Useful hints and tips to help you get the most out of BIMReview!

Whether you are a seasoned STRUMIS/BIMReview user or you are using the BIMReview trial for the first time, you will find that there is often more than way to get the information you want from BIMReview. Use the hints and tips below to help you find the most efficient way for you to work using BIMReview.

Keyboard shortcuts

The use of keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to navigate your model and save time by avoiding the needless travel back to the Ribbon. Shortcuts for BIMReview are:

• Number keys 1, 3, 7 and 9 – Changes the view to ISO standard views.
• Number keys 2, 4, 6 and 8 – Changes the view to the front, back and side views.
• Number key 5 – Changes the view to the plan view.
• Page Up and Page Down keys – Zooms the current view in and out respectively.
• End key – Fits the view to the current model.
• Holding the shift key with left/right click and drag – Enables the Rotate and Pan tools whilst using other tools.
• Holding the shift key and double left click – Centres the view on the point which was double clicked, the same function as the Target Camera tool.
• Escape key – Cancels the active tool then returns to the previous active tool, if pressed multiple times then it will return to the default tool which Rotate.

Finding and filtering

Most models encountered that are used within BIMReview are complex and items of interest are not always easy to find especially if you don’t know exactly where to look.

The obvious solution is to use the Find by Attribute as this finds all items, selects and isolates them if they match the attribute and value searched for. However there are limitations to this as it searches by one attribute and some users may find the isolating or fitting of found items undesirable.

Here is where the multiple ways to do tasks in BIMReview comes into play; there are a couple of alternatives for this situation alone.

The first is to make use of the column filtering and group by columns to filter down the information to a point where it narrows down the information to be precisely what the user wants or a small enough set it can be searched manually.

The second is to use the Select Similar tool whereby with a little configuration, similar sets of items can be found quickly when using the Select Similar tool on a known quantity.

Performance

All of us want our programs to run as smooth as possible however there are situations where BIMReview can encounter some slow down.

Ways to mitigate degradation in performance include:

• Don’t load the entire BIMReview model into BIMReview if it is not necessary; consider using the Model Import Filter functionality. This offers the same level of filtering and grouping that the Model Data grid does thereby making it possible to not load in non-relevant items. For example only load in particular phase of a model.
• Similar to this once loaded don’t have the entire model visible on screen, isolate the items you are interested in to avoid too much on screen rendering. In line with that certain display options should be avoided like Skybox backgrounds, display of line edges and display of shadows to name a few.
• When viewing data in Model Data grid hide columns that have a lot of blank cells in them or columns that are not relevant to your search such has hiding weld specific columns when looking for bolt data.
• Use the Clip or Sectioning tools to narrow the ‘working’ area of the model.
• Don’t have transparent 3D items if it can be avoided.

These are just a few tips starting an ongoing hints and tips series for BIMReview.

If you are not using BIMReview yet then you can check out what it has to offer at www.bim-review.com

What truly goes into a STRUMIS swap-out experience, i.e. moving from a different MIS fabrication management system to STRUMIS fabrication management? Primarily, change and progress. As STRUMIS sees its third release just this year (v10.2), we’re also seeing a continual climb in new customers who are leaving other systems behind to join the STRUMIS software family.

In my experience of working with customers on a daily basis, the idea of such change can be a nasty 6-letter word that so many want to avoid. And so often, when working with companies to holistically assess what their current needs are in migrating to a new MIS system, it’s quite clear that their fabrication division has grown to the point where their current program, whether manual, Excel or another MIS program, is no longer serving their rapid growth, progress or future.

In an attempt to better understand what a customer experiences in learning, implementing and migrating to STRUMIS from a previous system, a large US fabricator was specifically observed and their experiences were documented as they moved from a MIS system they’d outgrown.

During this time, success and ease-of-use after training was observed to stem from each individual’s positive outlook towards embracing the move to STRUMIS. For this very large fabricating company, they ensured the value of why they’d made the choice to leave their previous MIS fabrication management system and move to STRUMIS was vastly understood and relevant to each division, employee and software user, in turn creating a training and swap-out environment that was wholly engaging, energetic and ready to embrace change. Not once was any unwillingness experienced, nor lack of interest. Rather, forward-thinking was shared in terms of new ideas and breakout discussions, parallels were drawn from their previous system and further built upon within STRUMIS, new integrations with other programs were utilized along with new and improved methods and reporting capabilities.

