Cast Beam Options

The Cast Beam dialog box provides options for creating cast beams for your building project.

To access the Cast Beam dialog box, from the Concrete section of the action bar, click Cast Beam .

Square Select from these options to determine the beam shape.

Round
Square
Rectangle
Profile. Creates a beam with a cross section determined by a sketch.

Single

Select from these options to determine the beam location with respect to the selected structural grid segment.

Single

Creates a single beam on the vertical grid segment that you select.
Along gridline

Creates beams on vertical grid segments along the selected gridline.
All in story

Creates beams for all vertical grid segments on the same story as the selected grid segment.
Above and below

Creates a stacked vertical beam above and below the selected grid segment.
Diagrid

Creates an ascending diagonal pattern of beams from the pair of selected points.
All on side

Creates beams on the selected side of the building.
All interior

Creates beams on the interior of the building.
All in building

Creates beams for every vertical grid segment in the structural grid.

U center

Select from these options to set the beam alignment along the U axis.

U plus

Positions the beam with the grid segment on the +U side of the beam.
U center

Positions the beam with the grid segment centered on the axis of the beam.
U minus

Positions the beam with the grid segment on the -U side of the beam.

V center

Select from these options to set the beam alignment along the V axis.

V plus

Positions the beam with the grid segment on the +V side of the beam.
V center

Positions the beam with the grid segment centered on the V axis of the beam.
V Minus

Positions the beam with the grid segment on the -V side of the beam.

Snap Rotation

Each click rotates the beam counterclockwise about its axis to align with the next grid segment to define the zero angular orientation for the beam.

For a beam, the zero angle orientation is the base orientation to which the system applies the rotation. Use this option to reorient the beam. The beam reorients until it bisects the angle between grid segments, or is tangent or perpendicular to adjacent grid segments at the base of the beam.
Snap Rotation

Each click rotates the beam clockwise about its axis to align with the next grid segment to define the zero angular orientation for the beam.
Mirror

Flips the profile to mirror the cross-sectional sketch. This option is only available when you select Profile.
Curved Grid Segments

When the structural grid contains curves, this toggle switches between curved and straight grid segments. With curved grid segments, you can create curved beams.
Diameter For a round beam, sets the beam diameter. This option is only available if you select a round beam shape.
Width For a rectangular and square beam, sets the beam width. For a rectangular beam, the width is in the U direction. This option is only available when you select a square or rectangular beam shape.
Depth For a rectangular beam, sets the beam depth in the V direction. This option is only available when you select a rectangular beam shape.
Cast Beam Options

Opens the display for these additional options:
  • End 1 trim - Sets the trim dimension for end 1 of the beam to the neighboring segment.
  • End 2 trim - Sets the trim dimension for end 2 of the beam to the neighboring segment.
  • Vertical offset - Sets the beam vertical offset.
  • Horizontal offset - Sets the beam offset in the U direction.
  • Rotation - Sets the rotation angle around the axis. Valid range entries are from -360 to +360 degrees.
Note: Click to open the display. To hide the display, click again.
Visibility Options

Opens a display with these check boxes.
  • Show grid points on slabs - Displays grid points that lie on the slab surfaces. This option is only available in buildings with a mass.
  • Show grid points off slabs - Displays grid points that lie off the slab surfaces. This option is only available in buildings with a mass.
  • Show grid segments - Displays grid segments between grid points.
  • Show slabs - Displays slabs. This option is only available in buildings with a mass.
  • Show grid perimeter - Displays grid segments and points on the perimeter. The system does not display this option with the Diagrid and All on side selection.
  • Show grid interior - Displays grid segments and points in the interior of the structural grid. The system does not display this option with the All Interior selection.
  • Show grid points - Displays grid points. This option is only available in structures without a mass.