GENSEC Creation Methods (1)
GENSECs may be created as straight, curved, arc or ring configurations, with various creation methods for each type, available from the Create group of the SECTIONS tab.
GENSEC Creation Methods (2)
The Straight button has the following options:
– Single creates one straight GENSEC. – Continuous creates any number of GENSECs with the end position of the first being the start position of the second, etc. – Repeat creates any number of GENSECs using Single mode by repeating the command.
GENSEC Creation Methods (3)
The Curved button has the following options:
– Free Definition creates a curved GENSEC with as many points as required and variable curve angles – Fixed Angle creates a curved GENSEC with as many points as required and the same fixed curve angles
GENSEC Creation Methods (4)
The Arc button has the following options:
– Centre + Sweep requires a centre point, diameter (or radius), start angle and sweep angle – Ends + Radius requires a start point, end point and a point to define the arc direction – Three Point requires three points through which the arc passes – Semi-Circle requires a start and end point and a point to define the arc direction
GENSEC Creation Methods (5)
The Ring button has the following options:
– Centre + requires a centre point and a diameter (or radius) – Three Point requires three points through which the arc passes – Two Point requires two points through which the arc passes. The second point defines the ring diameter
GENSEC Creation (1)
Select the Profile Specification, Generic Type and Profile from the options lists in the Defaults group of the SECTIONS tab.
GENSEC Creation (2)
Set the profile Justification line using options list. – The new steel profile catalogue has new Pline names
Set the Material and Class, if appropriate. – Class represents a new attribute, StruClassification, on a GENSEC. The attribute values are set in Lexicon.
GENSEC Creation (3)
Clicking the appropriate button in the Create group or selecting the required creation method from the button, displays a command prompt in the 3D view adjacent to the cursor. – Note: Straight button clicked
The Start point may be picked graphically or by entering values in the E, N and U textboxes. The textboxes show the current cursor position as it is moved across the 3D view.
GENSEC Creation (4)
If a value is entered into, say, the E textbox, pressing the Tab key locks the value is and the N textbox is highlighted. Making a graphical pick at this point will only affect the Northing value – Note: the U value will be the current LCS for graphical picks
N and U values may be entered in a similar way.
GENSEC Creation (5)
When the Start point prompt is displayed, the down arrow icon after the prompt indicates that there are options available. Pressing the down cursor key displays the options below the prompt.
– Pressing the appropriate key for the option or clicking on the appropriate tile selects the option and returns to the prompt sequence. Pressing the Esc key cancels the option selection. – Note: options may change for different prompts in the sequence.
GENSEC Creation (6)
When a valid Start point has been entered the prompt changes to End point and a ‘ghost’ of the selected profile is displayed. Dynamic hints (which may be switched off) give dimensional feedback for the Start point.
Ortho mode (F8 key) may be toggled to restrict the cursor movement to the U and V axes of the LCS.
GENSEC Creation (7)
The End point is specified in the same way as the Start point. Once a valid End point has been specified the GENSEC is created.
Connecting GENSECs (1)
GENSECs are connected automatically during the creation process provided Automatic mode is enabled, a suitable snap point is obtained and the owning member is highlighted.
If GENSECs are not connected when created then the Connect button may be used to connect two GENSECs together.
Connecting GENSECs (2)
Connecting GENSECs does not require a Pline rule to be set to obtain correct trimming, effectively, Pline rules are now part of the ‘system’. Only Plines with the Cconnect attribute set to ANY are used for automatic trimming on connections. If a connected GENSEC, or a multiple selection of connected GENSECs, is modified, e.g. moved, Spec. Ref. changed, Beta angle changed, etc., connectivity is maintained in accordance with some simple rules. This is known as Dynamic Connectivity. An understanding of the affects of the Jfree attribute (joint dominance) setting on a FIXING is required to fully appreciate Dynamic Connectivity.
Connecting GENSECs (3)
Connecting two GENSECs together creates a JLDATU/PLDATU/FIXING hierarchy construct below the owning GENSEC. This replaces the SNOD/SJOI construct used for SCTN elements.
Cross ‘markers’ are displayed at the PLDATU and JLDATU positions.
Structural Snapping Modes (1)
In addition to the Elements and Graphics snaps on the Object Snapping Settings form, there are three snapping ‘modes’ which are particular to Structural modelling, i.e. Projected Start/End, Significant snaps and Distance Snap. The modes may also be toggled from the Status bar.
Structural Snapping Modes (2)
Projected Snaps – Normally an Item snap to the start or end of a GENSEC would snap to the actual start or end point. – Projected Snaps mode modifies the Item snap at the start and end points of a GENSEC to the JLDATU position on the owning member.
Structural Snapping Modes (3)
Significant snaps – This mode enables other JLDATU elements on the same GENSEC to be used as snap points, whereas only the start and end points would available.
Structural Snapping Modes (4)
Significant snaps also affects other snaps. – For example, with Significant Snaps on, Item Midpoint is measured between significant snaps rather than start and end points.
Structural Snapping Modes (5)
Distance Snap – This snap mode works in conjunction with other snaps. – The snap mode may be enabled and a distance specified on the Object Snapping Settings form:
– Distance Snap may be toggled on from the PowerWheel.
Structural Snapping Modes (6)
When on, Distance Snap displays another input textbox on appropriate commands in the 3D view.
The textbox is accessed using the up arrow key and a new distance may be entered. If used in conjunction with, say, Item or Item Midpoint snap the requested distance is added to the indicated snap point:
Pline Filtering (1)
Plines can be selected and filtered from the P-line Filters tab on the Object Snapping Settings form. The form displays the 14 ‘Standard’ Plines applicable to all profiles in the E3D2.1 steel profile catalogue and ‘System’ Plines which are Gtype specific and only applicable to some profiles. Additional ‘Custom’ Plines may be added to the list, for example Plines from ‘old’ or client catalogues, by entering a PKEY and Description at the bottom of the form. The Visible checkbox next to each Pline determines whether it is visible, when appropriate, in the 3D view.
Pline Filtering (2)
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