Loading a Section File

 

There are two (2) options for loading a section file:

• 1. Using configuration variables
• a. In Structural Modeler go to Workspace>Configuration

 

Figure 1 - Workspace>Configuration  Menu

• i. Save the file to the folder specified by TFDATA_DIR

 

 

Figure 2 - TFDIR_DATA specifies the location of the section files

ii  STRUCTURAL_SHAPES specifies the section files to be automatically loaded by Structural Modeler.  Edit it to reflect the names of the sections to be loaded.  Default is usually us.xml for imperial projects and uk.xml for metric(si) projects.

 

 

Figure 3 - STRUCTURAL_SHAPES

iii  STRUCTURAL_SHAPES can accommodate a full path (c:\myfolder\myfile.xml).  Step 1Ai may be skipped if the full path is used.

• 2. Browse to the file using the section picker dialog.
• a. Go to Utilities Keyin

 

• b. Key in the command TFSECMGR DIALOG

 

 

Figure 4 - MicroStation Keyin Window

• c. Browse to the file location using the "Section File Manager"

 

Figure 5 - Section File Manager

• d. Alternatively, steps 2a and 2b can skipped by running any of the member placement command and opening up the section picker and then choosing File>Open

 Figure 6 - Place Column Command

Figure 7 - File>Open Menu on the Structural Sections dialog a.k.a "Section Picker"