In a field where pencils, pens, protractors, and eventually calculators were the mainstay for years, technology has taken over and made the job of a structural steel detailer easier and diverse. Manual drafting is now going defunct because most detailers now use computer-aided drafting, also known as CAD.
The Structure of Structural Steel Detailing Software
The days of drawing with pencils and paper are over. By using a digital pad, steel detailers can draw with the utilization of a computer and their imagination. The image can then be printed out on paper for 2D projects or printed as a 3D representation.
The software allows the user to print straight from the computer to the printer of their choice.
Benefits of Structural Steel Detailing Software
Workers in the structural steel industry are specially trained in the realms of all mathematics as well as must possess skills that include masterful logic and reason.
The primary benefit of using structural steel detailing software is while the need to master skill levels in math may lessen, the user will have to know the added skills of computer usage and the specific software. Once mastered, trigonometry and geometry are at the users' fingertips rather than memorized or calculated manually.
The benefit of having the option first to print out a 2D version gives the steel detailer the ability to show a client a mock-up before spending the time and capital to produce a 3D rendering. Steel detailing software also tracks any changes or edits made to the initial plans. The ability to follow feedback makes workflow smoother as the creator and client come up with what suits them both the best. Rather than drawing after drawing, quick changes are made and kept in notation in case there is need to revert.
There is no downside to using structural steel detailing software. It lessens human error, promotes cohesive brain-storming, and makes the job overall easier. Be sure to research the options available to ensure comfort and usability. Put the pencil down, pick the pad up, and produce the next project for future fabrication.
If you need assistance with construction design or need structural steel contractors, contact the expert team at Midwest Steel today!