Reference tools
Steel shapes
Browse AISC v16 dimensions and section properties, preview profiles, and export geometry.
Find your next step
Steel tools and learning, organized by task
Choose a starting point for drawing work, steel reference, fabrication coordination, or learning the fundamentals.
Search the full websiteDrawing conversion
PDF to DXF
Recover vector geometry from suitable PDFs in your browser. Check scale, units, and output before downstream use.
Practical guides
Read steel drawings
Connect plans, elevations, schedules, and details. Understand what a drawing shows and what still needs clarification.
Project workflow
Release checklists
Work through drawing intake, coordination, revision checks, and a documented handoff.
Learning paths
Steel fundamentals
Build your knowledge of shapes, connections, bolting, welding, tolerances, and project information.
Services
Detailing support
Explore detailing services and discuss your drawing set, software, deliverables, and schedule.
Plan, compare, and keep your progress
Build your working set
These tools work in your browser. Export a local backup when you need to keep or transfer project information.
Quantities
Material takeoff
Combine shapes, piece marks, lengths, and quantities into a nominal weight summary and an exportable material list.
Reference comparison
Compare steel shapes
Compare up to four shapes, switch units, highlight property differences, and keep your favorite sections.
Drawing review
Compare PDF drawings
Open two PDFs locally, select corresponding sheets, and review a split view or aligned overlay.
Stock planning
Plan stock cuts
Group required cuts into stock lengths and account for saw kerf and remaining offcuts.
Project records
Project workspaces
Keep a separate checklist, notes, and unresolved items for each project. Download a backup when you need it.
Personal learning
Save your progress
Bookmark useful guides, mark completed lessons, and return to unfinished articles and videos.
Connected projects
Project dashboard
Connect saved tool records, track drawing revisions and RFIs, and assemble a printable project handoff.
Materials and costs
Stock and estimates
Track available stock and reusable offcuts, then apply your own material prices and allowances to a takeoff.
Drawing access
Search and work offline
Search text within selected PDFs locally. Download the workbench and optional PDF support for offline use.
Try a small workflow before using your own project data
Create a fictional project in Project Workspaces and identify its sample drawing issue. Add a four-piece W18X35 takeoff with 20 ft lengths, save a project snapshot, and check that the dashboard lists it. That example has a nominal member weight of 2,800 lb before additional material or allowances.
Next, record a sample unresolved question and build a handoff preview. Read what the package includes, then export a complete project backup. Trying these steps with invented information lets you understand the saved-record and export behavior before relying on it.
Each tool now includes its own instructions and worked example below the controls. If your task is learning rather than recordkeeping, start with a guide, try its practice exercise, and use the primary references to check the terminology.
A few practical answers
Frequently asked questions
Can I try a complete workflow with sample files?
Yes. Open the practice project for fictional drawing revisions, material data, a project backup, and an answer sheet. Work through it before entering private project information.
Where should a new reader begin?
Start with steel fundamentals, then the drawing guide. The glossary explains unfamiliar terms; the tools let you examine quantities and reference data as you learn.
Do I need an account to use the browser tools?
The public browser tools do not require an account. Their saved records stay in the current browser, so export backups for information you need to keep.