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User Guide

Model IT

Copyright 2016 © Computer and Design Services Ltd Version: 2016.0

Model IT user guide

Copyright 2016 © Computer and Design Services Limited

Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1

Create a new project ............................................................................................................................... 2

Navigating the 3D model ........................................................................................................................ 3

Zooming the display ............................................................................................................................ 3

Rotating the display ............................................................................................................................ 5

Panning the display ............................................................................................................................. 6

Find the tools you want to use ............................................................................................................... 7

Copy a picture of your scaffolds ............................................................................................................. 8

Hide unwanted buildings .................................................................................................................... 9

Hide the ground ................................................................................................................................ 10

Display a person ................................................................................................................................ 10

Show non-scaffolded elevations ....................................................................................................... 11

Set up your project ............................................................................................................................... 12

Clear scaffolds ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Erase all the scaffolds in an item ...................................................................................................... 16

Erase one scaffold only ..................................................................................................................... 16

Create scaffolds ..................................................................................................................................... 17

Select the system configuration ....................................................................................................... 17

Enter the building dimensions .......................................................................................................... 18

Create gable ends ............................................................................................................................. 20

Split elevations .................................................................................................................................. 21

Create stepped elevations ................................................................................................................ 23

Modify the lift heights....................................................................................................................... 24

Modifying the top lift ........................................................................................................................ 26

Remove the top lift ....................................................................................................................... 27

Removing your changes ................................................................................................................ 27

Modify the board details .................................................................................................................. 28

Place inside boards ........................................................................................................................... 30

Choose the platform materials ......................................................................................................... 32

Add a cantilever platform ................................................................................................................. 33

Place sole boards .............................................................................................................................. 36

Place sole pads .................................................................................................................................. 37

Place ladders and landings ................................................................................................................ 38

Add a foot lift .................................................................................................................................... 42

Specify the guard rails ....................................................................................................................... 43

Model IT user guide


Add edge protection guard rails ....................................................................................................... 44

Extend an independent’s standards as edge protection guard rails ............................................ 45

Remove the supports from edge protection ................................................................................ 45

Set the number of edge protection guard rails ............................................................................ 46

Lower the structure supporting edge protection ......................................................................... 47

Anchor the scaffold ........................................................................................................................... 48

Select the transom components ....................................................................................................... 50

Create a scaffold plan ........................................................................................................................... 51

Draw around a site plan .................................................................................................................... 53

Add more scaffolds ........................................................................................................................... 53

Erase Scaffolds .............................................................................................................................. 54

Move Scaffolds .............................................................................................................................. 54

Hide Scaffolds ................................................................................................................................ 55

Hide the grid.................................................................................................................................. 56

Editing multiple scaffolds ...................................................................................................................... 57

Setting-out system scaffolding.............................................................................................................. 59

Constrain in two directions ........................................................................................................... 64

Applying add-ons to an independent scaffold ...................................................................................... 65

Adding a bridge ................................................................................................................................. 65

Adding sheeting or debris netting .................................................................................................... 68

Adding brick guards .......................................................................................................................... 69

Adding a rubbish chute ..................................................................................................................... 70

Creating a pavement lift ................................................................................................................... 71

Adding a cantilever fan ..................................................................................................................... 74

Adding doubled standards ................................................................................................................ 75

Adding a gin wheel and rope ............................................................................................................ 76

Adding your company logo ............................................................................................................... 77

Adding attached scaffolds ..................................................................................................................... 78

Adding an attached stair ................................................................................................................... 78

Change the attached stair position ............................................................................................... 79

Adjust the attached stair lift heights............................................................................................. 79

Adjust the first lift starting height ................................................................................................. 80

Clad the attached stair tower ....................................................................................................... 80

Change the attached stair number of lifts .................................................................................... 81

Adding an attached ladder tower ..................................................................................................... 82

Change the number of bays .......................................................................................................... 83

Change the inside guard rails ........................................................................................................ 84

Model IT user guide


Adding an attached simple buttress ................................................................................................. 85

Change the buttress style ............................................................................................................. 86

Adding an attached loading bay ....................................................................................................... 87

Modelling the ground conditions ......................................................................................................... 88

Modelling other scaffold types ............................................................................................................. 91

Model a birdcage .............................................................................................................................. 91

Modelling the ground conditions.................................................................................................. 93

Specifying the deck materials ....................................................................................................... 94

Adding Cantilever Platforms ......................................................................................................... 95

Adding Ladders and Landing Platforms ........................................................................................ 97

Modifying the Guard Rails ............................................................................................................ 99

Creating a Bridge ......................................................................................................................... 100

Adding Sheeting or Debris Netting ............................................................................................. 101

Setting-Out System Birdcages ..................................................................................................... 102

Show the birdcage against an elevation ..................................................................................... 103

Model a circular tank ...................................................................................................................... 104

Enter the tank dimensions .......................................................................................................... 104

Setting-out a system circular tank .............................................................................................. 105

Model a stair tower ......................................................................................................................... 107

Model a ladder tower ..................................................................................................................... 108

Model a buttress tower .................................................................................................................. 109

Model a loading bay ........................................................................................................................ 110

Using the Scaffold Library ................................................................................................................... 111

Using the other SMART Scaffolder products ...................................................................................... 112

Schedule IT ...................................................................................................................................... 112

Check IT TG20:13 ............................................................................................................................ 112

Report IT.......................................................................................................................................... 112

Price IT ............................................................................................................................................. 112

Quote IT .......................................................................................................................................... 112

BIM Toolbox .................................................................................................................................... 112

Feedback ............................................................................................................................................. 113

Model IT user guide

1 Copyright 2016 © Computer and Design Services Limited

Introduction

Thank you for choosing CADS SMART Scaffolder.

SMART Scaffolder Model IT is a cutting-edge visualisation tool for the rapid generation of 3D photo-realistic rendered models of tube-and-fitting or system scaffolding. These models can be pasted into a report or proposal for illustration. SMART Scaffolder Model IT will also calculate overall quantities automatically, helping you to plan and price your scaffolding projects.

SMART Scaffolder Model IT now supports tube-and-fitting scaffolding and system scaffolding, with the present version supporting the Cuplok, Kwikstage, Layher Allround, HAKI Universal and Frame Scaffolding systems.

Model IT user guide


Create a new project

If you have the network version of SMART Scaffolder, when you first launch the application you will see the Welcome Screen.

You can also open this screen by pressing the File menu button and selecting the New option.

New Enterprise Server Project (Recommended) New Project

Use this option if you want to create a project which can be easily shared with others on your network.

Use this option if the server is not available, or if you are testing.

A contract number will be reserved on the server for your project, and it will be visible to others on your network.

A contract number will be chosen for you, but it is not reserved on the server.

You are given a chance to select the Customer Address and Site Address for this new project. It is recommended that you enter the Customer Address now, if you know it. This will appear on the quotation (if you have Quote IT). If you know the Site Address please enter it now as well. This will be used for pricing transport, and for the TG20 check (if you have Price IT or Check IT TG20:13).

Finally, press Create Project to create the project file.

Please read the Getting Started Guide which will help you customise SMART Scaffolder before continuing to read this guide.

Model IT user guide


Navigating the 3D model

This section will demonstrate how to use the 3D model navigation features: zooming, rotating, and panning. The 3D model is available by selecting the Model IT tab at the top of the window.

Zooming the display

When working with Model IT you will often want to zoom in to see part of the model in more detail, or zoom out to see the whole model. The easiest method is to use the mouse wheel, if you have one.

