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Predefined user interface templates

  • Software
    • SCIA Engineer
  • Category Other topics
  • License Perpetual, Subscription

SCIA Engineer version 24 brings 4 template configurations to boost your confidence and productivity.

The new user interface introduced in version 21 is fully customizable. And our example templates can make it even easier for you to find a configuration that fits your needs.

With the release of version 24.0, these files are available for download from the SCIA website: https://www.scia.net/en/scia-engineer/downloads

From version 24 patch 1, you can simply load one from the folder (by default this is C:\Users\*username\ESA24.0\User\ConfigurationTemplates) via the main menu:

There are four templates available, tailored to specific a specific workflow:

In each template, the following aspects are considered:

  • UI Component placement, settings and filters
  • Population of the toolbars
  • Population of the marking menu
  • Hotkeys

The template(s) should allow you to easily navigate the UI for the designated workflow. Of course, you can choose to use it as it was provided, or customize it further to your preference.

Hotkeys

The hotkeys have been unified across all 4 templates, for easy switching. The list of hotkeys is provided here. Note that single letter hotkeys and even numbers are possible, as used here for results and view toggles.

Fixed hotkeys   Snapping/tracking  
Quit Alt+F4 Toggle ortho mode F8
Repeat last command Enter Toggle tracking guides F7
Delete Del View  
Set focus to SCIA Spotlight Space Hide selected Ctrl+D
Terminate command Esc Hide unselected Ctrl+E
File   Toggle visibility Ctrl+Q
New Ctrl+N Make layers visible Ctrl+W
Open Ctrl+O Zoom to selection Shift+Z
Save Ctrl+S Coordinates info Ctrl+Shift+D
Save as Ctrl+Shift+S Isometric/Perspective toggle Ctrl+Shift+F12
Close Ctrl+F4 View perpendicular to current UCS F12
Project settings Shift+P Toggle volumes 1
Libraries   Toggle shading 2
Materials Ctrl+M Toggle supports 3
Cross-sections Ctrl+J Toggle loads 4
Load cases Ctrl+L Toggle model data 5
Load groups Shift+G Toggle node labels 6
Mass groups Shift+M Toggle member labels 7
Combinations Ctrl+K Toggle dot grid 8
Nonlinear combinations Ctrl+Alt+N Calculation  
Nonlinear stability combinations Ctrl+Shift+N Check structure data Alt+C
Combinations of mass groups Shift+K Solver settings Alt+S
Result classes Shift+R Mesh settings Alt+M
Global imperfections Ctrl+Alt+G Generate mesh Ctrl+Shift+M
Layers Ctrl+Alt+L Calculate Ctrl+Shift+F5
Nonlinear functions Shift+F Recalculate Ctrl+F5
Initial deformations Shift+I Refresh results F5
Linegrid manager Ctrl+Shift+G UCS  
Modify   Move UCS F9
Undo Ctrl+Z New UCS from local member F10
Redo Ctrl+Y Switch workplane F11
Copy Ctrl+C Reset to GCS position Ctrl+F11
Move Ctrl+X Import  
Rotate Ctrl+R User blocks Shift+U
Print image Ctrl+P Import DWG, DXF, VRML97 Alt+D
Copy/Paste properties Ctrl+Shift+F Results  
Select all Ctrl+A Critical load coeficients A
Modelling   Calculation protocol P
Rectangular grid Ctrl+G Bill of material B
3D line grid Alt+G Internal forces I
1D member Ctrl+B Reactions R
Beam Shift+B 3D deformations D
Column Ctrl+Shift+B 1D deformations Shift+D
Haunch Shift+H Steel  
Plate Ctrl+T Steel settings Ctrl+Alt+S
Wall Ctrl+H Steel LTB Restraints Alt+L
Panel with load to 1D & edges Shift+L Steel ULS check U
Hinges at both ends of beam Alt+H Steel SLS check S
Hinge on beam Ctrl+Shift+H Scaffolding coupler check C
Hinge type Shift+C Steel connections  
Hinged support Shift+N Steel connection settings Ctrl+Shift+C
Support in node Alt+N Frame strong-axis Ctrl+F
Crosslink Ctrl+Shift+L Report  
Loading   Report Alt+R
3D wind generator Shift+W Live image in scale to report Ctrl+I
Surface load on 2D Shift+S Picture gallery Alt+P

Download SCIA Engineer 24 Hotkeys in PDF

Let’s now dive in to each template specifically. 

Transition from the old UI

Only the new UI is offered in version 24 and you might still be used to the old UI. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This template is the best of both worlds.

