After completing the global structural design, the next step is connection design, which presents several challenges:
Modeling elements with complex positions in connection software.
Accurately exporting mechanical section and material data for each element.
Transferring node reactions correctly to the connection calculation software.
Additionally, careful attention is needed for local axes and diagram rules in both source and target software.
For these reasons, IDEA StatiCa Checkbot is recommended.
IDEA StatiCa Checkbot
What is Checkbot? It's a free app from IDEA StatiCa that links third-party software like Tekla Structures and Tekla Structural Designer with IDEA StatiCa, reducing manual work before connection design.
Before the step-by-step guide, here are some common questions about IDEA StatiCa Checkbot:
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Can I use IDEA StatiCa Checkbot with my current IDEA StatiCa license?
Yes, it works with any IDEA StatiCa license you have.
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Can I use IDEA StatiCa Checkbot without an IDEA StatiCa license?
Yes, if you have at least a basic free IDEA StatiCa plan. Register here: Create your IDEA StatiCa user account | IDEA StatiCa.
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How can I check if my FEM software connects with IDEA?
Check supported software and versions here: BIM links: Supported versions of 3rd party applications | IDEA StatiCa.
Let's continue with the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot guide, focusing on its use after importing and linking to the global calculation model.
IDEA StatiCa Checkbot Interface
Design Tab
Starting from this interface, let's divide each of the interface zones
Based on image 2, we will have the following work zones.
- Tab ribbon
- Command ribbon
- Display canvas
- Display and selection menu
- Imported model data tree
- Selection context menu
- Bottom information ribbon
Tab Ribbon (1)
In this ribbon we can see several aspects.
- Name of the software we are using: This allows us to identify which IDEA StatiCa module we are currently in.
- Project title: This allows us to identify the project we are currently working on.
- Software usage tab menu: The tabs allow us to switch the functions we want to work on in the software, which are:
- PROJECT
- DESIGN
- REPORT
- MATERIALS
- HILTI PROFIS
- We will explain these tabs in more detail in the following sections of this article.
- IDEA StatiCa quick search and help bar: Here we can search for articles on the IDEA StatiCa website (www.ideastatica.com)
- Software update icon: This icon allows us to quickly know if our software is updated. It has two states: when highlighted in "orange," it means an update is available; if not highlighted, it means we are on the latest version.
Command Ribbon (2)
In this ribbon, we can practically see all the commands of IDEA StatiCa Checkbot; it is the main menu to search for functionalities of IDEA StatiCa Checkbot. In this ribbon, we can find the following tool subgroups.
Import Group
This command group allows importing from global design software; we have two commands within this group.
Connections
This command allows importing connections from the global calculation software, first selecting the nodes you want to import in the global calculation software, then clicking the connections button.
As shown in Video 1, you can import a selected connection or the entire project from the global calculation software.
Element
This command allows importing elements to be used in IDEA StatiCa Member software. To perform the import, first select the element you want as the "Element to analyze" in IDEA StatiCa Member, then click the "Element" command as shown below.
It is important to note that, although this seems very similar to the previous import shown in Video 1, when using the "Element" command, we create another entity within Checkbot called "Element."
This entity can be used in IDEA StatiCa Member, the finite element analysis software for complete elements by IDEA StatiCa.
Export Connection Group
This command group, unlike the previous one, allows exporting files from Checkbot, with different commands enabling various formats.
Connection File
This command allows exporting a connection as an IDEA StatiCa Connection file, separate from the other connections in the project. It is important to note that this is not the ideal way to open an IDEA StatiCa Connection file; this command is only useful if you need to send one or more connections to someone who does not need the entire project.
Additionally, it should be clear that exported connections will be unlinked from the Checkbot project, meaning they cannot be updated after a change in the global project.
Exporting can be done in two options:
The allowed options are:
Connection
This allows exporting a single connection as shown in the following video.
Multiple connection files
This option allows exporting different connections in a single IDEA StatiCa Connection file, as shown in the following video:
IFC 
This command allows exporting a connection as an IFC file so it can be used outside IDEA StatiCa.
Exporting can be done in two ways:
The allowed options are:
IFC
This option allows exporting a single IFC file with the connections selected in the connection tree, as shown below.
Multiple IFC files
Unlike the previous case, here you can export multiple connections, but as the command indicates, the export will be in separate files not referenced to each other; below is an example of this case.
Viewer
IDEA StatiCa Viewer is a cloud-hosted software by IDEA StatiCa; in simple terms, it is a free viewer that allows us to quickly view our connection files on any device. Just click this icon while having a connection selected, and the browser will open showing the selected connections.
Conversion Group
In this command group, there is only one command, but it is one of the most important because here we can map all materials unknown to IDEA from the global calculation application.
To map a new material or edit a previously made mapping, click the conversion icon, which opens the following window.
In this window, we can identify three work areas.
Area 1 - Type
In this area, we can select the type of conversion we want to perform.
- Cross sections
- Steel
- Concrete
- Bolt grades
- Bolt metrics
- Reinforcement steel
- Welds
- Pins or bolts
Each of these areas allows going to a library section to map the desired material. It is important to note that only materials not mapped by IDEA StatiCa Checkbot will appear here; if the software has mapped the material, it will not appear here.
Area 2 - Material, cross section, or metric mapping
In this area, we find the menu to perform material mapping, with two columns and a button.
- Imported element: This column shows the name of the cross section, material, or metric coming from the original software.
- Assigned element: This column shows the name of the cross section, material, or metric assigned in IDEA.
- The (+) button: Opens the library of materials, cross sections, and metrics available in IDEA StatiCa to select a new "Assigned element."
Some menus that appear when mapping a cross section, material, or metric.
Area 3 - Properties of the mapped element
This last part of the conversion window shows a summary of the mapping performed.
- Original name: Name of the material from the source software.
- Assigned name: Name assigned within IDEA StatiCa.
- Code: Standard under which the mapping was performed (e.g., EN - Eurocode).
- Link: Software where the mapping was done (e.g., Checkbot).
- Date: Date when the mapping was done in IDEA StatiCa Checkbot.
- Source project: Name of the project where this mapping was done.
Tags Group
In this group, all commands work to show tags or graphic elements that allow visual referencing in the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot model. The following display options are shown.
Nodes
Elements
Connections
Connection Group
Local coordinate axes
Current element group
In this group, commands apply to a single connection. It is important to note that these commands activate only after selecting a connection.
In this group, you will find the following commands:
- Open: This command allows opening the selected connection.
- Reset: This command resets the connection, which means if the connection already has manufacturing operations applied, those will be lost; note this command only applies to "child" connections, not reference connections of a group, a concept explained later in this guide.
- Group: When selecting multiple connections, we can group them to design those connections simultaneously, which has advantages beyond just designing them; these will be explained when discussing group properties.
- Calculate: Allows calculating a connection or group of connections without opening the software. The software prepares the calculation and shows progress in the bottom bar.
- Synchronize: This command synchronizes the selected connection or group of connections. If there have been changes in the global model, such as section or load changes, these update in the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot model.
- Delete: Allows deleting connections already imported into the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot project.
Structural Model Group
This command group allows modifying the structural model. These modifications are limited because IDEA StatiCa Checkbot tries to keep the model as close as possible to the original to maintain traceability between the global model and connection design. However, some modifications are allowed with these commands.
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Loads
: This command allows filtering or better deciding which loads (combinations and load cases) reach our IDEA StatiCa Connection model.
Clicking this command opens the following window.
In this window, three work areas can be identified.
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Imported elements: Here you find load cases and load combinations imported from the source software. The lightbulb icon
indicates you can drag any load case or combination from this area to area number 2; this will be explained more visually in point 2.
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Result classes to check: This area shows groupings of load cases and combinations for which you want your connections checked. By default, there is a group called "All ULS Fund," meaning "All Ultimate Limit States found."
In this area, you can create new load groups for checking by clicking the button
and then dragging load cases or combinations from the imported elements list. You can delete created groups by right-clicking and deleting them, as shown below.
