To set a project datum level in Advance Steel, go to Home tab > Objects panel > Level Symbol, pick the insertion point (I use 0,0,0), and type the real elevation from the architectural or civil drawings, for example 407′. After you update the drawings in the Document Manager, every level mark on them shows the real elevation: 0′-0″ becomes 407′-0″, 10′-0″ becomes 417′-0″.
What is the global datum level?
It’s the elevation your whole model is measured from, like sea level on a map. Your model can stay at 0′-0″ for modeling, and the drawings still show the same elevations as the architect’s and civil engineer’s drawings.
What does it change on my drawings?
Here’s a simple example. A grid with a level LVL 100 at 0′-0″:
A second level, LVL 200, at 10′-0″, and a column from LVL 100 to LVL 200. The level height shows in red above each level mark:
After numbering, the elevation drawing shows 0′-0″ and 10′-0″:
How do I add the datum level?
- Go to Home tab > Objects panel > Level Symbol.
- Pick the insertion point. I use 0,0,0 as my reference point.
- Type the reference elevation from the architectural or civil drawings. Here, 407′. It shows in red right away as the new project level.
- Go to Output > Document Manager and click Force Update. Open the drawing.
The bottom level now reads 407′-0″ and the top level 417′-0″.
I made the datum level yellow and left the project levels red, so I can see the reference point at a glance:
How do I change the datum later?
Double-click the datum level symbol. The dialog opens again and you can change the value. Then update the drawings in the Document Manager again.
What mistakes should I watch for?
- Wrong source elevation. Use the number from the architectural or civil drawings, and check which one the engineer’s top-of-steel elevations are based on.
- Drawings not updated. Level marks don’t change until you update the drawings in the Document Manager.
- Datum in the wrong place. Put it at the model’s 0,0,0, or wherever your 0′-0″ level really is.
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