This fabrication company made the choice to leave a system behind that was no longer serving their fabrication needs, and they found that STRUMIS solely provided what they needed both today and in the future, but equally important, the individuals who were key to swapping-out to STRUMIS, and their embracing change, was pivotal to the success of the implementation. The idea of change can be halting, but this case study shows that when the necessity of change is apparent and the decision to make a fabrication change is solidified, great success follows.

To see all of the benefits that STRUMIS can bring to your company now and in the future visit www.strumis.com

This exciting new release contains an array of fantastic enhancements including functionality that is unique to STRUMIS.

The new features have been driven by our continuous collaboration and communication with all of our customers, demonstrating our on-going commitment to our customers and the steel fabrication industry globally.

New and improved features also mean new and improved benefits, STRUMIS V10.2 will ensure you have better material and time savings which will reduce your overheads. In addition V10.2 provides increased efficiency and improved productivity.

The proof is in the features, the below list includes all of the new additions which will provide unrivalled benefits for you.
System Speed Enhancements
Mill Nesting Enhancements – Linear/Sheet
Editing Existing Plate Nest
Contract Archiving Updates
NC Length/True Length For Nesting

Release Notes click here
If you do not have a valid maintenance contract please do not attempt to install this release. If you are in any doubt please contact your local STRUMIS office or email licensing@strumis.com

If you have any queries whatsoever please do not hesitate to contact your nearest STRUMIS office or authorised distributor, which may be located here.

Before upgrading please back up ALL databases.

If you’re running V9.0.20 or earlier we strongly recommend that you run this upgrade on a test system first as some customers have reported long delays in upgrading to V9.0.22. Please contact licensing@strumis.com if you need a test license key.

If you’re running V10.2 release candidate it will be necessary to uninstall the existing V10.2 installation and install from setup exe or ISO. Do not drop the database this should be upgraded automatically.

INSTALLS:

2 or More Computers:

If STRUMIS Evolution is to be installed on 2 or more computers, please download the ISO Image here.

STRUMIS_evolution_10_2.iso                           4.20 GB (4,468,283,392 bytes)

One Computer Only:

If it is to be run on only one computer, STRUMIS Evolution setup can be saved from here.

STRUMIS_Setup_10_2_1_6_RTM.exe           2,480 KB (2,480,000 bytes)

We are looking for a key individual with great all-round interpersonal skills, which allows them to communicate at all levels. To be able to undertake Training delivery on a one-to-one basis or a classroom environment, ensuring that all needs are met, and that all knowledge can be underpinned. During the implementation, the role requires the individual to project manage all aspects from end to end to ensure a successful installation and customer satisfaction, whilst meeting the business needs of STRUMIS. A customer focused individual that can work hard to understand, set and meet the customer needs.

National and International Travel for 20 Weeks a year.

Key Skills

Formal Training Delivery

Advanced PC Literacy

Effective Communication Skills

Organisational Skills

Project Management Skills

Account Management Skills

Logical and Analytical skills for problem solving

Secondary Skill Sets

Previous experience of STRUMIS software

Previous experience within the Steel Fabrication environment

Previous implementation & Technical installation

Job Purpose / Objective of the Role:

To communicate and analyse a customer’s requirements for Pre Implementation configuration

To deliver On-Site and effectively train the STRUMIS products to the customer

To deliver Web Training Sessions for the STRUMIS products to the customer

To facilitate and project manage any system issues via the STRUMIS Support Team whilst on site, to ensure fruition for the customer

To complete all relevant process document to illustrate traceability of the implementation and training

To support the Technical Support Team when not training to respond and reduce support calls

To be effective in communicating system issues, bugs, requests in detail back to the office

Travel to and from customers’ site.

If you are interested in the job role please email your CV to recruitment@strumis.com