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Properties: The software shows properties of the selected item.
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Load combination: Shows name, description, evaluation type, and load or combination type.
Image 39: Properties shown when selecting a load combination -
Load case: Shows name, description, and load group.
Image 40: Properties shown when selecting a load case -
Result class for checking: Shows name (editable) and types of cases or combinations in that result class.
Image 41: Properties shown when selecting a result class for checking
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Synchronize
: This command synchronizes the entire structural model, a process that takes longer than selecting nodes and updating them but updates the whole model without selecting any connection.
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Join
: Often, global software divides elements with intermediate nodes, but in fabrication, these nodes don't exist and the element is continuous. Examples include a column spanning multiple levels or a top or bottom chord of a truss. Below is a video showing how to join multiple elements.
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Split
: Conversely, if you want to split an element that has changed fabrication and now has intermediate nodes, use the split command to return it to its initial condition.
1D Element Forces Group
This command group allows visualizing internal force diagrams coming with elements from the global calculation software. These diagrams allow quickly seeing forces arriving at nodes and serve to quickly verify that loads were imported into the IDEA StatiCa Checkbot model before opening any connection.
In this group, we find the following commands.
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Draw
: This command shows element load diagrams. To view the diagram, first select a node; after selection, the chosen diagram will display.
Video 15: Using the Draw command. -
Load type
: These commands allow displaying different types of load diagrams; after drawing, you can change the diagram to the desired load.
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Combination list
: Shows a dropdown list to select and display the desired combination's value.
Image 44: Dropdown list of combinations to show result diagrams -
Reference axes
: Shows the coordinate system in which the loads are displayed; this cannot be changed.
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Scale
: Allows varying the scale of displayed values from 0.01 to 100.00; use arrows to increase or decrease in 0.5 intervals or type a value directly.
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End
: Defines where labels will be placed on internal load diagrams, with three options.
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No: No labels are displayed on internal load diagrams.
Image 45: Using the "No" option for label display -
Section: Displays labels of values extracted from global software at a predefined distance called sections by IDEA.
Image 46: Using the "Section" option for label display -
Local ends: Displays labels at local extreme values of each element and their diagrams, as shown below.
Image 47: Using the "Local ends" option for label display
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New Group
This last command group in the "Design" tab allows creating new Connection or Member projects within our model, with varying usefulness depending on the command. Let's see how they work.
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Connection
: This command allows creating a new IDEA StatiCa Connection project in Checkbot, enabling opening and editing it in that module. To create a new Connection project, a node must be available where the connection can be created. Such a node is identified in the canvas as shown below.
Image 50: Shape of a node without an assigned connection Once the node is identified, you can proceed to create the connection as follows.
Video 16: Creating a Connection from a structural node -
Element
: This command allows creating an IDEA StatiCa Member file to evaluate an element's properties in detail in that analysis module. This is done by (1) selecting the command, (2) selecting the element to analyze, with other elements imported as relative elements, and (3) finishing the selection with a right-click on the canvas or pressing Enter, as shown below.
Display Canvas (3)
Now that we've finished explaining the command ribbon, let's see how to work within the display canvas; this is our main workspace where we can see how the model responds to any modification or information requested.
The first thing we'll see is how to navigate this canvas, explained in text and followed by a video showing the commands in the same order.
- Zoom In or Out: Place the mouse over the canvas and scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in or out; alternatively, hold the Shift key and click the mouse wheel on the canvas—scrolling up zooms in, down zooms out.
- Pan across the canvas: Press the mouse wheel on the canvas and move it to pan; it's like grabbing the canvas with your hand and moving it.
- Rotate the canvas: Hold the Control key, then click the mouse wheel button on the canvas and move the mouse to rotate the model.
- Area selection: Select multiple model elements by area selection. Hold the left mouse button and drag in the desired direction. Selecting right to left creates a blue area selecting everything the area touches, even if not fully inside the rectangle; selecting left to right creates a red rectangle selecting only what is fully inside.
