MasterSeries Blog

The new MasterSeries–IDEA StatiCa integration offers a fast and efficient workflow for verifying non-standard and complex connections. Engineers can now export structural models and frame analysis results from MasterFrame directly into IDEA StatiCa Checkbot for advanced connection design—all in a few simple steps.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the new MasterSeries–IDEA StatiCa link:

Step 1 - Launch the Link

In MasterFrame, go to the BIM Exchange menu and click on IDEA StatiCa. This opens the dedicated export dialogue for controlling the transfer to IDEA StatiCa.

Step 2 - Configure the Link Settings

The link dialogue consists of four configuration tabs:

1. Link Tab

• By default, the program automatically uses the latest installed version of IDEA StatiCa. However, if needed, users can select a different installation folder to specify another version.
• The export project directory is initially set to the same folder as the MasterFrame model file. If users prefer to save the exported files in a different location, they can define a custom project directory here.

2. Load Cases Tab

• Select the critical load cases to be exported
• Choose them manually, or use the auto-select option to pick dominant cases automatically

3. Members Tab

Choose how to export the members:

• Physical – members exactly as they exist in MasterFrame, without internal nodes for connecting members
• Analytical (recommended) – automatically splits members at every connection point during export and creates a node at each connecting member. This ensures that IDEA StatiCa receives individual member ends for all elements at a joint

4. Export Tab

Choose the export type:

• Connections – for connection design only; export member-end forces (no internal member forces)
• Members – for both connection and member design; export the members with internal forces; use the sliding bar to control how many internal points are included in the export

Step 3 - Select Members to Export

With the dialogue open, select the parts of your model you'd like to export.

• Choose individual members or the entire model
• The link remains active, so you can come back later to export additional or updated members

Step 4 - Export to IDEA StatiCa Checkbot

Click “Start Checkbot” to launch IDEA StatiCa's Checkbot.

This application acts as the intermediary between MasterSeries and IDEA StatiCa, managing the import and creation of connections or members based on your exported data.

Step 5 - Create Project and Import into Checkbot

Once Checkbot has launched:

1. Create a new project in IDEA StatiCa
2. Under the Import menu, choose either Connections or Members, depending on the aim of your export

Updating the Model

The MasterSeries–IDEA StatiCa link is a one-way export from MasterFrame to IDEA StatiCa. However, the link remains active in the background, allowing you to return and export additional members, new load cases, or even updated analysis results as your design progresses.

Export Additional Members or Load Cases

1. In MasterFrame, reopen the IDEA StatiCa export dialogue via the BIM Exchange menu.
2. While the dialogue is open:
   • Select additional members to include
   • Or, choose new load cases to export
3. Click Start Checkbot again
4. IDEA StatiCa Checkbot will reopen your existing project
5. Under the Import menu, click Connections or Members to add the newly selected data to your project

Sync Updated Analysis Results

If your frame analysis results in MasterFrame change (due to design updates), you can update them directly within Checkbot:

1. Go back to your project in IDEA StatiCa Checkbot
2. In the top toolbar, go to the Structural model section
3. Click Sync to refresh the geometry and analysis results

This ensures the latest force data is used in your connection or member design, without needing to re-export the entire model.

Reinstating the Link if Needed

If the connection between MasterFrame and IDEA StatiCa is lost for any reason (e.g. after closing MasterFrame or Checkbot):

1. Go back to the IDEA StatiCa export function in MasterFrame
2. Click Start Checkbot again

This will re-establish the link and reopen your current Checkbot project, ready for further updates or exports.

Conclusion

This new BIM link simplifies your workflow, allowing you to move seamlessly from global frame analysis in MasterSeries to detailed connection checks in IDEA StatiCa.

Want to see it in action? Watch the webinar recording below for a full walkthrough and live demonstration of the integration: