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Tutorial: the Classic-mode checklist

Also the S3b acceptance checklist.

Build: the BimStruc-windows-x64.zip artifact of the latest build-installers run on main (one-file Bim-Struc.exe). Tick each line; anything that does not behave as written becomes an issue.

Drawing the S-FRAME way

  • [ ] Geometry › Grids: define a grid (A–C × 1–3, 6 m spacing) and a Roof level at 4 m.
  • [ ] Member tool: click grid intersections only, no joints placed first. Columns from the Base level, beams at the Roof level. The member and its two joints are selected after each click pair; the tool stays active.
  • [ ] Click the same joint twice: the status bar says "Cannot create member: points coincide", nothing is drawn. Draw a member that already exists: "Member already exists between these joints".
  • [ ] Number of links = 3, Continue from last joint off: one click pair gives three members (status-bar Physical members switch off) or one member with two joints along it (switch on). One Undo removes all.
  • [ ] Right-click on empty space right after a member: the next member starts from its J joint.
  • [ ] Click a point along an existing beam with the Member tool (snap "Points on members"): with the switch off the beam is split there; with the switch on a joint appears on the beam and the beam stays one member. Run: the deformed shape bends through the joint either way and the beam's results are one member.
  • [ ] Continuous Member tool: select two collinear beams, "Make continuous" → one member; "Convert to analysis members" splits it back. Results identical before and after.

Selection the S-FRAME way

  • [ ] Clicks toggle objects; Ctrl-click unpicks; a box adds; Ctrl-box unpicks; Shift-drag picks everything the line crosses; Polypick on: click corners in empty space, close on the first.
  • [ ] Unselected members dotted, selected solid (Extruded off).
  • [ ] Hide Unselected: only the selection stays; hidden objects cannot be picked.
  • [ ] Esc while drawing cancels only the member; Esc again: Selection tool, nothing selected, Hide Unselected off, My Structure current, zoom extents.
  • [ ] Select Special: Verticals selects the columns; Keep Previous + Horizontals adds the beams; Unselect mode with "1-4" removes the columns; Include joints brings the end joints along.
  • [ ] Selection Databar: type "1-5, 8" in Members and OK.
  • [ ] Right-click a joint: Select / Unselect Single, Select / Unselect All Intersecting, Properties opens the Spreadsheet on the Joints row, Delete refuses an attached joint. Right-click a member with results: Member results. Zoom 2x / 1/2x about the click.
  • [ ] Model Manager: root "My Structure" selects everything; Auto Generate Groups fills Attributes with Section / Material / Type / Release / Support / Story folders with counts.

Solver items

  • [ ] Member Release tool with a Ty or Tz (shear) release: linear run works; a nonlinear run reports that shear releases are linear-only and how to model them.
  • [ ] Materials spreadsheet shows α; AISC sections import with Asy / Asz filled (Sections spreadsheet).

Layout

  • [ ] Move a dock, hide the Log, resize the window, quit, restart: the layout is back. View › Reset Layout restores the default.