SBeXpress Module S
STEELeXpress (S) is a 2D steel detailing and documentation module. It is a standalone product outside the VBeXpress rebar workflow, but built on the same object engine: the Construction (K) module's style system, format strings and keyboard driver environment.
When preparing steel structural drawings, profiles, plates, bolts and welds traditionally have to be assembled from separate drawing elements. Manual management of markings, bolt lists and steel take-offs is time-consuming and error-prone.
Parametric steel profiles that can be displayed in standard views: plan, section, elevation. The profile type and size can be changed, with the display following automatically.
Functions: HEA, HEB, IPE, UPN and other standard profiles, labeling, positioning, table gathering
Steel connection components as intelligent objects: plates (end plate, flange plate), bolts (diameter, spacing, quantity), welds (weld size, length, type). Each has the necessary marking and table management functions.
Functions: Plate object, bolt object, weld object, automatic marking
Integrated European steel profile catalogue (HEA, HEB, IPE, UPN, UPE, L, T, round and rectangular hollow sections). User-extendable database, custom profiles can be added.
Functions: Standard European profiles, custom profile addition, cross-section data
Annotation built on the VBeXpress format string system. Profile marks (e.g. HEA 200), bolt lists (M16–8.8), weld symbols (∟ 5) are generated automatically from object properties.
Functions: Format-string-based labels, bolt and weld lists, position numbers
Automatic steel take-off lists in the VBeXpress table system. The table includes profile quantities, lengths, weights, and bolt/plate counts. Updated with a single command.
Functions: Automatic gathering, weight calculation, table update, filtering
STEELeXpress builds on the Construction (K) module, using all its services: style system, format strings, keyboard driver, intelligent mouse, VB-Workbench utilities.
K module (prerequisite), shared styles and format strings
Placing a SteelProfile object starts with selection from the profile catalogue. The panel allows setting profile type, size, rotation, length and display view (plan, section, side elevation).
Functions: Catalogue selection, view selection, parameter setting, placement
Steel connection elements (plates, bolts, welds) can be placed as intelligent objects between profiles. The program supports the most common connection types: end plate, flange plate, web plate, bolted and welded connections.
Functions: Plate/bolt/weld objects, parameterisation, automatic marking
Steel objects are annotated using the unified VBeXpress format string system. The gather command automatically creates or updates the steel take-off table, containing profile, bolt and plate quantities, lengths and weights.
Functions: Format-string-based labeling, automatic gathering, steel take-off table
STEELeXpress objects are edited with standard VBeXpress modification commands (Ctrl+right-click for properties, grip editing, intelligent stretch). Changing profile type or size automatically updates the display and labels.
Functions: Ctrl+right-click, grip editing, properties panel, automatic update
STEELeXpress is a separately licensable module (code: S). It is not part of the rebar workflow but an independent steel detailing environment that uses the shared VBeXpress object engine. The Construction (K) module is a prerequisite.