UI Component placement, settings and filters

The Input panel is docked on the left side and the settings and filters have been chosen in such a way that this component resembles the service tree from the old UI. All input commands are visible under category headers, with icon, description and optional hotkey. There are no filters set, so that you can scroll down the list to find commands you might be looking for.

The input and results table are minimized and attached to the top of the 3D scene. This way, you keep the model size as large as possible, while keeping the tables at hand, opened with one click.

The properties panel is docked to the right as you are used to. From the action buttons in the results menu’s and of course also from the spotlight, you can open the report preview. It’s not docked by default because of automatic loading of the content, which might not be desired in all cases.

Population of the toolbars

The toolbars are already populated by the most used or most relevant commands. Some additions have been done, like undo and redo in the structure workstation. Pay close attention to ‘My workstation’, which contains frequently used commands that were previously found in the Service tree of the old UI, like project settings, check structure data, generate mesh etc.

Population of the marking menu

The marking menu is a completely new UI component since version 21.1 which allows you to activate commands on muscle memory. It is available on alt+right mouse click. This template contains the default population for the marking menu. Try it when you feel up for it.

Concrete

 This configuration utilizes the potential of the UI and is optimized for concrete workflows.

 

UI Component placement, settings and filters

The Input panel is attached to the top and the settings and filters have been carefully chosen so that the relevant commands are shown in icon mode, for concrete projects. Did you know it’s possible to set filters for multiple workstations, categories and tags by holding ctrl? That’s exactly how this was achieved.

The input and results table are minimized and attached to the sides of the 3D scene. This way, you keep the model size as large as possible, while keeping the tables at hand, opened with one click.

The properties panel is docked to the right as you are used to. From the action buttons in the results menu’s and of course also from the spotlight, you can open the report preview. It’s not docked by default because of automatic loading of the content, which might not be desired in all cases.

Population of the toolbars

A few general additions have been made, like undo and redo in the structure workstation. Material workstations other than concrete have been disabled.

But what’s most important is that my workstation and the concrete workstation have been populated with every command you might use. The concrete workstation contains all commands for reinforcement design for 1D and 2D members together with the concrete checks. And if the functionality is activated, there are also advanced commands for concrete design, such as pre-tensioned and post-tensioned tendons and fibre concrete. 

In My workstation, you can access basic modeling commands for your workflow, like quickly opening project settings, importing floor plans from DWG/DXF, or inputting a line grid. You can also add 1D and 2D members with their boundary conditions.

SCIA Engineer 24

 

SCIA Engineer 24

Population of the marking menu

The commands in the marking menu are as shown in the picture.

Steel

 This configuration utilizes the potential of the UI and is optimized for steel workflows.

UI Component placement, settings and filters

The Input panel is attached to the top and the settings and filters have been carefully chosen so that the relevant commands are shown in icon mode, for steel projects. Did you know it’s possible to set filters for multiple workstations, categories and tags by holding ctrl? That’s exactly how this was achieved.

The input and results table are minimized and attached to the sides of the 3D scene. This way, you keep the model size as large as possible, while keeping the tables at hand, opened with one click.

The properties panel is docked to the right as you are used to. From the action buttons in the results menu’s and of course also from the spotlight, you can open the report preview. It’s not docked by default because of automatic loading of the content, which might not be desired in all cases.

Population of the toolbars

A few general additions have been made, like undo and redo in the structure workstation. Material workstations other than steel have been disabled.

My workstation has been populated with a lot of commands you might use in a steel workflow, from modelling a grid, to using the 3D wind load generator, to adding model data etc.

Steel My workstation SCIA

Population of the marking menu

The commands in the marking menu are as shown in the picture.

 

Scaffolding

This configuration utilizes the potential of the UI and is optimized for scaffolding workflows.

UI Component placement, settings and filters

The Input panel is attached to the top and the settings and filters have been carefully chosen so that the relevant commands are shown in icon mode, for steel projects. Did you know it’s possible to set filters for multiple workstations, categories and tags by holding ctrl? That’s exactly how this was achieved.

The input and results table are minimized and attached to the sides of the 3D scene. This way, you keep the model size as large as possible, while keeping the tables at hand, opened with one click.

The properties panel is docked to the right as you are used to. From the action buttons in the results menu’s and of course also from the spotlight, you can open the report preview. It’s not docked by default because of automatic loading of the content, which might not be desired in all cases.

Population of the toolbars 

The most important toolbars in the process toolbar are Structure and My workstation. Via My workstation you can find the full workflow for a scaffold project: from project settings over modelling and loading to calculating nonlinear and nonlinear stability, results, checks and reporting. For each relevant command a hotkey is assigned. 

SCIA Engineer 24

 

SCIA Engineer 24

Population of the marking menu

The commands in the marking menu are as shown in the picture.

 

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