Try it!

Before learning about these features, click on the Box icon to create a default scaffold.

Roll the mouse wheel forward to zoom in or backward to zoom out.

Model IT user guide


If you do not have a mouse with a wheel you can use the Zoom tool:

Click on the Zoom tool to activate it; then zoom in and out by moving the mouse to the 3D view, pressing and holding the left mouse button, and moving the mouse up and down.

Once you have finished zooming there are three methods of exiting the zoom mode:

Double-click the left mouse button;

Press the Esc key;

Click on the zoom tool again.

All of the tools within Model IT can be exited in the same way.

Model IT user guide


Rotating the display

The model can be rotated by pressing and holding down either the middle mouse button or the right mouse button and moving the mouse.

Alternatively you can use the Rotate tool, which works with the left mouse button, just like the Zoom tool.

Press the middle or the right mouse button and move the mouse.

Model IT user guide


Panning the display

Once you have zoomed the display you may wish to move it to see other parts of the model. This is known as panning. To pan the display, hold the Ctrl key, press either the middle mouse button or the right mouse button, and move the mouse.

Alternatively you can use the Pan tool, which works with the left mouse button, just like the Zoom and Rotate tools.

Hold the Ctrl key and press the middle or the right mouse button and move the mouse.

Model IT user guide


Find the tools you want to use

SMART Scaffolder Model IT has many tools available, each on different “Views”:

Scaffolds

Tools

Add-Ons

Options

To switch between these, select one from the toolbar.

When the view changes, the toolbar shows tools for that view.

For example, when the Add-Ons view is active, the Bridge tool is available and can be applied to the model:

Model IT user guide


Copy a picture of your scaffolds

You can copy snapshots from Model IT and use them within your proposals, quotations, risk assessments, and site drawings. There are two methods of achieving this:

You can copy and paste a picture into another application, for example Microsoft Word.

You can copy and paste a picture into your quotation (if you have Quote IT).

When copying a picture, first use the rotation, zooming, and panning tools to set up the camera angle that you require.

To copy and paste the picture into another application, first select the Copy Picture button from the Options view. Then switch to the other application and press Paste.

To copy and paste the picture into your quotation, first select the Copy Picture button from the Options view. Then switch to the Quote IT tab and press Paste.

Model IT user guide


Hide unwanted buildings

You can also remove any of the buildings from the image if you wish and only show the scaffolds. To do this, switch to the Options view on the Model IT toolbar and select the Transparent building tool, then click on a scaffold:

Select a scaffold:

The building is then hidden from the display:

Model IT user guide


Hide the ground

You can hide the ground in a similar way. To do this, switch to the Options view on the Model IT toolbar and select the Transparent ground tool, then click on a scaffold:

Select a scaffold:

The ground is then hidden from the display:

Display a person

You can even use the Display Person option to display a scale figure, which can be dragged into position before saving the picture:

Again, just select the Display Person tool and select a scaffold to place it. The person can be dragged into the desired position.

Hiding the ground might improve your 3D images, especially with sloped ground.

Model IT user guide


Show non-scaffolded elevations

You may want to show a building which is partially scaffolded. There is a method of achieving this:

Create the building in the usual way;

Move the mouse pointer to the elevation that you wish to change. There is no need to click the mouse button;

Some options are displayed. Tab down to the Scaffold option;

Use the right arrow key to set the Scaffold option to No;

Press the Enter or Tab key to select this option.

Non-scaffolded elevations are only used by the 3D picture. They don’t appear in the quotation or other reports.

Model IT user guide


Set up your project

The Model IT project browser helps you to organise your scaffolding models into a single project, enabling you to estimate quantities and print reports for several items at one time.

The project browser starts with one item in the project, ready to create your first scaffold.

If you wish you can change the contract number and enter a description for the project, which will appear in the title areas of your printed reports. You can change the Project status using the drop-down menu provided. You can also change the name of the item from ‘Item 1’ to any name of your choosing.

If you want to add another item to the project, select the Click to add a new item option. Alternatively, you can press the Ctrl and Insert keys at the same time. This will add a new blank item to the project and activate it; you can tell which item is active because its border is highlighted in the project browser.

Try it!

Click on the Box button to create a new scaffold – you will see it in the main 3D screen and as a small thumbnail image in the project browser.

Model IT user guide


You can then select the type of scaffold that you want to model, for example by clicking on the Rectangular Birdcage button:

You can continue to add new items, or click on one of the thumbnails to switch between items.

If you want to create a new scaffolding item that is similar to another one, for example to show a variation or to scaffold around a similar building, you can hover the mouse pointer over a thumbnail to display the context-sensitive options:

You can also add scaffolds by using Draw Plan (explained later) or Schedule IT (see the SMART Scaffolder Schedule IT user guide).

If you make a mistake while using the project browser you can press the Undo button at the top of the screen.

Click here to copy this item.

Click here to remove this item from the project.

Model IT user guide


If you are working with a larger project you can scroll the display to see different items, or you can resize the project browser to see more items at the same time:

This makes it easy to reorganise your project if you want to; just click and hold the left mouse button over an item, then move the mouse to reorder the items:

Model IT user guide


You can move the project browser by dragging its title bar; for example if you prefer to see your items in a horizontal list:

You can also hide the project browser if you want more space for 3D modelling. Just click the X button at the top corner of the browser to minimise the browser and click on the Project button to restore it. Finally, you can click on the Pin button to lock the project browser into place.

Click here to restore the project browser.

Model IT user guide


Clear scaffolds

Erase all the scaffolds in an item

If you want to start again with a project item, you can erase all of the scaffolds in it. To do this, press the Start Again button, available from the Scaffolds view on the Model IT tab.

Erase one scaffold only

If you only want to remove one scaffold, you can do this by selecting the Erase Scaffold button, from the Erase menu available on the Scaffolds view in the Model IT tab.

Model IT user guide


Create scaffolds

The easiest way to get started is to create a scaffold using one of the pre-set building shapes.

These are available from the Scaffolds view on the Model IT tab.

Depending on which scaffolding system licences you have bought, the scaffold will be created either as a tube-and-fitting scaffold or a system scaffold.

Select the system configuration

Once you have selected a pre-set shape you can choose the scaffolding system configuration you want to use. To do this, select the Tools view and click on the Choose Scaffolding System menu.

Select the scaffolding system configuration that you want to use and all scaffolds in this item will change to the selected system.

When you select a stair type as the first scaffold in an item (from the Staircase menu), it will be created using the first scaffolding system you have licenced which includes that stair type.

A scaffold built with the Cuplok system.

An equivalent tube-and-fitting scaffold.

All scaffolds in the project item will change to the selected system. To add scaffolds from a different scaffolding system configuration, you must create a new item. (See the Set up your project section above.)

Model IT user guide


Enter the building dimensions

Once you have selected a pre-set shape you can then edit it to provide your own dimensions. You can enter the dimensions in two ways:

1. By dragging the building elevations with the mouse;

2. By hovering the mouse over an elevation and typing its new dimensions.

To move an elevation with the mouse, move the mouse pointer to the elevation, then press and hold the left mouse button while moving the mouse. Release the left mouse button when you have finished.

Press and hold the left mouse button to start dragging…

…Notice that the lengths of the front and rear elevations update as you move the mouse. Release the left mouse button to finish.

Tips:

If you prefer you can drag objects by clicking the left mouse button, moving the mouse, and clicking again to finish.

