Workflow
The standard Kudu workflow involves opening and attaching to a SAP2000, ETABS, or SAFE template file with predefined material properties, section properties, load patterns, cases, combinations, etc., as well as desired analysis options, and design preferences.
Grid and story data may be added with Kudu Edit components. Additional definitions may be made with Define components. Objects are added to the model with Draw components and assigned to with Assign components. The model may be analyzed and design modules may be run with Run Analysis and Design components.
Display components display analysis results. Design components display design info.
Extraction of model data, including objects, section property data, etc. is made possible with Get components.
Attach
Users can use Kudu's Attach component to attach to a running instance of SAP2000, ETABS or SAFE.
The Attach component may be recomputed as required to attach to different running instances of SAP2000, ETABS, or SAFE.
Units are either US Default or SI Default depending on Rhino units of feet or meters, respectively. Units are set upon attaching to the CSi instance.
Edit
After the model has been opened and attached to, ETABS users should first edit story and grid data with Edit Towers and Stories and Edit Grid Systems components.
ETABS story data may not be changed via the API after objects have been added to the model. If story data is required to be changed, users may create a new file using the existing model as a template.
Define
Certain definitions are commonly desired to be parametrically created. This is made possible with Kudu's define components. Any number of definitions can be created including material & section properties, section properties & section property reinforcement data, diaphragm, pier & spandrel labels, group definitions & more.
Kudu components denoted with a *symbol (e.g. Define Material Properties*) have multiple modes which may be accessed by right clicking the component.
Draw
After definitions have been created, objects are drawn and given optional property assignments with Kudu's Draw components. Users may draw joint, frame, shell, link, cable, tendon & design strip objects.
ETABS objects should typically be drawn at predefined stories.
SAFE objects must be drawn at predefined datums. Datums are not currently editable with Kudu and must be defined in the SAFE application window.
Objects will not be drawn if an object already exists at the same location. Attempting to draw objects at a location where another already exists will result in long processing times and the API script will fail to complete.
Assign
After objects are drawn, assignments such as property modifiers, loads, etc. may be made with Kudu Assign components.
For ease of assigning data, as well as later access to groups of model objects, users may choose to group objects with the Assign Objects to Group component.
Analyze
The model may be run with the Run Analysis component or by choosing to run the analysis from the CSi application window, itself.
Design
Once the analysis has been run, design may be performed with the Start Design components or from the CSi application window.
Available design info may be displayed with the Design>Display Design Info components.
Display
Display objects, access section property data, as well as analysis results for post-processing in Grasshopper with Display components.
Display components may be used to display model data for any CSi model, not only ones built with Kudu.
Certain model data is only accessible via the CSi API DatabaseTables method. This is accessible via Kudu's Display>Show Tables component.
Certain Kudu Display components employ CSi API functions which access information not available available in SAP2000/ETABS/SAFE tables, e.g. Frame End Forces and Shell Joint Forces.
Advanced Workflows
Users can connect many Kudu components together to perform a variety of CSi API functions in a desired sequence. An example advanced workflow is outlined below.
Create a new model;
Define, draw and assign to objects;
Run analysis and design;
Save and close;
Display & interpret results;
Edit parameters;
Repeat.
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