---
title: Export DSTV NC1 for Fabrication
slug: export-dstv-nc1
summary: "Turn your FrameAI model into a NC1 file — the language that steel fabricators use to cut and drill your beams."
youll_need:
  - "Completed FrameAI model"
  - "Pro account or higher"
  - "Steel structural elements in model"
  - "~5 minutes"
steps:
  - "Open your model in Studio"
  - 'Click "Export" → "DSTV NC1"'
  - "Choose which beams to include (or 'All steel members')"
  - "Set your workshop's preferred NC1 variant (ask your fabricator)"
  - "Download the .nc1 file"
  - "Send it to your fabricator — they load it directly into their CNC machine"
what_you_should_see: "Downloaded .nc1 file with all beam marks, hole positions, and cut angles"
common_problems:
  - "Fabricator can't open the file: Confirm which NC1 variant they use — DSTV has STahlbau, Kompakt, and PCBP variants."
  - "Missing beams in export: FrameAI only exports members marked as 'steel' — check your material assignments."
  - "Wrong hole positions: Ensure your connection library is up to date in Studio → Settings → Connections."
  - "NC1 export button greyed out: You need at least one steel member with a connection detail assigned."
video_slug: export-dstv-nc1
category: fabrication
locale: en
---

## Export DSTV NC1 for Fabrication

DSTV NC1 is the standard file format that steel fabricators use to load your drawings directly into their CNC machines. FrameAI generates NC1 files automatically from your model — no manual transcription needed.

### Before you start

| Item | Details |
|------|---------|
| Access | Pro account or higher |
| File format | NC1 (DSTV 7th edition ASCII) |
| Prerequisite | At least one steel member with a connection detail |
| Time | ~5 minutes |

---

### Step 1 — Open your model in Studio

Open [frameai-structural.polsia.app/studio](https://frameai-structural.polsia.app/studio) and select your job.

```
<div class="screenshot-placeholder">
  📸 Screenshot: Studio with a loaded structural model.
  TODO: replace with actual screenshot
</div>
```

### Step 2 — Open the Export panel

Click **Export** in the top toolbar, then select **DSTV NC1**.

```
<div class="screenshot-placeholder">
  📸 Screenshot: Export dropdown with DSTV NC1 highlighted.
  TODO: replace with actual screenshot
</div>
```

### Step 3 — Choose which beams to include

Select individual beams or click **All steel members** to export the entire model.

```
<div class="screenshot-placeholder">
  📸 Screenshot: Beam selection panel with checkboxes.
  TODO: replace with actual screenshot
</div>
```

### Step 4 — Set the NC1 variant

DSTV NC1 comes in three regional variants. Ask your fabricator which one they use:

| Variant | Common in |
|---------|-----------|
| STahlbau (STAHL) | Germany, Austria, Switzerland |
| Kompakt | Netherlands, Belgium |
| PCBP | UK, Scandinavia |

```
<div class="screenshot-placeholder">
  📸 Screenshot: NC1 variant selector dropdown.
  TODO: replace with actual screenshot
</div>
```

### Step 5 — Download and send

Click **Download NC1**. FrameAI packages all selected members into a single `.nc1` file (or a `.zip` for multiple files).

```
<div class="screenshot-placeholder">
  📸 Screenshot: Downloaded .nc1 file in the downloads folder.
  TODO: replace with actual screenshot
</div>
```

Send the file to your fabricator — they load it into their CAM software or CNC machine directly.

---

## What you should see

A downloaded `.nc1` (or `.zip`) file containing:
- All beam marks matching your part schedule
- Hole positions from your connection details
- Cut angles and end preparations
- Profile dimensions and steel grade

---

## Common problems

**"Fabricator can't open the file"**
> Confirm which NC1 variant they use. STAHLBAU, Kompakt, and PCBP have subtly different formatting — wrong variant means garbled output in their CAM software.

**"Missing beams in export"**
> FrameAI only exports members where the material is marked as "steel". Check: Studio → Members → material column. If a member shows "concrete" or "unknown", correct it and re-export.

**"Wrong hole positions"**
> Your connection library may be outdated. Go to Studio → Settings → Connections and make sure your standard connection details (end-plate, base plate, apex) are loaded and up to date.

**"NC1 export button greyed out"**
> You need at least one steel member with a connection detail assigned. Open any steel member in the model, assign a connection type (e.g., "beam-to-column moment"), and the export button will activate.

---

## What's next?

- [Export to Fabrication](/docs/tutorials/export-to-fabrication) — full fabrication package including BOM and shop drawings
- [Run Eurocode Calculations](/docs/tutorials/run-eurocode-calculations) — verify member utilisation before exporting

Prefer to watch? [Watch the video walkthrough](/videos/export-dstv-nc1)