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I noticed there is a new "column location" field on the structural column elements. Existing elements can be upgraded using the upgrade utility to add this new field onto existing schemas. When is this field populated? At element placement? How do elements that are linked to analysis programs (like RAM or STAAD) get this column field populated, particularly if there aren't any grid systems in the AECOsim yet (i.e., schematic design)? Is there a way to force an update (or recalculation of column locations) without having to do a datagroup utility update? You might have some columns that aren't initially "associated" with a column grid but then you come back later and add the grids. You would need a way of updating the "column location" field. Or, does that field get updated automatically whenever the column schedule is run.
You need to have the columns in the correct location on the grid in your file. If the grid is not displayed, then the column location property will have n/a in it. Otherwise, there isn't much you need to do to have this property value in CONNECT Edition.
Take a model file created in AESOsim Bulding Designer SS6 and use the same BB_Floormaster.dgn file with it to CONNECT Edition to use the same grid as in V8i. Using the DataGroup files from CE, you will notice the new "Column Location" property with its value automatically appears when you display the grid on a floor. That really is all you need to do. The columns also show any analytic data on them in the file.