ShapeBook 2009

ShapeBook 2009 Screenshots: (click above for large view)

ShapeBook 2009 is a versatile productivity tool for commercial and industrial steel design, engineering, estimating, detailing, fabrication, and erection. ShapeBook is based on the AISC Steel Construction Manual 13th Edition. In addition we have added large pipe sizes, small bar size materials, plate, flat bar, round bar, and square bar. ShapeBook is a powerful structural steel estimating and quick reference tool for steel industry professionals. Dimensions and design properties are displayed in ShapeBook's corresponding display tabs. ShapeBook uses AISC criteria for determining the approximate detailing dimensions in fractional inches. Design properties are shown in decimal format according to the tool tip definition available by hovering over any of the values.

ShapeBook is now a powerful estimating tool for estimating the cost of steel, and coatings. The Calculator Material List extends the weight, surface area, and pricing (price per pound or kilogram) and (price per square foot or square meter of surface area). You use the weight and surface area calculator on the selected shape by entering the quantity, length, weight price, surface price, and clicking the "Calculate" button. Total weight and surface area are displayed and if the "Add to Calculator Material List" check box is checked the entry is added or inserted into your Calculator Material List. Total weight, total surface area, total price per pound or kilogram, and total price per square foot or meter of surface area are displayed on the totals line at the bottom of the list. The totals line is updated instantly with any change that you make to the material list.

The calculator material list items can be easily modified as needed. This tab supports multiple line hover selection similar to Windows Explorer. List items can be re-priced, inserted, deleted, sorted, or dragged to a new location. Clicking on any column title will do an alphabetical sort using the selected column. Lists can be saved to files on your hard drive and loaded back into ShapeBook or imported into spreadsheet or database software. List files can be opened in any text editor and material in one list can be cut and pasted to another and then loaded back into ShapeBook with all line numbers and totals updated. A Print Calc List command prints the list with a user title, date, page numbers, line numbers, and includes column and row outlines.

A hierarchical shape selection list allows you to open and close groups of shape names, based on shape type, and the depth & weight/width properties. You can scroll up and down through the open groups and select a shape by clicking on any shape name in the list. Each selection is displayed and added to your shape selection list. Shape selection lists can be saved to a file, and the current list and shape selection can be automatically saved when you exit and then automatically restored the next time you run ShapeBook. Your shape selection list and the currently selected shape are automatically converted to metric or US imperial units whenever the units mode is changed.

You can search and select shapes using up to 3 search keys, each with a separate property with minimum and maximum values. It can be used to find a set of available shape sizes that fit within your search parameters. ShapeBook includes a US imperial to metric cross reference chart and you can view the raw US imperial or metric AISC database data for reference. ShapeBook has a new toolbar command that windows task switches to the last application to have focus. This allows you to switch back to the last application you were using in one mouse click.

ShapeBook 2009 also includes a fully functional 30 day trial of the 2D3DSteel 2009 AutoCAD Application. If you use any of the full versions of AutoCAD 2000 through 2010, you can use the 2D3DSteel 2009 software to draw 2D and 3D structural and miscellaneous steel details and vastly improve your productivity working in AutoCAD.

Back to Top

New Features in ShapeBook 2009:

AISC Steel Construction Manual 13th Edition data plus large pipe sizes, and small bar size materials. Support for plate, flat bar, round bar, and square bar. Calculator material List tab for estimating the cost of steel, and coatings. Updated Help System with all new features well documented. Toolbar command that windows task switches to the last application to have focus. The hierarchical shape selection list is now sorted from smallest to largest material sizes. Bar sized materials, plate, flat bar, round bar, and square bar do not include all design properties. New 30 day trial of 2D3DSteel 2009 included.