Importing CIS/2 files (.stp)

[Eldorado]

I have a fabricator that is using SDS/2 for shop drawings. I'd like to take his model and import it into a design program such as STAAD, RISA3D, Ram Structural System (RSS) or similar program. Ram will export Step files, but won't import them. Has anyone imported Step files into design/analysis software. If so, what package did you use and was the model useable. I fully expect to have to go in and define fixity, supports, etc., but would like not to have to start from scratch. Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[SethGuthrie]

STAAD.pro can import CIS/2 files (presuming they include analysis model info), and I know many people use it.

 

[UcfSE]

RISA has a CIS/2 translator. I haven't imported files from SDS/2, we we often export them to SDS/2. There are definitely hiccups doing so, odd geometries and member rotations, column elevations, members missing, and so on. We find issues with top of members (mainly beams) also. I would expect to have these kinds of problems going in reverse. It still saves time versus creating complex geomtry twice, but it's something to look out for.

 

[Eldorado]

Thanks for the input. I will look into both Staad.pro and Risa CIS/2 translators.