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StarFront4 Training

A series of training videos have been uploaded to the StarFront YouTube channel. Please subscribe for updates.

Download, Register and Reactivate

All downloads, registrations and reactivations for StarFront4 can now be performed online by using one of the buttons below:

StarFront is an advanced “cost and cutting” program developed for the Southern Africa architectural aluminium industry.

StarFront is designed and developed in South Africa and is based exclusively on the architectural extrusion systems available from Wispeco (Pty) Ltd, the Largest Aluminium Extruder in Africa.

At Stargate we provide specialised training courses to help you learn and understand the features of StarFront and how it can improve your business.

StarFront4 Training Courses

Beginners Course

For users who are new to the Starfront program.

R3800 (excl. VAT)

Terminology and Industry Basics

Introduction to Starfront

Basic Wind Loading

Original Design

Basic Costing

Reports

Intermediate Course

For users who are already competent in Starfront and would like to further their knowledge.

R3800 (excl. VAT)

Stockist Loyalty

Advanced Wind Loading

Standards and Typical Designs

Intermediate Design Techniques

Costing Including Factory and Installation

Report Manipulation

Advanced Course

For users who would like to get the most from the Starfront program.

R3800 (excl. VAT)

AAAMSA/ SAGGA Regulations

Networking

Advanced Design Techniques

Graphical Design

Advanced Costing

Thermal Calculations

Glass Optimisation

Additional Information

Dates and Locations

 

Beginner’s Course Intermediate Course Advanced Course
Johannesburg Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled
Cape Town 11 June 2024 12 June 2024 13 June 2024
Durban 10 September 2024 11 September 2024 12 September 2024

Agenda

 

08h00 – 08h30:     Registration and welcome tea

08h30 – 09h00:     Welcome and introduction

09h00 – 10h30:     Morning session 1

10h30 – 11h00:     Morning tea

11h00 – 12h30:     Morning session 2

12h30 – 13h30:     Lunch

13h30 – 15h00:     Afternoon session 1

15h00 – 15h30:     Afternoon tea

15h30 – 16h30:     Afternoon session 2

 

How To Book

 

Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Your booking is only confirmed once payment for the course has been received.

 

Bookings can be made by sending an email to natasha@stargate.co.za or by clicking the BOOK NOW link in the courses above.

 

Early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

 

What’s Included

 

Welcoming tea

Printed StarFront user manual (only for Beginner’s course)

The latest training version of StarFront on DVD

Pen and notepad

Refreshments during training

Morning tea

2-course lunch

Afternoon tea

 

Course Breakdown

Beginner’s Course

Welcome

Welcome message

Delegate Introduction

Facilities

Refreshments

Times

 

Introduction

Course differences

Course objective

Microsoft analogy

StarFront functions

Why use StarFront

 

System Basics

Casement Windows

Sliding Windows

Sliding Doors

Shopfronts

Sliding/folding doors

Curtain Walls

Barriers and Screens

 

Terminology

Outer Frame

Mullion

Transom

Sash

Door profiles:

– Head

– Sill

– Jamb

– Meeting Stile

– Interlock

– Midrails

Other Systems, balustrade etc

 

Windload

Basic Definition

How to chose

Deflection basics 1/175

Structural Engineer

Limitations 10m

Mullions continuous?

 

Industry basics

Material costs

Factory labour

Installation costs

Maintaining prices

Setting glass prices

Adding hardware

Adding Finishes

 

Software Options

Starlite

StarFront4

U-Solve

CAD

FPD

 

Contract definition

What is a contract

What is a window type

Choosing good references

Naming conventions

 

StarFront OD Concept

What is the challenge

Concept of a frame

Concept of an insert

2×2 Frame with 1 TH combinations

Range of casement frames

Range of casement inserts

Labeling conventions 01, X1, Y1 etc

Casement window example

Shopfront example

 

Program Overview

Legal Disclaimer

Marketing information

Stockist logo and dates

Version number

Menu structure

 

Windows OS Basic

Setting currency symbol

Setting decimal separator

Default printer

Screen resolution

Hiding the task bar

 

Program Registration

How to register

Why register

Who must register

 

Program Updates

Internet program updates

Internet price file updates

Update settings

DVD Updates

 

Program Installation

How the program is distributed

Uninstall previous version

Where the program is installed

Where backups and data are located

Physically install program

Setting to ‘Run as Administrator’

 

Original Design

Create contract

Contract main page settings

OD Screen layout

Demonstrate fixed window example 600×1200

Explain changing dimensions

Users create fixed window example

Demonstrate TH Example 1200×1200

Explain mullion automation

Users create TH Example

Demonstrate SH example1800x1200

Users create SH example

Demonstrate simple SF

Explain glass panel insert

Users create simple SF

Put new contract on screen with mixed examples

What other information is required:

– Wind Load

– Powder code

– Glass types

– System choices

– Install times

Users must create design as shown on screen

Use basic costing screen to check user’s design

 

Basic Costing – Material plus markup

Layout of costing screen

Concept of Material x 2

Setting waste factors

Setting discount structures

Importance of price files

Responsibility for glass and own components

Setting contribution to 100%

Dangers of material x 2

Consumables

Refresh, estimate and re-calculate

Sheet price versus CTS price

 

Reports

Costing reordering schedules

Cutting lists

Other reports

Reports under file maintenance

 

Documentation

System Documentation

Other Documentation

Important documents

Wispeco’s documentation compliance

Intermediate Course

Welcome

Welcome message

Delegate Introduction

Facilities

Refreshments

Times

 

Introduction

Course differences

Course objective

Microsoft analogy

StarFront functions

Why use StarFront

 

Stockist Loyalty

List of CDPs

How SF4 is funded

Why not to buy from non CDP

CPA implications

Future of industry

FDP program

 

Windload Advanced

Recap basics

Inertia Concept

What will fail?