Additionally, you can access software controls for elements or connections by clicking on them, for example.
- Right-click on an element: Displays a single option to delete the element; note it can only be deleted if it has no connections associated with its start or end node.
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Right-click on a connection: Shows an extensive dropdown menu with almost all options you can execute on one or multiple connections explained earlier; specifically, the following appear.
- Open
- Calculate
- Rename: The only command not previously explained; allows changing a connection's name in the data tree.
- Reset
- Delete
- Create a group
- Remove from group
- Export
- Connection
- Multiple Connection files
- IFC
- Multiple IFC files
- Open in Viewer
Display and Selection Menu (4)
This small part of the design tab is intended to change or interact with how we see the Checkbot model displayed; within this area, we have the following sections.
- Display commands
- Canvas panning and rotation commands
- Display modes for imported objects
- Canvas display commands
- Canvas display cube
Now each of these areas and commands will help us better visualize the model, so let's proceed with their description.
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Display commands
These commands allow changing the model display based on the current selection, functioning as follows.
- View selected
: Shows only the selected items
- Hide selected
: Temporarily hides selected elements from view
- Reset display
: Restores the original display
Below is a video showing how these commands work.
Video 19: Using display commands - View selected
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Canvas panning and rotation commands
These commands allow moving around the model views without pressing any mouse key, with options to move, rotate, and zoom the canvas.
Image 55: Canvas panning and rotation options Below is a video demonstrating each command.
Video 20: Using canvas panning commands -
Display modes for imported objects
This option allows viewing the model in three different ways, making it easier to select elements or better understand the model, as shown below.
Wireframe view
Image 56: Wireframe view of the model Transparent view
Image 57: Transparent view of the model Solid view
Image 58: Solid view of the model -
Canvas display commands
These two commands allow changing the model views slightly.
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Perspective
: This option allows viewing the model with a different projection system, usually an orthogonal projection is used, aligning columns perfectly when viewed frontally because projections reach the observer perpendicularly.
Image 59: Front view in orthogonal projection When the perspective command is activated, the system switches from orthogonal to oblique, causing objects to project with some offset in the observer's perspective.
Image 60: Perspective view of the model -
Initial view
: Returns to the initial view when the model was opened, as shown below.
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Canvas display cube
This cube allows rotating the model or generating precise views, with two ways to use it.
- First, click on a desired view; the camera automatically positions itself to that view for precise viewing.
- Second, click and hold the cube, then move the mouse to rotate the model, similar to other rotation tools.
Below is a video demonstrating both uses.
Video 21: Using the canvas display cube
Imported Model Data Tree (5)
This data tree allows managing most of the imported information within the Checkbot model.
Although this data tree may vary, it generally includes the following:
- Connections
- Connection groups
- Imported connections
- Connection groups
- Elements
- Imported elements
Each item has interaction methods depending on its type and function within the project, which we will detail below.
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Connections: This group includes all connections imported into Checkbot. Interacting with this branch means dealing with all connections simultaneously, so commands shown when right-clicking this branch refer to the connection project.
Image 62: Commands available when selecting the "Connections" branch The commands available are:
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Calculate all
: Calculates all designed connections within the software. The software checks connections against standards in the background, so opening each connection is unnecessary. Use this command with caution, as it starts calculating all connections, which may take significant time. Below is how this process looks after clicking "Calculate all."
Video 22: Using the "Calculate all" command. Once started, you can see progress in the bottom bar.
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Select all
: Selects all connections with one click; below is the software showing all connections selected.
Image 63: View of all selected connections in the model - Reset all
: Resets connections to their original state; using this command loses all designs made so far.
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Export
: Opens an export menu with options described earlier. It is important to note these commands apply to all connections.
Image 64: Export command from the data tree We want to highlight a popular option among clients in this export menu:
, as it exports a complete IFC model of all project connections located correctly for fabrication, improving BIM coordination.
Image 65: Exporting all connections to IFC -
Open in Viewer
: Opens the viewer in the browser, showing all project connections.
Image 65: "Open in viewer" function executed
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