If you change your mind, for example if you pick on the wrong part of the scaffold, you can press the Esc key to cancel.

Model IT user guide


Instead of dragging you can directly type the length of the elevation. Move the mouse pointer to the elevation that you wish to change; there is no need to click the mouse button.

The elevation name, its length and whether it has scaffolding is shown.

Press the Tab key so that Length is highlighted. Type in the new length and press the Enter key:

The height of the scaffold can be modified in the same way. Either drag the top of the building to the required height or move the mouse pointer to the top of the building and type the new height.

Without moving the mouse, press the Tab key until the Length is selected:

Type the new length and press the Enter key.

Lifts are added and removed as the height changes.

Model IT user guide


Create gable ends

Gable ends can be created by moving the mouse to the centre of the top face of the elevation, pressing the left mouse button, and dragging the mouse upward. You can also drag left or right, to make an asymmetric gable. Alternatively you can type in the gable height and press the Enter key. You can use the tab key to change to the Gable position.

As you create the gable end a symmetrical gable end is created on the opposite elevation, if present. You can prevent this from happening by holding the Ctrl key while dragging the mouse.

Tip:

You can tell when the mouse pointer is over the correct place to create a gable because the grip point will be highlighted in red and the floating input will show the Gable height.

You can use Gable position to create non-symmetric gables.

Press the Ctrl key while dragging to only create one gable.

Model IT user guide


Split elevations

More complicated building shapes can be created by splitting elevations. This is achieved with the Split Elevation tool.

To split an elevation, click on the Split Elevation button and click on the elevation that you want to split. You can now see that there are two elevations by moving the mouse over them; only one side of the original elevation will be highlighted.

Now that the elevation has been split you can pull or push it to make a return:

You can split an elevation as often as you wish, and any of the elevations can be pulled and pushed into the positions that you want. For example, you can split the return elevation again and push it back to create an inward return.

Model IT user guide


You can also split elevations to create several gable ends on one face of the building. To create this example, create a rectangular building and split the front elevation twice. You will now have three elevations along one face of the building.

Move the mouse to each elevation, type in its length, and press Enter. Set the first and third elevations to 10 metres and the middle elevation to 3 metres.

Now rotate the building so that you can see the top. You will see that each section of the elevation has its own gable end grip point. Lift up these grip points to complete the scaffold.

Model IT user guide


Create stepped elevations

You can modify the height of a single elevation by holding the Ctrl key while dragging the top of the building.

Now pull the top of the elevation up:

Press the Ctrl key to select the top of one elevation.

You can create hop-ups by splitting an elevation and using the Ctrl key to raise the height of one half.

Model IT user guide


Modify the lift heights

The scaffold is created with boarded lifts at 2.0 metre intervals by default, but it is possible to modify the lifts to:

Create lifts at different heights, for example a 2.7m pavement lift;

Create lifts at regular heights, for example 1.5m lifts for raising brickwork.

There are several ways to specify these options, so you can select the method that you prefer.

Starting first with a pavement lift, click and drag the first lift with the left mouse button, pulling it up to a height of 2.7 metres. You will see that the lifts above it also move up, so they retain their 2.0 metre spacing. The top lift height may reduce so it continues to fit in the available space:

Alternatively you can type the lift height directly in the same way as the elevation lengths. Place the mouse pointer over the bottom lift, type “2.7” and press Enter.

Model IT user guide


It is also possible to set all lift heights to the same value. Press and hold the Shift key while moving the mouse over the lifts; you will see that all of the lifts above the current one are also selected. This means that any change that you make will be applied to all of the selected lifts.

Now when you drag the bottom lift all of the lifts above it are resized to the same lift height.

Press the Shift key to select all of the lifts above the current one.

You can also use the Shift key when typing in the lift height. You don’t have to keep it pressed while typing, just type in the new value and press Shift + Enter to apply it to all of the lifts.

Model IT user guide


Modifying the top lift

Unless you set a lift height, SMART Scaffolder will try to place a lift as close to the top of the elevation as possible. To do this, it will adjust the top lift to be 0.5m, 1m, 1.5m or 2m.

The top lift changes height to stay close to the top of the elevation.

Model IT user guide


Remove the top lift

To remove this short top lift, set the height of the top lift to the maximum value: 3.00m.

Removing your changes

To remove all your modifications to all lift heights, set the elevation height to be 0.00m.

Set the top lift to 3m to remove it.

Set the elevation height to 0.00m and back to the correct height to return to the default lift heights.

Model IT user guide


Modify the board details

All scaffold lifts are boarded by default, but the boards can be removed by using the eraser. Click on the Erase tool to activate it:

Now click on each boarded lift to remove the boards.

You can exit the eraser mode by double-clicking the left mouse button or pressing the Esc key.

You can also use the Shift key when erasing boards; the eraser will remove all of the highlighted boards.

Model IT user guide


To place the boards back onto the lifts click on the Boards option. You will see that the cursor is now holding a scaffold board; click on each lift to place the boards.

You can also use the Shift key when placing boards; the boards will be placed on all of the highlighted lifts.

The Shift key allows you to select several lifts at the same time.

The Ctrl key allows you to select the lift at one elevation.

You can press Shift and Ctrl at the same time to select all of the lifts at one elevation.

Model IT user guide


Place inside boards

You can also place boards between the building and the main scaffold to create inside boards.

With the Boards tool still selected, move the mouse between the scaffold platform and the building. You might find it helpful to zoom in first:

If you click the mouse again then another inside board will be added.

Inside boards can be removed with the eraser. Select the Erase tool and click on the inside boards. Each time you click one board is removed.

Model IT user guide


If you want to only place inside boards on some elevations you can use the Ctrl key.

If you prefer you can also edit the inside boards using the keyboard – move the mouse to the gap between the scaffold and the building, enter the number of inside boards, and press Enter:

Alternatively, moving the mouse to the toe boards allows you to enter the main platform width:

You can again use the Ctrl key to change the platform width of just one elevation.

Type in the number of boards and press Ctrl + Enter.

Press the Ctrl key to place inside boards only on one elevation.

Model IT user guide


Choose the platform materials

The material used to create platforms and toe boards depend on your scaffolding system and your configuration settings. (See the SMART Scaffolder Configuration User Guide for details.) Some scaffolding systems allow the platform material to be changed.

To select the required materials, select the Boards drop-down button, available from the Tools view on the Model IT tab. Then choose the required option from the menu and select the scaffold to apply it.

Model IT user guide


Add a cantilever platform

In the Tools view on the Model IT tab, cantilever platforms can be created by using the Cantilever

Platforms option. This feature can be used on tube-and-fitting scaffolding or system scaffolding. The platform will be supported by brackets or – in the case of tube-and-fitting scaffolding – a wider single-stage cantilever can be supported by tubes.

The available deck materials for the cantilever platform depend on the scaffolding system that you are using:

Cantilever platforms are applied to boarded lifts by selecting the required deck type and clicking on the lifts that you wish to apply the platforms to.

The width of the hop-up platform can be modified by moving the mouse over it, typing the new width, and pressing Enter. Tube-and-fitting platforms are specified with the number of boards, whereas system scaffolding platforms are specified by selecting from one of the available bracket sizes.

Press the Shift key to select all of the lifts above the current one.

Don’t forget to use the Shift key if you want to place the cantilever platforms on all of the

scaffold lifts.

