LogoSBeXpress

SBeXpress Module K

SBexpress - Construction

The Construction (K) module is the foundation of SBeXpress: annotation, dimensioning, style management, format strings, defaults and global settings. Every other SmartBIM module builds on top of it, so K is the prerequisite for the whole SBeXpress product family.

What problem does the Construction module solve?

In plain AutoCAD, every drawing is just a flat collection of lines, arcs, hatches and texts. Change a project-wide label format, a dimension style, or a layer convention and you end up re-touching hundreds, sometimes thousands, of objects by hand. There is no central place to say "this is how a label looks" or "this is how a dimension reads on a 1:50 plan".

  • Position numbers, diameters, distribution texts and elevations get placed as plain text, and they do not update when the geometry changes.
  • There is no shared definition of "how a rebar looks" or "how a label looks". Each user reinvents the same settings per drawing.
  • Scale, datum plane, color references, default values are scattered across dialogs, files and habits.
  • Productivity depends on the toolbar layout of the day. There is no consistent way to drive commands from the keyboard.

How the Construction module changes the workflow

  • Annotation, dimensioning, frames and project text are all smart objects with style links: change the style and the drawing updates.
  • Label content is assembled from format strings (e.g. $dx, $ps, $fi). One change, every label follows.
  • Virtual layer, color and linetype let complex objects (Label, Table) keep per-component appearance without breaking AutoCAD's one-layer-per-object rule.
  • Drawing scale, datum plane, color references, object defaults and dimension style all live in one Settings panel.
  • A built-in keyboard driver turns a single key press into any command, so the crosshair never leaves the drawing area.

Scope of the Construction module

K is a horizontal module. It does not focus on a single object family; it provides the building blocks every other SBeXpress module (B, P, H, E, A, Z, T, S) depends on. Below are the main function areas you get with K.

Annotation objects

Smart objects for callouts, position numbers, level labels, project text and surveying points.

Label · Leader · Elevation Label · Special Text · Coordinate Point

Intelligent dimensioning

Associative, scale-aware dimensions that follow the drawing's primary scale and unit.

Multi-point · Section-line · Two-line · Object · Angle dimensioning

Style management

Centralized appearance settings that propagate from a single named style to all objects that reference it.

Rebar · Label · Distribution · Mesh · Precast · Bar Element · Detail styles

Defaults & global settings

Per-drawing and per-user settings that define the working environment.

Primary scale · Datum plane · Color References · Diameter Colors · Object Defaults

Productivity tools

Mouse, keyboard and dialog helpers that make the same workflow possible for power users and occasional users alike.

Keyboard driver · Intelligent mouse · Context menus · Cell control icons

VB-Workbench utilities

Cross-cutting maintenance and conversion commands that touch all object types.

String · Color · Font · Layer · Linetype conversions · Check hatching · Frame

Core concept: the Style system

Every major SBeXpress object type is driven by a named Style. A Style is just a bundle of appearance settings (color, linetype, layer, text style, text height, virtual properties) stored under a name. Objects reference their style by name, so changing the style changes every object that uses it.

Principles

  • One source of truth: a rebar's color and label live in the style, not on the object itself.
  • Styles are stored in the drawing. Copy an object between drawings and its style travels with it.
  • Never edit a style you cannot afford to break. Duplicate the StatiCAD base style, rename it, then modify.
  • Virtual layer / color / linetype override the definition properties per component (leader, POS ring, label tags).

Style lifecycle

  • StatiCAD is the undeletable base style. It is always available, cannot be renamed or deleted.
  • Copy StatiCAD → NEWENTRY_0. Rename in the Rename cell (max 32 chars, no $ # ? ! ^ & ~).
  • Edit values. Press OK and the style is saved, with every referencing object refreshing automatically.
  • Delete removes a style only if no object uses it. Delete All preserves StatiCAD and referenced styles.

Style types in K (and where they are used)

  • • Rebar Style: appearance of Assembled Rebar master instances and references (used by B / P).
  • • Label Style: leader, arrowhead, POS ring/mark and the six label tags (used by every labeled object).
  • • Distribution Style: distribution line, end and intermediate arrow blocks, rung marks (used by rebar / mesh / detail placement).
  • • Mesh Style: mesh display, contour, cross-out, section view (used by H).
  • • Precast Style: pre-fabricated beam appearance (used by E).
  • • Bar Element Style: bars, hooks, mounting parts (used by A).
  • • Detail Style: reinforcement details (used by K and P).

