To export a Structural model to SDNF

Click the SDNF Export icon.

The SDNF Export dialog appears.

Note: The OK button is disabled at this point. A target SDNF (*.dat) file must be selected to enable the OK button.

On the SDNF Export dialog’s File tab, click Select under the Steel Detail Neutral File heading.

The Select Steel Detail Neutral File to create dialog appears prompting you to select a *.dat file. If one does not exist, simply enter a file name to create the target file.

Tip: Remember that the file extension for SDNF is *.dat.

Click Save.

Closes the Select Steel Detail Neutral File to create dialog. The *.dat file is saved, and enables the OK button on the SDNF Export dialog.

From the SDNF Export dialog’s File tab, enable the Process Master File Only option.

Only the Structural members in the master file will be exported. Structural members in referenced files will be ignored.

Check the Map Section Names option.

This enables the Section Mapping File options.

Click Select under the Section Mapping File heading. The Select Section Mapping dialog opens prompting you to select a mapping file.

Browse to a location where you have a mapping file, and click Open.

The section mapping file is selected and the Select Section Mapping dialog closes.

Note: The Structural discipline delivers several section mapping files. They are located in the workset folders under the Data sub-folder.

Open the SDNF Export dialog’s Selection tab. This tab is used to select which Structural members to export. There are several ways to select the members to export.

Check the All option.

This will export all Structural members existing in the master file.

(Optional) Open the SDNF Export dialog’s Title Packet tab. This tab is used to enter project information to be exported along with the Structural model.

Enter the project information in the available text fields.

Click OK to complete exporting to SDNF.