Expert: Bob - 11/19/2009

Question
Using AutoCAD Architecture 2009, where can I get ADT structural beams? The available ADT objects are very limited (not just steel objects) and I haven't found a link to more structural steel objects to use in Architectural files. Thanks.

Answer
Hi -- Remember, I am an Interior Designer, lol. I don't do Structural, but I DO do "how to find answers".

Your question is a research question: I am going to tell you how I would do the research, so you can find the particular elements you need, or learn how to make them.

One - I would go to the ACA Forum, and search for structural elements, then for the names of the elements you need.    http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=248&start=0
If I needed to, I would post a very specific question -- another user might be able to help you, or may already have posted files to the Customer Files Forum, etc

Two - I would go to AUGI and to professional association forums to look for them

Three - If I did not find them readymade, I would search for tutorials on how to create them -- both on Autodesk sites and Google. Someone has doubtless written plenty on this, as I believe I recall.  There are probably a few classes on it each year at Autodesk U.

Remember that pretty much anything can be made in ACA by saving an existing style, object, etc,  under a new name and editing it, or making it from scratch.

Does this help?

BOB