SDNF (Steel Detail Neutral Files)
SDNF (Steel Detail Neutral Files) provides a system-neutral method of importing and exporting structural model data. Using this bi-directional process, SDNF files of structural models can be imported and exported by engineers and designers working with OpenBuildings Station Designer as well as other structural products.
Which elements translate to SDNF?
It is important to know which elements and portions of physical Structural members are able to be imported or exported using the SDNF translator.
| Element Information | Import SDNF | Export SDNF | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Members | Path, linear | Prismatic (non-taper) | Yes | Yes |
| Taper | No | No | ||
| Path, curved | Arc | Yes | Yes | |
| Bspline | No | No | ||
| Feature | Planar | Yes | Yes | |
| Cope | No | Yes (planar) | ||
| Miter | No | Yes (planar) | ||
| Round | No | No | ||
| Solids | Type | Free | Yes (SNDF V3) | No |
| Smooth | No | No | ||
| Slab | Yes | Yes | ||
| Feature | Round | No | No | |
| Rectangular | No | No | ||
| Other | No | No | ||
Mapping file format
If section mapping is desired in the import or export to SDNF, then it is important to understand how the section mapping is formatted in the *.dat file. The file contains two columns. The first column is the OpenBuildings Station Designer profile name, and the second column is the name it is replaced with.
- W18X35,W18*35
- W40X431,W40*431
- W10X45,W10*45