Beam

Module(s): Frame Construction: Rafters, Roof Beams, Posts

You can use the Beam tool to create beams.

To place a series of beams

1. Click Beam (How).
   

   Activate Beam in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Architecture Frame Construction: Rafters, Roof Beams, Posts

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Rafter Design: Rafters, Roof Beams, Posts

   • Configuration: Architecture Frame Construction flyout
2. Define the Height.
   (The angle of inclination (Slope box) is always 0.000 and locked. In other words, beams are always placed horizontally.)
3. Enter the placing region by
   • clicking an existing element or
   • entering a series of points.
4. Use the tools in the dialog line and on the shortcut menu.
   

   When you draw lines and polylines, the following additional drawing aids are provided in the dialog line:
   

   Icon	Function	Use
   	No icon pressed in	The lines can be drawn at any angle. This is the default setting.
   	Enter at right angles	The line can only be drawn at right angles to the current system angle.
   	Cursor snap	The line can only be drawn at specific angles.
   15.00	Cursor snap angle	Define the cursor snap angle here (only possible when is enabled).

5. Press ESC to finish defining the placing region.

   Note: To specify additional placing regions, repeat steps 2 and 3.

6. Any outlines you enter now within the region will create recesses within it.
   Press ESC to finish entering.

   Note: The outline of the recess must be completely within the placing region. If this is not so, the program will issue a message.

   

   Several margins
   This message is displayed when the outline is not within the placing region.

   Polylines intersect
   This message is displayed when the outline and the placing region have a common edge or overlap.

7. Click a line that will serve as the reference line
   Click a line on the polygon you just entered. The beams will be placed along this line and perpendicular to it.
8. If you want, you can now modify the beam parameters.
   Use one of the following options provided on the Context toolbar.
   

   • Click Properties to set the parameters in a dialog box.
   • Click Match Properties to copy the settings form an existing element.
   • Click Load favorite to select saved parameter combinations.
9. Define the length of the region in which the beams will be placed by clicking a start point and an end point.
10. On the Context toolbar, you can define how the beams are placed.
11. To finish designing the beams, press ESC.
12. Beam design will now finish. Save changes?
    Click Yes.
13. To place more beams in another region, repeat steps 1 through 4.
14. Press ESC to quit the tool.