USA Formwork Tools: Formwork Custom Part

Usage

Formwork Custom Part is a model plugin that can place items/beams from a *.Formwork.Products.csv file which are installed with the plugin. You can find this plugin from the modeling ribbon in the Formwork group tab or in the Applications & components catalog in USA Extensions > Formwork tools.

To use the plugin, select the plugin from the ribbon or A&C catalog. After selecting the product:

Pick one point to define the start point.
Pick one point to define the end point which defines the direction.

User Interface

Main Tab

The formwork Supplier.
The formwork Family based on Supplier selection.
Filter different products by the Group.
The Name of the selected formwork product to place.

Position Tab

The Position settings for the plugin. Use the default values (Middle, Front, Middle) for correct positioning.

Attribute Tab

The purpose of this tab is for a speedy way to create attributes if you are configuring files for Formwork Placing tools - Walls or Formwork placing tools - Slabs.

The prefix of the file to be created. Used for organizing the attribute drop-down list by supplier or family.
Choose to export all products of the selected Supplier and Family or just the selected Group. (e.g. PANEL group only)
Button creates attribute in ./attributes in your model folder.

Configuration *.Formwork.Products.csv

You can set up your own configuration files for Formwork custom part. The configuration is done by using comma separated files (.csv), which can be edited with Microsoft Excel or any standard text editor. Each separate formwork sub-tool component has its own configuration file.

The configuration files can be located in any of the system folders, or in the sub-folder called Formwork tools in the current model folder.

The file name must end with .Formwork.Products.csv. e.g. xxx.Formwork.Products.csv

Below is the coordinate system based on the start and end point.

Define Input Units

Each configuration file should have two (2) rows near the top to define the distance and weight unit by adding a row in the *.csv at the top. These values entered in the cell(s) for distance and weights should match the specified units.

DISTANCE_UNIT=INCH

WEIGHT_UNIT=LBS

Supported distance units: MM, DN, CM, M, INCH, FEET

Supporting weight units: KG, LBS

Configuration parameter fields

Each entered line will represent one (1) formwork product that will be input into the model. For each product you can enter up to three (3) different items or beam parts to be input. This is useful with products like a prop which contains two (2) items that need to modeled independently based off of the desired height of prop.

Each parameter that begins with <Part> will either be P1, P2 or P3 depending on which part you are entering information for. E.g. P2.Profile, P3.Description.

Parameter	Description and allowed values
Supplier	Supplier name, this is typically the same for all rows. The name is shown in the Formwork supplier list.
Family	Family name, which is shown in the Product family list.
Type	Description of the type of formwork item. This will group objects in the UI. E.g. CLAMP, PANEL, BRACE. This will group elements in the UI.
Name	Name of the formwork product which is visible in the UI.
P1.Assembly	All items will be added as one (1) assembly if set to YES and the part as P1 will be the main part of the assembly. Note: This field is only required for P1, not P2 or P3. Default or blank value is NO. Allowed input: YES NO (default)
<Part>.PlaceBy	Controls where the handles of the object will be placed relative to the picked points. Allowed Input: OFFSET Offsets handles from the insertion point based off the picked points local coordinate system. ENDPOINT Offsets item/part from the second pick point. STARTEND Places start handle at first pick point and places end handle at the second picked point. LENGTH Uses the defined Length property to place the handles. CENTER Places item/part in the middle between the picked points.
<Part>.Profile	Profile of the beam or item. Must contain prefix ITEM: or BEAM:
<Part>.AssemblyPrefix	Assembly numbering prefix of part/item.
<Part>.AssStartNo	Assembly numbering start no. of the part/item.
<Part>.PartPrefix	Part numbering prefix of part/item.
<Part>.PartStartNo	Part numbering start no. of part/item.
<Part>.Name	Name property of the part/item.
<Part>.Class	Class property of the part/item.
<Part>.Material	Material property of the part/item.
<Part>.PlanePosition	On plane position of the part/item. Allowed values: Middle (default) Right Left
<Part>.Rotation	Rotation position of the part/item. Allowed values: Front Top (default) Back Below
<Part>.DepthPosition	At depth position of the part/item. Allowed values: Middle (default) Front Behind
<Part>.StartOffset	Where the start handle of the point is offset from it’s insertion point in the local coordinate system. The insertion point is dependent on the PlaceBy value. Give the offsets as x, y, and z values that are separated by spaces in parentheses. E.g. (5 0 -2) would represent 5 in x-directions, 0 in y-direction and negative 2 in z-direction.
<Part>.EndOffset	Offset of the end handle from it’s insertion point. The insertion point is dependent on the PlaceBy value. Give the offsets as x, y, and z values that are separated by spaces in parentheses. E.g. (5 0 -2) would represent 5 in x-directions, 0 in y-direction and negative 2 in z-direction.
<Part>.Description	This value is written as a UDA attribute, PRODUCT_DESCR.
<Part>.Weight	This value is written as a UDA attribute, PRODUCT_WEIGHT. Enter decimal units.
<Part>.Code	This value is written as a UDA attribute, PRODUCT_CODE.

Required coordinate system placement

If you do not plan to have these products work with the other formwork plugins, ignore this section. These configuration files are used in conjunction with other placing tools that can place beams, base plates, props, etc. Plugins that use this configuration are:

Shoring Tower Plugin
Shoring Props
Prop Shoring Tower
Drophead Shoring

If configuration files are created for other plugins to use these configuration files, make sure that the products are placed according to this guide. Here is the general coordinate system for the two picked points.

Below is a table for how different element types should be placed.

Name of product	Visual of Coordinate System
Base Plate	Image
Prop	Image
Shore frame angle brace	Image
Tripod for prop	Image
Shoring Frame	Image
Formwork Panel	Image
Head for shoring/prop	Image Note: If there is a swivel lock like shown in the image above, have it's PlaceBy option be set to EndPoint.
Frame Coupler	Image
Bolt for: Base plate Head Frame Coupler	Image
Prop Frame	Image Note: The start point (yellow) should be the center of prop and offset the item accordingly.
Primary Beam	Image Note: The start point should be where the center of prop would be.
Secondary Beam	Image Note: The Start point should be where the center of prop or center of beam where the secondary beam bears.