Catalog Column Options

The Catalog Column dialog box provides options for creating catalog columns in your building structure.

To access the Catalog Column dialog box, from the Steel section of the action bar, click Catalog Column .

Catalog

Select from these options to select a standard column from a catalog or to select a sketch for the column cross section.

Catalog

Creates a column from a catalog of standard column shapes.
Profile Creates a column with a cross section.

Single

Select from these options to determine the column location with respect to the selected structural 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.
Plane to plane

Creates columns between selected planes. You can include points between the selected planes.
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 set the alignment 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 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 set the alignment 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 on the V axis 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.
Curved Grid Segments

When the structural grid contains curves, this toggle switches between curved and straight grid segments. With curved grid segments on a structural grid with nonhorizontal output planes, you can create curved columns.
Catalog Provides a list of catalog names from a list of standard steel catalogs.
Type Provides a list of available column shapes. Available options depend on your Catalog selection.
Size Provides a list of available column sizes. Available options depend on your Catalog and Type selections.
Profile

Lists your selection of a closed cross-sectional sketch for a custom column. This option is only available when you create a Profile column.
Catalog Column Options

Opens the display for these trim, offset, and rotation options:
  • Top trim - Sets the top-end trim dimension of each column. A negative value lengthens the column.
  • Bottom trim - Sets the bottom-end trim dimension of each 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 direction 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 catalog column options. 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.