Tutorial 3: Creating and Editing Materials & Profiles in Dietrich's Database

Introduction

After exploring the available materials in the database, you may need to create new materials or modify existing ones to meet your project requirements. This tutorial walks you through the process of adding, editing, and managing materials in Dietrich's. We will create a profile.

Creating New Profile

Basic Creation Process

1. Access the creation function

   • In the material database, look for a button labeled "New,"

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2. Select the appropriate groups and subgroups.

   • Choose which category your new material belongs to; assign an "item number" and select "profile" from the drop down.

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3. Enter the basic information:

• Item number: Listed as "Profile Number" - a unique identifier for this specific beam profile in the database

• Designation: Name/description field for the beam (currently empty)

• Order number: Reference for ordering from suppliers

• Ext.Ref.: External reference code that might connect to other systems

Object Data Section

• Object type: Set to "Profiled beam" - this determines how the software treats the element

• Width/Height/Length: Physical dimensions of the beam component

• Alignment: Set to "No" - controls orientation in the construction model

• Color set: Set to "Green" - visual color in 3D renderings

• Texture set: "ID 20379 - sr" - defines the material appearance in 3D views

• Show Edges: "Yes" - edges will be visible in the model

• Limit Angle: Controls edge display angles (empty in this example)

• Translucent: Opacity setting for visualization

• Hatching: Set to "-none-" - no specific 2D drawing pattern selected

Material Properties & Organization

• List storage: "Yes" - this item will appear in generated material lists

• Deliver to: "on Site" - delivery destination

• Source: "Inventory" - material sourcing

• Take-off type: "Collective" - quantity calculation method

• Weight reference: "kg/pcs" - weight measurement unit

• Unit: "Pcs" (pieces) - standard unit of measure

• Price/unit: Cost information field (empty)

Structural Properties Section (New in this view)

• Structural object type: "-none-" - no specific structural classification selected

• Structural material: Engineering property field for specifying material grade/type

Profile Section

• Profile: Links to cross-section profile information

• Edit: Button to access detailed profile settings and geometry

For a profiled beam, the Profile section is particularly important as it would contain the specific cross-sectional geometry that defines the beam shape. The structural properties section helps with engineering calculations when the model is used for structural analysis.

Add Profile.

• Click on "Edit" button under profile.

• Click on "Profile From Drawing"

• Select the drawing with hatch pattern from the 2-D editor.

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Note:

• You should know how to use the 2-D editor.

• The profile should be made from straight lines, no curves.

• Minimize the number of lines.

Next Steps

With these skills, you can customize your material database to perfectly match your project requirements and company standards.