Connect Steel Detailing, Estimating & Fabrication with HiCAD KISS File Integration

KISS stands for “Keep It Simple Steel.” Although commonly referred to as a “.KISS file,” the standard file extension is.KSS.

A KISS file is a structured, comma-delimited text file developed for exchanging steel fabrication and bill-of-material information between different software systems. Depending on the receiving system and the available project data, it can contain information such as:

• Project and Job Identification
• Drawing and Revision Numbers
• Assembly and Part Marks
• Material Quantities
• Profile and Plate Descriptions
• Material Grades
• Part Lengths and Dimensions
• Surface Finishes
• Sequence or Shipping Information
• Labor and Production-Related Data
• Optional CNC References
  

Because KISS is a text-based exchange format, it provides a practical connection between steel detailing software and downstream business or fabrication systems without requiring both applications to use the same internal database structure.

How the KISS Interface Works in HiCAD

Steel assemblies, profiles, plates, and other fabrication parts are developed and managed within the HiCAD 3D project. The KISS implementation then converts the relevant model and bill-of-material information into a structured.KSS file.

The file can subsequently be transferred to compatible systems for:

• Material estimating
• Advance bill of materials
• Purchasing and procurement
• Inventory planning
• Production planning
• Labor estimation
• Shipping and erection sequencing
• Project cost control

Project-specific field mappings can be configured to align HiCAD information—such as position numbers, assembly marks, material descriptions, grades, quantities, and lengths—with the requirements of the receiving system.

One Model, Consistent Fabrication Data

The value of the KISS integration extends beyond exporting a file. It creates a reliable connection between the HiCAD engineering model and the systems used to manage fabrication.

When a project changes, the model and associated production information can be updated in HiCAD. A new KISS file can then be generated from the revised project data, reducing the risk of working with outdated material lists.

This helps steel fabricators achieve:

• Less manual data entry
• Fewer transcription and quantity errors
• Faster material takeoffs
• More accurate purchasing information
• Better coordination between engineering and production
• Improved traceability through part and assembly marks
• A smoother transition from detailing to fabrication

KISS, DSTV/NC, Drawings, and BOMs From One HiCAD Model

The KISS file is primarily used to exchange bill-of-materials and production-management information. It complements other fabrication outputs generated from HiCAD, including:

• Production and shop drawings
• Assembly and single-part drawings
• Bills of materials
• DSTV/NC files for CNC machinery
• DXF/DWG files
• IFC and other BIM exchange formats

Together, these outputs support a connected design-to-production workflow based on one coordinated 3D model.