PlanSwift counts beam LF and assumes a generic shape. BuildBid reads the framing plan and the beam schedule together so weight, plates, and bolts land in one line item.
Structural steel takeoff (CSI Division 05) is a tonnage-and-connections problem. Beams, columns, girts, joists, plates, and angles each ship by piece mark from the framing plan and the beam schedule. Tonnage is computed from piece-mark length and the AISC table for that shape (W12x26 = 26 lbs/LF, etc.). Plates and angles ship by LF or EA per detail. BuildBid reads the framing plan (S-series structural), the beam schedule, and the connection details together so the weight, the connection plates, and the bolt count for that piece all surface on one line.
Connections are their own line item set - not rolled into the beam tonnage. Shear tabs, end plates, gusset plates, base plates, and stiffener plates each come from the connection schedule (or typical details) with a steel weight, fastener count, and welding LF. The connection labor swings 3-5x by type (simple shear vs moment vs braced-frame gusset) - lumping into the beam tonnage hides the bid math.
Bolts are counted by EA and by grade. A325 vs A490, slip-critical vs bearing, galvanized vs plain. Diameter and length per detail. Anchor rods (F1554 grade 36/55/105) for base plates count separately with embedment depth. Drag bolts and stitch bolts surface as their own lines when called for in the connection schedule.
Decking and accessories surface as separate trades. Metal deck SF by gauge and depth (1.5B, 2VLR, 3W), shear studs (3/4 inch Nelson studs, count + length), pour stops at slab edges, side-lap stitching method. Each pulled from the deck spec (05 31 00) and the framing plan, not assumed.