Creating Catalog Beam User Pattern

You can create catalog beams at required locations.

Before you begin: Create a geometrical set or an ordered geometrical set containing points, lines, rectangular patterns, circular patterns, user patterns or axis systems on which you want to place the structural members.
  1. From the Steel section of the action bar, click Catalog Beam User Pattern .
  2. To create a catalog beam from one of the standard steel shape catalogs, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Catalog Beam User Pattern dialog box, to select source, click Catalog .
    2. From the Standard list, select the required catalog.
      For example, to use a beam shape from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), click AISC.
    3. From the Shape list, select a beam shape.

      Available selections depend on the Catalog selection.

      For example, if you are using AISC, a possible selection is W Shapes.
    4. From the Size list, select the beam size.

      Available selections depend on the Standard and Shape selections.

  3. To create a catalog beam using a cross section defined by an object type, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Catalog Beam User Pattern dialog box, to select source, click Object Type .
    2. Click and select an object type from the list of imported object types.

      Notes:
      • Import an object type before creating the member. You can import an existing object type or create a new object type. For more information, see Building and Civil Assemblies User's Guide: Defining Object Type.
      • To undefine the object type, you can click .

    3. Click to display the graphic help of the object type.
    4. In the Size list, select the required size for the beam.

    The out of the box object types are found at Startup\Structure\ObjectTypes.

    To install additional content, select Install Optional Content Now.

    The SDD_DSA_Object_Type.3dxml file (for the DSA collection corresponding to the AISC standard) makes all the shapes available with a single import. The best practice is to import the 3dxml files with the option As Reference.

  4. In the Position box, select a geometrical set or an ordered geometrical set.

    Important: Select a geometrical set which is different from and not contained in the in-work geometrical set.

  5. In the Direction box, select a line, plane, or an axis system to specify the direction of the structural member.

    Notes:
    • You can click Reverse to reverse the direction of the member.
    • The direction specifies the orientation of the local V axis of the member. Thus you can control the base rotation of the member around its axis. This is useful when attempting to orient a number of members on wires in the same direction.

  6. To create a catalog beam user pattern in a new geometrical set, select the Create in a new geometrical set check box.
  7. To change the zero angle orientation for the beam, in the Catalog Beam User Pattern dialog box, click either:
    • Snap Rotation Counterclockwise
    • Snap Rotation Clockwise

    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 by 90 degrees about the axis.

  8. Align the beam.
    1. To align the beam along the V axis, click one of the following:

      Option Description
      V plus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the +V side of the beam.
      V center

      		 Positions the beam with the wire centered on the V axis of the beam.
      V minus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the -V side of the beam.

    2. To align the beam along the U axis, click one of the following:

      Option Description
      U plus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on +U side of the beam.
      U center

      		 Positions the beam with the wire centered on the U axis of the beam.
      U minus

      		 Positions the beam with the wire on the -U side of the beam.

  9. Expand Options and specify the corresponding values.
    1. In the End trim 1 box, specify the trim value.
    2. In theEnd trim 2 box, specify the trim value.

      Note: A positive value shortens the beam; a negative value lengthens the beam.

      Ensure that your entry does not exceed the beam length.

    3. To offset the beam offset along the U axis, specify the Horizontal offset.
    4. To offset the beam vertically, specify the Vertical offset.
    5. In the Rotation box, specify the angle value for the beam in counterclockwise rotation about its length.

      The valid range entries are from -360 to +360 degrees.

  10. Click Ok .