Model IT user guide


You can change the spacing of the brackets (on a tube-and-fitting scaffold) by moving the mouse over the platform, pressing the Tab key until the Maximum spacing field is highlighted, and entering the new maximum spacing in metres. If the spacing of the brackets is less than the spacing of the standards then new intermediate standards will be added where required.

You can also move the cantilever platforms up or down if you wish. To do so, move the mouse over the platform, pressing Shift or Ctrl to modify the selection as usual, and drag the platform up or down while pressing the left mouse button. Alternatively, you can enter the Vertical offset value directly with the keyboard by pressing the Tab key until it is highlighted, entering its new value, and pressing Enter.

The hop-up platform width has been changed to 3 boards.

Inside standards have been added at a spacing of 1m to support the extra brackets.

Model IT user guide


The Start and End positions of the platform can also be specified, for example to allow you to build a short platform within a recess. Press the Tab key to move to the Start or End field, type the new value, in metres, and press Enter.

You can move the cantilever platforms with the mouse or by typing a new vertical offset value.

Don’t forget to use the Ctrl key to adjust the start and end of a single platform if your scaffold has more than one elevation.

Model IT user guide


Place sole boards

Sole boards may also be placed using the Boards option (in the Tools view on the Model IT tab) – just drop the boards onto the scaffold base plates:

If you hold the Ctrl key while placing the boards you can apply them to one elevation:

Press the Ctrl key to place sole boards only on one elevation.

Sole boards, like most other components, can be removed with the Eraser.

Model IT user guide


Place sole pads

Rather than placing sole boards, which span across pairs of standards, it is instead possible to place individual sole pads under each base plate if you prefer. To do so, click the Boards drop-down button and select the Sole Pads option:

The sole pads are then placed by clicking on the base plates, with the option to press the Ctrl key to apply them to one elevation at a time.

Model IT user guide


Place ladders and landings

Ladders can be placed in Model IT by using the Ladder tool and clicking on a bay:

Depending on your scaffolding system, it is possible to choose whether the ladders will span through boarded lifts, as in the above example, or whether a new ladder will be placed per lift. To place a ladder at every lift, click on the Ladder drop-down button and select the Single-Lift Ladder option:

Model IT user guide


It is also possible to specify whether the first ladder is built within the scaffold or whether it is built against it. To build a ladder against the scaffold, select the External Ladder option:

The ladder safety gate can be removed with the Erase tool if it is not required:

Model IT user guide


Long ladders can be avoided by using landings: short boarded platforms around a ladder access point.

To place a landing, click on the Landing button:

Then click on each lift to add a landing. Double-click the left mouse button or press Esc to finish.

You can place several ladders on an elevation by clicking the mouse several times with the ladder tool selected, in a similar manner to placing inside boards. The maximum number of ladder positions depends on the length of the elevation:

Model IT user guide


You can erase any individual ladder from any lift by selecting the Erase tool, holding the Ctrl key, and clicking on the ladder. For example, you can erase the ladder at the ground level to start the ladders at the first lift:

You can also add a vertical ladder (running up the outside of the scaffold).

You can drag each ladder with the left mouse button to place it in the location that you want.

You need to select the vertical ladder components in the Configuration if you want to add a vertical ladder.

See the SMART Scaffolder Configuration User Guide for details of how to do this.

Press the Ctrl key to erase a single ladder.

Model IT user guide


Add a foot lift

A foot lift can be added to the scaffold by selecting the Foot Lift button and clicking the scaffold:

A foot lift can be applied to one elevation at a time by holding the Ctrl key as it is placed, and it can be removed by using the Eraser.

The height of the foot lift can be altered by dragging it with the mouse or by typing a new value:

For most scaffolding systems, the height of the base jacks can be set even when a foot lift is not present, by dragging the foot lift grips:

Model IT user guide


Specify the guard rails

All scaffolds are created with double guard rails at boarded lifts and single guard rails at non-boarded lifts by default, but these options can be changed to place any combination of single, double, or triple guard rails or inside guard rails.

To specify the guard rails, select the Guard Rails drop-down button and choose the type of guard rails that you require. Click on the scaffold to apply the guard rails, using the Ctrl key to apply them to one elevation of scaffolding.

Guard rail frames are also available for some scaffolding systems:

Model IT user guide


Add edge protection guard rails

You may wish to add guard rails to protect against falling from a roof top. To do this, move the mouse over an elevation so the Dynamic Input Box appears:

Press Tab until the Edge protection property is highlighted:

Press Enter or Tab to apply the new setting and edge protection rails will appear:

Using the Left Arrow key, change the Edge protection setting to Yes.

Model IT user guide


Extend an independent’s standards as edge protection guard rails

If you wish your edge protection rails to extend from the ground to the roof level, rather than from the roof top, change the Base from property:

Roof top is for guard rails which are erected on the roof top, but may be supported by diagonal supports from an independent.

Ground is for guard rails which are a part of the independent.

Remove the supports from edge protection

You can erase the diagonal supports from edge protection, using the eraser:

Model IT user guide


Set the number of edge protection guard rails

You can change the number of edge protection guard rails using the tools from the Guard Rails menu, in the Edge protection section:

Click on the scaffold to apply the guard rails, using the Ctrl key to apply them to one elevation of scaffolding.

Model IT user guide


Lower the structure supporting edge protection

When you have edge protection rails and an independent, the independent can be lowered below the roof level:

To do this, grab the transparent grip which is located just above the independent and lower it down:

When the independent has not been lowered, you can raise or lower the gable lifts, using a smaller and central gable grip:

Model IT user guide


Anchor the scaffold

The positions at which the scaffold is tied to the facade can be specified by using the Anchors option. Standard anchors are represented with a circle, and double (‘V’) anchors are represented with a triangle:

To place anchors, select the Anchors option and choose one of the available patterns: the six TG20 patterns are available for tube-and-fitting scaffolding and each other system has its own set of tie patterns:

To place the anchor pattern, drop it onto the scaffold. You can use the Ctrl key to place the pattern on a single elevation, if you wish, which allows you to use different patterns on different elevations, or to omit anchors from specific elevations.

The anchor positions for tube-and-fitting scaffolding automatically account for the rules for extra tie points where a scaffold is sheeted or has a pavement lift (where ledger bracing is excluded from the ground level for access).

The total quantity of anchors is also displayed in the Quantities area for use when estimating.

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The anchor patterns for system scaffolds follow the rules from the manufacturer’s user manuals. Some systems include additional anchor patterns which have been requested.

In this example of TG20 pattern A, 3 anchors are placed on the middle lift.

The top lift is automatically anchored if sheeting or debris netting is added.

The first lift is automatically anchored if the ledger bracing is removed from the pavement lift.

The top and bottom lifts are both anchored where the scaffold is clad and has a pavement lift.

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Select the transom components

Tube-and-fitting scaffolds are built with tube-and-fitting transoms by default, but it is possible to use system (Readylok-style) transoms instead if preferred. To change the transom type, click the Transoms button and choose the System Transoms option:

If you want to build your scaffolding without ledger bracing click the Erase button to activate the eraser and click on the ledger bracing to remove it.

This feature only applies to tube-and-fitting scaffolding.

A tube-and-fitting scaffold built with System transoms.

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Create a scaffold plan

While many simple scaffolds can be built with the standard scaffold shapes, more complex or irregularly-shaped buildings are easier to create with the Draw Plan option from the Scaffolds view.

When the Draw Plan button is selected Model IT switches to a plan view and displays a grid. Elevations are created by clicking on the grid points; the grid lines are spaced one metre apart and the grid points are spaced at half metre intervals:

As the mouse is moved the Length field is updated so that you can measure the length of each elevation as you draw.

