Graphical Input
1.3 Application Window Layout
The STAAD.foundation application window is split into multiple panes, each of which may be moved, closed, or "floated" outside the main window.
The STAAD.foundation window contains the following sections by default:
A. Title Bar - displays the file name of the project that is currently open &
active
B. Menu bar - contains multiple menu items located at the top of the win-dow.
C. Toolbars
D. Main Navigation pane E. Tabbed View window
F. Data Input pane or Load pane G. Output Pane
H. Status Bar - Provides prompts, context-sensitive assistance, and some interactive functionality.
Menus
This section provides a description of the commands available from STAAD.foundation’s pull-down Menu Bar.
Hint: Only commonly used menu items are shown by default. Click the expand menu icon to display the full contents of the menu. This behavior can be turned off in the Customize dialog, Options tab.
The names of the pull-down menus, from left to right across the top of the screen, are as follows:
File Menu
The File Menu allows you to perform project file related operations such as creating a new project, opening an existing project, saving a project, etc.
The File Menu contains the following menu commands:
Menu Item Description Shortcut
New > General Setup
Closes the current project and opens a new, empty project in the General mode.
New > Plant Setup
Closes the current project and opens a new, empty project in the Plant Foundation mode.
New > Toolkit Setup
Closes the current project and opens a new, empty project in the Toolkit mode.
Open… Opens the Open Project dialog, which is used to open an existing STAAD.foundation project.
CTRL+O
Save Saves design changes to the open project.
Note: Choosing Save while
"Untitled#.afs" is open has the
CTRL+S
Menu Item Description Shortcut same effect as choosing Save
As.
Save As… Opens the Save As dialog, which is used to save a copy of the design file with a different name, in a different directory, or on a different disk. If just a different name is chosen, the copy
becomes the active design file.
Close Closes the current project file and returns to the Start page.
Print… Opens the Print dialog, which is used to adjust printing settings and create printed output.
CTRL+P
Print Preview Opens the Preview dialog.
When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which output pages will be
displayed in their printed format.
Print Setup… Opens the Print Setup dialog, where you specify the printer and its connection.
Import
STAAD.Pro File
Opens the StaadPro File Import dialog, which is used to select a STAAD.Pro project from which to create a new STAAD.foundation project.
Menu Item Description Shortcut Import from
Excel
Opens the STAAD.foundation Neutral File dialog, with the file filter set for Microsoft Excel (.xls) files.
See See "Import Foundation Input from Excel" on page 338 for additional information on this feature.
#filename
<Recent Project Files>
A list of the most recent STAAD.foundation files is dis-played here in a numbered list.
Selecting any item here will close the current STAAD.foundation project file and open the selected one.
Exit Exits STAAD.foundation.
However, if modifications have not yet been saved, an alert box is displayed with options to save or discard the changes or return to the project.
Open Project dialog
Used to open an existing .AFS file.
Opens when File > Open is selected.
Existing tab
To open an existing project, navigate to the directory in which the project file is located and then select the file and click on Open.
Look in
Lists the drives and directories for selection.
List box
Lists files for selection. The files listed reside in the directory chosen in the Look in option menu, filtered according to the file type chosen in the Files of type option menu. Double-clicking a filename in the list box selects the file.
File name
Shows the name of the file that is selected in the list box, or you can key in a filename. The list box lists the name of the existing files in the directory.
To bypass the Look in option menu, you can key in a complete path specification for a file in the File name field.
Files of type
Sets the type of file to open. STAAD.foundation can only read .AFS file formats directly. Use the Import feature to use data in a different file type.
Open
Opens the selected AFS file.
If the filename in the Name field is the same as the name of an existing file, an alert box asks if you want to overwrite the existing file.
If a AFS file is already open, it is closed before the newly selected AFS file is opened.
Cancel
Closes the dialog without opening a STAAD.foundation project file.
Go to Last Folder Visited
Returns to the last folder that you opened.
Up One Level
Moves up one directory from your current location.
Create New Folder
Creates a new folder with an editable name field.
View Menu
Allows you to select how to display the files in the directory.
l Thumbnails — Shows a thumbnail image of the files in the direc-tory.
l Tiles — Displays the file by name, type and size of file.
l Icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon.
l List — Shows a list of the files in the directory.
l Details — Allows you to select what details you want to display for the files listed.
Recent tab
The recent tab contains a list of recently opened STAAD.foundation project files. Select one from the list to re-open.
Open
Opens the selected AFS file.
If the filename in the Name field is the same as the name of an existing file, an alert box asks if you want to overwrite the existing file.
If a AFS file is already open, it is closed before the newly selected AFS file is opened.
Cancel
Closes the dialog without opening a STAAD.foundation project file.
Save Project dialog
Used to save a copy of the STAAD.foundation project file with a different name, in a different directory, or on a different disk. If just a different name is chosen, the copy becomes the active design file.
Opens when File > Save As… is chosen.
To save a project, navigate to the directory in which you want to save the project, type in a file name for the project and then click on Save.
