Cast Column Options

The Cast Column dialog box provides options for creating cast columns in your building structure.

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

Square Select from these options to determine the column shape.

Round
Square
Rectangle


Profile - Creates a column with a cross section determined by a sketch.

Single

Select from these options to determine the column location with respect to the selected building grid segment.

Single

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

U center

Select from these options to determine the alignment of the column along the U axis.

U plus

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

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

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

V center Select from these options to determine the alignment of the column along the V axis.

V plus

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

Positions the column with the grid segment centered in the V direction of the column.
V minus

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

Snap Rotation

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

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

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

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

Switches between curved and straight grid segments.
Diameter For a round column, this option sets the column diameter. This option is only available when you select a round column shape.
Width For a square column, sets the column width. For a rectangular column, sets the column width in the V direction. This option is only available when you select a square or rectangular column shape.
Length For a rectangular column, sets the column length in the U direction. This option is only available when you select a rectangular column shape.


Cast Column Options. Opens the display for these trim and rotation options:
  • Top trim - Sets the top-end trim dimension of the column. A negative value lengthens the column.
  • Bottom trim - Sets the bottom-end trim dimension of the column. A negative value lengthens the column.
  • U offset - Sets the column offset along the U axis.
  • V offset - Sets the column offset along the V axis
  • Rotation - Sets the rotation angle that the column rotates counterclockwise about its length beyond the zero-angle position set in Snap Rotation - Valid range entries are from -360 to +360 degrees.
Note: Click to display the cast column options. To hide the options, 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. The system does not display this option with the Diagrid selection.
  • Show grid points off slabs - Displays grid points that lie off the slab surfaces. This option is only available in buildings with a mass. The system does not display this option with the Diagrid selection.
  • 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.
  • Show grid points - Displays grid points. This option is only available in structures without a mass.