Creating Catalog Column User Pattern

You can create catalog columns at required locations.

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

      Available selections depend on the Standard and Shape selections.

  3. To create a catalog column using a cross section defined by an object type, perform the following steps:
    1. In the Catalog Column 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 column.

    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 column pattern in a new geometrical set, select the Create in a new geometrical set check box.
  7. To change which grid segment defines the zero angle orientation for the column, click either:
    • Snap Rotation Counterclockwise .
    • Snap Rotation Clockwise .

    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 ninety degrees about the axis.

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

      Option Description
      V plus

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

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

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

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

      Option Description
      U plus

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

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

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

  9. Expand Options and specify the corresponding values.
    1. From End 2 trim, enter the trim dimension for the top end of the column.

      A negative value lengthens the column.

    2. From End 1 trim, enter the trim length for the bottom end of the column.
    3. From U offset, enter the column offset along the U axis.
    4. From V offset, enter the column offset along the V axis.
    5. From Rotation, enter or select the rotation angle so that the column rotates counterclockwise about its length beyond the zero-angle position set in Snap Rotation.
  10. Click Ok.