Save in
Lists the drives and directories for selection.
List box
Sets the name of the STAAD.foundation file you want to save. The list box lists the names of the existing files in the directory.
Different systems allow different numbers of characters in filenames.
Some systems are case-sensitive (they differentiate between upper and lower case), others are not. If portability between different systems is a concern, filenames with a maximum of eight characters all in the same case are recommended.
File name
Sets the name of the STAAD.founation file you want to save.
Save as type
Sets the type of file format. STAAD.foundation saves only in .AFS file format.
Save
Saves the selected STD file.
Cancel
Closes the dialog without saving the current project file.
Go to Last Folder Visited
Returns to the last folder that you opened.
Up One Level
Moves up one directory from your current location.
Create New Folder
Creates a new folder with an editable name field.
View Menu
Allows you to select how to display the files in the directory.
l Thumbnails — Shows a thumbnail image of the files in the direc-tory.
l Tiles — Displays the file by name, type and size of file.
l Icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon.
l List — Shows a list of the files in the directory.
l Details — Allows you to select what details you want to display for the files listed.
Print dialog
Used to print the active project report.
Opens when File > Print… is selected or the Print tool is clicked in the Print Preview dialog.
Printer
Lets you choose the printer driver to use. Select any Windows system printer.
Properties…
Used to set the properties for the selected printer.
Print range
l All - Print the entire report
l Pages - Enter from and to pages to specify a range within the report to print.
l Selection - Prints only the pages selected before the dialog opened.
Copies
Enter the Number of copies desired.
Collate
Select this option to print entire jobs together before beginning the next copy.
OK
Closes the dialog and sends the document to the selected printer.
Cancel
Closes the dialog without printing.
Print Preview window
Displays an on-screen preview of how the current input file will when printed, using the current Page Setup and Print Setup.
Opened when File > Print Preview… is selected.
Print Preview toolbar
The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.
Print…
The same as selecting File > Print… from the STAAD.foundation win-dow. Once the file has been printed, the Print Preview window closes and returns to the STAAD.foundation window.
Next Page
Displays the following page of the printed input file.
Prev Page
Displays the previous page of the printed input file Two Page
Toggles the Print Preview window to display either one or two pages simultaneously.
Zoom In
Magnifies the View of the Print Preview window. Same a clicking in the window when the pointer is a magnifying glass.
Zoom Out
Decreases the magnification of the Print Preview window.
Close
Exits the Print Preview window and returns to the STAAD.foundation window.
Print Setup dialog
You can specify a printer and connection to the printer here. Your default Windows printer is selected for your automatically, if available.
Opens when File > Print Setup… is selected.
STAAD.Pro File Import dialog
Used to begin a new project by importing the support co-ordinates and forces/moments on the individual supports from Bentley's STAAD.Pro structural analysis software program. This feature allows you to import any analyzed STAAD.Pro file and update foundation input database if the
STAAD.Pro file gets changed.
Opens when File > Import STAAD.Pro file is selected.
Look in
Lists the drives and directories for selection.
List box
Lists files for selection. The files listed reside in the directory chosen in the Look in option menu, filtered according to the file type chosen in the Files of type option menu. Double-clicking a filename in the list box selects the file.
File name
Shows the name of the file that is selected in the list box, or you can key in a filename. The list box lists the name of the existing files in the directory.
To bypass the Look in option menu, you can key in a complete path specification for a file in the File name field.
Files of type
Sets the type of file to open. STAAD.foundation can import STAAD.Pro input files (file extension .STD).
Open
Opens the Import STAAD.Pro File dialog, which is used to list all the available load cases found in the selected STD file.
Cancel
Closes the dialog without importing a STAAD.Pro project file.
Go to Last Folder Visited
Returns to the last folder that you opened.
Up One Level
Moves up one directory from your current location.
Create New Folder
Creates a new folder with an editable name field.
View Menu
Allows you to select how to display the files in the directory.
l Thumbnails — Shows a thumbnail image of the files in the direc-tory.
l Tiles — Displays the file by name, type and size of file.
l Icons — Displays the files by the product-specific icon.
l List — Shows a list of the files in the directory.
l Details — Allows you to select what details you want to display for the files listed.
STAAD.foundation Neutral File dialog
Used to open Neutral Files. See "6.3 Working with Neutral Files" on page 340 for additional information.
The controls in this dialog are analogous to those in the Open dialog.
Edit Menu
The Edit menu has items for undoing and redoing changes to the foundation model.
The Edit menu contains the following commands:
Menu
Item Description Shortcut
Delete The Delete menu command deletes the selected item(s). The Delete command is only active when a relevant item like sup-port position, beam, pile etc. is selected.
Undo Negates the last drawing operation. CTRL+Z or
ALT + Backspace Redo Negates the last undo operation. CTRL+Y View Menu
The View menu contains commands that turns various toolbars, status bars and menus on and off.
The View Menu contains the following menu commands:
Menu Item Description
Toolbars >
Standard Toolbar
Toggles the display of the Standard toolbar.
