Learn how to customize anchor in Advance Steel by using the Management Tools application to set default parameters for specific anchor sets you then further use in your 3D model.
When you insert anchors in Advance Steel, you do not insert just the anchors, but anchor sets that besides the actual anchor also include the nuts and the washers (the bolt assembly - e.g. 2Na2W) and the respective holes created by the anchor in the element.
It is also important to know that Advance Steel works with valid combinations. This means that in the Anchors dialog, for each specific anchor type, you will have only a number of values you can choose from for the grade, anchor assembly and diameter parameters, valid for that anchor type.
Preliminary Steps for the Bolts / Anchors / Shear Studs Customization
Before you start customizing:
- Make sure you back up your database - the bolts, anchors and shear studs configurations are stored in the AstorBase.mdf database, located in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2018\USA\Steel\Data folder. (Note: the database folder location is language dependent). To back up your databases, simply create a backup folder and copy your database files in it.
- Make sure that the current author is set according to your needs. You can check which is the current author or add a new one, in the Management Tools application
Options category Database settings Current author:
Note: All your new database records will be stored using this author and having the right setting here is very important during migration to newer software versions. - Check the units in the Management Tools application Unit Selection category. This category includes the units used during your bolts / anchors or shear studs customization in Management Tools:
Access the Anchors Customization Settings
To access the customization settings for anchors in Advance Steel:
- Go to the Home tab Settings panel or to the Tools tab Tools panel and click
(Management Tools).
- In the Management Tools application, access the Bolts category:
- When you access the category, the three components of the anchor assembly appear on the left side. These are Anchor, Nut and Washer.
- Click the arrow next to "Anchors" to display all the anchor types list.