Overview

When modelling steel structures, you may need to mark your members for the ease in locating the member while fabrication & erection. This can be done by adding a benchmark in your 3D model and then recalling the same while setting up your 2D drawing in the Detail Center. 

This document will guide you on how to insert a benchmark in your 3D model and then set the marking on your 2D drawings using the Benchmark’ tool.

Method

1) Navigate to Steel > Drawing production > Annotation > Benchmark and click on that tool. 



2) Now it will prompt you to select an insertion point for the benchmark and then you need to specify a direction for the Benchmark North symbol.
    (Switch to the Top view and then carry out these operations) 

3) Once the benchmark symbol gets placed, the ‘Benchmark’ dialog box will open with the ‘North Symbol’ tab.
     Here you can set the elevation of the symbol over the zero level. You can also choose to set the North direction from default display types or by using external or by using external cells. 




4) In the ‘Horizontal’ tab, you can control the horizontal alignment of the benchmark. You can select either built-in symbols or external cells. Also, you can define the distance of insertion point of the symbol and shape.
Beams sections controls the horizontal girders and Columns contain the vertical girders.



5) The ‘Top Edge Steel’  tab is used to set the alignment symbol from the upper edge of the component.




6) Lastly, in the ‘Shape Label’ tab, you can set the labels for the annotation of the shape end direction and include this to the Detail Center.



7) When done setting all parameters as per your requirement, click on OK. The benchmark is now added in your 3D model.



8) Now when setting up your detail style for the members in the 2D Detail Center, you need to navigate to 2D Display > Groups > Display benchmark and check this on. 



Then complete the setup and generate your drawings. 

9) Once you place your 2D drawing, you will see that the same has been marked with the orientations as per the set benchmark in your 3D model.

 

In this manner, you can easily add a benchmark in your 3D model to identify the position / orientation of the members in your structural assembly in the 2D drawings.