To find the weight and center of gravity in Advance Steel, run Center of Gravity and Total Weight Calculation from the Home tab (Checking panel). With nothing selected, it reports the whole model. Select a part or an assembly first to get just that. The result shows in the command line.
Sooner or later someone asks, “How much does it weigh?” Maybe the erector is planning a crane pick, the shop needs to plan a lift, or the estimator wants a tonnage. Here’s how to get the number for the whole model, one part or one assembly, and what to keep in mind before you pass it on.
Contents
Where is the center of gravity tool?
Home tab > Checking panel > Center of Gravity and Total Weight Calculation
Extended Modeling tab > Checking panel > Center of Gravity and Total Weight Calculation
How do I find the weight of the whole model?
- Make sure nothing is selected.
- Run the tool.
- The center of gravity and total weight show up in the command line.
How do I find the weight of one part?
- Select the object.
- Run the tool.
- Read the result in the command line.
How do I find the weight of an assembly?
This one is useful because an assembly is what actually gets shipped and lifted.
- Select any part of the assembly.
- In the Advance Steel tool palette, open the Selection tab and click Display Objects Connected in Shop.
- All the parts of the assembly turn red:
- On the same tab, click Select All Marked Objects. Everything in red is now selected.
- Run the Center of Gravity and Total Weight tool. The result shows in the command line:
For a full weight breakdown by part, use the bill of materials instead.
What does the weight include?
The tool uses the modeled steel and the material density, so it’s only as good as the model. Things to keep in mind:
- Anything not modeled isn’t counted. Check whether bolts, welds and small parts are included in your version.
- Coatings like galvanizing and paint add weight that isn’t in the model.
- Check the units in the command line before you pass the number on.
For crane picks and rigging, give the number to the erector as a model weight, not a certified lift weight. The lift plan is the erector’s and rigger’s job.
Weight tool vs BOM: which should I use?
Use this tool for a quick number and the center of gravity. Use the bill of material for a breakdown by part and a tonnage you can hand to an estimator. If the two don’t match, check what’s selected: the tool only counts what you selected, or everything if nothing is.
Weights only make sense when parts are labeled, so check numbering single parts and assemblies. If a reviewer needs the model itself, here’s how to export it to Navisworks.
