Steel elements and timber elements, parameters

You can change the dimensions and characteristics of all steel and timber elements.
Most parameters listed here are for the Rafters tool. You can define the parameters for the other elements in the same way.
This section also mentions special features of other elements.

The building trade assigned here is used later by the system to generate lists, schedules and analyze the building data.

To assign a building trade, click on an entry.

Use this to set a priority rating. Timber or steel elements with a higher priority (e.g. roof beams) will cut through those with a lower priority (e.g. rafters).

The computation mode has a bearing on subsequent lists and schedules.

You might, for instance, list elements differently depending on the computation mode set here i.e., show the area of walls more than 4’’ thick and show the volume of walls more than 10’’ thick.

To specify a computation mode, select one of the modes (volume, area, linear) listed in the dialog box.

With this option, timber elements that are intersected by components with a higher priority rating are left with a 'hole' where they were intersected, even when the other component is deleted and the Update All-Purpose Elements tool is activated.

The relevant component is shown graphically. If necessary, you can also enter dimensions here. The individual dimensions are illustrated in the preview.

Depending on the shape you selected for the eaves and the ridge, the parameters you need to define are displayed graphically.

When you click

beside Height of TL above roof, you can specify whether the height value is to be based on the top or bottom of the component. This way, when creating a series of rafters below a roof covering, for example, you can specify that the top level of the rafter placement is based on the bottom level of the roof covering.
Example

A Top level of rafters, relative to the bottom level of a roof covering consisting of multiple layers.

When you change the Height of TL above roof value for an entire series of rafters, the program will move the rafters perpendicularly to the roof pitch, ensuring a smooth transition between the rafters and the roof covering. The position of the rafters in plan will update automatically.
Example

-->

A Rafters
B Roof covering consisting of multiple layers
C Rafter is lengthened

The position of the rafters changes accordingly in plan:

-->

A Rafters
B Rafter is lengthened in plan

Roof Pitch and Eave Height Reference Plane are locked during entry; the values they display merely reflect the settings of the roof plane or of the temporary custom reference plane.

When modifying steel and timber elements, you can enter new values for the Roof Pitch and Eave Height Reference Plane parameters and thus alter the pitch later. This is useful if, after modifying the roof, you want to update the rafters so that they match the changes in the roof, for example.

As the Roof pitch and Opposite pitch parameters and the Height of rafter and Height of opposite rafter values are mutually dependent, the ridge may be inclined:

Height of opposite rafter:
(1) Inclined ridge when pitches are different
(2) Inclined ridge when rafters differ in height

This is where you can enter an overhang at the start and end of the rafter-supporting purlin (relative to the direction in which it is entered).

The Height of TL above roof value and the Roof pitch and Eaves height of reference plane parameters work in the same way as for rafters.

You can use the Placing angle parameter to specify the angle at which the post is created in plan.

You can use this to assign functions (e.g. cross lath, strut, brace etc.) to timber elements.

The individual components can be addressed by their function and analyzed and evaluated using the Timber, Steel Schedule tool.

This is where you can define the depth by which the beam cuts through the rafter.

These attributes control how rafters are displayed in sections and in animation:

To assign a hatching style, click the box next to Hatching and assign a style.
If a background color is to be applied to the hatching, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To disable hatching, deactivate the Hatching check box.

To assign a pattern, click the box next to Pattern and select a style.
If a background color is to be applied to the pattern, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To disable the pattern, disable the check box next to Pattern.

To assign a fill, click the box next to Fill and select a color.
In addition to a fill, you can also select a hatching style or pattern; the pattern is then used for thebackground color.

To disable the fill, deactivate the Fill check box.

To assign a bitmap area, click the box beside Bitmap area and select a file.

To disable the bitmap area, deactivate the Bitmap area check box.

To assign an area style, click the box beside Area style and select a style.

Area styles must already be defined.

To disable the area style, deactivate the Area style check box.

Width/height	This is where you enter the height and width of the section as outer dimensions. Use a ”/” to separate the two values.
Rectangle	You can select a rectangular section here. If you have selected a section from the library, just click the icon to switch back to rectangular sections.
Section	You can select any cross-section from the library here. However, you can also create your own symbols: draw a cross-section as a closed 2D outline and save it as a symbol.
Mirror/Rotate	You can mirror and/or rotate the section here.