IES ShapeBuilder User's Guide
Shape Types
There are three types of shapes available for use in ShapeBuilder: generic section parts, parametric shapes, and database shapes.
Generic section parts are created by either drawing the part in the Sketch View or by importing the parts from a CAD or text file. Any arbitrary geometry can be constructed by drawing multiple parts connected to or overlapping one another. Once a polygon is drawn or imported, the dimensions of the part cannot be modified.
Parametric shapes are defined by dimensions like width, depth, radius, thickness, etc. that can be changed manually. Parametric shapes can be used as building blocks to create more complex custom shapes. ShapeBuilder offers 34 types of parametric shapes to choose from which fall into three categories: Simple Parametric, Rolled Parametric, and Bent Parametric.
ShapeBuilder has two different types of shapes databases: a standard shape database and a custom shape database. Custom shapes created in ShapeBuilder can be added to the custom shape databases. IES VisualAnalysis can perform design checks on member elements created from shapes in the IES shape database as well as some certain shapes Created in or Exported from ShapeBuilder.
IES includes a large database of steel, wood, cold-formed, aluminum, and other shapes common to the building industry (e.g. AISC, ACI, NDS, etc.). While the dimensions of these shapes cannot be modified in ShapeBuilder, these shapes can be combined (e.g. a cover plate can be added to a wide flange) and saved in the custom shape database. The shape database contains Virtual Joists and Virtual Joist Girders which are developed by the Steel Joist Institute. Their website has information on the basic concept and purpose. While, you may use these shapes, please understand their purpose and limitations before using them.
Custom Shape Databases are XML files which store custom shape data that is used by various IES programs to defined the cross-sections for member elements. For convince, a Custom Shape Database can be added, edited, and deleted directly in ShapeBuilder as outlined in the Database Customization section of the help file and as discussed in the Database Customization training video. Additionally, a Custom Shape Database can be generated by Exporting shapes to the IES Shape Database. While often not necessary, Custom Shape Databases can be modified manually outside of ShapeBuilder and there are examples files in the Shapes folder for convenience. Note: The program must be restarted to load any database changes. Custom Shape Databases are stored at following path: C:\Users\<your.login>\AppData\Local\IES\Customer\Shapes which is easily accessed by clicking the Custom Data button in the ribbon. To share a Custom Shape Databases, simply copy the XML file to the Shapes folder on another machine.
To get custom cold-formed steel shapes into the IES Database for ShapeBuilder or VisualAnalysis, you may use the menu item to import the .scl or .cfsl file you have obtained through CFS. VisualAnalysis has the ability to design or check cold-formed steel shapes; however, these shapes must come from RSG Software's CFS program (www.rsgsoftware.com), because VisualAnalysis uses that utility, behind the scenes, to perform the design checks.