Toolbars >
View Trans-Rot Toolbar
Toggles the display of the Trans Rotate toolbar.
Toolbars > Toggles the display of the Output pane.
Menu Item Description Output
Toolbars >
Caption Bar
Toggles the display of the Caption Bar.
Toolbars >
Main Navi-gation
Toggles the display of the Main Navigation pane.
Toolbars >
Load Page
Toggles the display of the Load pane.
Toolbars >
Data Input Page
Toggles the display of the Data Input pane.
Toolbars >
Cus-tomize…
Opens the Customize dialog.
Status Bar Toggles the display of the window status bar.
Application Look >
<list>
This sub-menu contains a list of themes which will change the appearance of the STAAD.fou-ndation window. These themes are based on com-mon versions of Office suites.
Customize dialog
Used to customize the application window.
Note: All changes made in the Customize dialog are applied instantly.
Opens when:
l View > Toolbars > Customize… is selected, or
l You click on the downward arrow, right of any toolbar and select Add or Remove Buttons > Customize…, or
l You right-click on any toolbar and select Customize… from the pop-up menu.
Commands tab
Used to add, remove, or rearrange tool on the toolbars.
Categories list
Commands (tools) are grouped in similar categories. Select the category from which you wish to add a tool.
Commands list
All available tools are listed here, grouped by category. These may be dragged onto toolbars. Refer to Using toolbars for more.
Description
When available, a brief description of the selected tool will be displayed here.
Toolbars tab
Used to toggle the display of the program toolbars.
Toolbars list
Select the check box to display listed toolbars.
Note: The Menu bar may not be turned off.
Reset
Used to reset all changes made to window toolbars. A warning dialog will confirm you wish to proceed.
Warning: This action may not be undone.
Reset All
Used to reset all changes made to window toolbars and menus. A warning dialog will confirm you wish to proceed.
Warning: This action may not be undone.
Show text labels
Select this option to display tool labels for each tool in the selected toobar.
Note: The tool names are displayed in "tool tips" even when this option is not selected, as long as Show ScreenTips on toolbars is selected on the Options tab.
Keyboard tab
Used to control keyboard shortcuts for menu items.
Categories list
Commands (menu items) are grouped in similar categories.
Commands list
All available menu items are listed here, grouped by category.
Description
When available, a brief description of the selected command will be displayed here.
Set Accelerator for
Select the user account you for which you wish the keyboard shortcut (accelerator) to be available for.
Current keys
The current list of assigned keyboard shortcuts for the selected menu item in the Commands list.
Press New Shortcut Key
When the cursor is active in this field, keyboard strokes/chords will be recorded as a keyboard shortcut.
Note: If a previously used keyboard shortcut is recorded, then a message with its assignment is displayed below.
Assign
Add recorded keyboard shortcut to the selected menu item in the Commands list.
Hint: Multiple keyboard shortcuts may be assigned to a single menu item or command.
Remove
Remove the selected keyboard shortcut in the Current Keys list from the selected menu item in the Commands list.
Reset All
Restore all settings on this tab to factory defaults.
Menu tab
Used control the contents and display style of menus.
Show Menus for
Select the application state for which you wish to edit menus. Once selected, the context menu opens as a floating toolbox. Select the Commands tab in the Customize dialog (see above) to add or remove menu times from this menu.
Reset
This resets changes made to the selected menu in the Show Menus for list. A warning dialog will confirm you wish to proceed.
Warning: This action may not be undone.
Menu animations
Select one of the animation styles from the drop-down menu.
Hint: If you are experiencing slow menu behavior, we recommend selecting "None".
Menu shadows
Select this options to have a shadow effect
Hint: If you are experience slow menu behavior, we recommend turning this feature off.
Select context menu
Select a context menu for customization. Once selected, the context menu opens as a floating toolbox. Select the Commands tab in the Customize dialog (see above) to add or remove menu times from this menu.
Reset
This resets changes made to the selected menu in the Select Context Menu list. A warning dialog will confirm you wish to proceed.
Warning: This action may not be undone.
Options tab
Used to set general menu and toolbar appearance and behavior.
Show ScreenTips on toolbars
Select this option to display the name of a tool by hovering the mouse pointer over the tool.
Show shortcut keys in ScreenTips
Select this option to also display the keyboard shortcut in the tool tip (for tools which have a keyboard shortcut assigned to them).
Large Icons
Select this option to use large icons in the program toolbars.
Menus show recently used commands first
Select this option to have menu items not commonly used hidden by default. These menu items may then be displayed by clicking the expand menu button ( ).
Show full menus after a short delay
Once a menu has been opened, the full menu will be displayed after a brief pause (same effect as clicking the expand menu button).
Rest my usage data
Click this button to reset the menu usage data dictating menu items to the factory default.
Close
Closes the dialog.
Tools Menu
The Tools menu contains commands for manipulating the structure geometry, managing jobs, and adding self weight.
The Tools menu contains the following menu commands:
The Tools menu contains the following menu commands: