RAM Structural System

V8i (SELECTseries 6)

3D Viewer Manual
Last Updated: January 16, 2014

Legal Notices
Trademark Notice
Bentley and the B Bentley logo are registered or non-registered trademarks of Bentley Systems,
Incorporated.
RAM SBeam, RAM Structural System, RAM Manager, RAM Modeler, RAM Steel, RAM Frame, RAM
Foundation and RAM Concrete are registered or non-registered trademarks of Bentley Systems,
Incorporated.
All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2013 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Including software, file formats, and audiovisual displays; may only be used pursuant to applicable
software license agreement; contains confidential and proprietary information of Bentley Systems,
Incorporated and/or third parties which is protected by copyright and trade secret law and may not be
provided or otherwise made available without proper authorization.

Acknowledgements
Objective Grid C++ Library Copyright Rogue Wave Software, Inc.
Virtual Print Engine (VPE) Copyright IDEAL Software
Contains CM2 MeshTools by Computing Objects
Math Kernel Library (MKL) Intel Corporation
The Boost Graph Library (BGL) Siek, J.G., Lee, L., and Lumsdaine, A.
Ultimate Toolbox Dundas Software Ltd.
TurboDXF Ideal Engineering
Portions Copyright Microsoft Corporation
Includes Adobe PDF Library technology. Portions Copyright Adobe Systems, Inc.
Clipper library Angus Johnson
zlib software Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler.

Restricted Rights Legends

If this software is acquired for or on behalf of the United States of America, its agencies and/or
instrumentalities (U.S. Government), it is provided with restricted rights. This software and
accompanying documentation are commercial computer software and commercial computer
software documentation, respectively, pursuant to 48 C.F.R. 12.212 and 227.7202, and restricted

RAM Structural System

3D Viewer Manual

Legal Notices
Restricted Rights Legends
computer software pursuant to 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19(a), as applicable. Use, modification, reproduction,
release, performance, display or disclosure of this software and accompanying documentation by the
U.S. Government are subject to restrictions as set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to 48 C.F.R.
12.212, 52.227-19, 227.7202, and 1852.227-86, as applicable. Contractor/Manufacturer is Bentley
Systems, Incorporated, 685 Stockton Drive, Exton, PA 19341-0678.
Unpublished - rights reserved under the Copyright Laws of the United States and International treaties.

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3D Viewer Manual

Disclaimer
The software and related documentation, including this documentation, are protected by both United
States copyright law and international treaty provisions. Any unauthorized copying or reproduction is
strictly prohibited and subject to civil and criminal penalties. Please refer to the License Agreement
(EULA) for authorization to make a backup copy of the software. You may not sell this software or
documentation or give copies of them to anyone else.
Except as expressly warranted in the License Agreement (EULA), Bentley Systems, Incorporated
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties or
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the software, the accompanying
written materials, and any accompanying hardware. All results should be verified to the user's
satisfaction. The contents of these written materials may include technical inaccuracies or typographical
errors and may be revised without prior notice.

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: 3D Viewer Basics ...............................................................................................11
2.1
2.2
2.3

2.4

2.5
2.6
2.7

Invoking 3D Viewer .................................................................................................................................................................11

Toolbars ........................................................................................................................................................................................11
The View Commands .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
View - 3D ...................................................................................................................................................................14
2.3.1
View - Plan ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.3.2
View - Elevation .....................................................................................................................................................15
2.3.3
Find Member ...........................................................................................................................................................15
2.3.4
View - Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.3.5
View - Extents .........................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.6
View - Nodal Loads ...............................................................................................................................................17
2.3.7
View - Wall Openings Numbers ...................................................................................................................... 17
2.3.8
View - Navigation Rotate/Pan .........................................................................................................................18
2.3.9
View - Resolution - Low/Medium/High ......................................................................................................18
2.3.10
View - Projection - Perspective/Orthographic .........................................................................................19
2.3.11
Reset Model ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
2.3.12
View - Options - Pen Colors .............................................................................................................................. 20
2.3.13
View - Options - Scale Text ............................................................................................................................... 20
2.3.14
Other Commands ....................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Model Notes .............................................................................................................................................................21
2.4.1
Arrow Keys .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
2.4.2
F1 Key ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22
2.4.3
F2 Key ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22
2.4.4
F3 Key - Navigation Mode Rotate/Pan ........................................................................................................ 22
2.4.5
F4 Key - Resolution (Low/Medium/High) .................................................................................................22
2.4.6
F5 Key - Projection Mode (Perspective/Orthographic) ....................................................................... 23
2.4.7
F6 Key - Zoom/Fly-through Mode .................................................................................................................23
2.4.8
F7 Key - Reset View ..............................................................................................................................................23
2.4.9
Left-Click Dragging ...............................................................................................................................................23
2.4.10
Coordinate Systems .................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Global Coordinate System ................................................................................................................................. 24
2.5.1
Local Coordinate System ................................................................................................................................... 24
2.5.2
Print Screen, Preview and Setup ........................................................................................................................................25
Exiting ............................................................................................................................................................................................25

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Introduction

The 3D Viewer creates and displays a 3 dimensional (xyz axes) representation of the currently loaded
model. It can also display 'Plan' (horizontal planar - xy axes) or 'Elevation' (vertical) views of the model.
Additionally, the 3D Viewer provides dialogs for specifying display of some common member properties
and for printing of the current view. The 3D Viewer provides model display for the RAM Manager, RAM
Modeler, RAM Steel Column, RAM Concrete, RAM Shearwall Forces and 3D View only.

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3D Viewer Basics

This chapter explains the basics of the 3D Viewer program, including invoking the program and using
the various view and navigation options.

2.1 Invoking 3D Viewer

Menu Item

Description
3D Viewer is invoked by selecting the 'View - 3D View' command or clicking the
3D Viewer button in either the RAM Manager or RAM Modeler.

2.2 Toolbars
Two (2) default toolbars exist in 3D Viewer. These toolbars are initially located at the top of the window
just below the menu but can be docked anywhere in the window. The toolbars provides a convenient
and graphical means of executing the commands. Buttons that are 'grayed out' are currently unavailable
for selection. In the picture below, the vertically stacked buttons represent different graphics that may
be displayed on the same button.
Menu Item

Description
Save not available in 3D Viewer

Print displays the print dialog

Model Notes launches models notes

View 3D displays the current model in 3D view (default view).

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Toolbars
Menu Item

Description
View Plan displays a dialog to select a floor to view in plan mode.

View Elevation turns the cursor into a target cursor. Click on a horizontal
member, excluding foundations, to view in elevation.
Find shows find members dialog for locating specific members on screen.

View Members displays the Member Options dialog to allow control over the
display of members on the screen.
View Extents displays the Select Extents dialog to allow control over what
extent of the model will be displayed on the screen.
View Nodal Loads displays the Nodal Load Options dialog to allow control over
what nodal loads information will be displayed on the screen.
Wall Openings shows wall opening numbers in wall openings

View Zoom Full restores the screen to its original scale after a Zoom - Fence is
performed
View Zoom Fence is used for zooming in on a specified area. The desired zoom
area is enclosed by a rectangle drawn on the screen using the arrow cursor.
View Zoom In incrementally zooms in on the area currently displayed on screen

View Zoom Out incrementally zooms out on the area currently displayed on
screen
View Zoom Previous returns to the most recent (previous) zoom location.

View Navigation Rotate/Pan toggles between rotate and pan modes. The icon
changes to represent current mode.
View Resolution Medium/High/Low switches graphics display between Low,
Medium and High-resolution shapes display. The icon changes to indicate current
resolution.

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3D Viewer Basics
Toolbars
Menu Item

Description
View Projection Orthographic/Perspective toggles between orthographic and
perspective display modes. The icon changes to represent current mode.
Reset Model resets changes to the display that have been turned on by a module.

Pen Colors provides the user with means to change the color of the member
types as they appear on the screen using the Pen Colors dialog box.
Scale Text displays a dialog to adjust the size of the text displayed on screen.

Increase Text Size increases the size of the text on the screen by a given
increment.
Decrease Text Size decreases the size of the text on the screen by a given
increment.
Show/Hide Lateral Columns turns on or off the display of lateral columns.
(button shown in display on state

Show/Hide Lateral Beams turns on or off the display of lateral beams. (button
shown in display on state)

Show/Hide Lateral Walls turns on or off the display of lateral walls. (button
shown in display on state)

Show/Hide Braces turns on or off the display of braces. (button shown in

display on state)

Show/Hide Gravity Columns turns on or off the display of gravity columns.

(button shown in display on state)

Show/Hide Gravity Beams turns on or off the display of gravity beams.

(button shown in display on state)

Show/Hide Gravity Walls turns on or off the display of gravity walls. (button
shown in display on state)

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The View Commands
Menu Item

Description
Show/Hide Foundations turns on or off the display of foundations. (button
shown in display on state)

Show/Hide Grids turns on or off the display of grids. (button shown in display
on state)

Show/Hide Slab/decks turns on or off the display of slabs/decks. (button

shown in display on state)

2.3 The View Commands

The 3D Viewer provides two methods of accessing the View commands: a tool bar and a command
menu. The order of the commands in the View menu does not necessarily correspond to the order of the
commands on the toolbar. The commands are listed in this section in the order they appear in the
toolbar. Those commands not described below should be self-evident and are described briefly in the
toolbar description in Section 2.2, Toolbars. The view commands are used to manipulate the model
(orientation, colors) and also to determine what information is displayed on the screen.

2.3.1 View - 3D
Menu Item

Description
The View 3D command shows the structure in a three dimensional perspective
allowing the user to view all the members of the model on the screen at the same
time.

2.3.2 View - Plan

Menu Item

Description
The View Plan command allows the engineer to select any story to display in
plan. Once a story is selected from the available list the screen will draw the
selected story in plan view.

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The View Commands

2.3.3 View - Elevation

Menu Item

Description
Selecting the View Elevation command causes the target cursor to appear. By
clicking on any horizontal member, foundations excluded, the elevation of the
frame containing the clicked-on member is displayed.

2.3.4 Find Member

Menu Item

Description
A "Find" command has been added to the RAM Modeler, the 3D Viewer, and RAM
Concrete. It may be invoked by either selecting "Find" under the "View" menu or
by clicking the toolbar button.

The "Find" member dialog has three (3) data fields. The first is a drop down list box used for selecting a
story. The second is a list box used to select a member type. These list boxes are pre-filled with any
available choices. The third field is a text edit box for the member number of interest and must be
entered by the user.
When the current view is in "Plan" mode, the story list box will have the current plan's story
automatically selected. While in "Plan" mode no other story may be selected.
The member type selection defaults to "Beam". This selection may be changed at any time.
After entering a member number to find, click the Find button. If the member is found, its coordinates
will be displayed in the dialog and its graphic will flash three (3) times on the screen and then remain
white. Clicking the Find button again will cause the member to re-flash three (3) times.
The following is an example of a "Plan" mode "Find" dialog where beam 8 has been found on the "Roof"
level:

If the member is not found, MemberType #808 Not Found will be displayed in the Find dialog and the
member number will change to "808".
When "Find" member is invoked while in elevation or 3D view a story must be selected. The following
shows an example of the story drop down list when "Find" is used while in either Elevation or 3D view
display modes:

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The View Commands

While "Beam" is the default find member type, "Column", "Brace" or "Wall" can also be selected from the
drop down.
While in the RAM 3DViewer, RAM Frame or RAM Concrete modules, the display of the model can be
zoomed, rotated, panned or adjusted in other ways using the Member Show Options command.
When in one of these modules the "Find" command does not take into account the current model's
zoom, rotation or pan. If the member should be in the current view (indicated by its coordinates being
displayed) but it does not appear to flash on the screen or turn white, try resetting the zoom to full, or
rotating or panning the view to bring it back into the visible display area.

2.3.5 View - Members

Menu Item

Description
The View - Members command provides means for controlling the display of
members on the screen using the Member Options dialog box (see Figures
below).

There is one tab per member type. Clicking the tab will cause it to move to the top of the stack. On the
tab are check boxes indicating display options. Putting a check in a box indicates that the attribute is to
be displayed. Clearing the check from the box indicates that the attribute should be hidden.
The Decks/Slabs tab allows turning off the loading of a model's decks for cases where meshing takes too
long. The display of deck orientation, unique deck property colors and deck transparency level are also
set from this tab.
The Apply button directs the 3D Viewer to redraw the screen with the new options without closing the
dialog box. Interact with the model (rotate, etc.) while this dialog box is displayed by first clicking on the
model view to make it active.

2.3.6 View - Extents

Menu Item

Description
The View - Extents command provides control over what extent of the model
will be displayed on the screen using the Select Extents dialog box (see Figure
below).

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The View Commands

The extent can be indicated as a story range or as a set of specific coordinates. In either case, the status
indicator to the right of the extent controls graphically depicts the amount of the model that will be
displayed.
The Apply button is used to redraw the screen with the indicated extents. The Set to Max button is used
to return to the full view of the model.

2.3.7 View - Nodal Loads

Menu Item

Description
The View Nodal Loads command displays the Nodal Loads Options dialog box.
Select the Nodal Load Case(s) to view by clicking on them in the list on the right.
Select Display to display the x,y,z components of the load (represented by
arrows). Select Labels to display either the Load Labels or the Magnitude of
the loads as text labels on the arrows. See Figure below.

2.3.8 View - Wall Openings Numbers

Menu Item

Description
The View Wall Opening Numbers command toggles display of wall opening
numbers in the center of any wall openings.

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The View Commands

2.3.9 View - Navigation Rotate/Pan

Menu Item

Description
Selecting the View Navigation Rotate/Pan command toggles the navigation
function of the arrow keys between rotate and pan modes. The F3 function key
also toggles the current navigation mode.

Rotate

Pan
Only a single toolbar button is displayed at a time. Its icon indicates the current navigation mode.
Both Rotate and Pan modes are available when the model is being displayed in 3D. When a model is
displayed in plan or elevation, only Pan mode is available. Navigation is automatically set to pan mode
for both of these views. See the arrow key functional descriptions for further information.
Note: The tool tip (popup text) that is displayed DOES NOT indicate the current navigation mode but
rather indicates the navigation mode that will be switched to if the button is clicked.

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The View Commands

2.3.10 View - Resolution - Low/Medium/High

Menu Item

Description
Selecting the View Resolution Low/Medium/High command switches the
graphics representation of members between simple lines (low), 3D extruded
shapes (medium) and 3D detailed extruded shapes (high). The F4 function key
also switches the current resolution

Low

Medium

High
A single toolbar button is displayed at a time indicating the current resolution.
Note: The tool tip (popup text) that is displayed DOES NOT indicate the current resolution but rather
indicates the resolution that will be switched to if the button is clicked.

2.3.11 View - Projection - Perspective/Orthographic

Menu Item

Description
Selecting the View Projection Perspective/Orthographic commands
switches the model display mode between perspective and orthographic
projections. The F5 function key also switches the current resolution.

Perspective

Orthographic
A single toolbar button is displayed at one time indicating the current projection mode.

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The View Commands
Note: The tool tip (popup text) that is displayed DOES NOT indicate the current projection mode but
rather indicates the projection mode that will be switched to if the button is clicked.

2.3.12 Reset Model

Menu Item

Description
The Reset Model command redraws the model removing any text or graphics
that were not displayed through the View Members command. (See Section
2.3.5 for more information on the View Members command.)

2.3.13 View - Options - Pen Colors

Menu Item

Description
The View - Options - Pen Colors command provides the user with means to
change the color of the member types as they appear on the screen using the Pen
Colors dialog box. The on-line help provides specific instructions as to how this is
done.

2.3.14 View - Options - Scale Text

Menu Item

Description
The View - Options Scale Text command is used to modify the text size so it is
more easily read on the screen.
The text scale can also be increased or decreased by clicking on the Scale-Up or
Scale-Down icons on the tool bar.

Scale-Up

Scale-Down

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3D Viewer Basics
Other Commands

2.4 Other Commands

2.4.1 Model Notes
Menu Item

Description
The Model Notes command opens a text file that may be used for entering notes
to keep on the currently loaded model. The model notes file is stored in the same
directory as the model's files and will have the format 'modelname.txt'. Invoke the
Model Notes command from the File menu.

2.4.2 Arrow Keys

The left, right, up and down arrow keys on the keyboard are used to move the users viewpoint with
respect to the model. The arrow keys functionality depends on the current navigation mode (rotate or
pan) as follows:
Rotate
mode:

Arrow Key/
Menu Item
Left arrow key

Pan mode:

RAM Structural System

Description
rotate model counter clock-wise about the model's center.

Right arrow
key

rotate model clock-wise about the model's center.

Up arrow key

rotate the model forward about the model's center (downward in

front, upward in back).

Down arrow
key

rotate the model backwards about the model's center (upward in

front, downward in back).

Arrow Key/
Menu Item

Description

Left arrow key

move viewpoint left, scrolling the model to the right.

Right arrow
key

move viewpoint right, scrolling the model to the left.

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Other Commands

Arrow Key/
Menu Item

Description

Up arrow key

move viewpoint up scrolling the model to the down.

Down arrow
key

move viewpoint down, scrolling the model to the up.

2.4.3 F1 Key
The F1 function key displays the 3D Viewer help file.

2.4.4 F2 Key
The F2 function key displays onscreen help for 3D Viewer navigation and the current navigation
settings. See Figure below.

2.4.5 F3 Key - Navigation Mode Rotate/Pan

The F3 function key toggles the current navigation mode. See Section 2.3.9, View Navigation
Rotate/Pan

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3D Viewer Basics
Coordinate Systems

2.4.6 F4 Key - Resolution (Low/Medium/High)

The F4 function key switches the current display resolution. See Section 2.3.10, View Resolution
Low/Medium/High

2.4.7 F5 Key - Projection Mode (Perspective/Orthographic)

The F5 function key toggles the current projection mode. See Section 2.3.11, View Projection
Perspective/Orthographic.

2.4.8 F6 Key - Zoom/Fly-through Mode

The F6 function key toggles the function of the I/+ and O/- keys.
In Zoom mode the I or + keys enlarges the display of the model about the center of the screen. The O
or - keys perform the reverse function, shrinking the display of the model about the center of the
screen.
In Fly-through mode the I or + keys move the viewpoint towards the center of the screen allowing
the user to fly-through the model. The O or - keys perform the reverse function, moving the
viewpoint away from the center of the screen.

2.4.9 F7 Key - Reset View

The F7 function key resets the current view to its initial position.

2.4.10 Left-Click Dragging

Left-clicking on the model when the cursor is an arrow changes the cursor to a hand icon. While the
cursor is displaying as a hand the model can be dragged in any direction to move it around the screen.
Left-click dragging is provided as an alternate method for panning the model around the screen. Note
that the pan effect is scaled depending on the size of the model and the current zoom level.

2.5 Coordinate Systems

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3D Viewer Basics
Coordinate Systems

2.5.1 Global Coordinate System

The Global coordinate system defines the geometry of floor types. The origin of this coordinate system is
selected arbitrarily by the user. The X and Y axes are fixed by RAM Modeler and are always in plan, the Z
axis is vertical.
Member coordinates are defined in terms of the global coordinate system as shown in Figure below.

Z
Reference Point

Figure 1: Plan View of 3D Viewer Global Coordinate System.

2.5.2 Local Coordinate System

The local coordinate system defines the orientation of individual members such as beams, columns,
braces and walls. In general, xy defines the plane of the member.
The following quantities are defined according to the members' local coordinate system:
1. Member forces
2. Element section properties such as moments of inertia.

Y
j
X

Figure 2: (Local Coordinate System for an Element.)

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Print Screen, Preview and Setup

2.6 Print Screen, Preview and Setup

The current screen view can be printed using the File - Print Screen command or the Print button. File
- Print Preview provides a means of viewing what the printout will look like before it is printed. File Print Setup provides a means of modifying printer selection and settings.
When the view of the screen is printed, the black background is printed white and any white entities are
printed black.

2.7 Exiting
To exit the 3D Viewer:
Double clicking the Control Bar in the upper left corner of the 3D Viewer Window or alternatively
click the Control Bar and selecting the Close command from the drop down menu will close the 3D
Viewer.
Select the File - Exit command.

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Exiting

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Index
Numerics

3D 14

Left Click 23
Loads 17
Local Coordinate System 24
Low Resolution 18

A
Arrow Keys 21

C
Click and Drag 23
Colors 11, 20
Coordinates
global 24
Coordinates - local 24

E
Elevation 15
Extents 16

F
Fence 11
Fly-through 23
Full 11

G
global 24
Global Coordinate System 24

H
High Resolution 18

Reset Model 20
Reset View 23
Resolution 18, 22
Rotate 18, 21

Toolbars 11

Medium Resolution 18
Members 16

N
Navigation 18, 22
Nodal Loads 17

O
Options 11
Options - Pen Colors 11
Orthographic 19

P
Pan 18, 21
Pen Colors 11, 20
Perspective 19
Plan 14
Print Preview 25
Print Screen 25
Projection 19, 23

View 11, 1419

View - 3D 14
View - Elevation 15
View - Extents 16
View - Members 16
View - Navigation 18
View - Nodal Loads 17
View - Options 20
View - Options - Pen Colors 20
View - Plan 14
View - Projection 19
View - Resolution 18
View - Zoom 11
View - Zoom - Fence 11
View - Zoom - Full 11
View commands 14
View menu 14

Z
Zoom 11, 23

R
Reset 20, 23

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