CFS Design Software Training

We offer a number of different courses on light steel framing design and construction, including software training for SteelSmart System & SteelSmart Framer.  Depending on your time and experience, take one, mix and match, or take all of our courses.

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Training Options

Introduction to Light Steel Framing Design

New to Light Steel Framing (LSF)? Light Steel Framing, also known as Cold Formed Steel (CFS) is steadily gaining ground as a preferred method in commercial construction for exterior curtain wall framing (on structural steel/reinforced concrete structures like office buildings, convention centers, and stadiums) and mid-rise structures (like hotels, apartment buildings/dormitories, military barracks, and hospitals). In this course, learn from experts in the LSF industry about the history of Cold Formed Steel (CFS), its durability, resistance to pests, and fire ratings. Discuss current specifications, design standards, and learn standard nomenclature for products including thickness, material strength, and coatings.

Class Duration: 2hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors

Mid-Rise Load Bearing Steel Stud Framing Design

Interested in mid-rise loadbearing light steel framing? Loadbearing light steel framing is an economical option for the loadbearing system in structures like hotels, apartment buildings, dormitories, military barracks, and hospitals. In this course, learn about different components of loadbearing steel stud framing, how they are designed, and review example projects including:

  • Wall & Floor Systems
  • Wall Sheathing and Mechanical Bracing
  • Design of Wall Tracks – Partial Bearing on Concrete – Load Distribution Members
  • Shear Walls – Diagonal Strap Bracing
  • Construction Bracing

Includes a demonstration of the capabilities of SteelSmart® System structural design and detailing software to design studs, connectors, and fasteners for loadbearing walls and openings.

Class Duration: 2hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors

Wind-Bearing (Curtain Wall) Steel Stud Framing Design

Interested in curtain wall light steel framing? Light steel curtain wall framing is use on structural steel/reinforced concrete structures like office buildings, convention centers, and stadiums. In this course learn about the differences between Infill and Bypass Framing, how they are designed, and review example projects including:

  • Curtain Wall Openings
  • Wall Sheathing and Mechanical Bracing
  • Sliding and Rigid Connections

Includes a demonstration of the capabilities of SteelSmart® System structural design and detailing software to design studs, connectors, and fasteners for curtain walls and openings.

Class Duration: 1.5hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors

Diagonal Strap Bracing Design

Interested in using diagonal strap bracing to resist lateral wind and seismic loads in mid-rise loadbearing light steel framing? StiffWall® diagonal strap bracing is an economical option to replace concrete or CMU walls for lateral load resistance. In this course, learn how to size the components of StiffWall® system; chord members (columns), corner connection (Boot) and diagonal straps. Also learn how to choose shear wall layout and engineer all shear walls using simple engineering software:

  • Shear wall StiffWall® layout
  • Generation and distribution of lateral loads using SSS software
  • Twin stack vs. single stack performance
  • Single and built-up chords (columns)
  • Use of dead load to offset anchorage uplift
  • Anchorage of StiffWall® at foundation or podium level
  • Detailed shop drawings

Includes a demonstration of the capabilities of SteelSmart® System structural design and detailing software to design StiffWall X-Braced Shear Walls.

Class Duration: 1.5hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors

Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Construction Techniques

Interested in building with light steel framing or looking for a refresher? In this course learn the responsibilities of contractors and installers in the design and construction of light steel framing for curtain wall and the loadbearing system. What are the economics of Project Budget and Schedules? Understand LSF construction methods and learn about how TSN’s Design Assist Service can help save you time and money on your next project.

Class Duration: 1hr
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors

Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Light Steel Framing

Are you using best practices for Cold Formed Steel Design? Recent advancements in Building Information Modeling (BIM) have made it an essential tool in the design, estimation, and construction process of light steel framing. This course explains how to design and build more effectively with Cold Formed Steel and covers advancements in BIM as it applies to this field.

  • Benefits of BIM – Levels of Development (LOD)
  • BIM in Light Steel Framing
  • Demonstration of Capabilities of SteelSmart® Framer (BIM Framing Tool)

Class Duration: 1hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, Structural Designers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors, Estimators

Building Information Modeling / Revit Basics

This course prepares Users for the basics of creating 3-D Building Information Models (BIM) for light steel framing using Autodesk Revit. This course is intended to prepare new Revit users with the baseline knowledge they will need to start using the SteelSmart Framer plugin for Revit. Learn the following basic skills:

  • Revit User Interface
  • Project browser and View Properties
  • Types of Parameters (Family Parameter – Type Parameter – Instance Parameter)
  • Basic Tools (Walls, Openings, Floors, Columns, Beams)
  • Wall Constraints, Wall Justification, Joins, Editing wall profiles
  • Creating Floors by sketch or picking walls – Opening cuts and Shaft Openings – Floor Sub-elements & split lines
  • Types of Families
  • Floor Plan Views and View Range
  • Elevation & Section Views
  • Creating & Editing Levels – Attaching levels to floor plans
  • Inserting and Managing Links (DWG, PDF, Revit)
  • Printing & Exporting files

Class Duration: 2hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, Structural Designers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors, Estimators

SteelSmart Framer - Wall Framing

This software training provides Users an introduction to Wall Framing in SteelSmart Framer, a powerful new light steel framing design plugin for Autodesk Revit.  Learn the following skills:

  • Model Preparation for LGS framing
  • Steel Smart Framer Ribbon and Panels
  • Framing Styles
  • Load Bearing Wall Framing Styles (Infill – Interior/Exterior)
  • Load Bearing Wall Opening Styles (Infill – Interior/Exterior)
  • Local Opening Maps
  • Applying Wall & Opening Framing using single framing style
  • Editing & Regenerating Framing
  • Bypass Curtain Wall Styles
  • Bypass Curtain Wall Opening Styles
  • Applying bypass wall framing
  • Generating Panel Drawings
  • Generating Material Lists

Class Duration: 2hrs
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, Structural Designers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors, Estimators

SteelSmart Framer - Shear Wall Framing

This software training provides Users an introduction Shear Wall Framing SteelSmart Framer, a powerful new light steel framing design plugin for Autodesk Revit. Learn the following skills:

  • Global Opening Maps
  • Wall Framing Maps
  • Shear Wall Styles (Single Stack – Twin Stack – Multi Stack)
  • StiffWall® Shear Walls
  • HSS Shear walls
  • Shear wall posts extension
  • Applying shear wall framing within framed panels
  • MidWall® Framing
  • Generating Shear Wall panel Drawings & Material Lists

Class Duration: 1hr
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, Structural Designers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors, Estimators

SteelSmart Framer - Floor Framing

This software training provides Users an introduction Floor Framing SteelSmart Framer, a powerful new light steel framing design plugin for Autodesk Revit.  Learn the following skills:

  • Global Opening Maps
  • Floor Framing Styles
  • Floor Opening Framing Styles
  • Applying Floor Framing to floor with subdivisions and openings
  • Editing & Regenerating Floor Framing
  • Generating Floor panel Drawings & Material Lists

Class Duration: 1hr
Intended Participants: Architects, Structural Engineers, Structural Designers, General Contractors, Light Steel Framing Contractors, Estimators

Schedule Training:

Please fill out the request form below and we will contact you to discuss availability & set up a training schedule:

Please fill out the request form below and we will contact you to discuss availability & set up a training schedule:

Training Module(s)