Core concept: Format strings

Format strings are the smart text engine behind every Label, Table and Special Text. A format string is a sequence of $-codes (e.g. $dx, $ps, $fi) and plain text. The program evaluates each code against the labeled object's properties and renders the result, so a single format string describes all labels of a given type, and changing the string re-renders every label.

Code categories

  • • Geometry: $1d, $2d, $3d, $4d (segment / unfolded / plan length); $sw (total length); $si (planes); $bf (concrete cover).
  • • Identity: $ps / $po (POS mark); $db (quantity); $fi (diameter); $la, $lb, $lc (reinforcement layer name).
  • • Composition: $dx (combined quantity/spacing, e.g. 6fi8/15+4fi8/30); $dy (combined quantity/diameter/spacing); $ok (spacing list).
  • • Totals: $*k (total weight in tables); $*l (total length in tables); $d0 / $d1 (drawing-wide totals).
  • • Conditional: $x?[true text] / $x![false text] (e.g. $l?[slope: 5%]$l![no slope]).
  • • Modifiers: decimal count ($1d.3), unit ($1d^m / ^c / ^mm), alignment ($1d10_), grouping ($dx·...#).

Example

$c?[$1d.0^c]$m?[$1d.2^m]$u?[\S$mm;]: the default Intelligent Dimension format string

If the value is below 1 m, write it in cm with 0 decimals. If 1 m or above, write it in m with 2 decimals. If the deviation from a whole cm is more than half a millimetre, append the deviation as a superscript rounded to whole mm.

Where format strings are set

Object Defaults → the relevant object type (Rebar, Mesh, Distribution, Precast, Detail, Elevation) defines the default format string for each of the 6 label tags. Per-object overrides are possible by switching the cell button to 'manual' on the Label Object Properties panel (Ctrl+Alt+ right-click).

Annotation objects

K ships a complete set of smart annotation objects. Each one references a style, supports 6 label tags, and is fully style-driven, so the whole drawing's callout language can be re-skinned by editing the Label Style.

Label

The composite object that holds a leader, arrowhead, POS ring, POS mark and up to 6 text tags. Every labeled SBeXpress object carries one.

Style-driven leader + arrow · 6 configurable tags · POS ring (circle / square / hexagon / pentagon / triangle / ellipse) · 9 leader types (Perpendicular, Polyp, Comb, Straight, Point, MultiPoint, Manual, PosMarker, Automatic) · multi-object collective labeling via Alt+ right-click · switchable POS matrix for multi-rebar.

Leader

Standalone callout object, available in three variants: leader with start arrow, leader with start and end arrow, multi-leader.

Style-driven arrow block · Frequently Used Labels catalog · up to 6 tags · add/remove leader points with Alt + grip · Mark + Length + Quantity for schedulable callouts.

Elevation Label

Annotates level heights. A Base Elevation + any number of Reference Elevations form an Elevation group; values are computed from the Base level + projected distance + datum plane.

Base + Reference · growth vector (re-orientable) · leg length (re-orientable) · format-string driven sign and decimals · consider datum plane toggle.

Special Text

Text that evaluates format strings, used in the title block to show project data ($01–$23), dates ($t0–$t3), file path ($e0), last rebar position ($s0) and total rebar mass ($d0).

23 project-data fields + 4 dates · dynamic drawing data ($s0, $s1, $d0, $d1) · evaluate on placement · single source of truth across many callouts.

Coordinate Point

Surveying-style point with X / Y / Z and per-point properties, typically tabulated by an external table object.

Per-point metadata · style-driven display · used in surveying plans and column layouts.

Frame

The drawing sheet. Smart object that carries its scale, binding margin, plot settings, and can print to PDF.

A0–A4 + custom frames · scale override per frame · binding margins · PDF printing via the integrated Plot/PDF tab.

Intelligent Dimensioning

SBeXpress extends AutoCAD's DIMENSION with a scale-aware, associative, format-string driven version: the Intelligent Dimension. Created with the STATICAD dimension style, it adapts its text to the drawing's primary scale and unit, and is associative by default (Stretch updates the value).

Definition methods

  • By indicating points: pick a sequence of points, then place the dimension line. Direction is auto-detected (horizontal / vertical) and can be rotated on the fly from the xDimension direction toolbar.
  • With a section line: draw a line, the program finds the objects it crosses (rebar, distribution boundary blocks, formwork contours) and dimensions them.
  • Using two lines, ideal for mesh splicing, overlaps and bar/distribution ends. The first line is parallel to the dimension line.
  • Object dimensioning: point at a SBeXpress object and the program places the relevant dimensions automatically.

Notable properties

  • • Associative by default: Stretch updates the value.
  • • Has its own Scale property. A 1:50 base plan can carry a 1:25 detail with correctly sized text.
  • • Shortest dimension labels: below 1 m, only the cm value is shown.
  • • Format string is editable. Local override (manual) lets you pin the displayed text.
  • • Can be assigned to a Reinforcement Layer. Switches handle the dimension together with the reinforcement.

Defaults & global settings

The K module centralises the entire working environment in one Settings panel. Per-drawing and per-user values are set here and consumed by every other module when objects are created.

General

Primary drawing scale (e.g. 1:50) · drawing unit in mm · base plane / datum plane · hatch base multiplier · Default DWG template path · color / layer convention for layer used when exploding.

Color References

16 named color assignments used for functional (e.g. print) purposes. Once defined, every object that uses a Color Reference can be re-colored by editing the reference, not the object.

Diameter Colors

Color-per-diameter table from 3 mm to 32 mm. Activated when a style sets rebar color to ByDiameter, common in screen review and print by rebar grade.

Object Defaults

Per-type defaults for color, layer, Osnap, LabelStyle, leader type, text direction, label format strings and automatic positioning, for Assembled Rebar, Welded Mesh, Distribution, Precast, Detail, Elevation, Coordinate Point and more.

Project Data

23 centralized text fields ($00–$23) and 4 dates ($t0–$t3) for the title block. Each field is free-form: the 'Project Number' cell can carry any value, and is referenced by Special Text and format strings.

Productivity tools

K is built around the idea that the user's hand never has to leave the drawing area. Three mechanisms make it work: a built-in keyboard driver, an intelligent mouse, and object-specific context menus.

Keyboard driver

Toggled by the BILL-DRIVER button or Scroll-Lock. A single key (e.g. 'l' for line, 'm' for move) fires any command. Definitions live in vbexp.cfg; user customisations go in user.cfg so they survive updates.

Intelligent mouse

Up to 17 commands on mouse + Ctrl / Alt / Shift combinations. Preset for common SBeXpress / AutoCAD operations: Ctrl+ right-click = properties, Alt+ right-click = label, Shift+ right-click = rebar placement, Ctrl+Shift+ right-click = complete rebar placement.

Object-specific context menu

Right-click on a SBeXpress object shows the operations valid for that object and state. Greyed-out entries are not applicable. It is the same surface across all object types, so once learned it works everywhere.

Cell control icons

Most property cells have a button that controls where the value comes from: from global · from layer · from detail · manual · calculated · from drawing · active / not set · default · from format string · alternative string · show object.

VB-Workbench utilities

The VB-Workbench collects cross-cutting utilities that touch every SBeXpress object. Most are configured in cfg files (vbexp.cfg, steel.cfg, user.cfg) and called by name from the menu.

Conversions

String/character · color · font · layer · linetype conversions. Defined in cfg files under [CHARCONVERT-…], [COLORCONVERT-…], [FONTCONVERT-…], [LAYERCONVERT-…], [LINETPCONVERT-…]. Common uses: bulk translate text, re-skin colors before plot, swap fonts across the drawing.

Check hatching

In a given direction · on edge rebars · on selected rebar placements. Hatches areas with density proportional to the reinforcement strength (cm²/m). Useful for visualising reinforcement coverage and overlap zones.

Sheet framing

Place a standard A0–A4 frame sized to the primary drawing scale. The frame object owns its own scale, plot settings and PDF export, so a single drawing can carry mixed-scale details under their own frames.

Layer management

Isolate selected layers · turn on / off selected layers · delete / move contents of selected layers · set selected layer current · move objects to layer generated from reinforcement layer name / group / POS group.

Utilities

Audit object relationships · purge acad layerfilter / layerstates · export / import dialog settings to the Common directory · save readable DXF (for SBeXpress support) · new file with primitive drawing elements (for sharing with non-SBeXpress users).

Why K is the foundation for every other module

Every other SBeXpress module runs on top of K: Rebar BASIC (B), Rebar PRO (P), Welded Mesh (H), Precast Beams (E), Mounting Parts (A), BIM (Z), BAMTEC (T) and STEELeXpress (S). They consume K's styles, its format strings, its defaults, its annotation objects and its productivity tools. Without K, none of the others can be licensed or used.

  • • B / P / H / E / A / Z / T / S all create objects that reference styles defined in K.
  • • All rebar, mesh, detail and BIM labels are K's Label object with K's Label Styles.
  • • All modules read primary scale, datum plane, color references and object defaults from K's Settings panel.
  • • Keyboard driver, intelligent mouse, context menus and the VB-Workbench utilities are K and shared across modules.