The Vertical Length shows the distance that you have moved upwards (north).

The Horizontal Length shows the distance that you have moved to the right (east).

The New Elevation Angle shows the angle that this elevation makes. This is always measured so that an elevation from left (west) to right (east) has an angle of 0 degrees.

You can also open the Draw Plan by choosing the Edit the Plan button from the Tools view.

You can also type in the length and press Enter.

This allows you to enter exact dimensions, including decimal places.

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You can create irregularly-shaped buildings with non-rectangular corners; just click on the grid points.

At any stage you can zoom out to get a better view, pan the display, or even rotate it to see a 3D view while you draw.

Several new options are available on the toolbar while using the Draw Plan mode:

Press the Start Again button at any time to clear the scaffold and restart drawing.

Choose Close the Building to automatically join the first and last elevations to form a closed building. This can be easier than picking the start point of the building, especially when using exact dimensions.

Hold Ctrl to stop the lines from snapping to the grid points.

Don’t forget that you can use the Undo and Redo options at any time if you make a mistake.

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Choose the Change Scaffold Direction option to switch the newest scaffold to the other side of the building, which allows you to build an ‘inside’ scaffold:

If you are not drawing an independent scaffold, this tool can be dropped on any independent.

Choose Draw Plan again to finish and close the view.

Draw around a site plan

If you have a plan of the site, it is possible to show the site plan and draw around it. Please see the SMART Scaffolder BIM Toolbox User Guide for details.

Add more scaffolds

You can use these buttons to add new scaffolds next to the existing ones:

The Draw New Independent button will stop drawing the current scaffold so you can draw a new independent scaffold. The Draw New Edge Protection button works in a similar way.

Select the Add a Birdcage, Add a Circular Tank, Add a Free-standing Tower, Add a Tied Tower or Add a Lift Shaft button and then click any grid point to add a scaffold at that point.

Select a staircase from the Add a Free-standing staircase or a buttress from the Add a Free-standing Buttress drop-down and then click any grid point to add a scaffold at that point.

To change the size of a scaffold or to place attached scaffolds, you must leave Draw Plan by clicking Finish Drawing the Plan.

Don’t worry, you can always return to Draw Plan by clicking Draw Plan or Edit the Plan.

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Erase Scaffolds

Erase entire scaffolds by clicking on them with the Erase Scaffold tool:

Move Scaffolds

Select the Move Scaffold tool to drag scaffolds to new locations. You can only drag horizontally or vertically along the grid. To move the scaffold diagonally, you must move it in two motions:

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Hide Scaffolds

You can also hide all of the scaffolds in your item, so that it is easier to see where they are in relation to each other. By choosing the Hide Scaffolds button, they are changed to red lines:

Hiding the scaffolds can make it much easier to draw elevations accurately.

You can show the scaffolds again by pressing Show Scaffolds.

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Hide the grid

You can hide the grid of points. This is most useful if a site plan is showing and the grid is in the way. By choosing the Hide Grid button, the grid is hidden:

You can show the grid of points again by pressing Show Grid.

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Editing multiple scaffolds

When you have more than one scaffold, you can edit them with all of the usual tools. (See the Creating Scaffolds section above). With multiple scaffolds, there are a few extra tools which are useful.

Use the Select One Scaffold button on the Edit Scaffold tab to hide all of the scaffolds except for one. This will also hide any tools which can’t be used on this type of scaffold:

You can show all the hidden scaffolds by clicking the Show All Scaffolds button, which appears in the same place.

You cannot change to a different scaffolding system while any of the scafffolds are hidden.

Hiding other scaffolds can make it easier to see what you are doing.

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You can also move scaffolds using the Move Scaffolds tool. This works just like the Move Scaffold tool in Draw Plan.

With this tool, you can move a scaffold in any of the four directions along the ground. To move it up and down, select the ground and drag it up or down:

Holding the Shift key selects the ground for more elevations, while holding the Ctrl key selects only the main section (without the corners).

Remember that you can hide the ground for a scaffold using the Ground menu on the Options view.

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Setting-out system scaffolding

While tube-and-fitting scaffolding can be set-out to exactly match the dimensions of the building, system scaffolding is comprised of bays of fixed lengths. A combination of bay lengths that best match the building dimensions are required to set-out the scaffold.

While setting-out a system scaffold around an external return, Model IT will allow the scaffold to extend past the return, but will shorten one of the bays by default to best match the building dimensions and minimise the length of the extension:

However, depending on site conditions you may prefer to exactly match the scaffold to the building, or to avoid the shorter bay and allow the scaffold to extend further:

This fine-tuning can be performed by using the Model IT Setting-out View, which is accessed from the Tools view:

A shorter bay has been used here.

The scaffold extends just past the building.

Larger bays have been used so the scaffold extends further past the building.

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While in the setting-out view the scaffold bays are represented as blocks of colour, with each colour representing one standard bay length. This makes it easy to see which bay lengths are used in the scaffold:

A key is displayed in the corner of the screen to relate the colours to the bay lengths. You can choose from a number of provided colour schemes by clicking on the left and right arrows. You can choose a colour scheme to match your company branding or to exaggerate the colours to make the setting-out view easier to read on site:

The setting-out view makes it easy to see that three different bay lengths are used to build this scaffold.

You can print the setting-out view and use it on site while building the scaffold: you may find it easier to read than a conventional technical drawing.

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The bay lengths used to build the scaffold can be easily modified by hovering the mouse over the setting-out view, typing the new bay length, and pressing the Enter key.

The setting-out of system scaffolding within an internal recess is more complicated than for external returns because the system bays need to fit within the available area. SMART Scaffolder Model IT automatically works out the optimum combination of bay lengths to fit within the space, allowing you to modify them if you wish.

Press the Shift key to change the length of several bays at the same time.

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The setting-out of the system bays depends on the allowable distance between the building and the scaffold: if it is possible to allow a large gap then it is easier to fit in the system bays, whereas if the scaffold must be closely aligned with the building the system bays may not exactly fit. This can be controlled by altering the maximum gap between the scaffold and the building in the setting-out view:

The maximum gap can be set for the whole scaffold or for each elevation, which allows you to account for protrusions from the building facade if you wish. To set the maximum gap for one elevation, type in the required gap and press Ctrl + Enter.

If you set a more restrictive maximum gap, for example a maximum of 0.1m from the building, you may find that the scaffold bays no longer fit exactly within the recess. In these cases a bright orange marker is used to identify the gap, which will be filled by default with tube-and-fitting scaffolding.

This infill can also be removed by adding an inside board to one or more elevations. The inside boards are illustrated in the Setting-Out View so that it is clear where they have been applied:

The maximum gap has been reduced to 0.1m around the building.

A tube-and-fitting infill is now required, which can be removed by increasing the distance to the building.

An inside board has been placed to remove the infill.

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The final facility of the setting-out view allows you to change the priority of the scaffolding at a return. This decides which of the adjacent elevations should be allowed to extend past the building. This is controlled by the Change Priority at Corner arrows, which are only available when the setting-out view is active:

Arrows are shown above the system bays whose priority can be toggled:

This feature is useful in cases where the scaffold bays do not exactly fit with the default priorities. For example, the extension of a scaffold elevation past the building can sometimes create an internal recess; changing the direction of the extension avoids it:

Click on an arrow to change the priority; click again to change it back.

The direction of this extension has been changed…

… It is no longer possible to build this elevation with the available system bay lengths.