Adding inertias

Formula for Ix

Inertia Spreadsheet

Practical examples

Other strengthening

Multi point support

 

Defaults

Intro

Concept of a default

Program defaults

Contract defaults

Design defaults

 

Windows OS Intermediate

What OS are supported

Can SF4 run on a tablet

Internet requirements

Email requirements

Anti-virus

 

Backups and User Settings

Automatic backups

Additional backups

Transferring contracts

Transferring user settings

Installing new versions

 

Additional Design Options

Changing frame profiles

Changing frame components

Changing insert profiles

Changing insert components

Changing insert glass

Adding security bars

Resetting contract defaults

 

Other Options

Delete multiple contracts

Purge contract

Copy Contract

Merge Contract

 

Advanced Design Techniques

Setting frame glass sizes equal

Setting insert glass sizes equal

Concept of standard sizes

Resetting insert sizes

Choice of frame 1×1 or 1×3, reasons

Hole in wall

User create hole in wall example

 

Standards and Typical Designs

What are standard windows

Selecting from a standard

Changing the glass on a standard

Changing the dimensions of a standard

User practical on above

Creating own standards

Using standards as a price list

Using standards to copy a design

Using standards to split up multiple designs

Using typical designs

Glazing – S/G and D/G

What is D/G

Casement system matrix

Other considerations

 

Costing – Incl. factory & Install

How factory costs are calculated

How installation costs are calculated

Setting contribution when using factory & install

Importance of blue values

Fabricator spreadsheet explanation

Setting costing defaults

Checking allocation of Factory labour

Checking costing on simple and complex examples

Importance of % mark-up on material

Understanding contact value versus total costs

 

Report Options

Editing Reports

Hiding Graphics

Manipulating layout

Print to PDF

Export to Excel or Word – Demonstrate

 

CAD

Importance of CAD

CAD software options

Basic Drawing

Basic assembly

Typical cross-sectional details

Creating own drawings + demo

Advanced Course

Welcome

Welcome message

Delegate Introduction

Facilities

Refreshments

Times

 

Introduction

Course differences

Course objective

Microsoft analogy

StarFront functions

Why use StarFront

 

System Concepts

Glass Setting Blocks

Mullion Packers

Inward opening doors

 

AAAMSA/SAGGA Regulations

Discuss NBR

Role played by AAAMSA and SAGGA

Rules included in SF4

 

Defaults Adv.

Defaults Recap

Changing finish

Changing glass

Changing wind load

 

Networking

Networking options

Using cloud service rather

Disadvantages of network installation

How to install on a network

Network responsibilities

 

Advanced Design Techniques

Inserting a different system into shopfront

User create shopfront example

Patio door with sidelight (Swift34)

User create patio door example

Manipulating graphics

 

Graphic Design

Introduction

Basic casement example

Users create casement example

More complex casement example

Users create more complex example

Changing glass

Changing profiles

Changing finish

Changing hardware

Locking dimension

Setting sash sizes equal

Copy a design

Manipulating dimensions

Mullions versus transoms continuous

Storing favourites

Multiple frames

Aligning profiles

 

Special Colour Costing

Why are special colours a problem

Hidden costs when using special colours

How to calculate true wastage

Sticking to certain systems

 

Advanced Costing

Understanding special colours

Single window type versus multiple windows

Mixing systems

Changing a design to use fewer profile types

 

Quote Settings

Adding information to quote

Creating an automatic letterhead

Linking a scanned letterhead

Adding terms and conditions

Editing a quote before printing

Hiding an item on a quote

 

Thermal Calculations

Basic discussion U-Value and SHGC

Factors affecting U-Value

Factors affecting SHGC

Introduction to U-Solve + Demo

 

Glass Optimisation

Importance of optimising glass

Introduction to SmartCut + demo

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I receive a certificate?

You will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of each course.

How long is the course?

Each course is one day long, starting at 08h30 and ending at 16h30.

Can I get a discount for attending more than one course?

Yes. You will get a discount for attending 2 or 3 courses, and receive an additional discount for more than one delegate on any of the courses.

Do I need to bring a computer?

No, we will provide a computer for you to use, and show you how to load the program.

Do you offer Fabrication training?

No. We only do training to use the StarFront Computer Program.  Fabrication training is offered by Wispeco.  Please contact them on 011 389 0000.

Do I need to know how to use a computer?

It is important that you have basic computer literacy skills.