment Z, Torsion)
-3.762 11.3 -8.334 5.4 -14.7 8.64
Note: Member ends are defined by the order of coordinates in Packet 10.

ACESEA 1998-2013

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Connection Details Packet (PACKET 40) :
Record 1:
Format:
Packet 40

Packet Header
fixed

Record 2:
Format:
628

number of connection details

I

Record 3 on:
Each connection detail is represented by a record as follows:
Connection Record: Detail Number, Member number, Member End #
(1 = Start, 2 = End), Connection Detail
Format:
I; I; I; C50
177 14 1
"End 1 detail information"

Grid Packet (PACKET 50) :

Record 1: Packet Header Format:
Format: Fixed
Packet 50
Record 2: Number of grid sets or floor levels
Format: I
6
Record 3 on:
Each grid set is represented by a variable number of records which follow:
Grid set record 1:
Grid set number, number of grid lines, grid set description
Format: I,I, C64
1 4 "TOS El 108'-0"
Grid set record 2 through number of grids in set:
Grid label, start coordinates, end coordinates
Format C64, 6 FP
1 -1711.0 -2480.0 108.0 -1711.0 -2495.0 108.0
2 -1702.0 -2480.0 108.0 -1702.0 -2495.0 108.0
A -1711.0 -2480.0 108.0 -1702.0 -2480.0 108.0
B -1711.0 -2495.0 108.0 -1702.0 -2495.0 108.0

ACESEA 1998-2013

10

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Steel Detailing Neutral File Specification Version 2 (cond)
Arc Member Packet (PACKET 60) :
Record 1:
Packet Header
Format:
fixed
Packet 10
Record 2:
Linear units, number of linear members
Format:
C24; 1
"feet"
376
Record 3 on:
Each arc member is represented by 7 records which follow:
(total of 7*n records, where 'n' is number of members from Record 2 above)
Arc Member Record 1:
Member ID, Cardinal Point, Status, Class, Type, Piece Mark,
Revision Number
Format:
I; I; I; I; C24; C24; I
02600121 8 0 0 "beam(Arc)" "B_3" 1
Arc Member Record 2:
Section Size, Grade, Rotation, Mirror X axis, Mirror Y axis
Format:
C32; C24: FP, I, I
"W8X24 > W8X31" "A36" 0.000000 0 0
Arc Member Record 3:
Arc center point; Start angle, Sweep, Arc plane normal vector
Format:
3 FP; 1 FP; 1 FP; 3 FP
20.0 50.19 51.34 0.0 75.93
-1.0 0.0 -0.0
Arc Member Record 4:
Orientation Vector; Start, End Coordinates; Start, End Cutbacks
Format:
3 FP; 3 FP; 3 FP; 2 FP
0.0 0.0 1.0 20.0 50.0 61.5 20.0 60.0 54.0 0.0 0.0
Arc Member Record 5:
X, Y Cross-section offsets
Format:
2FP
0 0
Arc Member Record 6:
X, Y, Z Offsets Start; X, Y, Z Offsets End
Format:
6 FP
000 00 0
Arc member Record 7:
Releases - End 1 Tx, Ty, Tz, Rx, Ry, Rz; End 2 Tx, Ty, Tz, Rx, Ry, Rz
Format:
12 I
000000 000000

ACESEA 1998-2013

11

ACE Steel Detailing Neutral File Import Documentation

Sample SDNF File (partial file)
Packet 00
"ABC Engineering Company"
"XYZ Chemical Company"
"Chem Prep Structure"
"Chocolate Bayou Project"
"1/24/2000" "21:12:35"
01 "Issue A"
"AISC"
0
Packet 10
"feet" 66
00100040 5 0 0 "column" "C_7" 1
"W14X90" "A36" 90.000000 0 0
1.000000 0.000000 0.000000 35.000000 20.000000 0.000000 35.000000 20.000000 18.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
00100041 5 0 1 "column" "C_8" 1
"W14X82" "A36" 90.000000 0 0
1.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 18.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
00100042 5 0 2 "column" "C_9" 1
...
removed remaining 64 linear members
...
Packet 20
"Feet" "Feet" 6
02600005 0 0 6 "slab"
"BP-00005" "A36" 0.083333 5
35.500000 40.500000 -0.041667
35.500000 39.500000 -0.041667
34.500000 39.500000 -0.041667
34.500000 40.500000 -0.041667
35.500000 40.500000 -0.041667
02600006 0 0 6 "slab"
"BP-00006" "A36" 0.083333 5
35.500000 60.500000 -0.041667
35.500000 59.500000 -0.041667
34.500000 59.500000 -0.041667
34.500000 60.500000 -0.041667
35.500000 60.500000 -0.041667
...
removed remaining 4 plates
...
Packet 60
"feet" 10
02600121 8 0 0 "beam(Arc)" "B_3" 1
"W8X24 > W8X31" "A36" 0.000000 0 0
20.000000 50.194767 51.343023 0.000000 75.936903 -1.000000 0.000000 -0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 1.000000 20.000000 50.000000 61.500000 20.000000 60.000000 54.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
02600122 8 0 0 "beam(Arc)" "B_2" 1
"W8X31 > W8X24" "A36" 0.000000 0 0
20.000000 49.805234 51.343021 0.000000 75.936886 -1.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 1.000000 20.000000 40.000000 54.000000 20.000000 50.000000 61.500000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
...
removed remaining 8 arc members
...

ACESEA 1998-2013

12