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Constrain in two directions

It is possible to set the corners so that the scaffold cannot extend (‘fly past’) in either direction. This will usually cause a square bay to be created in the corner.

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Applying add-ons to an independent scaffold

Several add-ons are available from the Add-ons view. Each add-on can be applied by dropping it onto the scaffold, in some cases using the Shift and Ctrl keys in the same way as when editing the main scaffold.

Adding a bridge

To add a bridge, to span over an obstruction or entrance, click on the Bridge tool and select the type of bridge that you want. A bridge can be created with or without supporting beams, and tube-and-fitting bridges can be built from a selection of beam types:

The appearance of the bridge will depend on the type of beam and whether it is part of a tube-and-fitting or system scaffold:

A system scaffold bridged without a beam. A tube-and-fitting scaffold bridged with a beam.

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To place the bridge, click on the top-left bay that you wish to apply it to:

You can modify the position of the bridge by clicking and dragging the sides of the bridge with the left mouse button. You can also type in the new start and end positions and press Enter:

You can place several bridges per elevation:

If you change your mind you can use the Erase tool to remove a bridge, or any other add-on.

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Bridges do not have to extend all the way to ground level. To create an opening around an obstruction, such as a balcony, you can raise the bottom of the bridge. To lift the bridge by as many lifts as required, simply lift the bottom of the bridge upwards:

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Adding sheeting or debris netting

Click on the Sheeting button to apply plastic sheeting or debris netting.

Sheeting can be applied one lift at a time by clicking on lifts, or you can use the Shift key and the Ctrl key to modify the selection in the same way as when editing lifts:

Press the Shift key to place on all of the lifts above the current one.

Sheeting can be added to a single lift by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

Press the Shift + Ctrl keys to place the sheeting on all lifts of one elevation.

Sheeting and debris netting can be erased in the same way. Select the Erase tool and press

Shift and Ctrl to erase the sheeting from several lifts.

You can place sheeting or debris netting on the ground lift by placing on the base plates. or foot lift.

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Adding brick guards

Click on the Brick Guards button to apply brick guards. Brick guards are applied in the same way as sheeting, using the Shift key and the Ctrl key to apply to several lifts:

Press the Shift + Ctrl keys to place the brick guards on all lifts of one elevation.


Brick guards can be added to a single lift by clicking on it with the left mouse button.

Brick guards can be erased in the same way. Select the Erase tool and press Shift and Ctrl to erase the guards from several lifts.

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Adding a rubbish chute

Click on the Rubbish Chute button and drop the chute onto a lift:

You can then drag the rubbish chute into the required position with the mouse, or move the mouse pointer over the chute, type its new position, and press Enter.

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Creating a pavement lift

A pavement lift can be created with three steps:

1. Raise the first lift to 2.7 metres;

2. Remove the ledger bracing from under the first lift;

3. Add safety sleeves and safety lamps to the standards.

The first lift can be raised to 2.7 metres by clicking and dragging, or by moving the mouse pointer over it, typing 2.7, and pressing Enter.

The ledger bracing can be removed by choosing the Erase tool and clicking on the ledger bracing below the first lift. Press the Ctrl key to remove bracing from the first lift only:

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Safety sleeves are applied by clicking on the Safety Standards button and dropping the sleeves onto the standards.

If you prefer black and yellow sleeves, or foam tube sleeves, you can select them from the Safety Standards drop-down menu:

Safety lamps can also be added by selecting the Safety Lamps button and dropping the lamps onto the standards.

Safety sleeves can be applied to one elevation by pressing the Ctrl key.

As with safety sleeves, safety lamps can be applied to one elevation by pressing the

Ctrl key.

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If you don’t want a safety lamp at every standard you can use the Eraser to remove those that aren’t required. Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the lamps to remove them.

If you prefer a different style of safety lamp you can select an alternative from the Safety Lamps drop-down menu.

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Adding a cantilever fan

Light-duty cantilever fans, as described by TG20:13, can be applied to your scaffold by selecting one of the three variants. Select the type of fan that you want and click on a lift to apply it:

Once the fan has been placed you can change its width by moving the mouse to its leading edge and either clicking and dragging or by typing in a new value with the keyboard. Boarded fans are modified by changing the number of boards, with corrugated steel fans and sheeted fans modified by specifying their width in metres.

Similarly, you can protect a portion of the elevation by setting the Start and End positions of the fan This is measured from the left end of the elevation.

You can apply a cantilever fan to one elevation by pressing the Ctrl key.

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Adding doubled standards

Standards can be doubled by selecting the Double Standards option and selecting the elevations that you wish to apply them to.

You can also specify whether the standards will extend to the full height of the elevation or whether they will extend only to a specified height. To do this, move the mouse over the doubled standards, enter the new maximum height, and press Enter.

You can apply doubled standards to one elevation by pressing the Ctrl key.

The doubled standards extend only to a height of 4m.

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Adding a gin wheel and rope

A gin wheel and rope can be added to the scaffold by selecting the Gin Wheel option and placing it on a lift.

Once the gin wheel has been placed it can be moved into a new position with the mouse:

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Adding your company logo

You can configure Model IT to display your company logo on the scaffold in place of the default SMART Scaffolder banner.

Select the Banner Logo option from the Banner drop-down menu in the Add-Ons view to select your logo. Your company logo can be saved in any of the popular picture formats and can be of any size; Model IT will automatically resize it for you. Once you have selected your banner it will be saved for all of your future scaffolds.

You can also choose where to place your banner. Click on the Banner button and drop it onto an elevation to place it. You can then drag the banner using the left mouse button to position it.

To create a narrower banner, please use a taller image as your banner logo. To create a wider banner, please use a shorter logo image.

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Adding attached scaffolds

Adding an attached stair

A system staircase can be added to an independent and circular tank scaffold by selecting the any stair from the Attached staircase menu on the Staircase drop-down menu. This is available from the Scaffolds view in Model IT. Then click on a bay of the independent or circular tank to attach the stair:

Note that the options in this drop-down do vary depending on the system that you are using. Just choose the type of staircase that you would like to use. Select a bay and the left-most bay of the stair will be placed there.

You may need to set the bay to the correct size using Setting-Out View first.

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Change the attached stair position

Once the staircase has been placed it can be moved by dragging the standards to the left or right.

Alternatively the start position of the staircase can be entered with the keyboard:

Adjust the attached stair lift heights

The lifts heights can also be changed by dragging with the mouse or by typing in a new value:

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Adjust the first lift starting height

You can set the starting lift of an attached system stair so the first stair tread is at a higher connection. To do this, simply drag the foot lift up to a higher connection.

Clad the attached stair tower

Finally, sheeting or debris netting can be wrapped around a staircase by dropping the sheeting onto the staircase lifts in the same way as for the lifts of the main scaffold.

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Change the attached stair number of lifts

The number of lifts on the attached stair can be changed by dragging the top of the stair up or down. This is easiest to do when you are looking down on the attached stair.

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Adding an attached ladder tower

A ladder tower can be added to an independent and circular tank scaffold by selecting the Attached Ladder Tower tool from the Ladder Tower drop-down menu. This is available from the Scaffolds view in Model IT. Then click on a bay of the independent or circular tank to attach the ladder tower:

Select a bay and the left-most bay of the ladder tower will be placed there:

The position, lift heights and number of lifts can be changed using the same method used for the attached stair tower.

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Change the number of bays

Most scaffolding systems use a single bay attached ladder tower by default. Tube-and-fitting scaffolds default to 2 bays wide. The number of bays on the attached ladder tower can be changed by dragging the ends of the tower:

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Change the inside guard rails

Inside guard rails can be added to a bay of the ladder tower by selecting the Inside Guard Rails tool from the Guard Rails menu. This is available from the Tools view on the Model IT tab. Select the tool and click on a bay of the attached ladder tower to add inside guard rails:

These inside guard rails can be removed with the Eraser.

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Adding an attached simple buttress

A simple buttress tower can be added to an independent and circular tank scaffold by selecting the Attached Buttress tool from the Buttress drop-down menu. This is available from the Scaffolds view in Model IT. Then click on a bay of the independent or circular tank to attach the buttress:

Select a bay and the buttress will be placed there:

The position, lift heights and number of lifts can be changed using the same method used for the attached ladder tower. Lifts can be decked using the Boards tool, as for independent scaffolds.

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Change the buttress style

By default, a buttress will include diagonal tubes at the top lift. These can be swapped for guard rails by selecting any option from the Top Lift Only menu in the Guard Rails menu. This menu is available from the Tools view in the Model IT tab.

To return to a diagonal tube solution, delete the top guard rails with the Eraser.

Diagonal tubes at the top lift always run to the next lift above on the main scaffold. If there is no lift above, the diagonal tubes will be excluded. If the lift above is very close in height, the diagonal tubes will be very short. To change these, change the lift heights or the number of lifts for the attached buttress.

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Adding an attached loading bay

A loading bay can be added to an independent and circular tank scaffold by selecting the Attached Loading Bay tool from the Loading Bay drop-down menu. This is available from the Scaffolds view in Model IT. Then click on a bay of the independent or circular tank to attach the loading bay:

Select a bay and the left-most bay of the loading tower will be placed there:

The position, lift heights and number of lifts can be changed using the same method used for the attached ladder tower. Lifts can be decked using the Boards tool, as for independent scaffolds.

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Modelling the ground conditions

You can model stepped or sloping ground by clicking and dragging the elements of the ground model. Start by creating a rectangular scaffold; then drag one of the ground sections down by around 0.5 metres:

You will see that the adjacent ground sections become sloped.

When you alter the ground in this way you will see that some of the lifts may become disconnected. This happens because the lift heights are maintained; in this case most of the lifts are at a height of 2.0 metres, so the lifts at the front and at the sides are now 0.5 metres below the lifts at the back. You can correct this by either dragging the front lift upwards or by dragging the back lift downwards until the lifts become joined.

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It is also possible to create slopes by dragging the corner sections of the ground:

If you hold the Ctrl key while dragging you can create a step:

Press the Ctrl key to create a step.

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Slopes can be modified to change their start and end positions. As you move the mouse along a slope you will see the start and end locations become highlighted. Drag these highlighted sections with the left mouse button to modify the slope.

You can create a step along the length of an elevation by moving the start and end positions of the slope to the same location:

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Modelling other scaffold types

Model a birdcage

Birdcages can be created in Model IT by selecting the Rectangular Birdcage option from the Scaffolds view in Model IT.

A default birdcage is created that is 10m long, 10m wide and 3 lifts tall:

The length and width of the birdcage can be altered either by dragging the standards with the mouse or by directly typing in the dimensions. To drag the birdcage with the mouse, highlight the standards of the side of the birdcage that you want to change, press and hold the left mouse button, move the standards to the required position, and release the mouse button. The new dimensions are displayed as you drag:

Drag the standards to change the birdcage dimensions.

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To type in the dimensions directly, hover the mouse over the standards (there is no need to click the mouse button), type in the new Length value, and press the Enter key. To change the width of the birdcage, follow the same procedure but press the Tab key to highlight the Width field before typing in the new value.

The bays along the length and the width of the birdcage are automatically set out to match the dimensions that you have specified. If you want to restrict the maximum length or width of the bays, for example because your scaffold is to be more heavily loaded, you can set the Maximum bay length and Maximum bay width accordingly.

The birdcage height is specified in the same way: press the Tab key until the Height field is highlighted, type in the new value, and press the Enter key. New lifts are added, or lifts are removed, to match the new height that you have specified.

The lifts are updated when the height is modified.

Press the Tab key to highlight the Width, type its new value and press the Enter key.

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Modelling the ground conditions

You can model a step or a slope in the ground in one direction.

To change the height of the slope or step, move the mouse to the far left or right of the ground level so that a small strip of the ground is highlighted. Then, drag the mouse up or down to change the slope, or type the new slope height and press the Enter key.

The start position of the slope can be changed by moving the mouse slightly away from the edge of the ground to highlight the Slope start or the Slope end. The start and end positions can be modified by dragging them with the mouse or by typing in a new value and pressing Enter.

The slope always runs along the length of the birdcage, so you may need to swap the length and width dimensions to ensure that the slope direction is correct.

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Specifying the deck materials

Birdcages are created with timber decks and toe boards by default, but other materials may be used if they are available in the material catalogue of the scaffolding system that you are using:

To change the deck or toe board material, click on the drop-down arrow below the Boards button and select the material from the menu:

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Adding Cantilever Platforms

Cantilevered platforms can be added to a birdcage by clicking on the Cantilever Platforms button. A platform can be built from timber, steel, or aluminium decking depending on the materials available in the catalogue for your scaffolding system, just as for the main decks.

Click on the main deck to place the platforms around the whole birdcage. Alternatively, hold the Ctrl key to place the platforms only on one edge:

Once the platforms have been placed they can be modified by moving the mouse over them to display their dimensions. The Width of the platform can be increased, depending on the available brackets in your material catalogue. The available platform widths are displayed in the input window to help you:

Press the Ctrl key to place the platforms at one edge.

The width of the cantilever platform can be increased.

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The platform can be offset from the main deck by dragging it with the mouse or by changing the Vertical offset dimension:

You can also create a platform along part of the birdcage by changing the Start and End positions:

The cantilever platform has been lowered by 0.5m.

Ensure that you press the Ctrl key if you only want to change the dimensions of one platform, otherwise all of the selected platforms will be changed.

The cantilever platform has been built along part of the birdcage.

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Adding Ladders and Landing Platforms

Ladders can be built either within the birdcage or externally. To build a ladder within the birdcage, click on the Ladder tool and click on the bay in which the ladder is to be placed:

A long ladder is built from the ground to the top lift by default. To use shorter ladders, click on the Landing tool and click on the non-boarded lifts to create landing platforms:

Once the ladders have been placed they can be moved by dragging them with the mouse.

Drop the ladder onto a birdcage bay to place it.

Place landing platforms to use shorter ladders.

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It is also possible to place an external ladder with a safety gate. To place an external ladder, click on the drop-down arrow under the Ladder button and select the External Ladder menu option. The external ladder is placed by clicking on one side of the birdcage:

An external ladder can also be split with landing platforms: the additional ladders are built within the birdcage and the safety gate is built at the first landing position:

If you don’t want to use a safety gate you can remove it with the Eraser:

You can choose which side of the birdcage to place the external ladder.

Place landings to split the ladder.

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Modifying the Guard Rails

The guard rails which are placed on birdcages depend on the scaffolding system in use. For tube-and-fitting scaffolds, double guard rails are placed at all boarded lifts by default, with single guard rails at non-boarded lifts. This can be changed by clicking the Guard Rails button and selecting an option from the menus:

It is also possible to remove the guard rails from the perimeter of the birdcage, either from all sides or from a single side. To do this, select the Erase tool and click on the guard rails. Press the Ctrl key while erasing to remove the guard rails from one side.

Any guard rails built around the internal sides of a ladder landing will remain, to prevent falls into the birdcage.

Drop the guard rails onto the standards to place them.

Press the Ctrl key to erase the guard rails from one edge.

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Creating a Bridge

A bridge can be created through a birdcage by using the Bridge tool from the Add-ons toolbar. A bridge can be created with or without beams by selecting from the drop-down menu:

To create a bridge, click on the Unit Beam, Ladder Beam (for tube-and-fitting scaffolding), or No Beam option and drop the bridge onto one of the birdcage lifts. A bridge can be created on each lift if required, up to a maximum of one bridge per lift.

Lacing and bracing tubes are automatically applied to connect the beams.

Bridges can be built with or without beams.

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Bridges do not have to extend all the way to ground level. To create an opening around an obstruction, such as pipework, you can raise the bottom of the bridge. To lift the bridge by as many lifts as required, simply lift the bottom of the bridge upwards:

Adding Sheeting or Debris Netting

Sheeting and debris netting can be added to a birdcage by choosing the Sheeting option from the Add-ons toolbar and clicking on the birdcage lifts:

The sheeting or netting can be applied to the whole birdcage by pressing the Shift key while selecting a lift; all of the lifts above the selected lift will be sheeted.


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You can also place the sheeting on one side of the birdcage by pressing the Ctrl key while selecting the lifts:

Setting-Out System Birdcages

The Setting-Out View, which was previously described for independent scaffolding, is also available for birdcages.

Click the Setting-Out View button to display the birdcage as a set of coloured blocks, where the colours represent the lengths and widths of each bay:

In this example, the Setting-Out View makes it easier to see that the birdcage is 4 bays long and 4 bays wide, where each bay measures 2.5m in each direction.

To change the length or width of a bay, move the mouse to the bay, type in the new value, and press Enter. The lengths of the other bays will be automatically changed so that the birdcage still fills the same building dimensions.

This feature only applies to system scaffolding.

Press the Shift + Ctrl keys to place the sheeting on all lifts of one side of the birdcage.

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Show the birdcage against an elevation

You can show the birdcage supported against an elevation on one or more sides. To do this, lift the birdcage elevations as you would for an independent:

If you want to reduce the length of all of the bays, the quickest way is to change the Maximum Bay Length, as described earlier.

Press the Ctrl key while dragging to lift only one elevation.

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Model a circular tank

Birdcages can be created in Model IT by selecting the Circular Tank option from the Scaffolds view in

Model IT.

A default circular tank has a diameter of 10m and is 2 lifts tall:

The lift heights, add-ons and ground conditions can be set for a circular tank exactly as they are for an independent scaffold. Every tower of the tank behaves in the same way as an elevation for an independent scaffold.

Enter the tank dimensions

The height, diameter and circumference of the circular tank can be changed, similarly to the method used for independent scaffolds.

You can enter the dimensions in two ways:

1. By dragging the tank with the mouse;

2. By hovering the mouse over the tank and typing its new dimensions.

Model IT user guide


When the size of the circular tank changes, the scaffolding will automatically change between the preferred square scaffold and a set of towers and trapezoidal bays:

If you prefer a different solution, you can try changing the distance between the tank and the scaffold, change the bay solution in Setting-Out View or change the Maximum bay spacing. Adding inside boards or cantilever platforms (sometimes known as ‘hop-ups’) can also affect the type of scaffold created.

Setting-out a system circular tank

The bay sizes used for a circular tank can be changed as they are for independent scaffolds, using the Model IT Setting-out View, which is accessed from the Tools view:

Model IT user guide


Changing the bays in a tower

When you change the bay sizes for any circular tank tower:

1. All other towers are automatically changed to match; 2. The number of towers around the tank may change, to give the best solution; 3. The size of trapezoidal bays is automatically updated, to stay as close as possible to the circular

tank.

Changing the trapezoidal bay size

You can change the minimum size of the trapezoidal bays. To do this, set the Minimum Size by placing the mouse cursor over the trapezoidal bay and typing a new value.

The actual size of the trapezoidal bay is calculated automatically for you. The number of towers around the circular tank may change when you change the trapezoidal bay size in some rare circumstances.

Model IT user guide


Model a stair tower

A stair tower can be created which is not attached to an independent. This is sometimes useful for estimating purposes, as it allows the stair to be treated as a separate scaffold. For example, you can give the stair its own name.

Model IT user guide


Model a ladder tower

A ladder tower can be created which is not attached to an independent. This is sometimes useful for estimating purposes, as it allows the stair to be treated as a separate scaffold. For example, you can give the ladder tower its own name.

Model IT user guide


Model a buttress tower

A simple buttress can be created which is not attached to an independent. This is only useful for estimating and visualisation purposes, since it is not common to create a buttress which is not supporting an independent or circular tank.

Model IT user guide


Model a loading bay

A loading bay can be created which is not attached to an independent. The scaffold type has only been provided for estimation purposes. The loading bay provided lacks basic fall protection and does not include all of the materials required to construct a free-standing structure. This is because it represents an attached loading bay, but has been separated so it can be separately named, priced and quoted.

Model IT user guide


Using the Scaffold Library

You can use the scaffold library to store a selection of typical items for reuse on different projects. To use the library choose the Scaffolds view and select the Scaffold Library button:

Items can be loaded from the library by clicking on their preview picture. You can use the drop-down arrow to display more preview pictures to choose from.

To save the current item to the library enter a name for the scaffold in the Item name field and optionally enter or select a Category. Press the Save button to store the item in the library.

You can also use the Delete and Rename buttons to erase or modify existing library items.

Model IT user guide


Using the other SMART Scaffolder products

The best way to use the SMART Scaffolder products is to use them together. Every product is designed to enhance the rest of the suite.

SMART Scaffolder Model IT can be used with the rest of the SMART Scaffolder products:

Schedule IT

With Schedule IT, it is possible to rapidly create large scaffolding projects without the need to model every scaffold in 3D. It is then possible to use Model IT to adjust those scaffolds until they match the job.

You can also use Schedule IT to instantly copy a set of scaffolds, or to move scaffolds between items.

Check IT TG20:13

Check your tube-and-fitting scaffolds against TG20:13 to prove that a bespoke design is not required.

Report IT

Create instant reports of the components used, for your modelled scaffolds. This shows the exact weight of components used. You can also produce technical drawings.

Price IT

Price the modelled scaffolds using saved and fully customisable sets of rates, to rapidly estimate and check the pricing for the project.

Quote IT

Generate quotations for the project which are automatically updated as you change the details of the scaffolding.

BIM Toolbox

Create scaffolds more quickly, using information from an existing model, or export data from SMART Scaffolder to be used in other design software.

For more information about the other SMART Scaffolder products, please refer to their user guides, which were also supplied with your SMART Scaffolder DVD.

Model IT user guide


Feedback

Thank you for choosing CADS SMART Scaffolder.

We are always striving to improve the product so please contact us with your feedback. We are always keen to hear new ideas and if you experience any problems with the software we want to hear about them so that they can be resolved.

You can contact us via:

Our website support centre at www.smartscaffolder.com/support.html;

Email on [email protected];

Telephone on +44 (0)1202 603733 from Monday to Friday between 09:30 and 17:00.

http://www.smartscaffolder.com/support.html

mailto:[email protected]

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