Product Review: MWF - Metal Wood Framer
Having spent the last six years working strictly in the structural engineering field as Modeling Manager and Senior BIM Technician, I am always looking for ways to increase productivity and provide a better set of construction documents. There are many add-ons, but some aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and others boast of things they can’t actually do.
If you have ever spent any time working in Autodesk® Revit® you realize that when it comes to modeling wood and metal framing, it leaves a lot to be desired and that is where StrucSoft Solutions MWF software comes into action.
What is MWF?
MWF stands for Metal Wood Framer. Pretty straightforward, right? The actual software package I tested contains three different major components: MWF Pro Wall, MWF Pro Floor, and MWF Pro Truss. Developer StrucSoft Solutions also has other packages available for residential home building as well as BIM coordination. For this review I tested just those three major components.
MWF Pro Wall
The tasks that this module claims to do are quite impressive. Wall openings, doors, and windows are detected automatically and framed based on the templates. Abilities include modeling deflection tracks, kickers, connectors, bracing, nogging, straps, and equipment supports. Framing is enabled with user-defined or proprietary building components including CEMCO, Marino/WARE, and iSpan.
I was able to create complete walls easily right out of the box. There are so many options available that you will definitely want to receive some sort of training. For the purposes of this review, I utilized the templates that were already created and modified them as needed. I was able to very quickly take an existing wall and apply the framing to it. It automatically sees the openings and frames out according to the settings created in your template.
One feature I found very useful is that you can apply framing to grouped walls with just a click. If you have a building such as hotels or apartments with the same room layout repeatedly, you can frame out all the walls in just one unit and then apply it to all the other groups. That saves a lot of time and also makes modification easy because you only have to fix it in one place.
Figure 1: Wood framed walls
MWF Pro Floor
This module is just as impressive as the MWF Pro Wall. It is able to auto-detect Revit floors, elements, and openings. The MWF Pro Wall Module also supports stick or panelized construction and user-defined end conditions including balloon, platform, or custom support conditions. It supports wood-canted roofs and rafters including bird’s-mouth cuts, rafter tails, cut backs, and rafter alignment.
The floor module is one that the Autodesk Timber Framing Revit add-on does not have. The Revit add-on has walls, trusses, and rafters. Both rafters and trusses require you to have a modeled roof to be able to use the tool and cannot be utilized with a floor. With MWF Pro Floor, you are actually modeling the framing for the floor. Just like walls, you need to have your templates set up to fully utilize the tool.
One feature I found very useful was the Opening tool. You can create an opening while working in the MWF Pro Floor tool and it will also create the opening in the Revit floor. Instead of having multiple steps to create that opening and getting everything to align, it becomes one seamless command.
Figure 2: Floor framing
MWF Pro Truss
MWF Pro Truss reads Revit roof elements and creates a customized truss layout based on user templates. Select your truss type, input reference points, and let MWF Pro Truss place your trusses. It offers automated creation of whole roof systems and user-controlled preferences and templates. It has multiple truss types including common, mono, scissors, flat top, mono scissors, and custom trusses.
Of all the tools provided by MWF, this is the one that most interested me. Using the regular Truss tool under the Structure tab OOTB is not the most efficient way to place trusses and can be very time consuming. This tool definitely saves time by consolidating the process, and gives many more options for type and shape of the truss.
One nice feature is the ability to customize trusses on the fly. I was able to adjust one side or the other or add additional vertical members very simply.
Figure 3: Roof trusses
Installation and Tool Palette
The install is pretty straightforward. You will be directed to download the packages you have purchased as well as a license manager. Just follow the on-screen prompts and you will be ready to go. MWF uses the Autodesk Revit API and utilizes the families that are native to Revit. After install, you will have a new tab in Revit titled StrucSoft Solutions Ltd. What happens when clicking on this tab, especially the very first time, can be quite overwhelming. There are many, many options available and is very important that you get proper training on how to fully utilize all the content that is available with this software. It is a template-driven add-on, which means you will want to have your templates created and ready to use to be able to capitalize on the options available in this software.
Figure 4: Screenshot of the MWF toolbar in Revit
Is it a Modeling Tool?
The short answer is yes, but it is much, much more. It is able to do things in the modeling environment that so many technicians wish were easy or did not have to create with 2D elements.
If you spend any time looking at the StrucSoft Solutions website you will see everything else they have to offer. The company offers CNC modules, MEP clasher, modular configurator, and linear optimizer. They also work with a few leaders in the metal building industry and have content customized from those suppliers.
One feature that saves a lot of time is the option to detect an MEP file, recognize all the penetrations through walls and floors, and place framing around all those openings. Talk about a time saver!
Figure 5: MEP coordination
Customer Support and Training
The company’s customer service and the training personnel I talked to are very friendly and knowledgeable. They have techs based in their Montreal office that are available 8 am – 6 pm Eastern Time, in London England 8 am – 6 pm British Summer Time. They also have authorized resellers in Scandinavia and Australia with trained technicians for customer service needs in those time zones. They have training available for MWF and will create customized training programs from the basics to the advanced depending on what your needs are.
What will it cost and where can I get it?
The version I tested was the MWF Pro Suite. A standalone license costs $5.985.00 plus a subscription cost of $1,175.00, which is required at purchase. You also have the option of purchasing each individual module if you don’t need the entire package. To purchase the software go directly to the StrucSoft Solutions website www.strucsoftsolutions.com or email them at info@strucsoftsolutions.com.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Ease of modeling completely framed buildings.
- Software is capable of producing shop drawings.
- Information can be exported to CNC machines and other databases for fabrication.
Cons:
- Fully modeling your metal or wood framed walls is going to add 20-30 percent to your overall file size. In an environment where files can already be large, this could be monumental, especially if you are sharing files over the Internet.
- Price. If you want to use it strictly as a modeling tool, then the price is huge. If you have plans for taking your drawings to shop level or are working directly with a fabricator, then the price isn’t as steep and it will definitely save you time.
Final Thoughts
The software performed very well and worked as advertised. I am giving it 8 out of 10 stars. It is very powerful software and has lots of potential for both modeling and fabrication. If the cost doesn’t deter you and you do a lot of metal and wood framed modeling, then I recommend you go buy it.
