Model-to-Catalog Cross-Reference

To make sure design consistency and conformity with company standards, the basic definitions of all items which can be used in the structural design are held in a Catalog database. The database holds definitions of all available profiles and materials for structural columns/beams/bracing, all standard types of joint, and all auxiliary fittings. When an item is added to a 3D model, the item position and orientation is stored in the database, but the physical properties of the item are specified by the setting up of a cross-reference (called a Specification Reference or SpecRef) which points to an appropriate entry in the Catalog database.